Представители Грузии и Южной Осетии обсудят урегулирование конфликта 7 августа
On August 7, a meeting of representatives of
The above information was provided by Russian co-chairman of the JCC [Joint Control Commission] and Ambassador at Large Yuri Popov, who will also take part in the negotiations. According to
It should be noted that the evacuation of women and children from
“We are counting on both sides to arrive at a compromise which will help lower tensions in the conflict zone,” stated Popov, who was quoted by ITAR-TASS.
The Georgian side, represented by State Minister for Reintegration Temur Iakobashvili, has confirmed the reports regarding the August 7 talks. The State Minister said that he and South Ossetian representative Boris Chochiev had already reached a preliminary agreement concerning the meeting.
According to Iakobashvili, as reported by news agency “Новости-Грузия,” the Georgian side intends to raise issues regarding demilitarization of the conflict zone, the establishment of joint Georgian-Russian border control at the Roki Tunnel, and further discussion of the possibility of increasing the number of OSCE observers in the conflict zone.
“The meeting in Tskhinvali will not be held in the framework of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) for the Resolution of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict, since we consider this format long obsolete. We are calling for direct dialog between the two sides and for participation, by representatives of the European Union, in addition to
Today at a press conference in
Commenting on the Georgian initiative to hold direct talks with Tskhinvali without the participation of Russia, Medoev stated that the South Ossetian side considered it “as just a ruse,” adding that the South Ossetian position is based on an existing internationally-recognized framework for negotiations – this being the quadrilateral Joint Control Commission, reports RIA Novosti.
Earlier, the “Caucasian Knot” reported that President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoiti stated that around 300 volunteers had already arrived, and that they were expecting up to two thousand people. Regarding this fact, he noted that
Georgian authorities are saying that
Political Scientist Mamuka Areshidze is certain that the deterioration of the situation in
It is worth remembering that, since the evening of August 1st, the Georgian-Ossetian conflict has been intensifying. Each side is blaming the other.
--Caucasian Knot, August 5, 2008
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4 comments:
i was wondering if you know about the 'blown tire' anecdote that Iakobashvili has been telling Western media... that Popov failed to show up in Tskhinvali and gave a blown tire as an excuse. I wonder how this anecdote is only emerging now, more than a week afterward, and whether Popov was meant to be in Tskhinvali at all, since the Georgians appeared to have been seeking bilateral talks with S. Ossetia.
That's the first time I've heard the blown tire anecdote.
From what I've read, the Georgians decided for themselves that they would have these bilateral talks with South Ossetia. Iakobashvili says that S. Ossetia agreed, but in later reports the S. Ossetians deny doing so. Instead, the S. Ossetians continued to push for talks in the framework of the JCC (http://tarjimani.blogspot.com/2008/08/south-ossetia-offers-to-hold-meeting-on.html), scheduling their own talks on August 9th--two days too late.
Georgia wanted bilateral talks because it wouldn't involve Russia; S. Ossetia wanted talks in the Framework of the JCC because Russia would be involved.
Hope this helps. If you would like me to translate more articles concerning this topic, let me know--I'd be happy to help.
Ryan
It's also hypothesized that these proposed talks by Georgia were meant to lull Tskhinvali into a false sense of security, and it certainly looks like it: talks scheduled for the 7th and 9th (the former never being confirmed)--and invasion on the 8th.
"South Ossetia rejects [Aug. 7th] talks"
http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18910
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