STATEMENT   OF THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF STATES OF THE CIS COUNTRIES On conducting operation of peace-keeping in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

More than for a year and a half stays as unsettled the conflict in Abkhazia. Despite the fact that on the 4-th of April of this year were signed Statement on measures of political settlement of the conflict, in which the Sides committed themselves to observe the ceasefire, to refrain from application of force and threats towards each other and also the quadripartite agreement on volunteer return of refugees and IDPs, the situation in the conflict still remains tense. After the signing of these documents, there were cases of armed clashes. The situation is close to explosion that can bring to the broad scale explosion of hostilities.

In the documents, which were adopted in the process of negotiations on settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict under the auspices of the UNO and facilitation of Russia, starting from the December of the last year, are included appeals to the Security Council of the UNO on the soonest starting of Peace-Keeping Operation (PKO) with inclusion in the UN Peacekeeping forces of the Russian troops. Realization of this operation shall facilitate the settlement of the most acute problem – Secure return of tens of thousands of refugees to their native places. But the decision on implementation of the PKO is not so far adopted.

The environment in the conflict zone needs immediate actions. It is inadmissible to postpone the introduction of the Peacekeeping forces. Reiterating its loyalty to the soonest possible solution of the problems of refugees, protection of Human Rights and national minorities, principle of territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia and provision for the statehood of Abkhazia, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States – members of the Agreement on collective security – appeal to the Security Council of the UNO to adopt immediate decision on conducting peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia.

The Council of the Heads of States expresses readiness in case, if for some reason such decision is not approved in the nearest future, in compliance with the principles and the essence of the agreement, meant to provide for peaceful and secure development of the member-states, with agreement of the Sides in the conflict to introduce to the conflict zone the peacekeeping Forces, composed of the armed units of the interested states-members of the Treaty.   

We appeal to all the states-members of the Commonwealth of Independent States with a call to participate in the peacekeeping mission in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.

Conducting of the operation with the forces of the countries, members of Commonwealth of Independent States, in the given case would go in accordance with principles of the UNO, in compliance with the Chapter VIII of its Charter, in which are encouraged actions of the regional organizations in the domain of peacekeeping.

All the actions of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, members of the Agreement on collective security – shall be combined with the supportive actions from the UNO and the OSCE. It can be considered as an important role, increase the number of international observers, already deployed in Abkhazia in accordance with the decision of the Security Council of the UNO and their close cooperation with the commandment of the peacekeeping forces. We would also welcome the readiness of the UNO to support such peacekeeping operation by additional contingent.

15.04.1994

(Collection of Documents Relating to the Issue of Conflict Settlement in Abkhazia, Georgia adopted in 1992-1999, Author G. Uridia, Tbilisi, 1999, p. 35/in Russian)