CONGRESSMAN SMITH DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS/IDPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 001481 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND TASKFORCE-1 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG RU SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN SMITH DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS/IDPS Classified By: Ambassador John Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ - 4) had separate meetings with Patriarch Ilia II, Human Rights Watch (HRW),and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to discuss human rights issues and the IDP situation in Georgia the week of August 18. The Patriarch, HRW, and the ICRC all agreed that abuses were taking place, yet cautioned against drawing any sweeping conclusions in the wake of dubious and unverifiable information. In their view, the IDP situation appears manageable and sustainable in the short term, but worrisome in the medium to long term. The GOG is hopeful that IDPs will be able to quickly return to Gori and its environs after the Russian pullout. However, HRW says the situation is still dangerous due to large amounts of unexploded ordnance, and that if the GOG loses control over the flow of IDPs returning to Gori, the human cost could be substantial. Local residents in the conflict zones are wary that in the wake of the ill-defined Russian pullout, and before Georgian authorities regain control, S. Ossetian and other irregulars will fill the power vacuum and continue the destruction and looting of ethnic Georgian villages and property. End Summary. Abuses Present But Conclusions Difficult -------------- ¶2. (C) Patriarch Ilia, who lead the first humanitarian visit to Gori after the Russian occupation, detailed the massive looting and pillaging he witnessed. The Patriarch expressed sadness at the level of destruction incurred in the Gori area under Russian occupation. He had no specific knowledge as to the level of complicity of Russian regulars in the looting and destruction of Gori but noted at a minimum, the Russian soldiers turned a blind eye to abuses. He also expressed gratitude that at least a number of Russian officers and soldiers were helpful and remain helpful in the Church's efforts to collect and remove dead bodies, and deliver humanitarian assistance. The Patriarch confirmed that most of the infrastructure in Gori remains intact, though he called it a "dead city" since virtually everything has been removed. ¶3. (C) ICRC and HRW delivered similar messages. HRW confirmed the targeting of Georgian villages in S. Ossetia and in the so called "buffer zone." HRW said Georgian 
villages were being looted then burned, mostly by irregulars. HRW is collecting information on rapes, hostage taking, and other human rights abuses that occurred during hostilities and under the Russian occupation. Although the alleged rape victims have not yet been interviewed, HRW generally has found the allegations to be credible. HRW has no evidence that the alleged rapes were systematic in nature. HRW has documented that roughly 80 hostages (all over the age of 65) were returned to the GOG in exchange for 18 S. Ossetian POWs. HRW said the S. Ossetians were demanding the release of five or six prisoners (detained well before the recent hostilities) in exchange for another 60 hostages still in their custody (all over the age of 65). The ICRC confirmed that it had access to S. Ossetia, but has primarily been working to reunite families torn apart by the conflict rather than focusing on documenting abuses. ICRC says the Russians have been difficult in specific cases, but ultimately cooperative in aiding ICRC movement in the conflict zone. HRW says in general, Russian regular troops behaved professionally noting the majority of looting, destruction, and other abuses were carried out by irregulars. HRW could not yet give an accurate assessment of RUSSIA complicity in various abuses, although HRW stated it was not "minimal". ¶4. (C) HRW believed the initial claims of civilian deaths on the S. Ossetian and Georgian side were exaggerated. HRW estimated the numbers at roughly 300 S. Ossetian civilians killed in the fighting (well below the 2000 claimed by the Russians and S. Ossetians) and roughly 200 Georgians (on par with the recent GOG reassessment of civilian casualties). HRW noted they found some evidence that Georgian troops used indiscriminate weaponry and targeting in the initial assault of Tskhinvali, but Russian claims of Georgian use of cluster bombs are categorically false. HRW also said the Georgians had generally treated Russian and S. Ossetian POW's well. However, HRW had heard numerous reports that Georgia is holding about a dozen S. Ossetian fighters who had not been given ICRC access. (Note: We could not confirm this with ICRC). Both ICRC and HRW said the cease-fire was holding and relations on the front line were "eerily" cordial. HRW told us they have not seen any irregulars in quite some time and the Georgians and Russians are behaving professionally. IDPs Face More Potential Dangers -------------- ¶5. (C) The GOG hopes that the majority of IDPs from Gori TBILISI 00001481 002 OF 002 will return home in the near future. HRW cautioned that the situation was still dangerous. HRW teams documented overwhelming evidence of Russian use of cluster bombs in the conflict, and reported seeing unexploded cluster bombs virtually everywhere outside of Gori proper. HRW urged the GOG to start a massive awareness campaign, but has so far had seen little official engagement. ¶6. (C) ICRC and HRW also said the status of ethnic Georgians who remained in S. Ossetia was unclear, although the targeting of their villages had largely subsided. HRW was also concerned about Russian plans for the so called "buffer zone." HRW expressed hope that ethnic Georgians could return to villages in the "buffer zone" area, but said the villages have been basically demolished and access to the villages for returning IDPs is in doubt. According to HRW, assuming ethnic Georgians are allowed to return expeditiously, it would take a substantial if not impossible effort to rebuild villages before winter meaning many IDPs may have to remain in Tbilisi indefinitely. ¶7. (U) Congressman Smith did not have the opportunity to clear this cable before his departure from Tbilisi. TEFFT