JOINT STATEMENT of the Sixth Session of the Working Group I

On 13 December 2000 the Sixth Session of the Working Group I was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Military observer of the UNOMIG major-general Anis A. Badjva with participation of the delegations from the Georgian and Abkhaz sides and the PKF of the CIS.

The session of the Working Group I discussed the results of implementation of the issues agreed at the Fifth Session of the Working Group I set out in the Joint Statement signed on 4 October 2000. The Principal Military Observer noted that the security condition in the conflict zone had been worsened and this fact deplored participants of the session.

1. The sides agreed that there was necessity to improve effectiveness of the activity of the Joint Group set up after signing the Protocol of 3 May 2000 and the Joint Group on Reveal and Investigation the facts set up under the Protocol of 19 January 2000.  All participating sides underlined the need to cooperate more closely in order to secure effectiveness of the Joint Group and Joint Group on Reveal and Investigation of Facts. Toward this end the both sides agreed to create Joint Information Center aimed at providing the information related to the criminal activity in the conflict zone.

2. In compliance with Paragraph 1, all participating sides will be meeting at the Control Post 201 on 21 December 2000 to elaborate the mechanisms for improvement of effectiveness and efficiency of the activity of the Joint Group and Joint Group on Reveal and Investigation of Facts in order to secure better combat of criminal activity.  These recommendations will be submitted to the Chief Military Observer for further consideration.

3. The sides agreed that with regard of violation of Moscow Agreement during military drills in the field near Kulevi and Ochamchire, the Commander of the PKF of the CIS, by 21 December 2000, will be provided by the precision maps/schemes with indication of desired changes of borders of the Restricted-Weapon Zone.  The Commander of the PKF of the CIS will submit those maps/schemes to the Chief Military Observer for further consideration.

4. The sides reaffirmed their commitment to realize the decisions of the Moscow Agreement, following agreement and protocols.  In particular, all of the sides agreed that free movement of the UNOMIG and PKF was beyond any discussion.

5.  The commander of the PKF of the CIS reaffirmed that the movement regime in the Zone was not changed.  The residents of the Security Zone from both sides of the cease-fire line are able to cross it upon introducing the identification documents.  The Commander of the PKF of the CIS informed the delegates of the session that this problem had already been discussed and decided at the meeting with Mr. Malkhaz Kakabadze, Lieutenant-General S. Korobko and the Chief Military Observer.

6. The next meeting of the Working Group I will be held in the headquarter of the UNOMIG in Tbilisi after the earliest session of the Coordinating Council.

From the Georgian Side A. Ioseliani

From the Abkhaz Side G. Agrba

From the UNOMIG A. Bajva

From the PKF of the CIS S. Korobko

13 December 2000

(Archive of the Staff of the State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution Issues/in Russian)