Acting US ambassador addresses occupation forces in Georgian language to open crossing points

Acting US Ambassador to Georgia Elisabeth Rood has addressed the Russian-controlled occupation forces to open crossing points between Tskhinvali region and the rest of Georgia and “allow locals to live without fear.” 

Rood has made the statement earlier today while opening a renovated school in the village of Kveshi, at the occupation line, with renovation work funded by the US government. 

The US government supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We once again urge the de facto authorities to open the crossing points and allow locals move freely, have access to medical care and live without fear,” Rood said. 

Video has been released by RFE/RL.

The Russian-controlled de facto government of Tskhinvali closed crossing points with the rest of Georgia in early September 2019, depriving locals of right to movement to other areas of the country, receiving needed medical care or buying vitally important everyday items. 

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Locals say that the humanitarian situation on the ground is ‘severe.’ 

 The US government spent 2.5 million GEL on the renovation of Kveshi school. Photo: US embassy, Tbilisi. 

The de facto authorities say that they will reopen the crossing points after the central Georgian government removes a police post from the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, which is located on the Tbilisi-administered territory.

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Tskhinvali says that the police post “is too close to South Ossetia, creating security threats to our population.”