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OSCE 'failed' in Georgia warnings | OSCE 'failed' in Georgia warnings |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has been accused of failing to warn that this summer's Russia-Georgia conflict was looming. | The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has been accused of failing to warn that this summer's Russia-Georgia conflict was looming. |
A former senior OSCE official, Ryan Grist, told the BBC he had warned of Georgia's military activity before its move into the South Ossetia region. | A former senior OSCE official, Ryan Grist, told the BBC he had warned of Georgia's military activity before its move into the South Ossetia region. |
He said it was an "absolute failure" reports were not passed on by bosses. | He said it was an "absolute failure" reports were not passed on by bosses. |
But OSCE Chairman Alexander Stubb said the risks were transmitted to member governments and the system worked well. | |
The conflict in the region began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake its breakaway region of South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes with Russian-backed rebels. | The conflict in the region began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake its breakaway region of South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes with Russian-backed rebels. |
Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a second breakaway region, days later. | Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a second breakaway region, days later. |
Russian forces remain in the two regions, and Moscow has backed their declarations of independence. | Russian forces remain in the two regions, and Moscow has backed their declarations of independence. |
On Friday, thousands of anti-government activists demonstrated in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi - their first major protest since the conflict. | On Friday, thousands of anti-government activists demonstrated in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi - their first major protest since the conflict. |
'Diplomatic means' | 'Diplomatic means' |
Mr Grist said: "The OSCE had been working in South Ossetia for many many years. We were the one institution that knew, had a feel for what was going on there at the mission level. | Mr Grist said: "The OSCE had been working in South Ossetia for many many years. We were the one institution that knew, had a feel for what was going on there at the mission level. |
Opposition supporters want a "new wave of civil confrontation" | Opposition supporters want a "new wave of civil confrontation" |
"There clearly wasn't the eye on the ball on the higher diplomatic level I would say. Because it was clear that something was brewing." | "There clearly wasn't the eye on the ball on the higher diplomatic level I would say. Because it was clear that something was brewing." |
He said he had made it "very clear" at a briefing to ambassadors there was a "severe escalation". | He said he had made it "very clear" at a briefing to ambassadors there was a "severe escalation". |
"It would give the Russian Federation any excuse it needed in terms of trying to support its own troops," Mr Grist said. | "It would give the Russian Federation any excuse it needed in terms of trying to support its own troops," Mr Grist said. |
But Mr Stubb said reports were sent to member governments, who then made their own assessments. | But Mr Stubb said reports were sent to member governments, who then made their own assessments. |
He added: "I myself got worrying information around the 7th of August that something, so to say, is cooking but that was going on all the time on both sides." | He added: "I myself got worrying information around the 7th of August that something, so to say, is cooking but that was going on all the time on both sides." |
Mr Stubb said the OSCE only had "diplomatic means" but admitted those means had failed. | Mr Stubb said the OSCE only had "diplomatic means" but admitted those means had failed. |
"That's why we had to act immediately when the war had started. Then we only had one aim and that was a ceasefire and I think we succeeded quite well in that." | "That's why we had to act immediately when the war had started. Then we only had one aim and that was a ceasefire and I think we succeeded quite well in that." |
The OSCE has had a mission in Georgia since 1992 and last month co-hosted talks with the EU and UN that ended without the two protagonists meeting. | The OSCE has had a mission in Georgia since 1992 and last month co-hosted talks with the EU and UN that ended without the two protagonists meeting. |
Adamant | Adamant |
In Friday's protests in Tbilisi, opposition leader Kakha Kukava said: "We are starting a new wave of civil confrontation, and we will not give up until new elections are called." | In Friday's protests in Tbilisi, opposition leader Kakha Kukava said: "We are starting a new wave of civil confrontation, and we will not give up until new elections are called." |
Critics have accused President Mikhail Saakashvili of starting a war that Georgia could not win. | Critics have accused President Mikhail Saakashvili of starting a war that Georgia could not win. |
There were about 10,000 protesters at Friday's rally, according to estimates by reporters at the scene. | There were about 10,000 protesters at Friday's rally, according to estimates by reporters at the scene. |
They crowded the steps outside parliament, holding banners and waving flags, calling for democratic reforms. | They crowded the steps outside parliament, holding banners and waving flags, calling for democratic reforms. |
They were fewer than the 30,000 the opposition had hoped for, and fewer than at protests a year ago. | They were fewer than the 30,000 the opposition had hoped for, and fewer than at protests a year ago. |
The president is adamant Georgia was provoked by Russia, and has called for an inquiry. | The president is adamant Georgia was provoked by Russia, and has called for an inquiry. |
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