Georgia: Ban Considers Dispatching Fact-Finding Mission
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the possibility of dispatching a United Nations fact-finding mission to
Georgia, where nearly 160,000 people were uprooted by the conflict that rocked the Caucasus nation last month.
“I have been personally engaged on Georgia on a near-daily basis since the outset of this crisis and have made clear the
UN’s willingness to help in every way it can,” Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1201">told reporters in New York, adding that he sent UN High
Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR António Guterres to the region immediately after the crisis started.
The details of the potential fact-finding mission have yet to be finalized, but the Secretary-General said it would
comprise both humanitarian and human rights elements. The team would be lead by the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs OCHA, with the participation of other UN agencies.
“I have offered my good offices to facilitate international discussions, and we will explore possible peacekeeping or
other arrangements for Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Mr. Ban said, referring to the two breakaway Georgian provinces
which witnessed fighting.
His new Special Representative for Georgia, Johan Verbeke, has toured European capitals and earlier this week, had a
“good meeting” in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to a six-point plan, which
includes a commitment by all parties to renounce the use of force; the immediate and definitive cessation of
hostilities; free access to humanitarian aid; the withdrawal of Georgian forces to their places of permanent deployment;
and the convening of international discussions on lasting security arrangements for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The other principle stipulates the withdrawal of Russian forces to their lines of deployment before 7 August, and
includes the additional provision that Russian peacekeeping forces may implement additional security measures pending
the definition of an international mechanism.
Mr. Ban said that in line with that agreement, “the UN obviously has a role to play,” adding that the world organization
can also contribute to international talks on Georgia slated for 15 October in Geneva. He also noted that UN agencies
are striving to reach all those in need to supply relief.
A UN humanitarian convoy today was allowed in for the first time to deliver aid into the Russian-controlled area north
of the town of Gori, which lies close to the border with South Ossetia.
“This is a first step which we hope will lead to free and unimpeded access to previously inaccessible areas in Georgia,”
said Robert Watkins, who serves as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country. “Humanitarian assistance
must be provided to anyone wherever it is needed.”
Some four tons of supplies finally made their way into Patara Garadjivari, a rural farming village which saw a majority
of its 1,500-strong inhabitants flee last month. Residents expressed concerns over their safety, and welcomed the UN aid
as the first step towards rebuilding their lives.
“I hope that access gained today by the United Nations will give rise to unimpeded humanitarian assistance to the areas
north of Gori by all humanitarian actors,” Mr. Watkins said.
Aside from supplies such as food, shelter, water and sanitation, and health care, conditions for dignified and safe
return must be created, he said.
ENDS