Annex 1 to Protocol # 41 of the JCC December 22-23 , 2004

STATEMENT OF CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE JCC FOR THE GEORGIAN OSSETIAN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

December 23, 2004, Tbilisi

On December 22-23, 2004, in Tbilisi, on the initiative of the South Ossetian party, there was a special session of co-chairmen of the JCC for the Georgian-Ossetian conflict settlement arranged for discussing the situation in the zone of conflict, and their meeting with Mr. Z. Zhvania.

The Co-chairmen of the JCC stated with anxiety that the situation in the zone of conflict remained highly explosive (dangerous). Irrespective of the fact that in the process of negotiations there was a serious base of agreement created, which was necessary for the development of the peaceful process, ignoring of the concrete agreements reached by the parties in the past inspired the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty in the population.

Within the format of the JCC, which represents the only realistically operating mechanism for regulating the conflict, the parties took concrete obligations in the spheres of gradual demilitarization of the zone of conflict, withdrawal of armed formations, with the exception of the JPKF; to agree on the quantity and location of posts of law enforcement organs, release roads and rehabilitate the economy of regions in the zone of conflict.

For the purpose of efficient fulfillment of the agreements, on November 5, 2004, in Sochi, there was a meeting of Mr. Z. Zhvania and E. Kokoiti organized on the initiative of the JCC. The main goal of his meeting was to increase the confidence between the parties to the conflict, reduce tension in the zone of conflict and give an impetus to practical works for gradual demilitarization of the zone of conflict. This was the target of the activities of the JPKF too, to increase the level of mutual cooperation of three peacemaking battalions of the JPKF.

In fact, the process failed. The above-noted gradual demilitarization and full withdrawal of armed formations from the zone of conflict and liquidation of fortification works did not take place. The number of police posts increased. Roads and communications remained blocked. Impediments for delivery of humanitarian aid for the population in the zone of conflict are still in place. The process of economic rehabilitation is not going forward. This situation, as a whole, creates the atmosphere of distrust between the parties.

Co-chairmen of the JCC apply to Mr. Z. Zhvania and E. Kokoiti with the request to provide clear coordination of joint activities of all ministries and agencies of he parties for strict fulfillment of the achieved agreements, and obligations taken by the parties for the purpose of successful development of the process of regulating the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. It is also very important to renew active cooperation between the law enforcement organs of the parties, which, previously, made it possible to stop full-scale armed confrontation in the zone of conflict, as well as to take actions for renewing works of the joint coordination center for cooperation of law enforcement organs.

Only the political will to practically implement the achieved agreement will actually confirm the readiness of the parties to settle the problem in a peaceful manner. The are no, and never be any other magic formats or formulas to be used.

Cochairman of the JCC from Georgian side

Cochairman of the JCC from South Ossetian side

Cochairman of the JCC from Russian side

Cochairman of the JCC from North Ossetian side

(Archive of the Staff of the State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution Issues/in Russian)