The Georgian-Ossetian Conflict

The Mission's main priority was to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. Applying OSCE's comprehensive approach, the Mission worked in the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human areas of security.

The Mission participated actively in meetings of the Joint Control Commission (JCC), the negotiation mechanism co-chaired by the Georgian, South Ossetian, North Ossetian and Russian sides.

Dialogue and stability

The Mission urged the sides to take practical steps to improve the security situation. In particular, it submitted proposals to move forward the demilitarization of the zone of conflict and to promote co-operation between the police forces of the sides.

The Mission intensified consultations with the JCC participants, Georgian high officials, relevant structures and the international community with a view to ensure that the sides maintain a dialogue and search for solutions towards stability.

An important task for the Mission was the monitoring of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) and of the military situation in the zone of conflict, and the timely reporting to the OSCE participating States.

Monitoring the situation on the ground

The Mission monitored the security situation on the ground, as part of its commitment to promote a peaceful political settlement to the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. Unarmed military monitoring officers carried out continuous monitoring in the zone of conflict, identifying sources of tension and reporting back to the OSCE Chairmanship and participating States in Vienna.

The eight monitors patrolled independently and in co-operation with the tripartite JPKF (comprising one battalion each of Georgian, North Ossetian and Russian peacekeepers, under Russian command and joint supervision by the JCC). Through establishing contacts with military commanders of the JPKF within the zone of conflict, they gathered information on the military situation. They monitored alleged and actual violations of the Sochi ceasefire agreement, helping to call attention to the possible political implications of specific military activity.

The patrols covered the area of responsibility of the JPKF. In addition, when there were specific social, economic, political or military issues to be addressed, the Military Monitoring Officers were ready to offer their support with escorts, advice, background information and expertise.

Through pooling resources with local authorities, law enforcement and other agencies, the military monitoring officers tried to diffuse tension and enhance security and stability within the zone of conflict. On many occasions the monitors, along with the JPKF, served as intermediaries when tension rose in the zone.

Before 8 August 2008, almost all of the military monitoring officers were based in Tskhinvali, with the OSCE Field Office. Two officers were based in Tbilisi forming the headquarters element.

Confidence-building

To help stabilize the security situation and create a more favourable context for political dialogue, the Mission carried forward several initiatives to build confidence between the sides. These included programmes on:

• economic and infrastructure rehabilitation 
• civic society and human rights development through small grants for non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• training for journalists reporting on conflict, to promote unbiased media coverage of events 
• facilitating the production of the JCC newsletter

Human rights and civil society activities in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

The Mission supported projects involving Ossetian and Georgian communities to promote human rights and strengthen confidence in the civil society's ability to help settle conflicts.

Through the NGO Human Rights Centre in Tskhinvali, the Mission arranged training for prison staff, weekly sessions on human rights and English language for teachers as well as Georgian and Ossetian children. It also engaged in activities to strengthen civil society and to raise awareness of human rights in villages administered by the different sides. The Mission supported training for Ossetian and Georgian students on international human rights and the history of the Caucasus.

In August 2006, the Mission launched a programme to train 20 teachers from villages and Tskhinvali to teach human rights interactively. Trainees were provided with relevant teaching materials. The Mission also funded 14 community projects and two-language training centres to broaden career opportunities throughout the zone of conflict.