OSCE Envoy Comments on Helicopter Incident

OSCE Head of Mission in Georgia Ambassador Roy Reeve said on September 4 that firing on an aircraft is illegal, but also added that flights over the South Ossetian conflict zone are banned by a preexisting agreement.

Ambassador Reeve was commenting on an incident that occured on September 3 when a Georgian army helicopter, reportedly carrying Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, was shot at by South Ossetian militias, forcing the aircraft to carry out an emergency landing.

?We confirm that the incident took place. Our military monitors are interviewing eye witnesses in the area where it took place. In terms of international law, no exclusions over South Ossetia can be made; therefore firing at an aircraft is illegal. But there is an agreement between the Chairmen of the [quadripartite negotiating body over South Ossetian] Joint Control Commission that they will not make over-flights over the zone of conflict,? Roy Reeve told reporters.

He also said that the mission will report on its judgments to the Permanent Council in Vienna. 

?We are attempting to talk to people who saw the incident and then we will make our judgment? Either individual States or the Chairmanship may decide to make statements,? Ambassador Reeve said.

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