GEORGIA: TOP UN OFFICIALS DEPART FORMER MISSION AREA

The top military and police officials serving with the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) – which ceased its functions last month – have now left what was formerly their area of operation, a spokesperson for the world body announced today.

The departures of the Chief Military Officer and Senior Police Adviser are part of the Mission's liquidation phase, which includes the withdrawal of its military and police personnel.

It follows the Security Council's lack of agreement to renew the Mission's mandate, which led to UNOMIG effectively ceasing its functions in mid-June.

"According to the drawdown plan, all civilian staff will also be leaving in the near future, with the goal being to completely close the Mission by November 2009," UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

For nearly 16 years, UNOMIG was entrusted with overseeing the ceasefire accord between the Government and Abkhaz separatists in the country's north-western region.

It had no jurisdiction in nearby South Ossetia, the scene of fighting last August which pitted Georgia against separatists and their Russian allies.

Ms. Montas also reported that the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Johan Verbeke, chaired the first meeting, under UN auspices, of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism yesterday.

The purpose of the Mechanism, she said, is to bring together the Georgians, Abkhaz and Russians, as well as representatives from the UN and European Union, on a periodic basis to discuss security matters.

At yesterday's meeting, held in the town of Gali, it was agreed to set up a "hotline" to prevent future incidents. Participants also agreed to meet on a bi-weekly basis, and the next meeting is scheduled to be held in Gali under UN auspices on 28 July.
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GEORGIA: PERSONNEL FROM DEFUNCT UN MISSION TO LEAVE NEXT WEEK

Military observers and police of what was the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) will leave Abkhazia at the end of next week, as the operation proceeds with its liquidation, the world body announced today.

For nearly 16 years, UNOMIG was entrusted with overseeing the ceasefire accord between the Government and Abkhaz separatists in the country's north-western region.

It had no jurisdiction in nearby South Ossetia, the scene of fighting last August which pitted Georgia against separatists and their Russian allies.

UNOMIG ceased its functions on 16 June after Russia vetoed a technical roll-over by the Security Council of the mission's mandate.

David Harland, a senior official with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), met with Abkhaz officials yesterday on the closure. He noted that the Mission had very constructive relations both with the local authorities and the public.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Harland echoed recent comments by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in hoping that the UN would have an opportunity to keep offering assistance and support for the population through different humanitarian programmes.

As of 30 April this year, UNOMIG comprised almost 130 military observers and 16 police personnel, and was led by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Johan Verbeke.
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GEORGIA: UN ENVOY REPORTS PROGRESS DURING LATEST ROUND OF INTERNATIONAL TALKS

The United Nations envoy to Georgia and his European co-chairs led talks today as part of the continuing international discussions aimed at preventing an outbreak of renewed violence following last year's deadly conflict in Georgia.

Johan Verbeke, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Georgia, and representatives of the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), took part in today's round of the Geneva International Discussions. The UN and the two other organizations are co-chairs of the discussions.

Later Mr. Verbeke told reporters that today's discussions had achieved a concrete result, with the Abkhaz side – which has previously committed to a mechanism designed to prevent and resolve incidents as they arise – indicating that it would now move towards the implementation stage.

As a result a first consultative meeting is scheduled to take place in Gali under UN auspices on 14 July.

The participants in the discussions also agreed to meet again on 17 September in Geneva.
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DESPITE MISSION’S WITHDRAWAL, UN TO CONTINUE ENGAGEMENT IN GEORGIA – BAN

In spite of the start of the withdrawal of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reaffirmed that the world body will remain engaged in the region.

Earlier this month, Russia vetoed a technical roll-over by the Security Council for the nearly 16-year-old operation, resulting in its functions ceasing as of 16 June.

In a statement issued today by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed gratitude for the parties' cooperation with UNOMIG – entrusted with overseeing the ceasefire accord between the Government and Abkhaz separatists in the country's north-western region – since its creation in 1993.

He also welcomed the sides' expressed readiness to continue supporting the Mission until it has fully withdrawn.

In addition, the Secretary-General underscored the Organization's readiness to press ahead with its other key activities in the region, adding that he has asked his Special Representative Johan Verbeke "to continue to represent the United Nations at the ongoing Geneva international discussions on security and stability and on the return of internally displaced persons and refugees."

In his most recent report to the Council on UNOMIG, Mr. Ban stated that the Mission has contributed to the overall security of the local population, while cautioning that an agreement on a revised security regime is needed for lasting stability.

UNOMIG's area of responsibility in Abkhazia consisted of a security zone, where no military presence is permitted; a restricted weapons zone, where no heavy weapons can be introduced; and the Kodori Valley.

It had no jurisdiction in nearby South Ossetia, the scene of fighting last August which pitted Georgia against separatists and their Russian allies.
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BAN REJECTS GEORGIAN CLAIM HE WAS ‘BLACKMAILED’ BY RUSSIA

BAN REJECTS GEORGIAN CLAIM HE WAS 'BLACKMAILED' BY RUSSIA
New York, May 28 2009 5:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke out against Georgia's claim that he was coerced by Russia into amending his recent report on the Caucasus nation.

Last week, Mr. Ban's report to the Security Council – in which he wrote that the UN Mission in the country (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unomig/">UNOMIG) has contributed to the local population's overall security but cautioned that an agreement on a revised security regime is needed for lasting stability – was made public.

Yesterday's claim made by Ambassador Alexander Lomaia of Georgia "that the Secretary-General amended his report on Georgia in response to 'Russian blackmail' is categorically rejected," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3887">statement.

Mr. Lomaia made the claims at a news conference at UN Headquarters in New York.

The statement added that the Secretary-General's main concern in the drafting of his report on Georgia has been that "all concerned parties should engage on the substantive issues in question, more specifically on a mechanism to guarantee safety and security in this troubled region."

The adoption of the publication's title – "Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1808 (2008), 1839 (2008) and 1866 (2009)" – "was meant to avoid unnecessary politicization of the debate among members of the Security Council and reflected his view of what all members could live with."
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