VZCZCXRO0144
PP RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHPOD RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUCNDT #0356/01 1080053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170053Z APR 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4125
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1172
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 4279

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 
 
SIPDIS 
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 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
¶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 
--------------------------------------------- ----------------- 
¶6. (SBU) In the U.S. statement Political Minister-Counselor 
welcomed the Georgian President's initiatives for resolution 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000356  002 OF 002 
 
 
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 
----------------------------------- 
¶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