United Nations Security Council Resolution 937 – UN Observer Mission in Georgia
Resolution 937 (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, 892 (1993) of 22 December 1993, 896 (1994) of 31 January 1994, 906 (1994) of 25 March 1994 and 934 (1994) of 30 June 1994,
Recalling the letter of 16 June 1994 from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General (S/1994/714),
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 12 July 1994(S/1994/818 and Add.1),
Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia, and the right of all refugees and displaced persons affected by the conflict to return to their homes in secure conditions, in accordance with international law and as set out in the Quadripartite Agreement On voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons (S/1994/397, annex II),signed in Moscow on 4 April 1994,
Welcoming the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces signed inMoscow on 14 May 1994 (S/1994/583),
Recognizing the importance of consistent and full compliance with the Declaration on measures for a political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict (S/1994/397, annex I) and the Quadripartite Agreement,
Stressing the crucial importance of progress in the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and with the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator and with the participation of representatives of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) to reach a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia,respecting fully the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia, based on the principles set out in its previous resolutions,
Stressing also that this progress would allow the Council to reconsider the possible establishment of a peace-keeping force in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia, as proposed in the letter of 7 September 1993 from the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Georgia and of the Russian Federation to the Secretary-General (S/26478),
Stressing further the need to prevent any resumption of hostilities in the area,
Deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation, and the dangers which could arise within the region if the large numbers of refugees and displaced persons are not able to return to their homes in secure conditions,
Taking note of the address of the Head of State of the Republic of Georgiaof 16 May 1994, and that of the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia of15 May 1994, to the Council of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and recognizing that the deployment of a CIS peace-keeping force to the area is predicated upon the request and consent of the parties to the conflict,
Noting the statements in the letter of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to the Secretary-General of 21 June 1994 (S/1994/732,annex) concerning the mandate of the CIS peace-keeping force and its duration,
Noting with satisfaction the readiness of the Russian Federation to continue to inform the members of the Security Council on the activities of the CIS peace-keeping force,
Welcoming the closer cooperation and coordination envisaged between the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairman-in-Office of the CSCE,in particular as regards their efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement in the Republic of Georgia,
Underlining the importance of the relevant provisions of the documents of the Helsinki Summit of the CSCE of 1992 (S/24370) and of the ministerial meeting of the CSCE held in Rome on 30 November and 1 December 1993 (S/26843), including those concerning peace-keeping activities in the CSCE area,
Noting the assurances given by the parties and the representatives of the CIS peace-keeping force concerning the full freedom of movement for the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) in the performance of its mandate, both within the zone of operations of the CIS peace-keeping force and in other relevant parts of the territory of the Republic of Georgia,
- Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 12 July 1994;
2. Calls upon the parties to intensify their efforts to achieve an earlyand comprehensive political settlement under the auspices of the United Nationswith the assistance of the Russian Federation as facilitator and with theparticipation of representatives of the CSCE, and welcomes the wish of theparties to see the United Nations continue to be actively involved in thepursuit of a political settlement;
3. Commends the efforts of the members of the CIS directed towards themaintenance of a cease-fire in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia, and the promotionof the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes in accordancewith the Agreement signed in Moscow on 14 May 1994 in full cooperation with theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and in accordance with theQuadripartite Agreement;
4. Welcomes the contribution made by the Russian Federation, and indications of further contributions from other members of the CIS, of a peace-keeping force, in response to the request of the parties, pursuant to the 14 May Agreement, in coordination with UNOMIG on the basis of the arrangements described in the Secretary-General’s report of 12 July 1994, and in accordance with the established principles and practices of the United Nations;
5. Decides to authorize the Secretary-General to increase the strength of UNOMIG, as required, up to 136 military observers with appropriate civilian support staff;
6. Decides also that the mandate of an expanded UNOMIG, based upon the recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report, shall be as follows:
(a) To monitor and verify the implementation by the parties of the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces signed in Moscow on 14 May 1994;
(b) To observe the operation of the CIS peace-keeping force within the framework of the implementation of the Agreement;
(c) To verify, through observation and patrolling, that troops of the parties do not remain in or re-enter the security zone and that heavy military equipment does not remain or is not reintroduced in the security zone or the restricted weapons zone;
(d) To monitor the storage areas for heavy military equipment withdrawn from the security zone and the restricted weapons zone in cooperation with the CIS peace-keeping force as appropriate;
(e) To monitor the withdrawal of troops of the Republic of Georgia from the Kodori valley to places beyond the boundaries of Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia;
(f) To patrol regularly the Kodori valley;
(g) To investigate, at the request of either party or the CIS peace-keeping force or on its own initiative, reported or alleged violations of the Agreement and to attempt to resolve or contribute to the resolution of such incidents;
(h) To report regularly to the Secretary-General within its mandate, in particular on the implementation of the Agreement, any violations and their investigation by UNOMIG, as well as other relevant developments;
(i) To maintain close contacts with both parties to the conflict and to cooperate with the CIS peace-keeping force and, by its presence in the area, to contribute to conditions conducive to the safe and orderly return of refugees and displaced persons;
7. Notes the Secretary-General’s intention to write to the Chairman of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS on the respective roles and responsibilities of UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force and requests the Secretary-General to establish an appropriate arrangement to that effect, and requests the commanders of UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force to conclude and implement the appropriate arrangements on the ground described in theSecretary-General’s report of 12 July 1994 (S/1994/818) for coordination andcooperation between UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force in the implementation of their respective tasks;
8. Calls upon the parties to the conflict to extend full support, necessary protection and freedom of movement to UNOMIG in the performance of its mandate both within the zone of operations of the CIS peace-keeping force and in other relevant parts of the territory of the Republic of Georgia for it to fulfil its mandate, and requests that a status of mission agreement with the Government of the Republic of Georgia and necessary arrangements with the Abkhazauthorities be concluded without delay;
9. Reaffirms its support for the return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes in secure conditions, in accordance with international law and as set out in the Quadripartite Agreement, calls upon the parties to honour the commitments they have already made in this regard and to accelerate the process as far as possible, and requests UNHCR to give its full assistance to the implementation of the Quadripartite Agreement on the return of refugees and displaced persons;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a voluntary fund for contributions in support of the implementation of the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces signed in Moscow on 14 May 1994 and/or for humanitarian aspects including demining, as specified by the donors, which will in particular facilitate the implementation of UNOMIG’s mandate, and encourages Member Statesto contribute thereto;
11. Decides on this basis to extend the mandate of UNOMIG to 13 January 1995;
12. Requests also the Secretary-General to report within three months of the adoption of this resolution on the situation in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia, and on the implementation of all aspects of the above-mentioned agreements;
13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3407th meeting,on 21 July 1994.
