Protocol of the Meeting between the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides

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Country/entity: Georgia
Russia
Abkhazia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Protocol of the Meeting between the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides
Date: 29 Mar 2002
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Georgian Separatist Conflicts (1989 - )
The Abkhazia-Georgia Conflict (1992 - )
Much like other conflicts that sprung up in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Abkhazia conflict emerged as an ethnic conflict following heighten nationalist awareness among Abkhaz and other minorities residing in the region. In 1978, protests against the Georgianization of Abkhazia emerged from Abkhaz intellectuals. Towards the end of the 1980s, both Georgian and Abkhaz nationalists demanded independence from the Soviet Union. Tensions began following clashes at Sukhumi University between pro-Unity protestors and Abkhaz nationalists in April-July 1989. However, the conflict remained a legal conflict up until August 1992 following the 1991 elections, wherein Abkhazians felt they were under-represented. War broke out between Abkhaz separatists, supported by Russian forces and hired fighters from the North Caucus. Within Abkhazia, Abkhaz separatists were generally supported by ethnically Armenian and Russian residents. Within Georgia the conflict was exacerbated following conflict in South Ossetia from 1989 onwards in addition to political strife between the supporters of the ousted president, Zviad Gamsakurdia, and the post-coup government led by Eduard Shevardnadze.

Significant human rights abuses occurred, particularly after the capture of Sukhumi in September 1993, after which Georgian residents, which consisted of 45 per cent of the population in 1989, were faced with mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing. Russian Peacekeepers acting under the umbrella of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), were deployed on the Abkhazia-Georgia line following a ceasefire in 1994. Atrocities towards ethnic Georgian’s continued with over 1,500 deaths post-conflict. In 1998 fighting re-erupted following a flare up of fighting in South Ossetia. Again it was resolved with a ceasefire agreement. However, as of 2016 the conflict remains unresolved.

The Russio-Georgian War (South Ossetia) (1989 - )
Following heightened nationalist awareness among Ossetians and policies undertaken at the expense of ethnic minorities by the Georgian government led by President Gamsakurdia, calls for Ossetian Independence increased. After clashes broke out in Tskhinvali during a pro-Georgia protest, the conflict began to militarize. When President Gamsakurdia maintained his position after elections in 1990, which were boycotted by South Ossetia, Ossetians organised elections for their own parliament. The central Georgian government reacted by abolishing the autonomous status previously held by South Ossetia. The formation of ethnic militias and increased attacks on civilians escalated on both sides and in December 1990 a state of emergency and an economic blockade were declared. Fighting was haphazard as fighters on both sides were poorly equipped and disciplined. The Georgian National Guard was primarily formed of volunteers due to a lack of resources and as a result fighters often acted out of self-interest. Assaults on Tskhinvali by Georgian forces were repulsed on several occasions, and Georgian forces were also noted to expel Ossetian residents and destroy villages out of revenge and as a means to re-claim territory.

The Sochi agreement (1992) established a ceasefire and security corridor, as well as divided the territory between Georgian and Ossetian administration. Relations deteriorated drastically in April 2008, and following shelling of Georgian villages on August 1, the Georgian military responded in force retaking most of Tskhinvali by August 7. Russian forces intervened on behalf of Ossetian separatists and after retaking Tskihvali, opened another front in the Kordori Gorge. A ceasefire was brokered on August 12, and the Kremlin declared its recognition of the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26. Russian forces have since strengthened their military presence in those regions in violation of the ceasefire.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Abkhazia peace process
Parties: On behalf of the Georgian Side M. Kakabadze;
 On behalf of the Abkhaz Side G. Agrba
Third parties: On behalf of the UNOMIG D. Boden ; Colonel Paul Road –Deputy Chief Military observer of UNOMIG.
On behalf of the CIS Peacekeeping Forces I. Alekseev
Description: Agreement outlines the withdrawal of Georgian and Abkhaz forces and heavy artillery from Kodori Gorge under the supervision for UNOMIG and CIS Peacekeeping Forces.

Agreement document: GE_020329_PROTOCOL OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ SIDES HELD ON 29 MARCH 2002 IN SUKHUMI.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 1, Untitled preamble
...The Parties once more reiterated their determination not to use military force against each other and continue search for conflict settlement by exclusively peaceful and political means.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: Page 1, The Parties agreed on the following:
1. Pursuant to the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 the Georgian Forces shall be withdrawn from the Kodori gorge by 10 April 2002. The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces in accordance with their mandates, as laid down in the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and resolution # 937 of the UN Security Council adopted on July 21, 1994.

Page 1, The Parties agreed on the following:
... 2. The Abkhaz Side shall withdraw all its heavy weapons and artillery systems from the Kodori gorge and the Tkvarcheli region by 10 April 2002. The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces. The Abkhaz Side confirms its commitment to paragraph 4 of the protocol of 17 January 2002.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: On behalf of the UNOMIG D. Boden
Other international signatory: On behalf of the CIS Peacekeeping Forces I. Alekseev
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, The Parties agreed on the following:
1. Pursuant to the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 the Georgian Forces shall be withdrawn from the Kodori gorge by 10 April 2002. The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces in accordance with their mandates, as laid down in the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and resolution # 937 of the UN Security Council adopted on July 21, 1994.

Page 1, The Parties agreed on the following:
... 2. The Abkhaz Side shall withdraw all its heavy weapons and artillery systems from the Kodori gorge and the Tkvarcheli region by 10 April 2002. The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces. The Abkhaz Side confirms its commitment to paragraph 4 of the protocol of 17 January 2002.

Page 1, The Parties agreed on the following:
... 3. By 10 April 2002, a single joint patrolling by the UNOMIG and CIS Peacekeeping Forces shall be carried out in the upper and lower parts of the Kodori gorge and the Tkvarcheli region. Beginning from 10 April 2002 and in accordance to their mandates, the UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces shall carry out regular patrolling of the upper and lower parts of the Kodori gorge and Tkvarcheli region that are respectively controlled by the Georgian and Abkhaz sides. The Joint patrolling of the upper and lower parts of the Kodori gorge shall be carried out at least once in a week. The both Sides must guarantee security on the territories under their control, including security of control routes, and security of personnel of UNOMIG and CIS Peacekeeping forces.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: (Archive of the Staff of the State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution Issues/in Russian) Source: http://www.rrc.ge/law/oqm_2002_03_29_e.htm

PROTOCOL OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ SIDES HELD ON 29 MARCH 2002 IN SUKHUMI

On 29 March 2002 a meeting between the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides took place in Sukhumi.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Dieter Boden- Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, and in the presence of Colonel Yuri Alekseev –Acting Commander of the CIS peacekeeping Forces and Colonel Paul Road –Deputy Chief Military observer of UNOMIG.

The Parties once more reiterated their determination not to use military force against each other and continue search for conflict settlement by exclusively peaceful and political means.

The Parties agreed on the following:

1. Pursuant to the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 the Georgian Forces shall be withdrawn from the Kodori gorge by 10 April 2002.

The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces in accordance with their mandates, as laid down in the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and resolution # 937 of the UN Security Council adopted on July 21, 1994.

2. The Abkhaz Side shall withdraw all its heavy weapons and artillery systems from the Kodori gorge and the Tkvarcheli region by 10 April 2002.

The withdrawal shall be carried out under monitoring and control of UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces.

The Abkhaz Side confirms its commitment to paragraph 4 of the protocol of 17 January 2002.

3. By 10 April 2002, a single joint patrolling by the UNOMIG and CIS Peacekeeping Forces shall be carried out in the upper and lower parts of the Kodori gorge and the Tkvarcheli region.

Beginning from 10 April 2002 and in accordance to their mandates, the UNOMIG and the CIS Peacekeeping Forces shall carry out regular patrolling of the upper and lower parts of the Kodori gorge and Tkvarcheli region that are respectively controlled by the Georgian and Abkhaz sides.

The Joint patrolling of the upper and lower parts of the Kodory gorge shall be carried out at least once in a week.

The both Sides must guarantee security on the territories under their control, including security of control routes, and security of personnel of UNOMIG and CIS Peacekeeping forces.

4. The issues related to further stabilization of the situation in the Kodori gorge shall be discussed by experts within the framework of working Group 1 of the Coordinating Council.

The first meeting shall be held no later than 15 April 2002.

On behalf of the Georgian Side M. Kakabadze On behalf of the Abkhaz Side G. Agrba On behalf of the UNOMIG D. Boden On behalf of the CIS Peacekeeping Forces I. Alekseev 29 March 2002