Georgia-Russia conflict

Conflict in Abkhazia, which is located in a strategic position in the Black Sea (in the North-west region of the Republic of Georgia), began with social unrest and efforts of the local Authorities to separate the area from the Republic of Georgia; the whole situation resulted in an armed conflict and a series of serious incidents in the summer of 1992, when the Government of Georgia sent 2.000 men to Abkhazia to restore order. The conflict was vigorous, with 200 being killed and hundreds wounded. The leadership of Abkhazia withdrew from the capital, Sukhumi, to Gudauta City.

Following the 858/1993 U.N. Security Council Resolution, dated on the 24^th of August 1993, the U.N. Observers Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was established to observe and verify whether the signatories complied with the Agreement on the separation of forces, signed in Moscow on the 14^th of May 1994. The task of the Mission is to:

• Investigate whether the Armistice Agreement, dated on the 27^th of July 1993, between the Government of Georgia and the Authorities of Abkhazia is implemented, with particular emphasis on the situation in Sukhumi city.
• Consider reports of violations of armistice between the parties.
• Submit a Report on U.N. Mandate implementation to the Secretary General, including violations of the Armistice Agreement

The initial strength of the Force amounted to 88 Military Observers from the following countries: Egypt, Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Greece, USA, UK, Indonesia, Jordan, Korea, Bangladesh, Hungary, Ukraine, Uruguay, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.

Since the 5^th of September 1994, Greece has allocated five (5) cadres (two (2) from the Army, two (2) from the Navy and one (1) from the Air Force) to the Mission.

Following a U.N. demand that was accepted by the Hellenic MOD, a Transportation contingent was established for the area, consisting of 15 cadres, one (1) command vehicle and five (5) general purpose vehicles. This team will be sent to Georgia, if necessary, following a U.N. mandate.