Protocol of the Eighth Session of the Coordinating Council of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Georgia
Russia
Abkhazia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Protocol of the Eighth Session of the Coordinating Council of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides
Date: 29 Apr 1999
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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Abkhazia peace process
Parties: The Georgian Side was represented by a delegation under the leadership of Mr. Vazha Lordkipanidze.
The Abkhaz Side was represented by a delegation under the leadership of Mr. Sergey Bagapsh.
Third parties: nder the auspices of the UN and under the chairmanship of Mr. Liviu Botta - the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and with participation of representatives of the Russian Federation as facilitator, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), member States of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General on Georgia Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France in their capacity as observers.

Mr. Taric Ghazi –Chief UNOMIG Military observer, General-Major Sergey Korobko-Commander of the CIS Peace Keeping forces, Representatives of the Russian Federation as facilitators of the peace process, Mr. Ekber Memenjiogly – representative of the UNHCR in Georgia, Mr. Z. Lakerbaia –Secretary of the bilateral coordination commission, Mr. A.Ioseliani and Mr. O. Kakalia- co-Chairs of the Commission on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93 took part in the debates as well.
Description: Council agrees on four action points; (1) to activate the work of the Working Groups; (2) to continue deliberation on he draft of the Protocol of Joint Group on Identification of facts of violation of provisions of the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and committed terrorist and subversive acts; (3) to continue negotiation on the safe return of refugees; (4) to ask participants to render international aid and hear from the Commission on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93.

Agreement document: GE_990429_PROTOCOL OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL OF THE GEORGIAN and ABKHAZ SIDES.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: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 3. To continue bilateral negotiations on the issues of creation of safe conditions conducive to return of refugees and internally displaced persons to the Gali region in old administrative borders and economic recovery.
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 3. To continue bilateral negotiations on the issues of creation of safe conditions conducive to return of refugees and internally displaced persons to the Gali region in old administrative borders and economic recovery.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 4. To ask the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Group of Friends of the UN secretary General on Georgia to render material assistance to the bilateral coordination commission in order to solve practical issues. ...
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→Ceasefire provision
Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 2. To continue further deliberation on the draft of the Protocol of Joint Group on Identification of facts of violation of provisions of the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and committed terrorist and subversive acts (the draft is attached).
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: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 2. To continue further deliberation on the draft of the Protocol of Joint Group on Identification of facts of violation of provisions of the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and committed terrorist and subversive acts (the draft is attached).

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: Page 2, The Coordinating Council decided:
... 4. ... To take note of information provided by co-Chairs of the Commission on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93 and promote the work of the commission.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: nder the auspices of the UN and under the chairmanship of Mr. Liviu Botta - the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General
Other international signatory: representatives of the Russian Federation as facilitator, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: (Abkhaz Issue in Official Documents, Legislative and Executive organs of Georgia, International Organizations, 1989-1999, part II, 1995-1999; authors: Vakhtang Kholbaia, Teimuraz Chakhrakia, Rafiel Gelantia, David Latsuzbaia, Tb., 2000, p. 292-294/in Georgan)
Sourced from RCC.ge (website subsequently removed)

PROTOCOL OF THE EIGHTHS SESSION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL OF THE GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ SIDES

Sukhumi, April 29, 1999

The Eighth session of the Coordination Council created pursuant to Final Statement of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides (on 17-19 November 1997), took place on April 29, 1999 in Sukhumi under the auspices of the UN and under the chairmanship of Mr. Liviu Botta - the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and with participation of representatives of the Russian Federation as facilitator, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), member States of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General on Georgia Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France in their capacity as observers.

The Georgian Side was represented by a delegation under the leadership of Mr. Vazha Lordkipanidze.

The Abkhaz Side was represented by a delegation under the leadership of Mr. Sergey Bagapsh.

Opening the session, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General pointed out that as a result of steps taken by the Parties, in accordance with the bilateral agreements and decisions taken by the Coordination Council, the situation along the cease-fire line became stable and calmer.

He pointed out, that recently active consultations, on Joint Group on identification of facts of violations of the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 and terrorist acts, were held.

By doing so, the Sides displayed constructive approach and attitude on this issue.

The Special Representative expressed his hope that in the course of that session, draft protocol of the Joint Group would be endorsed.

The Special Representative emphasized that currently the most acute problem was to address the issue of safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to the Gali region in old administrative borders.

He pointed out with satisfaction that stances of the Parties with regard of creation of conditions for safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons have come substantially closer to each other.

The Special Representative called upon the Sides to reach an agreement on the Protocol of return of refugees and internally person to the Gali region and economic recovery as soon as possible.

The Special Representative and representative of the Russian delegation, acting as facilitator to the settlement process of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, will continue to render support and assistance to these endeavors.

Taking into account the importance of the Joint Coordination Commission on practical issues and necessity of further activation of direct contacts between the Sides, the Special Representative welcomed the process of improvement of the work of that commission, including the creation of permanent working group under the leadership of the secretary of bilateral coordination commission and put forward a proposal to render material support to that group.

The adopted agenda included the following issues:

1. Issues of sustainable non- resumption of hostilities and security-related issues;

2. Refugees and internally displaced persons;

3. Economic and social problems.

4. Information of co-chairs of the Commission from Georgian and Abkhaz Sides on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93.

Representatives of the Sides made statements.

Mr. Taric Ghazi –Chief UNOMIG Military observer, General-Major Sergey Korobko-Commander of the CIS Peace Keeping forces, Representatives of the Russian Federation as facilitators of the peace process, Mr. Ekber Memenjiogly – representative of the UNHCR in Georgia, Mr. Z. Lakerbaia –Secretary of the bilateral coordination commission, Mr. A.Ioseliani and Mr. O. Kakalia- co-Chairs of the Commission on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93 took part in the debates as well.

The Coordinating Council decided:

1. To activate the work of working Groups set up within the framework of the Coordination Council.

2. To continue further deliberation on the draft of the Protocol of Joint Group on Identification of facts of violation of provisions of the Moscow Agreement of May 14, 1994 and committed terrorist and subversive acts (the draft is attached).

3. To continue bilateral negotiations on the issues of creation of safe conditions conducive to return of refugees and internally displaced persons to the Gali region in old administrative borders and economic recovery.

4. To ask the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Group of Friends of the UN secretary General on Georgia to render material assistance to the bilateral coordination commission in order to solve practical issues.

To take note of information provided by co-Chairs of the Commission on Search for Missing Servicemen in the Abkhaz conflict in 1992-93 and promote the work of the commission.

(Abkhaz Issue in Official Documents, Legislative and Executive organs of Georgia, International Organizations, 1989-1999, part II, 1995-1999;

authors:

Vakhtang Kholbaia, Teimuraz Chakhrakia, Rafiel Gelantia, David Latsuzbaia, Tb.,

2000, p. 292-294/in Georgan)