PROTOCOL OF THE TALKS ON THE REGULATION OF GEORGIAN-ABKHAZ CONFLICT

The next round of the Talks was held in Moscow in 10-12 September 1996.  The Georgian delegation was led by V. G. Lordkipanidze and the Abkhaz Delegation by K. K. Ozgan.  The Russian delegation, led by B. N.  Pastukhov participated in the meeting as facilitator.

It was proposed to discuss the key provisions to the Protocol on settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.  As the discussion showed, the Sides still pursue opposing positions towards the principal issues.

The Georgian Sides insists to make clear cut determination in the Article 2 to the future federal settlement of the country based on the principles of territorial integrity.  The Abkhaz side states on the equal-subject arrangement under the Article 2.  The same is meant in the proposal of Abkhaz side with regard of Article 5 that puts the stress on possibility of the Sides to act as an independent entity in international relations.

The other opposing positions are still evident.  With this regard the Russian facilitators proposed to adopt provisional document, that was supported by the sides.

Having discussed proposed project by Russian representatives “Declaration on Bases of Settlement and the Confidence- building Measures between the Sides of the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict”; the sides found mutual understanding on some provisions of the document.

At the same time the sides stated on principal opposition regarding the Article 2, which determines the general principles of the future Agreement.

After the discussion the felicitators offered to formulate this article as follows: “To designate plenipotentiary delegations, which with facilitation of the Russian Federation and under the auspices of the UNO will start working out the principal provisions of the Agreement bearing the statues of Constitutional law and to regulate the relation of the Sides within the frame of the State and within the frontiers of former Georgian SSR for 21 December 1991 on the basis of equality, mutual respect, reconciliation and federalism”.

The Abkhaz Side proposed the following wording to the Article 2: “To designate plenipotentiary delegations, which with facilitation of the Russian Federation and under the auspices of the UNO will start working out the principal provisions of the Agreement aimed at regulating the relations between the Sides”.

The Georgian delegation offered the following wording to the Article 2: “To designate plenipotentiary delegations, which with facilitation of the Russian Federation and under the auspices of the UNO will start working out the principal provisions of the Agreement on separation of competences and mutual delegation of authorities between the state agencies of the federative state and the state authorities of Abkhazia within the frontiers of former Georgian SSR for 21 December 1991 on the basis of equality, mutual respect and reconciliof   ation.  This Agreement will have the effect of Constitutional law of the federative stste and will be the integral part of its Constitution”.

The Russian facilitators made the emphasis on the need to reflect the principle of territorial integrity of the country.  This proposal was not supported by the Abkhaz Side.

The delegations will inform the leadership of the Sides on the topic of discussion on the draft documents.

The Sides decided to continue negotiations.

V. Lordkipanidze, K. Ozgan, B. Pastukhov

12 September 1996

(Newspaper “Svobodnaia Gruzia”, # 130, 18 September 1996)