Annex 1 To Protocol #6 of the JCC Session dated July 23, 1996

DECISION OF THE JOINT CONTROL COMMISSION (JCC) FOR THE GEORGIAN-OSSETIAN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT On Activities of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Zone of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict

July 23, 1996, Vladikavkaz

On July 23, 1996, in Vladikavkaz, the JCC, having heard the report of the Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (the JPKF) in the zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, as well as co-reports of chief military commanders of Georgian and Ossetian battalions and of the Deputy Mission Chief of the OSCE in Georgia, came to the conclusion the process of regulating the conflict acquired a positive dynamics. The parties, those that refused to settle the problem by force, try to find compromising ways for reaching the peace and stability in the zone of conflict pointing out, however, the efficient intermediary activities of Russia and the fact that the JPKF represent the guarantor of the stability reached in the zone of conflict. The positive contribution of the the OSCE Mission in Georgia to this process has been recognized too.

The parties again re-ascertain that failure to regulate political issues, hard economic situation, difficult criminal environment and availability of a huge number of unregistered weapons among the population have an immediate negative influence on the stability of the situation in the zone of the conflict, and in connection with this fact, they admit that keeping of the JPKF at this stage is of a great importance.

In addition to this fact, for the purpose of realizing the provisions of the Memorandum on Measures to be Taken for Providing Safety and Strengthening Mutual Confidence between the Parties to the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict, signed on May 16, 1996 in Moscow, the parties deemed it possible to start preparing, within the framework of the JCC, preliminary proposals for the development of a plan of gradual reduction of frontier posts and outposts of the JPKF, and concentrating them on the places of permanent dislocation, organizing the service in a manner as to take into consideration the safety of the population.

the JCC Resolved:

1. Recognizing the necessity for demilitarization of the zone of conflict, it should be deemed too early at this stage to withdraw the battalion of peacemaking troops of Georgia from the zone of conflict, and break the Ossetian battalion of peacemaking troops.

2. Assign the Commander of the JPKF, together with the chief commanders of Georgian and Ossetian battalions, and with the participation of the OSCE Mission, to prepare proposals on realization of Paragraph 6.7 of the Memorandum on Measures to be Taken for Providing Safety and Strengthening Mutual Confidence between the Parties to the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict (the plan of gradual reduction of frontier posts and outposts of the JPKF and concentrating them on the places of permanent dislocation of headquarters (staff) in the zone of conflict).

3. Ask the Government of the Russian Federation to resolve the issues with regard to regular financing of Ossetian contingent of peacemaking troops from January 1, 1996.

4. Ask the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Georgia to provide the Georgian and Ossetian battalions of peacemaking troops with needed means of communication. To allocated for the Georgian and Ossetian parties all necessary means with the purpose of providing the headquarters and the united staff with transport facilities pursuant to the approved plan (Annex 1).

On behalf of the Russian side On behalf of the Georgian side

On behalf of the South Ossetian Side On behalf of the North Ossetian side

In the presence of:

the OSCE Mission

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