US concerned by tension at Tskhinvali occupation line, urges Russia to leave Georgia

Acting US Ambassador Elisabeth Rood has urged Russia and the de facto Tskhinvali government to take measures to ease tension. 

Agenda.ge, 17 Sep 2019 - 12:14, Tbilisi,Georgia

The US is concerned by the current tension at the Tskhinvali occupation line and the closure of so-called borders which further complicates the situation on the ground and creates serious humanitarian problems, Acting US Ambassador to Georgia Elisabeth Rood said. 

We are concerned by the situation at the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with Tskhinvali (one of the two Russian-occupied Georgian regions), particularly by the tension at the village of Chorchana and we urge Russia and Tskhinvali de facto leadership to take all measures to ease the tension,” Rood said.

 She stated that the US also urges Russia to meet the conditions of the 2008 ceasefire agreement with Georgia and withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory. 

The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) has provided the details of the current tension at the occupation line, stating that the de facto leadership of Tskhinvali has constructed two ‘police posts’ on the Tbilisi administered territory. 

The mission also stated that two crossing points at Tskhinvali ABL - Odzisi and Sinaguri - have remained closed since September 4, 2019, which makes it impossible for locals to buy everyday items they need.