Noon local time (8 a.m. GMT)

I was told that some 17 tons of humanitarian aid, delivered by the “USS Mount Whitney," has been unloaded. It was first distributed by smaller vessels and then taken out of Poti in large trucks. Families most directly affected by the conflict have already received the aid.

The “USS Mount Whitney” is still here, but it is not possible to see it from the port, since it's anchored some distance away from shore.

In another development, the sites that were examined by a de-mining unit five days ago -- the military bases, the military post, and the Coast Guard facilities -- will most likely reopen tomorrow, and employees will be able to start their workweek. The de-mining inspectors concluded that these sites were all mine-free.

However, the inspectors were not able to examine areas around the Russian checkpoints. As I just found out, an effort was made to do so, but the Russians didn't let them approach. A source close to the government told me that the Russians threatened with their weapons, so the inspectors, accompanied by a police patrol car, had to turn back.

The inspectors should return to examine those areas once the Russians have left. So far, however, there are few signs of that happening anytime soon.

The Russians remain firmly stationed at their checkpoints. An excavator was working this morning, continuing to dig trenches. People say the Russian soldiers are well-built and athletic and start their mornings with a session of physical exercise. There has been no contact with the local population since their recent trip to local food markets and a restaurant.

On another note, it is clear that Poti residents are getting ready for the new academic year. Open-air weekend markets are selling school items, and families are shopping for textbooks and stationery items. This shows that, despite the presence of the Russians, most people are planning to send their children back to school starting on September 15.

8:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. GMT)

 

On my way back to Poti, I passed by the Russian checkpoint again. Just like in the morning, the soldiers were on the main highway. But this time they were just squatting and smoking cigarettes. In contrast to the scuffle with journalists that we saw earlier, things looked peaceful. The excavator was working again, however, digging trenches. 

 

"What exactly are they digging out there, and how long will they go on doing it?" I think it’s the most frequently uttered question in Poti these days.

 

Later I went for a stroll in Poti's center. After yesterday's ceremonial atmosphere, when hundreds of people were in the port welcoming the "USS Mount Whitney," today the town is having one of those cool and relaxed early autumn evenings.

A lot of people are outside, taking walks and dining out. Almost all of my friends and acquaintances have returned to Poti by now, and that makes me very happy.

Noon local time (8 a.m. GMT)

I took a minibus out of town this morning. Obviously we had to pass a Russian checkpoint on our way out of Poti, and that's when we all witnessed the following scene: Armed Russian soldiers had come out onto the highway and were scuffling with a small group of TV journalists. There were two reporters and two cameramen, together with their drivers. I saw Adjara TV's logo, so one group was from that regional television station. The others were foreigners, I think, although I didn't see their logo and can't say for sure. One of the cameramen was holding a tripod in his hands, and the soldiers were trying to take it from him.

I don't know whether those television stations will be reporting about this incident -- but all the passengers on the minivan saw it. For a moment, a number of passengers feared that the soldiers were going to stop our minibus, but I guess they were too involved in the fracas and let us pass.

The journalists were there to film the checkpoint, I suspect, and it was pretty clear that the soldiers didn't want to let them do so. As the Russians said some two weeks ago, when they detained some AP reporters and destroyed their equipment, the same thing would happen to anyone who tried to film them. So I guess they're making good on their threat.

Their military equipment -- cars and armored vehicles -- remains mobilized; I saw piles of sandbags, too. Excavators weren't working as we passed by, but the trenches are dug. It was a rainy morning in Poti, and many of the Russian troops simply watched the incident with those reporters from inside their tent.

On another note, Economic Development Minister Eka Sharashidze arrived to Poti today. The arrival took place much earlier than expected -- instead of midday, she came early in the morning. The minister and her colleagues went to observe how the delivery of the humanitarian aid from the "USS Mount Whitney" was being handled.

9 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT)

Hundreds of people are still in the port welcoming the "USS Mount Whitney." Defense minister, David Kezerashvili, who was at the port, said that the ship's arrival sent a message to Moscow.

Even now, when I'm writing this, the cafes and restaurants surrounding the port are full of life -- such a change from recent days. People knew the Russians weren't happy about the American ship dropping anchor and were just happy that nothing bad happened.

On board, there's about 17 tons of humanitarian aid, which will be distributed tomorrow by smaller vessels as the ship is some distance from the shore.

I spoke with a member of the city council, Kakha Svanidze, who said that Georgians should be very grateful to Americans for the aid shipment. He said he hopes that other countries will stand by Georgia as well. Another city council member said he's very pleased about the reaction of the local residents. So many people showed up and he kept expressing his gratitude for that.

Tomorrow, Economic Development Minister Eka Sharashidze will arrive here. She's expected to discuss the prospects for increasing the turn over of cargo at the port and will call on businesses to invest in Poti. So hopefully this is the beginning of a happy ending.

4:50 p.m. local time (12:50 p.m. GMT)

The "USS Mount Whitney" is anchored outside the harbor.

I'm here at the port, along with a lot of people waving Georgian and U.S. flags. There's music playing, and locals are waving typical Georgian souvenirs in hopes of offering them to the Americans who come ashore to deliver the aid. Everybody is pretty excited.

I haven't seen anyone from the central government in Tbilisi, but I'm told that that they will be here. US AID coordinator John Miller is here, and local government representatives are here.

I should remind everybody that the U.S. aid shipment is supposed to include blankets, powdered milk, and sanitizing equipment -- and that this aid is not primarily bound for Poti's residents but is aimed at helping people in and around the conflict zones or displaced persons around Georgia.

noon local time (8 a.m. GMT)

We're all awaiting the American navy ship's arrival.

The "USS Mount Whitney" is already in Georgian territorial waters, we hear. It's a very large ship -- 190 meters -- so it can't actually dock but will anchor outside Poti's harbor.

The mayor, Vano Saghinadze, met with the US AID program coordinator, John Miller, to discuss details of the preparations for the arrival of the aid. There's a lot of anticipation here in town. It's running on two tracks, basically. A lot of people are going down to the port on their own to see the big event; others are among groups organized by employers -- from the public and commercial sectors -- to go down there to greet the shipment. It's scheduled for 5 p.m.

The only ones who don't appear to be making preparations are the Russian soldiers. They look unaffected by the news -- digging trenches and excavating more earth. But I'll be watching them carefully as the arrival time approaches.

As was the case a week or so ago -- when there were reports of a U.S. aid shipment bound for Poti -- there is a little nervousness among people about whether or not this action could be regarded by the Russians as a provocation. But people who are familiar with the situation are telling me that -- even if this ship is much bigger than those two in last week's reports -- the Russians aren't signaling any objections. Unlike a week ago.

In fact, Russian news agencies are reporting that there will be no Russian military response to the increased number of NATO warships in the Black Sea.

But despite any nervousness, I expect there will be a lot of people out at the port today to welcome the "USS Mount Whitney."

7 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT)

I've just learned that an American ship, carrying humanitarian aid for those affected by the conflict, will dock in Poti at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Representatives of the Georgian government and the U.S. Embassy are expected to participate in a ceremony to welcome the ship's crew.   

I've also learned that families who have had members killed or seriously wounded as a result of the Russian air strikes have received financial support from the Poti Seaport Corporation. The bereaved families received 10,000 laris (approximately $7,000), and those with a wounded member received half that amount.

The chief executive of the Poti Seaport Corporation, Alan Middleton, says the port was significantly damaged during the bombardments. As the seaport represents a commercial enterprise rather than a military site, Middleton says the port might sue the Russian side in an international court over the damage that has been inflicted.