NATO confirms its support to Georgian territorial integrity and severity in internationally recognized borders .
The joint statement adopted by NATO-Georgian commission meeting reads. According to the statement, NATO calls on Russia to reverse its decision to recognize South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence.
NATO –Georgian commission ministers expressed their support to the international process of negotiations taking place in Geneva and Incident Prevention and response mechanism. NATO Ministers called on all participants of the negotiations to have constructive role in the process and closely cooperate with OSCE, UN and EU to provide peaceful resolution of conflict in the territory of Georgia.
NATO ministers welcome Georgian pledge of non-usage of force and Georgia following ceasefire agreement by mediation of EU.
The Ministers called on Russia to follow 12 august agreement signed in 2008.

www.interpressnews.ge

Anonymous person contacted www.stoprussia.org ‘s Russian bureau and provided a sensational material, concerning the incident which took place at the residence of Russian Dum’s Speaker, Boris Gryzlov, near Moscow, on March 29. According to the source of this information, which preferred to remain anonymous, on Gryzlov’s wife’s, Ada Viktorovna Gryzlova’s 58th birthday, an argument occurred between Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev which later on lead to verbal and physical confrontation. It appears that, the confrontation began when Putin demanded a song about Tbilisi, after which Medvedev’s loud remark was followed, directly blaming Putin for bombing Georgia and expressing his regrets for not managing to hear the demanded song in live, for certain reasons. In response, Putin tried to ‘share’ the responsibility with him and reminded him that he appeared to be the supreme commander-in-chief and it was according to his orders that Putin’s plans were brought to realization, including the occupation of Georgian territories. As the source of the information claims, intoxicated Medvedev was insulted by Putin’s remarks and threw a glass of Georgian red wine at him, after which immediately left Gryzlov’s residence. Insulted and intoxicated Vladimir Putin tried to calm the guests down and demanded a microphone to perform his favorite song Blueberry Hill,  once again had a positive impact on guests and fortunately, there were no more incidents that night

GENEVA — A Georgian delegation at talks with Russia criticised Moscow Friday for failing to match its pledge to not resort to the use of force in their dispute over breakaway regions.

The 15th round of talks since 2008, when the two countries fought a five-day war, opened amid heightened tensions after Tbilisi claimed to have uncovered a Moscow-backed bomb plot outside a private television station.

Georgian delegation head Giorgi Bokeria commended the mediators for their continued efforts to address the security arrangements and human right issues like the return of displaced people.

“But unfortunately we have the same pattern of the Russian Federation refusing to engage in real substantial discussion and refuse to pledge not to use force like Georgia did,” he said.

The talks mediated by the United Nations, European Union and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe are meant to prevent another flare-up in violence over the Moscow-backed breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

But like the last session in December, a key point of contention surrounded Russia’s failure to match Georgia’s pledge on the non-use of force.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on November 23 pledged before the European Parliament that his government would never use force to retake the Russian-backed rebel regions.

However, Georgians pointed out Moscow has refused to make the same commitment.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Tbilisi’s control during wars in the early 1990s after Georgia gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

But it was after the five-day 2008 war that Moscow recognised the two regions as independent states.

Session mediator Pierre Morel, who represents the EU, said that overall Friday’s round of talks “appeared very positive.”

He noted that the parties had been able to review what he described as “relatively calm” security situation on the ground.

They agreed to meet again in Geneva on June 7.

In January, 1921 the Soviet Government decided to annex Georgia. The 11th Red Army was to advance into Georgia on the pretext of supporting the “peasants and workers rebellion against the local Social-Democratic (Menshevik) government” in the country.
On February 11, 1921 Russian colonists settled in the district of Lorri. Demonstrations took place. On February 16 Bolsheviks set up a Georgian Revolutionary Committee (Georgian Revkom) that was to control “peasants and workers rebellion”.
Before the Soviet takeover of Georgia, Filipp Makharadze became chairman of the Georgian Revolutionary committee (Revkom). He had taken only the money-printing machine from Russia. The members of Revkom were as follows: Mamia Orakhvelashvili, Shalva Eliava [he was executed according to the document No. 24395 stored in the archive], Alex (Sasha) Gegetchkori, Besarion Kvirkvelia and others.
In February 11, 1921 the Bolshevist Russian 11th Red Army started to annex Tbilisi. At the outskirts of the city the Russians were resisted by Georgian Army, the people’s Guard of Georgia and volunteers. In Kodzhori and Tabakhmela bitter fighting took place. The enemy couldn’t advance. The battle was becoming more and more bloody.
On February 20 the 11th Red Army was thrown off. On February 22 another battle took place but the aggressors couldn’t achieve their object this time either. On February 23 a day of general mourning was declared in Tbilisi. Those who had died in the battle were buried with great honour. Among the dead was twenty years old Maro Makashvili, daughter of a well-known Georgian poet Kote Makashvili.
On February 24 the situation became very tense. While Georgian Army ran out of every reserve, the 11th Red Army was increased. The Democratic Republic of Georgia didn’t get any support from West European countries. In spite of a staunch fighting, the Georgians were defeated.
The Georgian government decided to flee from Tbilisi to avoid further bloodshed. First it moved to Kutaisi, then to Batumi. The Georgian people lost their aspiration for fighting.
On February 25, 1921 the Soviet forces took the Georgian capital Tbilisi without heavy fighting and declared the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.
On March 16, the Turkish aggressors invaded Batumi, held military buildings and demanded the Georgian Army to be disarmed. Adjara was under danger of becoming breakaway region of Georgia.
The Georgian government had nothing to do but to begin negotiations with a representative of Revkom, Abel Enukidze who defended the interests of Russia.
On March 18, 1921 Grigol Lortkipanidze, a Menshevik leader of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and Mamia Orakhelashvili, a chairman of the Georgian Revkom signed up an agreement about cessation of hostilities.
At the same time treaty was concluded in Russia due to which Turkey cede Adjara to Georgia. Nobody knew anything about the agreement. For this reason, Giorgi Mazniashvili, a Georgian general mobilized the remnants of the Georgian armed forces and recovered the Black Sea city of Batumi from the Turkish occupation. Thus, Adjara was still a component part of Georgia.
That night Sergo Ordzhonikidze arrived in Batumi on a special train. Sergo Kavtaradze, head of the revolutionary committees in Batumi and Adjara and Giorgi Mazniashvili, military commandant transferred the authority to Ordzhonikidze. It was end of Russian occupation in Georgia.
The newly established Soviet government of Georgia began to waste our country’s property. Sergo Kavtaradze asked Sergo Ordzhonikidze:
‘What shall we do with Noe Zhordania’s and Noe Ramishvili’s phaetons standing in Batumi port?’
‘Don’t worry about it. Give one of them to Zhloba, head of the Cavalry Division of the 11th Red Army and keep the other for you!’ answered Sergo Ordzhonikidze.
On March 18, 1921 the invasion of the Soviet armies toppled down the Georgian government, forcing Zhordania and members of the Constituent Assembly of Batumi to take refuge abroad where he led the government in exile and continued his efforts to earn the international recognition of the Soviet occupation of Georgia. They left the country without recognition of Soviet government of Georgia. It was of great importance in future fighting for the independence of Georgia.
After Russia had occupied Georgia, the Revkom obtained the functions of supreme legislative organ. Besides, the local organs of Revkom were established to govern regions, towns and villages in Georgia. Georgian Revkom was appointed by Moscow.
Revkom was to help the Soviet Union to occupy Georgia and destroy Democratic Republic of Georgia.
At the end of March, 1921 the Revolutionary Committee passed illegal Resolution about retiring the Supreme Legislative Organ, Constituent Assembly of Georgia, executive and law organs and local administrations. The Georgian army and military guard were disbanded.
Although the Soviet Authority was established in Georgia there were no councils. The authority didn’t dare to fix the election. They knew that people would not vote for the Bolsheviks. For this reason, it was decided as follows: ‘Georgia need to be pressed with a hot iron’. (Stalin, meeting of the Central Committee in June, 1921).
Indeed, ‘a hot iron’ destroyed the lives of many people.

http://archive.security.gov.ge/en/saqartvelos_okupacia.html

The European People`s Party (EPP) adopted a position paper on EU-Russia relations. The paper was approved by the EPP Foreign Ministers and then introduced to the Political Assembly.

“Russia must realize that there is no sphere of influence policy and that each
country is free to decide over its membership in an international organisation and
choose it security arrangement. The territorial integrity of every country has to be
guaranteed. In the case of Georgia, Russia has violated fundamental principles of
respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia should note that as its
recognition of occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia cannot be accepted by the
world community, there is a necessity for Russia to implement the August 12 and
September 8 2008 agreements and to start serious negotiations about withdrawal of
Russian troops from the Georgian territories”, the paper says.

The Red Army invasion of Georgia also known as the Soviet—Georgian War or the Soviet invasion of Georgia(15 February – 17 March 1921) was a military campaign by the Soviet Russian (RSFSR) Red Army against the Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG) aimed at overthrowing the local Social-Democratic (Menshevik) government and installing theBolshevik regime in the country. The conflict was a result of expansionist policy by the Soviets, who aimed at control of the same territories which had been part of Imperial Russia until the turbulent events of World War I, as well as the revolutionary efforts of mostly Russia-based Georgian Bolshevik elite, who did not enjoy sufficient support in their native country to seize power without foreign intervention.

Georgia effectively escaped Russian control in the chaotic aftermath of the February Revolution in Russia in 1917. After an abortive attempt to unite with Armenia and Azerbaijan into a federative state, Georgian leaders proclaimed the country’s independence as the Democratic Republic of Georgia on 26 May 1918. Through sporadic conflicts with its neighbors and occasional outbreaks of civil strife, Georgia managed to maintain its precarious independence and achieved more or less firm control over its newly established borders in the troubled years of the Russian Civil War.

Despite relatively high public support and some successful reforms, the Social Democratic leadership of Georgia failed to create a stable economy and build a strong and disciplined army that could be able to oppose an invasion. Although there were a significant number of highly qualified officers who had served in the Imperial Russian military, the army was underfed and poorly equipped. A parallel military structure, the People’s Guard of Georgia, was recruited from the members of the Menshevik Party, and was hence more honored and disciplined, but dominated by party functionaries and highly politicized.

The tactics used by the Soviets to gain control of Georgia were similar to those applied in Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1920, i.e., to send in the Red Army while encouraging local Bolsheviks to stage unrest. However, this policy was rather difficult to implement in Georgia,^[19] where the Communist party did not enjoy popular support and remained an isolated political force.

On the night of 11 to 12 February 1921, with the instigation of Ordzhonikidze, the Bolsheviks attacked local Georgian military posts in the ethnic Armenian district of Lorri and the nearby village of Shulaveri, near the Armenian and Azerbaijani borders. The Armenia-based Red Army units quickly came to an aid of the insurrection, though without Moscow’s formal approval.^[20] When the Georgian government protested to the Soviet envoy in Tbilisi, Aron Sheinman, about the incidents, he denied any Russian involvement and declared that any disturbances which might be taking place must be a spontaneous revolt by the Armenian communists.^[21] Meanwhile, the Bolsheviks had already set up a Georgian Revolutionary Committee (Georgian Revkom) in Shulaveri, a body that would soon acquire the functions of a rival government. Chaired by a Georgian Bolshevik Filipp Makharadze, the Revkom formally applied to Moscow for help.

Disturbances erupted also in the town of Dusheti and among Ossetians in northeast Georgia who resented the Georgian government’s refusal to grant them autonomy. Georgian forces managed to contain the disorders in some areas, but the preparations for a Soviet intervention were already being set in train. When the Georgian army moved to Lorri to crush the revolt, Lenin finally gave in to the repeated requests of Stalin and Ordzhonikidze^[22] to allow the Red Army to invade Georgia, on the pretext of aiding a staged uprising, and establish Bolshevik power. An ultimate decision was made on the 14 February meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party:

Yet, the decision to support the invasion was not unanimous. It was opposed by Karl Radek and was held secret from Trotsky who was in the Ural area at that time.^[23] The latter was so upset by the news of the Central Committee decision and Ordzhonikidze’s role in engineering it that on his return to Moscow he demanded, though fruitlessly, the set up of a special party commission to investigate the affair.Later Trotsky would reconcile himself to the accomplished fact and even defended the invasion in a special pamphlet.

On 21 July 2010, Georgia declared 25 February Soviet Occupation Day to recall the Red Army invasion in 1921. The Georgian parliament voted in favor of the government’s initiative. The decision, endorsed unanimously by the Parliament of Georgia instructs the government to organize various memorial events on every 25 February and to fly national flag half-mast to commemorate, as the decision puts it, hundreds of thousands of victims of political repressions of Communist occupational regime

Russian Invasion & Occupation of Georgia
Summary of Russia’s Military Actions 1
A Summary of Damage Inflicted by Russia on the Transport, Energy, Administrative, Social & Civilian Infrastructure of Georgia, as Well as on its Natural Resources 4
Current civilian, military and journalist casualty figures, including numbers of internally displaced persons 7
Russian Attack: Summary of Bombs and Mines 8

Summary of Russia’s Military Actions

Georgian territory was bombed: 42 times.
Russian Airplanes invaded Georgian airspace: 96 – observed. 158 – Supposed.
Number of bombs thrown: At least 165.
Number of cities of civilian dwelling attacks: 3

The bombardment by Russians far exceeded the conflict zone by August 10. The list of bombarded areas of Georgia is as follow:

o Village Shavshvebi – 30 km-s from the conflict zone (08.08.08);
o Village Variani – 20 km-s from the conflict zone, 75 km-s from Tbilisi (08.08.08);
o Gori – five times, 17 km-s from the conflict zone (08-10.08.08);
o Vaziani Airfield – two times, 2-3 km-s from Tbilisi (08-09.08.08);
o Marneuli – three times, 20 km-s from Tbilisi (08.08.08);
o Bolnisi – 35 km-s from Tbilisi (08.08.08);
o Senaki – 213 km-s from Tbilisi (09.08.08);
o Oni – outside conflict zone (09.08.08);
o Village Urta – 330 km-s from Tbilisi (10.08.08);
o Tbilisi Airplane Factory – Tbilisi, twice (09-10.08.08);
o Village Knolevi – near the east-west highway (10.08.08).
o Urta, of Zugdidi district (10.08.08);
o Knolevi village, of Kareli district (10.08.08);

Russian military operations in Upper Abkhazia:

o Bombing Upper Abkhazia – four times (09-10.08.08);
o Ground Attack of Upper Abkhazia (10.08.08);

AFTER GEORGIA DECLARED CEASE FIRE:
Georgian MFA hands a diplomatic note about Cease-fire to Russian Embassy in Georgia on August 10, 17:30.

Bombardment:

o Black Sea town – Anaklia, Zugdidi district (10.08.08);
o Aviation factory in Tbilisi (10.08.08);
o Villages near Batumi, Khelvachauri district, close to Turkish border (11.08.08);
o Shiraki airfield in Kakheti region (11.08.08);
o Gori, twice (11-12.08.08);
o Senaki military airport (11.08.08);
o Kodori gorge, Upper Abkhazia region (11.08.08);
o Senaki military base (11.08.08);
o Kere and Sakasheti villages, Gori district (11-13.08.08);
o Kaspi, 30 km from Tbilisi (11.08.08);
o Tkhviavi village near Tskhinvali (11.08.08);
o Vaziani military base, outskirts of Tbilisi (12.08.08);
o Orchosani village, Gori district (12.08.08);
o Sakoritno village, Kaspi district (12.08.08);
o Ruisi village, Kareli district (12.08.08);

Occupation:
o Zugdidi (11.08.08);
o Beloti village near Eredvi, Tskhinvali district (11.08.08);
o Shindisi, Gori district (11.08.08);
o Senaki (11.08.08);
o Gori, the only connection between East and West connection blocked by Russians (11.08.08);
o Khaishi, Svaneti region (12.08.08);
o Upper Abkhazia (12.08.08);
o Additional troops enter Gori (13 – 14.08.08);
o Atosi village, Kareli district, East of Gori (13.08.08);
o Pakhulani village, Tzalenjikha district (13.08.08);
o Additional troops enter Zugdidi twice (14.08.08);
o Mejvriskhevi village, Gori district (14.08.08);
o Ruisi and Tzveri villages, Kareli district (14.08.08);
o East deep from Senaki (14.08.08);
o Abashistzkali village, 40 km.s away from the second largest city of Georgia, Kutaisi (15.08.08);
o Igoeti (15.08.08);

Tbilisi Intrusion Threat:
o 12 August
o 15 August

AFTER THE CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT:
GEORGIA SIGNED FRENCH MEDIATED CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT ON AUGUST 15, 18:00.

Occupation:
Since the cease-fire agreement had been signed by the president of Georgia, in addition to all above stated areas of Georgia the Russian troops further occupied several cities outside the conflict zone in both Eastern and Western Georgia.
o Igoeti, Kaspi district, 20 km.s away from Tbilisi (15.08.08);
o Khashuri, 30 km.s west from Gori (15.08.08);
o Surami, west of Khashuri (15.08.08);
o Sachkhere parts, Western Georgia (16.08.08);
o Akhalgori, 40 km.s North-West of Tbilisi (16.08.08);
o Aditional Russian troops entered Senaki military base (17.08.08)
o South Ossetian separatist paramilitaires entered aditionaly to Akhalgori (17.08.08)
o Russian armored vehicles advanced towards Supsa oil terminal near poti (17.08.08)
o Russian Troops advanced and blocked road near Kaspi again (18.08.08)
o Russian troops advanced towards Sachkere (19.08.08)
o Russian troops entered Poti port again (19.08.08)
o Russians opened checkpoints in Poti entrance (20.08.08)
o Russians occupy village Chogha of Chkhorotsku district, Samegrelo region, in western Georgia (20.08.08)
o Russian militaries occupy villages Perevi, Sachkhere in Sachkhere district, Imereti region, western Georgia (20.08.08)

Explosions and mining of areas

o Russian troops mine roads in Svaneti Region (17.08.08)
o Russian military mine bridges in Kaspi district (17.08.08)
o Russian troops exploded barracks and other remaining military installations in Senaki military base (18.08.08)
o Russian troops exploded barracks and other military installations in Osiauri military base (23-24.08.08)
o Mine blast exploded train west of Gori (24.08.08)
o Landmine blast killed women in Gori (24.08.08)
o Landmine blast wonded man in village tirdznisi (24.08.08)

CLUSTER BOMBS:
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH REPORTED THE USE OF CLUSTER BOMBS (BANNED BY 107 NATIONS OF THE WORLD) IN POPULATED AREAS IN AIR ATTACKS SINCE 6TH OF AUGUST.

A Summary of Damage Inflicted by Russia on the Transport, Energy, Administrative, Social & Civilian Infrastructure of Georgia, as Well as on its Natural Resources

1. Transport Infrastructure
Ports: On August 9, Russian military jets bombed the Port of Poti on the Black Sea, in western Georgia. The bombs damaged Container Terminal #7, the largest and best-equipped terminal for handling containers, thus disrupting the transit of cargo into and out of Georgia. One of the two energy generators and anti- fire system of the port were damaged. Russia’s bombs killed 5 workers and injured more than 15 others. The Port of Poti is the main link on the East-West transport corridor TRACECA handling cargo between Europe and Asia, as well as from Georgia’s neighbors in the Caucasus—Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Poti port was bombarded for the second time on the 13th of August.

Main Railway Bridge: On August 16, Russia blew up the Grakali bridge on the central railway route, connecting the eastern and western parts of Georgia. As a result, railway connections and cargo transport— as well as the movement of humanitarian aid to civilians in the occupied territories—have been interrupted. The destruction of the bridge also has disrupted international cargo traffic between Europe and Asia. This negatively affects not only the economy of Georgia, but economies throughout the region—especially isolating Armenia. It will take at least two weeks to repair the bridge.

Blockade of Maritime International Transportation & Logistics Routes: Since August 10, Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet has been blockading the territorial waters of Georgia, preventing ships carrying civilian cargo from entering the Port of Poti. This is resulting in massive commercial losses for companies and transporters, and preventing needed supplies from reaching Georgia and the region, especially Armenia.

Civilian Airports: Russia bombed Kopitnari Airport (20 km from Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city, and a full 180 kilometers from Tskhinvali, South Ossetia) on August 9. The main runway was damaged.

Road Bridges: Russian troops mined the main road to the highly mountainous region of Svaneti (close to Abkhazia, Georgia, another conflict zone) on August 17, thus cutting off the region from the rest of Georgia and preventing goods and services from reaching its population.

Civilian Radar Stations: A civilian radar station serving the civil aviation system of Georgia, located 5 km north of downtown Tbilisi on Makhata Mountain, was bombed and destroyed by Russian jets on August 13. The safety of civilian flights over Georgian air space is thus now jeopardized.

Damage to Roads & Highways: On August 9, Russian jets bombed the bypass road of the Rikoti road tunnel, which connects the eastern and western parts of Georgia, thereby leaving the country’s transport infrastructure without an alternative route. Also, several hundred kilometers of roads and highways have been damaged by the movement of heavy Russian military vehicles.

Railway: The Russian Air Force bombed the Kaspi and Senaki rail stations, located 52 and 230 km respectively from Tskhinvali, Georgia, thus destroying vital rail infrastructure.

2. Energy Infrastructure
International energy pipelines: Russia has heavily bombed the international pipeline infrastructure of Georgia. Areas adjacent to all three international pipelines—BTC, SCP, and Baku Supsa—were attacked by fighter jets on August 8 and August 12. The bombed locations were 20 km east of Tbilisi, far beyond the conflict zone. Several bombs were dropped only 5 meters from the Baku Supsa oil pipeline on August 8. Pipeline bombings continued on the following days, including August 12. Russian rockets caused an explosion on the 27th kilometer of the Baku-Supsa crude-oil pipeline near Tbilisi.

Electricity: Russian bombers damaged electricity transmission lines on August 12, leaving more than four thousand Georgians without power. Three transmission lines connecting the western and eastern parts of Georgia also have been damaged: ”Kavkasioni” and ”Kartli 2,” located well beyond the conflict zone, and ”Liakhvi,” located near the conflict zone. At present, the eastern and western parts of Georgia’s energy infrastructure are operating as separate systems.

3. Industrial Enterprises
Aircraft plant: An aircraft plant adjacent to Tbilisi International Airport was bombed with long-delay blasting bombs twice on August 10. The landing strip and adjacent infrastructure was destroyed.

Cement factory: A cement factory in Kaspi owned by the leading German manufacturer ”Heidelberg Cement” was bombed on August 12; the factory is 30 km from Tbilisi.

Wine factory: Russian jets dropped unidentified devices on the wine factory in the village of Okami, in the Kaspi district, 52 kilometers from Tbilisi (August 16).
4. Administrative, Social & Civilian Infrastructure
Damage to Civilian Police Equipment: On August 18, Russian armored vehicles intentionally drove over and damaged several police cars in Kaspi, 52 kilometers from Tskhinvali.

Administrative buildings: Russian forces and paramilitary troops have robbed and damaged nearly all the administrative buildings they have occupied. A precise damage assessment can only be made after the Russian Army withdraws.

Sports Infrastructure: A bomb fell near Gori stadium, 30 km from Tskhinvali, on August 8.
Schools: Several schools in the occupied town of Gori were robbed and damaged (as of August 16).

Kindergarten: Russian air jets bombed a kindergarten building in Gori. The building was destroyed. (as of August ).

Cemetery: Bombs hit a cemetery and fields near Batumi on August 11, at km from Tskhinvali, and 15 kilometers from the Georgian-Turkish border.
Hospital: A bomb exploded on August 12 in the backyard of the hospital in Gori (30 kilometers from Tskhinvali), killing a doctor and significantly damaging the hospital.
University: The University of Gori was hit by numerous bombs, completely destroying parts of the main building in the central square of the city (August 12)

Market: The main market in Gori was bombed on August 12.

TV Broadcasting Station: Russian troops destroyed the Gori TV broadcasting station on August 12. As a result, TV and radio broadcasting has been interrupted in Gori and surrounding areas.

Civilian Homes: In every administrative unit invaded by the Russian Army, its forces have robbed and/or burnt civilian houses. A precise assessment of damage can only be made after the Russian Army withdraws..

5. Ecological Damage
On august 15 Russian helicopters started to drop incendiary bombs on forests in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and it’s surroundings – Tsaghveri, Daba, Kvibisi, Sadgeri, Ardagani settlement.
About 450 hectares were burnt. More than 100 fire-generating places in the remote areas of the forests. Only possibility to put down the fire is intervention through air.
Upon Georgian request Turkish fire forces have expressed readiness to send helicopters, however Russian forces did not give permission. The negotiation still continues, while the fire is expanding due to the windy weather and absence of rain.
Village Boshuri forest of Gori district was set on fire on August 20th;
Houses in village Dzevera in Gori district are set on fire on August 20th;
On August 20th, Russian aviation forces dropped fire-setting bombs in Kiketi, 10 Km from Tbilisi;
6. Means of Transportation
Cargo Ships: The cargo ship ”Lotus – 1”, loaded with wheat and other humanitarian aid, was prevented from entering Poti Port by Russian military forces (August 8-9).
Ambulance: An ambulance was targeted in August 12 by Russian military bombs in the village of Agara, located 60 kilometers from the conflict zone.
Civilian Cars: On every road controlled by Russian troops, dozens cars with civilians have been robbed. An accurate damage assessment can only be made once the Russian Army withdraws.

Russian Invasion & Occupation of Georgia
Current civilian, military and journalist casualty figures, including numbers of internally displaced persons
August 25, 2008
Explanatory Note
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to verification. They do not include data on South Ossetian and Russian casualties, which they government of Georgia has no way of assessing.
The numbers of dead and wounded are based exclusively on bodies received by Georgian morgues, and does not include those kept, buried, burned or otherwise disposed of within the area of Russian control.
About 160 military personnel remain unaccounted for.
The number of registered IDPs only includes those IDPs who fled to areas of Georgian control, and does not include those who fled to Russia or who are displaced within areas of Russian occupation.

Georgians wounded:
Total: 2231
Military: 1964
Civilian: 267
Discharged: 1069

Georgians killed:
Total: 216
Military: 143
Civilian: 73

Journalists:
Killed: 3 (1 international, 2 Georgians).
Injured: 6 (3 internationals, 3 Georgians).
Detained by Russians/Ossetes: 10 (8 internationals, 2 Georgians).
Attacked by Russians/Ossetes: 3 (2 internationals, 1 Georgian).
Robbed by Russians/Ossetes: 12 (all internationals).

Number of registered IDPs:
119, 000

Russian Invasion & Occupation of Georgia
Russian Attack: Summary of Bombs and Mines

22:00 August 25, 2008

Altogether, Georgia’s sovereign territory was subjected to aerial bombardment 42 times. The areas bombed far exceeded the putative conflict zone of South Ossetia.

The bombs and missiles were delivered during up to 158 illegal incursions into Georgia’s airspace, of which 96 are fully confirmed.

At least 165 bombs and missiles were used, including cluster bombs and other weapons banned by international agreements. At least three of the attacks directly targeted civilians in civilian areas.

Bombing runs before ceasefire

The list below indicates the areas bombed, the minimum number of times each was bombed, their distance from the conflict zone and/or Tbilisi, and the date(s) of the attack(s).

Shavshvebi village 1 30 km 08.08.08
Variani village 1 20 km, 75 km from Tbilisi 08.08.08
Gori 5 17 km 08-10.08.08
Vaziani Airfield 2 2-3 km from Tbilisi 08-09.08.08
Marneuli 3 20 km from Tbilisi 08.08.08
Bolnisi 1 35 km from Tbilisi 08.08.08
Senaki 1 213 km from Tbilisi 09.08.08
Oni 1 09.08.08
Village Urta 1 330 km from Tbilisi 10.08.08
Tbilisi Airplane Factory 2 Tbilisi 09-10.08.08
Knolevi (Kareli district) 1 10.08.08
Urta (Zugdidi district) 1 10.08.08

In Upper Abkhazia, the Russian air force bombed villages and positions at least 4 times. The gorge was invaded by airborne Abkhaz and Russian troops on 10 August.

Bombing runs after Georgian ceasefire offer
At 17:30 on 10 August, the Georgian Foreign Ministry hands a diplomatic note offering an immediate Georgian ceasefire to the Russian Embassy. The Russian Air Force continues its attacks for three more days.

Anaklia (Zugdidi district) 10.08.08
Settlements near Batumi (Khelvachauri district), close to Turkish border 11.08.08
Shiraki airfield (Kakheti region) 11.08.08
Gori, twice 11-12.08.08
Senaki military airport 11.08.08
Kodori gorge, Upper Abkhazia 11.08.08
Senaki military base 11.08.08
Kere and Sakasheti (Gori district) 11-13.08.08
Kaspi (30 km from Tbilisi) 11.08.08
Tkhviavi (near Tskhinvali) 11.08.08
Vaziani military base (on the outskirts of Tbilisi) 12.08.08
Orchosani (Gori district) 12.08.08
Sakoritno (Kaspi district) 12.08.08
Ruisi village (Kareli district) 12.08.08

Occupation of Georgian towns and villages
Zugdidi (11.08.08);
Beloti village near Eredvi, Tskhinvali district (11.08.08);
Shindisi, Gori district (11.08.08);
Senaki (11.08.08);
Gori, the only connection between East and West connection blocked by Russians (11.08.08);
Khaishi, Svaneti region (12.08.08);
Upper Abkhazia (12.08.08);
Additional troops enter Gori (13 – 14.08.08);
Atosi village, Kareli district, East of Gori (13.08.08);
Pakhulani village, Tzalenjikha district (13.08.08);
Additional troops enter Zugdidi twice (14.08.08);
Mejvriskhevi village, Gori district (14.08.08);
Ruisi and Tzveri villages, Kareli district (14.08.08);
East deep from Senaki (14.08.08);
Abashistzkali village, 40 km.s away from the second largest city of Georgia, Kutaisi (15.08.08);
Igoeti (15.08.08);

Tbilisi Intrusion Threat:
12 August
15 August

Occupation of Georgian towns and villages after French-mediated ceasefire

Following the signature of the ceasefire agreement by all parties (Georgia, France and Russia), the Russian offensive should have ceased and a pullback to positions held before August 7th engaged. Instead, Russia deepened its occupation of Georgia, entering and occupying towns and villages far away from the conflict zones.

Igoeti, Kaspi district, 40 km.s away from Tbilisi (15.08.08);
Khashuri, 30 km.s west from Gori (15.08.08);
Surami, west of Khashuri (15.08.08);
Sachkhere parts, Western Georgia (16.08.08);
Akhalgori, 40 km.s North-West of Tbilisi (16.08.08);
Aditional Russian troops entered Senaki military base (17.08.08)
South Ossetian separatist paramilitaries entered additionally to Akhalgori (17.08.08)
Russian armored vehicles advanced towards Supsa oil terminal near Poti (17.08.08)
Russian Troops advanced and blocked road near Kaspi again (18.08.08)
Russian troops advanced towards Sachkere (19.08.08)
Russian troops entered Poti port again (19.08.08)
Russians opened checkpoints in Poti entrance (20.08.08)
Russians occupy village Chogha of Chkhorotsku district, Samegrelo region, in western Georgia (20.08.08)
Russian militaries occupy villages Perevi, Sachkhere in Sachkhere district, Imereti region, western Georgia (20.08.08)

Mines

Roads in the Svaneti Region were mined on 17.08.08. Road bridges on the old Gori road south of Kaspi were mined on the same date.

Russian troops used explosive devices to destroy military installations in the Senaki base on 18.08.08 and the Osiauri base on 23 and 24 August.

A landmine blew up a crude oil train 5 km west of Gori on 24 August. Other mines and buried artillery shells were subsequently found at other spots of the tracks.

Landmines and bomblets left by the departing Russian army are targeting civilans. A blast killed a woman in Gori on 24 August and injured a man in Tirdznisi on the same date.

Mines of the “frog” type have been found in civilian gardens and orchards in Gori. These are antipersonnel mines that, when stepped upon, jump into the air and explode at chest or head height.

Cluster bombs

The use of cluster bombs against civilian targets has been confirmed by Human Rights Watch. Cluster bombs explode at altitude in order to scatter bomblets over a wide area. Most bomblets explode on impact. The effect of hundreds of bomblets exploding at the same time is to saturate the targeted area with high-speed shrapnel, killing everything alive. Because the bomblets can be scattered over a wide area, these are among the most destructive antipersonnel conventional weapons.

Bomblets that fail to explode on impact become landmines.

The exceptionally destructive power of these weapons has led them to be banned by 107 countries, including all of the European Union.

Russian Invasion & Occupation of Georgia
Summary of Georgia’s humanitarian needs, including assessment of IDPs/refugees
As of August 24, 2008

The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge,
but is subject to verification.

Number of registered IDPs: 118, 583
Wounded:
Total: 2231
Militaries: 1964
Civilians: 267
Ambulatory curing: 1069
Dead:
Total: 216
Militaries: 143
Civilians: 73
Ecological Dimension
On august 15 Russian helicopters started to drop incendiary bombs on forests in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and it’s surroundings – Tsaghveri, Daba, Kvibisi, Sadgeri, Ardagani settlement.
On august 16 fire was set in Kaspi district and Surami, Khashuri district.
On August 20 fire was set in Gori district (village Djevera) and Kiketi, 10 kms from Tbilisi.
Approximately 400 hectares were burnt. Approximately 300 hectares was burnt in the national park.
Unprotected journalists
Number of journalists killed: 3 – among them 1 – international journalists, 2 – locals.
Number of journalists injured/wounded: 6 – among them 3 internationals, 3 – locals.
Number of journalists detained: 10 –among them 8 international and 2 local journalists.
Number of journalists beaten/attacked: 3 – among them 2 international and 1 local.
Number of journalists robbed: 12 international journalists.

Four Republican senators are calling on the Obama administration to place a sensitive missile defense-related radar site in Georgia, rather than in Turkey, as is currently planned.

“We believe that the U.S. should deploy the most effective missile defenses possible — in partnership with our allies — that provide for the protection of the U.S. homeland, our deployed forces, and our allies,” began a Feb. 3 letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed by Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), James Risch (R-ID), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and James Inhofe (R-OK).

The senators are responding to statements from the Turkish government that it would only agree to host the new radar, known as TPY-2, if the United States agrees not to share with Israel any of the information gathered by the radar site, which is part of a NATO system discussed at the recent Lisbon summit. Turkey also wants command and control over the radar and wants NATO to remove any references to Iran as the threat targeted by the missile shield.

For all these reasons, the senators think Georgia would be a better option.

“We believe that the Republic of Georgia’s geographic location would make it an ideal site for a missile defense radar aimed at Iran, and would offer clear advantages for the protection of the United States from a long range missile as compared to Turkey,” the senators wrote. “What’s more, the Republic of Georgia should be a significant partner for future defense cooperation with the U.S.”

The senators asked Gates to tell them if Georgia was under consideration as a possible host for the radar site and, if not, what other alternatives the Pentagon is considering.

The prospects of NATO or the Obama administration actually placing a missile defense radar site in Georgia are slim, considering that Georgia is not in NATO and that the consequences for U.S. -Russia and NATO-Russia relations could be devastating.

But the letter is a sure sign that the new Congress is prepared to ramp up its advocacy of restoring defense cooperation with Georgia, which has slowed to a crawl since the 2008 Russian invasion. Other senators who are calling for more military support and cooperation for Georgia include John McCain (R-AZ), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Richard Lugar (R-IN), the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“The United States, under substantial Russian diplomatic pressure, has paused the transfer of lethal military articles to Georgia, and no U.S. assistance since the war has been directly provided to the Georgian Ministry of Defense,” Lugar wrote in a December 2009 report. “Consequently, Georgia lacks basic capacity for territorial defense.”

Posted By Josh Rogin

European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg will begin hearings on the complaint filed by Georgia regarding the deportation of Georgian nationals on ethnic grounds from Russia in 2006. The court will hear to those Georgians, who emerge in the lawsuit as witnesses.

Georgia filed a lawsuit against Russia in Strasbourg Court on March 26, 2007. The lawsuit is attached with documentary evidences, proving that the Georgians were deported from Russia on ethnic grounds. This is the only complaint filed by a government filed in the EHRC.

Russia launched mass deportation of ethnic Georgians after the spy row in 2006, when Georgia detained and deported a group of Russian military servicemen, who were accused of spying for Russia.

The hearings will last a week. The court will first interrogate Georgian and then Russian witnesses. Georgian ombudsman Giorgi Tughushi will be also interrogated at the hearing.

Euro Parliament’s resolution passed on January 20 calls on the EU to draw up a strategy on the Black Sea region to define its “comprehensive approach” to address challenges in the area .
The introductory statement says: “having regard to the Association Partnership with Turkey,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements concluded with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and to the ongoing negotiations on new Association Agreements, as well as to the respective ENPAction Plans,
– having regard to the ENP Progress Reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine adopted by the Commission on 12 May 2010,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement concluded with the Russian Federation, and to the ongoing negotiations on a new EU-Russia Agreement
whereas the French Presidency’s mission, together with action by the Member States, demonstrated the EU’s commitment to containing and resolving the conflict in Georgia”.
Article 24 of the strategy says: “Calls on the Vice-President/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to step up efforts to encourage Russia to comply with the six-point Sarkozy Plan to stabilise and resolve the conflict in Georgia”
Article 32 states:” Notes that increasing respect for human rights and democracy around the world is among the EU’s priorities; points out that human rights violations are a daily occurrence in occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia; calls on the EU, and particularly the EEAS, therefore, to respond actively to all kinds of human rights violations in the Black Sea region”
In a responsive statement released shortly after the resolution was passed, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said that it “highly appreciates the initiative to elaborate the Black Sea Strategy.”
“It is noteworthy that the European Parliament referred to the Georgian regions as the ‘occupied territories’,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.

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