S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 086156
NOFORN, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 25X1
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, GG 
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 7
Classified by Senior Watch Officer Deborah Schneider
for reasons 1.4 (B and D). 

RUSSIAN GROUND FORCES PUSH TOWARDS TBILISI 
------------------------------------------ 

1. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi 
reports Russian troops have taken Gori and OSCE observers confirm the 
troops are moving in the direction of Tbilisi. Georgia fears an imminent
attack on Tbilisi and has appealed for immediate international 
intervention to defend the capital, according to its embassy in 
Washington. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

2. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports
Russian ground troops occupied the western Georgian towns of Zugdidi, 
Khobi, and Senaki. They also occupied the central Georgian town of 
Kareli, severing the east-west highway and essentially splitting Georgia
in half. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

3. (C) Embassy Tbilisi reports 
Georgian troops have fallen back to Mtskheta, 10 miles northwest of 
Tbilisi. Georgian officials told the Embassy they are uncertain if their
troops will be able to form a defense. OSCE observers confirm reports 
that Georgian forces are out of the zone of conflict. (TF/Embassy 
Tbilisi telcon, Tbilisi 1356) 

4. (SBU) The last of the USAF C-17 flights
bringing Georgian troops from Iraq landed in Tbilisi, according to 
Embassy Tbilisi. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

5. (S/NF) The Russian DATT 
contacted Embassy Tbilisi to request the removal of all U.S. C-17 
aircraft from the airport immediately as Moscow is considering bombing 
the airport in the near future. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail)

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS INTENSIFY
---------------------------- 

6. (SBU) EUR DAS Bryza 
landed in Tbilisi and, for security reasons, has moved from the city 
center to the Embassy. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

7. (SBU) Embassy 
Warsaw reports President Kaczynski plans to pick up the presidents of 
Ukraine and the three Baltic states en route to Tbilisi for meetings. 
The Latvia desk reports Latvian PM Godmanis will leave for Tbilisi late 
August 11. (TF/Warsaw desk e-mail, TF/Latvia desk telcon) 

8. (C) 
President Sarkozy will travel to Moscow August 12 to meet with President
Medvedev, according to

STATE 00086156 002 OF 003 SUBJECT: TFGG01: 
GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO.

media. The French MFA has 
announced a three-part proposal to end the ongoing hostilities, 
including an immediate cease-fire, a return to August 6 troop positions 
with international support, and respect for Georgia's sovereignty. 
(TF/France desk e-mail) 

9. (C) Embassy Berlin confirms Chancellor Merkel
plans to travel to Sochi August 15 to meet in a previously-scheduled 
meeting with President Medvedev. (Berlin 1095)

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE 
------------------- 

10. (C) Embassy Tbilisi reports an initial estimate 
of 3,000 IDPs from the conflict, but notes the numbers could climb into 
the tens of thousands. (Tbilisi 1356) 

11. (C) Embassy Tbilisi received 
an initial request of emergency supplies for hospitals and IDPs from the
Georgian Ministries of Health and Refugees. USAID has $250,000 in new 
emergency spending authority to support such procurement. (Tbilisi 1356)

12. (C) Embassy Tbilisi notes key potential problems in meeting needs 
include the security situation, the lack of international transportation
due to the Russian blockade, and difficulties with the internal 
distribution of aid. (Tbilisi 1356) 

13. (SBU) The Turkey desk notes 
Turkish concern over an influx of refugees from Georgia. (TF/Turkey desk
telcon) 

14. (C) Embassy Yerevan reports Armenia is concerned about 
imports given that a majority of its food and fuel consumption is 
imported via Georgia. (TF/Turkey desk telcon, Yerevan 639)

PANIC IN TBILISI, IDPs FLOW INTO CITY, AIRPORT OPEN 
--------------------------------------------------- 

15. (SBU) Embassy 
Tbilisi describes Tbilisi residents as in a "state of panic" and has 
requested that Mission personnel stand fast and review their security 
status. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail) 

16. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports a 
group of Georgian IDPs entered a housing cluster occupied by USG 
personnel. The cluster was cleared without incident but the IDPs 
threatened to return. Post comments the continuing influx of IDPs raises
the possibility of confrontations and possible criminal activity 
directed against Americans. (TF/DSCC e-mail) 

17. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi 
reports the international airport is open, although only Georgian 
airlines continue to operate. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail)

STATE 00086156 003 OF 003 

18. (SBU) Embassy Yerevan reports the convoy comprised of 20
USG family members and over 100 private AmCits has arrived in Armenia. 
The Embassy continues to receive requests for departure assistance; a 
third convoy is planned for August 13. (TF/Yerevan e-mail, TF/Tbilisi 
telcon) 

19. (SBU) Sixty-four USG employees, nine spouses and three 
children - in addition to several TDYers, - remain at post and are 
standing. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

20. (SBU) A convoy of 87 Peace 
Corps volunteers and trainees crossed into Armenia. They will remain in 
reserved lodging in the town of Tsaghkadzor. (TF/Peace Corps e-mail) 

21. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi held a town hall meeting which nearly all mission
personnel attended, and continues to respond to a large number of 
inquiries from concerned Americans. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail) 

22. (U) 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.

RICE