Message Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on measures to strengthen the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict

Message Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on measures to strengthen the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict

29 апреля 2008 April 29, 2008

MESSAGE TO media On measures to strengthen the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict  According to information received from the Ministry of Defence of Russia, developments in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict dictates the need to increase the personnel of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS (CPF) in size, a decision of the Council of CIS Heads of State from August 22, 1994.  This step is taken based on the assessment of information received from the conflict zone and demonstrating the growth of tension due to measures taken by the Georgian side destabilizing nature.  Among them are building in violation of the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 UN Security Council resolutions and a contingent of Georgian military and police forces in the Upper Kodori, the intensification of the Georgian aircraft flights over the intelligence-security zone, despite the refusal of Tbilisi Gensekretarya UN recommendation to close the military-patriotic youth camp ” Patriot “, located in the vicinity of the ceasefire line and has recently become a source of a series of provocations.  Not conducive to build confidence and permanent avoidance of Georgia from concluding an agreement with the Abkhaz side on the non-use of force to resolve the conflict.  In these circumstances, the presence of Russian peacekeepers remains a crucial factor in preventing an escalation of tensions.  An important stabilizing role of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces, the efficiency of their interaction with the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has once again highlighted in the recently adopted Resolution 1808 of the UN Security Council.  Measures to strengthen CPF undertaken solely in order to avoid any possibility of further bloodshed in the Caucasus, neutralize attempts to negate the prospect of a peaceful political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. Russia confirms scrupulous adherence to its international obligations to maintain peace and stability in the region. 29 апреля 2008 года April 29, 2008