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Saturday, August 16, 2008, 08:00
Delegates from the capital Tbilisi had been due to come over to Bristol this month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bristol Tbilisi Association.
But since the crisis with Russia that began on August 7, all activities have been put on hold.
Bristol city councillor Derek Pickup is vice-chairman of the association and was in the country visiting friends just three weeks ago.
He said: "We were there three weeks ago for a wedding, just before all of this happened.
"There were no signs at the time of any conflict, it seemed very stable but from the news it would seem this is something the government was planning for some time.
"We are in touch with a variety of people in Tbilisi on a daily basis, including our sister organisation the TBA.
"They are telling us Tbilisi has been untouched, but the BBC reported a few days ago that Russian troops were on the main road towards the capital.
"As of Thursday there was still bombing going on in Gori and Poti, the two ports.
"There are approximately 30,000 refugees in Tbilisi due to the recent conflicts.
"People are worried sick to death."
Cllr Pickup said he was concerned about the effect the conflict would have the economics of the country.
He said: "When you think that when Georgia separated from Russia the GDP dropped by 95 per cent.
"It's only in the last 10 years that things have started to improve, and no one is sure if it will go back to that."
The BTA was formed in 1988, currently has around 60 members and a whole series of events had been planned to mark the 20th anniversary.
This would have included Georgian Studies day, a national event that is normally held in London but this year was planned for Bristol because of the anniversary.
The vice-chairman said he hoped to organise a trip to Georgia as soon as possible as a symbolic gesture of support.
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