Georgia to Prolong CIS Peacekeepers’ Mandate

(Tbilisi, February 3, Civil Georgia) – President Shevardnadze confirmed on February 2, that Georgia agreed to prolong Russian peacekeepers’ mandate, deployed in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone under the auspices of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Eduard Shevardnadze stated that the decision was taken before the UN Security Council’s resolution was adopted on January 31.

UN Security Council also adopted a document on “Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competences between Tbilisi and Sukhumi [capital of breakaway Republic of Abkhazia]”.

The document aims to facilitate UN-led negotiations between the parties on the status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia 

“We would not prolong Russian peacekeepers’ mandate if not this document,” President Shevardnadze stated.

Meanwhile protest rally of the displaced persons from Abkhazia continues at Enguri river, administrative border between breakaway region of Abkhazia and the rest of the Georgia, demanding peacekeepers’ withdrawal.    

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