23:58
U.S. President George W. Bush reiterated on August 14 that Georgia’s territorial integrity should be respected and ceasefire agreement respected.
Bush made the statement in a lobby of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters after having been briefed on situation in Georgia. Michael V. Hayden, CIA director, was standing right beside him.
President Bush said that CIA was analyzing situation on the ground, as well as “different possibilities that could develop in the region.”
“We will be working this issue throughout the coming weeks and people here in the Agency have been incredibly helpful,” he added.
Earlier on August 14, Robert Gates, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, held a joint press conference with Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright on the situation in Georgia.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Gates: No Prospect for Use of Military Force
- Gates: Russia wanted to punish Georgia;
- Standard package of humanitarian aid ongoing;
- Gen. Cartwright: Russia “generally complying” with ceasefire.
“I do not see any prospect for use of military force by the United States in this situation,” U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, said at a special news conference about situation in Georgia on August 14.
The press conference was held jointly with Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright.
U.S. cargo aircraft C-17 with humanitarian supplies started to arrive in Tbilisi and Washington said it would also use its naval forces to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
“This is a humanitarian relief mission and that is our focus at this point,” Gates said.
“The United States government will then turn to the questions both of economic reconstruction and also what to do to help the Georgian security forces looking to the longer term future… Right now the only people we will have on the ground are those that are required to deliver humanitarian mission.”
Gen. Cartwright said that the U.S. military was doing a “standard package of humanitarian aid,” involving identifying where the help is needed, what kind of help is needed; is it medical, is it communications rebuilding etc.Two shipments of humanitarian supplies with worth of USD 2 million, have been delivered to Georgia so far, the U.S. Air Force said.
Secretary Gates said that Russia's attack on Georgia was not just about South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
He said he thought that Russia wanted “to punish Georgia for daring to try to integrate with the west.”
“If Russia does not step back from its aggressive posture and actions in Georgia, the U.S.-Russian relationship could be adversely affected for years to come,” he warned.
When asked what he thought Russia’s intentions were, Gates responded: “My view is that Russians – and I would say – principally PM Putin is interested in reasserting not only Russia’s superpower status, but in reasserting Russia’s traditional sphere of influence. I think that there is an effort to try redress what they regard as many of the concessions they feel were forced upon them in 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.”
He also said that since 2004, every August there had been an exchange of fire between the Georgian and South Ossetian forces. “This year it escalated very quickly and it seemed to me that Russians were prepared to take advantage of an opportunity and did so very aggressively,” Gates said. “They [Russians] clearly had a great advantage and having superior air power and lot of force.”
Gen. Cartwright said that the Russian forces were currently “generally complying” with the ceasefire commitment.
“Generally the [Russian] forces are starting to move out of the city, particularly Gori; starting to consolidate their positions and get themselves into the position where they can start to back away towards the border,” Gen. Cartwright said. “Air activities in and around of that region has slowed down dramatically over last 24 hours; there has been no air activity.”
Town of Gori remained under the Russian forces’ control at the time of writing this report. The Georgian security forces and the police were outside the town waiting for the Russians to hand over the town.
People Fleeing Conflict Areas Angry over being ‘Left Unprotected’
20:15
A group of villagers from the areas in and around the South Ossetian conflict zone, who have fled the region, were gathered outside the Parliament on Wednesday evening.
A Georgian-language website presa.ge posted a video showing several dozen of displaced persons on the Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare complaining angrily about, what they called, the Georgian authorities failure to protect them and expressing desperate disappointment with the west and in particular with the Unites States.
One woman in the footage shouts angrily: “We pinned our hopes on America; did not we? Our soldiers were in Iraq; where is America now, where is it?”
Another woman says: “They are holding concerts. Is it time for concerts now? People are dieing.”
She was making a reference to a mass gathering in Tbilisi on August 12, when tens of thousands of people were gathered outside the Parliament in, what President Saakashvili said, was show of unity amid Russia’s aggression. Senior governmental members were delivering patriotic speeches at the rally vowing not to surrender and fight to the end, while singers were performing patriotic songs.
The video also shows another man speaking with the patrol police officer complaining: “Why did they [the authorities] leave us alone? Why did the troops pulled out? Why did they leave the villages and people there unprotected?”
“They are strong,” a police officer replies, apparently referring to the Russian troops.
“Oh really?” the man continued, “then why starting all these things at all? Did it have any sense? Why so many people die for?”
Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi Mamuka Akhvlediani came at the scene later trying to calm angry displaced people by vowing to provide them with shelter. But people who surrounded him responded even more angrily telling him shelter was not as important for them as the need “to save those still remaining” in the villages now controlled by the Russian forces and the South Ossetian militias.
“Why did not you give us arms, we could have at least defended ourselves,” a woman was shouting at Akhvlediani. “We were left unprotected there.”
Akhvlediani then again tried to allay them by saying that he was only in charge of taking care of them and finding a shelter for them.
Officials say over 23,000 displaced persons have been registered as of August 13. Most of them found shelter in public schools and kindergartens and hundreds of tents are being installed by the authorities in the outskirt of Tbilisi.
Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Robert Watkins, said on August 14 that the UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations had no access to the conflict zones, particularly South Ossetia. He called on all sides to establish a humanitarian corridor, as agreed in the ceasefire plan.
A group of villagers from the areas in and around the South Ossetian conflict zone, who have fled the region, were gathered outside the Parliament on Wednesday evening.
A Georgian-language website presa.ge posted a video showing several dozen of displaced persons on the Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare complaining angrily about, what they called, the Georgian authorities failure to protect them and expressing desperate disappointment with the west and in particular with the Unites States.
One woman in the footage shouts angrily: “We pinned our hopes on America; did not we? Our soldiers were in Iraq; where is America now, where is it?”
Another woman says: “They are holding concerts. Is it time for concerts now? People are dieing.”
She was making a reference to a mass gathering in Tbilisi on August 12, when tens of thousands of people were gathered outside the Parliament in, what President Saakashvili said, was show of unity amid Russia’s aggression. Senior governmental members were delivering patriotic speeches at the rally vowing not to surrender and fight to the end, while singers were performing patriotic songs.
The video also shows another man speaking with the patrol police officer complaining: “Why did they [the authorities] leave us alone? Why did the troops pulled out? Why did they leave the villages and people there unprotected?”
“They are strong,” a police officer replies, apparently referring to the Russian troops.
“Oh really?” the man continued, “then why starting all these things at all? Did it have any sense? Why so many people die for?”
Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi Mamuka Akhvlediani came at the scene later trying to calm angry displaced people by vowing to provide them with shelter. But people who surrounded him responded even more angrily telling him shelter was not as important for them as the need “to save those still remaining” in the villages now controlled by the Russian forces and the South Ossetian militias.
“Why did not you give us arms, we could have at least defended ourselves,” a woman was shouting at Akhvlediani. “We were left unprotected there.”
Akhvlediani then again tried to allay them by saying that he was only in charge of taking care of them and finding a shelter for them.
Officials say over 23,000 displaced persons have been registered as of August 13. Most of them found shelter in public schools and kindergartens and hundreds of tents are being installed by the authorities in the outskirt of Tbilisi.
Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Robert Watkins, said on August 14 that the UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations had no access to the conflict zones, particularly South Ossetia. He called on all sides to establish a humanitarian corridor, as agreed in the ceasefire plan.
Turkish PM Visits Tbilisi after Talks in Moscow
17:43
Turkish PM, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said after talks with Saakashvili that Georgia's territorial integrity “must be preserved.”
Turkish PM arrived in Tbilisi after holding talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
President Saakashvili said at a joint news conference after the talks that Georgia was grateful for Turkey’s support and also said that Turkey would provide assistance rehabilitation of Gori, a town which came under series of Russia’s air strikes that killed dozens of civilian population.
Turkish PM, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said after talks with Saakashvili that Georgia's territorial integrity “must be preserved.”
Turkish PM arrived in Tbilisi after holding talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
President Saakashvili said at a joint news conference after the talks that Georgia was grateful for Turkey’s support and also said that Turkey would provide assistance rehabilitation of Gori, a town which came under series of Russia’s air strikes that killed dozens of civilian population.
OSCE Envoy: Situation Still ‘Fragile’
17:07
OSCE needs 100 monitors on the ground “to swiftly respond to the crisis,” the Finnish diplomat said.
The situation in and around the South Ossetia conflict area remains “fragile” and up to 100 additional OSCE monitors are needed on the ground, Heikki Talvitie, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office special envoy, told an OSCE Permanent Council special session in Vienna on August 14.
“The proposed number of monitors would allow the OSCE to react to the situation as it unfolds,” he said. “The OSCE must be in a position to swiftly respond to the crisis.”
He said that the OSCE's presence on the ground could help establish and maintain a humanitarian corridor for international relief efforts, as well as monitor the ceasefire and disengagement of forces agreed by the sides on August 12.
Currently the OSCE Mission to Georgia has 200 staff, including eight unarmed military monitoring officers, who were in charge of monitoring of, and reporting on the ceasefire in the South Ossetian conflict zone.
Consent of all 56 OSCE-member states, including of Russia, is required to take a decision on increasing of number of monitors.
OSCE needs 100 monitors on the ground “to swiftly respond to the crisis,” the Finnish diplomat said.
The situation in and around the South Ossetia conflict area remains “fragile” and up to 100 additional OSCE monitors are needed on the ground, Heikki Talvitie, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office special envoy, told an OSCE Permanent Council special session in Vienna on August 14.
“The proposed number of monitors would allow the OSCE to react to the situation as it unfolds,” he said. “The OSCE must be in a position to swiftly respond to the crisis.”
He said that the OSCE's presence on the ground could help establish and maintain a humanitarian corridor for international relief efforts, as well as monitor the ceasefire and disengagement of forces agreed by the sides on August 12.
Currently the OSCE Mission to Georgia has 200 staff, including eight unarmed military monitoring officers, who were in charge of monitoring of, and reporting on the ceasefire in the South Ossetian conflict zone.
Consent of all 56 OSCE-member states, including of Russia, is required to take a decision on increasing of number of monitors.
Mass Jailbreak in Western Georgia
16:03
Up to 150 inmates escaped from the high security prison in Khoni, western Georgia, Justice Minister, Nika Gvaramia, said at a press conference on August 14.
The mass jailbreak took place on August 12, but it was only reported two days later.
“You know that during this tense period the prisons were not guarded by special purpose units as these troops were involved in the military conflict,” Gvaramia said. “Only a small contingent was left there [to guard the prison].”
He said that the law enforcement agencies recaptured up to 50 inmates. One inmate was killed, he said, and four other wounded.
Gvaramia said that the authorities were not able to use helicopters in search operations, because of the presence of Russian forces on the Georgian territory.
He called on the inmates to return back “voluntarily” pledging to mitigate their punishment.
Secessionist Leaders Sign Six-Point Plan
15:40
President Medvedev said Russia would “support any status for South Ossetia and Abkhazia that is accepted by the people of these republics.”
The Russian President made the remarks at a meeting with Abkhaz and South Ossetian secessionist leaders, Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, in Moscow on August 14, the Kremlin said.
Both Bagapsh and Kokoity signed a six-point document, outlining principles for the conflict resolution, in presence of President Medvedev.
“Georgia has also joined the document with making certain amendment to the point six of the document, envisaging opening of international talks on the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” the Kremlin said in a press release.
Georgia insisted to reword the sixth point of the document and to remove the word “status,” because of its ambiguity, leaving room for different interpretations, including the possibility to question the Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The amended wording of the sixth point, according to the document released by EU on August 13, reads: “Opening of international talks on the security and stability arrangements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
President Medvedev pointed out at the need of immediate signing of a binding document on non-use of force between the sides.
President Medvedev said Russia would “support any status for South Ossetia and Abkhazia that is accepted by the people of these republics.”
The Russian President made the remarks at a meeting with Abkhaz and South Ossetian secessionist leaders, Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, in Moscow on August 14, the Kremlin said.
Both Bagapsh and Kokoity signed a six-point document, outlining principles for the conflict resolution, in presence of President Medvedev.
“Georgia has also joined the document with making certain amendment to the point six of the document, envisaging opening of international talks on the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” the Kremlin said in a press release.
Georgia insisted to reword the sixth point of the document and to remove the word “status,” because of its ambiguity, leaving room for different interpretations, including the possibility to question the Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The amended wording of the sixth point, according to the document released by EU on August 13, reads: “Opening of international talks on the security and stability arrangements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
President Medvedev pointed out at the need of immediate signing of a binding document on non-use of force between the sides.
Georgian Police Fails to Enter Gori
14:23
The Georgian police failed to enter into Gori so far, despite earlier agreement with the Russian forces to allow them inside the town on August 14.
Georgian police vehicles are lined up outside Gori, an eyewitness said, and there are talks underway between the Georgian official representatives and Russian military officials. It, however, is not yet clear what they are negotiating on.
Deputy commander of the Russia’s airborne troops, Maj. Gen. Alexander Borisov, said late on August 13 after negotiations with the Georgian officials that the Georgian police would be allowed to enter into Gori on August 14.
The Georgian police failed to enter into Gori so far, despite earlier agreement with the Russian forces to allow them inside the town on August 14.
Georgian police vehicles are lined up outside Gori, an eyewitness said, and there are talks underway between the Georgian official representatives and Russian military officials. It, however, is not yet clear what they are negotiating on.
Deputy commander of the Russia’s airborne troops, Maj. Gen. Alexander Borisov, said late on August 13 after negotiations with the Georgian officials that the Georgian police would be allowed to enter into Gori on August 14.
Reports: Russian Military Destroying Ammo in Senaki Base
14:06
Russian forces have entered into Senaki seizing Georgia’s main military base there, the Georgian radio reported.
The radio station’s correspondent at the scene said via phone she saw Russian military trucks driving out of the base, apparently taking away remaining ammunition at the base.
She also said that sound of several explosions have also been heard, indicating that some of the ammo were being destroyed.
Meanwhile, in Zugdidi, a Georgian town at the administrative border with Abkhazia, the Russian military commanders demanded from the local authorities and the police to immediately return ammunition, which has been seized from the Russian peacekeepers by the Georgian security forces in June, 2008.
Russian forces have entered into Senaki seizing Georgia’s main military base there, the Georgian radio reported.
The radio station’s correspondent at the scene said via phone she saw Russian military trucks driving out of the base, apparently taking away remaining ammunition at the base.
She also said that sound of several explosions have also been heard, indicating that some of the ammo were being destroyed.
Meanwhile, in Zugdidi, a Georgian town at the administrative border with Abkhazia, the Russian military commanders demanded from the local authorities and the police to immediately return ammunition, which has been seized from the Russian peacekeepers by the Georgian security forces in June, 2008.
Russian Troops Destroying Military Installations in Poti
13:48
Russian forces again appeared in Poti on Georgia’s Black Sea coast after noon on August 14 destroying military installations there.
According to the Georgian Border Police, Russian forces have also destroyed their radar systems.
Russian soldiers first entered the Poti port on August 11 and occupied the coast guard facilities, but later they left the town. They have also sunk several vessels of the Georgian armed forces. Two vessels of the Georgian coast guard were also destroyed.
Russian forces again appeared in Poti on Georgia’s Black Sea coast after noon on August 14 destroying military installations there.
According to the Georgian Border Police, Russian forces have also destroyed their radar systems.
Russian soldiers first entered the Poti port on August 11 and occupied the coast guard facilities, but later they left the town. They have also sunk several vessels of the Georgian armed forces. Two vessels of the Georgian coast guard were also destroyed.
OSCE Chair Wants 100 More Observers in Conflict Zone
10:22
The Finnish Foreign Minister said he was concerned over reports of violence against civilians.
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said he would push for an increase of OSCE military officers on the ground in Georgia by up to 100.
“I am gravely concerned about reports of continued violence against civilians and their property in and around the zone of conflict,” Stubb said on August 13. “The ceasefire agreed on yesterday must be strictly adhered to. In this situation the OSCE should do its utmost and deploy an additional 100 Military Monitoring Officers as soon as possible.”
“I expect all measures necessary to be taken to ensure the safety of non-combatants, regardless of their ethnic origins, and for obligations under international humanitarian law to be respected.”
OSCE Mission to Georgia said it had not been able to gain full access to the conflict area at the moment.
Head of OSCE Mission to Georgia, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, had demanded that the Russian Federation organise a humanitarian corridor out of the conflict zone to the south as soon as possible.
The Finnish Foreign Minister said he was concerned over reports of violence against civilians.
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said he would push for an increase of OSCE military officers on the ground in Georgia by up to 100.
“I am gravely concerned about reports of continued violence against civilians and their property in and around the zone of conflict,” Stubb said on August 13. “The ceasefire agreed on yesterday must be strictly adhered to. In this situation the OSCE should do its utmost and deploy an additional 100 Military Monitoring Officers as soon as possible.”
“I expect all measures necessary to be taken to ensure the safety of non-combatants, regardless of their ethnic origins, and for obligations under international humanitarian law to be respected.”
OSCE Mission to Georgia said it had not been able to gain full access to the conflict area at the moment.
Head of OSCE Mission to Georgia, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, had demanded that the Russian Federation organise a humanitarian corridor out of the conflict zone to the south as soon as possible.
Georgian Police Goes Back to Gori
14 Aug.'08 / 02:40
Georgian official and Russian military commander said late on Wednesday, that the Georgian police would be able to return back to the town of Gori starting from early August 14.
Alexandre Maisuradze, chief of the local police, said people who have fled the town close to the South Ossetian conflict zone, would be able to return as soon as the Georgian police is back.
Meanwhile, deputy commander of the Russia’s airborne troops, Maj. Gen. Alexander Borisov, who was in Gori on August 13 meeting with the Georgian officials there, denied reports about Russian forces ever entering Gori.
He said that the Russian forces were stationed in the vicinity of the town recovering and collecting arms, equipment and ammunition, which, as he said, was abandoned by the Georgian army while retreating back towards Tbilisi.
“It is dangerous, there were plenty of abandoned firearm; there are some 40 military vehicles over those heights,” Borisov told a group of Georgian journalists in Gori, who were accompanying secretary of the Georgian National Security Council, Alexandre Lomaia, to Gori.
Public Defender, Sozar Subari, was also there on August 13.
He told Civil.Ge on the phone that he had spoken with some of the local population in Gori and eyewitnesses telling stories of looting, robbery, killings and kidnappings by paramilitary groups, who were infiltrating the town time after time.
“We will study all these cases and table a relevant document,” Subari said.
Georgian official and Russian military commander said late on Wednesday, that the Georgian police would be able to return back to the town of Gori starting from early August 14.
Alexandre Maisuradze, chief of the local police, said people who have fled the town close to the South Ossetian conflict zone, would be able to return as soon as the Georgian police is back.
Meanwhile, deputy commander of the Russia’s airborne troops, Maj. Gen. Alexander Borisov, who was in Gori on August 13 meeting with the Georgian officials there, denied reports about Russian forces ever entering Gori.
He said that the Russian forces were stationed in the vicinity of the town recovering and collecting arms, equipment and ammunition, which, as he said, was abandoned by the Georgian army while retreating back towards Tbilisi.
“It is dangerous, there were plenty of abandoned firearm; there are some 40 military vehicles over those heights,” Borisov told a group of Georgian journalists in Gori, who were accompanying secretary of the Georgian National Security Council, Alexandre Lomaia, to Gori.
Public Defender, Sozar Subari, was also there on August 13.
He told Civil.Ge on the phone that he had spoken with some of the local population in Gori and eyewitnesses telling stories of looting, robbery, killings and kidnappings by paramilitary groups, who were infiltrating the town time after time.
“We will study all these cases and table a relevant document,” Subari said.
HRW: Georgian Villages Burnt, Looted
14 Aug.'08 / 01:28
Researchers from the Human Rights Watch said they witnessed “terrifying scenes of destruction” and looting by the South Ossetian militias in the Georgian villages of the region.
HRW said on August 13 that its researchers, while moving from Java to Tskhinvali a day before, saw that numerous houses in the Georgian villages of Kekhvi, Kvemo Achabeti, Zemo Achabeti and Tamarasheni.
“Human Rights Watch researchers also saw armed Ossetian militia members in camouflage fatigues taking household items – furniture, television sets, heaters, suitcases, carpets, and blankets – out of houses in the village of Nizhniy [Kvemo] Achabeti and loading them into their trucks. Explaining the looters’ actions, an Ossetian man told Human Rights Watch, “Of course, they are entitled to take things from Georgians now – because they lost their own property in Tskhinvali and other places,” HRW said.
The villages were virtually deserted, with the exception of a few elderly and incapacitated people who stayed behind either because they were unable to flee or because they were trying to save their belongings and cattle, it said.
“The remaining residents of these destroyed ethnic Georgian villages are facing desperate conditions, with no means of survival, no help, no protection, and nowhere to go,” Tanya Lokshina at Human Rights Watch said.
HRW has also interviewed a women from the Ossetian villages and one of them said that the Georgian soldiers stole whatever money she kept at the house. While another woman said, according to HRW, that the Georgian forces told them not to be afraid and said that they would not shoot if they were not attacked.
Meanwhile, Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch (HRW), who is leading a team investigating the humanitarian damage in South Ossetia, told the Guardian that Russian estimates of 2,000 dead in the conflict were “suspicious.” Russia accuses Georgia of “genocide” of the Ossetians.
“The figure of 2,000 people killed is very doubtful,” Neistat said. “Our findings so far do not in any way confirm the Russian statistics. On the contrary, they suggest the numbers are exaggerated.”
She said that Russia’s propaganda of deliberately exaggerating number of death toll was triggering revenge against ethnic Georgians in the region.
Researchers from the Human Rights Watch said they witnessed “terrifying scenes of destruction” and looting by the South Ossetian militias in the Georgian villages of the region.
HRW said on August 13 that its researchers, while moving from Java to Tskhinvali a day before, saw that numerous houses in the Georgian villages of Kekhvi, Kvemo Achabeti, Zemo Achabeti and Tamarasheni.
“Human Rights Watch researchers also saw armed Ossetian militia members in camouflage fatigues taking household items – furniture, television sets, heaters, suitcases, carpets, and blankets – out of houses in the village of Nizhniy [Kvemo] Achabeti and loading them into their trucks. Explaining the looters’ actions, an Ossetian man told Human Rights Watch, “Of course, they are entitled to take things from Georgians now – because they lost their own property in Tskhinvali and other places,” HRW said.
The villages were virtually deserted, with the exception of a few elderly and incapacitated people who stayed behind either because they were unable to flee or because they were trying to save their belongings and cattle, it said.
“The remaining residents of these destroyed ethnic Georgian villages are facing desperate conditions, with no means of survival, no help, no protection, and nowhere to go,” Tanya Lokshina at Human Rights Watch said.
HRW has also interviewed a women from the Ossetian villages and one of them said that the Georgian soldiers stole whatever money she kept at the house. While another woman said, according to HRW, that the Georgian forces told them not to be afraid and said that they would not shoot if they were not attacked.
Meanwhile, Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch (HRW), who is leading a team investigating the humanitarian damage in South Ossetia, told the Guardian that Russian estimates of 2,000 dead in the conflict were “suspicious.” Russia accuses Georgia of “genocide” of the Ossetians.
“The figure of 2,000 people killed is very doubtful,” Neistat said. “Our findings so far do not in any way confirm the Russian statistics. On the contrary, they suggest the numbers are exaggerated.”
She said that Russia’s propaganda of deliberately exaggerating number of death toll was triggering revenge against ethnic Georgians in the region.
This is not 1968 – Rice Tells Russia
14 Aug.'08 / 00:27
The U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said what Russia has done was “well beyond anything that is needed” for protection of its peacekeepers and population in South Ossetia, Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, said at a press conference on August 13.
In strongly worded remarks made few hours after the U.S. President Bush’s August 13 statement on Georgia, Rice said: “This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russian tank threatened its neighbors, occupying the capital, overthrow the government and get away with it; things have changed.”
“When you start bombing ports and bombing city like Gori… that is well beyond anything that is needed to protect Russian peacekeepers and that is why Russia is starting to face international condemnation for what it is doing.”
Rice has again called on Russia to follow its commitment on ceasefire. “Those operations must stop and must stop now,” she said.
She has also denied that sending of U.S. navy and military aircraft to shop humanitarian aid in Georgia was a sign that the United States planned to take control over of key facilities in Georgia.
President Saakashvili told CNN shortly after the U.S. Secretary Rice press conference that he was “satisfied” with her rhetoric. “She is absolutely right; this is an attempt to repeat 1968,” Saakashvili said.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on August 13 as quoted by the Russian news agencies: “Russia has warned the United States that it was playing a dangerous game.”
He added that Moscow was warning Washington against arming Georgia, which, Lavrov, said was considering a military adventurism.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said what Russia has done was “well beyond anything that is needed” for protection of its peacekeepers and population in South Ossetia, Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, said at a press conference on August 13.
In strongly worded remarks made few hours after the U.S. President Bush’s August 13 statement on Georgia, Rice said: “This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russian tank threatened its neighbors, occupying the capital, overthrow the government and get away with it; things have changed.”
“When you start bombing ports and bombing city like Gori… that is well beyond anything that is needed to protect Russian peacekeepers and that is why Russia is starting to face international condemnation for what it is doing.”
Rice has again called on Russia to follow its commitment on ceasefire. “Those operations must stop and must stop now,” she said.
She has also denied that sending of U.S. navy and military aircraft to shop humanitarian aid in Georgia was a sign that the United States planned to take control over of key facilities in Georgia.
President Saakashvili told CNN shortly after the U.S. Secretary Rice press conference that he was “satisfied” with her rhetoric. “She is absolutely right; this is an attempt to repeat 1968,” Saakashvili said.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on August 13 as quoted by the Russian news agencies: “Russia has warned the United States that it was playing a dangerous game.”
He added that Moscow was warning Washington against arming Georgia, which, Lavrov, said was considering a military adventurism.
EU May Send Monitors if UN Give Green Light
14 Aug.'08 / 03:45
EU must be prepared to commit itself, including on the ground to contribute to peaceful and lasting solution of the conflicts in Georgia, the bloc’s foreign minister’s said.
EU foreign minister gathered at an emergency meeting in Brussels on August 13 to discuss the Russia-Georgia conflict and a provisional agreement reached between the two countries through the brokerage of the French EU presidency.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said at a news conference after the meeting that many EU member states were ready to contribute monitors to observer ceasefire on the ground; he, however, said EU wanted UN resolution to be passed at first.
“We are determined to act on the ground,” Reuters quoted Kouchner. “Many countries have said that they are ready to join in… It is difficult to say we are optimistic... but we are encouraged by what we saw this morning, but we have to go through the United Nations.”
“The idea of having monitors – what you call peacekeeping troops, I wouldn't call them like that – but European controllers, monitors, facilitators, yes, yes and yes. That is how Europe should be on the ground,” he added.
Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief was tasked with preparing proposals on the matter.
EU foreign ministers released conclusions following the session saying that “a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
EU foreign ministers have also reaffirmed those six principles based on which ceasefire was agreed between Tbilisi and Moscow:
- Not to resort to force;
- To end hostilities definitively;
- To provide free access for humanitarian aid;
- Georgian military forces will have to withdraw to their usual bases;
- Russian military forces will have to withdraw to the lines held prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Pending an international mechanism, Russian peacekeeping forces will implement additional security measures;
- Opening of international talks on the security and stability arrangements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The foreign ministers have pledged to set up international mechanism “rapidly” and they have also pointed out that “rapid reinforcement of the OSCE's observer capabilities on the ground is crucial.”
Saakashvili: U.S. Underestimated Russia’s Threat
13 Aug.'08 / 23:22
President Saakashvili said he was warning the United States about Russia’s plans to attack Georgia, but Washington, he said, was underestimating the risk.
“State Department underestimated them [Russia],” he said in a conference call with foreign journalists on August 13. “They were saying that Russia was just playing games. I asked about what would happen if they crossed the line. They said that it’d be a big mistake. Well, it’s a weak consolation that Russia’s made a mistake. And the West has made the mistake of underestimating them.
“I think America should clearly organise resistance among Western countries,” he said when asked what he wanted the U.S. to do in the current situation.
“They have lots of leverage to stop Russian aggression. America’s prestige and reputation in the region is at stake. The reputation that America has gained since the Cold War is going to hell right now. This is tragic.”
The conference call was held several hours before the U.S. President’s August 13 statement on Georgia.
Saakashvili on Military Aspects of Conflict
13 Aug.'08 / 23:15
President Saakashvili acknowledged that the Georgian forces wanted to stop the Russian forces at the border, but “but we were late.”
Saakashvili told a group of foreign journalists in a conference call earlier on August 13, that the plan was to stop the Russian forces at the Roki Tunnel in the north of South Ossetia, which links the breakaway region with Russia’s North Ossetian Republic.
“Once they got to Tskhinvali, they could march on the capital. We tried to stop them in the mountains before Tskhinvali, but we were too late and there were too many of them,” Saakashvili said according to the transcript provided by the President’s press office.
“We knew they were on the border, but when 150 [Russian] tanks started to come in, we either would have stopped them before the bridge, in the Roki tunnel, or they would have got to Tskhinvali and got to anywhere,” he said.
In a separate statement, which was made later on the same day in a live televised address to the nation, Saakashvili tried to sound more optimistic and claimed that the Russian forces suffered significant losses, much more serious than the Georgian army.
“The Russians met an unimaginable resistance of the Georgian armed forces and I am not boasting,” he said. “Russia has lost more aircrafts than in any other conflicts of this scale since 1939.”
He has also claimed that 400 Russian soldiers were killed during the hostilities, “according to the most conservative estimates.”
“This loss has made the Russian leadership to think whether it was worth or not to advance to Tbilisi as they initially planned,” Saakashvili said.
The Russian general staff of the armed forces, however, said on August 13 that 74 Russian servicemen were killed and 171 wounded; 19 servicemen go missing.
Anatoly Nogovitsin, the deputy chief of staff, said at a news conference on August 13, that although no verified data was available, but “I’ve heard Georgia has lost 4,000 men.”
Saakashvili, however, said that Georgia had lost “several dozen of soldiers.”
He also said that it was a painful decision to leave Gori and other places in the region, but it was a necessary maneuver in order “to save our armed forces.”
President Saakashvili acknowledged that the Georgian forces wanted to stop the Russian forces at the border, but “but we were late.”
Saakashvili told a group of foreign journalists in a conference call earlier on August 13, that the plan was to stop the Russian forces at the Roki Tunnel in the north of South Ossetia, which links the breakaway region with Russia’s North Ossetian Republic.
“Once they got to Tskhinvali, they could march on the capital. We tried to stop them in the mountains before Tskhinvali, but we were too late and there were too many of them,” Saakashvili said according to the transcript provided by the President’s press office.
“We knew they were on the border, but when 150 [Russian] tanks started to come in, we either would have stopped them before the bridge, in the Roki tunnel, or they would have got to Tskhinvali and got to anywhere,” he said.
In a separate statement, which was made later on the same day in a live televised address to the nation, Saakashvili tried to sound more optimistic and claimed that the Russian forces suffered significant losses, much more serious than the Georgian army.
“The Russians met an unimaginable resistance of the Georgian armed forces and I am not boasting,” he said. “Russia has lost more aircrafts than in any other conflicts of this scale since 1939.”
He has also claimed that 400 Russian soldiers were killed during the hostilities, “according to the most conservative estimates.”
“This loss has made the Russian leadership to think whether it was worth or not to advance to Tbilisi as they initially planned,” Saakashvili said.
The Russian general staff of the armed forces, however, said on August 13 that 74 Russian servicemen were killed and 171 wounded; 19 servicemen go missing.
Anatoly Nogovitsin, the deputy chief of staff, said at a news conference on August 13, that although no verified data was available, but “I’ve heard Georgia has lost 4,000 men.”
Saakashvili, however, said that Georgia had lost “several dozen of soldiers.”
He also said that it was a painful decision to leave Gori and other places in the region, but it was a necessary maneuver in order “to save our armed forces.”
U.S. Navy, Aircraft to Deliver Aid to Georgia
13 Aug.'08 / 22:02
• U.S. military aircraft with aid landed in Tbilisi;
• U.S. sends navy to bring humanitarian aid;
• Russia says navy not the best way for that;
• Bush to send Rice to France then to Georgia;
President Bush reiterated the U.S. “unwavering support” to Georgia and said Russia’s actions were not consistent with its commitment on provisional ceasefire.
In a special statement made on August 13 in the presence of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Bush said the U.S. “stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia” and “insist[s] that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.”
He said that the United States would launch a massive humanitarian aid with a U.S. cargo aircraft C-17 with humanitarian supplies. The first C-17 cargo aircraft already landed in Tbilisi late on August 13.
In what appeared to be a pre-arranged greeting to the U.S. military accompanying the humanitarian aid, a group of young Georgians with the national flags chanting “America; America” welcomed the C-17 crew in the airport.
Bush also said that the U.S. would use its naval forces as well, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
“We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit.”
Shortly after that announcement, Andrei Nesterenko, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, told CNN that he did not think the navy was “the best way” to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. In the statement Bush also pointed out that Russia has assured it did not seek change of government in Georgia. “The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment,” he said.
He also said that the Russian forces’ most recent moves – involving taking up positions on the major highway outside Gori, blocking the road; blowing up Georgian vessels in the port city of Poti – were inconsistence with the commitment to provisional ceasefire.
“Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements,” he went on saying and added: “We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.”
There have been widespread reports from the South Ossetian conflict zone of looting and violence in the Georgian villages in the region.
Bush said that as part of the U.S. efforts to show its solidarity with Georgia, he was sending Secretary Rice first to France – the French President Nikola Sarkozy has brokered ceasefire provisional agreement between the sides – and then to Tbilisi, where “she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government.”
“As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing actions raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions,” Bush said.
“To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.”President Saakashvili has welcomed Bush’s statement as “very important” for defusing tensions.Russia reacted harshly with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying President Bush needs to change his speechwriters.
“Russia has warned the United States that it was playing a dangerous game.”
He added that Moscow was warning Washington against arming Georgia, which, Lavrov, said was considering a military adventurism.
• U.S. military aircraft with aid landed in Tbilisi;
• U.S. sends navy to bring humanitarian aid;
• Russia says navy not the best way for that;
• Bush to send Rice to France then to Georgia;
President Bush reiterated the U.S. “unwavering support” to Georgia and said Russia’s actions were not consistent with its commitment on provisional ceasefire.
In a special statement made on August 13 in the presence of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Bush said the U.S. “stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia” and “insist[s] that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.”
He said that the United States would launch a massive humanitarian aid with a U.S. cargo aircraft C-17 with humanitarian supplies. The first C-17 cargo aircraft already landed in Tbilisi late on August 13.
In what appeared to be a pre-arranged greeting to the U.S. military accompanying the humanitarian aid, a group of young Georgians with the national flags chanting “America; America” welcomed the C-17 crew in the airport.
Bush also said that the U.S. would use its naval forces as well, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
“We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit.”
Shortly after that announcement, Andrei Nesterenko, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, told CNN that he did not think the navy was “the best way” to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. In the statement Bush also pointed out that Russia has assured it did not seek change of government in Georgia. “The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment,” he said.
He also said that the Russian forces’ most recent moves – involving taking up positions on the major highway outside Gori, blocking the road; blowing up Georgian vessels in the port city of Poti – were inconsistence with the commitment to provisional ceasefire.
“Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements,” he went on saying and added: “We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.”
There have been widespread reports from the South Ossetian conflict zone of looting and violence in the Georgian villages in the region.
Bush said that as part of the U.S. efforts to show its solidarity with Georgia, he was sending Secretary Rice first to France – the French President Nikola Sarkozy has brokered ceasefire provisional agreement between the sides – and then to Tbilisi, where “she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government.”
“As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing actions raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions,” Bush said.
“To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.”President Saakashvili has welcomed Bush’s statement as “very important” for defusing tensions.Russia reacted harshly with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying President Bush needs to change his speechwriters.
“Russia has warned the United States that it was playing a dangerous game.”
He added that Moscow was warning Washington against arming Georgia, which, Lavrov, said was considering a military adventurism.
Official: 23,000 Displaced Persons Registered
13 Aug.'08 / 20:54
The authorities have registered 23,000 displaced persons from the South Ossetian conflict zone and nearby areas as of the evening August 13, a Georgian lawmaker Koba Subeliani said.
Subeliani, who is ex-state minister for refugees and accommodation, said that displaced persons were occupying total of 210 places mainly in Tbilisi, but also in the nearby district outside Tbilisi.
Most of the displaced persons are now leaving in the public schools and kindergartens.
“There are no displaced persons right now without shelter,” Subeliani said.
Merkel Plans to Visit Georgia
13 Aug.'08 / 19:33
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, plans to visit Georgia next week, her spokesman, Thomas Steg, said on August 13. Exact date is not yet set.
Chancellor Merkel plans to travel to Shochi on Friday to hold talks with the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev.
Steg said the chancellor had told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that she would head into her talks with Medvedev with the message that any attempts to question Georgia's territorial integrity or sovereignty were unacceptable, Reuters reported.
Georgia Alleges ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ in Conflict Zone
13 Aug.'08 / 17:12
Georgia has claimed irregular militias were targeting and looting ethnic Georgians in the villages of the South Ossetian conflict zone and beyond.
And U.S. deputy assistance secretary of state, Mathew Bryza, who is in Tbilisi now, said on August 13, that “incredible reports of serious violence” were coming from the region.
“We have incredible reports that villages have been burnt and there are killings innocent people,” Bryza said, while speaking at a joint news conference with Alexandre Lomaia, the secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council.
Bryza also added: “we have certain degree of confidence in credibility of these reports.”
President Saakashvili said on August 13 that reports of “large-scale violation of human rights” were coming from the region.
“Balkan-type ethnic cleansing and purification campaign is ongoing,” Saakashvili said.
In a separate remarks made at a joint news conference with the French President in early hours of August 13 Saakashvili said, there were “rampages and ethnic cleansing” in the Georgian villages in the vicinity of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.
BBC World and CNN correspondents on the ground have both reported on August 13, quoting eyewitnesses from Gori, as saying that paramilitary groups, apparently South Ossetian militias, were looting and robbing local population at gunpoint in the town. They, however, said they have not seen it with their own eyes.
A reporter from The Associated Press reported on August 12 to have witnessed “more than a dozen fires in what appeared to be deserted ethnic Georgian neighborhoods and saw evidence of looting in those areas.”
Alexandre Lomaia, the secretary of the Georgian National Security Council, said that Russian forces rolled their tanks into the town of Gori, which were followed by paramilitary groups and “mercenaries from [Russia’s] North Caucasus.”
“Russia has treacherously broke its word [on ceasefire and separation of forces] agreed yesterday in presence of President Sarkozy and rolled their tanks in Gori this morning,” he said earlier on August 13.
He said that the Georgian authorities would ask the foreign diplomat in Tbilisi to set up an ambassadorial group, apparently led by the French ambassador, to inspect the real situation on the ground and help to stop targeting the ethnic Georgians in the region.
Parliamentary Chairman, Davit Bakradze, said on August 13 that the parliament planned to set up a special group of lawmakers to probe into the reported cases of “ethnic cleansings.”
Georgia has claimed irregular militias were targeting and looting ethnic Georgians in the villages of the South Ossetian conflict zone and beyond.
And U.S. deputy assistance secretary of state, Mathew Bryza, who is in Tbilisi now, said on August 13, that “incredible reports of serious violence” were coming from the region.
“We have incredible reports that villages have been burnt and there are killings innocent people,” Bryza said, while speaking at a joint news conference with Alexandre Lomaia, the secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council.
Bryza also added: “we have certain degree of confidence in credibility of these reports.”
President Saakashvili said on August 13 that reports of “large-scale violation of human rights” were coming from the region.
“Balkan-type ethnic cleansing and purification campaign is ongoing,” Saakashvili said.
In a separate remarks made at a joint news conference with the French President in early hours of August 13 Saakashvili said, there were “rampages and ethnic cleansing” in the Georgian villages in the vicinity of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.
BBC World and CNN correspondents on the ground have both reported on August 13, quoting eyewitnesses from Gori, as saying that paramilitary groups, apparently South Ossetian militias, were looting and robbing local population at gunpoint in the town. They, however, said they have not seen it with their own eyes.
A reporter from The Associated Press reported on August 12 to have witnessed “more than a dozen fires in what appeared to be deserted ethnic Georgian neighborhoods and saw evidence of looting in those areas.”
Alexandre Lomaia, the secretary of the Georgian National Security Council, said that Russian forces rolled their tanks into the town of Gori, which were followed by paramilitary groups and “mercenaries from [Russia’s] North Caucasus.”
“Russia has treacherously broke its word [on ceasefire and separation of forces] agreed yesterday in presence of President Sarkozy and rolled their tanks in Gori this morning,” he said earlier on August 13.
He said that the Georgian authorities would ask the foreign diplomat in Tbilisi to set up an ambassadorial group, apparently led by the French ambassador, to inspect the real situation on the ground and help to stop targeting the ethnic Georgians in the region.
Parliamentary Chairman, Davit Bakradze, said on August 13 that the parliament planned to set up a special group of lawmakers to probe into the reported cases of “ethnic cleansings.”
Russia Says Removing Ammo from Near Gori
13 Aug.'08 / 18:08
Russian military said they were removing military hardware and ammunition from an arms depot outside the Georgian town of Gori.
“In the vicinity of Gori, a big military depot was discovered containing Georgian military hardware,” a spokesman for Russia's peacekeeping forces in the breakaway South Ossetia told Reuters by telephone.
“The depot was unguarded and the military hardware there was battle-ready. In the interests of demilitarizing the conflict zone and ensuring the safety of the population, the military hardware and ammunition are now being removed,” he added.
Russian military said they were removing military hardware and ammunition from an arms depot outside the Georgian town of Gori.
“In the vicinity of Gori, a big military depot was discovered containing Georgian military hardware,” a spokesman for Russia's peacekeeping forces in the breakaway South Ossetia told Reuters by telephone.
“The depot was unguarded and the military hardware there was battle-ready. In the interests of demilitarizing the conflict zone and ensuring the safety of the population, the military hardware and ammunition are now being removed,” he added.
Georgian, Russian Officials Deny Russian Tanks Moving to Tbilisi
17:24
Eka Zguladze, the Georgian deputy interior ministe, has strongly denied reports that Russian tanks were rolling towards the capital Tbilisi.
"I'd like to calm everybody down. The Russian military is not advancing towards Tbilisi," she said.Davit Bakradze, the chairman of the Georgian Parliament, has also denied the report.
The report has also been denied by the Russian General Staff of the Armed Forces. And Dmitry Peskov, the Russian government’s spokesman, told CNN that the convoy was not moving towards Tbilisi and also added the Russian forces had never had such plans.
CNN correspondent on the ground reported earlier today that he was observing a Russian military convoy moving on a road from Gori towards Tbilisi. The correspondent later reported that the convoy stopped but it was not unclear what the intention of the Russian forces was.
Eka Zguladze, the Georgian deputy interior ministe, has strongly denied reports that Russian tanks were rolling towards the capital Tbilisi.
"I'd like to calm everybody down. The Russian military is not advancing towards Tbilisi," she said.Davit Bakradze, the chairman of the Georgian Parliament, has also denied the report.
The report has also been denied by the Russian General Staff of the Armed Forces. And Dmitry Peskov, the Russian government’s spokesman, told CNN that the convoy was not moving towards Tbilisi and also added the Russian forces had never had such plans.
CNN correspondent on the ground reported earlier today that he was observing a Russian military convoy moving on a road from Gori towards Tbilisi. The correspondent later reported that the convoy stopped but it was not unclear what the intention of the Russian forces was.
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