To reveal and analyze what actually happened, it is essential to have a unified version of key events.
To achieve this objective, I have examined the detailed timelines provided on the web sites of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russia Today news service, integrating these with various Georgian, Russian, and international press reports.
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The 2008 Crisis in the Caucasus: A Unified Timeline, August 7-16.
by Prof. Nicolai N. Petro
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Global Research, August 30, 2008
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To reveal and analyze what actually happened, it is essential to have a unified version of key events. To achieve this objective, I have examined the detailed timelines provided on the web sites of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russia Today news service, integrating these with various Georgian, Russian, and international press reports. There are surprisingly few discrepancies about the actual sequence of events. Those that exceed two hours are noted by ***italics. For convenience, all times have been standardized to GMT (UTC). My notes, in CAPS, highlight certain details that emerge, though the timeline certainly raises as many questions as it answers. [Local Time in Tblisi is GMT + 3]. After six days of sniper and machine-gunfire exchanges between Georgian troops and Ossetian militia, the conflict intensifies on August 7. The separatists claim the Georgians are seeking to occupy the surrounding hill. Georgia denies this but sends reinforcements to the border. August 7 — Georgia attacks [Note 15.10 GMT is 18.10 local time. The first reports of shelling were late at night at 23.53 local time] 15:10 — In a televised address Georgian President Saakasshvili announces a unilateral ceasefire. NOTES: PRIOR TO LAUNCHING MILITARY OPERATIONS IN S. OSSETIA, GEORGIAN OFFICIALS REPORT NO RUSSIAN TROOPS IN THE REGION. ON TV NEXT DAY SAAKASHVILI SAYS THAT RUSSIAN AIR STRIKES ALSO BEGAN ON AUGUST 8. (Civil Georgia, August 8) August 8 — Russia Responds 04:30 — Medvedev convenes an emergency session of government to discuss Russia’s options in this crisis. NOTES: RUSSIA REQUESTS A UN CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION FIVE HOURS BEFORE SENDING IN GROUND FORCES; RUSSIA’S TROOPS OFFICIALLY ENTER SOUTH OSSETIA 17 HOURS AFTER GEORGIA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES ITS OPERATION; GEORGIA REPORTS FIRST RUSSIAN AIR ASSAULTS, BUT NO ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND GEORGIAN FORCES ON THE GROUND FOR 19 HOURS; DEPENDING ON THE SOURCE, THE BATTLE FOR TSKHINVALI LASTED ANYWHERE FROM 2-37 HOURS. August 9 — UN mediation stalls 02:00 — U.S. condemns Russia’s ‘military actions against Georgia’ at the UN. NOTES: US CONDEMNS RUSSIAN “MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST GEORGIA.” ON 8/22, HOWEVER, US AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW JOHN BEYRLE WILL SAY THAT RUSSIAN FORCES “RESPONDED TO ATTACKS ON RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN SOUTH OSSETIA LEGITIMATELY. . .” (Reuters, August 22); UN SECURITY COUNCIL FAILS REPEATEDLY TO PASS A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CEASE FIRE, AS RUSSIA DEMANDS THAT GEORGIA BE CONDEMNED FOR INITIATING HOSTILITIES. August 10 — The Conflict Winds Down 13:30 — Georgian Foreign Ministry hands diplomatic note on cease fire terms to Russian charge d’affaires in Tbilisi. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin announces the terms of ceasefire–Georgia must withdraw to the positions existing before the beginning of the conflict, and make a pledge not to use force. NOTES: BASIC CEASE FIRE TERMS AGREED UPON BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF FOREIGN INTERMEDIARIES. August 11 — Russia enters Georgia 05:07 — Russian military says 9,000 Russian troops have been sent to Abkhazia. NOTES: 13:00 ON 8/11 IS THE FIRST MENTION BY GEORGIA OF RUSSIAN FORCES INSIDE GEORGIA PROPER. THIS IS 73 HOURS AFTER RUSSIA’S TROOPS OFFICIALLY ENTER SOUTH OSSETIA, AND 90 HOURS AFTER THE OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS BY GEORGIA. August 12 — “Peace is at Hand” 16:31 — Abkhazia says it has re-taken the Kodori Gorge (confirmed by Georgia three hours later). August 13 — Russia Consolidates its Position 10:50 — Polish President Lech Kaczynski describes the ceasefire agreement as inadequate and calls on the EU to take a more decisive stance. NOTES: THROUGHOUT 8/12 AND 8/13 THERE ARE REPORTS OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN GEORGIA PROPER. THE GEORGIANS SAY THEY ARE THERE TO LAUNCH AN ASSAULT ON TBILISI. RUSSIA CLAIMS THEY ARE ESTABLISHING A SECURITY PERIMETER AROUND OSSETIA TO PREVENT FURTHER GEORGIAN ATTACKS. August 14 — 06:59 — U.S. Secretary of State Rice warns Russia to honor the cease fire terms. August 16 — 10:57 — Medvedev officially signs the French-brokered peace plan. Nicolai N. Petro is Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI (USA). His website is www.npetro.net |
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Global Research Articles by Nicolai N. Petro |
Source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10009