Georgian PM Welcomes South Ossetia Peace Proposals
December 13, 2005
13 December 2005 -- Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli today positively assessed peace proposals put forward by Eduard Kokoity, the leader of the separatist republic of South Ossetia.
Addressing reporters in Tbilisi, Noghaideli called Kokoity's offer "a step forward" that coincides with Georgia's own peace plan.
Kokoity yesterday offered to set up a working group within the Joint Control Commission (JCC) that is responsible for implementing the 1992 Georgian-Ossetian ceasefire to work out a coordinated plan. The plan should include demilitarization of the conflict zone, confidence-building measures and economic rebuilding.
Kokoity's proposals are contained in a letter he sent the presidents of Russia and Georgia as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Russia, which is South Ossetia's main sponsor, has welcomed the initiative.
The JCC includes representatives of Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia, and North Ossetia.
(Civil Georgia/Novosti-gruziya)