MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the Georgian and the Abkhaz sides at the negotiations in Geneva

From 30 November to 1 December 1993 in Geneva, the first round of negotiations on a comprehensive settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict took place under the aegis of the United Nations with the Russian Federation as facilitator and a representative of the CSCE.

The negotiations were held in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 849 of 9 July 1993, 854 of 6 August 1993, 858 of 24 August 1993, 876 of 19 October 1993 and 881 of 4 November 1993.

Agreement was reached concerning the following:

1. In accordance with the main provisions of the Sochi Agreement of 27 July 1993 on the cease-fire in Abkhazia and the mechanism for monitoring its observance, the parties commit themselves not to use force or the threat of force against each other for the period of the continuing negotiations to achieve a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia.

2. The parties consider that the maintenance of peace would be promoted by an increase in the zone of conflict of the number of international observers and by the use of international peacekeeping forces subject to agreement by the Security Council and the United Nations Secretary-General.

3. As a gesture of good will, the parties before 20 December 1993 will exchange prisoners-of-war in accordance with the principle of all for all without any preconditions. Urgent measures will be taken to find those missing, for which purpose the parties will give each other the appropriate lists. In addition, measures will be taken for the reburial of the dead.

4. The parties consider it their duty to find an urgent solution to the problem of the refugees and displaced persons. They undertake to create conditions for the voluntary, safe and speedy return of refugees to the places of their permanent residence in all regions of Abkhazia. The apartments, houses, plots of land and property which they left shall be returned to all those refugees who return.

The parties express the hope for participation in the solution to the problem of refugees by the UNHCR.

5. The parties appeal to the international community to render assistance in re-establishing basic supply system to the population in the conflict zone, and to render all victims of the conflict various types of humanitarian assistance.

6. The parties express the wish that for purposes of promoting economic recovery in the conflict zone an international commission be established with the participation of international and national organizations.

7. To prepare recommendations on the political status of Abkhazia, a group of experts including representatives of the parties, the United Nations, the United Nations, the Russian Federation and the CSCE will begin work in Moscow in early December 1993. The group will submit its report to the next round of negotiations.

8. The next round of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict under the aegis of the United Nations, with the Russian Federation as facilitator and with the participation of the CSCE representatives will begin on 11 January 1994 in Moscow or Geneva.

For the Georgian side Jaba Ioseliani

For the Abkhaz side Sokrat Jinjolia

In the presence of:

For the United Nations Edouard Brunner

For the Russian Federation Boris Pastukhov

For the CSCE Vincenzo Manno

1 December 1993

(Archive of the OfFice of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Georgia)