RESOLUTION on Extension of the Mandate of the Collective Peace-keeping Forces in the Conflict Zone of Abkhazia, Georgia, adopted by the state duma of the russian federation

On 31 July 1997 the term of Mandate of the Collective Peace-keeping forces (hereinafter ‘collective forces’), which have effectively performed their duties in the conflict zone of Abkhazia, Georgia, will expire.

Incase of withdrawal of the Collective Forces from the said zone may entail a resumption of  military operations between the Republic of Georgia and Abkhazia that is confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian federation.

Such development may also involve the peoples of the North Caucasus into the conflict that will pose a threat to the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.  Moreover, the people, for whom Russian is a mother tongue will be suffering on the territory of Abkhazia.

Proceeding from the common values, interests of maintaining the stability in the Caucasus and for protecting the interests of Russia in the said region,

taking into account the fact that the collective forces are staffed solely by the military servicemen of the Military Forces of the Russian Federation,

the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation decrees:

1. To advise the President of the Russian Federation to submit the proposal to the Council of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States on extension of the mandate of the Collective Forces.

2. To advise the President of the Russian Federation to entrust the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a task of holding the negotiations with the Republic of Georgia and Abkhazia on necessity of extension of the term of presence of the Collective Forces in the said zone.

3. To address to the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation with the request to consider the issue on necessity of extension of the term of presence of the Collective Military Forces in the conflict zone in Abkhazia, Georgia.

4. This Resolution shall come into force from the day of its adoption.

Chairman of the State Duma

of the federal Assembly of the Russian Federation  G. N. Seleznyev

23 June 1997, Moscow

(Bulletin of the Federal Assembly of the RF, M., 1997, # 28, p. 5538-5539/in Russian)