EU ready to deploy over 300 observers to Georgia

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union will "very probably" deploy more than 300 observers in Georgia, rather than the 200 originally planned, a European official close to the mission said Monday.

"There will very probably be slightly more than 300" observers, said the official, already in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.

The observers mission is to be deployed in Georgia by October 1, paving the way for Russian troops to withdraw by October 10 to positions they held before moving into Georgia early last month.

The new figure, which could end up being around 340 according to the source, made up of "all internationals" -- not locals -- would include personnel charged with taking care of security and administration.

The 27 EU nations gave the green light to the project on September 15, when it was clear that the offers being made by member states was larger than the 200-strong force envisaged.

However the EU has so far agreed with Moscow to deploy 200 monitors in the areas around the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- whose independence Moscow has recognised.

Therefore not all of the 300-plus monitors would be in place by October 1, the official said.

The first 200 personnel, including people with policing, military and other expertise will arrive in Tbilisi between now and the weekend, for several days of training before they are deployed.

The head of the EU observer mission, German diplomat Hansjoerg Haber, was to hold preparatory talks with Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze on the deployment, the premier's office said Monday.

Touted by EU officials as the most rapid deployment of its kind by the 27-nation bloc, the observers will be unarmed and include people with policing, military, human rights, judicial and other expertise.

Almost all EU member states are contributing personnel, with France, Germany, Poland and Sweden providing substantial numbers.