Protocol of the Meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz Sides

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Georgia
Abkhazia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Protocol of the Meeting of Georgian and Abkhaz Sides
Date: 21 Dec 1998
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: Georgia, Abkhazia
For the ASK side
S. BAGAPSH
A. KCHACH
A. TARBA
G. Agrba

For the GEO side
V. Lordkipanidze
K. Targomadze
V. Kutateladze
D. Pirtskhalaishvili
Third parties: UN (Chair), Russian Federation (Facilitator), OSCE, Group of Friends of the UNSG (France, Germany, Russian Federation, UK, US) as observers
Description: Parties commit to withdraw forces from ceasefire line. CIS and UNOMIG to control this process. CIS to start patrolling the line. Both sides to establish permanent telephone connection between the heads of the Gali and Zugdidi regions, and an operational communications link between the heads of Georgian and Abkhaz forces. Sides to consider rotation of their forces along the ceasefire line.

Agreement document: GE_981221_Protocol of the Geo and Ark 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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1, 3. By 27 December 1998, the communication agencies of the sides will establish a permanent telephone connection between the Heads of Administration of GALl and ZUGDIDI regions (Mr s. ESKANIA will be responsible on behalf of the GEO side, and Mr E. PILIA will be responsible on behalf the ABK side).

Within the same timeframe an operational communications link will be established between the Commanders of the opposing forces of the sides in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI
(Mr G.SHERVASHIDZE will be responsible on behalf of the GEO side, and- Mr L. MLKVABIA will be responsible on behalf of the ARK side).
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→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, 2. Along with the agreed withdrawal, the CIS PKF together with the representatives of both sides will start patrolling the area along the Cease- Fire Line in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI area.

Page 1, 4. The sides will consider the issue of rotation of their forces along the Cease-Fire Line.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 4. The sides will consider the issue of rotation of their forces along the Cease-Fire Line.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: Page 1,
1. In accordance with the Protocol of 24 September 1998 within the next 10 days, both sides will work out a plan and will withdraw their forces from the Cease- Fire Line a certain distance in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI (Mr K. TARGOMADZE will be responsible on behalf of the (3EO side,- Mr A.KCHACH will be responsible on behalf of the ABK side).

Both the CIS PKF and the UNONIG together with the representatives of the sides will control this process.

Page 1, 2. Along with the agreed withdrawal, the CIS PKF together with the representatives of both sides will start patrolling the area along the Cease- Fire Line in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI area.
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: UN chair
Other international signatory: From the UNOMIG T . GHAZI

From the CIS PKF E . CHURAEV
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, 1. In accordance with the Protocol of 24 September 1998 within the next 10 days, both sides will work out a plan and will withdraw their forces from the Cease- Fire Line a certain distance in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI (Mr K. TARGOMADZE will be responsible on behalf of the (3EO side,- Mr A.KCHACH will be responsible on behalf of the ABK side).

Page 1, 2. Along with the agreed withdrawal, the CIS PKF together with the representatives of both sides will start patrolling the area along the Cease- Fire Line in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI area.
The CIS PKF will patrol KHURCHA village with the GEO side and m NABAKEVI village with the ABK side.
Enforcement mechanism: Parties commit to withdraw forces from ceasefire line. CIS and UNOMIG to control this process. CIS to start patrolling the line.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: on file with author

PROTOCOL

ON THE MEETING OF THE GEO AND ARK SIDES

Due to the recent danger of a destabilisation of the situation in the zone of conflict, the sides again confirmed their obligations on non-use of force and the threat of the use of force.

The sides agreed upon the following issues:

1. In accordance with the Protocol of 24 September 1998 within the next 10 days, both sides will work out a plan and will withdraw their forces from the Cease- Fire Line a certain distance in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI (Mr K. TARGOMADZE will be responsible on behalf of the (3EO side,- Mr A.KCHACH will be responsible on behalf of the ABK side).

Both the CIS PKF and the UNONIG together with the representatives of the sides will control this process.

2. Along with the agreed withdrawal, the CIS PKF together with the representatives of both sides will start patrolling the area along the Cease- Fire Line in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI area.

The CIS PKF will patrol KHURCHA village with the GEO side and m NABAKEVI village with the ABK side.

3. By 27 December 1998, the communication agencies of the sides will establish a permanent telephone connection between the Heads of Administration of GALl and ZUGDIDI regions (Mr s. ESKANIA will be responsible on behalf of the GEO side, and Mr E. PILIA will be responsible on behalf the ABK side).

Within the same timeframe an operational communications link will be established between the Commanders of the opposing forces of the sides in KHURCHA-NABAKEVI

(Mr G.SHERVASHIDZE will be responsible on behalf of the GEO side, and- Mr L. MLKVABIA will be responsible on behalf of the ARK side).

4. The sides will consider the issue of rotation of their forces along the Cease-Fire Line.

For the GEO side

v. LORDKIP ANIDZE K. TARGOMADZE

v. KUTATELADZE

For the ASK side

S . A .

A .

BAGAPSH KCHACH TARBA

D. PIRTSKHALAISHVILI

From the CIS PKF E .

CHURAEV

21 December 1998

[327 words]

G. AGRBA

From the UNOMIG T .

GHAZI