United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia

The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 858 in August 1993[1] to verify compliance with a 27 July 1993 ceasefire agreement between the Republic of Georgia and forces in Abkhazia with special attention given to the situation in the city of Sukhumi, Georgia.[2] It was also to investigate reports of ceasefire violations, attempt to resolve such incidents with the parties involved, and to report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the implementation of its mandate. 88 military advisors were authorized to be deployed to the region.[1] It ended on 15 June 2009, when Russia vetoed an extension of the mission.[3] The last observers left the region on 15 July 2009.[4]

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The mission's original mandate was invalidated after renewed fighting broke out in the area in September 1993.[5][6]

UNOMIG was subsequently given an interim mandate by Security Council in November 1993 to maintain contacts with the parties involved and to monitor and report on the situation.[7] It aimed to work towards achieving a comprehensive political settlement.

In May 1994, both sides signed the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces. in July 1994 the Security Council authorized an increase in observers (to a total of 136) and an expanded mission.[8]

The new mission was considerably more broad than the original. UNOMIG's original responsibilities in verifying the implementation of the ceasefire were retained. However, UNOMIG was now responsible for observing the operation of the new peacekeeping force that had been deployed by the Commonwealth of Independent States. They were also to verify, through observation and patrolling, that troops from either side did not remain in or re-enter the security zone, and that heavy military equipment did not remain or be re-introduced.

UNOMIG was to oversee the withdrawal of Georgian troops from the Kodori Valley and thus, out of Abkhaz territory. Their patrols replaced those of Georgia in the valley. They were responsible for investigating, at the request of either party or the peacekeeping force, or on their own initiative, violations of the ceasefire agreement, and for attempting to resolve resulting disputes. Finally, they were to work towards making conditions safe for the orderly return of refugees and displaced persons.

On 10 December 1996, a United Nations office for the protection of human rights in Abkhazia was established in Tbilisi, Georgia, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1077 of 22 October.[9] It is jointly staffed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The office forms part of UNOMIG and reports to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through the Head of the UNOMIG Mission. Though they maintain a political office in Tbilisi, their military headquarters are in Sukhumi, Abkhazia.

On 8 October 2001 a UNOMIG helicopter was shot down in Abkhazia.[10] The perpetrators have never been found, despite repeated demands from the Security Council. In 2002, UNOMIG vigorously opposed the resumption of rail services between Sukhumi, Abkhazia and the city of Sochi in Russia.

Map showing security zone

The Security Council passed another resolution on 30 July 2003, on the recommendation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, authorizing for a civilian police component of 20 officers be added to UNOMIG, in order to strengthen its capacity to carry out its mandate and assist in the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

On 30 January 2004, again at the request of Secretary-General Annan, Security Council Resolution 1524 was passed, which extended UNOMIG's mandate until 31 July 2004.

Today, UNOMIG is concerned with security, assisting the return of the displaced and repairs of key infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. As of January 2003, 21 projects were at an advanced or intermediate stage and 10 others were awaiting the release of funds by donors. They have also continued to push for a political settlement to the conflict, though Secretary-General Annan has complained about the slow rate of progress. In late 2003, UNOMIG became concerned about an increase in kidnappings, murders and robberies, particularly in the Gori region. They also expressed concern about potential instability around the tenth anniversary of the end of the war.

The current chief military observer is Major General Anwar Hussain from Bangladesh. The strength of UNOMIG on 20 September 2008 stood at 134 military observers (including 12 medical personnel) and 17 police advisers.[11]

In the mission the next vehicles are used during the patrols by the unarmed military observes: Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Patrol (now instead of the Toyota 4Runner), NYALA RG-31 [mine protected vehicle, along the cease-fire line (CFL) and at the training areas]. The Nissan Patrol is used mainly in the Restricted Weapon Zone (RWZ) and in the Security Zone (SZ) of the mission. In every patrol there are 2 vehicles with 4 unarmed military observers and one interpreter. The patrols are always in radio connection with the sector [Gali Sector HQ (in Abkhazia) or Zugdidi Sector HQ (in Georgia); and Sukhumi HQ (in Abkhazia)]. There are radio devices for every observers and in the vehicles because of the safety. Along the cease-fire line (CFL) there are a lot of Security Posts (SP) and Observing Posts (OP) both of the sides.

In the patrolling team only one person can be from one nation during the patrol. For example: 4 unarmed military observers are on the patrol from the next nations: Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, Argentina. This is a rule.

The mission was wound up in 2009 because of a Russian veto in the United Nations Security Council. As a result of the Russian veto, UNOMIG which had been active in the region since 1993, and had 150 personnel on the ground at the time of the veto, made up of 131 military observers and 20 police officers, saw its mandate expire on 16 June 2009 at 4 am GMT.[12][13][14][15] It was later announced that the withdrawal of the Mission from Abkhazia would be completed 15 July 2009, keeping in line with United Nations practice of a Mission taking up to two months to finalise its withdrawal.[16]

References
  1. United Nations Security Council Resolution 858. S/RES/858(1993) 24 August 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  2. United Nations Security Council Document 26250. Agreement on a cease-fire in Abkhazia and arrangements to monitor its observance S/26250 page 6. 27 July 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  3. "Russia vetoes extension of UN mission in Georgia". 15 June 2009.
  4. Esslemont, Tom (15 July 2009). "UN monitors to leave Georgia". BBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  5. United Nations Security Council Resolution 881. S/RES/881(1993) page 1. 4 November 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  6. United Nations Security Council Document 26551. Report of the Secretary-General concerning the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia S/26551 7 October 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  7. United Nations Security Council Resolution 881. S/RES/881(1993) 4 November 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  8. United Nations Security Council Resolution 937. S/RES/937(1994) 21 July 1994. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  9. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1077. S/RES/1077(1996) page 1. (1996) Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  10. United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia. "Background: 11. Current Situation – Shooting Down of UN Helicopter". Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  11. Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia (S/2008/631) (3 October 2008). ReliefWeb.
  12. "Russia sends the UN mission packing from Georgia-Abkhazia". RT. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  13. Lynch, Colum (15 June 2009). "Russia Vetoes Resolution on U.N. Peacekeepers in Georgia". United Nations: The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  14. "Russian MP blames Georgia for end of UN mission in Abkhazia". Moscow: RIA Novosti. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  15. Krastev, Nikolai (16 June 2009). "Georgia Slams Russia For Shutting Down UN Mission". United Nations: RFE/RL. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  16. "UN mission to withdraw from Abkhazia by July 15". Sukhum: RIA Novosti. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
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