Withdrawal of Russians from Georgia, the text of the September 8 agreement

(B2) We often talk about the agreement reached between Russian President Medvedev and French President Sarkozy, on behalf of the European Union, reached in Moscow on September 8 on the implementation of the six point plan, of August 12, 2008. The discussions had been tough - "very very difficult" according to Javier Solana, the European Union's chief diplomat - and lasted longer than expected. To finally give birth to a text in nine points.

Here it is in French and English. I'll spare you the Russian version (if you absolutely insist on it, it's here).

French text: "Implementation of the plan of August 12, 2008" (Source Elysée, download here)

"Reaffirmation of the commitment of all parties to fully implement all the provisions of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan of August 12, 2008

1 Withdrawal of forces

• Withdrawal of all Russian peacekeeping forces from the five observation posts on the Poti line in Tsenaki within a maximum period of seven days, taking into account the signing on September 8 of legally binding documents guaranteeing the non-use of force against Abkhazia (*).
• Complete withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their positions prior to the outbreak of hostilities. This withdrawal will take place within ten days of the deployment in these areas of international mechanisms, including at least 200 EU observers, which must take place no later than 1 October 2008, given the existence of legally binding documents which guarantee the non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia (*).
• Completion of the return of the Georgian armed forces to their places of cantonment by October 1, 2008.

2 International observation mechanisms
• UNOMIG international observers will continue to exercise their mandate in their areas of responsibility in accordance with their numbers and their deployment plan as it was on 7 August 2008, without prejudice to future adjustments by decision of the Security Council United Nations.
• OSCE international observers will continue to exercise their mandate in their areas of responsibility in accordance with their strength and deployment pattern as it was on 7 August 2008, without prejudice to future adjustments by decision of the Permanent Council of the OSCE.
• Preparations will be accelerated to enable the deployment of additional observers to areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia in sufficient numbers to replace Russian peacekeeping forces by October 1, 2008, including at least 200 EU observers.
• The European Union, as guarantor of the principle of non-use of force, is actively preparing the deployment of an observation mission in addition to the existing observation mechanisms.

3 International discussions
• The international discussions provided for in point 6 of the Sarkozy-Medvedev plan of August 12, 2008, will begin on October 15, 2008 in Geneva. Preparatory discussions will begin in September. They will relate in particular to: the modalities of security and stability in the region, the question of refugees and displaced persons on the basis of internationally recognized principles and the practice of post-conflict settlements, any other subject of common agreement between the parties. »

(*) Russian President Medvedev acknowledged, on September 8, having received these documents. "I want to stress that Russia has already received these documents."

English text: “Implementation of the plan of August 12, 2008 (Source Kremlin)

Reconfirm each side's obligation to respect in full the Medvedev-Sarkozy six-point plan of August 12, 2008.

I - Withdrawal of troops.

1. Russia will withdraw all of its peacekeepers from the five observation posts along the line from Poti to Senaki inclusive within a maximum deadline of seven days, taking into account the signature on September 8, 2008, of legally binding documents providing guarantees of non- aggression against Abkhazia. (*)

2. Russia will withdraw in full its peacekeepers from the zones adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the positions where they were stationed before the start of hostilities. This withdrawal will be carried out within ten days following the deployment of international mechanisms in these zones, including at least 200 observers from the European Union, no later than October 1, 2008, taking into account legally binding documents guaranteeing non-aggression against Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (*)

3. The complete return of Georgian armed forces to their home stations by October 1, 2008.

II - International observation mechanisms.

1. UN international observers in Georgia will continue to carry out their mandate in their zone of responsibility in accordance with the number and deployment scheme as at August 7, 2008, without detriment to possible future adjustments decided by the UN Security Council.

2. International observers from the OSCE will continue to carry out their mandate in their zone of responsibility in accordance with the number and deployment scheme as at August 7, 2008, without detriment to possible future adjustments decided by the Standing Council of the OSCE.

3. Speed ​​up preparations for the deployment of additional observers in the zones adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia in number sufficient to replace the Russian peacekeepers by October 1, 2008, including at least 200 observers from the European Union.

4. As guarantor of the principle of non-aggression, the European Union will actively prepare the deployment of an observer mission in addition to the existing observer mechanisms.

III – International talks.

1. The international discussions stipulated in point six of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan of August 12, 2008, will begin on October 15, 2008 in Geneva. Preliminary discussions will begin this September.

2. These discussions will examine the following issues in particular: ways to ensure security and stability in the region; settling the issue of refugees and displaced persons on the basis of internationally recognized principles and post-conflict resolution practice; any other issue put forward with the mutual approval of the parties”.

(NGV)

(*) Medvedev (September 8): "I want to stress that Russia has already received these documents."