UN observers are continuing a probe into the deadly September 20 clash between Abkhaz and Georgian forces and “it is therefore too early to assign responsibilities,” Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, said in a report to the Security Council on developments in Abkhazia.

The report, issued on October 8, reads that “two former Russian officers reportedly on contract with the Abkhaz forces were killed” in the clash and seven Abkhaz militiamen captured by Georgian forces.

The incident, according to the report, took place outside the area of responsibility of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the conflict zone under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“With the consent of both sides, UNOMIG is currently carrying out its own independent fact-finding efforts to clarify the circumstances of the incident,” the report reads.

In light of this incident, the UN Secretary General recommended that areas between the zone of conflict and the Kodori Gorge be put under international monitoring, with the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery radar.

The report points out that the security situation in the Gali sector witnessed “a relative improvement and has been generally calm.” But it also added “a sense of volatility and unpredictability remained” in Gali.

The report also notes the lack of dialogue between the Abkhaz and Georgian sides.

“The overall approach to the settlement of the conflict remains that a successful dialogue on security, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, economic rehabilitation and humanitarian issues would help bring about a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, taking into account the principles contained in the document entitled “Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competences between Tbilisi and Sukhumi.”

The report also recommends the UNOMIM mandate be extended for six months, until 15 April 2008.

The UN Security Council is expected to pass a new resolution on Abkhazia and prolong UNOMIG mandate on October 15.