UN Calls for Concessions from Abkhaz, Georgian Sides
The UN Security Council passed the resolution on January 30 calling Georgian and Abkhaz sides for concessions to make progress in the peace process, the UN press centre reports.
In his latest report to the Security Council UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted that two years after finalization of a paper on various competences, talks on Abkhazia’s future political status within Georgia had still not started, with the Abkhaz side continuing to invoke its unilateral 1999 ‘declaration of independence’ in refusing to receive the paper.
UN’s recent resolution “deeply regretted” the continued refusal of the Abkhaz side to agree to a discussion on the substance of that document.
It stressed “negotiations leading to a lasting political settlement would require concessions from both sides.”
The resolution also reads that the Abkhaz side bore a particular responsibility to protect the returnees and to facilitate the return of the remaining displaced people.
The UN Security Council also extended mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) through July. UNOMIG, which consists of some 115 military observers and a civilian component, was established in 1994.
Recently the UNOMIG deployed civilian police in Zugdidi district on the Georgian government side of the ceasefire lines; however, deployment fails in Gali district of the conflict zone, which is under the control of the Abkhaz side, because there is no confirmation from Sukhumi to deploy the civilian police in Gali.
The resolution also notes deterioration in security in the Gali district, including repeated killings and abductions. UN called “in particular on the Abkhaz side to improve law enforcement involving the local population.”
Recently Georgian NGO leader, whose organization has been distributing Georgian textbooks in the Georgian villages of Gali district, has been abducted by the unknown gunmen. However, the Abkhaz side dismissed any links to this recent abduction case.
