TFGG01: ESTONIAN FM PAET'S VISIT TO GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TALLINN 000290

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV RS GG AM EN
SUBJECT: TFGG01: ESTONIAN FM PAET'S VISIT TO GEORGIA

Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

REF: STATE 89769


1. (C) SUMMARY. On August 15, Estonian Foreign Minister
Urmas Paet embarked on a three day visit to Georgia. In
addition to meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Vladimir
Gurgenidze and Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili, Paet
visited injured Georgians in a hospital and toured an
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and the city of
Gori. The trip reaffirmed GOE concerns about Russian
compliance with the terms of the ceasefire and the need for
international peacekeepers in the conflict zone and the
areas immediately surrounding South Ossetia. The GOE
remains concerned about ongoing Russian military activity
in Georgia, the damage to Georgian infrastructure and
reports of crimes against Georgian citizens. Estonia has
earmarked USD 1 million for humanitarian assistance to
Georgia and is assessing how many peacekeepers it can
contribute to an international peacekeeping mission. END
SUMMARY

MEETINGS WITH OFFICIALS
--------------

2.(C) On August 19, Poloff met with Harry Lahtein,
Division Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and
Toomas Tirs, Georgian Desk Officer at the Estonian MFA to
discuss the details of FM Paet's recent visit to Georgia.
Lahtein, former Charges de Affairs at the Estonian Embassy
in Tbilisi, accompanied Paet on his visit. Lahtein
described the situation in Georgia as 'not good' and
observed that despite the cease-fire, Russian troops are
moving around outside of the conflict zone. Lahtein
stressed the importance of reaching a common understanding
between Russia and Georgia on the terms of the cease fire.
Specifically, Lahtein referenced paragraph 5 of the French
six point agreement which states that Russian military
forces should withdraw to pre-conflict positions. Lahtein
commented that the GOG interprets this position as
approximately '15 clicks' (kilometers) from Tskhinvali,
while the GOR has interpreted this to mean '150 clicks'
(kilometers) from Tskhinvali, which would place them beyond
Tbilisi. Lahtein also stated that the GOE is opposed to
buffer or security zones and that Russian troops should not
be allowed to consider strategic highways and populated
areas a part of their pre-conflict positions.


3. (C) During her meeting with FM Paet, Georgian FM
Tkeshelashvili stressed the need to grant immediate access
for international observers from the EU, UN or the OSCE not
only in the conflict zone, but in the areas immediately
surrounding South Ossetia. Lahetin referenced unconfirmed
reports of a 'concentration camp' in Kurta and atrocities
against the ethnic Georgian military personnel and
civilians in the conflict zone. According to Lahetin, GOG
estimates put the number of missing Georgian military
troops at approximately 200, while the GOR is reporting
that only 5 Georgian troops are missing. The GOG is still
in the process of counting missing civilians, but is
estimating it could be in the thousands. IDPs are also
becoming a serious issue. Not only does the GOR estimate
that there are currently 120,000 IDPs in Georgia, the
majority of whom are from Gori, but FM Paet and Lahetin
witnessed first hand extensive looting of shops and
destroyed homes in Gori.


4. (C) Also while touring Gori, FM Paet and Lahetin met
with Russian General Vyatsheslav Borissov, whom Lahetin
characterized as 'extremely drunk.' Borissov told Paet and
Lahetin that his troops cannot leave Gori until they
receive orders from Moscow. General Borissov also
commented that Russian troops are unable to pull out of
Gori now because without the troops there would be no 'law
and order' or civilization.


5. (C) GOG officials hope that current Russian actions in
Georgia have been a 'wake up' call to the western world
that Russians should not serve in the future as
peacekeepers. (Note: Lahetin commented that he is not
hopeful the OSCE will approve a proposed 300 member OSCE
observation team because Russia has a veto. End Note). The

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Estonian MOD is currently putting together a pool of
potential candidates to serve in any future peacekeeping
mission, but will only deploy peacekeepers under the
umbrella of an international organization. (Note: Initial
internal estimates by the EDF suggest Estonia could
contribute 3 to 6 observers for an OSCE mission and an
infantry platoon for peacekeeping. End Note.)

Estonia to the Rescue
--------------


6. (C) According to Tirs, the GOE has set aside USD 1
million for relief aid for Georgia. Approximately USD
300,000 was spent on the first shipment of blankets and
medical supplies sent to Georgia via Yerevan on August 15
and a second shipment is being prepared for early next
week. Estonia also sent two cyber security experts to
Georgia who helped the GOG set up 'mirror sites' for
government and banking sites that have been under constant
attack since the hostilities began. The GOE is also
considering contributing a couple of general physicians if
they confirm a need for their services.


7. (C) COMMENT: We anticipate Estonian support for Georgia
will remain intense for the foreseeable future. Concerns
about broader Russian intentions underline each
conversation we have. Both Lahetin and Tirs commented that
there is already talk coming from Russia about the Crimea
being a 'Russian territory' and that it is likely Ukraine
will be next on Russia's list. At the same time, Estonia's
pro-active stance on Georgia is also making some folks here
worry about retaliation from Russia. Several GOE officials
have publicly stated they are concerned for all countries
with a sizeable population of Russian citizens. END
COMMENT.

PHILLIPS