UN Security Council Extends the UN Observers' Mandate in Georgia For Another Six Months

The UN Security Council extended the mandate of UN observers' mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) for another six months - till July 31. Resolution 1462 (2003), which was unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council, points out that the Security Council comes for the continuation of efforts to make the comprehensive political decision which will include the determination of the political status of Abkhazia as part of Georgia." The document stresses that the absence of progress on key issues of reaching settlement is inadmissible, and both sides bear responsibility for this.

The Resolution calls on Tbilisi and Sukhumi to ensure the intensification of peace process in all its main aspects, including the consideration of the question on holding the fourth confidence-building measures conference.

The resolution also points out the important contribution made into the peace process by the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces and says that the UN Security Council will again consider the UNOMIG mandate if a decision is made by February 15 on the further stay of peacekeepers.

In compliance with Resolution 1462 the UN Secretary General is instructed to inform the UN Security Council on the development of the situation in three months.