GEORGIA: SITREP 21: PARLIAMENT SAYS ALL RUSSIAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 001482 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND GEORGIA COORDINATING GROUP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM RU GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SITREP 21: PARLIAMENT SAYS ALL RUSSIAN FORCES MUST LEAVE REF: TBILISI 1474 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On August 28, the Georgian Parliament adopted a resolution that declared Abkhazia and South Ossetia "territories occupied by the Russian Federation"; appeared to nullify the legal basis for any Russian forces, including peacekeepers, to be on Georgian territory; and urged the government to sever diplomatic ties with Russia. The government insisted it needed some minimal ties to serve Georgians in Russia. The OSCE is still seeking to gain access to areas north of the outer ring of Russian checkpoints around Tskhinvali, but Akhalgori remains calm. Prisoner exchanges continue, as do assessments of damages and losses. End Summary. PARLIAMENT PUSHES FOR COMPLETE BREAK WITH RUSSIA -------------- --- ¶2. (U) The Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on August 28 declaring South Ossetia and Abkhazia "territories occupied by the Russian Federation" and "instructed" the executive branch to sever diplomatic ties with Russia. The resolution also appears to nullify any provision for any Russian forces on the territory of Georgia, stating specifically that "Russian armed forces located on Georgian territory, including so-called peacekeeping forces, shall be declared occupation forces" and the "executive government shall be instructed to ensure the annulment of all legal acts envisaging the presence of the armed forces of the Russian Federation." ¶3. (SBU) State Minister for Reintegration Yakobishvili said Georgia could not sever all ties, as the Georgian Government provides services to its citizens in Russia. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Giorgi Tsereteli, however, insisted to Embassy contacts that the resolution does not require presidential approval and has already entered into force. It remains unclear what recourse Parliament has in case the government does not follow the Parliament's instructions. OSCE CONTINUES TO TRY TO MOVE FURTHER NORTH; DEFENSE CHANGES -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On August 28, OSCE met with Russian "Peacekeeping Force" General Kulakhmetov, and requested access to those areas behind Russia's forward line of checkpoints and to the conflict zone in South Ossetia, particularly Tskhinvali. Kulakhmetov demurred, citing security concerns, but is meeting OSCE's HoM Terhi Hakala August 29 to revisit the issue. Meanwhile the OSCE reports the situation in Akhalgori remains calm, and OSCE monitors re-confirmed that the new Russian checkpoints just south of the town were established on a temporary basis only. ¶5. (SBU) OSCE also reports that the Russian checkpoints, which until now have been staffed by regular Russian military forces, will eventually be replaced by Russian peacekeeping units. The current arrangement, which includes the command structures of various Russian units as well as peacekeeping forces, has reportedly been the source of some confusion in command and control. ¶6. (C) Reliable sources indicate that changes are forthcoming in the Georgian military command structure, with the replacement of several senior-level officers who commanded Georgian forces in the recent conflict. Additional details are available from DAO reporting. RUSSIA MAINTAINS PRESENCE IN POTI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) The press reports that a Russian helicopter landed in Poti August 29 carrying military commanders, with locals reporting that additional Russian forces have been mobilized. Protests were reported in Chkorotsku and other towns in Megrelia, during which Russian soldiers tried to disperse the crowd by firing in the air, as they have in the past. PRISONER EXCHANGES -------------- ¶8. (U) Press reports indicated Ossetian separatists exchanged 85 Georgian civilians for 13 captives, held by the Georgians. The Russian military handed over 12 Georgian servicemen captured in Poti on August 18 in exchange for prisoner Roman Dumbadze. Dumbadze is a former Georgian general convicted of high treason for supporting deposed Adjaran warlord Aslan Abashidze. TBILISI 00001482 002 OF 002 DAMAGES AND LOSSES -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Media reports over 50,000 hectares have burnt in the Ateni gorge of Borjomi National Park. The blaze was finally extinguished with assistance from Georgia's military helicopters. Reliable reports indicate over 200 tractors have been stolen from the Gori region and taken to South Ossetia. VISITORS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Senator Corker arrives the evening of August 29 for a full day of meetings August 30; Rep. Joe Donnelly will lead a four-member delegation here on September 1. Meanwhile the OVP advance continues its preparations for the Vice President's September 4 visit. TEFFT