STATEMENT
on Results of the Meeting between E.A. Shevardnadze
and L. A. Chibirov
On
The Parties pointed out with satisfaction that
after signing on 16 May 1996 of the Moscow “Memorandum on Measures Directed at
Ensuring Security and Strengthening of Trust between the Parties to the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, and after a year since they meeting that took place
in August
The war that brought about human casualties and
destruction, hollowing out of villages, was of the most tragic pages in the
centuries-old history of Georgian-Ossetian relations and caused innumerous
suffering not only to Ossetians, but to Georgians as well. This war runs
counter to vital interests of both people and had extremely negative impact on
traditionally friendly and amiable relations between them. The Parties
underlined the common assessment of root causes and consequences of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, which has been stated by E. A. Shevardnadze on many
occasions.
Expressing their strong belief in necessity of
speedy removal of unfavorable legacy of the conflict, the Parties declare their
intention to fully implement the reached agreements and undertake new step
aimed at comprehensive settlement of the conflict. To this end, the Parties
confirm their commitment to implement the provision laid down in the Moscow
Memorandum and Vladikavkaz Statement on denouncement of use of force or threat
of use of force, prevention and cutting short of any illegal actions grounded
on ethnic considerations.
The Parties underline that final political
settlement of the conflict and voluntary, return in safety of refugees and
internally displaced persons remains to be the major priorities in terms of
comprehensive settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian relations. In turn, political
settlement and return of refugees and internally displaced persons only will be
possible in case of economic revival and development suffered from the conflict
regions, through application of capabilities of the Parties to the conflict and
assistance of International organizations, individual States, and capital of
private investors. Jointly worked out programs for restoration, that can be
financed by the UNDP should serve as a good example of the aforementioned
activities.
The Georgian confirms its intention of financing
works on economic revival of the suffered regions in the zone of
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, which is being carried out on the basis of
“Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government
of Georgia on Economic Revival of the Regions in the zone of Georgian-Abkhaz
Conflict “ dated 14 September 1993, at the same
simultaneously elaborating the relevant mechanisms based on the realities of
the modern market relations.
In this regard, E. A. Shevardnadze and L .
A. Chibirov have positively evaluated the tendency of establishment and
improvement of relations between different official bodies and business circles
of the Parties in the sphere of transport, energy resources, industry,
agriculture, health care and other spheres, and they shall further encourage
and promote these contacts.
The Parties underline with satisfaction that in
the course of last year, some positive developments manifested themselves in
terms of return of refugees. The Georgian side reiterates its readiness to
promote the process of return of Ossetian families that were forced to leave
the regions that were beyond the zone of conflict due to illegal acts directed
against them. It was deemed expedient to declare 1998 as a year of return of
refugees and internally displaced persons to the places of their permanent
residence that would be carried out within the framework of the activities of
the Mixed Control Commission.
The positive role played by the Russian Federation
in terms of settlement of the conflict and restoration of economy destroyed by
the war, as well as fruitful participation in this process of the Republic of
Northern Ossetia-Alania, OSCE and UNHCF and other international organizations have
been pointed out and appreciated.
The Parties positively evaluate peacekeeping
activities carried out by the mixed armed forces in the zone of conflict,
pursuant to “Agreement on Principles of Settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian
Conflict “ of 24 June 1992, and that activities will be continued until other
decision is taken by both Parties. At the same time, it has been pointed out
with a sense of satisfaction the fact of full implementation by both Parties of
the provisions of the Moscow Memorandum, relating to cooperation between the
low enforcement organs of the Parties and aimed at guaranteeing security and
rule of law in the conflict zone, and simultaneous reduction of military
personnel and check points of the Mixed Peacekeeping Forces. The protocol endorsed by the Mixed Control
Commission on
Having underlined the importance of defining the
basics of State-legal aspects of relations between the Parties, and being
guided by the principles of territorial integrity of States and the right of
self-determination, the Parties agreed to hold, in the immediate future, the
second round of negations between the specially-mandated delegations of the
Parties on the issues related to comprehensive settlement of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict. At the same time, their underlined the necessity of
active participation of all Parties to the negotiation process, in terms of
elaboration of mechanisms that would guarantee implementation of the reached
agreements.
The Parties expressed the strong belief that final
settlement of the existing differences in the
positions of Parties would contribute to establishment of lasting
peace and stability in the
Having underlined the importance of direct
contacts between them, the Parties agreed to establish direct telephone hot
line, and turn their current meeting into a regular one.
President of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
- A. Kh. Galazov, Chair of the Permanent Delegation of the Federation Council
of the Russian Federation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe- A. S. Dzasokhov, Aide to the President
of the
On Behalf of Georgia E. Shevardnadze
On behalf of the
(Newspaper “Svobodnaia Gruzia”, # 210, 15 November
1997)