GEORGIAN ARRESTS UPDATE -- SEPTEMBER 29

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 002601

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2016
TAGS: PREL GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN ARRESTS UPDATE -- SEPTEMBER 29

REF: TBILISI 2590

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4(b) & (d).

Summary
--------------

1. (C) As the Georgian-Russian confrontation over Russian
military officers detained for spying enters its third day,
the Georgians have been making their case with the diplomatic
community and the public, releasing video and other evidence
of espionage. OSCE Chair-in-Office de Gucht is planning to
call Saakashvili at mid-day Tbilisi time on September 29 for
reaction to the idea of releasing the Russians to OSCE. Post
is urging the Georgians to expel the detained Russians and to
avoid being drawn into any violent incidents with the
Russians that could cause the situation to deteriorate
further. End Summary.

Georgians Brief Dip Corps
--------------

2. (SBU) Georgian DFMs Chechelashvili and Kutelia briefed the
diplomatic corps on the situation September 28, handing out a
fact sheet (faxed to EUR/CARC) on the counterintelligence
operation that resulted in the detention of four Russian
officers and eleven Georgians September 27 (reftel). They
stressed that the investigation had produced strong evidence
of criminal activity, and that the detainees were being
treated properly and in accordance with Georgia's
international commitments, including bilateral agreements
with Russia. They said Georgian DFM Manjgaladze was in
Moscow and would meet with Russian DFM Karasin on September

29. (Note: Press reports September 29 indicated the meeting
had been canceled. End Note.) They said they expected
investigators to ask a court to issue a decree for two months
of detention while the investigation continues. Kutelia said
there had been previous cases of Russian espionage which the
Georgians had handled quietly, at Russia's request. He said
that in this case the actions went beyond all bounds in their
threat to Georgian national security, and the Georgians
believed they had to publicize them in order to serve as a
deterrent against future actions.

Evidence Shown on TV, Internet
--------------

3. (SBU) The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA)
released video evidence September 28, which was shown on
television and on the MOIA's website. The video, shot by
hidden cameras, shows the detained Russians and Georgians
together in various locations. In some footage money is
being exchanged for documents. The released evidence also
includes audio tapes and transcripts of incriminating
comments made in intercepted calls between the Russian
officers and their Georgian agents. The Georgian government
has given this evidence to CNN, BBC, and other international
media.

Russia Takes Steps in Response
--------------

4. (SBU) The Russian Embassy announced September 28 that it
has stopped issuing visas to Georgian citizens. The Russians
have also recalled their Ambassador. According to the
Georgian government, this recall was for consultations in
Moscow, not a permanent removal. The Russian Embassy is also
making plans to evacuate dependents of its diplomats from
Georgia.

OSCE Mission on Possible Role in Release
--------------

5. (SBU) OSCE Acting Head of Mission Veselin Nikolaev told
DCM September 29 that the OSCE Task Force at the Belgian MFA
had informed him that Belgian FM and OSCE Chair-in-Office
(CIO) de Gucht would call Georgian President Saakashvili
around mid-day Tbilisi time. Discussing the possibility that
the four detained Russians might be released into OSCE
custody, Nikolaev expressed to DCM some reluctance about the
OSCE Mission getting involved and asked our view. DCM
responded that if this is the agreed solution, it is better
than allowing the current confrontation to continue.
Nikolaev said that he and OSCE Head of Mission Roy Reeve
(curently in London) told de Gucht that they are skeptical
that the OSCE could offer the kind of assurances the
Georgians would want that the Russians would stop the
espionage, and they doubt the OSCE is best-placed to receive
the Russian officers. Reeve suggested the Red Cross as an
alternative to OSCE.

Urging the Georgians to Avoid Possible Flashpoints
-------------- --------------

6. (C) Ambassador urged PM Noghaideli and DFM Chechelashvili
September 28 to de-escalate the tensions with Russian and
expel the detained Russians as soon as possible. DCM

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followed up with Chechelashvili September 29, stressing the
importance of dealing carefully with potential flashpoints
with the Russians. One such flashpoint was Batumi; DCM noted
that another incident like the one September 28, in which
Georgian police detained Russians servicemen for carrying
weapons, could lead to violence. DCM asked if the
Georgian-Russian bilateral agreement gives the Russians the
right to carry weapons. Chechelashvili said no -- any such
transport of weapons requires approval in advance. He agreed
another such incident would be dangerous, and DCM encouraged
him to talk with the MOIA to minimize the risk. DCM said
another potential flashpoint would be unauthorized
overflights of Georgia by Russian planes; he urged the
Georgians not to be provoked and to respond to any such
incidents through normal diplomatic channels. Chechelashvili
said he got the message on both potential flashpoints.
(Note: Chechelashvili seemed unaware of the idea of an OSCE
role in releasing the Russians; apparently Saakashvili has
not discussed it with the MFA. End Note.)

Georgian Public Supports Actions
--------------

7. (SBU) Thus far all indications suggest the Georgian public
firmly supports the government's actions in this
counterintelligence operation. Parliament Speaker Nino
Burjanadze gave voice to a common sentiment by noting that
the Russian government has said practically nothing to
dispute the charges against its officers. She argued that
this indicates the Russians either do not care if the
individuals were involved in spying, or are implicitly
admitting that they were.

TEFFT