S E C R E T STATE 087260 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2038 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, GG
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 12
CLASSIFIED BY: DEBORAH SCHNEIDER SENIOR WATCH OFFICER, S/ES-O, REASON 1.4(D)

RUSSIA SCUTTLES THREE GEORGIAN SHIPS; TROOPS LEAVING 
---------------------------------------------------- 

1. (S/NF) Russian 
forces sank the Georgian Coast Guard vessels near Poti and destroyed 
some structures at the port, including a radar station. (TF/DOD e-mail) 

2. (SBU) OSCE representatives report the OSCE Economic Development 
Center in South Ossetia was leveled. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

3. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports Russian troops will leave Gori to be 
replaced by Georgian police. Georgia is concerned about the continued 
presence of North Caucasus "irregulars" in Gori. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi 
telcon, TF/Embassy of Georgia telcon)

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS 
------------------ 

4. (SBU) Russian FM Lavrov denied to media Russian 
troops were in Poti and asserted forces in Gori were organizing 
humanitarian deliveries. (TF/Russia desk e-mail) 

5. (C/NF) USOSCE Vienna
will support the Finnish proposal to increase OSCE monitors in Georgia.
Embassy London reports Lavrov responded negatively to UK FS Miliband's 
suggestion of more OSCE monitors in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 
(TF/EUR/RPM e-mail, London 2107)

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE BEGINS 
------------------------------ 

6. (SBU) The second humanitarian flight 
and an ESAT team arrived in Tbilisi. (TF/EmbassyTbilisi telcon) 

7. (SBU)
USG MREs, originally en route to Afghanistan, remain in Poti. The 
shipper reports the food, which might be included in U.S. assistance 
efforts, is not in immediate danger from Russian forces. (TF/DOD telcon)

8. (SBU) The first DART members will arrive in Tbilisi August 16. 
(TF/OFDA e-mail) 

9. (U) Australia announced $877,000 in emergency 
humanitarian assistance, half to UNHCR and half to ICRC. (dfat.gov.au) 

NO NEW CONVOY PLANNED
--------------------- 

10. (U) Embassy is seeking 
to determine welfare and whereabouts of private AmCit minors. 
(TF/Tbilisi telcon) 

11. (U) Minimize considered.

RICE