Foreign diplomats in Georgia convene to discuss tensions near conflict zone as talks with Ossetian side fall apart
The diplomats have convened in the foreign ministry as the 95thsession of Incidents Prevention and Response Mechanism (IRPM) in Russia-occupied Ergneti village, attended by Georgian, Russian and so-called Ossetian government members cancelled today. Photo: 1tv.ge.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has invited foreign diplomats to discuss the tense situation near the occupation line with the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region, in Khashuri Municipality.
The diplomats have convened in the foreign ministry as the 95th session of Incidents Prevention and Response Mechanism (IRPM) in Russia-occupied Ergneti village, attended by Georgian, Russian and so-called Ossetian government members fell apart today.
Participants to the IPRM have arrived to our tent. 95th session to start shortly. We will soon sit down at the meeting table to discuss developments during past weeks threatening stability and human security – including “borderization” at the Administrative Boundary Line pic.twitter.com/0gedaHTZbK
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) August 29, 2019
Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia provided the diplomats with information on the events currently observed in the village of Chorchana and asked them to notify their governments.
He said he is hopeful for the cancelled IRPM session to resume tomorrow.
Official of the Georgian State Security Office Irakli Antadze said that Ossetian side demanded the Georgian police checkpoint on the Georgia-controlled territory near the occupation line to be dismantled.
South Ossetian side reports the consolidated units of KGB and OMON have been deployed to protect the ‘state border of South Ossetia.’ Photo by Marina Kotaeva/Sputnik.
After the Georgian side strictly refused to dismantle the post as it is located in the area controlled by the Georgian government, the Russian and Ossetian officials left the session in protest.
Georgian official Irakli Antadze said ‘the language of ultimatums’ is unacceptable to the Georgian government.
Prior to the session he said there were 10 issues on the agenda to be discussed including:
- Illegal ‘borderisation’ in the village of Gugutiantkari, Gori Municipality, in the vicinity of the Tskhinvali region
- Movement of Russian occupation forces near the village of Chorchana, Khashuri Municipality, also near the Tskhinvali region
- Destruction of residential houses in Eredvi village and installation of a waste dump in the area by Russian occupation forces
- Torture and murder of national hero of Georgia Archil Tatunashvili
The so-called State Security Committee of South Ossetia has reported the consolidated units of KGB (State Security Committee of Russia) and OMON (special police units of Federal Police within the National Guard of Russia) have been deployed to protect the ‘state border of South Ossetia’ in Znauri district, Shida Kartli, Georgia.