Greek FM on Detention of OSCE Monitors

A detention of two OSCE monitors by the South Ossetian militias on February 10 added to existing tensions, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, said in a statement.

According to OSCE two of its monitors were conducting a routine patrol on the Georgian side of the South Ossetian administrative border, near the village of Adzvi, when armed South Ossetian militiamen demanded to see their identification documents; searched their diplomatic vehicle and escorted them to the militia’s station in Goyata. The monitors were then taken to a post in the village of Artsevi, and after nearly three hours, were returned to their original location and released.

“I am deeply concerned by this incident, which adds to existing tensions,” Bakoyannis, who is expected to visit Tbilisi this week, said. “The OSCE Military Monitoring Officers’ patrols are a crucial contribution to defusing tensions and restoring stability in the region. They must do their work unhindered. I am also relieved by the fact that the situation was quickly resolved. However, today’s incident runs counter to the diplomatic immunity enjoyed by the OSCE representatives, including the OSCE Military Monitoring Officers. This is not acceptable. I urge all involved to act in a constructive manner to contribute to security.”

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