PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PROBLEMS OF SECURITY AND STABILITY IN TRANSCAUCASIA

CASE 2

CASE SUMMARY

Relations between Russia and Georgia have been tense since August 2008 when the conflict over South Ossetia escalated into a brief war between the two countries. Georgia launched an assault on the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali to flush out separatist rebels, following frequent exchanges of fire. Russian forces quickly drove Georgian troops out of first South Ossetia, then Abkhazia before a peace deal was signed. After the 2008 conflict, Moscow declared that it would formally recognise the independence of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia and vowed to defend their independence if necessary. Georgia still considers both breakaway regions part of its territory.

South Ossetia was one of the first flashpoints of ethnic conflict in the disintegrating Soviet Union when, in 1990, calls for unification with their ethnic kin in North Ossetia led to conflict with Georgia's new government. Simmering tensions flared up into all-out war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008.

Abkhazia formally declared independence from Georgia in 1999. UN peacekeepers - mainly Russians - patrolled a buffer zone on the border between Abkhazia and Georgia from 1994 to 2008. In 2010 Russia deployed S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Abkhazia in order to defend it and South Ossetia from outer assaults.

Back in 2008, Western countries condemned Russia for penetrating deep into Georgia, beyond the conflict zones. Russia later pulled its forces back to the two regions. In September 2009 an EU-sponsored report said both sides had violated international law. It found that Georgia had attacked the Russian-backed South Ossetian rebels, triggering the war, after months of provocation. In 2011 the United Nations' top court dismissed a case filed by Georgia that accuses Russia and separatist rebels of ethnic cleansing and the ICERD violation but the Georgian government intends to further pursue the case.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Why are the territories in dispute so important for both Russia and Georgia? In your opinion, are there any third parties interested?

2. Who would you side with in this territorial conflict? Give your reasons following the background of history and international law.

3. What is your forecast for the future development of the situation and re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and Georgia?

PRESS CONFERENCE: ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

A press conference is a voluntary presentation of information to the media. A press conference is held for major newsworthy events or announcements. For maximum impact, press conferences need to be well planned and publicised. To hold a press conference you pick a time and place, contact the media, make a presentation and respond to reporters’ questions.

The venue should be large enough to seat the maximum number of journalists expected, television lights and cameras, a separate table for the speakers and any necessary visual aids, but not so large that the event appears poorly attended. It is a good idea to place a banner or large logo where it will show up in photos and on TV.

A notice giving the time and place, the name(s) of main participant(s) and a very brief indication of the topic should be sent to the media at least 48 hours before the event (unless the conference has been called at the last minute in response to a news event).

On the actual day of the press conference an assistant with a notepad should be seated at a table by the entrance to hand out background materials and to invite participants to register their names, organizations, addresses and telephone numbers. This will help in the development of your active media list. If there is to be an audiovisual presentation, thoroughly test the equipment on the spot well before the conference starts. Start the press conference on time or not later than ten minutes after the scheduled time, to respect those who attend the event and to keep them from becoming irritable before you even begin.

The press conference should begin with the moderator welcoming everyone and briefly introducing the speaker(s) and others present who may be prepared to answer questions. A presentation usually lasts up to 10 minutes (15, if there are more than one speaker), leaving plenty of time for questions. The spokesperson should be experienced in the subject so s/he will be able to respond to questions after the statement. S/he should speak in a clear voice in measured phrases to be intelligible to journalists who are not proficient in the language. He or she must use simple language, avoid jargon and glance at their notes only occasionally as it is always more convincing if one seems to be speaking from knowledge. Visual aids, such as charts, big maps or pictures will help get the message across but avoid audiovisual aids if the press conference is being televised.

After the presentation, the moderator should say, “The floor is open for questions. Will you please state your name and your organization before asking your question,” and should then facilitate the questioning. If there are no questions, or only a few are asked, the moderator should bring the conference to a close. If the questioning is lively, let it run. If someone goes off subject, the moderator can return the focus by saying such things as: “That’s an interesting point, but we are here today to discuss...”.

Responding to questions, make your answers simple, brief, and pointed. Reinforce your important messages when giving your answers. Use a technique called bridging to segue into statements you want to make. For example, start your answer with, "That's a question we are often asked, and the point I want to make about that is ... " . A little bit of humor will enliven the press conference, too.

Press conferences can sometimes be hostile, especially during emergencies. The moderator and speaker should be prepared in advance to deal with usually predictable, difficult and critical questions. Do not try to dismiss tough questions when they arise. Answer them frankly, calmly and politely. If you are asked difficult questions you aren't prepared to answer, say, "We aren't prepared to comment on that at this time." You shouldn’t show anger or frustration over reporters' attitudes or questions as they will sense your emotions and probe further as well as report on your demeanor.

A good press conference runs from 30 to 45 minutes and never longer than an hour. The moderator should end the press conference before things drag out too long. If there is strong interest in the press conference topic or speaker, the moderator may let the press know that the speaker is available for interviews immediately after the press conference in an adjoining private room or quiet corner. Thank everyone for coming and offer a press release or other additional information.

FOLLOW-UP TASKS

1. Find information on how to write a successful press release. Report it to the class.

2. Write a press release for the forthcoming press conference on the problems of security and stability in Transcaucasia.

CASE

Following the ratification of agreements on Russia’s new joint military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is holding a press conference on the problems of security and stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA officials claim that the Russian military presence ensures security in the region, emphasize that restoring peace through diplomatic efforts and civilized talks are of primary importance and reiterate the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Journalists differ in their views on the subject, with some of them being heavily biased against the Russian policy in the region.

The major points to be reported and discussed are:

1. the conflict of August 2008. The one to break the law – Russia or Georgia. Occupation or fighting for independence. The Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008 to be fully complied with;

2. the current state of relations between Russia and Georgia. Concern about Russian military presence. Dialogue resumption proposals from Georgia with no actual striving for that. Russian refusal to maintain relations with President Mikhail Saakashvili. Georgian claims against Russia’s WTO entry. An ‘enemy image’ of Russia being developed in the Georgian society. Spy scandals and provocations;

3. international condemnation of separatist rebels support. Russia’s recognition of the breakaway regions as independent states has been widely condemned internationally (e.g. see the US Senate Resolution on Georgia of 29 July, 2011). Few other countries joined Russia in the decision. Lack of support from the side of the CSTO, CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Russia’s WTO accession in question. The RF does not intend to change its policy, though;

4. independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. An international economic embargo (The Decision of the CIS Council of Heads of State on Measures to Settle the Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, of January 19, 1996). Russia provides Abkhazia and South Ossetia with economic, political and security support. Most residents of the two regions have Russian passports. However, President Medvedev claims there are no pre-conditions for Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s entry into the RF, though the situation might change with the time. Foreign media say the regions are far from being truly independent, as they are heavily reliant on Moscow;

5. refugees, humanitarian problems. Approximately a quarter of a million IDPs (internally displaced people) in Georgia. Evictions of IDPs. Georgian accusations of ethnic violence and violation of the ICERD against Russia. Violations of human rights. The UN General Assembly resolutions (e.g. A/RES/65/287). Geneva Discussions.

THE CASE SEQUENCE

1. Pre-Conference: the MFA officials and reporters will prepare for the press conference: the former by preparing statements, identifying tricky questions likely to be asked and deciding for answers to them, getting ready necessary visual aids; the latter by collecting information on the subject of the press conference, thinking of intelligent follow-up questions to be asked, working out strategies to fish out some gripping facts alongside with reliable information. The mediator will plan his introductory, procedural and conclusive remarks, decide on how to deal with off-subject questioning, how to treat possible aggressive comments. A press conference assistant will prepare a book to register participants’ names, organizations, addresses and telephone numbers and will be in charge of press conference background materials. The list of participants in the press conference is as follows:

Panel:

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Director, CIS States Department (Fourth)

Director, Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights

Reporters:

Three representatives of the Russian media

A journalist from Georgia

Two journalists from European countries

A reporter from the USA

Mediator

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 738