CEASE-FIRE BREAKS DOWN
While UNOMIG was still in the early stages of deployment, the cease-fire broke down on 16 September
1993, when Abkhaz forces, with armed support from outside Abkhazia, launched attacks on Sukhumi and
Ochamchira. Notwithstanding the call by the President of the Security Council in his statement of 17
September for the immediate cessation of hostilities and his condemnation of the violation of the cease-fire
by the Abkhaz side, fighting continued. As a result of the intensity of the shelling and other hostilities, the
UNOMIG observers were obliged to suspend all patrols as of 17 September.
In the next few days, the military situation developed rapidly, with loss of life among the local civilian
population. The Georgian authorities made appeals for assistance to the Russian Federation, to the CSCE
and to the United Nations Secretary-General. The Abkhaz side ignored all calls to halt the military action,
and occupied the city of Sukhumi on 27 September.
Following the breakdown of the cease-fire, further deployment of UNOMIG was suspended. The strength
of UNOMIG in Sukhumi was limited to four military observers, including the Chief Military Observer, and
four civilians. Seven observers remained in Sochi, a city on the territory of the Russian Federation, where
they were when the hostilities resumed. One observer remained in Tbilisi.
SECRETARY-GENERAL REVIEWS SITUATION
The Secretary-General, in his 7 October 1993 report to the Security Council, stated that UNOMIG's
mandate had been invalidated as a result of the general breakdown of the cease-fire and the collapse of the
tripartite machinery responsible for its implementation. He also reported that, as a matter of priority, he was
exploring with the parties and with the Russian Federation the possible need for and usefulness of the
continuing presence of UNOMIG with a "revised mandate adapted to the radically changed circumstances".
In the meantime, the Secretary-General proposed maintaining the present strength of UNOMIG in
Sukhumi, where the Chief Military Observer had already established contact with Abkhaz military and
civilian officials. He was assured of their cooperation and that UNOMIG would enjoy freedom of
movement in monitoring the situation there.
The Secretary-General intended to consult with the parties and with the Russian Federation, and to present
to the Security Council his recommendations relating both to the future of UNOMIG and to the political
aspects of the United Nations role in trying to end the conflict in Abkhazia.
SECURITY COUNCIL ACTS
By its resolution 876 (1993) adopted on 19 October, the Security Council
reaffirmed its condemnation of the violation by Abkhaz forces of the cease-fire agreement, and their
subsequent violations of international humanitarian law. It also condemned the killing of the Chairman of
the Defence Council and Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, and demanded
that all parties to the conflict refrain from the use of force and from any violations of international
humanitarian law. The Council welcomed the Secretary-General's decision to send a fact-finding mission to
Georgia, in particular to investigate reports of "ethnic cleansing".
The Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, in
cooperation with the CSCE Chairman-in-Office and with the assistance of the Government of the Russian
Federation as a facilitator, to promote efforts to achieve an overall political settlement. While welcoming
the humanitarian assistance already provided to victims of the conflict, the Council urged Member States to
contribute to relief efforts being carried out by international aid agencies.
FACT-FINDING MISSION VISITS ABKHAZIA
A fact-finding mission to investigate the situation of human rights in Abkhazia visited the area from 22 to
30 October 1993. In its report, which was submitted by the Secretary-General to the Security Council on 17
November 1993, the mission noted "numerous and serious" human rights violations committed in Abkhazia
since the outbreak of the armed conflict in August 1992. Civilians, including women, children and elderly
persons, as well as combatants who were no longer actively participating in armed confrontations were
victims of violations of the right to life and physical integrity, of the right to personal security and of
property rights. The victims included members of all ethnic groups inhabiting Abkhazia.
According to the report, both Georgian government forces and Abkhazian forces, as well as irregulars and
civilians cooperating with them were responsible for such human rights violations. In addition to the loss of
numerous lives, the conflict had led to the almost complete devastation of vast areas and the massive
displacement of population.
In concluding its report, the fact-finding mission recommended a number of measures to be undertaken by
the parties in order to restore human rights in the territory of Abkhazia.
THREE-MONTH EXTENSION AUTHORIZED
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General informed the Security Council on 27 October 1993 that his Special
Envoy for Georgia had had discussions in Geneva with Abkhaz and Georgian representatives. He had also
been invited for discussions in early November with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister. In view of those
developments, the Secretary-General said that he was planning for his Special Envoy to hold a first round of
discussions with both parties in late November 1993, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the
Russian Federation present as facilitator. The CSCE would also be invited to attend as a participant. The
discussions would focus on the question of a political settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia.
As for UNOMIG, the Secretary-General recommended that the Mission be continued at its present strength
of four military observers with minimal support staff in Sukhumi for a further three months. A fifth military
observer would continue to provide liaison services in Tbilisi. He observed that UNOMIG had established
good relations with Abkhaz officials in Sukhumi and had been able to conduct patrols in the city. The
Mission's continued presence in its present form and size would give the population visible evidence of
international concern.
Since UNOMIG's original mandate had been invalidated by the fighting in Abkhazia in September, the
Secretary-General recommended that the Mission have an interim mandate to maintain contacts with both
sides to the conflict and with Russian military contingents, and to monitor and report on the situation, with
particular reference to developments relevant to United Nations efforts to promote a comprehensive political
settlement.
On 4 November 1993, the Security Council, by its resolution 881 (1993),
welcomed the Secretary-General's report of 27 October 1993 and approved the continued presence of
UNOMIG in Georgia until 31 January 1994. It also decided that UNOMIG would not be extended beyond
that date unless the Secretary-General reported that substantive progress had been made towards
implementing measures aimed at establishing a lasting peace or that the peace process would be served by
the prolongation of its mandate.
PROGRESS IN TALKS REPORTED
On 16 December 1993, the Secretary-General, in a letter to the President of the Security Council, informed
the Council that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed by the parties to the conflict on 1
December 1993 in Geneva in the presence of representatives of the United Nations, the Russian Federation
and the CSCE. The Memorandum covered three vital areas - political, humanitarian and war damage issues
- and included major commitments towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict: not to use force or threat
of force against each other for the period of continuing negotiations; to exchange prisoners of war and assist
in finding those missing before 20 December 1993; and to return hundreds of thousands of refugees, as well
as occupied homes and properties.
The Secretary-General believed that the signing of the Memorandum manifested encouraging progress
towards lasting peace in the area. He therefore recommended that the Council authorize the deployment of
up to 50 additional military observers, together with a minimal number of civilian support staff. A
reinforced UNOMIG would be better placed to ascertain the actual conditions on the ground, and to plan
and prepare for a further expansion beyond the 50, should the next round of negotiations scheduled in
January 1994 warrant it.
By its resolution 892 (1993) of 22 December 1993, the Security Council
welcomed the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding and authorized the phased deployment of
additional military observers as recommended by the Secretary-General.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
A second round of negotiations, chaired by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, took place in Geneva
from 11 to 13 January 1994. On the last day of the talks, the representatives of the Abkhaz and Georgian
sides signed a communiqu,.
In the communiqu,, the parties noted that the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding were, for the
most part, being implemented. An exchange of prisoners had taken place on the principle of "all for all";
representatives of UNHCR had carried out a first preparatory visit; and on 15 and 16 December 1993 a
group of experts had met in Moscow to prepare recommendations on the political status of Abkhazia.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment not to use force or the threat of force against each other. They
agreed that the deployment of a full-scale peace-keeping operation in Abkhazia would contribute to the
establishment of favourable conditions for further progress towards a political settlement and the practical
implementation of agreements. They also made further statements on a number of military aspects. It was
agreed that the third round of negotiations would be held on 22 February 1994.
OPTIONS BEFORE THE SECURITY COUNCIL
The Secretary-General, in his 25 January 1994 report to the Security Council on the diplomatic efforts and
the situation in Abkhazia, recommended that the Council maintain UNOMIG with its existing mandate and
strength of up to 55 military observers for a limited period to 15 March 1994. That would permit time for
further consultations and, in particular, for the parties to demonstrate their willingness to make substantive
progress on the political issues facing them.
The Secretary-General postponed making a substantive recommendation on an expanded international
military presence in Abkhazia. However, he emphasized that should the Council decide, in the current
circumstances, that an enlarged international military presence in Abkhazia was desirable both to
consolidate the cease-fire and to create conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons, that
presence could take a number of possible forms. Two options, in particular, were discussed with the
Secretary-General's Special Envoy and with the group of Member States that had constituted themselves as
the "Friends of Georgia" (France, Germany, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States).
Under the first option, the Council could establish a traditional United Nations peace-keeping force of some
2,500 troops, under United Nations command and control, to operate initially in the areas of the Gali region
and the Inguri and Psou rivers. It would aim to carry out an effective separation of forces, monitor the
disarmament and withdrawal of armed units, and help create conditions conducive to the return of refugees
and displaced persons.
Under the second option, the Council could authorize a multinational force, not under United Nations
command, consisting of contingents made available by interested Member States, including the Russian
Federation, to carry out the same functions. UNOMIG would be entrusted with the tasks of monitoring the
operations of the force, liaising with the local authorities in Abkhazia and observing developments on the
ground. By a preliminary estimate, in this option UNOMIG would require up to 200 military observers,
with the necessary civilian support.
On 31 January 1994, the Security Council, by its resolution 896 (1994),
extended the mandate of UNOMIG until 7 March 1994 within the numbers authorized in resolution 892 (1993), which called for deployment of 50 additional observers. It urged
the parties to demonstrate stronger willingness to achieve progress towards a comprehensive political
settlement. Declaring its readiness to act before 7 March upon any recommendation to further increase the
strength of UNOMIG, the Council requested the Secretary-General to report immediately following the third
round of negotiations on whatever progress had been made in the negotiations and on the situation on the
ground, with special attention to circumstances which might warrant a peace-keeping force and on the
modalities for such a force.
FURTHER POLITICAL EFFORTS
The third round of negotiations, chaired by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, took place in Geneva
from 22 to 25 February 1994. By the final day of the negotiations, the Chairman put forward a draft
political declaration, most of which was acceptable to both parties. There remained, however, a significant
difference over the issue of the territorial integrity of Georgia and the relationship of Abkhazia to Georgia.
The Abkhaz side declined to sign any document that included recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity.
In a separate working group, chaired by UNHCR, agreement was reached on all the text of the draft
quadripartite agreement on the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons, except for one phrase
referring to whether immunity should apply to persons who had taken part in hostilities and who continued
to pose a real threat to security.
Despite every effort to find a compromise, neither of the two documents was signed and the Chairman
suspended the third round of negotiations in order to give the parties time for reflection. It was decided that
the session should be resumed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 7 March 1994.
The Secretary-General, in his report submitted to the Security Council on 3 March 1994, stated that the
Security Council's requirement for substantive progress in the political negotiations had not yet been met.
Furthermore, he reported a new outbreak of hostilities in early February 1994 in the Gali district of
Abkhazia.
Having said that the deployment of an international military presence could contribute to much needed
stability in the area, the Secretary-General stated, however, that the conditions for making it possible did not
exist at that time. He strongly urged the parties to make necessary compromises at the resumed negotiations
on 7 March in order to avoid further fighting and to permit planning for a peace-keeping operation. In the
meantime, the Secretary-General recommended a short extension of UNOMIG under the existing mandate.
By its resolution 901 (1994) of 4 March, the Security Council decided to
extend UNOMIG's mandate for an additional interim period terminating on 31 March 1994.
DIFFERENCES REMAIN
The negotiations were resumed on 7 March in New York and lasted until 9 March. As it had been in
previous sessions, representatives of the Russian Federation participated with the status of facilitator. The
talks were also attended by representatives of the CSCE and of UNHCR.
Despite three days of intensive discussions, however, the parties to the conflict remained far apart on three
major issues: recognition of the territorial integrity of Georgia, the repatriation of refugees and displaced
persons, and the role and area of deployment of a possible peace-keeping force.
On 18 March 1994, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that developments in the latest
round of negotiations gave no reason to alter the judgement he had expressed earlier, namely that conditions
that would make it possible to plan and deploy an international peace-keeping force with an achievable
mandate did not exist.
He further stated that the negotiation process was greatly complicated by the absence of any spirit of
reconciliation between the two sides. In addition, it had not been possible to identify measures that might
create a "more propitious climate for efforts to resolve issues that at present seem intractable". The level of
tension in the area remained high and there was an increasing risk of return to war.
The Secretary-General stressed that although conditions for the deployment of a peace-keeping force did not
exist and negotiations were suspended, the international community should not abandon its efforts to assist
the parties to find the road to peace. He informed the Council of his intention to ask his Special Envoy to
resume contacts with the parties, as well as with the Russian Federation. The Secretary-General
recommended that the mandate of UNOMIG should be extended for a further three months and that its
strength of 22 military observers should be maintained.
On 25 March 1994, the Security Council, by its resolution 906 (1994),
urged the parties to resume the negotiations as soon as possible and to achieve substantive progress towards
a political settlement, including the political status of Abkhazia, respecting fully the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia. The Council extended the mandate of UNOMIG for an
additional interim period terminating on 30 June 1994.
TWO DOCUMENTS SIGNED
On 4 April 1994, at resumed negotiations held in Moscow, the representatives of the Georgian and Abkhaz
sides signed two documents: the "Declaration on measures for a political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz
conflict" and the "Quadripartite agreement on voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons".
By signing the Declaration, the parties committed themselves to a formal cease-fire and also reaffirmed their
commitment to the non-use of force or threat of the use of force against each other. By other provisions of
the document, the parties reaffirmed their request for the early deployment of a peace-keeping operation and
for the participation of a Russian military contingent in the United Nations peace-keeping force. They also
appealed to the Security Council to expand the mandate of UNOMIG.
In the Quadripartite Agreement, signed by the parties and by the Russian Federation and UNHCR, the
parties agreed to "cooperate and interact in planning and conducting the activities aimed to safeguard and
guarantee the safe, secure and dignified return of people who had fled from areas of the conflict zone to the
areas of their previous permanent residence".
The Security Council, in a statement by its President on 8 April, considered the signing of the two
documents as an encouraging event, laying the basis for further progress towards the settlement of the
conflict. The Council supported a further increase in the deployed strength of UNOMIG up to the limit
specified in resolution 892 (1993), if the Secretary-General considered that
the conditions on the ground made that appropriate. It stressed the need for progress on a political
settlement in the next round of talks between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides, so that it might consider
establishing a peace-keeping force in Abkhazia, Georgia.
CEASE-FIRE AND SEPARATION OF FORCES AGREEMENT
Following the signature of the two documents, further negotiations were held in three areas: repatriation of
refugees and displaced persons; the possible establishment of a peace-keeping force; and the achievement of
a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict.
In his report of 3 May on a further round of negotiations, the Secretary-General informed the Security
Council that the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) had expressed readiness to send a peace-
keeping force to the region should the Security Council decide not to send a comparable United Nations
force. The Secretary-General noted that the necessary pre-conditions for the establishment of a United
Nations presence had not been achieved as of the time of the report. In light of that fact, the Secretary-
General proposed three broad options for the Council to consider, one of which included the acceptance of
the CIS offer to deploy a peace-keeping force. He then recommended that, if the Council accepted the CIS
offer, it should decide to continue the United Nations efforts towards a comprehensive political settlement,
and have UNOMIG monitor the operation of the CIS force.
Following further talks, the Georgian and Abkhaz sides signed in Moscow on 14 May the Agreement on a
Cease-fire and Separation of Forces. The parties agreed that a CIS peace-keeping force would be deployed
to monitor compliance with the Agreement. They also appealed to the Security Council to "expand the
mandate of the United Nations military observers in order to provide for their participation in the
operations" envisaged under the Agreement. From 23 to 26 May 1994, the United Nations Secretariat held
technical discussions with representatives of the Russian Federation for the purpose of clarifying the
possible role of the United Nations observers and their relationship with the CIS peace-keeping force. In
his 6 June report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General provided details of those discussions and
sought an early indication of the views of the members of the Council. He also informed it of his intention,
as a first step, to increase the number of military observers of UNOMIG to 55, as authorized by resolution
892 (1994).
In a letter dated 16 June, the President of the Council informed the Secretary-General that the members of
the Council regarded the discussions with representatives of the Russian Federation as a positive step, that
they noted his intention to increase the number of UNOMIG military observers, and that they stood ready to
consider the Secretary-General's detailed recommendations on the expansion of UNOMIG, following his
further consultations with the parties concerned.
On the same day, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that he was continuing his urgent
consultations and recommended that the existing mandate of UNOMIG be extended for a period of one
month. He also informed the Council on the preparations for the voluntary return of refugees and displaced
persons and on the further efforts to achieve a political settlement in Abkhazia.
UNOMIG's mandate was extended until 21 July by Council resolution 934
(1994) of 30 June 1994.
UNOMIG'S MANDATE EXPANDED
In his 12 July report, the Secretary-General informed the Security Council of the results of his consultations
with the Georgian and Abkhaz authorities, representatives of the Russian Federation and the CIS peace-
keeping force. On the basis of those consultations, he recommended that the Council expand UNOMIG and
extend its mandate for a period of six months to 21 January 1995.
The tasks of the expanded UNOMIG would be as follows: (a) to monitor and verify the implementation of
the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces; (b) to observe the operation of the CIS peace-
keeping force; (c) to verify that troops do not remain in or re-enter the security zone and that heavy military
equipment does not remain or is not reintroduced in the security zone or the restricted weapons zone; (d) to
monitor the storage areas for heavy military equipment withdrawn from the security zone and restricted
weapons zone; (e) to monitor the withdrawal of Georgian troops from the Kodori valley to places beyond the
frontiers of Abkhazia; (f) to patrol regularly the Kodori valley; (g) to investigate reported or alleged
violations of the Agreement and attempt to resolve such incidents.
According to the Secretary-General's recommendation, the expanded UNOMIG would maintain its
headquarters in Sukhumi and would establish three sector headquarters - in Sukhumi, Gali and Zugdidi -
and a liaison office in Tbilisi. To perform its monitoring functions effectively, UNOMIG would need a
combination of static teams and mobile patrols. Helicopter patrols would be conducted of mountainous
and less accessible areas.
The Secretary-General envisaged that UNOMIG would require a total strength of 136 military personnel,
including the necessary medical personnel, supported by international and local civilian staff.
UNOMIG would operate independently of but in close cooperation and coordination with the CIS peace-
keeping force. The Mission also would maintain close contacts with both parties and military contingents
of the Russian Federation in the zone of conflict.
In summarizing the latest developments in Abkhazia, the Secretary- General said that the situation on the
ground was relatively calm and had improved with the arrival of the CIS peace-keeping force. The situation
in the Kodori valley, however, remained tense. Preparations were proceeding for the start of the programme
of the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons.
With regard to political aspects, the Secretary-General noted that his Special Envoy had visited the area for
discussions with both sides. His visit was followed by a further round of political negotiations held in
Sochi on 7 and 8 July 1994.
On 21 July, the Security Council, by its resolution 937 (1994), expanded
the mandate of UNOMIG, as recommended by the Secretary-General, decided to increase the strength of the
Mission to up to 136 military observers, and extended the period of the mandate until 13 January 1995.
By other provisions of the resolution, the Council, inter alia, welcomed the contribution made by the
Russian Federation, and indications of further contributions from other members of the CIS, of a peace-
keeping force, and requested the Secretary-General to establish an appropriate arrangement for delineating
the respective roles and responsibilities of UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force. It also called upon
the parties to intensify their efforts to achieve an early and comprehensive political settlement.
DIFFERENCES REMAIN
A further round of political negotiations between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides, convened by the
Secretary-General's Special Envoy, took place at Geneva from 31 August to 2 September 1994. The
discussions focused on refugee issues, military aspects concerning the Kodori valley and political matters.
Regarding refugee matters, a statement was signed recognizing that returnees would be informed through
UNHCR about the Abkhaz requirement to comply with the laws in force in Abkhazia. With regard to
political questions, both sides were given a non-paper outlining political and legal elements for a
comprehensive settlement of the conflict, which had been drafted by the Special Envoy in collaboration with
the CSCE and the Russian Federation. Negotiations in the Quadripartite Commission, established on 1
June 1994 and comprised of both parties to the conflict, the Russian Federation and UNHCR, proved
difficult and progress was slow. Despite all efforts, organized return of refugees and displaced persons to
Abkhazia had not yet commenced. Differences remained, particularly regarding conditions and the rhythm
of repatriation. However, during the 8th meeting of the Commission, held at Sochi on 28 September, the
parties reached a consensus on the need to restore the necessary security conditions in the area where
refugees were to return and on the choice of adequate measures to do so. Following that meeting, the
Abkhaz authorities accepted the first group of 100 repatriation applications concerning 460 persons, out of
total of approximately 7,000 applications concerning 26,000 persons.
The large number of mines remaining in the area was also hampering the return of refugees. After an
assessment mission undertaken in August, UNHCR began preparation of a mine awareness education
programme aimed at improving security conditions.
In his 14 October report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General stated that political progress had
been slow. The Abkhaz unwillingness to accept an early return of refugees had created significant
difficulties and contributed to holding up progress on other questions. He hoped that sufficient agreement
had been reached to achieve progress on the refugee situation. If so, it would allow his Special Envoy to
concentrate efforts on negotiating the political status of Abkhazia which is a core question of the Georgian-
Abkhaz conflict.
As to the situation on the ground, the Secretary-General reported that the Government of Georgia and the
Abkhaz authorities had largely complied with the 14 May Agreement. All armed forces and heavy military
equipment were withdrawn from the security zone, and no heavy military equipment remained in the
restricted weapons zone. All volunteer formations from outside the boundaries of Abkhazia were
disbanded.
In the Kodori valley, in accordance with the Agreement, troops of the Republic of Georgia were withdrawn
to their places of deployment beyond the boundaries of Abkhazia as confirmed by UNOMIG.
Referring to the activities of UNOMIG, the Secretary-General stated that it was operating in the security and
restricted weapons zones and in the Kodori valley, and was monitoring the weapons storage sides. Patrols
were being conducted either by UNOMIG observers or jointly with personnel from the CIS peace-keeping
force. The Government of Georgia and the Abkhaz authorities were cooperating with the Mission. As to
the cooperation with the CIS peace-keeping, the Secretary-General noted that it was proceeding in a
satisfactory manner.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS
A further round of talks between the Georgian and Abkhaz parties was held on 15-18 November 1994 in
Geneva under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, but ended without any agreement
on the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons as well as little substantive progress on political
matters.1/
There were also plans to convene a larger meeting, under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General,
involving the Chairman of the Parliament, the Head of State of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, the Abkhaz
leader, Vladislav Ardzinba, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Andrei Kozyrev, and the
Chairman of the CSCE, Foreign Minister of Italy, Antonio Martino.
The political process, however, suffered a setback when on 26 November a new constitution of Abkhazia
was adopted declaring it to be a sovereign republic and a subject of international law. The Head of State of
Georgia requested the President of the Security Council to convene urgently a meeting of the Council "since
recent events in the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic" might have "unforeseeable consequences and lead to
further escalation of the conflict". He stated that he expected that "swift and dramatic measures" would be
taken by the Council "to curb the aggressive separatism".2/
COMPOSITION OF UNOMIG
The current authorized strength of UNOMIG is 136 military observers. As of 30 November 1994, the
strength of the mission was 126 observers from the following countries:
COUNTRY, OBSERVERS
- Albania, 1
- Austria, 2
- Bangladesh, 11
- Czech Republic, 5
- Denmark, 6
- Egypt, 5
- France, 5
- Germany, 10
- Greece, 4
- Hungary, 8
- Indonesia, 6
- Jordan, 8
- Pakistan, 8
- Poland, 5
- Republic of Korea, 6
- Russian Federation, 3
- Sweden, 8
- Switzerland, 4
- Turkey, 5
- United Kingdom, 10
- United States, 2
- Uruguay, 4
TOTAL, 126
Figures may vary from month to month due to rotation.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
The rough cost to the United Nations of UNOMIG in 1994 was approximately $10.8 million. The costs of
the observer mission are met by assessed contributions from United Nations Member States. As at 30
November 1994, total contributions outstanding to the - UNOMIG Special Account for the period from the
inception of the operation to 21 September 1994 amounted to approximately $0.5 million.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
The fighting in Abkhazia resulted in a massive displacement of civilians. According to inter-agency
estimates, some 400,000 persons fled from Abkhazia and either became displaced persons in other regions
of Georgia or sought refuge in other countries. The Georgian authorities issued an urgent appeal to
Governments for humanitarian assistance. The United Nations Representative in
Tbilisi convened a meeting of representatives of the United Nations system, diplomatic community and non-
governmental organizations to review the situation and arrange assistance. On 1 October 1993, the
Department of Humanitarian Affairs made an emergency appeal, calling particular attention to the need for
food, warm clothing, medical supplies and logistic support for the transport of relief supplies. A United
Nations relief flight was then organized. The head of the United Nations interim office and a second United
Nations official maintained a United Nations presence in Tbilisi to monitor the delivery of humanitarian
relief.
A full scale inter-agency needs assessment mission organized by the Department of Humanitarian Affairs
visited Georgia in February-March 1994. Representatives of UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, the Food and
Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Volunteers and International Organization
for Migration participated. The number of displaced persons was estimated at 270,000. In Abkhazia there
was extensive destruction of homes and infrastructure and it was estimated that 75 per cent of the
inhabitants had departed. Following the assessment, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs launched an
Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in a total amount of $100 million
for all three countries. The principal sectors of assistance were food aid, logistics, health and shelter.
As a result of the signing on 4 April 1994 by Georgian, Abkhazian, Russian and UNHCR representatives of
a "Quadripartite agreement on voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons", and after further inter-
agency consultation, an addendum to the appeal for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia was issued. In the
addendum, $31 million was requested for food, logistics, shelter and domestic needs in order to promote
voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons to the Abkhaz region of Georgia.3/
NOTES
1/ While the parties had agreed to consider a draft political paper outlining possible
political and legal components of the future status of Abkhazia within a union State as a basis for further
discussion, the Georgian side withdrew its acceptance on 12 December 1994. Return to
Text
2/ After a meeting convened on 2 December 1994, the Security Council, in a
statement by its President, said that any unilateral act purporting to establish "a sovereign Abkhaz entity"
would violate the commitments assumed by the Abkhaz side in the search for a comprehensive political
settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia, and called upon all parties, in particular the Abkhaz side, to
reach substantive progress in the negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement of the
conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia, respecting fully the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the Republic of Georgia. Return to Text
3/ An inter-agency assessment mission to the Caucasus will be undertaken in mid-
January 1995. The mission will evaluate the needs of Georgia and other countries in the region for the
coming year, for the purpose of preparing the next Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal for the Caucasus
(April 1995-March 1996). The current Appeal for Georgia, which is aimed at bringing emergency relief to
people displaced by the fighting in Abkhazia, and expires in March 1995, has a 52 per cent shortfall in
contributionsReturn to Text
Note: Data effective 30 November 1994
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