United Nations Security Council Resolution 896 – Abkhazia, Georgia
Resolution 896 (1994)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its resolutions 849 (1993) of 9 July 1993, 854 (1993) of6 August 1993, 858 (1993) of 24 August 1993, 876 (1993) of 19 October 1993,881 (1993) of 4 November 1993 and 892 (1993) of 22 December 1993,
Also reaffirming its resolution 868 (1993) of 29 September 1993 concerningthe security of United Nations operations,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 25 January 1994concerning the situation in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia (S/1994/80 and Add.1),
Welcoming the Communiqué on the second round of negotiations between theGeorgian and Abkhaz sides signed in Geneva on 13 January 1994 (S/1994/32),recalling the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Geneva on 1 December 1993(S/26875), and emphasizing the importance of implementation by the parties ofthe obligations to which they have committed themselves,
Taking note that the parties, in the Communiqué, state that they continueto favour the deployment in the zone of conflict of United Nations peace-keepingforces or other forces, subject to authorization by the United Nations,
Taking note also of the next expert level talks to be held between theparties in Moscow on 8 February 1994 and of the intention of the Special Envoyof the Secretary-General to convene a new round of negotiations in Geneva on22 February 1994,
Recognizing the grave situation in the Republic of Georgia created by thepresence of almost 300,000 persons displaced from Abkhazia,
Noting again the conclusions of the ministerial meeting of the Conferenceon Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) held in Rome on 30 November and1 December 1993 (S/26843), and welcoming the continuing cooperation between theUnited Nations and the CSCE in this matter,
- Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General of 25 January 1994;
2. efforts of the Secretary-General and hisSpecial Envoy, in cooperation with the Chairman-in-Office of the Conference onSecurity and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and with the assistance of theGovernment of the Russian Federation as facilitator, to carry forward the peaceprocess with the aim of achieving an overall political settlement, and welcomesin particular the progress achieved so far;
3. Urges the parties to resume the negotiations as soon as possible andto demonstrate stronger willingness to achieve progress towards a comprehensivepolitical settlement;
4. Calls upon all concerned to respect the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of the Republic of Georgia, and stresses the importance it attaches tosuch respect;
5. Stresses that substantive progress must be made immediately on thepolitical status of Abkhazia, respecting fully the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of the Republic of Georgia, if the negotiations are to succeed andfurther conflict is to be avoided;
6. Approves the continuation of UNOMIG’s mandate until 7 March 1994within the numbers authorized in resolution 892 (1993);
7. Declares its readiness, within this period, to consider promptly anyrecommendation from the Secretary-General to further increase the strength ofUNOMIG up to the limit specified in resolution 858 (1993) should the Secretary-General so recommend;
8. Takes note of the options described by the Secretary-General in hisreport (S/1994/80) for possible establishment of a peace-keeping operation inAbkhazia, Republic of Georgia;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Councilimmediately following the third round of negotiations between the parties onprogress, if any, made in the negotiations and on the situation on the ground,with special attention to circumstances which might warrant a peace-keepingforce and on the modalities for such a force;
10. Underlines the importance of substantive progress towards a politicalsettlement at the next round of negotiations for further consideration by theCouncil of possible establishment of a peace-keeping force in Abkhazia, Republicof Georgia;
11. Recognizes the right of all refugees and displaced persons affected bythe conflict to return, without preconditions, to their homes in secureconditions, calls upon the parties to honour the commitments they have alreadymade in this regard, and urges the parties to come to an expeditious agreement,including a binding timetable, that would assure the rapid return of these refugees and displaced persons in secure conditions;
12. Condemns any attempts to change the demographic composition ofAbkhazia, Republic of Georgia, including by repopulating it with persons notpreviously resident there;
13. Calls upon the parties to comply fully with the cease-fire to whichthey have committed themselves;
14. Urges the parties to take all steps necessary to ensure the security of UNOMIG personnel and welcomes the readiness of the Russian Federation to assist them in this regard;
15. Encourages donor States to assist the Republic of Georgia to enable itto overcome the consequences of the conflict and to make contributions in response to the United Nations humanitarian appeal;
16. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3332nd meeting,on 31 January 1994.
