GUIDANCE FOR GEORGIA CONSULTATIONS, JANUARY 29

UNCLAS STATE 008687 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC GE PREL SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR GEORGIA CONSULTATIONS, JANUARY 29 ¶1. (SBU): The UNSC will hold consultations on the situation in Georgia on January 29. USUN should draw from the points in para 2 below during consultations and other meetings related to the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and Georgia. ¶2. (U) Begin points. -- The U.S. welcomes the Secretary General,s report and appreciates efforts by UNOMIG and the Special Representative of the Secretary General to enhance stability and security in the Abkhazia region of Georgia and to facilitate dialogue between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in pursuit of a peaceful resolution of the conflict. -- We welcome the cooperation between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides to allow the Joint Fact-Finding Team,s investigation into the deadly clash at Bokhundjara on September 20. The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and hopes that such incidents can be avoided in the future. a) If raised: Although the Fact-Finding Team was not able to precisely determine the circumstances of the incident, the report notes "there may have been Abkhaz operational activities going on unrelated to the activities of the group that came under attack." We strongly urge both sides to refrain from acts of violence and provocation, as stressed in UNSCR 1781. b) Only if necessary to refute Russian allegations: Based on the forensic evidence and witness interviews, the Fact Finding Team concluded that the two former Russian officers died as a result of shooting in a close-quarter battle environment. -- We express our strong support for the enhancement of UNOMIG,s observation capacity as recommended by UNSC resolution 1781. If the final assessment by the Special Representative of the Secretary General determines that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are the most efficacious means to enhance this capacity, we will support their prompt deployment to the region. -- We have done good work together in the Group of Friends to develop confidence-building measures; we support the efforts of UNOMIG and the SRSG to work with the sides to implement these measures in coming weeks and months to change the situation on the ground in Georgia,s Abkhazia region for the better. At the same time, we must acknowledge that progress in implementing CBMs has slowed considerably in recent months. We are hopeful that the sides will consider fresh approaches to peacefully solving the conflict through negotiations. -- We support the efforts of SRSG Arnault to implement practical steps to bring the sides to the negotiating table. End points. RICE