Moscow Accuses Tbilisi of ‘Open Aggression’ in S.Ossetia

Overnight shelling of Tskhinvali and nearby villages was “open aggression” against South Ossetia carried out by the Georgian authorities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on July 4.

Two people were killed – one in Tskhinvali and another one at a South Ossetian police post in the village of Ubiat – in overnight shelling and shooting on July 3-4, the secessionist authorities reported.

Georgina Deputy Interior Minister Eka Zguladze said on July 4 that the Georgian side had to open fire in response to shelling by South Ossetian militiamen on Georgian-controlled villages “to protect the local population.” She said there were no casualties on the Georgian side.

In the statement the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the Georgian side fired mortars at apartment buildings in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali. “As a result there are casualties among the civilian population,” it said.

It also said that tension started to flare-up in the region early on July 3 when the local police chief of the South Ossetian village of Dmenisi, Nodar Bibilov, was killed in an explosion outside his home. The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed the finger at Tbilisi and said that earlier attempts on Bibilov’s life were almost certainly the work of the Georgian side with “the trail definitely leading to Tbilisi.”
 
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that the blast in Dmenisi was then followed by “an obviously staged” attack on a convoy carrying Dimitri Sanakoev, the head of, as it put it, “the pro-Georgian puppet administration” of South Ossetia.

It has also claimed that at about 4am local time an overflight of two SU-25 Frogfoot aircraft over the South Ossetian conflict zone was observed, as well as an overflight of unmanned reconnaissance drones six times.

“The actions of Tbilisi show that an open act of aggression has been committed against South Ossetia, which is an internationally recognized party in the conflict,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “It’s noteworthy that the Georgian side has refused to participate in a joint investigation of the incidents.”

In its statement it also said that just a few days before the incident Moscow offered Tbilisi to hold a session of the quadripartite negotiating body – the Joint Control Commission – in Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated that it planned to propose  the installation of radar station in South Ossetia “in order to track down unauthorized infiltration of aircraft in the conflict zone.

”In this situation, we urgently call for the immediate resumption of joint activities in the frames of the JCC – the only opportunity for a direct dialogue between the sides. A meeting should be held immediately. Further delay in the resumption of talks risks leading to the most tragic consequences,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Tbilisi refuses to resume its participation in the JCC, citing that this Russian-dominated commission is an outdated and unfair format for negotiations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that it was unacceptable “when Tbilisi tries to create an illusion of progress in connection with Abkhazia and simultaneously carries out open acts of aggression against South Ossetia.”

“Such a tactic can damage the prospects of a settlement of both conflicts,” it added.

Meanwhile, Grigory Karasin, the Russian deputy foreign minister, is visiting Tbilisi. He met with his Georgian counterpart, Grigol Vashadze, on July 4.

“The Georgian side stated in strict and unequivocal terms its negative attitude towards the recent developments in the Tskhinvali region during the last day and night,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.