Human Rights Watch in North Ossetia: we prostratsii of misinformation and propaganda

A non-governmental human rights organization Human Rights Watch sent an urgent mission in the conflict zone of Georgia and South Ossetia, to gather information about the situation. The results of the first day of her work tells a researcher on Russia Human Rights Watch Tatyana Lokshina: “We are in deep prostratsii of the level of misinformation that flows from both sides of the conflict and from the propaganda that we are seeing in the media”.

According to official figures on the number of dead and wounded among the civilian population and of refugees, nothing can be confirmed: “Yesterday we were in the operational headquarters in Vladikavkaz, coordinating humanitarian assistance for refugees, and staff provided us with operational headquarters FMS statistics, which in general complexity since the beginning of the conflict in South Ossetia on the territory of North Ossetia entered with 24 something thousand people. In doing so, according to statistics of the same department, of which more than 11 thousand people have returned back to South Ossetia. In addition, the document separately stressed that volunteers are continuing to travel to South Ossetia, so the number of refugees arriving in North Ossetia, at the expense of these volunteers is declining. Thus, it seems quite strange why such inflated figures for displaced persons quoted in the first place in federal media “.

Bush denounces Russian violence in Georgia

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President George W. Bush sternly warned Russia Monday not to overthrow Georgia’s government, saying Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor wounded its world standing and endangered ties with the West.

“Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century,” he said in his strongest condemnation yet of the fighting.

Bush pressed Moscow to accept a Europe-crafted peace plan that calls for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of forces from the conflict zone, and a return to pre-August 6th status quo, and pledges to refrain from further use of force.

Saakashvili announced the capture of Georgia by Russian troops

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili announced that Russian troops control most of the territory of Georgia, transmits AFP on Monday evening. Georgian President also noted that the international community has not yet intervened in the conflict, only limited humanitarian assistance and official statements.

Meanwhile, earlier, as reported by RIA Novosti, at the meeting of the National Security Georgian president said that the Defense Ministry troops occupied the central route, which connects the eastern Georgia to the west, and thus actually started to intervene.

Defense Ministry has never commented on statements by Saakashvili. Recall, for four days of military conflict in South Ossetia Georgian side has already made statements which claimed Russian forces of the occupation of the various regions of Georgia. In particular, earlier Monday reported the Georgia occupation of the city of Gori, while the agency Reuters has denied this information, stating that in Gori neither Russian nor the Georgian military.

Georgia tightening troops to protect Tbilisi

Georgian forces tightening to Tbilisi to protect the capital from the advancing Russian troops, AFP reported citing a statement of the Georgian government. Reported that Russian forces Gorie and took Senaki.

According to the information agency Reuters, in Gori has neither the Russian nor the Georgian military, most residents left the city. The Russian side denied that took Gori.

The Georgian government has demanded urgent intervention by the international community to save the country. “Russia apparently seeks to overthrow the democratically elected government of Georgia and occupy the country,” – statement said

Mikheil Saakashvili – We Want to Finish War, which Was Not Broken by Us, We Want to Stop Russia’s Intervention

We want to stop this military confrontation immediately, we want to finish the war, which was not started by us, and we want to stop Russia’s intervention.

Such statements were made by President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili in the evening on August 11 in his special address.

‘Foreign Minister of France has visited Georgia today. President Sarkozy will arrive tomorrow. We are ready to sign the document of ceasing fire immediately; to sign the document in order the confrontation not to be resumed’, the President declared.

According to Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia is waiting for the visit of several European leaders in these days, while many European ministers are still in Georgia.

Russian Bombers Emerged above Gori even during Visit of Georgian President and Foreign Diplomats

Russian bombers have emerged above Gori when President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili along with the Foreign Ministers of France and Finland were observing bombed dwelling houses at first and the military hospital later.

Air-raid alarm was raised regarding the situation. The Georgian President and foreign diplomats immediately left the territory.

President of Georgia Spoke with German Chancellor by Phone

President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili spoke with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel by phone.
According to the German Chancellor, Germany is ready to take part in negotiations.
‘Germany will be actively involved in negotiations, as we consider that fire must be ceased immediately’, Angela Merkel stated.

President of France Nicolas Sarkozy to arrive to Georgia in the nearest future

President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has been reported to arrive to Georgia in the nearest future. The exact date of his arrival is not yet determined; Georgia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to France Mamuka Kudava confirmed.

Majority of Buildings of Zugdidi Region Police Is Occupied by Russian Units, including Russian Peacekeepers

Khurcha village has been occupied by armed units of Abkhazians and Russians.
Majority of buildings of Zugdidi region police is occupied by Russian units, including Russian peacekeepers.
Head of Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Shota Utiashvili released information regarding this.
According to him, united armed forces of Abkhazians and Russians entered the security zone, where Khurcha village is located.
Patrolling of Russians in being launched in Zugdidi city, what causes excitement among the population.
According to Utiashvili, these are as so-called peacekeeping units, as well as the regular army.

During the visit of Diplomats in Gori Russian jets appeared

During the visit of European Diplomats in Gori Russian Bomber air jets have been appeared in the sky .

The air alarm was declared. The president and Diplomats left Gori safely.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister of France visited Gori today. They saw buildings destroyed By Russian shells and then visited Gori hospital.

Alexander Stubb and Bernard Kouchner will depart to Moscow today.

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Georgia: Jim Murphy media comments (11/08/2008)

Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy, took part in several interviews on Monday 11 August commenting on the situation in Georgia.
Today Programme
During his interview on the Radio 4’s Today Programme Jim Murphy said:

‘Well, what is absolutely clear is that the territorial integrity of Georgia has to be protected. That’s the stated policy of the United Nations, of which Russia and Georgia have agreed to. So it is about protecting the status and the borders of a democracy, a democracy that wishes to join the European Union and in time to join Nato. So it’s not good versus bad in that kind of traditional, kind of, pantomime way that some people see these things, but it is very clearly about the protection of international law; and in watching these events unfold over the past 48 hours in particular, it’s clear that Russia feels that it can achieve a military victory on the ground. But the truth is there is no military solution to this matter. We have to stop the violence spreading. We have to try and bring about a ceasefire, and therefore there… and after that there has to be meaningful talks that are sustainable.’

Thousand of IDPs from Tskhinvali conflict zone arrived in Rustavi

Over thousands of IDPs (internally displaced persons) have fled to Rustavi, (city in the southeast of Georgia, in the province of Kvemo Kartli). The local administration is in charge of the IDPs registration process and is offering them premises for shelter. The entire population of Rustavi is intensely involved in the process of rendering assistance to IDPs.

Reportedly, 750 persons have been already provided with all nesecary assistance. The registration of 200 IDPs is still underway for the time being. Rustavi City Hall states they have got all resources to satisfy IDPs’ needs.

President of France Nicolas Sarkozy to arrive to Georgia in the nearest future

President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has been reported to arrive to Georgia in the nearest future. The exact date of his arrival is not yet determined; Georgia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to France Mamuka Kudava confirmed the corresponding information in live air of the Georgian Public Broadcasting, GPB.

NATO Secretary General summons Russia upon ceasefire with Georgia

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer reiterated his support to Georgia’s territorial integrity through a special statement. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced Russia is violating Georgia’s territorial integrity and is implementing violent actions towards Georgia.

NATO Secretary General summons upon ceasefire on Russian part as well as pull out of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia. In addition, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer urges Russia to assist Georgia in control restoration over the breakaway regions of S. Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signed document on immediate ceasefire

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has signed a document on immediate ceasefire with Russia.

The document is targeted at immediate ceasefire so that international organizations could provide humanitarian assistance to the injured and peaceful civilians who face hardship as they flee in fear from fighting zone.

The document has been elaborated by Foreign Affairs Ministers of three countries – Georgia, France, and that of Finland. The document will be presented for signing to the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev by French and Finish diplomats.

Reportedly, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb as well as Bernard Kouchner are scheduled to leave Georgia in the second half of the day. The diplomats will hold official meeting first with their Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

According to data of August 11, 2008, over 50 Russian Fighter Jets are Flying across Airspace of Georgia

According to the data of August 11, 2008, over 50 Russian fighter jets are flying across the airspace of Georgia. Earlier today the capital city of Georgia has been bombed. Shells hit Makhata Mountain and Kojori brigade base. Russia attacks Georgia in spite of the fact that the foreign minister of Finland – Alexander Stubb and the foreign minister of France – Bernard Kushner are on official visit in Tbilisi.

Georgian troops have been withdrawn from the conflict zone and Georgia has declared unilateral cease-fire, despite Russian Federation attacks the whole territory of Georgia. International community should take extreme measures to stop Russia.

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

According to the reliable information held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Russian servicemen and separatists carry out mass arrests of peaceful civilians of Georgian origin still remaining on the territory of the Tskhinvali region and subsequently concentrate them on the territory of the village of Kurta.

Georgia appeals to the International Red Cross and other humanitarian and international organizations and the international community as a whole to immediately take decisive and effective measures for the evacuation of this population from the conflict zone.

The Georgian electronic space is under permanent DDoS attack

As it is known, the Georgian electronic space is under permanent DDoS attack. The web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is blocked. Relevantly, statements and press-releases of the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are available at the following address: http://georgiamfa.blogspot.com., as well as at the website of the President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński: www.president.pl: at a special link: information about the latest developments in Georgia.

Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Timeline by 11th of August

August 10 – 11, 2008

1. 07:15 Senaki airport is bombed by Russian airplanes.
2. 06:10 Gori tank battalion is bombed. A civilian apartment building nearby has been hit.
3. 05:00 Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro District on the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets.
4. 04:37 Civilian radar station in the village of Leninisi in 5 kilometers from downtown Tbilisi.
5. 03:05 Villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. Graveyard and villagers’ backyard have been hit. No casualties reported.
6. 00:30 Civilian radar station in the village of Shavshvebi west of Gori is bombed by Russian planes.
7. 00:00 Five wounded policemen transported to Zugdidi hospital from Upper Abkhazia.
8. 20:00 Positional fighting near village of Qvabchara in Upper Abkhazia.
9. 19:10 “Tbilaviamsheni” aviation factory was bombarded by Russian aviation again.
10. 19:05 Russian aviation dropped bomb on Tbilisi International Airport.
11. 18:00 The Black Sea town of Anaklia 280 km from Tbilisi, is bombed by Russian airplanes. No casualties reported

The Occupation of Georgia by Invading Russian Forces Has Begun, As Dozens of Bombers Target Sites Throughout the Country

The occupation of Georgia by invading forces of the Russian Federation has begun. Several dozen Russian bombers are in Georgian skies and have been attacking throughout the country over the past several hours.

They are intensively bombing Tbilisi, Poti, villages in Adjara, and elsewhere. Overnight, as many as 50 Russian bombers were reported operating simultaneously over Georgia, targeting civilian populations in cities and villages, as well as radio and telecommunications sites.

In Zugdidi, meanwhile, Russian peacekeepers today demanded that Georgian police surrender their arms.
The fierce aerial assault is taking place a full day after Georgia officially informed the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia’s unilateral ceasefire and of the withdrawal of Georgian troops from the conflict. The United Nations has confirmed this withdrawal.