HALTING SOUTH OSSETIA MILITIA LOOTING OF GEORGIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 104547 E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS RS GG SUBJECT: HALTING SOUTH OSSETIA MILITIA LOOTING OF GEORGIAN VILLAGES Classified By: EUR Acting A/S Marcie Ries for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Moscow -- see para. 4. Berlin, LONDON and Paris -- see para. 5. USEU, USNATO, USOSCE, USUN and info addressees -- see para. 6. ¶2. (U) Notwithstanding the August 12 ceasefire in the Russo-Georgian war, there have been persistent reports of attacks on ethnic Georgian villages both within and outside of South Ossetia in areas under Russian military control. Most of these attacks have been attributed to South Ossetian irregular forces. Anecdotal evidence on the role of the Russian army is mixed: in some instances the Russian military is reportedly protecting Georgians and discouraging depredations; in other cases, the Russian military appears to be turning a blind eye. On September 30 there were credible reports of a wave of Ossetian attacks against Georgian villages outside of South Ossetia, within the Russian-proclaimed "buffer zone." In addition to noting our concern about reports of abuse, we want to reinforce to the GOR that Russia must abide by its international obligations with respect to the protection of the civilian population in affected areas. Continuing reports of attacks on Georgians bring additional urgency to the need for OSCE and EU monitors to deploy throughout the entire zone of conflict. ¶3. (U) We also want to lodge a strong protest with the GOR for crude anti-American leaflets that are being handed out at Russian checkpoints in Georgia (text e-mailed to Emb. Moscow). These leaflets purport to be an appeal from Georgian diaspora organizations in Russia, and blame the U.S. for supposedly goading the Saakashvili government into war with Russia. ¶4. (C) Action for Moscow: Ambassador or DCM should deliver the following message to the appropriate Russian authorities. Begin points: -- We are deeply concerned by continuing reports of attacks against Georgian civilians in areas under Russian military control. The most recent round of depredations, on September 30, has been attributed to Ossetian gunmen, who have robbed and terrorized Georgian civilians outside of South Ossetia in the Georgian region of Shida Kartli. -- We have heard that, in some areas at least, Russian forces are acting to discourage attacks on Georgian civilians. In other areas, however, Ossetian irregulars appear to operate with impunity. It is vital that Russia act decisively to prevent depredations against civilians throughout the territory its military controls in Georgia. -- We expect Russia to respect its international obligations regarding the protection of the civilian population. We expect Russia to exercise control over the South Ossetian forces, and note that the August 12 ceasefire applies equally to both sides. -- Credible reports of continued attacks on civilians give greater urgency to the task of deploying OSCE and EU monitors throughout the conflict zones. Russia should give monitors full access to the separatist regions immediately, as there is nothing in either the August 12 or September 8 agreements with the EU that would limit the deployment of monitors to areas outside of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. -- Now that more than 200 EU monitors have arrived in Georgia, we look for Russia to implement the September 8 agreement by withdrawing all troops currently deployed outside the separatist regions of Georgia by October 10. -- Finally, we want to protest the distribution of anti-American leaflets at Russian checkpoints in Georgia. These leaflets purport to be an appeal from Georgian diaspora organizations in Russia, and falsely blame the United States for the Russo-Georgian war in August. -- This kind of crude propaganda is unworthy of a great country, and we demand that responsible Russian authorities put a stop to it. End points. ¶5. (C) Action for Berlin, London, and Paris: Embassies should convey to host governments that we have made these points to the Government of Russia, and should encourage host governments to make similar demarches. Posts should also express U.S. appreciation for the quick deployment of the EU monitoring mission to Georgia. ¶6. (C) Action for other posts: USEU, USNATO, USUN and USOSCE should draw upon these points to raise awareness of continuing attacks on Georgian civilians, in violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law, and to build pressure on Russia to implement its commitments. Info addressees, at their discretion, may share the fact of this demarche with host governments. RICE