C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 085614
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. 03
CLASSIFIED BY: DANA MURRAY, SENIOR WATCH OFFICER, S/ES-O, REASON 1.4(D)

AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE OF EMBASSY TBILISI FAMILIES
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1. (SBU) 
Georgian authorities will escort Embassy dependants by road to
Yerevan August 10. Embassy Moscow informed the Russian MFA and
demanded Russian aircraft avoid the convoy route. (Ops/Embassy
Tbilisi telcon)

2. (C)
Embassy Tbilisi reports all carriers except Turkish and
Georgian Airlines cancelled flights into Tbilisi International
Airport. The Batumi airport near the Turkish border closed due
to reports of imminent attacks. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon,
Tbilisi 1348)

3. (SBU)
Peace Corps reports all volunteers will travel to Armenia
August 10. (TF/Peace Corps telcon)

RUSSIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE
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4. (C)
Media report Russian Deputy FM Karasin said parties are "not
in a state of war," however, 15 Russian peacekeepers have been
killed. Embassy Tbilisi reports eight Russian aircraft have
been shot down and one Russian pilot captured. (TF/Georgia
Embassy telcon, Tbilisi 1348)

5. (C)
Three Russian ships carrying troops and missiles have been
sighted in the Black Sea near Abkhazia. (Tbilisi 1348)

6. (C)
Russians bombed Koni (Racha) again. Neither Georgian nor
Russian officials can confirm media reports the Roki tunnel
has been bombed. (Tbilisi 1348, Novaya Gazeta)

GEORGIA DECLARES MARTIAL LAW FOR 15 DAYS
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7. (C)
Embassy Tbilisi reports media restrictions are unlikely,
although details are not available. (Tbilisi 1348)

8. (U)
President Saakashvili offered an "immediate cease-fire," and
said Georgia is "willing to take the first steps provided
there is a serious international process." (Reuters)

ALL GEORGIAN TROOPS IN IRAQ TO RETURN HOME
-------------------

9. (U)
The 2,000 troops plan to return once transportation is
arranged. (Reuters)

10. (U)
Minimize considered.

RICE