TWO KILLED, SEVERAL WOUNDED IN FIREFIGHT IN SOUTH

UNCLAS TBILISI 001023 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV GG SUBJECT: TWO KILLED, SEVERAL WOUNDED IN FIREFIGHT IN SOUTH OSSETIA REF: TBILISI 537 ¶1. A firefight erupted in the South Ossetian conflict zone on the evening of Saturday, June 14, killing two Ossetians and wounding several more (Note: media reports estimate between five and seven wounded. End note). The fighting took place between the capital of the breakaway republic, Tskhinvali, and two Georgian-controlled villages inside the breakaway republic, Ergneti and Nikozi, southwest of Tskhinvali. Both the Georgian and Ossetian side are accusing the other of starting the fight, though OSCE officials predict it will be nearly impossible to determine who started it. A joint OSCE-Joint Peacekeeping Force (JPKF) patrol was caught in the crossfire, and an OSCE vehicle was hit by two RPG grenades, causing damage to their armored patrol vehicle but no injuries. OSCE reports that the current situation is calm, with no further incidents, though tension remains high. ¶2. Earlier on June 14, a 14 year-old Georgian boy was killed by an explosive device about one kilometer from Ergneti. Media reports state that the boy was tending cattle in a field in Georgian-controlled territory when he stepped on a landmine. OSCE and JPKF military monitors have investigated the scene, but have not yet been able to determine whether the explosion was caused by a stray landmine or an improvised explosive device (IED). The head of the Georgian peacekeeping operations with the Ministry of Defense, Mamuka Kurashvili, publicly accused the South Ossetian side of laying the mine, though the South Ossetians have denied this. ¶3. Comment: Stray landmines are a serious problem in the conflict zone and we frequently see reports of animals, farmers, and even JPKF patrols setting off mines when they venture off well established roads, so it is plausible that the boy hit a stray mine rather than a deliberately planted device. Nevertheless, a string of bombing incidents this spring (reftel) have raised tensions and resulted in quick accusations of terrorism from both sides. An OSCE political officer speculated that the firefight on Saturday night may have resulted from Georgians seeking revenge for the boy's death. Though the situation is currently calm, this revenge cycle may escalate with the deaths of the two Ossetians, prompting further retaliation. End comment. TEFFT