Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE89470
2008-08-20 14:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO.26
how-toO 201445Z AUG 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE INFO AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0000 NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0000 SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USD:SOLIC// IMMEDIATE COMFIFTHFLT IMMEDIATE COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE NGA HQ BETHESDA MD IMMEDIATE COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE JICPAC PEARL HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE CDR USJFCOM NORFOLK VA IMMEDIATE CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE HQ DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE:PRO// IMMEDIATE HQ DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-PRR-C// IMMEDIATE HQ DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE:MO// IMMEDIATE DA WASHINGTON DC//DAMO-AOC-CAT//PCC// IMMEDIATE CDR USSTRATCOM OFFUTT AFB NE IMMEDIATE DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE DIA WASHINGTON DC//TWC// IMMEDIATE JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J-3:JOD// IMMEDIATE JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J-1//J-3:JOD// IMMEDIATE CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE HQ USSOUTHCOM J3 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0000 FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0000
UNCLAS STATE 089470
SENSITIVE/SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT CD
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO.26
RUSSIAN CONVOY DEPARTS; OSCE MONITORS TO ARRIVE
AUGUST 21
------------
UNCLAS STATE 089470
SENSITIVE/SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT CD
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO.26
RUSSIAN CONVOY DEPARTS; OSCE MONITORS TO ARRIVE
AUGUST 21
--------------
1.(SBU) Two columns of Russian military vehicles
left South Ossetia and crossed into Russia, media report
Embassy Tbilisi reports up to 6,000 Russian troops may be
near Zugdidi and Senaki. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon,
Reuters)
2.(SBU) Russia Deputy Chief of the General Staff
Nogovitsyn told press Russia does not intend to return
American military equipment taken in Georgia.
(TF/EUR/RUS e-mail)
3. (SBU) Finnish FM Stubb plans to accompany two Finnish
OSCE monitors arriving in Tbilisi August 21. OSCE hopes
to have the full complement of 20 monitors from 12
countries, including the United States, in country by
August 24. (TF/USOSCE e-mail)
RUSSIA READY TO RECOGNIZE CONFLICT ZONES; ASAD IN MOSCOW
--------------
4.(SBU) The Speaker of Russia's Federation Council said
the Duma is ready to recognize the independence of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (TF/Embassy Moscow telcon)
5.(U) Syrian President Asad will use his August 20-21
visit to Russia to expand military ties with Moscow, media
report. Asad said Russia's conflict with Georgia
warranted increased military cooperation in light of
Georgia's use of Israeli-supplied equipment. (Reuters)
ICRC TO ENTER SOUTH OSSETIA; CASUALTY FIGURES RELEASED
--------------
6.(SBU) FM Lavrov said Russia gave the International
Committee of the Red Cross approval to enter South
Ossetia. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)
7.(SBU) Georgian officials report 215 dead and 1,469
wounded. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)
RUSSIAN FORCES RELEASE AMCIT JOURNALIST
--------------
8.(SBU) The reporter was released unharmed following
His 18-hour detention by Russian forces near
Gori. Embassy Tbilisi is coordinating with a UNHCR convoy
to transport the journalist to post. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi
e-mail)
GRAHAM AND LIEBERMAN ARRIVE IN GEORGIA
--------------
9.(SBU) CODEL scheduled to meet with the Georgian
president, PM, and speaker of parliament. They also
will visit an internally displaced persons shelter
and observe the arrival of a humanitarian flight
(TF/Embassy Tbilis telcon)
10. (U) Minimize considered.
RICE
SENSITIVE/SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT CD
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO.26
RUSSIAN CONVOY DEPARTS; OSCE MONITORS TO ARRIVE
AUGUST 21
--------------
1.(SBU) Two columns of Russian military vehicles
left South Ossetia and crossed into Russia, media report
Embassy Tbilisi reports up to 6,000 Russian troops may be
near Zugdidi and Senaki. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon,
Reuters)
2.(SBU) Russia Deputy Chief of the General Staff
Nogovitsyn told press Russia does not intend to return
American military equipment taken in Georgia.
(TF/EUR/RUS e-mail)
3. (SBU) Finnish FM Stubb plans to accompany two Finnish
OSCE monitors arriving in Tbilisi August 21. OSCE hopes
to have the full complement of 20 monitors from 12
countries, including the United States, in country by
August 24. (TF/USOSCE e-mail)
RUSSIA READY TO RECOGNIZE CONFLICT ZONES; ASAD IN MOSCOW
--------------
4.(SBU) The Speaker of Russia's Federation Council said
the Duma is ready to recognize the independence of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (TF/Embassy Moscow telcon)
5.(U) Syrian President Asad will use his August 20-21
visit to Russia to expand military ties with Moscow, media
report. Asad said Russia's conflict with Georgia
warranted increased military cooperation in light of
Georgia's use of Israeli-supplied equipment. (Reuters)
ICRC TO ENTER SOUTH OSSETIA; CASUALTY FIGURES RELEASED
--------------
6.(SBU) FM Lavrov said Russia gave the International
Committee of the Red Cross approval to enter South
Ossetia. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)
7.(SBU) Georgian officials report 215 dead and 1,469
wounded. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)
RUSSIAN FORCES RELEASE AMCIT JOURNALIST
--------------
8.(SBU) The reporter was released unharmed following
His 18-hour detention by Russian forces near
Gori. Embassy Tbilisi is coordinating with a UNHCR convoy
to transport the journalist to post. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi
e-mail)
GRAHAM AND LIEBERMAN ARRIVE IN GEORGIA
--------------
9.(SBU) CODEL scheduled to meet with the Georgian
president, PM, and speaker of parliament. They also
will visit an internally displaced persons shelter
and observe the arrival of a humanitarian flight
(TF/Embassy Tbilis telcon)
10. (U) Minimize considered.
RICE