NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON PEACE PROCESS IN GEORGIA

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON PEACE PROCESS IN GEORGIA

Chief Military Observer to Report on Ransom Payment for Hostages

(Received from the Spokesman for the Secretary-General.)

Liviu Bota, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Georgia, today briefed the Security Council on the status of the peace process there. A representative of the Secretariat also briefed members of the Council on a recent hostage-taking involving two United Nations military observers and their interpreter from the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).

In the afternoon of 16 September, these three persons were taken hostage in the security zone of the Zugdidi sector, south of Inguri River, by unknown elements. One military observer was released to deliver a ransom demand for the release of the remaining observer and interpreter.

It is a firm United Nations policy not to pay ransom. Despite this, after fruitless negotiation, UNOMIG agreed to pay part of the ransom, after which the captives were released.

Since this is at variance with the no-ransom policy of the Organization, the Chief Military Observer, Major-General Harun-ar-Rashid, is now en route to New York to provide a full report. He is expected to arrive on Sunday.

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