ID :
17497
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 11:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17497
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UN refuses to hear cases of breakaway Georgian regions
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Aug 29 (PTI) The U.N. has rebuffed a Russian attempt to allow representatives of breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow has recognised as independent territories, to present their cases for independence to the 15-member body.
After a closed door meeting of the Council, its current president Ambassador Jan Grauls of Belgium told reporters that there was no unanimous support to "respond positively" to the request to hear representatives of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The discussion, however, will continue.
Moscow has often accused the U.S. of denying visas to
representatives of the regions to prevent them bringing their
case to the world body. Washington, however maintains it is
adhering to its obligations under the host country agreement
and the U.N. Security Council is yet to agree to hear them.
Meanwhile, top officials of the U.N. told the Council
that the situation in and around the breakaway regions remains
tense, while the humanitarian crisis in Georgia, especially
concerning the people escaping violence in the buffer zone
between South Ossetia and the town of Gori, was grave.
Elizabeth Spehar, Director of the Americas and Europe
division of the Department of Political Affairs (D.P.A.), told
the Council that Russian forces have set up 18 checkpoints
between Gori and South Ossetia, which are an obstacle to the
humanitarian relief effort and to people trying to return to
their homes.
"The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed
concern over reports of new forcible displacement caused by
marauding militia north of Gori near the boundary line with
South Ossetia," she said.
Over 1,200 people, from villages devastated by fighting
in the 26-kilometre-wide buffer zone between Gori and South
Ossetia, had registered as internally displaced persons
(I.D.Ps) with authorities in Gori.
The I.D.Ps included newly displaced people who have fled
the violent militia in the buffer zone as well as people who
escaped to Tbilisi after the conflict erupted on August 8.
Some IDPs, the U.N. said, have tried to return to their
buffer zone villages but say they were blocked by Russian
checkpoints, advising them to not to continue due to
widespread lawlessness surrounding the area. Others found
their homes damaged and returned to Gori because of fear of
further attacks.
"Villagers from north of Gori and from South Ossetia
can't imagine returning any time soon, particularly where
there are cluster munitions, unexploded ordinance, and
landmines in their villages and homes," the U.N. Population
Fund said.
U.N.H.C.R. reported that the new I.D.Ps have arrived in
Gori with tales of intimidation, beatings and looting by
militia groups in the buffer zone villages. There have also
been unconfirmed reports of civilian deaths resulting from the
violence. PTI
United Nations, Aug 29 (PTI) The U.N. has rebuffed a Russian attempt to allow representatives of breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow has recognised as independent territories, to present their cases for independence to the 15-member body.
After a closed door meeting of the Council, its current president Ambassador Jan Grauls of Belgium told reporters that there was no unanimous support to "respond positively" to the request to hear representatives of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The discussion, however, will continue.
Moscow has often accused the U.S. of denying visas to
representatives of the regions to prevent them bringing their
case to the world body. Washington, however maintains it is
adhering to its obligations under the host country agreement
and the U.N. Security Council is yet to agree to hear them.
Meanwhile, top officials of the U.N. told the Council
that the situation in and around the breakaway regions remains
tense, while the humanitarian crisis in Georgia, especially
concerning the people escaping violence in the buffer zone
between South Ossetia and the town of Gori, was grave.
Elizabeth Spehar, Director of the Americas and Europe
division of the Department of Political Affairs (D.P.A.), told
the Council that Russian forces have set up 18 checkpoints
between Gori and South Ossetia, which are an obstacle to the
humanitarian relief effort and to people trying to return to
their homes.
"The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed
concern over reports of new forcible displacement caused by
marauding militia north of Gori near the boundary line with
South Ossetia," she said.
Over 1,200 people, from villages devastated by fighting
in the 26-kilometre-wide buffer zone between Gori and South
Ossetia, had registered as internally displaced persons
(I.D.Ps) with authorities in Gori.
The I.D.Ps included newly displaced people who have fled
the violent militia in the buffer zone as well as people who
escaped to Tbilisi after the conflict erupted on August 8.
Some IDPs, the U.N. said, have tried to return to their
buffer zone villages but say they were blocked by Russian
checkpoints, advising them to not to continue due to
widespread lawlessness surrounding the area. Others found
their homes damaged and returned to Gori because of fear of
further attacks.
"Villagers from north of Gori and from South Ossetia
can't imagine returning any time soon, particularly where
there are cluster munitions, unexploded ordinance, and
landmines in their villages and homes," the U.N. Population
Fund said.
U.N.H.C.R. reported that the new I.D.Ps have arrived in
Gori with tales of intimidation, beatings and looting by
militia groups in the buffer zone villages. There have also
been unconfirmed reports of civilian deaths resulting from the
violence. PTI
