Russian MFA Information and Press Department Commentary Regarding Abkhazian President Sergey Bagapsh's Message to the President of the United Nations Security Council

Unofficial translation from Russian

Moscow has taken notice of the message from Abkhazian President Sergey Bagapsh to the President of the United Nations Security Council dated January 20, 2006, stating the approach of the Abkhaz side to prospects for resolving the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.

The plan of action offered by Sukhumi looks realistic. The fulfillment of such of its elements as the adoption by the parties of a document on the nonuse of military force and carrying out of confidence-building measures would have a serious significance for advancing a settlement.

We note with satisfaction the readiness of the leadership of Abkhazia to abide by international standards in the human rights field, in the Gali district among others, and to provide its population with access to instruction in the Georgian language.

Important is the focus of the Abkhaz side on a final political resolution of the conflict through negotiation without linkage to predetermined schemes and in accordance with the contemporary realities.

Russia as the facilitating party supports the constructive tenor of the plan, put forward by the leader of Abkhazia.

January 23, 2006