In South Ossetia, standoff between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali further entrenched, security situation more tense, with increase in exchanges of fire and concentrations of unauthorised armed personnel from both sides. Joint Control Commission (JCC) did not meet after disagreement over venue; Russian, South Ossetian and North Ossetian co-chairs met without Tbilisi 13 July. August meeting planned in Tbilisi. Also 13 July, Tbilisi established state commission, headed by PM Nogaideli, to draw up autonomy plan for region. Tskhinvali refused to participate. In Abkhazia, UN Observer Mission issued report on March 2007 rocket-firing incident in upper Kodori: joint fact-finding mission with members from all sides reached no conclusion on blame; Tbilisi called for UN observation point in gorge. Secessionist PM Alexander Ankvab survived assassination attempt 9 July. Breakaway authorities announced launch of new TV channel aiming at integration of predominantly Georgian Gali district into Abkhazia. In Tbilisi, parliament adopted law on repatriation of Meskhetian Turks, deported in 1944. David Bakradze replaced Merab Antadze as State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues 19 July.

Security situation in South Ossetia remained tense with mutual detentions of locals, reports of nightly shooting and repeated obstruction of OSCE and Joint Peacekeeping Force (JPKF) patrols. JPKF deployed to prevent clashes over creation of new bypass roads by both sides. 2 Ossetians, 1 Georgian injured in shooting incidents 28 June. South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali and some Georgian villages left without water 25 May-8 June after dispute over repairs in Georgian- administered supply area. In Abkhazia, de facto FM Shamba said would not resume talks with Tbilisi unless latter honoured 1994 Moscow ceasefire agreement, withdrew Abkhaz government-in-exile from Kodori gorge and released Gali district official Davit Sigua. Government-backed legislation for 2008 start to repatriation of Meskhetian Turks deported in 1944 approved in initial parliamentary reading 22 June.

President Saakashvili appointed alternative de facto South Ossetian leader Dmitri Sanakoev as head of recently created temporary administrative unit for region 10 May. Deterioration of security situation followed: heavy military equipment observed in conflict zone; de facto police held OSCE and Joint Peacekeeping Forces officers at gunpoint 7 May and closed access roads between de facto-administered and Georgian-administered areas. Shelling occurred between Georgian and Ossetian positions north and south of Tskhinvali. De facto leader Eduard Kokoity said Tskhinvali would consider withdrawing from peace process if Tbilisi continued to undermine negotiating format by promoting “puppet government”. Russia also criticised promotion as potentially destabilising. Abkhaz de facto authorities released 3 Georgian students arrested March. In exchange, Abkhaz officials demanded Georgia free ethnic Georgian de facto official David Sigua in Gali district missing, feared dead, since February. Former MP and leader of Language Motherland Faith movement Guram Sharadze shot dead in Tbilisi 20 May; suspect detained but motive unknown. Ombudsman Subari delivered critical human rights report to Parliament 25 May after earlier recommendation senior Ministry of Internal Affairs official be suspended; Opposition welcomed findings; ruling National Movement dismissive.

President Saakashvili outlined new peace proposal on South Ossetia 23 April linked to new law on region passed by parliament 13 April. Plan, aiming to create conditions for “European-style autonomy” for region, rejected by de facto Tskhinvali authorities. Informal Joint Control Commission meetings failed to reach agreement on next steps after disagreement over new Georgian police check-points in Kekhvi and Tamarasheni villages. On Abhkazia, PM Noghaideli presented new settlement proposal to UNSC based on recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity. Abkhaz de facto FM Shamba rejected future status within Georgia. UNSC unanimously adopted resolution calling for restraint from both sides in upper Kodori gorge. UNOMIG mandate extended to 15 October.

In Abkhazia’s Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori gorge 2 villages came under fire 11 March. Tbilisi alleged Russian helicopter involvement; Moscow denied: Joint Fact Finding Group investigation under way. Abkhaz de facto authorities held parliamentary election and run-off 4 and 18 March, not recognised by Tbilisi who claimed both rounds boycotted by ethnic Georgians in Gali district. In South Ossetia, Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Merab Antadze presented Tbilisi’s new proposals; dismissed by South Ossetian Joint Control Commission (JCC) Co-Chair Chochiev. Informal meeting of JCC Co-Chairs held in Istanbul 21-22 March. President Saakashvili met with Kurta-based alternative (pro-Tbilisi) de facto authorities of South Ossetia to discuss entity’s future status within Georgia 19 March. 2 Georgian police killed when patrol car came under fire in South Ossetia 25 March.

Negotiations between Russia and Georgia on restoring air links began 5 February. In Abkhazia, de facto authorities held local council elections 11 February ahead of 4 March de facto parliamentary elections. In Georgian-populated Gali district Abkhaz claimed turnout over 50% but Georgian sources claimed boycott. Poll not internationally recognised. UNSG Group of Friends met Georgian and Abkhaz delegations in Geneva 12-13 February, urging sides to refrain from destabilizing steps.

Signs of thaw with Russia after return to Tbilisi of Russian ambassador, absent since September 2006. In Abkhazia, deaths of 4 policemen in December and January incidents raised tensions, but unclear whether attacks criminal or political; UN-led Joint Fact Finding Group reconvened to investigate. Shooting reported in South Ossetia 28-30 January.

In South Ossetia, pro-Tbilisi “alternative” president Sanakoev inaugurated 1 December, appointing ministers to parallel government. In Abkhazia, 2 police killed in mine explosion 25 December and another found dead 26 December; separatist authorities alleged Tbilisi involvement. Around 40,000 people rallied in Sukhumi for international recognition 6 December, same day Russian parliament stated international community should note Abkhaz and South Ossetian independence aspirations. Russian troops handed over their Tbilisi military headquarters to Georgia 23 December ahead of agreed schedule.

Hawkish Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili resigned from cabinet 17 November, shortly after being transferred to Minister of Economic Development post. In South Ossetia, 2 competing presidential elections and referendums held 12 November. De facto President Kokoity re-elected and independence aspirations reaffirmed in separatist referendum. In parallel polls informally backed by Tbilisi, Dimitry Sanakoev elected president and negotiations with Tbilisi supported. International community denounced both polls. Relations with Russia remained tense with air, sea and land communications closed. Moscow continued to deport Georgian illegal migrants. Gazprom announced intention to double gas price in 2007. Senior U.S. and German officials visited Abkhazia, urging sides to resume stalled negotiations.

Relations with Russia remained tense, with Moscow halting air, sea and land communications and deporting hundreds of illegal Georgian immigrants. Tbilisi accused Russia of xenophobia and appealed for international assistance. UNSC Resolution 1716 extended mandate of UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) to April 2007, urged Tbilisi to refrain from “provocative actions”, especially in Upper Kodori gorge, and noted CIS peacekeepers’ “stabilising role” in Abkhazia conflict. UN/CIS peacekeepers conducted joint patrol in upper gorge for first time since 2003. Georgia accused Abkhaz forces of firing 3 rockets at gorge during interior minister visit 26 October. Joint Control Commission on South Ossetia failed to agree changes to negotiation format during 12-13 October meeting; de facto authorities to hold presidential election and independence referendum 12 November. Tbilisi agreed European Neighbourhood Action Plan with EU 2 October.