UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 20 August 2008 -- Nearly two weeks after fighting broke out and a week after Georgia and Russia reached an agreement that was to put a halt to the conflict, many remain worried about the situation there.  

Before the Security Council today B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, continued to stress that both sides that they must put into place all of the provisions of the agreement and work to deal with the humanitarian issues still facing the country.

He also made clear that the UN was prepared to help in whatever way necessary to aid the execution of the agreement, ensure that the stability and peace are restored in Georgia , and fulfill the needs of the thousands impacted by the violence.

The Secretary-General has also said that the fighting must be halted and barriers to the operation of humanitarian personnel must be removed.

Mr. Pascoe explained that, “[w]hile welcoming the fact that the ceasefire plan has now been signed by both the Russian Federation and Georgia , the Secretary-General stressed the need for it to be implemented and for all forces to immediately withdraw.” He added that, “[w]ith all his interlocutors, the Secretary-General has reiterated the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia .”

The agreement forged under the aegis of the EU last week obligates both Georgia and Russia to reject violence, end fighting, completely open access for aid operations, and pull back of the troops. Georgia must return its permanent deployment positions and Russia must pull its soldiers back to their locations as of 7 August.

It also requires international talks on the future measures in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to protect their security. Provisions will also be made for Russian peacekeeping forces, as defined later by the international community.

The condition of the people displaced by the fighting remains a major international worry. About 160,000 Georgians were forced from their homes by the clashes and there were significant numbers of dead and wounded, although the exact figures are a subject of contention.

As a result of these concerns, the International Criminal Court has announced that it is investigating possible violations of international humanitarian law, including violence against civilians. The ICC has been watching conditions in Georgia since the conflict began. Georgia is a member of the Rome Statute creating the ICC and therefore is subject to its jurisdiction.

Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo told the world community, “My Office considers carefully all information relating to alleged crimes within its jurisdiction – war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide – committed on the territory of States Parties or by nationals of States Parties, regardless of the individuals or groups alleged to have committed the crimes.”

The ICC has received cooperation from both Georgia and Russia and said it would “proceed to seek further information from all actors concerned.”

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres, landed in Georgia today and will spend four-days in Georgia and Russia to assess the situation and speak with both aid workers and locals. 

 - Caroline Patton

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews

 

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