C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 001348
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958:
DECL: 08/09/2018
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, RU, GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SOUTH OSSETIA SITREP 4: GEORGIANS DECLARE MARTIAL LAW,
CLOSE BATUMI AIRPORT 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

1. (C)
Summary and Comment: MFA representatives told the diplomatic
corps at an August 9 meeting that the President had signed a
decree placing martial law into effect the same day. Alexander
Nalbandov, MFA Global Affairs Division, requested the support
of the diplomatic corps in convening an OSCE Permanent Council
special PC at which a coordinated statement regarding Russian
Federation aggressive military action would be coordinated.
Deputy Foreign Minister Vashadze said that he would work with
the embassy communities to get any overflight permission
needed to evacuate their citizens. Vashadze said that the
country is now facing full scale war, and that Russia will not
stop. As a result of the "status of war," the Central Election
Commission adopted a decree postponing the Adjaran elections
slated for October 4, because the Constitution prohibits it.
Batumi airport authorities confirm that they closed the
commercial airport the evening of August 9, due to reports of
imminent attacks. End Summary.

Russian Attacks Continue
------------------------

2. (C)
DFM Vashadze told the group that they should discount Russian
media reports as propaganda. He said that the Russians had
once again bombed Koni (Racha) and three times had been driven
back when they tried to enter the Roki tunnel. As of 1800,
bombing was occurring in Kodori. Three Russians ships had been
noted not far from Ochamchire, one carrying troops and the
other two war ships carrying missiles. He went on to say that
elements from the Russian 58th Army and from an airborne
regiment (Comment: Most likely personnel from the Pskov 76th
Parachute Division) are on the ground in South Ossetia. He
confirmed that eight Russian aircraft had been shot down by
the Georgians and one Russian pilot is now a POW in their
care. Civilian casualties continue to be a question mark,
although at 1600 the Georgian Ministry of Health said that 55
persons are dead, among them 15 civilians and 40 military
personnel. The Defense Attache Office has confirmed with
airport authorities in Batumi that the Batumi airport closed
the evening of August 9 due to reported imminent attacks.
Georgian press shows the evacuation in progress.

Evacuations
------------

3. (C)
The British Ambassador told Varshadze that he had discussed
with his staff the possibility of evacuating personnel in the
upcoming days. Other Ambassadors too expressed their concern
for the safety of their citizens in Georgia. (Embassy note:
The German Ambassador told us that the Italians were close to
breaking ranks with their EU colleagues and drawing down their
embassy unilaterally. End note.) Vashadze said that he would
personally work with embassies to ensure they get the needed
aircraft clearances should evacuation be necessary. He said
that although the roads to Gori are still open, there is no
guarantee that the Russians won't bomb the city again, thereby
putting travelers at risk.

OSCE Permanent Council
----------------------

4. (C)
MFA Director Nalbandov requested that member states send
ministers or their deputies to attend a proposed meeting of
the OSCE Permanent Council that is slated to occur on August
11 or August 12. The purpose of the meeting is to craft an
OSCE statement addressing Russian military aggression.
Nalbandov said that the strength of the wording of the
statement is critical and Georgia needs OSCE member states'
support.

Martial Law
----------

5. (C)
The Georgian press announced that the President signed a
decree putting martial law into effect, beginning today for
the next 15 days. The particulars of the decree will be
translated and provided to the diplomatic community on August
10. The exact particulars are not known, but the Georgian
Press quoted the Justice Minister say saying that the decree,
unlike during the State of Emergency in November 2007, will
not mean any restriction on media.

TEFFT