GEORGIA: SITREP 18: ALL EYES ON AKHALGORI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 001437

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND TASKFORCE-1

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM RU GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SITREP 18: ALL EYES ON AKHALGORI

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


1. (C) Summary. The situation remains tense in Akhalgori,
with South Ossetian militia in an apparent standoff with
Georgian police and interior forces; the Georgian government
considers the location a potential flashpoint. The Russian
presence in the west continues, maintaining a level of
tension in those areas. Federal and local governments are
providing aid to IDPs, assessing the damage and undertaking
demining and repairs. The arrival of an American destroyer
with humanitarian aid received wide recognition, and several
AmCit children cases of note have been resolved. End Summary.

STANDOFF IN AKHALGORI
--------------


2. (C) On August 25, the OSCE observed at least 150 Georgian
police and Interior Ministry forces and at least 36 vehicles
in a small village outside Akhalgori (having heard reports of
as many as 500 personnel). After reporting 200 South
Ossetian militia and four vehicles in Akhalgori on August 24,
the OSCE observed a few dozen militia and two vehicles on
August 25. Both sides had entrenched their positions with
such items as sandbags. The OSCE reported a calm situation
in Akhalgori and saw no evidence of looting or fires,
although the Georgian side had reported widespread damage,
including at schools and administrative buildings. The
closest Russian presence remains at the Ikoti checkpoint
outside Akhalgori.


3. (C) The two sides offered conflicting reports on the
situation. The Georgians expressed fears of provocative
actions taken by the Ossetian side. The Georgians planned to
meet with the Ossetians on August 26. The Ossetian side
reported the Georgian governor had not appeared for a
scheduled meeting with the Ossetian commandant at 0900 on
August 25. Although the OSCE did not observe evidence of
looting or fires, the Ossetian side would now allow the OSCE
to enter a school to inspect it. The Ossetians did admit
confiscating computers from an administrative building "for
control."


4. (SBU) Georgian Foreign and Interior Ministry officials
told the diplomatic community on August 24 the arrival of
Ossetian militia in Akhalgori, a historically Georgian town
in a historically Georgian region of South Ossetia, occurred
after the cease-fire. They reported 400 Ossetian militia in
Akhalgori with 16 armored vehicles and mortars. They also
reported the local mayor and police chief had been replaced
with South Ossetians and Georgian police in villages south of
Akhalgori had been given one day to leave. They also said
Akhalgori residents were being told that they would have to
accept Russian passports or leave the area.


5. (U) Elsewhere in South Ossetia, the press reported that
Russian forces demolished tractors and burned houses in the
village of Tamarasheni and "punished" residents of Tkviavi.
Foreign journalists reported the destruction of buildings and
the kidnapping and killing of residents in Tkviavi. Local
journalists reported being detained and robbed of their car
and video equipment in Tkviavi.


6. (C) In Gori, the situation continues to improve. The
British Ambassador visited the city on August 24, including
the site of the fuel-carrying rail car that exploded. He
described a two kilometer of shrapnel and ordnance around the
site, presumably from an explosion of ammunition and ordnance
detonated by departing Russian troops. The Georgian
Government estimates that approximately 10,000 IDPs have
returned to the city and to the surrounding villages. The
Georgian Government has given contradictory advice,
encouraging IDPs to return and organizing buses to assist,
but at the same time warning Gori residents of the dangers of
unexploded ordnance. As a result, some IDPs are choosing to
wait in Tbilisi for a few more days before returning.

SITUATION IN THE WEST
--------------


7. (SBU) The press reported that Russian troops entered a
shipbuilding plant in Poti and barred local employees from
entering; two journalists were reportedly detained and beaten
upon trying to film a checkpoint near Poti. Russian
checkpoints in the west have reportedly been strengthened.
Two new ones were established on the Gomi-Sachkere road, and
Russians are reportedly allowing vehicles to pass only after
inspection. The Russians reportedly left the base in Senaki
heavily mined, including in such places as electric switches.



8. (C) The arrival in Batumi of a U.S. Navy destroyer loaded

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with humanitarian aid was widely reported, with Defense
Minister Kezerashvili commenting that the ship's arrival
delivered a strong humanitarian and political message. The
Embassy's Defense Attache visited Poti, reporting that
operations on the commercial side were surprisingly normal
and that there were no Russian checkpoints on the road
leading south from Poti to Batumi.

PRISONER EXCHANGE
--------------


9. (U) The press reported the Russians returned two military
and five civilian detainees and the Georgians returned six
military detainees, with talks on further returns continuing.

WAR DAMAGE
--------------


10. (U) The press carried numerous reported of casualties and
property damage, including:
-- The explosion of two mines in Gori, one badly injuring a
man working in his garden and one killing a woman picking
berries in the outskirts of Gori.
-- The burning of three railway fuel tanks near Skra, Shida
Kartli. The fire was caused by explosions at a Georgian
arsenal near Skra.
-- The burning by Russians of an individual's house in
Karaleti and a poultry farm in Mejvrishkevi, both in Shida
Kartli.
-- The destruction of 50 hectares of woodland in Ateni
Gorge near Gori, with an additional 40 hectares currently
burning. contributing to a total of 500 hectares of
destroyed woodland around the country.

PROTESTS
--------------


11. (U) The press reported that Russian forces fired shots in
the air to disperse a demonstration in Pervomaiski, in Khobi
District in Samegrelo, but the crowd did not disperse.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE
--------------


12. (C) In a televised speech, President Saakashvili proposed
the creation of a special council, including members of the
opposition like Levan Gachechiladze, to coordinate aid to the
victims of the war. He also made strong statements about the
imminent development of Russia's aggression, the country's
resolve to rebuild, the significance of international
support, and the need for national unity. Saakashvili noted
that the conflict was a "failure of western intelligence" and
criticized Europe for a lack of support. According to the
French Ambassador, Saakashvili's remarks led to a call from
President Sarkozy and harsh criticism from the French.
Reportedly, Saakashvili apologized to Sarkozy for his remarks.

IMPACT OF THE WAR ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
--------------


13. (SBU) U.S. Government partners reported that at least
nine municipalities have been directly affected by the
conflict. Although precise assessments of the damage are not
yet available, local governments will need at least
computers, other office equipment and supplies, and repairs
to building and infrastructure. Other governments in the
Kakheti, Imereti and Gurian regions have been affected by the
influx of IDPs, who are generally located in schools, youth
camps and other government buildings, making them unavailable
for normal use. The buildings will require repairs after the
IDPs' departure. Local government staff are unavailable to
provide normal services because they are working to
distribute humanitarian aid and meet the IDPs' needs.
Funding for normal services has likewise been reduced.

AMCIT CHILDREN UPDATE
--------------


14. (SBU) Two cases of American citizen children stranded
outside Tbilisi that drew congressional attention have been
resolved. The ICRC reunited Nicholas Shiukashvili with his
mother in Tbilisi August 23; he will travel back to the U.S.
shortly (his case was raised by Rep. Bishop). Kansas City
natives Sofiya and Mikhail Momtselidze (are scheduled to
arrive by public bus in Tbilisi August 25 (their case was
raised by Rep. Moore). Approximately 30 AmCit children
remain outside Tbilisi, with reports of additional children
continuing to arrive. Most have made their own travel plans
or have no plans to travel. The ICRC has received requests
for assistance in other cases and will provide additional
information to the consular section as it becomes available.

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

15. (U) Senator Lugar's August 23-24 visit was widely
covered in the press. The economic delegation led by U/S
Jeffrey arrived 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 Rep. Duncan Hunter will
visit Tbilisi September 1.
TEFFT