Reports and Policy Documents

On 8 October 2010, the twenty first meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants once again discussed issues related to the freedom of movement of the local population, in particular for school pupils and university students.  In this regard, further clarifications on crossing procedures and practices were provided.

Several incidents reported since the last meeting of the IPRM were addressed in detail, including specific security-related incidents and reports of alleged mistreatment of the local population.  A number of these incidents were clarified through detailed explanations and exchanges of information, while some others remain open pending further information to be provided during the next meeting.  In this regard, participants also briefly addressed the issue of missing persons, and agreed to review an unresolved case should any new information become available.

Although a number of sensitive issues were raised in today’s meeting, all participants engaged in a professional, constructive and respectful manner. They demonstrated restraint and made a concerted effort to avoid politicisation of issues under discussion.  This was instrumental in ensuring an overall atmosphere conducive to further progress.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 2 November 2010.

On 20 July 2010, the nineteenth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants discussed incidents reported in the period since the previous IPRM meeting, including incidents that were deemed to have occurred due to the undefined line of separation along the Inguri River.  They also exchanged additional information on some incidents discussed during the previous meeting, in particular incidents of a criminal nature that are of mutual concern.  Participants undertook to follow up further on these matters in the period leading to the next meeting of the IPRM.

A main item of discussion focused on the need to ensure the freedom of movement of the local population across the Inguri River.  In this regard, participants clarified procedures and modalities currently in place and discussed planned changes that may impact on the freedom of movement and livelihood of the local population.

Today’s meeting once more took place in a constructive, businesslike atmosphere with all participants engaging in a respectful and professional manner.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 14 September 2010.

The main purpose of this manual is to familiarize new UN mediators with the range of skills used by their predecessors to carry out third-party mediation. The manual describes the current context in which UN mediation and “good offices” is carried out, offers advice and lessons from previous representatives and envoys, and suggests how the UN’s Mediation Support Unit can help to support the work of UN mediators. The manual is based on the UNITAR Programme for Briefing and Debriefing Special and Personal Representatives of the Secretary-General, which involved extensive interviews with UN representatives and envoys to determine lessons learned and best practices from their work.

On 5 May 2010, the sixteenth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants reviewed incidents reported since the previous meeting, exchanged information and provided clarification in this regard. Incidents addressed at the previous IPRM meeting were also followed up.

Participants noted the need to ensure unhindered passage for the local civilian population, in particular for patients, who are seeking medical assistance, and ambulances.

All participants once again reaffirmed their commitment of providing advance notice of sensitive activities for prevention of incidents and confidence building purposes.  The importance of hotline as a useful tool to address issues in a timely and professional manner was also emphasized.

The meeting took place in a professional and constructive atmosphere, with participants engaging in a respectful manner.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 25 May 2010.

On 23 March 2010, the fourteenth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants once again exchanged information and clarifications on incidents reported since the previous IPRM meeting.  Several specific cases of local residents reportedly prevented from crossing the Inguri River – in particular school children and patients seeking continuing medical treatment – were addressed.

Some specific instances of alleged mistreatment of local residents were also addressed, and participants agreed on subsequent steps to clarify the circumstances surrounding these reported incidents.

Participants also shared concerns caused by Imedi television’s “simulated” program of 13 March.  Whilst agreeing that no incident had taken place as a result of this broadcast, all participants recognised the potential threat that such media reports pose to the overall security situation.

Notwithstanding some sensitive and difficult issues discussed, the meeting took place in a business-like atmosphere, with all participants engaging in constructive manner.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 13 April 2010.

On 9 February 2010, the twelfth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants reviewed incidents reported since the previous meeting and exchanged information and clarification in this regard, including on the incident that took place in the village of Chuburkhinji on 29 January 2010.  In this context, participants also discussed the negative impact that preemptory statements and sensationalist media reporting may have on the peaceful civilian population prior to the conclusion of a proper investigation.

The issue of crossings was again discussed, with further clarifications provided on related matters, including the procedures for detention and release.  Participants once again reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate unhindered passage for the local civilian population.

Discussion on possible exchanges of information related to combating criminal activities continued.

Advance notification of planned military exercises was provided and clarifications given of other sensitive activities ongoing in the vicinity of the Inguri river.  Such information forms an important preventive and confidence-building component.

The meeting took place in a professional and constructive atmosphere, with participants engaging in a respectful and productive manner.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 2 March 2010.

On 3 November 2009, the eighth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants reviewed incidents in the period since the last meeting, providing clarification and exchanging information on specific incidents and security-related developments, including military exercises.

The movement of the local population between Gali and Zugdidi districts, including by public transport, was discussed in some detail, with participants exchanging views and providing information on crossing procedures and requirements, both current and future.  They specifically agreed that civilians needing medical assistance should be given unhindered passage for treatment.

All participants once again engaged in a constructive dialogue, seeking and providing information and clarification on all agenda items with a view to averting any potential incident or escalation in tension.

Participants agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 17 November 2009.

On 6 October 2009, the sixth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants continued their discussion concerning the movement of the local population between Gali and Zugdidi districts, taking into account humanitarian considerations.  They discussed in particular the situation with regard to school children. As regards the latter, the overall situation was assessed as satisfactory.  The matter will, however, be kept under review by the IPRM.

Participants reviewed incidents that have occurred since the last IPRM meeting, and also provided further elements of clarification with regard to incidents and issues that were discussed during the previous IPRM meeting.  The issue of helicopter flights along and in the vicinity of the Inguri River was again discussed, and participants agreed to study the matter further on the basis of evidence presented by a participant during the next meeting with a view to resolving outstanding concerns.                                                                            

With regard to the issue of maritime incidents in the Black Sea, the Chair provided, as requested by participants, a technical overview of the existing dispute settlement mechanisms within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Participants exchanged views on this issue and agreed that maritime incidents with potential security consequences must be avoided.

Once again, the willingness by participants to engage on substantive matters and to exchange information and provide clarification on contentious issues ensured that the meeting was productive.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 20 October 2009.

On 8 September 2009, the fourth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Participants addressed incidents in the period since their last meeting, including recent maritime incidents in the Black Sea.  On the latter, an in-depth discussion allowed participants to state their views, including on legal aspects, and they agreed that incidents with potential security consequences should be avoided.

An exchange of views also took place with regard to the movement of local school children attending schools in Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha.  It was agreed, and indeed encouraged that ahead of the new school year relevant information on crossing procedures would be shared with the local population.

Other specific incidents were also discussed.  Participants provided clarifying information on these and related matters.  They agreed that IPRM meetings should have a review of past incidents as a standing agenda item.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 22 September 2009.

On 28 July 2009, the second meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.

Today’s meeting continued the discussion of the first meeting on some questions regarding the practical organisation of work and the modalities of future meetings, and then moved on to address substantive questions.

The practical arrangements for the establishment of a “hotline” to facilitate urgent contacts between participants were finalised.

On substantive matters, both current and past incidents were discussed, as well as wider issues related to enhancing security in general.  The participants exchanged views and information on these matters and undertook to revert to some of the points during next meetings.

As a measure of transparency and confidence building, it was agreed that the agenda for the IPRM meetings would include “advance notice of sensitive activities” as a standing item.

As was already the case in the first meeting on 14 July 2009, participants engaged constructively in the discussion, thus contributing to what was again a productive meeting.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 11 August 2009.