Georgia: UN mission probes reported rocket attack near Government-Abkhaz lines

The United Nations mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) is investigating reports of a rocket attack in the vicinity of the village of Azhara in the Upper Kodori Valley in the north-west of the country, where fighting between the Government and Abkhaz separatists 14 years ago forced nearly 300,000 refugees to flee their homes.

“The Mission recalls the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution on the situation in Georgia, which urges the non-use of violence, confidence building and the strict observance of the ceasefire agreement,” UNOMIG said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the UN Security Council called on Secretary-General Kofi Annan to explore with both sides how they can build confidence, improve security and reduce tensions in the upper Kodori Valley and the districts of Gali and Zugdidi.

The resolution reiterated earlier calls on Georgia to “address seriously legitimate Abkhaz security concerns” and avoid militant rhetoric or provocative actions, and on the Abkhaz leadership to tackle “the need for a dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees” and publicly reassure locals, especially in the Gali district, that their rights of residency and identity will be respected.

It urged both sides “to follow up on their expressed readiness for a meeting of their highest authorities without preconditions.”

UNOMIG, set up in 1993 and expanded following the signing by the parties of the 1994 Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces to verify compliance, currently has some 130 uniformed personnel, including 121 military observers and 12 police, supported by 100 international civilian personnel and 178 local civilian staff.