C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 001380
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND TASKFORCE-1
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, RU, GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SITREP 11: RUSSIANS HOLD IN PLACE, 
CONTROL ROADS WHILE WAITING FOR ORDERS
REF: TBILISI 1379
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

1. (SBU) Summary: 
There were few reports of Russian troops movements on August 17, 
following a day of conflicting reports on the status, location, and 
direction of Russian forces in Georgia. It is clear that Russian troops 
control the east-west corridor through Georgia from Poti north and east 
and all around Gori. UNOMIG observers have seen Russian regular forces 
establishing installations and gun emplacements on the main east-west 
highway south of Zugdidi; Georgian Government officials report that 
Russian troops are in Kashuri and at key road junctions between Poti, 
Kutaisi and Senaki. UNOMIG also reports the Coast Guard station in Poti 
is now deserted and the Zugdidi sector is relatively calm. Russians 
continue to refuse OSCE entrance to Gori, although an EU delegation and 
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke were able to visit the city the evening of 
August 16. Russian forces blew up a railroad bridge east of Gori on 
August 16. GOG reports indicate Russian helicopters started additional 
fires near the village of Kaspi. Approximately 400 hectares are now 
burning in the Borjomi-Kharagauli national park, and Russian forces have
reportedly refused to allow Turkish and Ukrainian firefighting 
airplanes to combat the fires. Amcits in the region are safe and 
accounted for. Distinguished visitors continue to arrive to Tbilisi, 
including German Chancellor Merkel and U.S. Senator Joseph Biden.
The press is reporting that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will visit
August 18. Late breaking press reports state that the Russians have
agreed to begin leaving August 18. This sitrep covers events since the
late afternoon of August 16 (reftel). End Summary.

2. (C) The Georgian 
government reported that Russian troops, and 60 vehicles, have moved 
into Akhalgori near the southeast part of South Ossetia. The troops are 
distributing Russian passports, flying Ossetian flags, and telling the 
Georgians there to accept the passports or get out. Additional GOG 
reports claim that Russian troops are also moving to the village of 
Sachkhere on the western side of South Ossetia. The GOG is concerned 
about this activity, as they believe Russia will try and expand its 
control over these large, traditional Georgian villages. (Note: Post is 
attempting to obtain independent confirmation of these events. End 
note.) Russian forces and trucks have also reportedly gone through 
Khashuri and the Rikoti tunnel, which divides Eastern and Western 
Georgia. GOG reported additional looting and abuse of civilians by 
separatists overnight in the villages of Abisi, Koda, and Ptsa in Kareli
district. The GOG claimed (still unconfirmed) on August 17 that 
Russians mined the Chuberi bridge in Svaneti (leading to the Kodori 
Gorge) and Georgian experts were seeking to demine it. Local media 
reported on August 17 that Deputy Chief of Russia's Armed Forces General
Staff Anatoly Nogovitsin announced Russian soldiers had taken control 
of the Enguri hydro-electric station.

3. (SBU) The French Ambassador to 
Tbilisi traveled to Gori on August 16, along with a representative of 
the European Parliament and Deputy FM of Bulgaria. He reported that Gori
is largely deserted, with no Russian troops and few residents. He said a
Turkish humanitarian convoy reached the city on August 16. The French 
Ambassador said more food supplies and open humanitarian corridors are 
needed. NSC Secretary Lomaia (who met the French Ambassador in Gori) 
reported that Russians control the road from Gori west to Khashuri, and 
are establishing checkpoints all along it. The German Ambassador 
reported that Russian soldiers are establishing checkpoints at all major
intersections between Kutaisi, Senaki, and Poti in Western Georgia. 3. 
(SBU) UNOMIG observers have seen at checkpoint S-16 on the M-27 road 
(main highway) Russian regular forces building a HQ type area where they
have placed mortars and D-30 field guns (south of Zugdidi), which are 
pointing north. UNOMIG also reports the Coast Guard station in Poti is 
now deserted and the Zugdidi sector is relatively calm. UNOMIG observers
have not yet found any confirmation to indicate that Russians used 
cluster bombs in the Zugdidi sector. (Embassy note. We hope to have 
observers on the ground in western Georgia on August 18. End note.)

4. (C) OSCE military advisor Steve Young had a limited report, as their 
observers have been pulled back and cannot enter Gori. OSCE's military 
advisor expects to have a meeting with JPKF Commander in South Ossetia 
Kulakhmetov on August 18. Kulakhmetov held talks directly with General 
Borisov, who is the Regular Russian Army commander currently in charge 
of Russian forces in Gori. On a side note, the

TBILISI 00001380 002 OF 002

Young said that he is being bombarded with offers of "bodies and 
cars" from Vienna, but he is holding them at arms length at the moment. 
He and others on the ground are drafting up their requirements to send 
in before they are given "help" which is not so useful.

5. (C) Embassy 
observers confirm that Russian forces blew up a railroad bridge east of 
Gori on August 16. The bridge is near the village of Karakaji (west of 
Kaspi, whose train station was bombed earlier), lying 16 km east of Gori
and 60 km west of Tbilisi. Two tracks run across the 220 meter-long 
bridge. One span (of six) has fallen, one pillar is damaged, and one 
pillar is destroyed. Georgian railway engineers reportedly believe that 
the bridge can be repaired in ten days, with the necessary parts. 
Railroad cranes are already on the scene beginning repairs. (Comment: 
DAO confirmed regular Russian forces blew the bridge (reported septel), 
counter to official Russian statements denying culpability. The Armenian
government is quite concerned about the loss, as they are dependent on 
Georgian railways for shipping cargo. End comment.)

6. (C) GOG reports 
allege that Russian helicopters started additional fires near the 
village of Kaspi. Approximately 400 hectares are now reportedly burning 
in the Borjomi-Kharagauli national park. Additional press and government
reports say Russian forces have refused to allow Turkish and Ukrainian 
firefighting airplanes to enter Georgian airspace and combat the fires. 
The GOG claimed also on August 16 that houses in the village of 
Gamdlitskaro near Kaspi were being fired by Russian soldiers. 

International Efforts
---------------------

7. (U) Distinguished 
visitors continue to arrive to Tbilisi. German Chancellor Merkel met 
President Saakashvili August 17 and they held a joint press conference 
during which Merkel called on the Russians to withdraw immediately and 
offered German support for Georgia's reconstruction. U.S. Senator Joseph
Biden is also visiting Tbilisi August 17. The press is reporting that 
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will arrive on August 18. David Cameron, 
leader of UK's Conservative Party was in Tbilisi on August 16 to express
support for Georgia's democracy.

8. (C) Press reports state that the 
Russians have agreed to begin leaving mid-day August 18. General Borisov
(the Russian Airborne commander in Gori) was quoted as saying that his 
troops were the first in so the would be the last out. Ambassador 
Holbrooke, who visited Gori August 16, told the Ambassador that when he 
met Borisov, the General was drunk and unsure of what his orders would 
be August 17.

TEFFT