Stressing that a United Nations presence
continues to be a central element in the efforts to stabilize the situation
in Abkhazia, Georgia, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended a six-month
extension of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).
In his latest report to the Security
Council, the Secretary-General said that through its sustained efforts
to further the peace process, UNOMIG had played an essential role in the
search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The mission's mandate, which expires on 31 January, is expected to be taken up by the Security Council this Friday.
The report also noted that the mission's 101 military observers had a new chief, Major General Anis Ahmed Bajwa of Pakistan, who replaced this month his compatriot, Major General Tariq Waheem Ghazi.