LM Report 2006

Abkhazia

Key developments since May 2005: The amount of land cleared and reduced by HALO Trust in 2005―more than 2.5 square kilometers―was a record for the organization’s program in Abkhazia. During 2005, HALO declared the Gali region and the Gumista river valley near Sukhum mine impact-free. In 2005, 15 new mine/UXO casualties were reported, a significant increase from 2004 (six casualties).

Mine Ban Policy

Abkhazia is not an internationally recognized state, so it cannot become party to the Mine Ban Treaty. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the 1992-1993 conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia was characterized by significant use of mines by both sides. A cease-fire agreement was reached in May 1994, but skirmishes have continued.

Officials have expressed sympathy with humanitarian concerns surrounding landmines, but bluntly stated that Abkhazia cannot ban antipersonnel mines at this time. In May 2005, the Foreign Minister told Landmine Monitor, “Abkhazia suffered great losses because of landmines, and Abkhazia is interested in solving the landmine crisis around the world. Our problem is that we live under constant pressure of another war. Abkhazia cannot refuse to use landmines, because it is one of the means of defense of its forces. When we have international guarantees that there will be no war, then we will make significant steps to join the Ottawa Convention.”^[1]

In March 2006, the Foreign Minister told Landmine Monitor that there had been some progress in negotiations with Georgia on the security situation in the upper part of Kodori valley, which allowed humanitarian demining to begin in the area in 2006.^[2]

Abkhazia is not believed to have ever produced or exported antipersonnel mines. Abkhazian forces maintain a stockpile of antipersonnel mines, though its size and composition is unknown. Russian engineering units serving with Commonwealth of Independent States peacekeeping forces may also stockpile antipersonnel mines.

There were no reports of use of antipersonnel mines by any armed forces in Abkhazia during 2005 or early 2006. In May 2005, military officials told Landmine Monitor, “There are special units in Abkhazia that are ready to install landmine fields at any moment providing it is necessary for the defense of national security.” They said the military forces of Abkhazia had not used landmines for the past two years.^[3]

On 21 June 2006, President Sergei Bagapsh threatened to mine the border with Georgia if Russian peacekeepers were withdrawn from the area.^[4] The ICBL sent a letter to the President expressing concern about the statement and urging Abkhazia to refrain from any new mine-laying.^[5]

Landmine and UXO Problem

Contamination of Abkhazia with mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) resulted from the armed conflict of 1992-1993 between the breakaway republic and Georgia proper. The war was “characterized by front lines moving along the Black Sea coast from the Gumista River, north of the city of Sukhum, to the Ingur River further south.... Mines were laid in flat and fertile valleys to augment the natural obstacles of the rivers.”^[6] In an interview in May 2005, the Deputy Minister of Defense claimed that there were no mines left on the border with Georgia.^[7] During 2005, the HALO Trust completed clearance operations in the Gali region and the Gumista river valley near Sukhum.^[8]

There is confirmed mine and UXO contamination in the Kodori valley.^[9] In previous years, HALO had noted that due to insecurity and lawlessness in the valley, it was not possible to conduct survey or mine clearance operations. During the latter half of 2005, however, HALO was given unrestricted access to the Abkhaz-controlled lower Kodori valley, where it carried out extensive survey and marking of the mine contamination.^[10]

Mine Action Program

There is no national mine action authority in Abkhazia. Mine action data collection, planning and operational coordination continues to be provided by the Abkhaz Mine Action Centre (AMAC), which was established by HALO in 1999.^[11] Coordination of HALO’s activities is arranged through Irakli Alasania, the President of Georgia’s special representative to Abkhazia^[12] and by Sergey Shamba, who serves as de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.^[13]

HALO manages AMAC, with funding from the US Department of State. AMAC records all survey, clearance and post-clearance data. It is not clear to what extent AMAC is able to manage mine action autonomously. As there is little pressure on land in Abkhazia, task selection and prioritization are left largely to the HALO management team, which liaises with local community leaders and the Abkhaz authorities. All known minefields in Abkhazia have been prioritized for clearance, with minefields closest to human habitation determined as the first priorities.^[14]

Evaluations of Mine Action

During 2005, AMAC and the HALO mine action program in Abkhazia were evaluated on two separate visits by representatives of the US Department of State.^[15] The Department of State found that, “The program was considered to be efficient, well-run and on course to declare Abkhazia mine-safe during 2007.”^[16] HALO’s mine risk education (MRE) program is evaluated on an annual basis by the donor, Entreaide Protestante Suisse. HALO also has a system of internal evaluations and the program was visited three times by the HALO Caucasus and Balkans desk officer; these visits provide strategic direction to the program as well as carrying out internal auditing and checking. The HALO program in Abkhazia was also externally audited twice during 2005 by international auditors.^[17]

Demining

HALO is the only demining operator in Abkhazia. It has been working in Abkhazia since 1997, and has a clearly defined workplan and set of priorities.^[18] HALO deploys integrated manual and mechanical mine clearance teams, MRE teams, and survey and minefield marking teams, based in Ochamchire and Gali. The accelerated demining program relies on additional mechanical clearance assets being deployed in support of existing manual deminers.^[19] HALO also operates two explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, which scour the countryside for UXO.^[20]

The objective of HALO’s accelerated demining program is to declare Abkhazia “mine and UXO impact free, where security permits” by mid-2007. HALO’s staff in Abkhazia are reported as being highly trained and motivated and HALO is confident that it can finish its mission within two years, provided the program maintains current funding levels.^[21]

Identification of Mined Areas: Surveys and Assessments

HALO conducted a comprehensive survey in 1999-2000 that identified nearly 18 square kilometers of land as being mined or suspected of being mined.^[22] It has since cleared and area-reduced more than 10 square kilometers of this total. During 2005, 1.4 million square meters were reduced using armored loaders.^[23] During the latter half of 2005, HALO carried out extensive survey and marking of the mine problem in the lower Kodori valley.^[24] It found more than two square kilometers of suspect area, which it planned to start clearing in 2006.^[25]

During 2005, HALO made an agreement with the Abkhaz authorities for the use of a helicopter for emergency evacuations from minefields. This allowed HALO to change from using ambulances as their primary means of casualty evacuation, and allowed technical survey teams to work further away from their vehicles. HALO Abkhazia has three teams of technical surveyors who work ahead of the manual teams to delineate mine lines and to reduce the suspect area.^[26]

Fencing and Marking

According to the UN, 95 percent of the minefields have been mapped and 80 percent have been marked by HALO.^[27] HALO uses metal posts set in concrete with the international mine action standards (IMAS) red triangle welded to the post. This marking may be modified in the future to mark steep mountain slopes or mountain tops where it is impossible to demine areas that may contain only one or two mines.^[28]

Mine and UXO Clearance

With significant funding from the US Department of State, 2005 proved to be the most successful year to date for HALO in Abkhazia, with more land released (2,563,950 square meters) and more mines (1,531 antipersonnel mines, 71 antivehicle mines) and UXO (1,794) destroyed than any other year of the program.^[29] During 2004, HALO had manually demined 1,166,861 square meters and mechanically reduced 1,105,791 square meters of suspect area, with 708 antipersonnel mines, 115 antivehicle mines and 869 UXO destroyed.^[30]

Area (square meters) Cleared and Reduced, and Mines/UXO destroyed by HALO in Abkhazia in 2005[31]

Mine clearance	Antipersonnel mines	Antivehicle mines	UXO	Area reduced or cancelled
1,147,024	1,531	71	1,794	1,416,926

Also during 2005, two highly significant milestones were achieved, with HALO declaring the Gali region and the Gumista river valley near Sukhum mine impact-free.^[32] Work in both of these areas took over seven years to complete. The lessons learnt will be used to help HALO and the local authorities finish mine clearance in Abkhazia during 2007.^[33]

A HALO deminer was injured by a mine during demining in Sukhum district on 15 August 2005.^[34] The deminer received a full insurance payout. All HALO staff are insured in the United Kingdom.^[35]

Mine action in Abkhazia relies heavily on the good weather and long days of summer. During the summer months, the program employed more than 550 staff which cleared mines and UXO in some of the most difficult minefields remaining. During the accelerated phase of the program, a double shift system is used and demining continues seven days a week. Overtime is paid for extended working hours and each piece of capital equipment is used by two shifts, thereby optimizing efficiency and productivity.^[36]

HALO Abkhazia deploys sections of up to eight deminers under the control of a section commander, who checks each demining site at least four times a day. The sections deploy as part of a larger demining team under the command of a field officer who is responsible for all the demining sections working in the minefield; the field officer checks each demining lane at least twice a day, and, according to HALO standing operating procedures, checks to the end of each lane at the end of each working day. Demining supervisors visit each minefield checking the quality of demining and report back to the program manager who is ultimately responsible for the quality of mine clearance.^[37]

Demined land is handed over to the local authorities in an official ceremony. Representatives from the Ministry of Land Management and HALO staff walk over the cleared area with local beneficiaries. A clearance certificate is signed by the beneficiaries, the authorities and the HALO program manager.^[38] When HALO finishes demining in a region of Abkhazia, it seeks independent verification that there are no remaining minefields or suspect areas. Before HALO finished its operations in the Gali region, the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) carried out an independent survey on HALO’s behalf. HALO and UNOMIG also organized two public meetings, which were attended by all the village administrators from Gali, representatives of NGOs and international organizations.^[39]

In 2006 and 2007, HALO aimed to finish demining in the Ochamchire region, the mountains outside Sukhum and the Kodori valley.^[40] A significant amount of work also remains in the Gumista river valley and around the holy sites at Kaman, where demining was planned to start in 2006. It was hoped that operations in the Tsugurovka and Habiuk mountains would be finished by the end of the 2006 demining season.^[41]

In May 2006, a HALO program update for January-April 2006 reported that, “after a funding crisis earlier in the year,” it expected to declare the Ochamchire region mine impact-free by the end of August. During the first four months of 2006, HALO demined 401,282 square meters of land, destroying 143 antipersonnel mines, three antivehicle mines and 287 items of UXO.^[42]

Mine Risk Education

HALO conducts mine risk education in Abkhazia, as part of its integrated mine action program.^[43] Although the reduction in casualties (six recorded) in 2004 has been linked to MRE, in 2005, the number of mine/UXO casualties more than doubled to 15.^[44]

HALO’s MRE teams maintain a casualty database; they have interviewed the 532 survivors, as well as the families of the 150 people killed in mine/UXO incidents in order to determine the exact location and cause of the incidents. This information is used to analyze casualty trends and to adapt MRE activities. The sites of the incidents are also checked by EOD and survey teams to ensure that no dangerous items remain in the area.^[45]

As demining and EOD progresses, the MRE teams have adapted their approach to encourage using cleared land.^[46] In cooperation with Abkhaz authorities, HALO undertook an information campaign on Abkhaz television encouraging people to return to their homes. The information campaign also encouraged “former combatants who laid mines in the valley to come forward and show HALO where they laid mines.”^[47]

Funding and Assistance

HALO’s operations in Abkhazia received about US$3,253,162 in mine action assistance in 2005; the United States contributed $3 million and the Netherlands donated €203,359 ($253,162).^[48] In 2004, HALO received less―about $2 million―from more donors (the US, Netherlands, UK, and Tokyo Broadcasting Systems/Association for Aid and Relief Japan).^[49]

The European Commission (EC), in its 2005-2007 mine action strategy, envisaged providing assistance for MRE, fencing and marking in Abkhazia.^[50] It had previously considered funding mine survey and clearance activities in Abkhazia during its 2002-2004 strategy.^[51] No funding had been provided by the end of 2005.

In May 2006, HALO reported a “funding crisis earlier in the year,” but that operations continued with funding from the US Department of State and the Netherlands.^[52]

Landmine/UXO Casualties

In 2005, HALO reported 15 new casualties in four landmine/UXO incidents, including three killed and 12 injured. At least three children were among the casualties as well as five military personnel and one HALO deminer. This is a significant increase in casualties compared to 2004 when six people were injured.^[53]

On 16 November 2005, residents of the Gali region were traveling by lorry through Kokhora village when they hit an antivehicle mine; two passengers were badly injured and received initial treatment at a local hospital, while the driver died at the scene.^[54] A group of Abkhaz soldiers tampered with a rocket from their own stores to use the explosives for fishing, and in the resulting explosion, two soldiers were killed and three injured. HALO provided emergency medical treatment and transportation to the hospital. Two other incidents were the result of a dispute and attempted extortion with antivehicle mines in the village of Kokhora, Ochamchire region; seven people were injured, including several children who were traveling on tractors when the mines exploded.^[55]

No new casualties in 2006 were reported as of May.

HALO has recorded 682 mine/UXO casualties between 1992 and the end of 2005, 150 people were killed and 532 injured.^[56]

Survivor Assistance, Disability Policy and Practice

The system run by the Ministry of Health and Social Security in Abkhazia, inherited from the Soviet era, was designed to provide comprehensive medical and social services to all people with disabilities. Health facilities in Abkhazia are in poor condition due to lack of resources. However, with improving economic conditions, the Ministry of Health has gradually increased support for medical facilities and a 20 percent increase in spending on disability was registered in 2006.^[57]

Médecins Sans Frontières provides emergency medical care and surgical equipment in support of health facilities in Abkhazia, including a clinic in Sukhum, as one of its two main programs.^[58] Landmine and other war-related trauma is primarily treated in Agudzera Military Hospital. People from the Kodori valley are also treated there.^[59]

Fourteen NGOs worked on disability issues in the reporting period, and landmine survivors actively participated in seven of them.^[60] The two main Abkhazian organizations are the Gagra Orthopedic Center and the Sukhum-based Association of Invalid Support (Association Inva-Sodeistvie, AIS).^[61]

The Ministry of Health-run Gagra Orthopedic Center provides physical rehabilitation services and orthopedic devices free of charge. It also has an outreach service, for people living in the Gali area. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides materials and components, and a one-month refresher course on management of lower-limb amputees. A seminar was also organized in 2005 with the aim of finding ways for the authorities to assume greater responsibility for the management of services.^[62] In 2005, the center produced 80 prostheses (41 for mine survivors) and 38 orthoses, and distributed 11 wheelchairs and 520 crutches.^[63] Many amputees, particularly those with above-knee amputations, have reportedly sought orthopedic assistance in Armenia and Russia.^[64] The Ministry of Health increased support for medical facilities and contributed $6,500 of the $40,000 needed annually for the center’s operations. In 2006, the Ministry of Health assumed full financial responsibility for management of the center; the ICRC continued to provide material for prosthetic production.^[65]

AIS aims to promote a social, rights-based approach to disability issues. It provides physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support and computer classes for mine survivors and other people with disabilities, and began developing a disability database for Abkhazia in 2006. AIS’s physical rehabilitation activities are implemented in cooperation with the Center for Humanitarian Programs and Agudzera Republican Hospital. In cooperation with the European Commission, AIS conducted medium-term projects on inclusive education and “wheelchair diplomacy” in Abkhazia.^[66]

The Verask Charitable Foundation for the Disabled and Amputees, supported by Adopt-A-Minefield, provides mobility devices to mine survivors and other people with disabilities in Abkhazia. In 2005, Verask distributed 30 wheelchairs, 80 crutches, 80 walking sticks, and provided financial assistance to 20 people with disabilities in the Gali region.^[67]

The Harmony Center for Psychological Help, with the support of UNICEF and HALO, implements a summer rehabilitation program for child mine survivors and their families. In 2006, HALO MRE personnel will take part in the activities.^[68]

The Ministry of Health and Social Security is responsible for assistance to disabled people in Abkhazia. The Medical and Social Expertise Commission operates a database and collects data from regional commissions throughout Abkhazia, and people with disabilities receive treatment based on their needs, as established by the local commissions. The benefits are reportedly small.^[69] There is a general tendency in Abkhazia to treat people with disabilities from an inclusive and socially oriented point of view.^[70]

A new law to protect the rights of people with disabilities was drafted with input from disability organizations and people with disabilities, one of whom was elected as a member of parliament.^[71] As of May 2006, the legislation had not been approved. Alhas Thagushev, former director of AIS and member of parliament, stated that, “any new legislation in this field has to be relevant to existing social infrastructure, governing system and necessary financial support. A number of new laws have been drafted including on social security and at the moment they are considered by the parliamentary commissions.”^[72]

The Coordination Council on the Issues of Disabled in Abkhazia, a coalition of government and NGOs, was established to address the needs of people with disabilities, including landmine survivors; the council was inactive in 2005, and reportedly remained inactive to May 2006, due to changes in government structures.^[73]

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[1] Interview with Sergey Shamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sukhum, 23 May 2005. Military officials echoed similar sentiments: “Landmines in Abkhazia are used for the purpose of defense of her military personnel, and at this moment we cannot refuse to use this weapon.” Interview with Lt. Gen. Anatoly Zaitsev, Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of General Staff, and Col. Garry Kupalba, Deputy Minister of Defense, Sukhum, 24 May 2005.
[2] Interview with Sergey Shamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sukhum, 23 March 2006.
[3] Interview with Lt. Gen. Anatoly Zaitsev, Ministry of Defense, and Col. Garry Kupalba, Ministry of Defense, Sukhum, 24 May 2005. Abkhazia last acknowledged using antipersonnel mines in mid-2002. See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1180.
[4] At a press conference, the President stated that there is no alternative to Russian peacekeepers in the zone of conflict, and if Georgia continues to insist on their withdrawal, Abkhazia will withdraw from the negotiations. He said, “I assure you that the attitude to the border will be different than it is today. There will be 100 percent mining of the border...according to international rules.” (Translation by Landmine Monitor), www.regnum.ru/news/660767.html. Another Abkhazian official, Kristian Bjania, representative of the President, confirmed the remarks about use of mines. Email from Abkhazian Campaign to Ban Landmines, 4 July 2006. Georgian media also reported on the Abkhazian president’s remarks. See news.gpb.ge/english/det.html?id=3178&dateg=21-06-2006.
[5] ICBL website, “ICBL Urges Abkhazia not to lay new mines,” www.icbl.org, accessed 11 July 2006.
[6] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 933-934.
[7] Ibid.
[8] HALO Trust, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” pp. 2, 9.
[9] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006, provided by email from David McMahon, Program Manager, HALO Trust Abkhazia, 21 February 2006. Contamination in that area had previously been claimed by local authority representatives. See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 934.
[10] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006; email from Matthew Hovell, Caucasus and Balkans Desk Officer, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[11] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 934-935.
[12] Response by HALO to Landmine Monitor Mine Action Questionnaire, 26 February 2006.
[13] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[14] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 934-935.
[15] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[16] Email from David McMahon, HALO, Abkhazia, 17 May 2006.
[17] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[18] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[19] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 934-935.
[20] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[21] Ibid. According to HALO’s annual report for 2005, however, “It was HALO’s intention to declare Abkhazia mine-impact free by the summer of 2007, but due to reduced funding this end date may have to change.” HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” p. 9.
[22] Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 934.
[23] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[24] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[25] Response by HALO to Landmine Monitor Mine Action Questionnaire, 26 February 2006.
[26] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[27] UN, “Country Profile: Georgia,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 11 March 2006.
[28] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[29] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[30] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 935.
[31] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006. Slightly lower clearance figures quoted in HALO’s report on activities in 2005 are for the year to the beginning of December. Email from David McMahon, HALO, Abkhazia, 18 May 2006.
[32] HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” pp. 2, 9.
[33] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[34] Response by HALO to Landmine Monitor Mine Action Questionnaire, 26 February 2006.
[35] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[36] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[37] Email from Matthew Hovell, HALO, Scotland, 24 April 2006.
[38] Ibid.
[39] Ibid.
[40] “HALO Abkhazia 2005 Update,” February 2006.
[41] Response by HALO to Landmine Monitor Mine Action Questionnaire, 26 February 2006.
[42] HALO Abkhazia, “Programme Update (January to April 2005 [sic]),” 16 May 2006, p. 1.
[43] HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” p. 6; for details of MRE in Abkhazia, see Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 936; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1183.
[44] HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” p. 6.
[45] HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” p. 6.
[46] Interview with Julie Agumaa, Mine Awareness Coordinator, HALO Abkhazia, Tamish Village, 23 March 2006.
[47] HALO Abkhazia, “Programme Update (January to April 2005 [sic]),” 16 May 2006.
[48] USG Historical Chart containing data for FY 2004, email from Angela L. Jeffries, Financial Management Specialist, US Department of State, 20 July 2005; email from Ellen Schut, Arms Control and Arms Export Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 April 2006; email from Brechtje Paardekooper, DMV/HH Humanitarian Aid Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 April 2006. Average exchange rate for 2005: €1 = US$1.2449. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2006.
[49] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 936. Tokyo Broadcasting Systems/Association of Aid and Relief Japan (AAR/J), completed their four-year funding project with HALO in April 2005. Email from Seiji Konno, AAR/J, 23 May 2006.
[50] EC, “The European Roadmap Towards a Zero Victim Target: The EC Mine Action Strategy & Multi-annual Indicative Programming 2005-2007,” p. 38.
[51] EC, “EC Mine Action 2002-2004,” p. 16; EC, “EC Mine Action 2005-2007,” p. 38.
[52] HALO Abkhazia, “Programme Update (January to April 2005 [sic]),” 16 May 2006, p. 1.
[53] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 937.
[54] “An Anti-Tank Mine Explosion Wounds Two Persons In Gali District,” Prime News Online (Tbilisi), 16 November 2005.
[55] Email from David McMahon, HALO, Abkhazia, 4 May 2006.
[56] HALO, “The HALO Trust Mine Clearance Programme Abkhazia, Activity Report 2005,” March 2006, p. 7.
[57] Interview with Olga Koltukova, Minister of Labor and Social Security, Sukhum, 30 March 2006; interview with Zurab Marshania, Minister of Health, Sukhum, 25 May 2006; interview with Leonid Lakerbaya, Deputy Prime Minister, Sukhum, 26 March 2006.
[58] “Report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia,” S/2004/315, 20 April 2004, p. 7; interviews with Janthimala Price, Field Coordinator, Médecins Sans Frontières, Sukhum, 27 March and 1 June 2006.
[59] Interview with Dr. Guram Shoua, Agudzera Military Hospital, Agudzera, 26 March 2006.
[60] AIS, “Guide on Local and International NGOs Working in Abkhazia,” Sukhum, 2005.
[61] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 937.
[62] ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, draft received 19 May 2006, p. 29.
[63] Interviews with Owsia Zarvan Raniero, Head of ICRC Mission to Abkhazia, Sukhum, 29 March and 31 May 2006; ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, draft received 19 May 2006, p. 29.
[64] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 938.
[65] Interview with Zurab Marshania, Minister of Health, Sukhum, 16 May 2006; interview with Owsia Zarvan Raniero, Head of ICRC Mission to Abkhazia, Sukhum, 12 May 2006.
[66] Interviews with Aslan Kutsnia, Advocacy Director, AIS, Sukhum, 30 March 2006 and 4 May 2006.
[67] Telephone interview with Victoria Dumaa, Director, Verask Charitable Foundation, Sukhum, 31 May 2006.
[68] Interview with Victoria Ardzinba, Director, Harmony Center, Sukhum, 4 May 2006.
[69] Interview with Olga Koltukova, Minister of Labor and Social Security, Sukhum, 30 March 2006.
[70] Interview with Aslan Kutsnia, AIS, Sukhum, 30 May 2006.
[71] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 938.
[72] Interview with Alkhas Tkhagushev, AIS, Sukhum, 16 April 2006.
[73] Interview with Aslan Kutsnia, AIS, Sukhum, 30 March 2006.