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

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

Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia,

Welcoming resumption of direct bilateral negotiations between Georgian and Abkhaz Sides and active facilitation of the Russian Federation to this process, also the declaration of the Ukraine at 52nd Session of the UN General assembly on intensification of its role in the conflict settlement of Abkhazia, Georgia,

Noting the importance of Geneva meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz Sides in presence of the Russian Federation, as a facilitator, the OSCE and the states of the Group of Friends under the UN Secretary-General,

Being guided by the provisions set out in the Memorandum on Peacekeeping and Stability in the Commonwealth of Independent States (Almaty, 10 February 1995), in the Declaration of the Council of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Minsk, 26 May 1995) on Elimination of the Treat of Separatism as Important Precondition to Stability and Conflicts’ Settlement in the Region,

Reaffirming all its previous Decisions on this issue, in particular of 19 January 1996, 28 March 1997 aimed at achievement of the comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia and stressing on their its implementation,

Deeply concerned at failure of the implementation of previous Decisions within the frame of the Commonwealth related to the organized return of refugees,

Noting with concern to the obstructive approach of the Abkhaz Sides, the issue on definition of the political status of Abkhazia, Georgia is still unsolved,

Deeply concerned about the holding election of so-called local self-governance in Abkhazia, Georgia that cannot be recognized legitimate against the background of undefined status of Abkhazia, unresolved problems of the return of refugees and displaced persons causing the tension towards the comprehensive settlement in the conflict zone,

Deeply concerned at increasing scope of subversive and terrorist activities, hostage taking of the peacekeeping force and UNOMIG personnel, other acts of violence in the conflict zone resulting in the victims of peaceful population, refugees and displaced persons,

Stressing the importance of urgent peace measures set out in the Decision taken by the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States of 28 March 1997 that would lay down the guarantees to the process of organized return of refugees and displaced persons,

decided:

1. To expand, with the consent of the Sides, the Mandate of the Collective Peacekeeping Force in the conflict zone terminating in 31 July 1998 or until one of the Sides demands on it.

2. To consider inadmissible further procrastination of the organized return of refugees and displaced persons and to accomplish their return to Gali Region (within old frontiers) before the end of 1998 on the basis of the mechanisms elaborated by the representatives of the Sides, Russian Federation and UNOMIG.

The measures for economic revival of the region and normalization of the border and customs regime shall be carried out only in connection with the organized return of refugees and displaced persons.

To call upon the Sides of the conflict to discuss and set up interim provisional administration in Gali region, which would work under the direct participation of mediators, the UNO and the OSCE in order to secure return of refugees and displaced persons and establishment of normal living conditions for them.

3. The Command of the Collective Peacekeeping Force, in cooperation with the Sides, shall secure implementation of the measures set out in the Decision taken by the Council of the heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States of 28 March 1997.

The Command of the Collective Peacekeeping Force shall elaborate the plan of re-dislocation of the units and other measures relating to the organized return of refugees and displaced persons, first of all to Gali region (within old frontiers) on the basis of mechanisms set up by the Sides of the conflict.

The Command of the Collective Peacekeeping Force within the competence of its mandate shall ensure the security and unimpeded operation of vital important objects in the conflict zone, as the Inguri Power Plant, bridges, water supply etc.

4. Expresses it deep concern at failure of implementation of the Decision taken by the Council of the heads of States of 28 March 1997 in regard of extension of the security zone.

To call upon the Abkhaz side to come back to the discussion of this issue for its positive resolution.

In case of obstruction to the return of refugees, worsening of security situation in region, the adequate measures shall be carried out to change the character and nature of the peace operations relevant to the UN Charter.

5. The Council of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States calls upon the CIS member-states singed the decision on use of Collective Peacekeeping Force in the zone of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and on the approval of the Mandate, to take more active participation in peacekeeping operations with the Russian Federation, which bears the most heavy burden of this operation at present.

6. To achieve the facilitation of the world community and international organizations in social-economic issues and humanitarian problems of the population resulting from the conflict.

7. To appeal the UNO with the request to include to the UNOMIG the group of observers from the CIS member-states.

8. The Executive Secretariat of the Commonwealth of independent States, with participation of the Military Coordinating Headquarters of the CIS member-states, shall report the Heads of States about the implementation of the Decisions taken by the Council of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of independent States regarding the conflict settlement in Abkhazia, Georgia.

9.  To inform the UN Security Council about this Decision taken by the Council of the CIS Heads of States.

This Decision shall come into effect the day it is signed.

(…)

Signed by the Heads of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The Decision hasn’t been signed by the Republic of Belarus, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

28 April 1998

(www.un.org/russian)