Moscow Accuses Tbilisi of Hindering Return of IDPs to Gali

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Georgian side on May 2 of hampering the process of return for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia.

In an information note, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Georgia rejected to participate in a session of a working group on the return of the IDPs, scheduled in Moscow for May 3-4.

?Issue of refugees and internally displaced persons are of major importance in the context of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict resolution. In October, 2005 a working group on the return of IDPs discussed sending [IDP] registration data to the Gali district. But no green light was given to launch the process because of the Georgian side?s objection,? the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

?The proposal by the UNHCR to send registration data in April also found no support from the Georgian side, while other participants of this process – including the Abkhaz side and the UN – were ready to launch activities,? the Ministry added.

?We regret to say that despite their declarations regarding a readiness to settle the problem of refugees, the Georgian authorities actually prolong this process,? the Russian Foreign Ministry?s information note reads.

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