Tbilisi: Russians Capture Gori, Georgian Army Retreats to Defend Capital
In what now looks like a definite invasion of the Republic of Georgia, the BBC quotes government sources as saying the Russian army has captured the Georgian town of Gori. It also says that Russian troops have entered Georgia from Abkhazia.
Moscow said it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region.
And Georgian officials say Russian troops have captured the town of Gori, in central Georgia.
As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire.
Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory.
Meanwhile, CNN reports that the Georgian president had to run for cover during a press conference held earlier today.
“We are in the process of invasion, occupation, and annihilation of an independent, democratic country,” Saakashvili said at a news conference Monday.
“The goal of this operation is regime change in Georgia.”
Saakashvili then abruptly ended his conference call with reporters, saying, “We have to go to the shelter because there are Russian planes flying over the presidential palace here, sorry.”
Video footage showed a chaotic scene outside the palace, with the president being rushed away under heavy security.
The Georgian government have since issued the following announcement and appealed to the West for urgent intervention.
Government of Georgia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 11, 20:20 Tbilisi, GeorgiaURGENT: Russian Ground Forces Invade Georgia, Georgian Army Retreats to Defend Capital; Government Appeals for Urgent International Intervention
At this hour, the invading army of the Russian Federation has entered Georgian territory outside the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Georgian army is retreating to defend the capital. The Government is urgently seeking international intervention to prevent the fall of Georgia and the further loss of life.
“We no longer know the limits of the invading Russian army—Russia seems intent on overthrowing the democratically elected government of Georgia and occupying the country,” said Alexander Lomaia, the Secretary of the National Security Council. “As a consequence, the National Security Council has just decided to bring the Georgian army to Tbilisi in order to defend the capital and prevent the fall of Georgia.”
European political leaders, including Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, are in Tbilisi meeting now with the President of Georgia to seek a way to stop the Russian onslaught.
The Government of Georgia announced a unilateral cease fire on Sunday morning, withdrew its forces from South Ossetia, and sued for peace. Despite the ceasefire and withdrawal—and in defiance of outraged international criticism of its invasion of Georgia—Russia is continuing its fierce offensive that has left hundreds of civilians dead and thousands injured.
For further information, please contact:
Nato Chikovani, Press Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia: +995.77.507.726
One supposes that their appeal will fall on deaf ears. Short of airlifting or parachuting in U.S. / NATO troops into Georgia, not much can probably be done.
While the circumstances of the clashes erupting in South Ossetia are still unclear — and while Georgian forces should not have targeted the civilian population in Tskhinval anyway — it appears as though Russia is clearly exploiting the crisis for its own purposes.
- Published:
- 08.11.08 / 9pm by Onnik
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