Tskhinvali Region / South Ossetia
New Realities in the
Process of Peace Negotiations
The Note prepared by
the Office of the Georgia State Minister for Reintegration
United
Control Commission:
- This format is not working. Agreements are not being implemented. First of all
this concerns demilitarisation, illegal armed formations and influx of arms and
“volunteers” through illegal routes.
- In the 3 vs. 1 format it is
hard to talk about any serious progress.
- We have tried to make this format
work but obviously it cannot serve the appointed goals.
- Security component may remain. The
progress in the peacekeeping operation and cooperation of law enforcement
agencies is possible, and here Russian may play important or even leading role.
New Realities:
- Realities in the region have
changed considerably.
- Sanakoev’s political movement and
the region’s temporary administration is objective reality and must be
considered in the process of conflict resolution.
- Sanakoev’s administration is in
control of the large part of territory of the former autonomy and both Georgian and Ossetian
population – almost half of the whole population of the region – supports him.
This factor should be considered.
- The process of conflict resolution
should not be monopolized by any side, thus Sanakoev must be included in all
activities of political settlement.
New initiatives of Reintegration
- The main focus is on the population of the region, especially on those for whom this conflict has limited perspectives of peaceful life and development.
- Among those the priority is the youth, which has been put into
trenches and under propaganda by the Tskhinvali de facto regime. Education
programs, in
- The goal is to provide new opportunities for the residents of the
region and to integrate their professional experience. It is also planned to
promote the projects aimed at enhancing integration identity of the population
of
- The work has also started on the projects of professional re-education.
- Particular attention will be given to production of local products, promotion of the local initiatives and local administrations.
OSCE and the European Commission in the Processes of Political
Settlement and Reintegration
- OSCE and EU are playing more and more important role in the rehabilitation and economic development of the region.
- At the same time OSCE is becoming the leading moderator.
- It is necessary to include these institutions in the process of final political settlement.
- They can play decisive role in restoration of trust, political settlement, socio-economical rehabilitation, as well as settling the issues of security.
The Mechanisms of Launching the Political Process
- The main problem is the issue of responsibility of the Tskhinvali separatist leadership. If they are going to be the equal partners, they have to cut short their capricious policy and responsibly represent the part of population that is supporting them.
- International community cannot be a hostage of the Tskhinvali separatist leaders. They have to understand that they must talk to and accept as partners all forces that constitute actual social factors. This first of all concerns Sanakoev and the support he has among the residents of the region.
- Kokoity and his group from time to time proclaim the boycott of the State Minister for Reintegration, say that they don’t like the statements by the Russian ambassador, OSCE, or European Commission. This has to stop if they want to participate in serious negotiations.
-
- The 2+2+2 format proposal is adequate to the existing reality would give new impulse to the process of peaceful settlement.
- The grouping in this format will be following:
- This initiative must be followed by balanced and responsible reaction. We hope that our Western friends will support the launch of this process.
(12.03.2008)
(http://www.report.smr.gov.ge/GoG)