Doc. 8958

25 January 2001

Situation in Georgia and the entire Caucasus region

Motion for an order

presented by Mr Adamia and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Since the outbreak of the conflict in Chechnya, Georgia is constantly accused by Russian politicians and mass media of supporting “Chechen terrorists” training, supplying armaments and providing shelter to fighters and free passage to mercenaries. Those allegations still occur regularly to attract international attention despite a radically different assessment provided by the OSCE monitoring mission at the Chechen part of the Russian-Georgian border.

2.       The Russian authorities have now granted special privileges to the residents of Abkhazia and former South Ossetia which are regions of Georgia. This decision conflicts with the policy of support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and could be considered as a de facto annexation of those regions.

3.       Taking into consideration the lack of serious international attention to the situation, coupled with a possible threat to the stability of the entire Caucasus, the Assembly resolves to study the matter and asks its Political Affairs Committee to present a report as soon as possible. This report may provide a serious tool for the prevention of a further deterioration of the situation in the region.

Signed : ¹

Adamia, Georgia, EDG

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Gülek, Turkey, SOC

Gürkan, Turkey, SOC

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Nedelciuc, Moldova, LDR

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Salaridze, Georgia, NR

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Stepová, Czech Republic, SOC

Zvarych, Ukraine, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group