Georgia Update

This document presents evidence gleaned from
• Publicly available Russian and western media sources and
• Telephone intercepts of the Georgian intelligence services, described as credible by Western intelligence agencies and not denied by Russia.

“Our best protection lies not in the arms that we wield, but in the ideas and values that guide our people,” President tells NATO ambassadors.

President Saakashvili laid out a series of bold reforms to reinforce Georgian democracy in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion and partial occupation of the country.

Russia Reinforces Troops in Georgia, Continuing to Defy Ceasefire Agreement on Eve of Visit by EU Leaders to Moscow & Tbilisi.

As European Union leaders today begin a crucial round of shuttle diplomacy to Moscow and Tbilisi, Russian armed forces have reinforced their positions in Georgia. New tanks, armored personnel carriers, and ground troops were introduced over the weekend outside the conflict zones.

Ethnic Cleansing Case Against Russia to Open on Monday, September 8, at the International Court of Justice.

The International Court of Justice will hear arguments on Monday, September 8, in the case Georgia has brought against the Russian Federation for ethnic cleansing and for its support of separatism on Georgian territory. The charges relate to instances of ethnic cleansing beginning in the early 1990s and through recent days.
Since ethnic cleansing by Russia and its proxy forces appears to be continuing, the Government of Georgia has asked the ICJ to consider, in parallel to its original application, an emergency Provisional Measure Request.

World Deplores Russia’s Illegal Attempt to Recognize the “Independence” of Georgia’s Territories of South Ossetia & Abkhazia.

EU, US, European Parliament, NATO, OSCE express unyielding support for Georgia’s territorial integrity; Moscow fails to win backing even from closest allies.

Georgia Terminates Mandate of Peacekeepers in the Abkhazia & S.Ossetia regions, As Parliament Declares Russian Army to Be “Occupying Force”.

Prime Ministerial decree requires immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. Parliament act clears way for introduction of neutral, international peacekeepers.

President Orders Immediate Cease Fire, Says Russian Peacekeepers Acknowledge Having Lost Control Over Separatist Rebels.
“Let’s stop this spiral of violence and resume direct negotiations,” says Saakashvili; offers wide autonomy, unconditional amnesty for separatists.

Georgia Denounces Russian Meddling, Calls for Direct Talks After Violence Leaves Several Dead in S. Ossetia; Urges Broader International Role.

Tbilisi also aims to revive Abkhaz talks after separatists reject German peace plan.
Estonia calls for EU peacekeepers in conflict zones, as US seeks more monitors.

UN Security Council Members & EU Condemn Russian Overflights During Closed-Door Session.

Germany Continues Peace Efforts.
“Such violations of Georgia’s sovereignty are unacceptable,” EU declares, reiterates call for Russia to reverse de facto annexation of Abkhazia & South Ossetia.

Russia’s Brazen Violation of Georgian Airspace condemned. Russia's Role as Peacekeeper in Jeopardy.

NATO: “These actions raise questions about Russia’s role as peacekeeper & facilitator of negotiations”.
Russian military exercises on Georgian border raise further threats.

In an extraordinary admission, Russia today said that its fighter jets intentionally violated Georgian airspace.

Georgia Condemns “Act of Aggression” as Threat to Europe.
Moscow’s unprecedented admission triggers new round of international diplomacy by Tbilisi, which says Russia is trying to redefine the rules of European security.

Moscow’s attempt at de facto annexation through military & legal means violates Georgia’s sovereignty, prompting international condemnation.

Rather than provide security on the ground, as per its United Nations mandate, Russia has become a party to the conflict.

OSCE Confirms Russian Fighter Jet Shot & Destroyed Georgian Unmanned Police Aircraft on April 20.

Report: “Absent compelling evidence to the contrary, an aircraft owned by the Russian Federation … shot down a Georgian UAV within Georgian airspace”.

NATO, EU, OSCE, US & others call for reversal of illegal actions by Moscow that dangerously increase risk of conflict & violate Georgian sovereignty.

Separatist rebels close border with Georgia following outbreak of gang warfare.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly & Georgian Patriarch criticize Moscow.

Moscow sharpened its confrontation with Georgia by establishing a commercial sea route between Sochi, the Russian port expected to host the 2014 Olympic Games, and the resort town of Gagra in Abkhazia, Georgia. The resumption of maritime links with the separatist territory violates the CIS economic embargo that has been in place against Abkhazia since 1992 and which Moscow defiantly reneged on this past March.

European Parliament Calls for Replacement of Russian Troops in Georgia.
EU-US Summit Calls on Russia to Respect Georgia’s Borders.

“Russian troops have lost their role of neutral and impartial peacekeepers,” Parliament declares.

Ferrero-Waldner applauds Georgian peace initiative for Abkhazia.

Russia Illegally Deploys New Troops in Abkhazia; Georgia Calls for Immediate Withdrawal, Condemns Reckless Escalation.

In apparent prelude to military action, Russia cites former President Putin’s widely condemned April 16 decree establishing ties with separatist rebels.

The report by the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) confirmed that on April 20, 2008, a Russian fighter aircraft — either a MiG-29 or an Su-27 — shot down and destroyed a Georgian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Georgian airspace.

Attacking “aircraft belonged to the Russian air force,” report concludes based on radar, other data; Russian fighter placed civilian aircraft in peril.

Official Preliminary Outcomes in Comparison with Parallel Vote Tabulations, Opinion Polling & Exit Polls.

Despite problems, “election day was overall calm and assessed positively”.

Monitors note media freedom, “strong engagement of civil society”.

In a landmark resolution, the United Nations General Assembly recognized on May 15 the “arbitrary forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of persons from Abkhazia,” calling for their prompt return and underscoring the importance of preserving the property rights of these refugees and IDPs.
The General Assembly directed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report back next autumn on progress in implementing the resolution.

President Saakashvili Hails “Historic” Resolution, Reiterates Peace Proposals.

Ministers Convene to Develop Roadmap to “Unlimited Autonomy,” Free Economic Zone.
President Reaches Out to Russia & International Community.

Russia ignores international criticism of its “provocative” actions, as Georgia initiates effort to change peacekeeping format.

World leaders continue to criticize Russia’s annexation of Abkhazia region, offer unqualified support for Georgia’s sovereignty and independence.

Assertions aim to justify illegal buildup of troops & hardware in Abkhazia.
Georgia asks UN to investigate “air defense systems” of separatist rebels.

UN Observer Mission not informed about troop levels.
Prime Minister of Georgia decries illegal militarization, world leaders voice concern.

EU, OSCE & US Also Criticize Movement of Russian Troops Into Conflict Zone, Offer Unqualified Support for Georgia.

“We can build our prosperity together,” President Saakashvili Tells Residents of Abkhazia & South Ossetia.

“Unilateral increase of Russian troops number in Abkhazia is irresponsible and provocative step”: MFA of Georgia.

“When do we draw a line?” Asks Georgian Special Envoy Bakradze in High-Level Meeting with NATO

The international community has roundly condemned the Russian Federation’s recent moves toward Georgia, with many leaders calling for a reversal of Moscow’s policies.
Russia’s latest actions include blasting a Georgian aircraft out of Georgian airspace on April 20, and instructing Russian ministries on April 16 to establish links with the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia.

Leaders around the world are explicitly urging Russia to reverse its April 16 decision, which constitutes an egregious violation of international law.

In Address to Nation, President Underscores Determination to Unite Country, Redouble Reform Efforts & Engage International Community.

NATO-Standard Radar & On-Board Video Confirm Details of Confrontation.

Attack Is Latest Russian Step in “Creeping Annexation” of Abkhazia.

NATO, EU, U.S. & Others Call for Reversal of Decree That Amounts to the Legal Recognition of Abkhazia & South Ossetia.

Implications of Russia’s Establishment of Legal Links with Abkhazia & South Ossetia.

Germany, France, Britain, UK rebuke Russia, demand reversal of its decisions that breach Georgia’s sovereignty.

Outcomes of Bucharest Summit.

Next Steps for Reform.
New Peace Initiative for Abkhazia.