Group of PACE MPs Condemns Russia’s S.Ossetia, Abkhaz Move

Twenty five lawmakers from the 318-member Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) signed a declaration on April 17, saying that Russia had shown itself to be a party to the conflict and consequently its peacekeepers should be withdrawn from the Abkhaz conflict zone.

The declaration, also signed by five Georgian lawmakers, condemns Russia’s decision to establish bilateral legal links with breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It reads: “The Russian Federation violates international law and severely undermines the Government of Georgia’s efforts at peaceful reunification.”

It also urges Russia “to reverse this decision and respect its commitment to the territorial integrity of Georgia.”

“In light of these developments, Russian troops operating as CIS peacekeepers under the ceasefire agreement of 14 May 1994 are not neutral but are a party to the conflicts; [the declaration] call[s] upon the UN Security Council to: replace the Russian contingent with truly impartial UN peacekeeping forces; boost the mandate and resources of UNOMIG to progressively replace CIS peacekeepers across Abkhazia, Georgia.”

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