Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TBILISI1096
2009-06-15 15:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
GEORGIA: UNOMIG MONITORS IN SUKHUMI AND ZUGDIDI ON
how-toVZCZCXRO9046 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSI #1096 1661528 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151528Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1733 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0050 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4862
C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 001096
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS KBTS UNSC UNOMIG GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: UNOMIG MONITORS IN SUKHUMI AND ZUGDIDI ON
THE FUTURE OF THE MISSION
REF: TBILISI 1073
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 001096
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS KBTS UNSC UNOMIG GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: UNOMIG MONITORS IN SUKHUMI AND ZUGDIDI ON
THE FUTURE OF THE MISSION
REF: TBILISI 1073
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
1. (C) Summary. UNOMIG military monitoring officers (MMOs)
in Zugdidi and Sukhumi are frustrated with the application of
the current UNOMIG mandate and strongly feel that another
full technical rollover would be futile. The two main
problems they face, according to the MMOs themselves, are
lack of freedom of movement and the presence of Russian heavy
military equipment in the zone of conflict. Abkhaz de facto
"vice foreign minister" Maxim Gundjia weakly expressed
support for the continued presence of UNOMIG. The monitors'
views coincide with those of the Georgian government, which
is not prepared to compromise a principled stand on
territorial integrity for the sake of an ineffective mission.
End Summary.
UNOMIG MONITORS' MISSION HINDERED
2. (C) During a recent visit by poloff to western Georgia,
including Abkhazia, MMOs in Zugdidi and Sukhumi expressed
frustration with the conditions of their operations.
Specifically, they complained that the Russians and Abkhaz
severely restrict their freedom of movement by forcing UNOMIG
to apply for permission for every patrol. MMOs also
mentioned frustration at the increasing number of hostilities
directed at them. One example of this can be seen in the
Kodori Valley, where the Abkhaz have decided that UNOMIG can
only patrol once per month. During these monthly patrols,
Abkhaz and/or Russian "support" to UNOMIG is seen by the MMOs
merely as a way to obstruct and stall their patrols. The
MMOs condemned the presence of Russian heavy military
equipment in the zone of conflict. The MMOs said that in the
current operating environment - a technical extension since
February 15 - it has been difficult to effectively carry out
their mission, and, in their view, another full technical
rollover would be just as futile. They stated that a strong
mandate requiring their freedom of movement and forcing the
Russians to remove their heavy military equipment from the
zone of conflict is necessary to carry out their mission
effectively. They acknowledged, however, that reaching such
an agreement with the Russians is unlikely.
DO THE ABKHAZ WANT THE UN IN ABKHAZIA?
3. (C) The MMOs noted that while the Abkhaz de facto
authorities say publicly that they want the UN presence to
continue in Abkhazia, they are only weakly motivated to
maintain a UN presence. In a meeting with de facto "vice
foreign minister" Gundjia, poloff observed the same. Gundjia
stated that the de facto authorities are unhappy with the
European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM),which they consider
biased towards the Georgians. He said that it is
unacceptable that the EUMM mandate covers only Georgia and
not "independent" Abkhazia and also noted EUMM failure to
publish reports as a key mark against them. (Note: Although
the EUMM's mandate covers the entire territory of Georgia,
including Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Abkhaz, South Ossetian
and Russian forces have not allowed them to enter the
separatist territories. End note.) When questioned on
Abkhaz desire for a new UNOMIG mandate, Gundjia rather
half-heartedly stated that they do want UNOMIG to remain.
However, he said that a new mandate should incorporate more
capacity building and focus on reforms and economic
development. (Note: While Gundjia did not specify to poloff
Qdevelopment. (Note: While Gundjia did not specify to poloff
any conditions on the name of a new UN mandate, de facto
"foreign minister" Sergey Shamba was quoted in Interpress
News on June 15 saying that the Abkhaz would not allow a new
mandate if the name uses "Abkhazia, Georgia." End note).
COMMENT
4. (C) Although the monitors' comments reflected frustration
with the inherent weakness of a technical rollover, they also
reinforced a basic message the Georgian government has been
making over the course of the UNOMIG negotiations (reftel).
Even with a UN mandate, a mission on the ground is only as
effective as the Russians will allow them to be. The
monitors' opinions lend strong support to the government's
strategy of not compromising its principles for the sake of a
potentially ineffective mission.
TEFFT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS KBTS UNSC UNOMIG GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: UNOMIG MONITORS IN SUKHUMI AND ZUGDIDI ON
THE FUTURE OF THE MISSION
REF: TBILISI 1073
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
1. (C) Summary. UNOMIG military monitoring officers (MMOs)
in Zugdidi and Sukhumi are frustrated with the application of
the current UNOMIG mandate and strongly feel that another
full technical rollover would be futile. The two main
problems they face, according to the MMOs themselves, are
lack of freedom of movement and the presence of Russian heavy
military equipment in the zone of conflict. Abkhaz de facto
"vice foreign minister" Maxim Gundjia weakly expressed
support for the continued presence of UNOMIG. The monitors'
views coincide with those of the Georgian government, which
is not prepared to compromise a principled stand on
territorial integrity for the sake of an ineffective mission.
End Summary.
UNOMIG MONITORS' MISSION HINDERED
2. (C) During a recent visit by poloff to western Georgia,
including Abkhazia, MMOs in Zugdidi and Sukhumi expressed
frustration with the conditions of their operations.
Specifically, they complained that the Russians and Abkhaz
severely restrict their freedom of movement by forcing UNOMIG
to apply for permission for every patrol. MMOs also
mentioned frustration at the increasing number of hostilities
directed at them. One example of this can be seen in the
Kodori Valley, where the Abkhaz have decided that UNOMIG can
only patrol once per month. During these monthly patrols,
Abkhaz and/or Russian "support" to UNOMIG is seen by the MMOs
merely as a way to obstruct and stall their patrols. The
MMOs condemned the presence of Russian heavy military
equipment in the zone of conflict. The MMOs said that in the
current operating environment - a technical extension since
February 15 - it has been difficult to effectively carry out
their mission, and, in their view, another full technical
rollover would be just as futile. They stated that a strong
mandate requiring their freedom of movement and forcing the
Russians to remove their heavy military equipment from the
zone of conflict is necessary to carry out their mission
effectively. They acknowledged, however, that reaching such
an agreement with the Russians is unlikely.
DO THE ABKHAZ WANT THE UN IN ABKHAZIA?
3. (C) The MMOs noted that while the Abkhaz de facto
authorities say publicly that they want the UN presence to
continue in Abkhazia, they are only weakly motivated to
maintain a UN presence. In a meeting with de facto "vice
foreign minister" Gundjia, poloff observed the same. Gundjia
stated that the de facto authorities are unhappy with the
European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM),which they consider
biased towards the Georgians. He said that it is
unacceptable that the EUMM mandate covers only Georgia and
not "independent" Abkhazia and also noted EUMM failure to
publish reports as a key mark against them. (Note: Although
the EUMM's mandate covers the entire territory of Georgia,
including Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Abkhaz, South Ossetian
and Russian forces have not allowed them to enter the
separatist territories. End note.) When questioned on
Abkhaz desire for a new UNOMIG mandate, Gundjia rather
half-heartedly stated that they do want UNOMIG to remain.
However, he said that a new mandate should incorporate more
capacity building and focus on reforms and economic
development. (Note: While Gundjia did not specify to poloff
Qdevelopment. (Note: While Gundjia did not specify to poloff
any conditions on the name of a new UN mandate, de facto
"foreign minister" Sergey Shamba was quoted in Interpress
News on June 15 saying that the Abkhaz would not allow a new
mandate if the name uses "Abkhazia, Georgia." End note).
COMMENT
4. (C) Although the monitors' comments reflected frustration
with the inherent weakness of a technical rollover, they also
reinforced a basic message the Georgian government has been
making over the course of the UNOMIG negotiations (reftel).
Even with a UN mandate, a mission on the ground is only as
effective as the Russians will allow them to be. The
monitors' opinions lend strong support to the government's
strategy of not compromising its principles for the sake of a
potentially ineffective mission.
TEFFT