B3-1452, 1474, 1490, 1505 and 1516/93

Resolution on the situation in Georgia

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the war taking place in the Georgian region of Abkhazia, which has resulted in the virtual isolation of the region from Georgia, caused many casualties and created many thousands of refugees from that region; deeply concerned at reports of "ethnic cleansing" and other violations of international humanitarian law,

B.concerned at the violent aggression perpetrated against the Georgian city of Sukhumi, from 16 to 27 September 1993 by outside forces acting for an Abkhazi terrorist-separatist movement, contrary to the Ceasefire Agreement in Georgia signed on 27 July 1993, and at the civil conflict,

C.having regard to the recent attacks by troops under the leadership of the former President Gamsakhurdia, which have resulted in a virtual split-up of the country and which have also caused many casualties and created many thousands of refugees,

D.concerned that further conflicts may deepen the involvement of external, Russian, forces,

E.noting that the conflicts in the Republic of Georgia have seriously aggravated the already catastrophic economic situation in that country and have almost cut off the main part of the country from access to its major transport routes,

F.having regard to the recent accession of the Republic of Georgia to the Commonwealth of Independent States,

G.having regard to the urgent appeals which Georgia, as a member of the CSCE, has addressed to the international community and especially to its neighbouring states to support the democratically elected government and the people of Georgia and to bring an end to the civil war taking place in this country,

H.aware of the desire by mainstream political movements in Georgia to build a free society based on human values,

1.Expresses its deep regret at the present tragic situation in the Republic of Georgia and gives its full support to the victims of the civil war in the Republic of Georgia;

2.Strongly condemns the attacks on the territorial integrity and the still vulnerable democracy of the Republic of Georgia, which are in total violation of the principles of the CSCE;

3.Urges all parties involved in the civil war in the Republic of Georgia to accept an immediate ceasefire and to agree to negotiations aimed at finding a peaceful solution to these conflicts based on the principles of respect for frontiers and democratic procedures; demands that the neighbouring countries refrain from any infringement of Georgian sovereignty and independence;

4.Urges the Council, the Commission and the Member States to give financial and humanitarian aid to meet the basic needs of the refugees from the civil war in this country, and affirms the right of refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes, and calls on all parties to facilitate this;

5.Demands that, as soon as a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Republic of Georgia is reached, efforts are stepped up to achieve the rehabilitation of the country;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the CSCE and the President of the Republic of Georgia and the President of the Russian Federation.