AGREEMENT on ceace-fire and the mechanisms of  its implementation in Abkhazia

The representatives of the conflicting sides  with the mediation of the Russian Federation agreed upon the following:

1. The conflicting sides resume the regime of cease-fire and non-resumption of hostilities against each other agreed on 20 May of this year from 12.00h of  28 July 1993.

Usage of aviation, artillery, navigation and other military equipment is strictly prohibited.

The additional forces shall not be dispatched to the conflict zone (on the territory of Abkhazia); the mobilization shall not be announced; military equipment and ammunition shall not be delivered without agreement, as well as the construction of objects for military infrastructure.

2. Georgian-Abkhaz-Russian interim monitoring groups (3-9 people) shall start operation from 29 July 1993. The sides shall agree the composition and personnel of the groups.

Interim monitoring groups shall observe cease-fire regime.  They will be dislocated in Sukhumi, Gulripshi, Ochamchire, Gudauta, Novi Afon, Tkvarcheli, Gagra and Gali, an if necessary, upon agreement of the sides, such groups will be dislocated in other places as well.  The monitoring groups are authorized to enter any place of the conflict of their interest after informing the sides about their intention.  The conflicting sides shall secure protection of monitoring groups and provide them with adequate living conditions and means of transportation.

The monitoring groups may consider appeals of citizens on different issues.

After arrival of International observers, interim monitoring groups are to establish close cooperation with them.

3. The sides of the conflict commit themselves to prevent any violation of the cease-fire agreement and take immediate and effective measures to implement the recommendations and suggestions of the monitoring groups.

The UN and the OSCE shall be informed about the breach of commitments pledged by the sides under this Agreement.

4. The joint Commission on conflict settlement shall be set up before 5 August 1993. Its Regulations shall be approved by the Sides. The participation of the UN and the OSCE representatives will be agreed upon with the Sides to the conflict.

5. The sides shall consider necessity of inviting international observers and peacekeepers to the conflict zone. If the sides agree, the number of peacekeepers and structure shall be determined through the consultations with the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council.

6. Stepwise demilitarization shall be implemented.

Immediate delivery of international observers is carried out and in 10-15 days after cease-fire is in force, the Georgian military formations shall be withdrawn from the territory of Abkhazia.

Concurrently all armed formations, groups and individuals shall be withdrawn from the conflict zone.

In accordance with the Moscow Final Document signed on 3 September 1992, the Unit of Interior Forces of Georgia shall be created from the local population in the conflict zone in order to protect rail and motor roads and important objects. The unit will be accommodated in barracks.  Later on  this unit will be included in the multinational Internal Troops of Abkhazia.

Armed formations of Abkhazia will be included in the Regiment of Interior Troops that will exercise the barracks regime of operation and perform the function of internal troops until comprehensive settlement of the conflict (Protection of rail and motor roads, protection of important objects).

All of these activities are carried out under the strict control of the Joint Commission.

Since the cease-fire regime is observed, the multinational militia shall be created to maintain public order in the conflict zone; the number of personnel will be decided by the sides.

The International peacekeeping forces will be used to observe cease-fire and protect public safety, as well as the Russian military contingent deployed in Abkhazia upon the consultations with the UNO.

The Sides to the conflict shall secure protection of multi-ethnic population.

The measures for returning of refugees to the places of their permanent residence will be carried out.  In order to solve the problems relating to the refugees the Joint Commission shall set up special group.

7. Russian military troops, temporary deployed on the territory of Abkhazia, keep the strict neutrality.

The status of temporary presence of the Russian military troops and border troops, the conditions of their withdrawal and terms shall be determined by certain documents.

The Sides shall secure protection of the Russian military servicemen and their families.

8. The Sides shall comply with local laws and regulations and shall not impede the functioning of the local administration pursuant to the Moscow Final Document signed on 3 September 1992.

9. The Sides to the conflict shall continue negotiations under the aegis of the United Nations with the facilitation of the Russian Federation aimed at comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia.

The agreement shall reflect conflict zone demilitarization and establishment of peace as well as the investigation of crimes, crimes against humanity and serious criminal offences as defined by international law and bring the perpetrators to justice.

10. The Sides hereby commit themselves not to use the provisions of this Agreement, cease-fire regime - for the actions that may damage the interests of the Sides.

On behalf of Georgia V. Goguadze

On behalf of Abkhazia S. Jinjolia

On behalf of Russian Federation A. Kozirev

27 July 1993

(www.un.org/russian)