RUSSIAN MFA SAYS GEORGIAN COUP ATTEMPT A SURPRISE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001145

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV RU GG
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN MFA SAYS GEORGIAN COUP ATTEMPT A SURPRISE

REF: TBILIS 00852

Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle: Reasons 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) In a 1300 May 5 conversation with the Ambassador,
Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin expressed "surprise" at
reports of a coup attempt in Georgia, reiterating that the
event was unexpected. Karasin dismissed Georgian MinInt
Merabishvili's accusations of Russian special services
involvement as an attempt "to cast a shadow over what is
obvious," suggesting that Georgian internal opposition to
Saakashvili, and not Russian intervention, was at play. When
the Ambassador pressed on news reports of Russian ship
movements in the area, Karasin said he was unaware of the
alleged movements, but took the charges seriously, and would
be in contact with the Russian Ministry of Defense. The
Ambassador and Karasin agreed to speak again later in the
afternoon.


2. (C) When we contacted the MFA 4th CIS Department prior
to the Ambassador's conversation, Director Andrey Kelin said
it was the first that he had heard of the allegations. A
seemingly rattled Kelin acknowledged that there had been a
Russian troop buildup as the GOR introduced border forces
into the region, but iterated steps already taken to lower
the Russian profile and promised a "serious reduction" in the
days ahead. He denied any GOR contacts with the mutinous
Georgian forces. While Russia's policy of refusing to engage
with Saakashvili remained in place, Kelin denied any GOR
support for the overthrow of Georgia's elected President.
Kelin also agreed to speak later in the day, after the MFA
comes up to speed on the situation.
BEYRLE