The 2008 Crisis in the Caucasus: A Unified Timeline, August 7-16.

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Here is a time line that tells a different story than you get in the US Nightly News Propaganda. Russia sponsored a cease fire resolution at the UN Security Council on 8/8/08, five hours before it committed ground troops not already in South Ossetia. I would not doubt that there was condemnatory language in the resolution directed at Georgia that was probably rejected by the US. But we'll never know unless someone talks. Most interesting is that this was never reported, and there is NO documentation on the UN site, apparently because the resolution was not adopted. There is no reference to this fact listed in Google anywhere but in this time line that appears in several locations. This would seem to me to be more than a coincidence.
GlobalResearch.ca

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.
18:00 -- Tbilisi informs Marat Kulakhmetov, commander of peacekeepers, that the cease fire has been cancelled.
19:05 -- Mamuka Kurashvili, chief of Georgian peacekeeping operations, announces on television that Georgian troops are engaged in an operation to "restore constitutional order throughout the region."
***19:30 -- Tbilisi says 100 Russian vehicles have crossed through the Roki tunnel into Georgia, and so begins shelling it. Later, however, it reports that "first Russian troops enter through Roki Tunnel" six hours later, at 01:30 on August 8.
20:53 -- First reports of shelling of Tskhinvali.
22:45 -- Georgia says it has occupied three villages in Southern Ossetia
NOTES:
THE CEASE FIRE LASTS LESS THAN THREE HOURS. DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON, GEORGIAN TROOPS MOVE TWO BRIGADES UP TO THE FRONT. (Washington Post, August 17; Civil Georgia, August 25);
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.
05:01 -- South Ossetia asks Russia for protection.
06:51 -- UN Security Council fails to approve a Russia-sponsored call for a ceasefire.
07:30 -- In a televised address, Saakashvili mentions Russian air strikes on August 8.
09:21 -- NATO Secretary General calls for an immediate end to the violence.
10:15 -- Georgia announces a three-hour ceasefire for the evacuation of civilians in Tskhinvali.
10:30 -- Georgia says it now controls Tskhinvali.
12:04 -- Russia's Defence Ministry announces it has sent "peacekeeping reinforcements" into South Ossetia.
14:44 -- Georgia reports that Russian forces have reached Tskhinvali.
***16:30 -- Georgian reports that its troops have withdrawn from Tskhinvali, though it later reports that its troops withdrew on August 10 at 03:00. The commander of Russian forces reports that his forces control the city on August 9 at 07:40.
17:03 -- Kokoity says that 1,400 people were killed in Friday's confrontation.
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.
05:46 -- Medvedev announces that Russia is engaged in "peace enforcement" operations in South Ossetia.
07:04 -- Russia says 30,000 refugees have fled South Ossetia over the past 1.5 days.
07:16 -- US Department of State condemns Russia's 'use of strategic bombers and missiles' against Georgia.
10:30 -- Georgia declares it is at war with Russia. It simultaneously declares martial law within Georgia and a general mobilization.
11:05 -- Saakashvili calls for an immediate ceasefire.
11:52 -- Abkhazia launches an offensive to remove Georgian troops occupying the Kodory Gorge in Abkhazia.
23:00 -- UN Security Council for the third time fails to pass a resolution on the conflict.
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.
19:17 -- French and Finnish Foreign Ministers arrive in Tbilisi to mediate peace deal.
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.
08:18 -- British Foreign Secretary condemns Russia's military actions in Georgia.
08:48 -- Moscow calls for a Russia-NATO council meeting to discuss South Ossetia.
09:16 -- NATO head says Russia is using 'disproportionate force' against Georgia.
09:30 -- Saakashvili signs ceasefire agreement prepared by France and Finland.
13:00 -- Georgia reports that Russian troops now occupy Zugdidi, outside S. Ossetia.
14:12 -- Russian troops say they are taking "preventative action" near Senaki and Zugdidi, both inside Georgia proper.
17:19 -- Saakashvili says the Russian military has blocked a central highway linking east and west Georgia.
21:15 -- George W. Bush says "Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people."
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).
21:11 -- Saakashvili accepts the ceasefire terms signed in Moscow.
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.
12:05 -- EU says it is ready to send peacekeepers to Georgia.
15:13 -- Bush orders U.S. Defence Secretary Gates to start a "humanitarian mission headed by the U.S. military" in Georgia.
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.
08:10 -- Russian army reports it has transferred control of Gori to civilian administration, but remains in the city to prevent looting. Georgian television reports that "the situation in Gori is calm."
09:42 -- Leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia sign a peace plan in Moscow as part of the cease fire. Medvedev says Russia will support any decision made by the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on their status.
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

I was stunned to see that Russia had petitioned the Security Council 5 hours before sending troops into South Ossetia to reinforce their peace-keepers under attack there by Georgian troops. Professor Nicolai N. Petro and asked him for further documentation for this Security Council action. His response is linked below at "Continue reading".

Dear Dave,
After the Georgian military operation began, Russia convened the UN Security Council on the following occasions:
>>>>> Items from the timelines on RussiaToday.com web site
AUGUST 8
06:51 GMT - UN Security Council fails to approve a Russia-sponsored ceasefire call.
15:03 GMT - UN Security council to discuss the situation in South Ossetia on Friday night at 19:00 GMT.
20:36 GMT - The UN Security Council has begun closed-door consultations to discuss the situation in South Ossetia. The meeting, initiated by Georgia, is the second in 24 hours.
AUGUST 9
20:00 GMT - The UN Security Council gathers once again to discuss the situation in South Ossetia.
23:00 GMT - UN Security Council for the third time fails to make a decision on the conflict in South Ossetia.
AUGUST 10
17:33 GMT - UN Security Council again discusses the situation in South Ossetia.
>>>>> Items from the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site
AUGUST 11
[22:15 GMT] 02:15 Emergency meeting of the Security Council of the UN started. The resolution about ceasefire prepared by France was discussed.
[23:25 GMT] 03:25 Russian envoy to the UN Churkin announced on the press conference that Russia will not support the resolution. Georgian envoy Alasania announced that suggested resolution is acceptable to Georgia.
Prior to this Russia had introduced other resolutions. Here are the most detailed accounts:
"Russia says West is blocking UN resolution on Georgia peace deal." RIA Novosti (July 17, 2008), cited in Johnson's Russia List #2008-#133. Available online at: (accessed 8/25/2008).
Russia says West is blocking UN resolution on Georgia peace deal
MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign minister said on Thursday that Western nations are blocking Moscow's plans for a non-violence pact between Georgia and its rebel region of Abkhazia by insisting on the return of Georgian refugees.
Russia had presented a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a deal on the non-use of force between Georgia and Abkhazia, amid rising tensions and fears of military conflict. The return of Georgian refugees from Abkhazia had been proposed in a Germany-sponsored peace plan and sought by Tbilisi.
Sergei Lavrov said work on the peace deal "was blocked yesterday by the categorical refusal of our Western partners," who want to link the document "to the return of refugees, which at this stage is entirely unrealistic."
"Signing an agreement on Georgian refugees' return to Abkhazia is impossible at the moment, as the situation first needs to be improved and trust restored. Only then can subsequent discussions be held on the matter," he said.
Russia had earlier also demanded that Georgia first withdraw troops from the upper part of the Kodori Gorge, occupied in 2006 in violation of a 1994 ceasefire agreement.
Germany has proposed a three-stage plan for resolving the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict. Germany says all sides must renounce violence, ensure Georgian refugees' gradual return to the region, and that Abkhazia should become an autonomy within Georgia.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is currently in Tbilisi discussing the plan with Georgian leaders. He will fly to Abkhazia on Friday, and later that day arrive in Moscow for further talks.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has also set refugees' return as a condition to restart peace talks with Abkhazia, which broke away after the Soviet Union's demise in 1991. He also demanded that Russia withdraw its peacekeepers from the conflict zone and end financial support for the region.
Relations between Russia and Georgia have sunk to a new low recently, with outbreaks of violence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other rebel region. The two countries have traded accusations of provoking violence in the provinces.
>>>>>
"UN withholds comment on S Ossetia conflict aggravation." ITAR-Tass (August 5, 2008), cited in Johnson's Russia List #2008-#143. Available online at: (accessed 8/25/2008).
UN withholds comment on S Ossetia conflict aggravation.
UNITED NATIONS, August 5 (Itar-Tass) - The United Nations has withheld comment on the aggravation of the situation in the South Ossetian conflict zone. UN spokeswoman Michele Montas at a briefing at the UN headquarters on Monday declined to answer reporters' questions about the developments in the region explaining it by the fact that the UN has no presence there.
The Abkhazian parliament on Monday made an appeal to the United Nations, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Russian Federation "as the main guarantor of peace and security" with a request in the conditions of the aggravated situation in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone "to exert influence on the Georgian side, up to forcing it to peace." The Abkhazian parliamentarians called the Georgian side's actions "a rude attempt at destabilising the situation in the conflict zone in violation of all earlier reached agreements and recommendations of the UN."
"The Georgian leadership is preparing for new forceful actions with the aim of restoring its control over the Republic of South Ossetia, the people of which by its will expression has made the decision on independent state development," the statement said.
These facts "testify to the striving of Georgia's leadership to weaken positions and inflict damage to the reputation of the Russian peacekeeping mission, force out the Russian Federation from the process of conflict settlement, change the format of the peacekeeping process."
In these conditions, the "Republic of Abkhazia cannot be indifferent to the events that are happening in the brotherly Republic of South Ossetia and, in case of their negative development, is ready to give every support and help in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the accords of the state members of the community For Democracy and Rights of Peoples," the Abkhazian parliament said.
On Sunday, the president of the unrecognised republic of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, said at a meeting of the national Security Council Abkhazia, an independence-seeking northwest region of Georgia, will not take part in a meeting of the so-called Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General for Georgia (GFG, bringing together the United States, Russia, Great Britain, Germany and France) due August 15 in Berlin.
He said the decision to stay away from the Group's meeting had been taken in the wake of the current situation in another independence-seeking region, South Ossetia, and "the continuing aggressive policy on the part of Georgia."
Officials in South Ossetia have made statements about the intensifying activity of Georgian army units along the entire perimeter of the region's administrative border and are evacuating children from the regional capital Tskhinvali, but the Georgian government denies these statements.
"We won't be able to take part in a dialogue with the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General for Georgia while the Georgian government goes on with its policy of genocide," Bagapsh said. "If the situation continues deteriorating, we'll refuse to attend it, but if it returns to normal we'll take an appropriate decisions then."
"A war in South Ossetia won't leave Abkhazia untouched considering the agreements we have with it and with /Moldova's/ Dniester region.
At the time of reporting, the Security Council meeting continued and its participants focused on the situation taking shape in the zone of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict.
Bagapsh said he was keeping permanent contact with his South Ossetian counterpart Eduard Kokoity
"The situation there is getting more and more tense, as Georgia is concentrating its forces, heavy artillery, salvo systems, and Grad field rocket launchers on the Ossetian border," he said. "We must discuss the situation and take appropriate measures with due account of our agreements with South Ossetia and the Dniester region."
UN peacekeepers have been deployed in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone since 1993. The UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has the task to help find means of the conflict's political settlement and ensure the observance of the 1994 ceasefire agreement. The mission comprises 134 military observers and 19 civilian police officers.
>>>>>
Bhadrakumar, M. K. "U.S. sets bear trap in the Caucasus." The Hindu (India) (August 11, 2008). Available online at: (accessed 8/12/2008).
On Thursday, Russia tried to have the United Nations Security Council call on Georgia and South Ossetia to immediately lay down weapons. But Washington was disinterested. As the Russian ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin put it, there was an \'93absence of political will\'94 within the Security Council. It seems Washington expected that a quid pro quo could be worked out as well on a new U.N. Security Council resolution imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, which the U.S. has been pressing for, and Russia hitherto resisting.\par
--
With best wishes,
Professor Nicolai N. Petro
Department of Political Science
Washburn Hall, University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881 (USA)
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