EU Monitors Deny ‘Condoning’ Georgian Troops Build-Up

The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) has denied claims by the authorities of breakaway South Ossetia that the mission was “condoning” the consolidation of Georgian forces close to the South Ossetian administrative border.

“The unarmed, civilian EU Mission has agreements with both the Georgian Interior and Defence Ministries to limit the movement and equipment levels of the Georgian Forces in the areas adjacent to the South Ossetian and Abkhazian ABLs [administrative border lines] without prior notification,” EUMM said in a statement on February 9. “To reduce tension and bring about greater stability and security in the areas adjacent to the South Ossetian ABL, the de facto South Ossetian authorities and Russian Forces should reciprocate these agreements. There will only be stability if all sides contribute to it.”

The breakaway region’s defense ministry has claimed that the Georgian side was “preparing for another military aggression” and carrying out military engineering works on February 8-9 in the village of Ditsi, which is located on the Georgian side of administrative border, about four kilometers away from the breakaway region’s capital, Tskhinvali.

In a separate report posted on the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee the breakaway region’s authorities have claimed that two grenades were fired from the direction of the Georgian village of Nikozi towards the residential area of Tskhinvali on February 10. According to this report two unexploded ordnance left over from a rocket-propelled grenade were found on the Jioev Square of the town.

In previous days the breakaway region’s authorities have claimed that EUMM “does not want to observer” the mobilization of the Georgian Interior Ministry forces in the adjacent areas.

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