PM, State Minister Brief MPs over S.Ossetia Peace Process

An expanded session of the Parliamentary Bureau started on February 7 to present hearings on the South Ossetian peace process.

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli and State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava will testify at this session about the performance of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone.

The Parliament will use these hearings as a base for their decision about whether to demand the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the conflict zone or not.

This procedure is envisaged by a resolution passed by the Parliament in October, 2005. According to the resolution, the government should report to the Parliament by February 10, 2006 about the peace process in the South Ossetian conflict zone. If the Parliament decides that no progress has been made, the lawmakers will demand that the peacekeepers begin withdrawing, starting from February 15, 2006.