CIS Peacekeepers Mandate Expired

(Tbilisi, July 7, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The mandate of Russian peacekeeping troops, deployed in Abkhazia under the auspices of the CIS, expired on July 6.

As the Georgian Foreign Ministry reports the Georgian side has already sent all the necessary documents regarding the prolongation of the mandate to the Russian side, however has not received any answer so far.

During the Sochi meeting on March 7 the Russian and Georgian Presidents reached an agreement under which Russian peacekeepers can stay in the conflict zone until one of the sides demands their withdrawal.

Earlier Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said there is no point in renewing the mandate in every six months because the peacekeepers are important element for safe return of IDPs to the breakaway region.

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