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

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Country/entity: Georgia
Russia
Abkhazia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Protocol of the Tenth Session of the Coordinating Council of Georgian and Abkhaz Sides
Date: 11 Jul 2000
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 Head of the Georgian delegation was Mr. Giorgi Arsenishvili.
The Head of the Abkhazian delegation was Mr. Vyacheslav Tsugba.
Third parties: UN Organization and Chaired by the special representative of the UN Secretary General Mr. Dieter Boden with participation of representatives of the Russian Federation as a facilitating side, the OSCE and states, included in the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France as observers.
Description: Agreement provides assurances for the signing of two future protocols, and agrees to the faciliation of two meetings. Other clauses touch on the transfer of book from the Georgian National Library, Energy and reconstruction issues, the faciliation of funds to keep meetings afloat, the consideration of those without passports, the consideration of missing persons and UNOMIG related things such as consideration of their report on the security situation and the UNOMIG document on security building measures.

Agreement document: GE_000711_PROTOCOL OF THE 10TH SESSION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL OF 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: 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: Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 3. To take into consideration issues raised by Abkhaz side about the travelling documents for people residing in Abkhazia.
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 Council adopted the following decisions:
...6. To continue the active cooperation within the framework of Energy Working Commission.

Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
...7. To call the sides for continuation of negotiations and achieving consensus on specific economic issues in the nearest future.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 8. To welcome the agreement of PRUN on continuation of financial assistance to support the operation of Georgian-Abkhaz Coordinating Commission.
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: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Tangible
Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 10. To welcome the initiative of the Government of Georgia, and especially of the National Library, to give Abkhaz side the books and other documents, referring Abkhazia. The Council called both sides for continuation of cooperation in this sphere and asked to UNOMIG for continuation of the support.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
2. The sides took into consideration document of the UNOMIG on confidence building measures (attached). The sides committed themselves to submit to the Special Representative within two weeks their own proposals regarding the complete realization of already agreed confidence measures. The Council welcomes the invitation of the Government of Ukraine to hold the third meeting on confidence building in Yalta in autumn 2000.

Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 5. To take into consideration reports of the Head of the UNOMIG and the Head of Peacekeeping Forces on security situation in the conflict zone, as well as recommendation on intensification of the performance of the joint group.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
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: 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: Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 9. To approve declarations of Abkhaz and Georgian State commissions for searching the missing people (attached).
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: under the auspices of the UN Organization and Chaired by the special representative of the UN Secretary General Mr. Dieter Boden
Other international signatory: the Russian Federation; the OSCE
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 4. To take immediate measures for realization of provisions of “Protocol on Gali Meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz sides on the stabilization of situation in the Security Zone”. To conduct monthly meetings of the Working group #1 under chairmanship of the Head of the UNOMIG and to hear the reports at these meetings from both sides, UNOMIG and Peacekeeping Forces on the implementation of the aforementioned Protocol. The First Session of the working group #1 shall be hold in mid August 2000.

Page 2, The Council adopted the following decisions:
... 5. To take into consideration reports of the Head of the UNOMIG and the Head of Peacekeeping Forces on security situation in the conflict zone, as well as recommendation on intensification of the performance of the joint group.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: (Archive of the Staff of the Minister of Georgia on Special Affairs)
Source: http://www.rrc.ge/law/oqm1_2000_07_11_e.htm

PROTOCOL OF THE 10TH SESSION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL OF GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ SIDES

The 10th session of the Coordinating Council, founded on the basis of the Georgian and Abkhaz sides November 1997 Geneva Meeting’s Final Declaration, took place in Sukhumi on July 11, 2000 under the auspices of the UN Organization and Chaired by the special representative of the UN Secretary General Mr. Dieter Boden with participation of representatives of the Russian Federation as a facilitating side, the OSCE and states, included in the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France as observers.

The Head of the Georgian delegation was Mr. Giorgi Arsenishvili.

The Head of the Abkhazian delegation was Mr. Vyacheslav Tsugba.

When opening the session the special representative of the UN Secretary General said that the meeting took place after 6 months’ break and this was an evidence of inefficient usage of Geneva peaceful process negotiation tools, aimed at the broad-scale settlement of the conflict.

He stressed that the current session was an indicator of the renewal of negotiation process.

The following items were included in the agenda:

The issues on adherence to the cease-fire and problems of security.

Refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

Economic and Social Problems.

Miscellaneous.

The Representatives of the Sides made statements.

The representatives of the Russian Federation as a facilitating side, the OSCE and states, included in the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General took part in the discussion.

The Head of the UNOMIG and the Head of the CIS Peacekeeping Forces distributed the information about the situation in the conflict zone.

The session of the Council included plenary sessions and separate bilateral meetings of working groups.

At the session the “Protocol on Gali Meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz sides on stabilization of situation in the Security Zone” was agreed and signed (attached).

The Council adopted the following decisions:

1. Within one month the sides shall conduct preparatory work for signing two documents:

“Protocol on return of refugees to Gali region and measures for the revival of economy”, “Agreement on peace and guarantees for preventing armed conflicts”, taking into consideration the opinion of the representative of Russian Federation.

2. The sides took into consideration document of the UNOMIG on confidence building measures (attached).

The sides committed themselves to submit to the Special Representative within two weeks their own proposals regarding the complete realization of already agreed confidence measures.

The Council welcomes the invitation of the Government of Ukraine to hold the third meeting on confidence building in Yalta in autumn 2000.

3. To take into consideration issues raised by Abkhaz side about the travelling documents for people residing in Abkhazia.

4. To take immediate measures for realization of provisions of “Protocol on Gali Meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz sides on the stabilization of situation in the Security Zone”.

To conduct monthly meetings of the Working group #1 under chairmanship of the Head of the UNOMIG and to hear the reports at these meetings from both sides, UNOMIG and Peacekeeping Forces on the implementation of the aforementioned Protocol.

The First Session of the working group #1 shall be hold in mid August 2000.

5. To take into consideration reports of the Head of the UNOMIG and the Head of Peacekeeping Forces on security situation in the conflict zone, as well as recommendation on intensification of the performance of the joint group.

6. To continue the active cooperation within the framework of Energy Working Commission.

7. To call the sides for continuation of negotiations and achieving consensus on specific economic issues in the nearest future.

8. To welcome the agreement of PRUN on continuation of financial assistance to support the operation of Georgian-Abkhaz Coordinating Commission.

9. To approve declarations of Abkhaz and Georgian State commissions for searching the missing people (attached).

10. To welcome the initiative of the Government of Georgia, and especially of the National Library, to give Abkhaz side the books and other documents, referring Abkhazia.

The Council called both sides for continuation of cooperation in this sphere and asked to UNOMIG for continuation of the support.

11. To convene 11th session of the Coordinating Council no later than in the first half of 2000.

11 July 2000 (Archive of the Staff of the Minister of Georgia on Special Affairs)