GEORGIA: SITREP 17: IT'S ABOUT TIME - BULK OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 001418

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND TASKFORCE-1

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM RU GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SITREP 17: IT'S ABOUT TIME - BULK OF
RUSSIAN TROOPS DEPART

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) Summary. Multiple sources confirm Russian troops
have withdrawn most troops from undisputed Georgian
territory, although some remain near key positions such as
Poti, Senaki and Sachkere. The eastern part of the east-west
highway is reportedly open, with light civilian traffic
underway, but Russian checkpoints remain in the west near
Poti, Senaki and Zugdidi. Eight more OSCE monitors have
arrived or will shortly. Saakashvili will seek an extension
of the state of war until September 8. Poti residents
planned to conduct another protest against the ongoing
Russian presence. End Summary.

THE RUSSIANS HAVE MOVED OUT MOST OF THEIR TROOPS . . .
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2. (SBU) Sources in the Georgian government, the OSCE,
UNOMIG and the press confirm that Russian troops have left
Gori, Igoeti, Kashuri and had crossed the Enguri River in the
west. There are no active Russian checkpoints on the
east-west highway at least as far west as Kutaisi, with
previous checkpoints at Igoeti, Kaspi and Khashuri
dismantled. The road from Batumi to Kutaisi is reportedly
clear of checkpoints as well. A government official reported
that Georgian authorities are blocking some stretches of road
in order to check bridges and overpasses for mines left by
departing Russian forces, but would complete this
"housekeeping" soon. The OSCE noted that the Russians left
the physical elements of checkpoints at Shavshebi and
Kvenokotsa (on either side of Gori),which could presumably
be reactivated on short notice. The press reported that
Russian troops had left the Georgian base at Senaki, leaving
almost everything at the base destroyed. According to
Georgian officials, IDPs from the Gori area are already being
invited back to their homes in the city or surrounding
villages.

. . .BUT NOT ALL.
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3. (SBU) Government and OSCE sources noted there are still
active Russian checkpoints on roads heading north from the
area of Gori toward South Ossetia, at Akhalgori in
southeastern South Ossetia, and near Poti, Senaki and Zugdidi
in the west. The press reported active Russian checkpoints
at Chkorotsku in Guria, at Tsalenjikha and Khobi in
Samogrelo, and at Perevi outside Sachkere. The press also
reported that, in addition to checkpoints, Russian military
equipment remained in Poti. UNOMIG reported that Russian
troops had taken up positions along the restricted weapons
zone, which is not consistent with the withdrawal agreement.

EIGHT MORE OSCE MONITORS EN ROUTE
--------------


4. (SBU) The OSCE reported that two new Finnish and two new
French monitors had arrived, two new American monitors were
expected in two or three days, and two new German monitors
were expected by August 28. After a few days of orientation,
the eight additional monitors would begin to enter the
rotation next week.

EXTENSION OF STATE OF WAR
--------------


5. (SBU) The press reported that the National Security
Council met Friday evening August 22 and recommended that
President Saakashvili seek from Parliament an extension of
the state of war until September 8, which he will reportedly
do August 23.

FOOD SUPPLIES APPEAR STABLE
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7. (SBU) Minister of Agriculture Kvezereli said that supplies
of major food commodities appeared stable. He expressed
confidence that overland imports from Turkey and sea imports
from the ports of Batumi and Poti would resume soon. As of
August 22, Azerbaijani suppliers were providing 600 metric
tons of wheat a day to markets in Tbilisi and other eastern
towns. With current imports and reserves, over one month of
wheat stocks were available east of Gori. He added that the
west had ample reserves as well; importers received 2,000
metric tons of wheat last week, which would provide reserves
for 25 days when combined with existing stocks. Most other
commodities, such as oil, sugar, beans and pasta, were in
ample supply for the time being. The minister noted the one
potential problem commodity was rice, which, although not a
primary staple, was in short supply. He expected, however,

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that resumed imports from Turkey would likely provide new
rice supplies.

VISITORS
--------------

6. (U) Senator Lugar arrives in the evening on 8/23. The
economic delegation led by U/S Jeffrey arrives 8/25 and the
OVP advance team arrives 8/27. Presidential candidate John
McCain's wife Cindy arrives in Tbilisi 8/26. A delegation
led by Congressman Duncan Hunter will visit Tbilisi September

1.

ANOTHER PROTEST IN POTI
--------------


7. (U) The press reported another protest against the
Russian presence was planned for today in Poti.
TEFFT