S/PV.3567 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Georgia in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General concerning the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, contained in document S/1995/657. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia of 9 August 1995 (S/1995/657) pursuant to its resolution 993 (1995). “The Security Council notes there has been little overall progress in achieving a comprehensive political settlement and that a stalemate exists with respect to the return of refugees and displaced persons. “The Security Council remains deeply concerned at the continued obstruction of the return of the refugees and displaced persons by the Abkhaz authorities, which is totally unacceptable. Reaffirming its resolution 993 (1995), the Council reiterates its call to the Abkhaz authorities to accelerate the return process significantly, to guarantee the safety of all returnees and to regularize the status of spontaneous returnees, in accordance with internationally accepted practice and in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “The Security Council welcomes the continuing close cooperation and coordination between UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force in the performance of their respective mandates. It reminds the parties of their obligations to cooperate fully with UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force and to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of all UN and CIS personnel. “The Security Council takes note with appreciation of the decision of the Secretary-General regarding the resident Deputy to his Special Envoy. The Council also supports the Secretary-General’s efforts with regard to the establishment of a human rights monitoring mission in the area. It encourages the Secretary-General to continue his consultations with the parties to this end.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1995/39. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.