The State Minister informed the European guests about the vision of the Government of Georgia in regards to humanitarian program and priorities for providing assistance to internally displaced people. He clarified to the guests that with the initiative of the Government of Georgia a special committee was formed that will supervise implementation of the assistance program. According to Temuri Yakobashvili, a long-term strategy was defined which at the first stage implies consideration of issues on the return of IDPs and the assistance to them, rehabilitation of the destroyed infrastructure and restoration of social-economic stability.

The State Minister also informed the European guests about the position of the Government of Georgia in reference to the political party of conflict resolution. Once more he emphasized that today there is a conflict between Russia and Georgia and the territory of Georgia is occupied by Russia, which requires respective approach of the Government of Georgia. He appealed the European guests to get involved actively into the political and humanitarian assistance processes.

From their side the European guests pointed out that the main goal of their mission was to inform the heads of the member states for the extraordinary meeting of the European Union planned for September about current humanitarian situation in Georgia. In the end, Victor Andres Maldonado promised the State Minister that there would be an assistance of the European Union in regards to humanitarian assistance.

The State Minister informed the foreign guests about priorities of the Georgian side regarding the recent events, namely about the return of the displaced people, their accommodation and creation job opportunities for them.

According to the assessment of the State Minister, assistance of Europe in this regard is very important.

After the meeting Temuri  Yakobashvili stated: ‘at today’s meeting we also talked about political issues as well. We said that Russia tries to legitimize the ethnic cleansing having taken place in Georgia. Now it is clear for Europe that the events happening in Georgia also deal with Europe as well’.

According to the Minister, such massive violation of human rights, throwing the people out of their homes and the destroy of their property cannot remain the topic of several statements only.

According to the statement of Temuri Yakobashvili, he has not talked with Thomas Hammarberg about the issues of the exchange of prisoners of war.

‘In this deal the biggest role was played by Georgia, and before involvement of international bodies in this process the Patriarchate of Georgia could save the lives of many people’, stated the Minister.

Temuri Yakobashvili also made a comment on yesterday’s resolution of the Russia’s Parliament. According to his statement Moscow had started recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in April when it established direct linkage with the de-facto governments.

‘If now President Medvedev recognizes the independence of de-facto republics, this will aggravate Russia’s situation more’, - said the State Minister.

The Georgian side has confirmed several times its readiness on immediate exchanging of war prisoners according to the principle All to All. But unfortunately, the Russian side refuses to fulfill this principle.
The list of war prisoners handed by the Russian side is controversial and unclear. Some of those persons registered in the list had been already released for a long time. The most important is that according to the clarified information the number of Georgian war prisoners is much more.

Once more we confirm our readiness on immediate exchange of war prisoners according to the principle All to All.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

(Tbilisi, August 17, 2008) – Russian authorities should immediately take steps to end Ossetian militia attacks on ethnic Georgians in the Gori district of Georgia, Human Rights Watch said today. The Russian military should also ensure safe passage for civilians wishing to leave the region and for humanitarian aid agencies to enter.

"The Russian military has effective control of the Gori region, making it responsible for the security and well-being of all people living there," said Rachel Denber, Europe and Central Asia deputy director at Human Rights Watch. "Russia should prevent any further militia attacks and allow humanitarian aid to reach the hundreds of vulnerable civilians still in the area, including many elderly."  
 
Human Rights Watch researchers interviewed ethnic Georgians from the city of Gori and surrounding villages who described how armed Ossetian militias attacked their cars and kidnapped civilians as people tried to flee in response to militia attacks on their homes following the Russian advance into the area. In phone interviews, people remaining in Gori region villages told Human Rights Watch that they had witnessed looting and arson attacks by Ossetian militias in their villages, but are afraid to leave after learning about militia attacks on those who fled.  
 
Russian military forces remain in Gori and the surrounding villages since advancing from South Ossetia on August 13, 2008. They have denied access to some humanitarian missions seeking to assist civilians. The UN, which has described the humanitarian situation in Gori as "desperate," has been able to deliver only limited food supplies to the city.  
 
"Dato," a victim of an Ossetian militia attack, told Human Rights Watch that on August 12, militia fighters stopped a minivan carrying him and several other civilians near Tkviavi. The militia fighters attempted to abduct the male passengers, but Dato and four others managed to escape. No further information is available about the fate of at least eight men whom the militia abducted from the vehicle. Kidnapping and enforced disappearances are both prohibited under international law, and may amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes, depending on the circumstances in which they occur.  
 
Vasiko Tevdorashvili, a Georgian official from a Gori district village, told Human Rights Watch that some 250 civilians remain trapped in three villages. He stated that they fear attacks by Ossetian militia and need help to leave the area. Acts intended to spread terror amongst the civilian population are also prohibited and may amount to a war crime. In a phone interview with Human Rights Watch, "Anna," a school teacher trapped in the village of Mereti, described her plight: "There are about 60 people, mostly elderly, remaining in the village. We are hiding in the gardens and in the forest … Our [relatives] learned that three houses in our village were looted and burned by Ossetians, and we are scared that they will come for us as well. Many of us want to leave, but we are scared to do so … we are afraid that if we try to leave, Ossetians will kidnap us."  
 
Although Human Rights Watch was able to speak by phone to people in Gori region villages, many of those who have fled the region have no information about the fate of their relatives who have remained.  
 
On August 12 and 13, Human Rights Watch documented how Ossetian militias looted and burned houses in ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia, along the road from Java to Tskhinvali (for more background, please visit: http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/13/georgi19607.htm; for a slideshow of the burning and looting, please visit: http://www.hrw.org/photos/2008/georgia0808/).  
 
Russian forces controlling Gori also denied access to most journalists trying to enter the city.  
 
As the party to the conflict exercising effective control over Gori and the surrounding areas, Russia has an obligation under international humanitarian law to ensure the security and welfare of the civilians in the area. If it fails to take appropriate measures to protect civilians, ensure their security, and allow humanitarian access, it may be held responsible under humanitarian law for serious violations against civilians.  
 
"The Russian military should immediately establish a safe corridor to and from Gori," said Denber. "No one should be forced to leave their homes, but those who wish to leave should be able to do so safely. Humanitarian relief workers should be allowed in to assist those who chose to remain or are unable to leave."  
 

According to the statement made by the State Minister for Reintegration, the Georgian side will consider officially the document on ceasefire only if it bears the signatures of three presidents – those of Georgia, Russia and France; otherwise any other document will be regarded void.

GURGENIDZE: Hello everybody. Let me start by saying that this call has been long in the making. Let me start with one simple fact. Two years ago, we asked for international control of the Roki tunnel, which connects Russia to Georgia through South Ossetia. Well, clearly, the tragic events of the past few days have demonstrated that we were right to do so.
Secondly, last year, we presented to the OSCE evidence of the Russians still engaging in activities in the region of Dzhava, which is the North-Western part of the province of South Ossetia. This was unfortunately ignored, or not acted upon, but we now know that in this invasion that a facility there was used to supply the Russian armed forces. The Roki tunnel clearly had been a significant artery for the shipment of Russian munitions and arms to the South Ossetian separatist rebels, and as I will tell you in a couple of minutes some of these arms were particularly illegal.
As for the peacekeeping arrangements that have been enforced since 1992, and were again unfortunately used against the Georgian government forces as well as civilians in the first week of August.
Moving on to the months of June and July, Georgia, from a Russian point of view, has three vulnerable points. These are Gali, which has about 50,000 predominantly ethnic Georgian inhabitants, the Kodori Gorge in Upper Abkhazia, and then of course the Tskhinvali region in South Ossetia. The cause of the Roki tunnel connection is particularly important in this case. The very complicated geography of South Ossetia, which is basically a patchwork of Georgian and Ossetian villages, has always made the situation there particularly prone to a provocation. It’s ironic, because Georgians and Ossetians have generally gotten along well there over the past fifteen years, and there was a measure of integration. But we have three points of vulnerability, right?
So as far as Gali is concerned, we all know the Russian railway troops, rehabilitating the railway over the summer, which extends to Gali and is particularly useful for the shipment of munitions. As far as Kodori’s vulnerability, as we all know, the Russian forces deployed paratrooper forces in the region of Orchamchire, which essentially opened a directional attack on the Kodori gorge. And lastly, if we shift our attention to South Ossetia for a second, the pattern was as follows:
In July, there was an assassination attempt on Dmitri Sanakoyev, who is the democratically elected leader of the region, in elections recognized by the international community. Parallel elections also took place. Roughly half of the population took part in those elections, and they elected him democratically. Also in July, there was an initiative of Peter Semneby, the special envoy of Javier Solana, in Georgia to arrange talks between the Georgian government and South Ossetians in Brussels. The Ossetian separatists unfortunately refused to have such a meeting. Also in July, there was an initiative by Mr. Stubb to arrange a similar meeting in Finland. Again, the separatists declined to have any contribution.
Beginning in June of this year, the government really made an effort to talk to international donors about the concept of the establishment of an economic zone in the conflict area in order to promote the further integration in civilian life of Georgian and Ossetian villages, and also to help alleviate chronically difficult social conditions there on both sides.
Moving to the first week of August, the approximate timeline is as follows. On August the 1st, at around 8 a.m. local time, six Georgian police officers were hit by two remote controlled explosions on a bypass road in the conflict area of South Ossetia. As a result of the attack, five Georgian policemen were severely wounded. The central authorities decided not to retaliate.
On the second of August, six civilians and one Georgian policemen were injured after the shelling of Georgian villages in the South Ossetian conflict zone overnight. For the first time since the peacekeeping mission began, in South Ossetia, the separatist rebels used heavy artillery – 120mm tube artillery – in those attacks, for the first time ever. As for the peacekeeping arrangements, no artillery larger than 80mm in calibre is allowed or legal.
On August the third, the Russian media outlets started a massive propaganda campaign against Georgia, and the South Ossetian separatist media sources reported the mobilisation of “volunteers” across the Northern Caucasus. There was relative quiet on the 4th and 5th, no serious incidents in the context of everything else.
On the 6th of August, the separatists fired on several villages. The government forces fired back in order to defend their positions and the civilian population. As a result of the intensive crossfire during the night, two servicemen were injured. The separatists also claimed several injuries on their side. Again, on the 6th of August, the government forces decided not to respond to heavy fire, in order to avoid civilian casualties.
Now Temur Yakobashvili has been our negotiator for some time, with the separatist rebels. He said on that day that it was the position of the Georgian government that only direct talks with Tskhinvali would resolve the deteriorating security situation. Mr. Yakobashvili also says that the envoy of the Russian Federation, Yuri Popov, was with him during the talks. The South Ossetian negotiator refused to take part.
On the 7th of August, during the night and early morning, intensive firing on Ossetian villages – again, 120mm artillery used. The separatist authorities continued shelling throughout the day. The government forces responded with limited fire on their positions. The government forces at this stage are obviously the police, and the Georgian peacekeeping battalion.
The same morning, the South Ossetian de facto leader, Eduard Kokoity, declared that if the Georgian government did not withdraw its forces from the region, it would start to “clean them out.” President Saakashvili, speaking to journalists in the military hospital in Gori, where he visited the Georgian peacekeeping battalion, said that despite attacks on Georgian villages the government was showing restraint. President Saakashvili also called on Russia to withdraw its officials from South Ossetia.
Temur Yakobashvili was in the conflict zone in the morning of the 7th, to meet with the representatives of the separatists. I will let him describe the events of that afternoon.
YAKOBASHVILI: We had an agreement to have a meeting with the secessionist leaders brokered by the Russian Federation, on the Russian peacekeeping base. We went there, and we asked separatist representatives to come with us. Tskhinvali was already looking, by then, like a deserted city. Nobody was in the streets – no cars, no people. We headed to the Russian military base. We met the general of the Russian peacekeepers, and he said that the separatists were not answering the phone. I asked him if he could stop their shooting at Georgian villages, and he said that he was incapable of doing so. When I asked what we should do, he told me to declare a unilateral ceasefire, and keep it as long as we could.
And that’s exactly what we did. Right after talking to the general, I got in touch with the President, the President delivered the message, and informed the Russian side that we were indeed declaring a unilateral ceasefire. I went to Tbilisi and announced it. Later, the President addressed the nation through a televised interview. Meanwhile, the Russian envoy reached Tskhinvali.
What happened after that is that the shelling and annihilation of Georgian villages continued, unfortunately. We were showing restraint when two, then three, were destroyed, when our people were wounded. The tipping point truly came when three different sources confirmed that extra troops were moving in the Roki tunnel, from the Russian Federation, with armed vehicles, tanks and a substantial number of troops, all entering the region of Dzhava. We later discovered they were coming to Tskhinvali. So while we were showing restraint, while our people were dying, while our villages were burning, we discovered that more troops were entering the conflict zone. I’ll hand over to the Prime Minister for more information.
GURGENIDZE: Let me try to get back to the timeline here. So after the unsuccessful trip, in the evening, President Saakashvili unilaterally pledged a ceasefire in a televised address at about 7.10 p.m. At around 8.30 p.m., the Georgian village of Avnevi in South Ossetia again came under heavy fire from South Ossetian militias. The village was pretty much totally destroyed as a result. The separatists fired at a Georgian village at around 10.30 p.m. Again, all the while, the government forces were unilaterally observing the ceasefire.
Then the separatist forces opened fire at all Georgian positions around Tskhinvali, at around 11.30 p.m., including the villages of Tamarasheni and Kurta. This was a massive attack, involving howitzers, 120mm heavy artillery units, long range, were used – unprecedented. We have evidence of that as well. Anything larger than the 80mm calibre has always been disallowed.
Finally, there were confirmed reports that a massive column, up to 150 units, had come through the Roki tunnel and was crossing the Georgian-Russian border from the Russian side. However reluctantly, the commander-in-chief then made a decision to defend Georgian villages.
What’s interesting is that essentially, it appears that a choice was made that South Ossetia was the easiest region in which to flare up violence. I’ll be happy to take questions now.
Anne Penketh, The Independent: This is a question for the Prime Minister. You say that the commander took the decision to retaliate on the 7th. The next day, then. Did he go on television on August the 8th before the attacks took place in Tskhinvali?
GURGENIDZE: On the evening of the 7th, for the first time since the 1990s, two Georgian peacekeepers were killed, six more were injured. Later, the intelligence emerged that this large column of vehicles had entered the Roki tunnel, crossing the border. It was at that point that, with the military commanders, he made the decision to retaliate.
Quentin Peel, Financial Times: I wanted to ask about that Georgian retaliation on the night of the 7th, because reports on the Ossetian side suggest that the whole exercise lasted for twelve to fourteen hours. Is that correct?
GURGENIDZE: No, that’s not correct, actually. The Georgian television channels started reporting the events live, so those tapes obviously exist. First, two or three points outside of Tskhinvali were suppressed. As far as the fire points in Tskhinvali are concerned, military reports suggest around four two five hours. And that’s when the Georgian forces entered the town of Tskhinvali, after suppressing the fire points. They were located near the base of the Russian peacekeeping battalion, also around the buildings of the so-called “Ministries of Defence and the Interior.” The military entered Tskhinvali about five hours after that. It is at that point that they were bombarded by the Russians, in Tskhinvali itself.
Around 3000 Georgian infantry at that point entered the city, then had to leave it after only four hours because of the very heavy Russian bombardment. This is in the early morning hours of the 8th. Between dawn and around eleven o’clock. They had to leave to avoid heavy casualties. It’s very interesting how so much Russian firepower arrived so quickly. Then the Georgian infantry entered Tskhinvali for the second time at 3 p.m. This was on the 8th of August, but only managed to stay there until 10 p.m. because of airstrikes and heavy artillery fire from the Russian side. At around 10 p.m. on the 8th, having sustained severe casualties, they had to retreat again. So two entries occurred on the 8th, each causing heavy Russian attacks.
At around 6 a.m. the Georgian forces blew up the Kurta bridge. A column of the Russian troops that had entered the previous night from the Roki tunnel was there, so a couple of their vehicles were blown up as well. They were about 200km from the nearest base in Russia. This is a heavy armoured column, moving slowly, on very rugged terrain. Think about how many hours of preparation, assembly, then marching, it would take for that column, moving at that speed on rugged terrain to be at the Kurta bridge at six in the morning. If that isn’t a premeditated invasion, I don’t know what is.
Nicola Smith, Sunday Times: I was wondering if you could tell us a bit more about the contact you had with Washington on the evening of the 7th and 8th of August, who you spoke to and what message they were sending you.
YAKOBASHVILI: **GARBLED** They were saying all the time that “you Georgians are too focused on Russia all the time.” We showed them Georgian villages that had been shelled. We showed what kind of artillery was used, and everyone had a chance to see what was going on in the villages. Police stations were not bombed nearly as much as civilian houses, churches and so on. Of course the Georgian President was with the world leaders and international organisations – NATO, the EU and others – and informing them about developments in the region.
Clifford Levy, New York Times: Can you tell us what the state of play is today? We’ve also heard reports that Russian armour is in Zugdidi, and what that means.
GURGENIDZE: Well, we’re wondering the same thing. It’s a rather large column of Russian armour, over 100 pieces. We have no idea what they’re doing there, why they’re moving, where they’re going, with what purpose, why such heavy force – we just don’t know. One explanation could be that they’re trying to rattle the civilian population because despite the massive and widespread human suffering since the conflict begain, despite the looting, pillaging and marauding of the civilian population, Georgians are hanging on.

**THE REST OF THE CONVERSATION IS GARBLED, AND THE RECORDING WAS STOPPED**

On 15th of August, at approximately 15:30 local time Russian military helicopters started bombing the bordering territories of the city of Borjomi and settlement of Tsemi using incendiary munitions, weapon prohibited by the international convention. The broad areas of timber land have been set on fire and fifteen sets of fire have broken out in southern parts of Georgia.

With this move the Russian Federation violated international obligations it has undertaken, particularly the Protocol III (on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons) of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (Geneva, 10 October 1980). The Paragraph 4 of the Article 2 of the Protocol prohibits making forests or other kinds of plant cover the object of attack by incendiary weapons.

Above mentioned fact once again clearly demonstrates how does Russian Federation disregard international obligations it has been committed to and despite all international norms, along with the occupation of Georgia cynically carries out intentional destruction of the natural resources of the country while extremely endangering civilian population.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls upon the International Community to resolutely condemn Russian actions on Georgian soil and urge it to comply with the Agreement on Cease-Fire.

Government of Georgia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 15 • 17:20 Tbilisi, Georgia

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
The authorities of Georgia possess comprehensive evidence, proving that different types of heavy conventional weapons, including cluster munitions, Rocket Complex 9M72 Iskander (SS-26 Stone) etc., have been indiscriminately used against civilian population and infrastructure of Georgia. The utilization of such weapons against peaceful population and civilian objects vividly reveals the inhuman brutality of Russian troops acting on the territory of Georgia.
The number of civilian targets bombed or otherwise attacked by the Russian armed forces clearly indicates that it was not just a collateral damage: apartment buildings, Gori market and municipality, Poti seaport, the railway station and airport in Senaki, BTC pipeline, Kopitnari airport near Kutaisi, airfield in Upper Abkhazia, bridges linking eastern and western Georgia, civilian radar station near Tbilisi, etc.
It must be especially stressed, that the use of cluster munitions against civilian population is especially cynical next to the background of the efforts applied by the international community to restrict and even ban such types of weaponry.
Even after reaching agreement on August 12 on principles of resolution of Georgian-Russian conflict, mediated by the President of France, Russian Federation still continued bombing of civilian targets far beyond the conflict regions, causing mass destruction of infrastructure and severe physical and moral damage to the civilian population. Considering the aforementioned facts, we get a clear picture that the Russian troops continued their atrocities against civilian population of Georgia long after factual cease of hostilities against the Georgian armed forces, thus severely violating core principles of international humanitarian law.
Our information is confirmed by the data released by Human Rights Watch according to which, Russian military planes dropped RBK-250 cluster bombs, each containing 30 PTAB 2.5M sub-munitions, on the town of Ruisi in the Kareli district of Georgia on August 12, 2008. Three civilians were killed and five wounded in the attack. On the same day, a cluster strike in the center of the town of Gori killed at least eight civilians and injured dozens. Reportedly, the Dutch journalist Stan Storimans fell a victim to a cluster attack as well.
It is imperative that in the nearest future the international community must thoroughly consider, investigate and assess all violations of the international law by the Russian side.
Such actions must be unacceptable to all the democratic countries of the world, and should draw us together in strong and universal condemnation of the Russian aggression.
Tbilisi, 15 August 2008

Provided data is operational and may be subject to verification.

15 August

21:50 Russian troops continued movement from Khashuri and are in Surami close to Khashuri on central highway.

21:00 Russian troops entered Khashuri about 100kms west from Tbilisi and opened checkpoint. About 10 Tanks are in the city. Eyewitnesses report that they behave very cynically and terrorize civilians pointing guns to them or Tank guns to their cars and houses.

20:00 Russian troops began preparing tranches for armored vehicles and soldiers near the entrance of Senaki.

18:30 9 armored vehicles of Russian Army accompanied by 3 Mi-24 helicopters moved towards Tbilisi. They stopped and opened check point near village Igoeti 20 kms from Tbilisi, Kaspi district.

17:00 Russian troops began withdrawal from Poti. They took with them 8 “Black Shark” boats, 7 A type boats, 2 Coastal Guard vessels. They also took equipment from the buildings of the Coastal Guard in Poti.

16:10 Russian soldiers kidnapped 4 member of Namgalauri family from village Ghogheti of Kareli district. Kidnapers moved towards Znauri.

15:30 Russian helicopters are overflying Bordjomi-Tsemi forests and dropping fire setting engines. There are already from 12 to 15 fire locations. Russian military confirmed of flying helicopters over this territory without further comments.

13:00 One Turkish and two Reuter’s journalists (one of them were Georgian citizen) were detained by Russian soldiers in Poti.

10:30 Near village Sagolasheni, Gori district, vehicle of freelance journalist Margarita Akhvlediani was stopped by South Ossetian separatists. Vehicle was shot. Journalist was robbed of her car, camera and other belongings.

09:30 21 Military Tracks full of Russian military began movement from Senaki towards Poti port.

09:20 71st regiment of 42nd division of 58th Army of Russia moved from Tskhinvalu to Ergneti heading towards Gori.

09:00 Human Rights Watch researchers have uncovered evidence that Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs (banned by 107 nations) in populated areas in Georgia during the air attacks from 6th of August, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring dozens, Human Rights Watch said today.

08:00 Russian troops consisting of 14 armored vehicle and 4 tracks left Senaki and moved in the direction of the second largest town of Georgia Kutaisi. Currently they are at Abashis Tskali river, 40 kms west from Kutaisi and 10 kms west from Samtredia - the main railway and highway crossroad in western Georgia.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I've just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia, and President Sarkozy of France this morning. The United States strongly supports France's efforts, as President of the European Union, to broker an agreement that will end this conflict.

 The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.

Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment. Russia has also stated that it has halted military operations and agreed to a provisional cease-fire. Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements. We're concerned about reports that Russian units have taken up positions on the east side of the city of Gori, which allows them to block the East-West Highway, divide the country, and threaten the capital of Tbilisi.

We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels. We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.

With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government. On this trip she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.

I've also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia, headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing. A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.

We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit. We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia. And we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country.

As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing action raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.

The source obtained from:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080813.html

14 August

19:35 German television ZDF journalist reported that they were eyewitnesses how Danish journalists were robbed of their car and cameras by South Ossetian separatists.

19:10 Russian army deployed additional troops to Zugdidi and began strengthening checkpoints and positions around and in the town.

18:30 Acts of atrocities and looting were reported from village Dzevera, Kareli district. Lootings by soldiers were reported from the ground. Reports on the looting of cultural and religious monuments and centers were reported (work is ongoing to confirm these initial reports).

18:15 Russian troops entered village Agara in Kareli district. Lootings are reported from the ground.

18:10 Russian General Viacheslav Borisov refused to assume responsibility for lives of the journalists in Gori.

17:30 120 Estonian reservists arrive in Tbilisi to take part in Humanitarian aid.

17:00 Georgian journalist of GPB TV Company Tamar Urushadze was shot presumably by sniper in live broadcast near Gori. Journalist was slightly wounded in the hand.

16:30 The villages Brotsleti, Mejvriskhevi, Gorijvari of Gori district, and Breti of Kareli district are being ravaged by South Ossetian separatists.

16:00 Four Israeli journalists, including Haaretz correspondent Anshel Pfeffer and photographer Nir Kafri, were robbed at gunpoint by Russian soldiers in the Georgian city of Gori.

15:40 Russian soldiers robbed Georgian policemen of their car nearby village Tokhlaura, Kareli district.

15:30 Russian troops are marauding in the village Debisi of Gori district.

14:40 Local residents report, Russian troops have entered village Mejvriskhevi, Gori district.

14:15 Russian troops enter the villages of Ruisi and Tsveri, Kareli district.

14:00 Russian troops are entering Gori again. Georgian police have no control over the city.

12:00 Russian troops entered Poti port again. They occupied building of Coastal Guard. They are destroying vessels of Costal Guard of Georgia.

12:00 Additional Russian troops entered Zugdidi. Russians remain present in Senaki as well. Russian troops still block the entrances to Gori and there is no sign of leaving their positions as agreed before.

11:00 Russian troops are moving in the city of Senaki West of the capital Tbilisi 230 kms, destroying Georgian military installations.

August 13

14:45 Journalists reported that they witnessed Russian militaries stopping a bus going from Gori to Chiatura. The passangers were robbed and a 25 years old woman was kidnapped. (source: 893232375)

13:05 Russian military forces intruded in Tzalenjikha district village Fakhulidan.

13:00 Village Atoci of Kareli district is occupied by Russians and Kazaks. They are raping women and killing men. They are also shooting civilians towards Gori district.

12:42 Ts. Lomjaria from the President’s office reported that civilians are escaping from Gori to village Ateni who are followed by Russian troops. Civilians are asking for help.

12:40 A Georgian citizen Koba Kebadze called 022, reporting that 25 Georgian civilians were taken as hostages from village Tkviavi. Four of them could escape from them as the bus crashed on their way to destination. (source: koba qebaZe 898 40 16 89).

12:30 Iinga gelasvils (899 988355) was contacted from the number: 79280748570. She was informed that her husband and father in law along with other Georgians are taken as hostages in Tskhinvali and are demanding to exchange them.

11:20 The military bases and residential apartments near it are set on fire in Gori.

11:50 Georgian civilians from Gori are constantly calling reporting that they are being attacked and assaulted and are asking for immediate help.

10:23 About 50 heavy artillery units have intruded into Gori. The local policy has been evacuated and the Georgian civilians are being assaulted. They are asking for help.

09:12 Four civilian cars with murdered passengers are reported to have been seen in the village of Tedotsminda, Gori district.

08:40 In village Udotzminda, on the Variani road, four destroyed cars were found, in which people are slaughtered. (source: 890333437)

08:40 Village Ruisi back surrounding area was bombed. (source: 893273334)

08:00 The village of Karaleti, Gori district has been attacked by Ossetian separatists again. The cases of physical assaults and abuses of the local residents are being reported.

06:50 Village Sakasheti of Gori district was shelled.

01.05 According to the information from the local civilian sources, Ossetian separatists are taking hostage Georgian residents of villages Nikozi, Dzveri, Tkviavi, Karaleti (north of Gori).
Population of village Berbuki, Gori District is gathered on the road, asking to be evacuated.

00:56 In Gori district villages: Niqozi, Dzevera, Tkhviavi and Karaleti Ossetians take Georgian hostages, according to source: leila pataSvili 899 964504

August 12

21:50 Along with Russian peacekeepers about one hundred Abkhazs have intruded in Ganmukhuri, where they continuously rob civilians.

21:45 City hall operator # 16 Inga Tziklauri called and reported that she received a phone call from a refugee Lomauri from the conflict region, who is staying at the relative’s house (63 59 82). Lomauri reported her that Gori district villages: Kordo, Arbo, Mereti, and Ditsi are being threatened by Ossetian armed forces. According to Inga Tziklauri (22:20), civilians from the above stated villages call her and desperately ask for help.

21:35 Alarming reports come from the villages of Argo and Ditsi north of Gori. According to the information from the local sources, Ossetian separatists are brutally massacring Georgian population of these villages.

According to the local sources, Georgian population of villages Kordi and Mereti, Gori district, is being brutally assaulted and abused by Ossetian separatists.

In Tchilisubani, Gori district, the local residents are hiding in the basements of their houses, asking to be evacuated.

21:35 Ossetian forming bands attack and assault Georgian civilians in village Tkviavi of Gori district. One murder has already been reported.

Ossetian forming bands attack, physically assault, and kill Georgian civilians in villages Ditsi and Argo of Gori district.

21:30 Military Police Department Assistant to the person on duty Sergeant Chkhikvishvili received a phone call from citizen Neli Balamtzarashvili (address: # 3 Mirtskhulava street, Tbilisi. Tel: 34 38 95). She notified the department that armed Ossetians threaten and terror civilians in village Ditsi.

21:20 Ossetians massacre all local Georgian inhabitants in village Arbo of Gori district. (source: 858343591)

21:04 Ethnically Georgian Gela Chixladze was murdered in village Tyviavi of Gori district.

21:00 A citizen of Georgia, Natia Pavliashvili (899 50 86 49) called the military headquarters. According to her, Vazha Gugutishvili’s family who are trapped in village Disevi reported her that Russian – Ossetian troops intruded in Disevi and started setting houses on fire one by one.

18:30 Ossetians intruded into village Disevi of Gori district, where they attack civilians and set houses on fire.

16:36 Ossetians attacked civilians and set houses on fire in village Karaleti of Gori district. Houses are burning down.

16:07 Russians rob the houses of Senaki military base officers. They mainly take away electronic devices.

15:28 A shell was dropped near village Agara. It exploded a minibus. Civilians were wounded and killed.

14:50 Village Sakoritno in Kaspi district and village Ruisi in Kareli district are bombed by Russian aviation forces.

14:20 A bomb was dropped on the house of Mamikashvili, inhabitant of village Tortiza, Gori district.

14:00 An ambulance vehicle was bombarded Russian military jets village Agara of Khashuri district.

13:25 Three Russian airplanes dropped bombs on the village of Orchosani near Gori.

11:03 Three Russian airplanes were identified in the airspace of Gori. They shelled the city hall and the central market of Gori. As a result houses were set on fire.

11:00 Village Tkviavi of Gori district was bombed. Buildings and houses were destroyed.

August 11

18:25 Ossetian separatists took Georgian hostages form village Beloti (near Eredvi) of Gori district. Hostages are shut up in a monastery yard.

18:10 Russian army intruded into village Shindisi, Gori district. Georgian civilians and militaries are escaping from the village.

17:50 Russian military airplane SU-24 bombed village Tkviavi of Gori district. Three houses were burned down and civilians were killed.

17:35 Russian military airplane SU-24 bombed village Kere of Gori district. One civilian is killed and one is heavily wounded.

10:00 Village of Eredvi came under the fire of Russian artillery.

05:00 Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro District on the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets. Runways were destroyed.

03:05 Villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. Graveyard and villagers’ backyard have been hit. No casualties reported.

August 8 – 11

Chkhalta, administrative center of Upper Abkhazia was bombarded numerous time as result of this nearly all buildings in Ckhalta is destroyed.

August 8-11, 2008 Gori was bombarded numerous time as result 8 apartment blocks were destroyed living about 500 families without house. 15 civilians died, tens more are wounded. About 8 000 IDPs left Gori. About 4000 houses are totally destroyed in the villages of Gori district. Besides, this the hospital of Gori was destroyed.

Provided data is operational and may be subject to verification.

13 August

10:20 According to the local sources, Russian troops have entered Gori.

09:20 Russian armored troops (50 units) head towards Gori from Tskhinvali.

09:12 Four civilian cars with murdered passengers are reported to have been seen in the village of Tedotsminda, Gori district.

08:00 The village of Karaleti, Gori district has been attacked by Ossetian separatists again. Cases of physical assaults and abuses of the local residents are being reported.

01.05 According to the information from the local civilian sources, Ossetian separatists are taking hostage Georgian residents of villages Nikozi, Dzveri, Tkviavi, Karaleti (north of Gori).
Population of village Berbuki, Gori District is gathered on the road, asking to be evacuated.

12 August

22:52 Three foreign journalists have been robbed of their car in the village of Karaleti, Gori District.

21:50 Senaki military base is being rampaged by Russian troops. Equipment and arms are being either taken or destroyed by Russians.

21:35 Alarming reports come from the villages of Argo and Ditsi north of Gori. According to the information from the local sources, Ossetian separatists are brutally massacring Georgian population of these villages.
According to the local sources, Georgian population of villages Kordi and Mereti, Gori district, is being brutally assaulted and abused by Ossetian separatists.
In Tkviavi, Gori district, Ossetian separatists are assaulting local Georgian residents. At least one murder is reported.
In Tchilisubani, Gori district, the local residents are hiding in the basements of their houses, asking to be evacuated.

19:10 Russian troops moved towards Khaishi, Svanetia north of the Zugdidi and occupied it. They entered Upper Abkhazia from the east.

18:30 South Ossetian separatists entered village Disevi in Gori district and committed acts of ethnic cleansing, burning houses and attacking population. Russian militaries are witnessing all these and are not reacting.

18:30 South Ossetian separatists entered village Karaleti in Gori district and committed acts of ethnic cleansing, burning houses and attacking population.

18:00 Village Tkotsa Khashuri district 4 bombes were droped. None of them exploded.

18:00 Russian militaries began exploding Georgian ships harbored in Poti port.

18:00The share holders of Kulevi Terminal have been notifed by Russian militaries about planed bombing of the oil terminal.

17:30 Abkhazian troops mobilized heavy armored vehicles in demilitarized zone in village Ganmukhuri which they took day before and organized customs.

16:30 Russian troops entered the territory of Gori TV transmition station. One employee has been killed three injured. Russians destroyed equipment of the station. As a result the only Russian speaking TV station Alanya TV is out of air. The region can not receive Georgian Public Broadcasting channel as well.

16:30 At the grand rally held in Tbilisi, the President Saakashvili announced about the decision of the government of Georgia to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

14:50 Village Sakoritno in Kaspi region and village Ruisi in Kareli region are bombed by Russian aviation

14:00 In village Agara (Khashuri region) Russian military jets bombarded an ambulance vehicle.

13:25 Three Russian airplanes dropped bombs on the village of Orchosani near Gori.

12:30 Vasiani base nearby Tbilisi has been bombed by Russian planes.

12:25 Oil pipeline 5 km from the city of Rustavi has been bombed.

10:15 Russian planes bombed Gori. The territory around administration building and city market have been bombed.

In the morning ours of 12 August Russian airplanes bombed the village of Tkviavi near Tskhinvali once again.

03:25 Russian envoy to the UN Churkin announced in a press conference that Russia will not support the resolution. Georgian envoy Alasania announced that the suggested resolution is acceptable to Georgia.

02:15 Emergency meeting of the Security Council of the UN started. The resolution about cease-fire prepared by France was discussed.

02:05 Russian aviation bombarded Kaspi 30 Kms from Tbilisi out of conflict zone. 3 bombs were dropped near the Heidelberg Cement factory (one of two cement factories in the country). No damage was reported.

01:15 President of the United States George W. Bush made supportive statement to Georgia. "Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century," the president said in a televised statement from the White House, calling on Moscow to sign on to the outlines of a cease-fire as the Georgian government has done

11 August

20:30 Russian Army took Gori and cut main highway connecting Western and Eastern parts of the country.

20:10 The invading army of the Russian Federation has advanced outside the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian army units moved towards the city of Gori. The Georgian army is retreating to defend the capital. The Government is urgently seeking international intervention to prevent the fall of Georgia and the further loss of life.

19:30 Russian troopes advanced deep into Georgian territory from west and entered Senaki 210 Kms from Tbilisi, out of the conflict zone.

19:20 US deputy assistant secretary made supportive announcement to Georgia. He mentioned that, time would come when International Peace keeping force will enter Georgia and restore Georgia’s territorial Integrity.

19:00 The camp for IDPs was opened in Tbilisi.

18:20 Ossetian separatist forces entered village Beloti near Eredvi. They took hostage remaining civilian population and locked them in local church.

18:10 Russian Troops attacked and took village Shindisi of Gori district.

17:30 Russian Aviation bombed village Kere of Gori District.

Russian peace keepers with heavy equipment entered Zugdidi to disarm local police. By 17:00 they began to occupy administrative buildings. http://www.gpb.ge/moambe_news.php?lang=geo&tm_id=0&news_id=16206

14:30 Senaki base is bombed by Russian aviation.

13:30 President Saakashvili signs a ceasefire agreement, prepared by the foreign ministers of France, Finland, and Georgia. The foreign ministers of France and Finland are taking the agreement to Moscow in order to persuade President Medvedev to sign it.
http://www.gpb.ge/moambe_news.php?lang=eng&tm_id=0&news_id=16190

12:05 Russian aviation is bombing Georgian servicemen in Upper Abkhazia.

10:00 Village of Eredvi came under the fire of Russian artillery.

07:15 Senaki airport is bombed by Russian airplanes.

06:10 Gori tank battalion is bombed. A civilian apartment building nearby has been hit.

05:00 Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro District on the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets.

04:37 Civilian radar station on Makhata mount in 5 kilometers from downtown Tbilisi is bombed by Russian planes.

03:05 Villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. Graveyard and villagers’ backyard have been hit. No casualties

00:30 Civilian radar station in the village of Shavshvebi west of Tbilisi is bombed by Russian planes.

00:00 Five wounded policemen transported to Zugdidi hospital from Upper Abkhazia.

10 August

20:00 Positional fighting near village of Qvabchara in Upper Abkhazia.

19:10 "Tbilaviamsheni" aviation factory was bombarded by Russian aviation again.

19:05 Russian aviation dropped bomb on Tbilisi International Airport.

18:00 The Black Sea town of Anaklia 280 km from Tbilisi, is bombed by Russian airplanes. No casualties reported

17:30 Georgian Ministry of Foreign affairs handed diplomatic note to the Charg d’affaires of Russian embassy Mr Smag. According to the order of the president Georgia, Georgian Government forces stopped fire in the conflict zone.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Karasin announced the terms of ceasefire. Georgia have to withdraw on the positions existing before the beginning of the conflict and take responsibility of non use of force.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation announced that journalists wanting to enter Russian-Georgian conflict zone have to have special accreditation from Ministry of Defense and second accreditation from Ministry of Foreign affairs of Russia.

16:10 Russian aviation bombarded only remaining bridge on the Highway linking eastern and western parts of the country. There was a fire on the bridge. Fire is extinguished. The traffic is restored.

16:05 Gori is being bombed by Russian aviation.

15:10 Russian troops and Abkhaz separatists launch ground attack on Upper Abkhazia. The region is being bombed by Russian aviation.

15:00 Russian airplanes bomb the village of Knolevi in the northern Kareli district.

12:00 20 to 25 thousand IDPs from the regions of Tskhinvali and Gori, as a result of Russian attacks. The number of IDPs is growing quickly.

09:00 Government of Georgia reported 45 soldiers and 47 civilians died.

08:45 Ten Russian jets attack Upper Abkhazia. One jet has been downed by Georgian Government troops.

07:40 Russian jets bomb village of Urta in Zugdidi district.

07:00 Georgian Government Forces withdraw from Tskhinvali. Russian General Khrulyov, commander of the invading 58th army was wounded after shelling Russian military convoy by Georgian artillery.

05:45 Russian jet entered Georgian airspace from Dagestan and dropped 3 Bombs on Tbilisi airplane factory.

6,000 Russian troops enter Georgia through Roki tunnel overnight; 90 tanks; 150 Armored Personnel Carriers; 250 artillery gunships.

4,000 Russian troops land at port of Ochamchire in Abkhazia, from Black Sea port of Sevastopol.

9 August

22:30 Russian air forces bombarded Chkhalta, administrative center of Upper Abkhazia. No Casualties reported.

19:45 Tskhinvali is under ultimate control of Georgian Government troops. Russian Navy prevented Moldovan Cargo Ship Lotus - 1 carrying wheat from entering Poti Port. Lotus - 1 was forced to go back.

16:35 The town of Oni in northern Georgia is bombarded by Russian aviation.

16:15 Two Russian battleships are heading towards Poti port. By this time they are near Gudauta.

16:05 Four Russian jets flew over Upper Abkazia.

15:45 Abkhaz separatist leader Sergey Bagapsh announced the launch of bombardment of Upper Abkhazia.

14:30 The Parliament approved ordinance of the Declaration on the State of War and full mobilization.

14:00 Russian air force attack Upper Abkhazia (Kodori gorge) in several places, including the airdrome in the village of Omarishara.

12:40 Kopitnari airdrome is bombed again.

10:22 Russian air force continues to bomb Gori, located 60 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone.

10:20 One more Russian military airplane is shot down in Gori, located 60 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone. The pilot has been captured.

10:00 Russian air force bomb Kopitnari airdrome in several kilometers from Kutaisi. The entire 58th Russian Army, located in the North Caucasus, enters the South Ossetia region. They are engaged in battle with the Georgian army in Tskhinvali, which is in the conflict zone and 92 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi.

01:20 Gatchiani in the Gardabani districts was bombarded, which is 20 kilometers southeast of Tbilisi and outside the conflict zone and is also close to the BTC pipeline, but the pipeline is not damaged.

01:00 Poti was bombarded a second time, which is located on the Black Sea coast, 260 kilometers west from Tbilisi, is outside the conflict zone and is a pure civilian target.

00:34 Person calling himself "Armen" calls the 022 Patrol Police number and says a bomb is planted in President’s Residence. He also says the new President Administration and Ministry of Internal Affair buildings will soon be bombarded.

00:20 Vaziani airfield is bombed again, which is 2-3 kilometers from Tbilisi International Airport and is located outside the conflict zone.

00:17 Lightening bombs are dropped on Senaki military base, which is 213 kilometers west of Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone. 1 serviceman and 5 reservists were reported killed. The railway station in Senaki is also bombed and eight are killed.

00:12 Poti port, which is located on the Black Sea coast, 260 kilometers west from Tbilisi, is outside the conflict zone and is a pure civilian target, is bombed heavily.

8 August

22:40 According to Ministry of Defense, Russian planes violated Georgian airspace a total of 22 times.

22:15 The type and place of Russian planes taken down during the day not located yet.

21:45 Policemen and reservists who were surrounded in the Znauri school bulding, five kilometers west of Tskinvali, are rescued by government forces.

21:11 The separatist authorities claim to have altogether 1400 people dead and wounded. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense announces that there are 10 dead among Russian "peacekeepers".

20:30 After severe clashes in Tskinvali, Georgian forces start to withdraw from the center of the town, holding their positions at its southern outskirts. Russian tanks enter the eastern part of Tskinvali.

19:20 2 Russian planes pass over Ambrolauri, which is 170 kilometers northwest of Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone.

19:18 5 Russian airplanes were shot down during the day. Last one is shot down at approximately 19:00 near Tskhinvali.

18:45 Georgian Gori artillery brigade is bombarded by 5 Russian airplanes.

18:44 A motorcade of Russian tanks, armored vehicles and trucks loaded with different kinds of weapons reach Tskinvali by the Dzara by-pass road, 2 kilometers west of Tskinvali. The Russians opens intensive fire towards Georgian forces located in Tskinvali and on the neighboring heights. A second motorcade, which also came from Russia via the Roki tunnel, is stopped near the Georgian government controlled area of Dmenisi, 7 kilometers north of Tskinvali, and Russians open heavy fire toward Georgian forces.

18:32 Frone gorge, northeat of Tskinvali, is under intensive artillery fire by Russian forces. Villages Avnevi and Phrisi, in the Tskinvali region, are bombarded by Russian military aircraft.

17:35 Marneuli military airbase, 20 kilometers south of Tbilisi and outside the conflict zone, is bombed for the third time resulting in 1 death and 4 injured. As a result of three bombings, three grounded AN-2 type planes and military vehicles stationed there are destroyed.

17:00 Marneuli military airbase is bombed for the second time causing casualties.

16.30 Russian aviation bombs Marneuli and Bolnisi military airbases, 20 kilometers and 35 kilometers south of Tbilisi respectively. Two aircrafts were destroyed on ground. Also several buildings were destroyed and there are casualties.

16:03 Two Russian planes enter Georgian airspace from the North. One more flies over Djava. Two more fly across the border near Chechnya.

16:00 about 40 officers of Criminal Police and Reservists are trapped in Znauri school.

15:30 Ossetian separatists destroyed 3 Georgian tanks at Dzari by-pass road.

15:05 Russian military plane enters Georgia from the direction of Tedzami, just south of Gori, and drop two bombs on the Vaziani military airport and turned back.

14.30 Almost 100% of Tskhinvali is controlled by Georgian forces. Just several small groupings are still resisting.

14.15 Georgian government announces a ceasefire from 15.00 till 18.00 to let civilian population leave Tskhinvali. Separatists are also offered amnesty and humanitarian aid if they surrender.

13:00 Part of Thskinvali is controlled by Georgian army and fighting continues in the center. The civilian population does not resist. They are ordered to stay inside their houses.

12.05 One Su-24 enters Georgian air space from Russia and remained over Tskhinvali till 12.15.

12.00 Eight Georgians (6 military and 2 civilians) have died and 87 are injured. 1 military truck with ammunition was destroyed.

11:45 Emergency Service of Civil Aviation report receiving a signal from a crashed flying object (presumably Russian fighter plane) near Iuri range, 17 km south from Gori.

11.45: Four Su-24 Russian jet enter Georgia from the direction of Stepantsminda (Kazbeg), northeast of the Roki tunnel and outside of the conflict zone. Two of them pass Tbilisi and make two circles around Marneuli. The other two make a circle above Gudauri.

10:57: Two of the six Russian aircraft drop three bombs in Gori. One of these fell near the stadium, the second near Gorijvari slope and third near an artillery brigade.

10.50: Six Su-24 fighter planes enter from the Roki pass.

10.30 Russian Su-24 bombs the village of Variani in the Kareli district, 75 kilometers west of Tbilisi and outside the conflict zone. Seven civilians were injured as a result.

9.45: A Russian military fighter plane drops about 3-5 bombs near the village of Shavshvebi, on the highway between Poti and Tbilisi and is 300-500 meters from Georgian military radar.

9:00 Georgian Forces control the villages of Gromi, Artsevi, Tsinagara, Znauri, Sarabuki, Khetagurovo, Atotsi, Kvemo Okuna, Dmenisi, Muguti and Didmukha.

8:00: First group of Russian troops together with Gufta Bridge are destroyed by a Georgian aerial bombardment. Later two more groups of Russian troops enter South Ossetia through the Roki tunnel, which connects Russia and Georgia, but could not cross the Gufta Bridge which was destroyed and moved by the Geri-Dmenisi road.

5:30: First Russian troops enter through Roki tunnel South Ossetia, passed Java, crossed Gufta bridge and moved by Dzara road towards Tskhinvali.

4:28: Georgian armed forces are in control of six villages in the Tskhinvali region: Muguti, Dmenisi, Didmukha, Okona, Akut and Kohati. It is also reported that Georgian forces entered the village of Khetagurovo.

2:45: Reports are received of Georgian troops occupying the villages of Didmukha, Muguti and Dmenisi.

7 August

During the night and early morning intensive fire came from the Ossetian villages of Khetagurovo, Dmenisi, Sarabuki, and Ubiat. Separatist authorities continued shelling Georgian law enforcers and Peacekeeping units with mortars and artillery. The central authorities responded with limited fire in order to defend the positions.

In the morning interview with Russian news agencies, South Ossetian de facto president Eduard Kokoity declared that if the Georgian government did not withdraw its military forces from the region, he would start "to clean them out."

President Saakashvili speaking with journalists in the military hospital in Gori, where he visited the two injured Georgian servicemen, said that despite attacks on the Georgian villages, Tbilisi was showing "maximum restraint." Saakashvili also called on Russia to "to recall its officials" from South Ossetia, who consider themselves as the so-called South Ossetian government.

Temur Yakobashvili, visited the conflict zone in the morning of August 7 to meet with representatives of the separatist government. The State Minister met with Marat Kulakhmetov, commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, in Tskhinvali. But, the separatists refused to negotiate with him.

The chairman of the separatist republic’s Security Council, Anatoly Barankevich threatened that armed groupings of Cossacks from North Ossetia were headed towards South Ossetia to fight against Georgian forces.

The separatists resumed shelling of Georgian villages Nuli and Avnevi by 16:00. Three Georgian servicemen were injured after the South Ossetian separatist forces blew up an infantry combat vehicle belonging to the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in Avnevi. Georgian police responded by firing towards the separatist armed grouping in village Khetagurovo, where two separatist militiamen were killed and two more wounded. Later, the check-point of Georgian peacekeepers was bombed in Avnevi and several Georgian servicemen and civilians were killed.

Georgia has decided to "unilaterally cease fire" in a sign of Tbilisi’s willingness to defuse tensions, Temur Yakobashvili, the Georgian state minister for reintegration, announced at a press conference in Tbilisi at 6:40pm. Yakobashvili said that he was not able to get in touch with the separatist authorities.

President Saakashvili said in a live televised address made at 7:10pm, that he had ordered the Georgian forces to cease fire in South Ossetia. He said there were casualties, both dead and many people wounded. Saakashvili said that he ordered to cease fire "on purpose" to again offer the South Ossetian secessionists to resume talks.

Despite Georgia’s decision not to return fire, the Georgian village of Avnevi again came under fire of the South Ossetian militiamen at about 8:30pm. It can be said that the village was totally destroyed as a result.

The South Ossetian separatist armed groupings fired at the Georgian-controlled village of Prisi at about 10:30 pm. The attack left several people wounded on the Georgian side.

The separatist authorities opened fire at all Georgian positions around the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali at about 23:30, including the villages of Tamarasheni and Kurta. The police stations in Kurta was destroyed as a result of heavy shelling.

According to witnesses from local population, at about 9.45 a military fighter plane, presumably Russian (it entered Georgia from South Ossetian side) dropped off about 3-5 bombs near village Shavshvebi, 300-500 meters from Georgian military radar.

6 August

Late on 6 August, separatists opened mortar fire at Georgian populated villages of Eredvi, Prisi, Avnevi, Dvani and Nuli. Georgian government forces fired back in order to defend the positions and civilian population. As a result of intensive cross-fire during the night, two servicemen of the Georgian battalion of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces were injured. Separatist regime also claimed several injured persons on their side. Despite the targeted attacks on peaceful population and villages, as well as on the Georgian police and peacekeeping forces, the central authorities decided not to respond through heavy exchange of fire, in order not to injure the local population.

Temur Yakobashvili, Georgian chief negotiator and state minister for reintegration, said in late night televised remarks on August 6 that it was the position of the Georgian government that only a direct dialogue with Tskinvali authorities would solve the deteriorating security situation. Mr. Yakobashvili also stressed that Ambassador-at-large Yuri Popov would attend the talks as a facilitator. South Ossetian chief negotiator, Boris Chochiev, refused to take part in negotiations.

During 4 and 5 August no serious incidents have been observed.

3 August

South Ossetian separatist government announced evacuation of more than 500 people, including about 400 children. However, Ermak Dzansolov, deputy prime minister of Russia’s North Ossetian Republic, told Interfax news agency that it was not an evacuation. Sending children to North Ossetia was part of a pre-arranged summer-camp programme, as he explained.

Russian media outlets started a massive propaganda campaign against Georgia.

South Ossetian media sources reported on the mobilization of volunteers across the North Caucasus.

2 August

Six civilians and one Georgian policeman were injured after the shelling of Georgian villages in the South Ossetian conflict zone overnight. The Georgian-controlled villages of Zemo Nikozi, Kvemo Nikozi, Nuli, Avnevi, Eredvi and Ergneti came under intense fire from the South Ossetian separatists with large calibre mortars. Georgian law enforcers shot back defensively for some time, but then received an order of ceasefire in order not to escalate the situation.

1 August

At about 8:00 AM, Tbilisi time, a pickup vehicle with six Georgian police officers was hit by two remote control explosive devices on the Eredvi-Kheiti by-pass road linking the Didi Liakhvi Gorge – a Georgian enclave north of the breakaway region’s capital Tskhinvali - with Georgia proper. As a result of the attack, five Georgian policemen were severely wounded. The central authorities decided not to retaliate in order not to escalate the situation.

THE PRESIDENT: I just met with my national security team to discuss the situation in Georgia.

I am deeply concerned by reports that Russian troops have moved beyond the zone of conflict, attacked the Georgian town of Gori, and are threatening the Georgia's -- Georgia's capital of Tbilisi. There's evidence that Russian forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the capital city.

If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia. And these actions would be inconsistent with assurances we have received from Russia that its objectives were limited to restoring the status quo in South Ossetia that existed before fighting began on August the 6th.

It now appears that an effort may be underway to depose Russia's* duly elected government. Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.

The Georgian government has accepted the elements of a peace agreement that the Russian government previously said it would be willing to accept: an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of forces from the zone of conflict, a return to the military status quo as of August 6th, and a commitment to refrain from using force. There are representatives of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe currently in Moscow seeking Russia's agreement to this peace plan.

Russia's government must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Russian government must reverse the course it appears to be on, and accept this peace agreement as a first step toward resolving this conflict.

Russia's actions this week have raised serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. These actions have substantially damaged Russia's standing in the world. And these actions jeopardize Russians' relations -- Russia's relations with the United States and Europe. It is time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to end this crisis.

Thank you.

END 5:24 P.M. EDT

*Georgia's duly elected government

The source obtained from:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080811-1.html

• 1:47: Interfax reports that “hundreds” of volunteers from Russia and Abkhazia are heading to South Ossetia to join the separatists against Tbilisi.

• 1:59: Leaders of Georgia’s other separatist region, Abkhazia, convene the region’s military council.

• 2:03: The United States urges Russia to press South Ossetia to “stop fire.”

• 2:06: Reports are received that Russian forces are moving through the Roki Tunnel to South Ossetia.

• 2:44: Reports are received of shelling outside Prisi and Tamarasheni.

• 2:45: Reports are received of Georgian troops occupying the villages of Didmukha, Muguti and Dmenisi.

• 3:08: RIA Novosti confirms that Russian troops are moving through the Roki Tunnel.

• 3:10: The Georgian joint peacekeeping forces commander releases a statement that Russian-brokered talks between Georgian and South Ossetian officials will go forward on August. 8.

• 3:15: Reports are received that government buildings are on fire in Tskhinvali.

• 3:16: The Georgian government extends a state of emergency and confirms its readiness to peacefully resolve the conflict.

• 3:29: A Georgian government official says Georgian forces have surround Tskhinvali and are advancing toward the city.

• 3:37: Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh tells North Ossetian President Taimuraz Mamsurov that Abkhazia will send 1,000 volunteers to South Ossetia.

• 3:46: Reports are received that Tskhinvali is in “complete darkness”, left without electricity supply.

• 4:06: South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity says, “We are going to defeat and disgrace Georgia on our own and will not seek the assistance of Russia.”

• 4:08: Russia requests a special meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

• 4:13: RIA Novosti reports that North Ossetian President Taimuraz Mamsurov has left for South Ossetia.

• 4:28: Georgian public television reports that Georgian armed forces are in control of six villages in the Tskhinvali region: Muguti, Dmenisi, Didmukha, Okona, Akut and Kohati. It is also reported that Georgian forces entered the village of Khetagurovo.

• 4:33: Members of the U.N. Security Council agree to hold a rare late-night session at Russia’s request.

• 5:16: A representative from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, “It is not too late for Georgia to pull back.”

• 5:30: First Russian troops through Roki tunnel entered South Ossetia, passed Java, crossed Gufta bridge and moved by Dzara road towards Tskhinvali.

• 6:51: Interfax reports that armored vehicles, artillery and infantry units from the Abkhazian army have started moving from Abkhazia’s Ochamchire region to the Samegrelo region where administrative border lies with Abkhazia..

• 7:10: Tbilisi has announced the mobilization of reservists.

• 8:00: First unit of Russian troops together with Gufta bridge was destroyed by Georgian aviation. Later two more units of Russian troops entered South Ossetia through Roki tunnel, but could not cross Gufta bridge which was destroyed and moved by Geri-Dmenisi road.

• 08:05:   According to Russian peacekeeping forces five Georgian SU-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft attacked South Ossetian military positions in the village of Kverneti to the north of Tskhinvali.
• 09:45: Premier Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin informed his Chinese colleague regarding development in Tskhinvali region.

• 9.45: According to witnesses from local population, a military fighter plane, presumably Russian (it entered Georgia from South Ossetian side) dropped off about 3-5 bombs near village Shavshvebi, 300-500 meters from Georgian military radar.

• 10:01: Three SU-24 Fencer attack aircraft breeched the Georgian airspace and one of them dropped two bombs close to a police station in Kareli (Kareli is outside South Ossetia. The Kareli district borders with the breakaway region.), Gori surroundings and village Variani were also bombed.

• 10:06: Situation on borders with Georgia is under control, we have enough forces and we cooperate with Defense ministry and Internal Troops, representative of FSB border regional division in the Southern Federal District said.

• 10:16: The Kremlin said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was holding consultations with his aides to determine Moscow’s response to developments in South Ossetia. “The president is constantly receiving full information from the scene of military actions in South Ossetia,” the Kremlin said in a press release. “A series of measures is now being discussed under the guidance of Dmitry Medvedev, aimed at restoring peace in South Ossetia, and defending the local civilian population within the peacekeeping mandate we have,” it said.

• 10:24: UN Security Council was unable to adequately assessed ongoing situation in Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, Vitali Churkin, Russian permanent representative in UN said. According to Russian representative main reason for this is, that unfortunately some members of Security Council have no clear political vision, which was visible during the discussion.  

• 11:20: Georgian leadership has conducted aggressive actions against South Ossetia. Of course, all these actions will trigger adequate actions, Vladimir Putin said during the meeting with Kazakshtan president Nursultan Nazarbaev in Beijing.

• 11:30: Four attack aircraft intruded again into the Georgian airspace and dropped bomb outside Gori.

• By 12.00 8 Georgians, including civilians have died and 87 are injured.

• 12:10: EU expressed it’s concern and asked for ceasing violence in conflict zone.

• 13:16: President of Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadirov declared that military servicemen from Chechnya are ready to fulfill peacekeeping mission in Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone if the Russian leadership makes such decision.

• 14:37: Right now volunteers from Russia and other parts are gathering to go to South Ossetia and it will be hard task to maintain peace in the region, Putin said during the meeting with USA president George Bush in Beijing.

• 15:00: Moratorium on ceasefire is announced from 15:00 until 18:00. Safety corridor will be opened for population who want to left Tskhinvali, said Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugalava.

• 15:17:Russia historically was and still is guarantor of security of people of Caucasus. Russia won’t permit unpunished death of their compatriots in the Caucasus, said Medvedev during the Security Council meeting.

• 16:00: A Russian warplane has dropped two bombs on the Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi. No casualties were reported.

• 18:42: By this time, the Russian military aircraft have bombed a military airfield in Marneuli 3 times, south of Tbilisi, killing at least 4 people and injuring five others.

• 18:44: Gori was bombed again by four Russian jet fighters.

• 19:00: Gori military base, home to a tank battalion, is being bombed by the Russian war fighters.

• 19:20: Russian jet fighters bombed Bolnisi military airfield.

• 12:40 Second bombing of Kopitnari Airport.

• 11:00 Kopitnari Airport, near Kutaisi 260 west from Tbilisi outside the conflict zone, was bombed.

• 10:22 Russian air force continues to bomb Gori, located 60 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone.

• 10:20 One more Russian military airplane is shot down in Gori, located 60 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone. The pilot is being sought by Georgian forces.

• The entire 58^th Russian Army, located in the North Caucasus, enters the South Ossetia region. They are engaged in battle with the Georgian army in Tskhinvali, which is in the conflict zone and 92 kilometers northwest from Tbilisi.

• 01:20 Gatchiani in the Gardabani districts was bombarded, which is 20 kilometers southeast of Tbilisi and outside the conflict zone and is also close to the BTC pipeline, but the pipeline is not damaged.

• 01:00 Poti was bombarded a second time, which is located on the Black Sea coast, 260 kilometers west from Tbilisi, is outside the conflict zone and is a pure civilian target.

• 00:34 Person calling himself “Armen” calls the 022 Patrol Police number and says a bomb is planted in President’s Residence. He also says the new President Administration and Ministry of Internal Affair buildings will soon be bombarded.

• 00:20 Vaziani airfield is bombed again, which is 2-3 kilometers from Tbilisi International Airport and is located outside the conflict zone.

• 00:17 Lightening bombs are dropped on Senaki military base, which is 213 kilometers west of Tbilisi and is outside the conflict zone. 1 serviceman and 5 reservists were reported killed. The railway station in Senaki is also bombed and eight are killed.

• 00:12 Poti port, which is located on the Black Sea coast, 260 kilometers west from Tbilisi, is outside the conflict zone and is a pure civilian target, is bombed heavily.

• 22:40 According to Ministry of Defense, Russian planes violated Georgian airspace a total of 22 times.

• 22:15 The type and place of Russian planes taken down during the day not located yet.
• 21:45 Policemen and reservists who were surrounded in the Znauri school bulding, five kilometers west of Tskinvali, are rescued by government forces.

• 21:11 The separatist authorities claim to have altogether 1400 people dead and wounded. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense announces that there are 10 dead among Russian “peacekeepers”.

• 20:30 After severe clashes in Tskinvali, Georgian forces start to withdraw from the center of the town, holding their positions at its southern outskirts. Russian tanks enter the eastern part of Tskinvali.

• 20:00 Positional fighting near village of Qvabchara in Upper Abkhazia.
  
  
• 19:10 "Tbilaviamsheni" aviation factory was bombarded by Russian aviation again.
  
  
• 19:05 Russian aviation dropped bomb on Tbilisi Civil Airport.
  
  
• 17:30 Georgian Ministry of Foreign affairs handed diplomatic note to the Charg d'affirs of Russian embassy Mr Smag. According to the order of the president Georgia, Georgian Government forces stopped fire in the conflict zone.
• Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Karasin announced the terms of ceasefire. Georgia have to withdraw on the positions existing before the beginning of the conflict and take responsibility of non use of force.
  
  
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation announced that journalists wanting to enter Russian-Georgian conflict zone have to have special accreditation from Ministry of Defense and second accreditation from Ministry of Foreign affairs of Russia.
  
  
• 16:10 Russian aviation bombarded only remaining bridge on the Highway linking eastern and western parts of the country. There was a fire on the bridge. Fire is extinguished. The traffic is restored.
  
  
• 16:05 Gori is being bombed by Russian aviation.
  
  
• 15:10 Russian troops and Abkhaz separatists launch ground attack on Upper Abkhazia. The region is being bombed by Russian aviation.
  
  
• 15:00 Russian airplanes bomb the village of Knolevi in the northern Kareli district.
  
  
• By noon of 10 August there are 20 to 25 thousand IDPs from the regions of Tskhinvali and Gori, as a result of Russian attacks. The number of IDPs is growing quickly.
  
  
• 11:15 The village of Shavshvebi between Gori and Kareli have been bombed by Russian aviation.
  
  
• 08:45 Ten Russian jets attack Upper Abkhazia. One jet has been downed by Georgian Government troops.
  
  
• 07:40 Russian jets bomb village of Urta in Zugdidi district.
  
  
• 05:45 Russian jet entered Georgian airspace from Dagestan and dropped 3 Bombs on Tbilisi airplane factory.
  
  
• 6,000 Russian troops enter Georgia through Roki tunnel overnight; 90 tanks; 150 Armored Personnel Carriers; 250 artillery gunships.
  
  
• 4,000 Russian troops land at port of Ochamchire in Abkhazia, from Black Sea port of Sevastopol

• 14:30 Senaki base is bombed by Russian aviation.
  
  
• 13:30 President Saakashvili signs a ceasefire agreement, prepared by the foreign ministers of France, Finland, and Georgia. The foreign ministers of France and Finland are taking the agreement to Moscow in order to persuade President Medvedev to sign it.
  
  
• 12:05 Russian aviation is bombing Georgian servicemen in Upper Abkhazia.
  
  
• 10:00 Village of Eredvi came under the fire of Russian artillery.
  
  
• 07:15 Senaki airport is bombed by Russian airplanes.
  
  
• 06:10 Gori tank battalion is bombed. A civilian apartment building nearby has been hit.
  
  
• 05:00 Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro District on the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets.
  
  
• 04:37 Civilian radar station in the village of Leninisi in 5 kilometers from downtown Tbilisi.
  
  
  
• 03:05 Villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. Graveyard and villagers’ backyard have been hit. No casualties reported.
  
  
• 00:30 Civilian radar station in the village of Shavshvebi west of Gori is bombed by Russian planes.
• 00:00 Five wounded policemen transported to Zugdidi hospital from Upper Abkhazia.