EU Monitors Prepare for Vital Georgia Mission

by Ese Omofoma
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

TBILISI, Georgia - Nearly 200 European observers arrived in Georgia today to promote a plan to stabilize the country that was rocked by war last month.  The arrivals were part of a vanguard of approximately 300 unarmed EU observers due to be in position on October 1st, 100 more observers than initially planned.

An EU official reported, "it will most likely be a bigger number, in order to have 200 in the field, we are looking around 300 including support staff."  The official added, "that the increase reflected interest from member states to show commitment to the mission due to be on the ground by Oct. 1st to observe the pullout of Russian force-over, the following 10 days."

The official denied it had anything to do with the failure last week of negotiations at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to deploy an extra 80 international monitors.

As the EU observers arrived, both Russia and Georgia urged the EU to take tough stances against the other party.

Russia has committed to moving its troops back to their "pre-conflict positions" by October 10th, following the start of the mission on October 1st.

Russia had sent troops deep into Georgia during a five-day war last month over Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia.  After routing Georgian forces, Moscow recognized both South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states under its protection.

Some analysts doubt Russia will withdraw its troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russia has said the observers can only work in the buffer security zones it established on Georgian territory adjacent to the two regions after the war.  The EU says the monitors should have, "unfettered access to all of Georgia, which it says includes the rebel regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia's security council responded by saying a firm stance was needed that would lead to the withdrawal of all of Russia's troops from every region of Georgia, including the rebel regions.

For more information, please see:

AFP - EU monitors gear up for vital Georgia mission - 26 September 2008

BBC - EU prepares Georgia observer role - 26 September 2008

Taiwan News -  EU monitors arrive in Georgia as operation gears up - 26 September 2008