New Occupation Line

Lado Bitchashvili, Shida Kartli

On July 10, on the surrounding area of village Tsitelubani of Gori district and village Ortchosani of occupied district Akhalgori, near the Tbilisi-Gori central highway, the representatives of Russian occupation forces moved so-called border banners 300 meters into the Georgia-controlled territory. According to the new occupation line, a part of Baku-Supsa pipeline turned up within the occupied territory. 

According to the locals of village Khurvaleti, based on the installation of these banners, more than half of the lands owned by the village are now within the occupied territory. The locals have harvested wheat and barley on more than 10ha area. The armed forces that are dislocated on the occupied area, have already warned the locals of Khurvaleti that they will not be able to harvest. As a result of a creeping occupation, the locals of Khurvaleti and Tsitelubani are left without agricultural lands and pastures. 

On July 12, a special representative of the Prime Minister, Zurab Abashidze and a manager of Analytical Department of MIA, Shalva Enukidze went to the conflict zone and after reviewing the existing situation, they made statements with journalists. 

“How can we talk about international standards, when we see oppression and humiliation of people? This is a very dangerous provocation and it can cause such destabilization that situation might become uncontrolled. Both sides have number of weapons. Majority of population are angry because of the damage. This is why there is a real danger of destabilization. Georgian side will use all tools that are at its disposal. As you know, another meeting is planned in Prague in few days. Although, format of this meeting does not include discussion of such topics, but we hope that we will have an acute discussion on this topic in Prague. It will be a start and the end of the conversation,”- said the representative of the Prime Minister Zurab Abashidze.

 

Manager of Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Shalva Enukidze evaluates the fact as an attempt of destabilization. 

“A new banner is moved from the old banner about 300 meters closer to the direction of the central highway. All this is oriented to cause a destabilization in the region. As you know, the Baku-Supsa pipeline is located on the same territory. As a result of illegal actions, some parts of the land occurred on the territory controlled by Ossetian side. We do not exclude this fact to become a subject of trade and there might be some proposals,” –said Shalva Enukidze. 

In addition to the representatives of the Georgian Government, representatives of opposition and NGOs also visited Khurvaleti. They call on International Diplomatic Corps Accredited in the country to visit the place and evaluate the situation.