COMMUNIQUE
on the second round of negotiations
between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in
The second round of negotiations on a
comprehensive settlement to the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict took place on 11-13
January
The negotiations were held in accordance with Security
Council resolutions 849 of
It was noted that the provisions of the Memorandum
of Understanding of
An exchange of prisoners has taken place on the
principle of “all
for all”.
Representatives of UNHCR have undertaken a first
preparatory visit with a view to examine the feasibility of voluntary return of
refugees and displaced persons to their places of permanent residence.
There had been an increase in the number of
international observers in the conflict zone.
On 15-16 December
At the same time it was noted that hostilities
took place in individual areas of the zone of conflict carried out by
uncontrolled armed groups, as a result of which part of the population
experienced new privations.
Work to find the missing and dead had not yet
begun.
During the course of the second round of
negotiations in
(1) The Parties reaffirmed their commitment not to
use force or the threat of force against each other.
(2) The Parties agreed that the establishment of favourable conditions for further progress towards a
political settlement and the practical implementation of agreements will be
promoted by the deployment of a full-scale peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia.
They have appealed to the UN Security Council at its forthcoming consideration
of the activities of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIC)
for an appropriate expansion of its mandate, inter alia,
to entrust it with control of the non-resumption of hostilities in the zone of
conflict. The Parties continued to favour the
deployment in the conflict zone of UN peacekeeping forces or other forces
authorized by the United Nations. They expressed their mutual consent to the
use of a Russian military contingent as part of such forces.
Within five days after deployment in the zone of
conflict, in accordance with a decision of the UN Security Council, of an
additional number of international observers and following the arrival of
peacekeeping forces the Parties shall carry out the withdrawal of all armed
units, with their weapons and military equipment, from the Inguri
River and other possible lines of active confrontation in the conflict zone to
a distance to be determined by the officers commanding the peacekeeping forces
and UNOMIC, with the agreement of the parties. Simultaneously, international
observers and peacekeeping forces will enter the areas thus formed.
There shall be complete disarmament and withdrawal
of all kinds of volunteer units and individuals participating
the conflict. Inspections by international observers are permitted at crossing
points on the
The Parties appeal to the Security Council for an
intensification of the international civilian presence in the conflict zone and
for this purpose it would be necessary to deploy appropriate civilian experts
who will assist in resolving the problems of refugees and other humanitarian
issues.
(3) In the view of the Parties a resolution of the
problems of a settlement would be promoted by the establishment of a special
voluntary fund under the aegis of the United Nations.
(4) The Parties will continue to work out a
Quadripartite Agreement on the voluntary return and repatriation to Abkhazia of
refugees and displaced persons.
The Parties have agreed to establish a special
commission on refugees consisting of the Parties, the UN and the
The Parties agreed to begin on
The Parties are counting on effective assistance
from UNHCR and, inter alia, on the
commencement as soon as possible of operations in the zone of conflict by an
interim division of UNHCR.
(5) The Parties recognize that the primary
objective is a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict and that all
efforts are contributions to its achievement. They agreed to continue
discussions of the problem of the political status of Abkhazia taking into
account mutual interests. The next meeting of experts on this issue will take
place in
The UN, The OSCE and the Russian Federation call
upon the parties to proceed from the need to observe the territorial integrity
of Georgia and fully to ensure the interests of the entire multinational
population of Abkhazia, this being the fundamental principles of a
comprehensive settlement.
(6) The Parties expressed their interest in the
establishment no later than 15 February of an international commission to
assist in economic recovery in Abkhazia with the participation of international
and national organizations. Among its highest priorities must be the
restoration of vital facilities, transport, communications, airports, bridges
and tunnels.
(7) The Parties to the negotiations agreed to hold
their next meeting on
For the Georgian side J. Ioseliani
For the Abkhaz side
In the presence of:
From the UN E.
Brunner
From the
From the OSCE V.
Manno
(www.un.org/russian)