On the Refusal of Russian Peacekeepers to Let a “UN Humanitarian Mission” Through Karaleti Checkpoint

PRESS RELEASE

On September 9, Michele Montas, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, said during a daily briefing that Russian peacekeepers had refused to let a "preliminary humanitarian assessment mission" through the Karaleti checkpoint on September 8 that was supposedly heading to South Ossetia.

Three UN officials driving in a jeep and in a car from Georgia together with one foreign journalist were indeed refused entry into South Ossetia at the checkpoint of Russian peacekeepers in the village of Karaleti on September 8, according to our information. Not one of the UN humanitarian agencies had applied to the authorities of the Republic of South Ossetia or the Russian Federation with respect to the organization of that trip. Documents showing the aims of the trip, including a list of places to be visited, failed to be produced to peacekeepers.

The formalization procedure for such trips was explained to the UN officials.

In this regard, we note that information has repeatedly been conveyed to the UN and other international organizations on ways of delivery of humanitarian assistance to South Ossetia along the Vladikavkaz-Tskhinval route.

September 10, 2008