FINAL DOCUMENT OF THE MOSCOW MEETING

The President of the Russian Federation and the Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Georgia having discussed the situation established in Abkhazia with participation of the leaders of Abkhazia, the North-Caucasus Republics, Regions and Districts of the Russian Federation, striving for the early introduction of cease-fire regime, overcoming the extreme critical situation and establishment of conditions for comprehensive political settlement in Abkhazia that has become the zone of military confrontation… considering inadmissible any violation of universal principles of territorial integrity of the states and inviolability of their frontiers, respecting the rights and freedoms of individuals, as well as the minority’s rights, agreed upon the following:

Article 1

- The territorial integrity of Georgia is to be secured.

- All armed formations participating in the conflict shall firmly observe cease-fire regime from 12.00h of 5 September 1992 and stop the usage of any force against each other.  At that the Sides commit themselves to refrain from any offensive actions before the cease-fire regime enters into effect.

Concurrently the Commission on controlling and inspection shall be set up composed of the representatives nominated by the authorities of Georgia, including Abkhazia, and the Russian Federation.  The Commission shall observe cease-fire and implementation of other provisions of this Agreement in compliance with elaborated procedures.

In order to fulfil their tasks the members of the Commission exercise disarmament, disbanding and withdrawal from Abkhazia all illegal military formations and groups, as well as prevent penetration of such groups into Abkhazia to assure stringent control along the whole perimeter of the conflict zone.

Once the cease-fire is implemented and the troops re-dislocated, the Commission shall monitor that the forces of the Republic of Georgia in the conflict zone shouldn’t exceed the agreed level necessary to fulfil the tasks of this Agreement (protection of railway and other determined objects).

The authorities of all levels shall expeditiously consider the recommendations of the Commission.

Article 2

Exchange of detainees, hostages, war prisoners and others shall be carried out before 10 September 1992 based on the principle “All for All”.

Article 3

The Sides shall prohibit and prevent any terrorist acts and taking in hostage and carry out effective measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Article 4

Immediate measures shall be taken to remove obstacles on the way of cargo movement, as well as services and persons that are engaged in lawful activities.  Regular and safe function of relevant land, air and maritime transport will be secured, as well as protection of borders.

The special attention will be attached to the security of certain portions of the Trans-Caucasus railway, including through establishment of joint mechanisms.

The Commission on Control and Inspection will provide necessary recommendations on this issue.

Article 5

The conditions for the return of refugees to the places of their permanent residence are being secured.  They shall receive the adequate assistance and aid.

The measures to find the missing persons and evacuate those willing to leave Abkhazia are being carried out.

Article 6

The effective measures shall be carried out to prevent any violation and plunder and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Article 7

The Sides will carry out measures to restore the regions and render the humanitarian assistance, including at the international level, to the population affected in conflict.  The Red Cross organizations, in coordination with the Commission on Control and Inspection shall determine the procedures of delivery and distribution of such assistance.

Article 8

The Sides confirm the necessity of observing the international norms in the sphere of human rights and minority rights, inadmissibility of discrimination of the rights of citizens with regard of ethnic, language or religion, securing of holding free democratic elections.

Article 9

The Troops of the Russian Federation, temporarily deployed on the territory of Georgia, including in Abkhazia, shall firmly observe neutrality and do not participate in internal conflicts.

All state authorities of Georgia, including Abkhazia, commit themselves to respect neutrality of Russian troops deployed there and prevent unlawful acts against military servicemen, members of their families and military property.

Article 10

The Sides will encourage resumption of functioning of legal organs in Abkhazia by 15 September 1992.

Article 11

The organs of power and management of the republics, regions and districts of the North Caucasus that are under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation will take effective measures to prevent and avoid any acts from their respective territories that contravene the provisions of this Agreement.  They will facilitate the activities aimed at achieving peace in the region.  They will exert every effort to explain the population the provisions of this Agreement.

Article 12

The Sides appeal to the UN and the OSCE with request to support aforementioned principles of regulation and render assistance in their implementation, including detaching the mission on fact-finding and observers.

Moscow, 3 September 1992

On behalf of the Russian Federation B. Yeltsin

On behalf of Georgia E. Shevardnadze

Agreed: G. Khizha, A. Kozirev, P. Grachev, A. Mirzabekov, M. Magomedov, V. Kokov,

Kh. Kormokov, V. Saveliyev, V. Khubyev, S. Khetagurov, A. Galazov, A. Jamirov, V.

Ardzinba, K. Ozgan, T. Nadareishvili, T. Sigua, T. Kitovani, A. Chikvaidze, A. Tleuzh, V.

Diakonov, E. Kuznetsov, V. Choub.

3 September 1992

(www.un.org/russian)