Parliament Approves Resolution on Peacekeepers

Parliament unanimously approved, with 179 votes, on February 15 a resolution instructing the government ?to revise the Sochi agreement from 24 June 1992? and to secure a replacement for the current peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia ?with an effective international peacekeeping operation.? The Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) were stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone under the Sochi agreement in 1992.

Opposition parliamentarians say that the resolution allows for double-interpretation and is a step back from the hard-line October 11 resolution on peacekeepers.

According to this draft resolution the Parliament will not set deadlines or timeframes for the government to implement these instructions.

Opposition parliamentarians were demanding to instruct the government to undertake measure aiming at an immediate end to the peacekeeping operation and an immediate cancellation of the 1992 Shochi agreement. But the opposition Democratic Front?s alternative draft resolution was voted down.

However, the opposition parliamentarians still supported the draft resolution which was proposed by the parliamentary majority. ?It is very important to show unity among all political forces over this very important issue,? MP Davit Gamkrelidze of the New Rights opposition party explained.

Below is the full text of the resolution adopted by the Parliament on February 15:

(Unofficial translation)

Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on the Current Situation in the Former South Ossetian Autonomous District and the Ongoing of the Peacekeeping Process

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of resolution No 1927-II from October 11, 2005 on the Current Situation in the Conflict Regions of Georgia and the Ongoing Peacekeeping Operations, the Parliament of Georgia heard the report of the Government of Georgia on the current situation in the former South Ossetian Autonomous District and the performance of duties by the peacekeeping forces stationed there. 

Proceeding from the mentioned report, the Parliament of Georgia rules:

1. To assess the performance of the peacekeeping forces stationed in the former South Ossetian Autonomous District as extremely negative, while the actions of the Russian Federation ? as a permanent attempt of annexation of this region of Georgia.   

2. To instruct the Government of Georgia to enforce procedures in order to implement the instructions defined by articles 4 and 6 of the Parliament?s resolution No 1927-II from October 11, 2005 “on the Current Situation in the Conflict Regions of Georgia and the Ongoing Peacekeeping Operations”; including to revise the Sochi agreement from 24 June 1992 and to secure a replacement for the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation stationed in the former South Ossetian Autonomous District with an effective international peacekeeping operation.

3. In order to avoid possible inspired destabilization on the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous District, to secure peace and stability in the zone of conflict, to stop massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to launch a real process of peace, the Parliament instructs the Government of Georgia to intensify cooperation with international organizations and partner states in order to develop a new peace format.

4. In order to secure full-scale, peaceful and political settlement of the conflict on the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous District, the Parliament instructs the Government of Georgia to intensify cooperation with international organizations and partner states to launch full implementation of the peace plan approved by the Foreign Ministers of the OSCE member states.

5. To instruct the Government of Georgia to guarantee the delivery of factual material about the current situation in the former South Ossetian Autonomous District and non-fulfillment of obligations by the peacekeeping forces stationed there to international organizations, the Russian Federation and partner states.

Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia
Nino Burjanadze

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)