DECISION TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL OF THE HEADS OF STATES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES on Measures for Settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia

The Council of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of independent States,

Expressing its full support to the efforts of the UNO and the Russian Federation aimed at achieving comprehensive political settlement of the conflict

Noting that the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces has generally been observed by the sides with the assistance of the Commonwealth of independent States peacekeeping forces and the United Nations Observers Mission,

Deeply concerned over the unsettled political and humanitarian problems, emerged from the conflict,

Referring to the Memorandum on maintaining the Peace and Stability in the Commonwealth of Independent States of 10 February 1995 (Almaty) and the Declaration issued by the Council of the heads of States of 26 May 1995 (Minsk),

Confirming its commitments pursuant to the aforementioned documents not to support separatist regimes, refrain from the establishment of political, economic and other cooperation with them, nor render any economic, financial, military or other assistance,

Noting to the necessity to undertake complex of measures to influence on the Abkhaz side,

Acting in compliance with the UN Charter, decided:

1.  To condemn the destructive position of the Abkhaz side that obstructs the implementation of reconciled agreement on political settlement of the conflict, return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of residence in safety in dignity.

2. The Council of the heads of States of the Commonwealth of independent states expects the sides to achieve an early and substantial results at the negotiations with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator, in particular on political issues and the problems of return of refugees and displaced persons.

3. The member-states of the Commonwealth of Independent States will prevent the sell or supply of arms, military equipment all of types, spare parts, ammunitions, military vehicles and equipment by their citizens, or from their respective territories, or through their ships and aircraft to the conflict zone.

4. The member-states will prohibit:

a) any technical consultations, assistance or services in the field of staff training or on other issues, set up in the paragraph 3 from the side of legal or natural persons or from their respective territories to the Abkhaz side;

b) enlisting in the service of the military forces of the CIS member-states the citizens permanently residing in the territories under the control of the Abkhaz side.

5. The member-states of the Commonwealth will take measures:

a) to prevent recruitment of their citizens and their detachment to the conflict zone for participation in the activity of any armed formations;

b) to facilitate return of those citizens of the member-state of the Commonwealth of independent States that are serving in the military formations of Abkhazia;

c) to recall all their officials, representatives and citizens that are currently in the territories under the control of Abkhaz side giving assistance to Abkhaz authorities in the military issues.

6.  Confirming, that Abkhazia is an integral part of Georgia, the member-states of the  Commonwealth of Independent States, without consent of the Government of Georgia:

a) will not exercise trade-economic, financial, transport or other operations with the authorities of the Abkhaz side;

b) will not engage themselves in official contacts with the representatives or officials of the

structures established in the territory of Abkhazia, nor with the members of military formations of

Abkhazia.

7.  Member-states of the Commonwealth of Independent States will not permit the functioning of representations of the authorities of neither the Abkhaz side in their territories, nor the persons in a capacity of official representative of those authorities.

8. Reaffirming its firm commitment to the comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, and first of all to the early and unconditional return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of residence in safety and dignity, the member-states of the Commonwealth of Independent States appeal to the United nations organizations to support the measures of influence on the Abkhaz authorities adopted by the member-states if the CIS and advise all member-states of the UNO to endorse to these measures.

This Decision comes into effect the day it is signed.

Done at Moscow in 19 January 1996 in one original copy in Russian Language…

The decision is signed by the Heads of Sates of the CIS.

The decision hasn’t been signed by the Republic of Belarus and Turkmenistan

(Newspaper “Svobodnaia Gruzia”, # 8, 29 January 1996)