GEORGIA RELEASES RUSSIAN OFFICERS

UNCLAS TBILISI 002626 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA AND EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA RELEASES RUSSIAN OFFICERS REF: TBILISI 2601 Summary -------------- ¶1. Georgia released four Russian officers detained for spying to OSCE Chair-in-Office Karel de Gucht on October 2 in a televised handover ceremony. The Georgians expect further Russian retaliation for the incident, such as the reported Russian decision to cut off air travel, mail service, and money transfers between the two countries. The separatist leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia simultaneously announced they were pulling out of talks with Georgia, citing alleged violations of the 1994 Moscow Agreement. End Summary. Releasing the GRU Four -------------- ¶2. Georgian officials released the four Russian officers, detained since September 27 (reftel),to OSCE in a nationally televised ceremony outside the Georgian Prosecutor General's Office on October 2. De Gucht and Georgian FM Bezhuashvili witnessed the handover. Each of the four officers was handcuffed, carrying a plastic bag and escorted by two uniformed police officers. The officers entered a van to take them to the airport, where a Russian plane was waiting to take them to Russia. ¶3. Prior to the handover, de Gucht and Georgian President Saakashvili had met and conducted a joint press conference. Speaking in English, Saakashvili stressed that Georgia wants Russia to treat it as an independent state. He said he believes the relationship will improve in the future. He said the current pressure from Russia is caused by Georgia's success in its reforms and in orienting itself toward becoming a member of the "Euro-Atlantic family of democratic nations." Saakashvili added that the criminal case against the Russians was well-founded. He said the decision to release them was a gesture to the Western allies, not a capitulation to Russian threats. He said it underlined the important role OSCE can play. In his remarks, de Gucht expressed support for Georgia's territorial integrity and for continuation of the dialogue in the separatist conflicts. He called on Russia to behave toward Georgia in a neighborly manner. Georgians Take Note of Russian Retaliatory Steps -------------- --- ¶4. Georgian press gave extensive attention October 2 to reports that Russia had suspended air, sea, rail, and land traffic with Georgia. Ministry of Transport officials said they expect October 3 flights to and from Russia to be canceled, but Tbilisi Airport information told us they are not sure what would happen. Georgian press stressed that the sanctions would apparently prevent money transfers and mail delivery. Separatists Announce Breakoff of Talks -------------- ¶5. Practically at the same time the Russians were being released in Tbilisi, the press reported that the de facto authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were withdrawing from talks with Georgia. The Abkhaz explained their decision by claiming the Georgians were violating the 1994 Moscow cease-fire agreement by keeping troops in the Upper Kodori Gorge. South Ossetian "president" Kokoity then personally announced that his region would join the Abkhaz decision. Georgian Opposition Supports Government Actions -------------- -- ¶6. Throughout this controversy with Russia, the Georgian opposition has presented a unified front -- with the lone exception of Labor Party leader Shalva Natalashvili -- in supporting the government's decision to detain the Russian officers for spying. TEFFT