UN Security Council Calls Abkhazians for Talks

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 30, 2002) – The UN Security Council expressed “deep regret” at the Abkhaz side’s repeated refusal to agree to a discussion on key documents, notably one concerning a distribution of competences between Tbilisi and Sukhumi and urged constructive negotiations on the issue.

On July 29 the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution on situation in Abkhazia, the UN news center reports.

The details of the document on distribution of competences between Tbilisi and Sukhumi (capital of breakaway Abkhazia) remain secret. The document details remain confidential, but Georgian officials hail its provisions that consider Abkhazia as a part of the Georgian state. Abkhazians refuse to discuss the document.

Stressing the urgent need for progress on the question of refugees and internally displaced persons, the Council also called on both sides to display “a genuine commitment to make returns the focus of special attention.” In addition, it reaffirmed the unacceptability of demographic changes resulting from the conflict.

The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) through January 2003.

Click for the UN Secretary-General’s Report on Abkhazia

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