Berlin sends military observers to Georgia

BERLIN, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Germany's Cabinet has decided to send 15 military observers to Georgia to help calm the situation there.

Two observers already have arrived in Georgia to boost a 200-strong mission organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Berlin said in a statement. The decision follows an OSCE decision on Aug. 19 to send an additional 100 observers into the crisis region.

The two rapidly deployed Germans will work in a team of 20 observers who have taken up posts in the area bordering South Ossetia, the Georgian breakaway province.

The OSCE mission in Georgia was launched in June 1992. Apart from observing activities in the region, the mandate covers conflict resolution, the provision of consultation services and rebuilding the country's economy. It also contains trust-building measures and takes in promotion of human and minority rights, democratization and the rule of law. The observers are unarmed.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated that she is willing to ease visa regulations for Georgians traveling into Germany.