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RUEHHT RUEHIHL RUEHKN RUEHKSO RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHMC
RUEHMJ RUEHMR RUEHMRE RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNH RUEHNL RUEHNP RUEHPA RUEHPB
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DE RUEHC #6156/01 2250407
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 120401Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 8272
INFO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 2187
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 3475
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 1205
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 6321
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0713
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 086156
NOFORN, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 25X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT
GG
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT
NO. 7
Classified by Senior Watch Officer Debor...
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 086156 NOFORN, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 25X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR
AMGT
SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 7 Classified by Senior Watch Officer Deborah Schneider for
reasons 1.4 (B and D). RUSSIAN GROUND FORCES PUSH TOWARDS TBILISI ------------------------------------------ 1. (SBU)
Embassy Tbilisi reports Russian troops have taken Gori and OSCE observers confirm the troops are moving in the direction
of Tbilisi. Georgia fears an imminent attack on Tbilisi and has appealed for immediate international intervention to
defend the capital, according to its embassy in Washington. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 2. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports
Russian ground troops occupied the western Georgian towns of Zugdidi, Khobi, and Senaki. They also occupied the central
Georgian town of Kareli, severing the east-west highway and essentially splitting Georgia in half. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi
telcon) 3. (C) Embassy Tbilisi reports Georgian troops have fallen back to Mtskheta, 10 miles northwest of Tbilisi.
Georgian officials told the Embassy they are uncertain if their troops will be able to form a defense. OSCE observers
confirm reports that Georgian forces are out of the zone of conflict. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon, Tbilisi 1356) 4. (SBU)
The last of the USAF C-17 flights bringing Georgian troops from Iraq landed in Tbilisi, according to Embassy Tbilisi.
(TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 5. (S/NF) The Russian DATT contacted Embassy Tbilisi to request the removal of all U.S. C-17
aircraft from the airport immediately as Moscow is considering bombing the airport in the near future. (TF/Embassy
Tbilisi e-mail) DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS INTENSIFY ---------------------------- 6. (SBU) EUR DAS Bryza landed in Tbilisi and,
for security reasons, has moved from the city center to the Embassy. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 7. (SBU) Embassy Warsaw
reports President Kaczynski plans to pick up the presidents of Ukraine and the three Baltic states en route to Tbilisi
for meetings. The Latvia desk reports Latvian PM Godmanis will leave for Tbilisi late August 11. (TF/Warsaw desk e-mail,
TF/Latvia desk telcon) 8. (C) President Sarkozy will travel to Moscow August 12 to meet with President Medvedev,
according to STATE 00086156 002 OF 003 SUBJECT: TFGG01: GEORGIA TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. media. The French MFA
has announced a three-part proposal to end the ongoing hostilities, including an immediate cease-fire, a return to
August 6 troop positions with international support, and respect for Georgia's sovereignty. (TF/France desk e-mail) 9.
(C) Embassy Berlin confirms Chancellor Merkel plans to travel to Sochi August 15 to meet in a previously-scheduled
meeting with President Medvedev. (Berlin 1095) HUMANITARIAN UPDATE ------------------- 10. (C) Embassy Tbilisi reports
an initial estimate of 3,000 IDPs from the conflict, but notes the numbers could climb into the tens of thousands.
(Tbilisi 1356) 11. (C) Embassy Tbilisi received an initial request of emergency supplies for hospitals and IDPs from the
Georgian Ministries of Health and Refugees. USAID has $250,000 in new emergency spending authority to support such
procurement. (Tbilisi 1356) 12. (C) Embassy Tbilisi notes key potential problems in meeting needs include the security
situation, the lack of international transportation due to the Russian blockade, and difficulties with the internal
distribution of aid. (Tbilisi 1356) 13. (SBU) The Turkey desk notes Turkish concern over an influx of refugees from
Georgia. (TF/Turkey desk telcon) 14. (C) Embassy Yerevan reports Armenia is concerned about imports given that a
majority of its food and fuel consumption is imported via Georgia. (TF/Turkey desk telcon, Yerevan 639) PANIC IN
TBILISI, IDPs FLOW INTO CITY, AIRPORT OPEN --------------------------------------------- ------ 15. (SBU) Embassy
Tbilisi describes Tbilisi residents as in a "state of panic" and has requested that Mission personnel stand fast and
review their security status. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail) 16. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports a group of Georgian IDPs
entered a housing cluster occupied by USG personnel. The cluster was cleared without incident but the IDPs threatened to
return. Post comments the continuing influx of IDPs raises the possibility of confrontations and possible criminal
activity directed against Americans. (TF/DSCC e-mail) 17. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi reports the international airport is
open, although only Georgian airlines continue to operate. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail) STATE 00086156 003 OF 003 18.
(SBU) Embassy Yerevan reports the convoy comprised of 20 USG family members and over 100 private AmCits has arrived in
Armenia. The Embassy continues to receive requests for departure assistance; a third convoy is planned for August 13.
(TF/Yerevan e-mail, TF/Tbilisi telcon) 19. (SBU) Sixty-four USG employees, nine spouses and three children - in addition
to several TDYers, - remain at post and are standing. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi telcon) 20. (SBU) A convoy of 87 Peace Corps
volunteers and trainees crossed into Armenia. They will remain in reserved lodging in the town of Tsaghkadzor. (TF/Peace
Corps e-mail) 21. (SBU) Embassy Tbilisi held a town hall meeting which nearly all mission personnel attended, and
continues to respond to a large number of inquiries from concerned Americans. (TF/Embassy Tbilisi e-mail) 22. (U)
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. RICE