OREANDA-NEWS. August 24, 2011. It is learned that the Georgian authorities intend to carry out a large-scale provocation on August 26, the third anniversary of the recognition of the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation. They are preparing a “peace march” from the Georgian village of Odzisi to the border post on the road leading to the South Ossetian town of Leningori and target to enlist up to 3,000 residents of the camps for internally displaced persons in the locality of Tserovani, along with people from the Chechen Republic living in Georgia’s Akhmeta district, to join the march. The scenario for this event involves an attempt of massive illegal infiltration into South Ossetia under the slogans of the return of refugees to their native homes.

According to available information, the recruitment of potential participants in the march is organized as part of a planned re-registration of refugees under the auspices of the Georgian Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation. The authorities widely use pressure and threats, with citizens occasionally being forced to give written undertakings to take part in the “peace march.”

The new irresponsible and provocative venture of Tbilisi is very dangerous. It may destabilize the already fragile situation in the region. What is particularly striking is the cynicism of the organizers of the “peace march,” confirming that the fate of the very refugees the Georgian leaders claim to care so much about is not more than a bargaining chip in their political games.

We strongly caution the Georgian side against attempting to undertake a new adventure in the region. We expect that the relevant unambiguous signals will come to Tbilisi from other members of the international community as well.