Russian Humanitarian Aid Allowed into South Ossetia

Georgian authorities unexpectedly announced on July 15 that the Georgian side will pay customs dues owed for cargo delivered into the breakaway South Ossetia from Russia.

Georgian police stopped seven trucks from the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations on July 13 in the South Ossetian conflict zone; the trucks were loaded with humanitarian aid for the population of the breakaway region.

The Georgian side explained the cargo was neither cleared at customs nor did it possess proper clearance as humanitarian assistance. The Georgian government?s top official in the region, Mikheil Kareli, told reporters that the decision to pay customs dues from the Georgian President?s special fund was ?an expression of a good will.?

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