12 August 2004, 19:20
Georgia masses troops on South Osetian border
Skirmishes have not stopped in the zone of the Georgian-Osetian conflict for the last two days, since August 10. There are casualties among civilians, many houses have been destroyed.
Yesterday, August 10, co-chairmen of the Combined Control Commission came to an agreement on the cessation of fire by the sides. There was a talk about it between Boris Chochiyev and Georgy Khaindrava. Also on August 10, the leadership of the Republic of South Osetia delivered an ultimatum to the Georgian side claiming that the Osetian side would take adequate measures, including clearing Georgian villages of illegal armed units, if the fire on Tskhinvali and other South Osetian settlements were not stopped.
Nevertheless the Georgian side opened massive fire on the town of Tskhinvali and the Osetian villages of Sarabuk and Dmenis from the direction of the Georgian villages of Tamarasheni, Achabeti, and Eredvi on August 11. 28 people were wounded on the Osetian side as a result of the fire. Even dwelling houses in the center of the town as well as a kindergarten and a republican hospital were destroyed.
It has become known that the Georgian side has started to quickly build up military forces and heavy military equipment in the immediate proximity of the South Osetian border, practically along its entire perimeter. Some 700 Georgian commandos have been shifted to the border of the Znaursky district. Interior Troops units are now moving in the direction of the border. They are being accompanied by armored vehicles, 120 mm mortars, mountain cannons, and cars with ammunition. It may well be that the Georgian side will try to storm Tskhinvali and nearby settlements already today.
Author: Inga Kochiyeva, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
