SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNOMIG UNTIL 31 JANUARY 1997

Security Council

3680th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNOMIG UNTIL 31 JANUARY 1997

Resolution 1065 (1996), Adopted Unanimously,

Calls for Progress Towards Comprehensive Settlement

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 31 January 1997 and called upon the parties, particularly the Abkhaz side, to achieve substantive progress without delay towards a comprehensive political settlement. It would review UNOMIG's mandate should there be any change in the mandate of the peace-keeping force of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Through its unanimous adoption of resolution 1065 (1996), the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and to the necessity of defining Abkhazia's status in strict accordance with those principles. It condemned the Abkhaz side's obstructions to the return of refugees and displaced persons, stressing the unacceptability of any linkage between their return and the question of the political status of Abkhazia, Georgia. The Council demanded that the Abkhaz side significantly accelerate their return without delay or preconditions, guarantee the safety of spontaneous returnees already in the area, and regularize their status, particularly in the Gali region. It condemned the laying of mines in that region and called on the parties to take all measures to prevent mine laying. The Council further condemned ethnically motivated killings and other related violence, expressing full support for a proposed programme to protect and promote human rights in Abkhazia, Georgia. Addressing the Council, the representative of Georgia said the difficult but inevitable process of his country's revival was invariably related to the future of Abkhazia. Any peaceful settlement depended on the goodwill of both parties. Efforts to bring peace must take account of historical traditions which, regardless of political developments, had never changed. Only the centuries old coexistence with Georgians had enabled the small Abkhaz nation to retain its identity, culture, language and development perspective, he said. Also addressing the Council were the representatives of Ireland (for the European Union and associated States), Germany, Chile, China, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Poland, Russian Federation, Indonesia, Egypt, Guinea- Bissau, Botswana, Italy, United States, Honduras and France. The meeting, which was called to order at 10:45 a.m. was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Secretary-General's Report

The Security Council meets this morning to consider the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia. It has before it a report of the Secretary-General (document S/1996/507), in which he recommends extending the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 31 January 1997. In doing so, he expresses that the parties to the Georgian Abkhaz conflict can still be persuaded to help reactivate the peace process.

According to the Secretary-General, the political process remains at a standstill, and the core issue -- definition of the political status of Abkhazia -- remains unresolved. He repeats his offer to meet, either separately or jointly, with the leaders of the two sides if this will advance the peace process.

Only the parties themselves can establish peace through dialogue and mutual accommodation, the Secretary-General states. However, the primary responsibility for helping them in that effort rests with the United Nations. The current lack of progress calls into question how serious the parties are in their search for peace. The Russian Federation, in its capacity as facilitator, has continued to lead efforts to persuade the parties to accept a draft protocol which would establish basic principles for a more detailed agreement. Unfortunately it has not yet been possible to do so.

During May, the Ambassadors in Tbilisi of the group of "Friends of Georgia" -- which includes France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States -- met separately with the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, and with Abkhaz leader Vladislav Ardzinba, to deliver a demarche. In it, they restated their belief that the international community could only help the parties resolve their differences if they themselves were willing to do so. It also said the safe and dignified return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes in Abkhazia, with sufficient guarantees for the safety of all individuals, including those belonging to ethnic minorities, must be a humanitarian priority.

In response, President Shevardnadze indicated his Government's interest in implementing all resolutions and presidential statements of the Security Council. Mr. Ardzinba, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the Council's resolutions, stating they were not based on the factual reports of the Secretary-General. He asserted that no "ethnic cleansing" had been committed by the Abkhaz. He insisted that no large-scale repatriation of refugees and displaced persons to Abkhazia was possible because the local population would not accept them; time was needed to heal wounds and to change outlooks. He emphasized that Abkhazia would only establish relations with Georgia as a "federative union".

Among other developments, the Commonwealth of Independent State on 17 May called upon the parties to accelerate the negotiations, so as to ensure a political settlement with the Russian Federation acting as facilitator, the report states. On 3 June, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation declared their firm resolve to promote lasting peace and stability in the Caucasus.

During the period from 15 April to 24 June, the situation on the ground remained unsettled in the Gali sector and generally calm in the Zugdidi sector, the report states. In the former, UNOMIG was still reporting lawlessness, including acts of murder, armed robbery, looting, extortion and intimidation. Although no UNOMIG military observers had been victims of violent crime, that was chiefly attributable to the reduced level of patrolling in the Gali sector, rather than to a general improvement in security.

During the period under review, there have been seven mine-related incidents, resulting in one civilian death and two injuries. Although none of those had involved UNOMIG directly, it was decided to provide the Mission with mine-protected vehicles and some engineering support. The engineers, who will undertake daily road clearing, are to be accommodated within the authorized strength of the Mission and deployed with their own mine-detection vehicles and equipment. The arrangement, which should enable UNOMIG to resume patrolling the Gali Sector at almost the same level of operational effectiveness as before should remain in effect for the long term. While the move will substantially improve the security of the observers, some risk will remain.

On the social and economic situation, the Secretary-General says the challenge for the Government, the donor community, international agencies and non-governmental organizations, is to find a healthy balance between addressing the immediate needs of the population and supporting long-term rehabilitation and development. The Bretton Woods institutions and other United Nations bodies have agreed to support programmes aimed at sustainable human development, as has the European Union.

Draft Resolution

The Council also has before it the following draft resolution:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming all its relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1036 (1996) of 12 January 1996,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 1 July 1996 (S/996/507 and Add.1),

"Noting with deep concern the continued failure by the parties to resolve their differences due to the uncompromising position taken by the Abkhaz side, and underlining the necessity for them to intensify without delay their efforts, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator, to achieve an early and comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia, which fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia,

"Reaffirming the necessity for the parties strictly to respect human rights, and expressing its support for the Secretary-General's efforts to find ways to improve their observance as an integral part of the work towards a comprehensive political settlement,

"Noting that the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces (S/1994/583, annex I) has generally been respected by the parties with the assistance of the Collective Peace-keeping Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS peace-keeping force) and the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).

"Commending the contribution UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force have made to stabilize the situation in the zone of conflict and stressing the importance of continued close cooperation and coordination between them in the performance of their respective mandates,

"Deeply concerned at the deterioration of the security conditions in the Gali region and of the safety and security of the local population, of the refugees and displaced persons returning to the region and of UNOMIG and CIS peace-keeping force personnel,

"Reminding the parties that the international community's ability to assist them depends on their political will to resolve the conflict through dialogue and mutual accommodation, as well as their full cooperation with UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force, including the fulfilment of their obligations regarding the safety and freedom of movement of international personnel,

"Taking note of the decision taken by the Heads of State of the CIS of 17 May 1996 (S/1996/371, annex I),

"Noting that the Heads of State of the CIS will consider the extension of the mandate of the CIS peace-keeping force beyond 19 July 1996.

"1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 1 July 1996;

"2. Expresses its deep concern at the continued deadlock in the efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia;

"3. Reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, within its internationally recognized borders, and to the necessity of defining the status of Abkhazia in strict accordance with these principles, and underlines the unacceptability of any action by the Abkhaz leadership in contravention of these principles;

"4. Reaffirms its full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia, respecting fully the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for the efforts that are being undertaken by the Russian Federation in its capacity as facilitator to continue to intensify the search for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and encourages the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts, with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator, and with the support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to that end;

"5. Calls upon the parties, in particular the Abkhaz side, to achieve substantive progress without further delay towards a comprehensive political settlement, and further calls upon them to cooperate fully with the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General, with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator;

"6. Reaffirms the right of all refugees and displaced persons affected by the conflict to return to their homes in secure conditions in accordance with international law and as set out in the Quadripartite Agreement of 14 April 1994 on voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons (S/1994/397, annex II), condemns the continued obstruction of that return by the Abkhaz side, and stresses the unacceptability of any linkage of the return of refugees and displaced persons with the question of the political status of Abkhazia, Georgia;

"7. Demands that the Abkhaz side accelerate significantly the process of voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons without delay or preconditions, in particular by accepting a timetable on the basis of that proposed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and further demands that it guarantee the safety of spontaneous returnees already in the area and regularize their status in cooperation with the UNHCR and in accordance with the Quadripartite Agreement, in particular in the Gali region;

"8. Recalls the conclusions of the Budapest summit of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (S/1994/1435, annex) regarding the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, and affirms the unacceptability of the demographic changes resulting from the conflict;

"9. Condemns ethnically motivated killings and other ethnically related acts of violence;

"10. Condemns the laying of mines in the Gali region, which has already caused several deaths and injuries among the civilian population and the peace-keepers and observers of the international community, and calls upon the parties to take all measures in their power to prevent mine laying and to cooperate fully with UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force in order to honour their commitments to ensure the safety and the freedom of movement of all personnel of United Nations, CIS peace-keeping force and international humanitarian organizations;

"11. Encourages the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps in response to the threat posed by the laying of mines in order to improve security conditions so as to minimize the danger to UNOMIG personnel and to create conditions for the effective performance of its mandate;

"12. Decides to extend the mandate of UNOMIG for an additional period terminating on 31 January 1997 subject to a review by the Council of the mandate of UNOMIG in the event of any changes that may be made in the mandate of the CIS peace-keeping force;

"13. Expresses its full support for the implementation of a concrete programme for the protection and promotion of human rights in Abkhazia, Georgia, and requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council by 15 August 1996 on possible arrangements for the establishment of a human rights office in Sukhumi;

"14. Reiterates its encouragement to States to contribute to the voluntary fund in support of the implementation of the Agreement on a Cease- fire and Separation of Forces signed in Moscow on 14 May 1994 and/or for humanitarian aspects including demining, as specified by the donors;

"15. Requests the Secretary-General to consider the means of providing technical and financial assistance aimed at the reconstruction of the economy of Abkhazia, Georgia, following the successful outcome of the political negotiations;

"16. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Council regularly informed and to report after three months from the date of the adoption of this resolution on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, including the operations of UNOMIG;

"17. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

Statements

PETER P. CHKHEIDZE (Georgia) said his country constantly felt the support of the international community. Today, the hundreds of thousands of refugees saw their physical and political survival in the context of decisions of the Security Council and retained a fervent belief in the future. That belief helped Georgia endure the unhealing pain inflicted by the war in Abkhazia upon thousands of families on both sides of the Inguri river.

The forces that instigated the conflicts in Abkhazia and elsewhere in the Soviet empire had spawned strong antagonisms between democratic values and the forces of revenge which relied on such so-called hot beds as the situation in Abkhazia. The tragic events in that region, had significantly contributed to a proliferation of arms and narcotic drugs, and to the creation of illegal armed groups which had invariably degenerated into gangs of raging bandits. Abkhazia had ultimately established itself as the strong source of instability in the Caucasus region. Despite international efforts, it continued to be the seat of that dangerous trend.

He said the current conflict remained an insurmountable obstacle to the region's economic and social progress, hampering the development of a proper political orientation. The peace process had run into a dead end and the region of Gali -- the main focus of international efforts -- was engulfed by chaos and impunity. The negotiations and the process of political settlement had been suspended and the small group of refugees who returned to the places of their residence had virtually turned into hostages in the hands of armed bandits.

Under unspeakable conditions of violence and coercion, three quarters of the Abkhazian population had been compelled to abandon their houses and flee the region, he said. The physical and moral condition of the refugees living outside Georgia was desperate, significantly increasing the death toll. Ethnic-based killings, kidnappings and torture in the Gali region affected the entire territory of Abkhazia, where the target of humiliation was no longer chosen according to ethnicity. Abkhazia had become a sanctuary for criminals from within and without.

He said it was clear that the obstruction to negotiations and the hampering of repatriation efforts was nothing but an attempt at delay and at legitimizing lawlessness. On the territory controlled by the separatists, refugees' houses had been given to alien mercenaries as reward for their deeds. Meanwhile, well-planned activities were being carried out to avert international supervision. Such developments had put at stake the lives, not only of the deprived and humiliated Georgian population, but also of the military observers. The mining of a score of districts had enabled those concerned to avert international supervision in the targeted areas and to kill the hopes of the terrorized population for a triumph of justice. Such mining enabled its executors to isolate the international observers and render them dependent on strange sources of information.

Peaceful settlement and mutual compromise could be attained only on the basis of goodwill by both parties, he said. The strong stand and committed efforts of President Shevardnadze of Georgia constituted a deterrent against the supporters of chaos and radical actions. The efforts to bring peace to the region should take account of historical traditions that, regardless of different political developments, had never changed. Only the centuries old coexistence with Georgians had enabled the small Abkhaz nation to retain its identity, culture, language and development perspective.

The difficult but inevitable process of Georgia's revival was invariably related to the future of Abkhazia, he said. That fact had spawned the idea of the creation of a special fund for the economic reconstruction of the region, in case of success in the efforts for peace. The Government of Georgia counted on international support for that idea, which could be an important incentive for the peace process. Georgia's Government was well aware that both sides were equally responsible for maintaining peace. At a time when the resolutions of the Security Council were ignored and the efforts of international organizations came to nothing, he triumph of the will of the international community could be attained only by enforcement.

JOHN H.F. CAMPBELL (Ireland) spoke on behalf of the European Union, as well as for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Iceland Liechtenstein and Norway. Citing the continued failure of the parties to the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia to achieve a comprehensive political settlement, he said the economic and political consequences of that failure were serious. However, the human dimension of the stalemate particularly concerned the Union, which condemned ethnically motivated killings in the region and other violence. The international community could not tolerate such barbaric violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms and it urged that steps be taken to arrest the perpetrators of such acts.

The Union deeply deplored the obstacles by the Abkhaz authorities which prevented the early return of refugees and displaced persons. It called on them to take immediate steps, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to enable all displaced persons and refugees to return freely to their homes under conditions, without any linkage to the question of the political status of Abkhazia, Georgia.

Despite considerable efforts by the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States, there had been insufficient progress towards a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict, he said. In spite of the framework for political compromise put forward by Georgia, there had been no serious response from the other side. The Abkhaz authorities had ignored two fundamental principles to which the European Union remained totally committed. First, there must be full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. Second, the Union refused to allow the valuable work of UNOMIG and the Commonwealth to be undermined.

He condemned the laying of mines in the Gali region. The consequent severe limitation on UNOMIG's capacity to move freely in the area and the closure of the three team bases were totally unacceptable. The Union urged the parties to prevent the laying of mines. The safety and freedom of movement of UNOMIG and Commonwealth personnel was of paramount importance. All parties must cooperate fully to allow them to carry out their mandate in a proper, safe and effective manner.

GERHARD HENZE (Germany) said the current situation in Georgia as compared with six months ago, was not encouraging. Contacts between the parties, assisted by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy and the Russian Federation as facilitator, had yielded no tangible results. The ambassadors of the "Friends of Georgia" had carried out demarches in Tbilisi and Sukhumi and received an unsatisfactory response. The reason for the political impasse lay in the uncompromising attitude of the Abkhaz leadership, which insisted on separate statehood for Abkhazia. The Georgian Government had already made a substantial, but so far unsuccessful offer to the Abkhaz side, amounting to the creation of a federal state with far-reaching autonomy for Abkhazia. It was urgent that the Abkhaz leadership learn to accept that any solution of the conflict must be based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.

He said Germany recognized and welcomed UNOMIG's valuable and stabilizing role. However, UNOMIG could not be used to support a mere perpetuation of the political status quo without the prospect of a negotiated settlement. If the current political stalemate continued, the Council might be forced to question the nature of a future United Nations role in the conflict. Germany also deeply deplored the effects of "ethnic cleansing" in the Abkhazia conflict, with the massive expulsion of people, predominantly Georgian, from their living areas, and the deaths of large numbers of innocent people. The Abkhaz side must end, without delay, its obstruction of the return of refugees and displaced persons to the region without any linkage of the question of Abkhazia's future status.

He said his country continued to be very concerned by the deterioration in the security situation, which had brought UNOMIG patrolling virtually to an end. It expected the parties to take forceful measures against the laying of mines, which was a danger not only for UNOMIG personnel and the Commonwealth peace-keeping forces, but also for the local population, refugees and displaced persons. There should be better surveillance of the cease-fire lines and prosecution of those responsible.

JUAN SOMAVIA (Chile) said the lack of progress in Abkhazia was a cause for regret. It was especially regrettable that the Abkhaz leaders had not understood the considerable efforts that Georgia's Government and Parliament were undertaking to find a solution to the problem. Those efforts would allow that region to have its own constitution, parliament, executive and judicial organs, flag and national hymn.

The parties should resolve the key question of Abkhazia's political status, he said. In that effort, they could rely on the good offices of the Secretary General, the Russian Federation as facilitator, and the support of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe.

WANG XUEXIAN (China) said the world was very concerned about the long absence of a solution to the question of Georgia. The Council's position was clear: Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected and a comprehensive political settlement of the matter must be within that framework.

The Georgian Government had adopted a responsible attitude in promoting comprehensive settlement, he said. It had put forward constructive proposals, including that of establishing a federal state and granting Abkhazia wide- ranging autonomy. That had provided a basis for an early settlement of the Georgian question. However, the Abkhaz authorities still clung to a rigid position and continued to set obstacles to a political settlement, bringing the peace process to a standstill. China was deeply concerned over that situation.

No country could be prosperous and live in peace unless there was ethnic harmony and territorial integrity, he said. China urged the parties, and particularly the Abkhaz authorities, to take a realistic approach to settling the political status of Abkhazia, so as to advance the peace process in Georgia and enable the Georgian people of all ethnic groups to live and work in peace.

SIR JOHN WESTON (United Kingdom) said the Georgian Government had worked patiently and consistently towards achievement of a political settlement. The Abkhaz leadership had not. It had failed to engage constructively in talks, despite Georgian proposals that would entail the widest possible autonomy for the Abkhaz region. It had blocked any significant return of non-Abkhaz refugees, and had refused to face up to the fact that no country was prepared to contemplate an independent state of Abkhazia. The Abkhaz leadership had thus condemned its own people to an impoverished and uncertain existence.

The Council's plans to extend UNOMIG's mandate for a further six months represented its willingness to commit scarce United Nations resources in the hope the current stalemate might be overcome. It also represented the willingness of states to make military personnel available.

As a member of the Friends of the Secretary-General for Georgia, and as a leading contributor of personnel to UNOMIG, the United Kingdom was grateful to the Special Envoy, his Head of Mission and the Chief Military Observer, as well as to the members of UNOMIG, for their work, he said. However, UNOMIG, must be able to count on the support of the parties. The recent increase in laying of mines in UNOMIG"s area of responsibility was of particular concern; the parties must do all they could to ensure the cessation of such activities. His country welcomed the Secretariat's efforts to redeploy mine-protected vehicles and to provide UNOMIG with mine-detection and clearance capability, and urged those concerned to work with the Secretariat so such measures could be implemented as soon as possible.

Reconstruction and respect for human rights were key elements in developing stability and allowing a return of normality to the region, he said. In particular, the United Kingdom welcomed proposals to implement a programme for the protection and promotion of human rights, and looked forward to the Secretary-General's report on arrangements to establish a human rights office in Sukhumi. The UNOMIG continued to have a valuable role in sustaining the conditions necessary for a lasting settlement to emerge. However, it was up to the parties, and in particular the Abkhaz leadership, to demonstrate that they were prepared to work earnestly towards a settlement. To be viable, any such settlement must fully respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

PARK SOO GIL (Republic of Korea) said the international community could only help the parties reach a solution if they were themselves willing to resolve their differences in a spirit of compromise. The Georgian Government's proposal to grant Abkhazia far-reaching autonomy within the framework of a unified Georgian State, as outlined in president Shevardnadze's letter of 9 July, was a solid foundation upon which to build a comprehensive political settlement. He called upon the Abkhaz side, in particular, to end the current standstill and embrace a more pragmatic and flexible approach to reaching a solution based on respect for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized boundaries.

Paralysis in the political process had also been accompanied by serious humanitarian conditions, he said. Regrettably, the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes in Abkhazia continued to be obstructed by the Abkhaz side. The ongoing criminality and violence that was deterring the return of refugees and displaced persons, especially in the Gali region, must be reduced. Any attempt to tie the return of refugees to the question of Abkhazia's political status was wholly unacceptable.

He expressed support for the programme for the protection and promotion of human rights in Abkhazia, to be implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with OSCE. Also, as a troop contributor his Government was especially pleased to note that UNOMIG personnel would be provided with mine-protected vehicles and some engineering support for road-clearing. It was hoped that the close and continued cooperation between UNOMIG and the Commonwealth peace-keeping force would enhance the safety of UNOMIG personnel.

ZBIGNIEW M. WLOSOWICZ (Poland) appealed to the parties to the conflict, and particularly the Abkhaz side, to demonstrate that their ultimate goal was a peaceful solution of their differences. There must be a comprehensive political settlement, which addressed the political status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia, and respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said it was dismaying to hear that refugees and displaced persons were being barred by the Abkhaz side from returning home. Poland expected that there would be a significant acceleration in the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons, without delay or preconditions, and that a timetable based on that submitted by UNHCR would be observed. Demographic changes should not be allowed to occur as a result of the conflict. He also condemned the laying of mines, particularly in the Gali region, which had caused deaths among the civilian population, peace-keepers and international observers. Poland supported extension of UNOMIG's mandate because there was still a significant chance for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Georgia.

SERGEY V. LAVROV (Russian Federation) said that, as a facilitator to the peace process, his Government had been taking a leading role. It had consulted with the Abkhaz leaders and combined that with pressure on them to show greater flexibility. Right now, in Moscow, negotiations were taking place with the Abkhaz side.

He said a new and positive development was the direct dialogue between the parties, which would have been impossible a short time ago. There were grounds for believing that those efforts were having an effect. The mood of the Abkhaz leaders was more conducive to a settlement, but they would need to take more concrete steps.

The Russian Federation continued to be extremely concerned with the refugee situation, he said. It was also deeply concerned about the deterioration with the security situation, as a result of laying of mines in the Gali region.

MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia) said it was dismaying that political negotiations between the parties had not progressed, and that the definition of Abkhazia's political status remained unresolved. The uncompromising stance of the Abkhaz side had rendered negotiations more difficult. To break the current impasse, both parties must intensify their efforts, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator, to achieve an early and comprehensive settlement.

He also expressed concern at the precarious situation of displaced persons and the persistent mine threat. There was an urgent need for all refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes in secure conditions. The indiscriminate sufferings which had been inflicted upon civilians, peace- keepers and international observers by the laying of mines in the Gali region must be immediately redressed.

He drew attention to the important contribution of UNOMIG and the Commonwealth peace-keeping force. The dangers posed to them and to the population as a result of lawlessness -- including murder, armed robbery, looting, extortion and intimidation -- was unacceptable. It was essential that UNOMIG and Commonwealth personnel, as well as the local population, be granted safety, security and freedom of movement.

MAGED A. ABDEL AZIZ (Egypt) expressed the hope that the initiatives for peace would continue. The indiscriminate laying of mines endangered lives of UNOMIG personnel and of civilians, and interrupted UNOMIG's work. Citing plans to send mine-detection equipment to the area, he said there was still a need for increased demining efforts. Egypt supported the establishment of a United Nations office to monitor the human rights situation. It would support the draft resolution.

ADELINO MANO QUETA (Guinea-Bissau) said the parties, and particularly the Abkhazia side should take advantage of the efforts of the international community to settle their conflict. The political stance by the Abkhaz side was the crux of the problem. Efforts to resolve the matter should take account of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

He said his Government was very concerned about the laying of land mines in the Gali region. The parties must end that practice, which threatened UNOMIG and Commonwealth peace-keepers. Obstacles placed in the way of the return of refugees by the Abkhaz side were unacceptable. He condemned the policy of ethnic cleansing.

OSCAR MOTSWAGAE (Botswana) said his country supported the draft resolution, as it correctly stressed the importance which the international community attached to preserving Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. His country was outraged by the continued use of ethnic cleansing by the leadership in Abkhazia in its attempt to balkanize the territory of Georgia. A quarter of a million refugees and displaced persons, forcibly removed from their homes four years ago on ethnic grounds, were still languishing in refugee camps, as the Abkhaz side placed obstacles to their repatriation. Ethnically motivated acts of murder, armed robbery, looting, extortion and intimidation were the order of the day in the Gali region. People who professed to be national leaders were unable to observe the most basic tenets of good governance and guarantee the rights of their multi-ethnic population.

He said it was inexcusable for UNOMIG to be subjected to the menace of mines. It was also important for the international community to do all in its power to improve the observance of human rights in Abkhazia. Botswana supported establishment of a human rights office in Sukhumi as a matter of urgency. It also urged the parties to enter into serious dialogue to achieve a political settlement within the mandate period established by the draft resolution.

LORENZO FERARIN (Italy) said that despite the efforts of the international community, the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, had only worsened in recent months. The level of violence there prevented United Nations and Commonwealth peace-keepers from carrying out their work. Italy condemned any ethnic cleansing and deplored the obstacles placed in the way of the return of refugees. The violations of human rights must end.

He said the negative reaction by the Abkhaz side to proposals for a political settlement was regrettable. It was up to that side to agree to a solution which respected Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Georgian Government had made concrete proposals to settle the conflict. However, no efforts could be effective unless the parties, particularly the Abkhaz side, demonstrated the necessary political will.

The draft resolution was adopted unanimously as Security Council resolution 1065 (1996).

KARL F. INDERFURTH (United States) said it was regrettable that the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia had not improved and that the talks were stalled. The Abkhaz were apparently as intransigent as ever. A quarter of a million refugees were still being deprived of the comfort of their homes, and the threat to the unarmed observers of UNOMIG had grown. The Council, today, had reaffirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. It had called for the Secretary-General and the Russian Federation, as facilitator, to intensify their efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement. However, achievement of that required the full cooperation and participation of the parties, who bore the true burden of making peace.

The Abkhaz leadership acted as if an independent Abkhazia were a possibility, he said. It was not. President Shevardnadze of Georgia on the other hand, had made a public offer of broad autonomy for Abkhazia. The United States appealed to Abkhaz leader Ardzinba to engage in a meaningful and flexible way with the Georgian side.

The threat of mines was evidence that some elements in the region wanted only to perpetuate violence and conflict, he said. The United States supported the Secretariat's approach to that threat, as outlined by the Secretary-General, and encouraged the implementation of those measures as soon as possible.

He said the United States firmly supported the proposed programme for the protection and promotion of human rights in Abkhazia. Agreement to the human rights centre from both sides represented a first step in breaking down the barriers of mistrust and hatred between them. The United States expected that serous consideration would be given to financing the office through voluntary contributions, rather than adding that burden to UNOMIG's responsibilities. The United States expected to make a substantial voluntary contribution to the office and asked other Member States to do the same.

He said the United States urged all parties to the conflict in Georgia to cooperate fully with UNOMIG, to cease destructive acts such as mine laying, and to make a concerted effort towards peacefully resolving their differences. Only in that way could UNOMIG successfully carry out its responsibilities.

GERARDO MARTINEZ BLANCO (Honduras) said there had been no progress in the peace efforts in Georgia and that negotiations remained deadlocked. The international community should step up efforts to enable the parties to resolve their differences and to allow refugees to return to their homes, while preserving Georgia's territorial integrity. He urged the parties, particularly the Abkhaz side, to cooperate in resolving the conflict.

He said Honduras was pleased with projects begun by UNHCR to help resettle refugees. It also welcomed the proposal to establish a United Nations human rights office in the area.

He said UNOMIG continued to fulfil its mandate and to cooperate with the Commonwealth peace-keeping forces, despite the problems it faced. He urged the parties to prevent the laying of mines and to cooperate with UNOMIG. It was hoped that they would adopt concrete measures to settle the conflict.

ALAIN DEJAMMET (France), speaking as his country's representative, said the Council's action today had sent a message to both parties, particularly the Abkhaz side. Political negotiations must urgently be put back on track. The Georgian Government had made generous offers which would give Abkhazia a very wide political autonomy. The Abkhaz leadership should accept the necessary compromise and put aside any separatist illusions. The future of Abkhazia was within Georgia; the international community would not accept any solution which did not respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said obstacles to the return of refugees should be lifted. The Abkhaz side had made solemn promises which it must honour without delay and without preconditions. Its refusal to cooperate with respect to the situation in Gali would only lead to severe international condemnation of what amounted to a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing.

Describing the laying of mines in the Gali region as "terrorist acts", he said the parties must arrest the perpetrators. That was a crucial issue which put the credibility of the parties at stake. His country fully supported the Secretary-General's measures to protect UNOMIG personnel.

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