Leonid Tibilov: Georgia is preparing for military actions on border with South Ossetia

During the meeting with the co-Chairs of the Geneva discussions, Leonid Tibilov, President of South Ossetia, has stated that he is aware of the Georgia's military preparations in the border areas. In its turn, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), following the inspection in the Gori District of Georgia, which borders with South Ossetia, has issued a statement, in which it called on the parties to show restraint.

Leonid Tibilov: in Georgian districts, adjacent to Leningorsk District of South Ossetia, numerous fortifications are under construction

"There are reports of serious military preparations of the Georgian side. In Georgian districts, adjacent to the Leningorsk District of South Ossetia, many fortifications are under construction. In Georgian villages near the border, ware houses of firearms are being established," said on September 18 Leonid Tibilov, the leader of South Ossetia. He has stressed that those measures are being treated as preparations for war against the Ossetian people.

He also asked the co-Chairs of the Geneva discussions to warn the Georgian leaders that the responsibility for possible provocations would be borne only by Tbilisi, the "ITAR-TASS" reports.

EUMM: it is important for parties to show restraint and refrain from any actions that could be interpreted as provocative

"At this sensitive moment, during military exercises "Caucasus-2012", conducted by Russia (the military exercises are to be held on September 17-23, note of the "Caucasian Knot") and the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia, it is vital that all parties should show restraint and refrained from any actions that could be interpreted as provocative. The deterioration of the situation is in nobody's interests," emphasizes in his official statement General Andrzej Tyszkiewicz, the head of the EUMM.

Staff members of the EUMM have confirmed to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the regular inspection in the vicinities of the village of Ergneti re-checked the information, announced by Leonid Tibilov. However, the staff members of the EUMM refused to clarify whether the inspection was scheduled or unscheduled.

"Georgia is acting and it will be acting under its own and international laws in the territories under its jurisdiction, unfortunately, besides the occupied territories. Meanwhile, Georgia is to report to the international community and not to the Russian Generals. The international community represented by observers, including ones from the EU, and our actions are being determined by the principles of relations with them," the agency "Pirweli" quotes David Darchiashvili, the Georgian MP.

There is no any activity on administrative border with South Ossetia, residents of border village of Ergneti assert

"We observe no rush, no additional forces, no police or military officers. Everything is calm in the region," said Lamzira, a resident of the Georgian village of Ergneti.

Irina Petrova, a representative of the women's NGO "Sakhli" (House), who works in Gori, has noted that was not the first time when the information about the deterioration of the situation in Ergneti is being disseminated.

"On August 29, during a military operation in Lopota Gorge, my organization was carrying out an event in Ergneti. We had organized a summer training camp for school children. At that time, people also began to call and ask to confirm or deny whether the situation on the border with South Ossetia had been deteriorated. However, nothing like that happened. We quietly conducted the activities with children and safely returned to Gori. And also this time, there is no information about the deterioration of the situation," Irina Petrova stated.

"I do not know what the reason was; however, no increased movement in the Gori District is being observed," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Georgy Aptsiauri, a journalist and specialist in conflict resolution from Gori.

See earlier reports: "Participants of trilateral meeting in Ergneti agree to search people who disappeared in 1991-1992," "Today marks fourth anniversary of August events in South Ossetia," "Three citizens of Georgia pardoned in South Ossetia."