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