S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 088627 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: 
DECL: 8/18/2018 TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, GG
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 22

CLASSIFIED BY: PJWALKER/DCSCHNEIDER, S/ES-O, REASON 1.4(D)

NO EVIDENCE OF RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL
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1. (SBU) Russian checkpoints remain on the Gori-Tbilisi highway. Russia may
raise a failed POW exchange as a reason for not withdrawing. 
(TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

2. (SBU) Russia denies allegations it blew 
up the Kaspi bridge. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

3. (SBU) Russia denied 
access to OSCE observers in both Gori and South Ossetia. (TF/Embassy 
Tbilisi telcon)

HUMANITARIAN ISSUES AND RESOURCES 
--------------------------------------------- 

4. (SBU) USS McFaul and US
Coast Guard Cutter Dallas will enter the Black Sea August 22 and 24, 
and reach the Georgian coast two days later. USS Taylor and USS Mount 
Whitney could enter between August 25-31. (TF/Embassy Ankara e-mail) 

5. (SBU) EUCOM Brig. Gen. Miller and Treasury DAS Meyer are in Tbilisi to 
discuss assistance. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 

6. (SBU) EUCOM completed
10 flights with humanitarian aid. (TF/USAID e-mail)

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS CONTINUE TO ARRIVE 
------------------------------------------------- 

7. (SBU) Congressman 
Smith plans to arrive in Tbilisi August 19; the Evans children are the 
focus of his trip. (TF/Rep. Smith telcon) 

8. (SBU) Senators Lieberman 
and Graham will visit Tbilisi August 20, and Senator Lugar will visit 
August 23-24. (TF/H e-mail)

STATUS OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS 
------------------------------------------------- 

9. (SBU) NATO did not
achieve consensus on the NAC statement or on responses to Georgia's 
requests. Discussions on forming a NATO-Georgia Commission are 
proceeding. Russia revoked its request for an NRC meeting. (TF/USNATO 
telcon) 

10. (SBU) Russia is stalling OSCE action despite Finnish 
efforts; a decision to deploy additional military monitoring officers is
unlikely today. (TF/EUR/RPM e-mail) 

11. (S/NF) Quad Political Directors
concurred P-3 agreement on any UNSC resolution would be necessary 
before engaging Russia, making a resolution unlikely until a cease-fire 
is confirmed. (TF/USUN e-mail)

AMERICAN MINORS REMAIN IN COUNTRY 
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12. (SBU) 
Approximately 25 Amcit children remain in Georgia. Post continues to 
advise Amcits to stay in place until security improves. (TF/Embassy 
Tbilisi telcon) 

13. (U) Minimize considered. RICE