RUSSIA INCREASING NUMBER OF PEACEKEEPERS IN ABKHAZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000714 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV GG SUBJECT: RUSSIA INCREASING NUMBER OF PEACEKEEPERS IN ABKHAZ CONFLICT ZONE Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On April 29, the commander of the CIS peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia, Sergei Chaban, sent a letter to Georgian Minister of Defense David Kezerashvili informing him that the CIS PKF will increase the size of its peacekeeping contingent in the Abkhaz conflict zone. In the letter Chaban expresses his support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and draws attention to recent Georgian violations of the 1994 Moscow agreement, including continued presence of Georgian troops in the Upper Kodori Gorge and overflights of Georgian UAVs. Chaban concludes the letter by saying that "to ensure stability in the region the CIS CPF Command has made the decision to increase (the number of) the peacekeeping contingent in the conflict zone in Abkhazia, Georgia, within the limits defined by the Decision of the Council of the Heads of CIS States signed on August 22, 1994." That agreement calls for a peacekeeping force composed of "2-3 thousand people, as well as military observers." UNOMIG estimates the current CIS PKF strength to be 1,800 personnel in the Security Zone plus an additional 200 stationed in Sukhumi and Gaudauta. President Saakashvili told the Ambassador that the Russians would bring an additional 1,000 troops, which he saw as a further attempt at Russian annexation of Abkhazia. An additional 1,000 peacekeepers would bring Russia at or near the upper limit of the 1994 CIS agreement. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Letter from Chaban to Kezerashvili Begin text: Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Conflict Zone Unified Staff of the Peacekeeping Group in the Zone of Georgia-Abkhazia Conflict Sukhumi, No. 536 April 29, 2008 To Minister of Defense of Georgia ¶D. Kezerashvili Dear Mr. Minister: First of all please allow me to express my respect to you and the hope for regulation of the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict. I deem necessary to assure you that the CIS CPF Command supports the idea of solving all disputed issues between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides solely by peaceful ways at a negotiation table. A significant stabilizing role of the CIS CPF, (and) effectiveness of their cooperation with UNOMIG was noted 
again in Resolution 1808 adopted by the UNSC on April 15, ¶2008. At the same time, the Georgian side is continuing voicing groundless claims against the Russian peacekeepers. The commitments of the Moscow Agreement "On Cease-fire and Separation of Forces" of May 14, 1994, are not fulfilled and the UNSC recommendations are ignored. In the upper part of the Kodori Gorge, which according to the agreements, should be a demilitarized zone, is still located a grouping of the Georgian power structures. Near the line of separation of the sides along the Inguri River in the Security Zone and in the Kodori Gorge as well, contrary to the UNSC recommendations, are continuing functioning the patriotic camps, on the basis of which a rather serious armed grouping may be deployed. Besides that, recently above the security zone have been frequently flying UAVs and combat air forces of Georgia, this is something that menaces the CIS CPF activity. Our concerns are caused by the fact that Georgia does not agree to sign with the de-facto Abkhaz authorities the protocol on non-use of force and continues the buildup of its military potential in the Kodori Gorge, in Western Georgia, near the line of separation of the conflict sides. This fact is violation of Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the "Moscow Agreement on Cease-fire and Separation of Forces" of May 14, 1994, which states that in the Security Zone should be located no armed forces of the conflicting sides, as well as Paragraph 2 of the "Gali Meeting of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides concerning the Issues of Stabilization of the Situation in the Security Zone", according to which the personnel of armed groupings in the Security Zone should not exceed 600 men. Against the Russian peacekeepers is waged a campaign of TBILISI 00000714 002 OF 002 slander, provocations and threats. Contrary to the UNSC Resolution No. 1808, which calls to the conflicting parties to ensure proper security and freedom of movement of the CIS CPF, are taking place the facts of restriction of the CIS CPF servicemen in the armament restriction zone and in separate parts of the Southern Security Zone. The power cut-off of the posts in the Southern Security Zone with no prior notification demonstrates disregard by the Georgian side of Article 7 of the Protocol "On the Status of the Group of Military Observers and Collective Peacekeeping Forces" adopted by the Council of Heads of CIS on May 15 1992. Such actions by the Georgian leadership are causing grounded concerns over the process of peaceful regulation of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. To ensure stability in the region the CIS CPF Command has made a decision to increase (the number of) the peacekeeping contingent in the conflict zone in Abkhazia, Georgia, within the limits defined by the Decision of the Council of the Heads of CIS States signed on August 22, 1994. I draw your attention to the fact that when making this decision the CIS CPF Command has been guided solely by the intention to preserve peace and not to allow casualties on the part of the sides to the conflict, as well as the CIS CPF servicemen and UNOMIG personnel. With respect, Commander of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Conflict Zone in Abkhazia, Georgia ¶S. Chaban Major-General End text. TEFFT