Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USNATO275
2008-08-08 11:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

GEORGIAN NATO MISSION STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN

Tags:  MOPS NATO PREL GG RS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6403
OO RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHNO #0275 2211130
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081130Z AUG 08
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2130
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0605
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 0143
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 6038
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 5629
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0753
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 0492
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS USNATO 000275 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS NATO PREL GG RS
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN NATO MISSION STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN
SOUTH OSSETIA

UNCLAS USNATO 000275

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS NATO PREL GG RS
SUBJECT: GEORGIAN NATO MISSION STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN
SOUTH OSSETIA


1. (SBU) On August 8, the Georgian Mission to NATO
distributed the following statement to Allies:

Statement of the Government of Georgia regarding the
situation in the South Ossetia region of Georgia

Over the last several hours, separatist rebels in South
Ossetia have undertaken a series of military attacks against
unarmed civilians and peacekeeping forces in several villages
near Tskhinvali. Their actions constitute an extreme
escalation of an already dangerous situation.

These latest attacks took place after President Mikheil
Saakashvili announced a unilateral ceasefire by Georgia and
appealed for peace talks.

The separatist rebels, in defiance of this call, subsequently
attacked several villages near Tskinvali. On August 7, at
22:30 local time, they attacked the village of Prisi, which
was followed one hour later by an attack on the village of
Tamarasheni. Civilians and peacekeepers came under massive
shelling. The attacks resulted in several dead and wounded.

According to available data, hundred of armed personnel and
heavy military equipment have crossed from Russia to Georgia
through the Roki tunnel.

To protect peaceful civilian populations and to prevent
further military attacks, the Government of Georgia has been
forced to take adequate measures.

Despite this most recent escalation, the Government of
Georgia once again reiterates its readiness to immediately
begin peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict in South
Ossetia and calls on the separatist rebels to cease their
military actions and come to the negotiation table.

08.08.2008

END TEXT


2. (SBU) The Georgian Mission attached additional information
to the statement, including the text of a special address of
the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. We have e-mail
this additional information to EUR/RPM.
WEINROD