Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TBILISI2804
2007-11-13 15:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL
how-toR 131513Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8177 INFO AMEMBASSY ANKARA AMEMBASSY BAKU AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
UNCLAS TBILISI 002804
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/ITA/EUR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL
UNREST
UNCLAS TBILISI 002804
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/ITA/EUR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL
UNREST
1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) was convened
on November 7, 8, and 9, 2007 in response to the development
of violence in the recent protests against the administration
of Georgian President Saakashvili in Tbilisi. At around 1330
on November 7 Georgian police dispersed the peaceful, yet
agitated, crowd of approximately 2000 people by using water
cannons, tear gas, batons, and riot gear-equipped police.
While the crowd which had gathered in the downtown area
across from the Parliament building did disperse, several
smaller, spontaneous clashes with police erupted away from
the city center. President Saakashvili declared a state of
emergency as a consequence of the clashes within the city.
2. (SBU) The Marriott Hotel, a hotel frequently used for TDY
employee accommodations, is in direct proximity of the site
of the protests and the initial clash with police. The EAC
determined that all mission TDY personnel residing at the
Marriott be identified, asked to check out, and transported
to alternate accommodations. In addition, a warden message
reflecting this relocation of personnel was directed for
dissemination.
3. (SBU) The EAC updated Post's drawdown tripwires to better
encompass this and other possible drawdown scenarios. They
also reviewed Post's preparedness checklists and directed
that all contact lists and telephone cascade lists be updated
and tested. The EAC also recommended a town hall meeting for
the entire embassy staff.
4. (SBU) Since the evening of November 8, there has been
relative calm and the Saakashvili administration has
announced early presidential elections, which has defused
political tensions for now. The EAC met on Friday, November
9 to review and discuss of events up to that time. There
were no new developments of security concerns reported, but
Post continues to monitor the situation closely.
TEFFT
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/ITA/EUR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL
UNREST
1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) was convened
on November 7, 8, and 9, 2007 in response to the development
of violence in the recent protests against the administration
of Georgian President Saakashvili in Tbilisi. At around 1330
on November 7 Georgian police dispersed the peaceful, yet
agitated, crowd of approximately 2000 people by using water
cannons, tear gas, batons, and riot gear-equipped police.
While the crowd which had gathered in the downtown area
across from the Parliament building did disperse, several
smaller, spontaneous clashes with police erupted away from
the city center. President Saakashvili declared a state of
emergency as a consequence of the clashes within the city.
2. (SBU) The Marriott Hotel, a hotel frequently used for TDY
employee accommodations, is in direct proximity of the site
of the protests and the initial clash with police. The EAC
determined that all mission TDY personnel residing at the
Marriott be identified, asked to check out, and transported
to alternate accommodations. In addition, a warden message
reflecting this relocation of personnel was directed for
dissemination.
3. (SBU) The EAC updated Post's drawdown tripwires to better
encompass this and other possible drawdown scenarios. They
also reviewed Post's preparedness checklists and directed
that all contact lists and telephone cascade lists be updated
and tested. The EAC also recommended a town hall meeting for
the entire embassy staff.
4. (SBU) Since the evening of November 8, there has been
relative calm and the Saakashvili administration has
announced early presidential elections, which has defused
political tensions for now. The EAC met on Friday, November
9 to review and discuss of events up to that time. There
were no new developments of security concerns reported, but
Post continues to monitor the situation closely.
TEFFT