GEORGIA: SECURITY INCIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 001090

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS KBTS RS GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SECURITY INCIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS

REF: A. TBILISI 1057

B. 08 TBILISI 2458

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary and Comment. Three separate security
incidents within the last week could indicate that the
Russians, Abkhaz or South Ossetians may wish to bump up
instability in the midst of the UNOMIG negotiations. South
Ossetians set up a new checkpoint near Perevi on June 8 and
continue to harass local inhabitants in the area, although
Russians have begun to give restitution for stolen livestock.
The arrival of two Russian generals and the de facto South
Ossetian "prosecutor general" to Karzmani on the South
Ossetian side of the administrative boundary line June 10
seemed to help relieve tensions, though it remains unclear
whether the Russians will make good on their promise to pull
out of Perevi by June 15. On June 10, three blasts occurred
late at night in Zugdidi, with one injury. Deputy Foreign
Minister Giga Bokeria told visiting EUR A/S Gordon that the
explosions are a reminder from the Russians that they can
create these types of provocations whenever they wish.
UNOMIG and EUMM told us that on June 11, Russian forces
approached a Georgian checkpoint in Ganmukhuri, outside
Abkhazia but north of the Enguri river, warning the Georgians
that the territory was Abkhaz and the Georgians needed to
leave. The Georgians replied that the next time the Russians
approached, they might need to defend themselves. End
Summary and comment.

PEREVI - KARZMANI: DISCORD BETWEEN SOUTH OSSETIANS AND
RUSSIANS?


2. (SBU) The situation remains tense within the
Russian-occupied village of Perevi, located in undisputed
Georgian territory outside the western de facto "border" of
South Ossetia (reftel A). The Russian military has promised
to pull out by June 15, though it remains ambiguous whether
they will cede control to their own border guards, the South
Ossetians or the Georgians. Meanwhile, EUMM and OSCE
reported that the South Ossetian militia set up a checkpoint
just north of the Russian encampment. The monitors continue
to hear reports of theft in the Perevi - Karzmani area, and
the presence of South Ossetian forces so close to the Russian
checkpoint worries locals.

3. (C) In a step towards reducing tensions, the number of
armed South Ossetians in the Perevi area seems to have
decreased since last week, and the Russians have begun
returning property and offering villagers restitution for
stolen livestock. The OSCE reported that two Russian
generals and the South Ossetian de facto "prosecutor general"
arrived in nearby Karzmani (across the administrative
boundary line in South Ossetia) to ease tensions. The
generals apparently enjoined the South Ossetian forces to
withdraw from the area; shots were fired in the air, which
the OSCE interpreted as an expression of tension between the
officials and the militia. EUMM PolOff Rosaria Puglisi
detected a notable disconnect between the Russians and South
Ossetians, with little evidence of coordination between the
two sides.
EXPLOSIONS IN ZUGDIDI: IS SOMEONE SENDING A MESSAGE?

4. (SBU) Three explosions occurred on the night of June 10
in Zugdidi, south of the Abkhaz administrative boundary.
UNOMIG reported that the largest of the blasts occurred
before midnight in a cargo rail car behind the train station,
while the second occurred shortly after midnight in a garbage
can in front of the station. The final blast took place
around 0300 at an unused factory near the local police
station. According to an official government statement, one
Qstation. According to an official government statement, one
electrician received severe injuries and was taken to the
hospital. The MOIA later confirmed the injuries, but told us
that the injuries were not as severe as originally reported.

5. (C) In a meeting with visiting EUR Assistant Secretary
Gordon, Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria confirmed the
UNOMIG reports, adding that the perpetrators used explosive
trotil (TNT) and that although the Georgians have no
suspects, initial analysis indicates Russian involvement. He
intimated that these explosions were not intended to cause
casualties and were executed by a well-informed group seeking
to send a message in the midst of the ongoing discussions of
UNOMIG,s status in Abkhazia. He drew a parallel between the
explosions occurring during A/S Gordon,s visit to Tbilisi
and the over-flight of Russian aircraft during former
Secretary Rice,s visit in July 2008. Bokeria stressed that
the administrative boundary line between Abkhazia and
undisputed Georgian territory is very porous, and it is
impossible for the Georgian Government to stop infiltrations
or to close the boundaries. He believes the explosions are a
signal from the Russians that they can create these types of
provocations whenever they wish.
GANMUKHURI - MISUNDERSTANDING OR PROVOCATION?

6. (C) On June 11 at 3 pm, EUMM and UNOMIG received reports
from MOIA that Russian forces in an armored personnel carrier
approached a Georgian police checkpoint in Ganmukhuri, south
of the Abkhaz boundary and north of the Enguri river.
(Comment: Because of its precarious position, Ganmukhuri has
been the source of much previous tension. See ref B. End
comment.) Although they initially approached in an amicable
manner, the Russians told the Georgians that the territory
was Abkhaz and the Georgians needed to leave. (omment:
Considering Ganmukhuri's difficult location, it is
conceivable that if these were some of the new border police,
they may have made an honest mistake. However, considering
the well-organized approach Russia has generally taken in
regard to the territories, it seems more likely that this was
a deliberate action on the part of the Russians. End
comment). Although there was no violence, only a verbal
confrontation, the Georgians suggested to the UN and EUMM
monitors that the next time the Russians approached, they
might need to defend themselves.
TEFFT