S E C R E T STATE 085598
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:
DECL: 08/09/2038
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, GG
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 2
CLASSIFIED BY: RICHARD LYONS, SENIOR WATCH OFFICER, S/ES-O, REASON 1.4(D)

FIGHTING CONTINUES; RUSSIA POISED TO TAKE TSKHINVALI
----------------------------------------------------

1. (S)
Embassy Tbilisi reports Georgian air defense supplies are
depleted, making their forces vulnerable to Russian air
attacks, and President Saakashvili likely will attempt the
urgent procurement of additional man-portable air defense
systems (MANPADs) from Azerbaijan or Ukraine. (TF/Embassy
Tbilisi e-mail)

2. (U)
Media report the Russian military said more army units arrived
in South Ossetia with additional reinforcements, including
"special units," on the way. President Medvedev called the
Russian presence a "peace operation." (Reuters)

3. (U)
A Russian general told the press Russian troops had pushed
Georgian forces from the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali.
(Reuters)

SAAKASHVILI SEES RUSSIAN THREAT TO GOVERNMENT
---------------------------------------------

4. (SBU)
President Saakashvili told Ambassador Tefft he believes the
Russians seek to take over Georgia and install a new regime in
Tbilisi. Georgia expects the Russians to launch an attack in
the Upper Kodori valley soon. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail)

BOMBINGS CAUSE "HUNDREDS" OF CASUALTIES IN GORI, POTI
-----------------------------------------------------

5. (S)
Media report heavy Russian bombing in the town of Gori, with
witnesses claiming at least one bomb struck an apartment
building. President Saakashvili told the Ambassador there are
hundreds of casualties. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail, Reuters)

6. (SBU)
Local Georgian radio report at least six were killed and 25
wounded in the Russian bombing of the Georgian port city of
Poti. Embassy Tbilisi reports the bombings have caused
widespread fear in the Georgian population. (TF/Embassy
Tbilisi telcon and e-mail)

NO DAMAGE IN TBILISI
--------------------

7. (SBU)
Embassy Tbilisi reports no evidence of bombing or damage in
the capital. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon)

8. (U) Minimize considered.

RICE