JOINT STATEMENT of the Twelfth Session of the Working Group One

On 20 July 2002 in Chuburkhinji at the CIS PKF CP 201 the Twelfth Session of the Working Group One was held under the chairmanship of the Major General Kazi Ashfaq. The Georgian side was headed by Mr. Malkhaz Kakabadze. The Abkhaz side was headed by Mr. Sergei Shamba. The group of the CIS PKF was headed by Major General Alexander Evteev.

1. The package of questions were included on the agenda, including security and confidence measures in Kodori valleye, also the situation in the Security Zone.

2. The sides reaffirmed their commitments not to use force against each other and resolve all disputable problems only through the peaceful means.

3. The Georgian side once again stated that it had fulfilled all the commitments taken in conformity with the Protocol of the meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz Sides in Sukhumi on 29 March 2002. In addition to this statement the Georgian side informed about significant reduction of the number of Georgian border guards at the upper part of Kodori Valley with regard to the number set out in the list of members of staff as mentioned in the letter of Mr. Malkhaz Kakabadze.  The Georgian side gave the explanation about the legal status and role of reservists, residing in upper part of the Kodori Valley. The Georgian side confirmed its intension to withdraw by the end of this month three mortars and ammunitions remaining in the village of Chkhalta after withdrawal of military units of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia in compliance with the Protocol of 29 March 2002.

4. The Abkhaz side agreed that measures taken under the aegis of the UNOMIG, particularly, the resumption of patrols to Kodori Valley by the representatives of the UNOMIG and CIS PKF would facilitate stabilization of the situation.  At the same time the Abkhaz side adheres to the opinion that presence of Georgian border guards in Kodori Valley and armed reservists is a violation of existing agreements, including the Moscow agreement on Cease-fire and Separation of Forces of 14 May 1994.  The Abkhaz side still considers that establishment of permanent posts of the UNOMIG and PKF of the CIS at the upper part of Kodori Valley, as well as the demilitarization of Kodori valley could be important contribution to the peace and confidence building process.

5. The representative of the CIS PKF provided the information that within 7 months of 2002 the PKF suffered losses  in Kodori Valley closer to the Post 107 (Upper Lata).

One serviceman died, three wounded, one vehicle was exploded.  The loss was a result of subversions and shelling. The situation with regard of PKF in Kodori Gorge is assessed as volatile and tensed.

6. The Chairman of the PKF of the CIS informed regarding withdrawal of the Posts

of PKF 105 and 103 at the northern part of the Security Zone in order to vacate school in Zemo-Bargebi and dwelling house in Repo-Etseri.

For the Georgian Side M. Kakabadze

For the Abkhaz Side S. Shamba

For the CPKF of the CIS A. Evteev                 

For the UNOMIG K. Ashfaq

20 July 2002

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