1. Ban said there is, as yet, "little clarity" about the future status of the areas where the U.N. observer mission, known as UNOMIG, operated _ "the security zone where no military presence was permitted, the restricted weapons zone where no heavy weapons could be introduced, and the Kodori Valley." "Under these circumstances, it is too early at this stage to define the role that UNOMIG may play in the future," Ban said.

2. Vietnam supports the efforts of Secretary–General Ban Ki–moon and the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) towards ensuring security, strengthening the monitoring capabilities of the two sides, promoting reconciliation and providing rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance.

3. The Vietnamese diplomat suggested that the UNOMIG should take special measures to maintain close contacts with both Georgian and Abkhaz sides, co–operate with the CIS peacekeeping force and, by its presence in the area, to contribute to conditions conducive to the safe and orderly return of refugees and IDPs.

4. Deputy Representative of Vietnam to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Bui The Giang delivered the statement at a consultation meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Abkhazia and Georgia, held in New York on July 2'. Ambassador Giang called upon "all the parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint, refrain from acts which may further complicate the situation, promote mutual trust and show their political will to settle the differences." The diplomat expressed his concern over increased tension and worsening security in the zone of conflict, notably a series of bombings which led to a number of civilian deaths and injuries, including one staff of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). He also called upon UNOMIG in co–ordination with local authorities to urgently carry out an investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.

5. More like my original UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) on Aphrodite‘s island (manpower 176; cost $46.5m; officer commanding, Argentinian). Not to mention Minurso (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) in the western Sahara since 1''1 (manpower 458; cost $47.'5m; officer commanding, Danish) or Unomig (United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia), keeping the Georgians and the Abkhaz authorities apart since August 1''3 (manpower 348; cost $36.38m; officer commanding, Pakistani). Naturally, there are some bigger, more recent postings in Africa, other UN forces striving to keep the peace in Eritrea and Ethiopia, attempting to stop 600 children a day dying in the ‘Democratic‘ Republic of Congo, trying to heal Burundi‘s wounds and restore a modicum of order to the Ivory Coast.