Talks Fail on Extra OSCE Observers for Georgia

Talks on the modalities of deployment of an extra 80 unarmed OSCE observers in Georgia have failed and there is no point in continuing negotiations on the matter for now, the OSCE’s Finnish Chairmanship said in a statement on September 18.

“The Chairmanship regrets to inform the OSCE participating States that negotiations on the draft decision on the modalities for additional Military Monitoring Officers in Georgia have not brought any result. There was no basis for consensus. Therefore, the Chairmanship has come to the conclusion, with the parties involved, that there is no point in continuing negotiations in Vienna, at this stage,” the statement reads.

“The Chairmanship worked intensively with the parties involved until yesterday to explore all possible avenues for a compromise.”

Earlier on September 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was against OSCE observers being deployed inside South Ossetia, as is being insisted on by Tbilisi and its western allies.

“The area of responsibility for monitors is the main sticking point,” Antti Turunen, the OSCE Permanent Council Finnish Chairman, said on September 18. “We cannot force the negotiations forward here at the diplomatic level, so we will now consult with our home governments for new instructions. That will take some days at least.”

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