In a resolution adopted on January 31 the UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until March 31, instead of July 31 as recommended by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

“Mr. Annan had recommended that the mission, whose mandate was due to expire today [January 31], be extended for a further six months until 31 July but the two-month extension will now allow Security Council members to further discuss the situation in Georgia,” a news release issued on January 31 reads.

The text of this recent resolution differs from those adopted by the UN Security Council in previous years.

The resolution consists of only two clauses. The text reads: “The Security Council, recalling its relevant resolutions on the issue and in particular resolution 1615 (2005) of 29 July 2005, taking note of the scheduled meeting of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Georgia in Geneva on 2 and 3 February 2006: 1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 31 March 2006; 2. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”
 
In an address to the UN Security Council on January 26 the Georgian President’s Special Representative for Abkhazia Irakli Alasania expressed concern regarding, as he put it, the “unexpected and worrisome” trend involving Russia’s decision “to disassociate itself from supporting” Georgia’s territorial integrity.

The first clause of the UN Security Council’s previous resolutions always included a clause with following text: “[the Security Council] Reaffirms the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and the necessity to define the status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia in strict accordance with these principles.”