RUSSIAN UN PERMREP CHURKIN CRITICIZES GEORGIAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000356

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC GG
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN UN PERMREP CHURKIN CRITICIZES GEORGIAN
ACTIONS ON ABKHAZIA


1. (SBU) Summary: In April 14 Security Council consultations
on the Secretary-General's quarterly report on the UN
Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG),A/SYG Edmund Mulet
reported that the situation in UNOMIG's area of
responsibility has remained generally calm with the exception
of recent incidents including Georgian overflights. Mulet
said it is unlikely that UNOMIG will be able to enhance its
observational capacity as soon as it had hoped. He welcomed
Georgian President Saakashvili's March 28 proposal. Russian
Permrep Churkin called the Abkhazia peace process "frozen"
because of Georgian non-implementation of obligations related
to the Moscow Agreement. Churkin criticized Georgian actions
in the Upper Kodori Valley and Georgia's patriotic youth
camp. USUN welcomed the Georgian President's initiatives for
resolution of the Abkhazia conflict, expressed regret
regarding the recent Russian unilateral withdrawal from 1996
CIS sanctions, and voiced concern vis-a-vis recent press
reports that Russia is considering a change in its
relationship with the Abkhaz. End Summary.


2. (SBU) In April 14 Security Council consultations on the
Secretary-General's quarterly report on UNOMIG, A/SYG Mulet

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reported that the situation in UNOMIG's area of
responsibility has remained generally calm in the previous
three months with the exception of a few recent incidents
including "an overflight by two Georgian pilots on April 5."
Mulet said that the 1994 Moscow Agreement (on cease-fire and
separation of forces) must be respected in the air as well as
on the ground, as breaches of it could endanger civil traffic
and UNOMIG operations. He stated that UNOMIG cannot confirm
Abkhaz accusations of a buildup of Georgian forces in the
Zugdidi or the Upper Kodori Valley regions of Georgia.


3. (SBU) According to Mulet, it is unlikely that UNOMIG will
be able to enhance its observational capacity as soon as it
had hoped because both the Abkhaz and Georgian sides are
reluctant to cooperate. Mulet welcomed Georgian President
Saakashvili's March 28 proposal to the Abkhaz side, saying he
hoped the Abkhaz will engage. Mulet commented that the
absolute security guarantees Saakashvili had offered in his
proposal as part of a final settlement were constructive, but
said "more stability and security would improve the prospect
for dialogue already now." Mulet reported that the final
phase of the UN review of the Abkhazia peace process is
beginning soon, saying the UN will seek the views of
international governmental and non-governmental
organizations. Mulet hoped the two sides will implement soon
the confidence building measures agreed to in Geneva in
February 2007.

Russian Statement: Georgia To Blame For Frozen Peace Process
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4. (SBU) Russian Permrep Churkin charged that the Abkhazia
peace process is "frozen" because of the "non-implementation
of obligations related to the Moscow Agreement included in UN
Security Council resolutions 1716, 1751 and 1781." Churkin
called Georgian actions regarding the Upper Kodori Valley
"the main problem," adding that the situation is complicated
by Georgia's patriotic youth camp. Churkin protested that
the Georgian side provoked an incident with Russian CIS
peacekeepers at the camp in October 2007 and recently turned
the camp into a military base. Churkin criticized Georgian
UAV overflights of Abkhazia as "a violation of the Moscow
Agreement and a serious provocation," arguing that
overflights could precede the use of force. He called for a
prompt signing of the agreement on the non-use of force and
return of refugees.


5. (SBU) Churkin justified Russia's March withdrawal from
1996 CIS sanctions, claiming "most Georgians have returned to
Gali" and asserting that "the Abkhaz people will be faced
with negative consequences without lifting of the sanctions."
Regarding Saakashvili's recent proposal, Churkin complained
that it contained "no new ideas" and is a mere rephrasing of
the 2006 Roadmap that the Georgian side announced to the
media instead of presenting first to the Abkhaz. Churkin
said that under Saaksahvili's proposal the Abkhaz veto would
be limited, the special economic zone would "apply only to
Gali" and "the attempt to return the approach of a federal
system that had been used before Saakashvili would not be
supported by Georgian society."

U.S. Statement: Concern With Russian Actions And Possible
Actions
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6. (SBU) In the U.S. statement Political Minister-Counselor
welcomed the Georgian President's initiatives for resolution

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of the conflict and encouraged the sides to implement without
delay confidence building measures. He stated that the
return of IDPs to Abkhazia has remained frozen. He also
expressed regret regarding the recent Russian decision to
withdraw unilaterally from 1996 CIS sanctions and noted U.S.
concern vis-a-vis recent press reports that Russia is
considering a change in its relationship with the Abkhaz.

Statements By Other Council Members
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7. (SBU) Chinese Deputy Permrep Liu expressed support for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and
commended Georgia for its new proposal. French Deputy
Permrep Lacroix underscored the importance of enhancing
UNOMIG's observational capacity and expressed concern
regarding lack of progress on return of IDPs. UK Deputy
Permrep Pierce praised Saakashvili's proposal to the Abkhaz
and called on both sides to implement agreed confidence
building measures. Croatian Permrep Jurica expressed support
for the territorial integrity and independence of Georgia
within its internationally recognized borders. Jurica also
stressed the importance that the IDPs be able to return
quickly to Abkhazia.

Khalilzad