JPKF Says Unauthorized Flight is Provocation

The Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone said in a statement on September 3 that ?unauthorized? flights of Georgian aircrafts over the conflict zone ?are of a provocative nature,? Interfax news agency and South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported.

?Actions of this kind are a violation of provisions of the June 30, 2002 decision of the Joint Control Commission about ‘Unauthorized flights over the JPKF zone of responsibility,’? the statement reads.

A Georgian army helicopter, reportedly with Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili on board, was shot at by South Ossetian militias on September 3, forcing the MI-8 helicopter to make an emergency landing. No one was injured in the incident.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)