The United Nations security council passed a resolution unanimously, which
renews the mandate of U.N. peacekeepers in Georgia. Despite the differing
views of the United States and Russia on the conflict in the region, all 15
security council members voted in favour.

SHOWS: (BN01) UNITED NATIONS (APRIL 15, 2008) UNTV -

 The U.N. security council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday
(April 15) to renew that body's peacekeeping mandate in conflict-torn Georgia.

    The region has been marred by unrest since the 1990's when Abkhazia and
South Ossetia broke away from Georgia.
    The Russian Federation has shown support for the separatist
governments, which want full independence from Georgia's pro-Western
president.
    Following the security council meeting, U.S. ambassador Zalmay
Khalilzad criticised Russia, saying that the U.S. is concerned about reports
that Russia is planning semiofficial representative missions in Abkhazia.
    "We urge Russia not to follow this path, which would undercut
Russia's stated support for the principles of Georgian sovereignty and
territorial integrity as contained in today's resolution," he said.
    Russia's ambassador, Vitaly Churkin responded by saying that the U.S.
is missing the real problem and added that he does not rely on media
reports.
    Referring to Kosovo's recently-proclaimed independence, Churkin went on
to say, "It is surprising to hear those, those concerns coming from
countries who have just hastily, hastily recognized illegal unilateral
proclamations of independence in other places."
    Georgia's ambassador to the United Nations, Irakli Alasania, held a
news briefing following the security council meeting. In it, he laid out
President Mikhail Saakashvili's plan to offer Abkhazia greater autonomy. He
urged the international community, especially Russia to lend their full
support to the peace plan.
    "We appeal to Russian Federation to support our new peace
initiative in order to build a solid foundation for the peace and stability in
greater Caucasus region," he said.
    Moscow was also strongly opposed to Georgia and the Ukraine's request
for NATO membership, which the two countries failed to achieve.