National Security Council Discusses South Ossetia

President Saakashvili convened an emergency session of the National Security Council late on July 30 to discuss South Ossetia, amid reports of overnight clashes between the South Ossetian militias and Georgian forces near Tskhinvali, the capital of the self-styled republic on July 30.

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who arrived from Russia?s North Ossetian Republic on July 30, informed the National Security Council regarding his talks with the North Ossetian President Alexandre Dzasokhov.

?I explained to Mr. Dzasokhov that the demilitarization of South Ossetia and the pull out of illegal armed groups from the conflict zone is essential at the moment,? Goga Khaindrava told reporters before the National Security Council session.

He said that de facto President of South Ossetian Eduard Kokoev was also visiting North Ossetia; however he had no meeting with Kokoev. Prior to traveling to North Ossetia, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, Kokoev visited Moscow and held talks with the Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin.

?Deterioration of situation in South Ossetia usually coincides with Kokoev?s visits to Moscow,? Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava said.

The Georgian side reported that the Georgian village Tamarasheni, near Tskhinvali, was under heavy fire all night on July 30. At least three Georgian policemen were reportedly wounded.

The South Ossetian side accused the Georgian side for the overnight shootout. At least two South Ossetians were wounded, according to officials in Tskhinvali.

Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Givi Iukuridze told reporters after the National Security Session that President Saakashvili, who shortened a state visit to Israel and returned to Georgian on July 30, ordered hum to do outmost in order to prevent a renewal of the armed clashes in the restive region.