RESOLUTION
BY THE PARLIAMENT OF
The recent declaration to
hold elections during the process of conflict settlement in Abkhazia has
aggravated the process of the political settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia.
The efforts of the Georgian
Government to peacefully settle the Abkhaz conflict based on the principles of
the territorial integrity of
Since June of 1994, the
peacekeeping forces of the C.I.S, which are composed from Russian military
personnel, have not carried out their function as determined by their mandate -
the safe and organized return of refugees to their native dwellings - which has
contributed to the notion that the separatists are above the law. The above
mentioned conditions called forth the recent declaration on illegal elections,
which is particularly alarming while the peacekeeping forces are dislocated
along the
Holding elections by the
separatist regime will lead to the dissolution of the peacekeeping mission, as
by its nature, a peacekeeping mission cannot legitimize ethnic cleansing nor the forces within Abkhazia who organized the genocide of
the indigenous population. Any precedent that may be set whereby ethnic
cleansing works to promote the conduct of elections,
is a threat to international peace and security, causes disorder, and
contradicts the imperatives of the international law. Democratic, law-based
nations should express their attitude towards these events and recognize such
elections unlawful.
The crisis in the process of
settlement of the Abkhaz conflict is integrally linked to Russian-Georgian
relations and their future prospective.
An evaluation of the current
lack of a legal basis for deployment of the Russian military bases on the
The similar situation exists
with regard to the joint-defense of State borders. Discussion of already signed
military agreements can only take place following the de facto restoration of the State jurisdiction over the entire
There is no final definition
of policy towards Russian-Georgian economic cooperation.
It is incomprehensible that
the agreement, “On Friendship, Neighborliness and Cooperation between Georgia
and the Russian Federation” ratified on 17 January 1996 by the Parliament of Georgia,
which determines the main principles of strategic cooperation between Georgia
and Russia has not yet been ratified by the supreme legislative body of Russia.
An unhealthy situation
exists due to the fact that
The Parliament of Georgia
reaffirms its readiness to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict and
declares its intent to take urgent measures for the settlement of this crisis.
At the same time the Parliament of Georgia places special stress on the urgent
settlement of outstanding problems regarding the bilateral relations between
Taking into consideration
the resolution indicated above and
1. To consider illegal the
decision made by separatists and their supporters of the occupied territory on
holding elections on 23 November, and any of their forthwith results to be
annulled, as they breach the Constitution of Georgia, the principles and norms
of international law, human rights and freedom.
2. To ask to the President
of Georgia for establishment of a Special State Delegation responsible for the
evaluation of the current status of Russian-Georgian bilateral relations and to
elaborate the mechanisms in order to remove the outstanding problems.
3. Before December 10 the
above mentioned delegation shall submit preliminary proposals regarding
negotiations with the Russian officials and further regulation to be held
between Georgia and Russia to be held covering regulation of Russian-Georgian
relations, extension of the mandate of peacekeeping forces in the conflict
zone, existence of Russian military bases on the territory of Georgia, and
future joint-defense of Georgian state borders.
4. Both sides shall meet on
an annual basis to ratify relevant military agreements, regardless the term of
their validity, in order to preserve their legal standing and prolong the term.
5. The issue on joint
defense of Georgian State borders shall be coordinated with the issue of
Russian-Georgian border defense along the Psou River and the entire territory
of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic, and also with the implementation of the
resolutions agreed upon at the Moscow meeting of CIS Heads of States on 19
January 1996 and with adequate participation of Georgian border forces in this
process.
6. Discussion of the
military agreements mentioned in paragraph 4 of this resolution at the
Parliament of Georgia should be coordinated with the final settlement of the
conflict in Abkhazia.
7. To ask the President of
Georgia for the delivery of comprehensive information to the C.I.S. Heads of
States on peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the C.I.S. and conditions
pertaining to the fulfillment of resolutions adopted at the Moscow Summit
8. Positively view extending
the activity of the UN, European, and other international organizations towards
political negotiations dealing with the conflict in Abkhazia.
To ask the UN Mission,
Governments representing the “Friends of Georgia” for playing a role of a
mediator in order to involve their special representatives in the on-going
negotiations.
9. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of
10. The Ministry of Defense,
Security Ministry, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs shall work out measures
to maintain current cease-fire conditions in the event that peacekeeping forces
leave the conflict zone; at the same time to work out the mechanisms to replace
existing peacekeeping contingents by another international peacekeeping force.
11. The Parliament of
The Deputy Chairman of the
Parliament of Georgia Eduard Surmanidze
(Newspaper
“Sakartvelos Respublika”, # 200, 4 October 1996)