Monday, August 25, 2008
Timeline for 23rd August, to 12:00
23 AUGUST
12:00 Chief of staff of Russian Army Anatoly Nogovitsin names at the press conferense places where Russian intends to organize checkpoints. In violation of the ceasefire agreement they are well out the conflict zone, namely in: Perevi – near Sachkhere; Ali - 90kms from Tbilisi and 7 Km from east-west highway, on the way from Khashuri to Sachkere and South Ossetia; Kvenatkotsa – in Kareli district near Agara, 1 km from eas-west highway; Variani – 10km north of Gori, on the road from Gori to Tskhinvali; Karaleti – 10km north of Gori, on the road to Tskhinvali; Shavshvebi – 40km west of Tbilisi on the east-west Highway, Monasteri – 35 Kms noerth-west from Tbilisi on the way to Akhalgori and 7kms from eastwest highway, Ikoti – 40Kms north-west from Tbilisi near town Akhalgori and 12kms from east-west highway.
11:30 Parliament of Georgia prolongs Martial Law till September 8.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
On 22 August 2008 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, President of Ukraine’s special representative Konstantin Eliseev.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia provided his Ukrainian counterpart with exhaustive information concerning the situation resulting from the unlawful actions of the Russian occupation army as well as on the population affected by ethnic cleansing.
Mr Eliseev reaffirmed the Ukrainian side’s readiness to assist Georgia in overcoming the crisis. He also focused on the measures considered to be expedient in terms of Ukraine’s national security interests.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia provided his Ukrainian counterpart with exhaustive information concerning the situation resulting from the unlawful actions of the Russian occupation army as well as on the population affected by ethnic cleansing.
Mr Eliseev reaffirmed the Ukrainian side’s readiness to assist Georgia in overcoming the crisis. He also focused on the measures considered to be expedient in terms of Ukraine’s national security interests.
Meeting with Italian Ambassador
On 22 August 2008 a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Georgia Vittorio Sandalli.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Nino Baratashvili, Counsellor of the First European Division of the European Affairs Department.
The sides discussed the issues of aggression and ethnic cleansing conducted by the Russian side in Georgia.
The Italian Ambassador once again confirmed the support and solidarity of his country towards Georgia.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Nino Baratashvili, Counsellor of the First European Division of the European Affairs Department.
The sides discussed the issues of aggression and ethnic cleansing conducted by the Russian side in Georgia.
The Italian Ambassador once again confirmed the support and solidarity of his country towards Georgia.
Meeting with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
On 22 August 2008, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eka Tkeshelashvili and State Minister for Reintegration Issues Temur Iakobashvili held a meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Alexander Stubb.
The sides discussed the situation consequent to the Russian Federation’s intervention in Georgia and the issues related to implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed through the mediation of the President of France.
The sides also discussed prospects for elaboration of an international peace format aimed at resolution of the conflicts in Georgia and immediate steps to be taken shortly afterwards. The Finnish Foreign Minister stated that the assignment of an additional contingent of OSCE monitors to Georgia is an initial step for developing a new international peace mechanism.
The sides agreed to continue active cooperation on the issues of priority.
Following the meeting, the Georgian and Finnish Foreign Ministers held a joint press conference:
Press conference transcript:
Mrs. Eka Tkeshelashvili:
Greetings! I’d like to brief you on main aspects of our meeting.
As far as you know twenty OSCE monitors will shortly arrive in Georgia to assess the extent to which the Russian side complies with its commitments under the ceasefire agreement. It is the beginning of the process. OSCE plans to increase the number of monitors soon and extend the scope of their activity. We therefore discussed the ways in which this mission should be carried out and the area that needs to be covered by monitors and international observers. We also focused on the role the European Union should play in resolving the existing crisis.
Today we are faced with two tasks. The first task is a short-term one and envisages ensuring full compliance with the ceasefire agreement, which means that the Russian side should not be allowed to interpret this agreement wrongly and unilaterally and continue, based on its own discretionary decisions, deploying Russian troops on the territory of Georgia. We are also seriously focused on the second stage of the process, which will ensue after reaching compliance with the ceasefire agreement and de-escalation of the situation. This second stage envisages achieving restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity through international peaceful mechanisms and full protection of human rights throughout the entire territory of Georgia, which will prevent further emergence of such ‘uncontrolled places’ where human rights violations will run rife and criminal regimes will become a functioning reality. It must forever become a past chapter of Georgian history. The population on the territory of Georgia whatever their ethnic origin should be allowed the opportunity to benefit from the rule of law, democracy, absolute protection of human rights, they should consider themselves members of a European country and enjoy all the benefits of being citizens of a European country.
I would like to thank once again our guest for his personal and active involvement in the problem resolving process both in the capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister. Let me give him the floor.
Mr. Alexander Stubb:
Thank you very much.
I would like to stress three points. Point number one is about our operation of military monitors. So far things run very smoothly. We will able to bring in totally twenty monitors by this weekend, including seven so called APCs, armored vehicles with contributions from many OSCE countries. I think they will have calming effect on the ceasefire. And I think this very important element in providing us with objective information. It is very important that with the leadership of Colonel Lieutenant Steven Yang we can get this operation up and running. And that is what we are doing together with the head of the mission Terhi Hakala. So, point number one the operation of military observance is running smoothly.
Point number two. I still think that the ceasefire agreement is fragile, that is why we must focus all of our efforts to the withdrawal of the troops and to return to normalcy. I think the military monitors will play a very important role in this. But remember we must now focus on the withdrawal of troops. We hope that this process takes place smoothly.
Point number three. I think it is time for us in the international community not to start thinking of true international assessment of this conflict. We need to start reflecting upon how we arrange the future of stabilization of the region, how and what form of peacekeepers, international peacekeepers will be brought in, how do we get the political process going, will we have a high representative for the region, what is the long-term prospective. Because, all of us are involved in these processes from the beginning, we are in this process from the long run. So, that’s why we must start thinking of how all of us, the international community, the USA, the EU, the UN, the OSCE, Russia can solve this conflict and stabilize the region.
So, these are three main points that I wanted to stress. Thank you.
The sides discussed the situation consequent to the Russian Federation’s intervention in Georgia and the issues related to implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed through the mediation of the President of France.
The sides also discussed prospects for elaboration of an international peace format aimed at resolution of the conflicts in Georgia and immediate steps to be taken shortly afterwards. The Finnish Foreign Minister stated that the assignment of an additional contingent of OSCE monitors to Georgia is an initial step for developing a new international peace mechanism.
The sides agreed to continue active cooperation on the issues of priority.
Following the meeting, the Georgian and Finnish Foreign Ministers held a joint press conference:
Press conference transcript:
Mrs. Eka Tkeshelashvili:
Greetings! I’d like to brief you on main aspects of our meeting.
As far as you know twenty OSCE monitors will shortly arrive in Georgia to assess the extent to which the Russian side complies with its commitments under the ceasefire agreement. It is the beginning of the process. OSCE plans to increase the number of monitors soon and extend the scope of their activity. We therefore discussed the ways in which this mission should be carried out and the area that needs to be covered by monitors and international observers. We also focused on the role the European Union should play in resolving the existing crisis.
Today we are faced with two tasks. The first task is a short-term one and envisages ensuring full compliance with the ceasefire agreement, which means that the Russian side should not be allowed to interpret this agreement wrongly and unilaterally and continue, based on its own discretionary decisions, deploying Russian troops on the territory of Georgia. We are also seriously focused on the second stage of the process, which will ensue after reaching compliance with the ceasefire agreement and de-escalation of the situation. This second stage envisages achieving restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity through international peaceful mechanisms and full protection of human rights throughout the entire territory of Georgia, which will prevent further emergence of such ‘uncontrolled places’ where human rights violations will run rife and criminal regimes will become a functioning reality. It must forever become a past chapter of Georgian history. The population on the territory of Georgia whatever their ethnic origin should be allowed the opportunity to benefit from the rule of law, democracy, absolute protection of human rights, they should consider themselves members of a European country and enjoy all the benefits of being citizens of a European country.
I would like to thank once again our guest for his personal and active involvement in the problem resolving process both in the capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister. Let me give him the floor.
Mr. Alexander Stubb:
Thank you very much.
I would like to stress three points. Point number one is about our operation of military monitors. So far things run very smoothly. We will able to bring in totally twenty monitors by this weekend, including seven so called APCs, armored vehicles with contributions from many OSCE countries. I think they will have calming effect on the ceasefire. And I think this very important element in providing us with objective information. It is very important that with the leadership of Colonel Lieutenant Steven Yang we can get this operation up and running. And that is what we are doing together with the head of the mission Terhi Hakala. So, point number one the operation of military observance is running smoothly.
Point number two. I still think that the ceasefire agreement is fragile, that is why we must focus all of our efforts to the withdrawal of the troops and to return to normalcy. I think the military monitors will play a very important role in this. But remember we must now focus on the withdrawal of troops. We hope that this process takes place smoothly.
Point number three. I think it is time for us in the international community not to start thinking of true international assessment of this conflict. We need to start reflecting upon how we arrange the future of stabilization of the region, how and what form of peacekeepers, international peacekeepers will be brought in, how do we get the political process going, will we have a high representative for the region, what is the long-term prospective. Because, all of us are involved in these processes from the beginning, we are in this process from the long run. So, that’s why we must start thinking of how all of us, the international community, the USA, the EU, the UN, the OSCE, Russia can solve this conflict and stabilize the region.
So, these are three main points that I wanted to stress. Thank you.
Timeline for 22nd August, to 20:00
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge,
but is subject to verification.
20:00 Russian troops are leaving Gori and Khashuri in eastern Goergia and Senaki and Khobi in Western Georgia. Russian troops remain in Poti and village Perevi in Sachkhere district.
19:30 Russian troops explode remaining installations of military base near Gori in village Khurvaleti.
14:30 Russian troops start withdrawal from Igoeti and Kaspi 25kms from Tbilisi towards Gori. Gori remains under Russian control.
14:00 100 armored vehicles start movement from Senaki towards Zugdidi. Russian troops still remain in Senaki and Poti.
12:00 Deputy Chief of Staff of Russian Army Anatoly Nogovitsin says on press conference that Russia will keep 18 checkpoints on South Ossetian-Georgian “border” and in buffer zone. The same amount of Check points and 2142 soldiers will remain on Georgian-Abkhazian “border”.
10:00 No evidence of Russian troops withdrawal is observed by 10:00
02:30 Unknown explosive device exploded in Marneuli, installed under the railway bridge – no damage reported
Reportedly antitank missile or explosive exploded under the Imiri railway bridge, Marneuli district, 25 kms south from Tbilisi. The bridge was not damaged
Russian troops dig entrenchments in village Chuberi near Enguri Power Plant. Military presence of Russian troops reported at the dam infrastructure of power plant.
but is subject to verification.
22 AUGUST
20:00 Russian troops are leaving Gori and Khashuri in eastern Goergia and Senaki and Khobi in Western Georgia. Russian troops remain in Poti and village Perevi in Sachkhere district.
19:30 Russian troops explode remaining installations of military base near Gori in village Khurvaleti.
14:30 Russian troops start withdrawal from Igoeti and Kaspi 25kms from Tbilisi towards Gori. Gori remains under Russian control.
14:00 100 armored vehicles start movement from Senaki towards Zugdidi. Russian troops still remain in Senaki and Poti.
12:00 Deputy Chief of Staff of Russian Army Anatoly Nogovitsin says on press conference that Russia will keep 18 checkpoints on South Ossetian-Georgian “border” and in buffer zone. The same amount of Check points and 2142 soldiers will remain on Georgian-Abkhazian “border”.
10:00 No evidence of Russian troops withdrawal is observed by 10:00
02:30 Unknown explosive device exploded in Marneuli, installed under the railway bridge – no damage reported
Reportedly antitank missile or explosive exploded under the Imiri railway bridge, Marneuli district, 25 kms south from Tbilisi. The bridge was not damaged
Russian troops dig entrenchments in village Chuberi near Enguri Power Plant. Military presence of Russian troops reported at the dam infrastructure of power plant.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Ukraine-Georgia press conference
On 19 August 2008, at the GUAM press centre in the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine Merab Antadze and GUAM Secretary General Valeri Chechelashvili held a press conference for representatives of the mass media and diplomatic missions concerning the consequences of the Russian-Georgian conflict.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine Merab Antadze discussed the reasons behind the Russian-Georgian conflict and the consequences that ensued after the Russian Federation’s military aggression and ethnic cleansing conducted in Georgia.
GUAM Secretary General Valeri Chechelashvili focused the attention of the attending audience on the fact that Russia’s actions resulted in the disruption of regional cooperation and blockade of energy and transport communications and called on the chairs of the international organizations of which Russia is a member to exert pressure on Moscow in order to bring it back within the frames of international law.
Mr. Chechelashvili noted that with its actions Russia undermined BlackSeaFor, disintegrated CIS, restored the Big Seven and denied itself access to WTO and the right to act as a mediator in conflict resolution process on the territory of Georgia.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine Merab Antadze discussed the reasons behind the Russian-Georgian conflict and the consequences that ensued after the Russian Federation’s military aggression and ethnic cleansing conducted in Georgia.
GUAM Secretary General Valeri Chechelashvili focused the attention of the attending audience on the fact that Russia’s actions resulted in the disruption of regional cooperation and blockade of energy and transport communications and called on the chairs of the international organizations of which Russia is a member to exert pressure on Moscow in order to bring it back within the frames of international law.
Mr. Chechelashvili noted that with its actions Russia undermined BlackSeaFor, disintegrated CIS, restored the Big Seven and denied itself access to WTO and the right to act as a mediator in conflict resolution process on the territory of Georgia.
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