UNCLAS STATE 088329 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, GG
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 21
RUSSIAN DEPARTURE UNCONFIRMED; KOKOITY SEEKS ARMY BASE
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1. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi cannot confirm the movements of Russian troops,
though journalists traveling between Gori and Tbilisi told post the 
troops expect to depart ?soon.? (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

2. (U) De 
facto South Ossetian President Kokoity dismissed his cabinet due to 
delays in the distribution of humanitarian assistance. Kokoity also 
signed a state of emergency order and established an economic 
reconstruction commission for Tskhinvali and surrounding areas. 
(themoscowtimes.com) 

3. (U) Kokoity told the media ?international 
observers will no longer be present on the territory of South Ossetia,? 
and indicated he would seek a permanent Russian military base in the 
disputed region. (Reuters)

MERKEL, IN TBILISI, CALLS FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP
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4. (U) The German 
Chancellor said, ?Georgia will become a member of NATO, if it wants to -
and it does want to.? The statement signaled a change in Germany's 
stance on Georgia's NATO membership, according to the press. (AP) 

5. (SBU) The OSCE has yet to request airlift support from member states for
the armored personnel carriers needed for its additional observers in 
Georgia. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)

IDP ASSISTANCE CONTINUES; TURKEY HELPS WITH FIRES
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6. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi estimates 15-20,000 people will remain permanent 
IDPs following the withdrawal of Russian troops. Post is encouraging the
Georgian government to publicize assistance networks, including 
clinics, currently available for the 80,000 displaced persons in 
Tbilisi. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

7. (SBU) An Embassy Tbilisi team 
will travel to Poti with representatives of the World Food Programme to 
distribute unused MREs from planned military training. (TF/Embassy 
Tbilisi telcon) 

8. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi confirms Turkish aircraft are 
now assisting the fight against forest fires in Borjomi. (TF/Embassy 
Tbilisi telcon) 

9. (SBU) As of August 17, overall USG humanitarian 
assistance totals approximately $4.2 million in emergency relief, 
including bedding, blankets, and medical supplies. (TF/USAID e-mail) 

10. (U) Minimize considered. RICE