Bakradze: Radio Intercepts Prove Russians Moved into S.Ossetia on August 7

Georgia has radio intercepts confirming Russian troops entered South Ossetia from North Ossetia via Roki Tunnel on August 7, Davit Bakradze said, RFE/RL reported.

Bakradze was speaking at a hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, in Washington on September 10.

“At this point, this is still not public, but we have radio interceptions confirming Russian troops entering Georgian territory in the evening of August 7,” Bakradze said, adding that it was “the turning point” when the Georgian government had to make the decision to defend its territory and respond.

Bakradze’s remarks throw some light on the nature of, what President Saakashvili called, “Georgian proof.”

President Saakashvili earlier claimed that Tbilisi possessed “solid” evidence proving that Georgia did not start the war. He said that he had handed over “the proof” to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, when the latter visited Tbilisi on September 8. Saakashvili gave no details.

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