ON THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANDATE OF THE CIS COLLECTIVE PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN THE GEORGIAN-ABKHAZ CONFLICT ZONE

Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

The mandate of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone (CPKF), which are there on the basis of the appropriate decision of the Council of Heads of State (CHS), expired on June 30.

At the present time the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding contacts with Tbilisi, as well as with Sukhumi with the aim of agreeing the text of a new decision of the CIS CHS regarding the further stay of the CPKF in the zone of the disengagement the parties in conflict on the basis of the formula agreed upon during the meeting between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze with the participation of the Abkhaz leadership in Sochi on March 6-7, 2003, and not requiring the procedure of extension of their mandate every six months.

Unfortunately, attempts are being made to surround this decision with various political demands not having a direct bearing on the functions of the peacekeeping forces. Their principal task, as universally recognized, is to ensure the regime for the nonresumption of hostilities in the conflict zone and to maintain the maximum possible level of security. A further delay in deciding the question of the CPKF mandate is fraught with adverse consequences.

July 3, 2003