UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)

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Description:

1. The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 858 in August 1993 to verify compliance with a 27 July 1993 ceasefire agreement between the Republic of Georgia and forces in Abkhazia with special attention given to the situation in the city of Sukhumi, Georgia. It was also to investigate reports of ceasefire violations, attempt to resolve such incidents with the parties involved, and to report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the implementation of its mandate. 88 military advisors were authorized to be deployed to the region. It ended on 15 June 2009, when Russia vetoed an extension of the mission. The last observers left the region on 15 July 2009.
2. The mission's original mandate was invalidated after renewed fighting broke out in the area in September 1993.
   UNOMIG was subsequently given an interim mandate by Security Council in November 1993 to maintain contacts with the parties involved and to monitor and report on the situation. It aimed to work towards achieving a comprehensive political settlement.
3. In May 1994, both sides signed the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces. in July 1994 the Security Council authorized an increase in observers (to a total of 136) and an expanded mission.
4. The new mission was considerably more broad than the original. UNOMIG's original responsibilities in verifying the implementation of the ceasefire were retained. However, UNOMIG was now responsible for observing the operation of the new peacekeeping force that had been deployed by the Commonwealth of Independent States. They were also to verify, through observation and patrolling, that troops from either side did not remain in or re-enter the security zone, and that heavy military equipment did not remain or be re-introduced.
5. UNOMIG was to oversee the withdrawal of Georgian troops from the Kodori Valley and thus, out of Abkhaz territory. Their patrols replaced those of Georgia in the valley. They were responsible for investigating, at the request of either party or the peacekeeping force, or on their own initiative, violations of the ceasefire agreement, and for attempting to resolve resulting disputes. Finally, they were to work towards making conditions safe for the orderly return of refugees and displaced persons.
6. On 10 December 1996, a United Nations office for the protection of human rights in Abkhazia was established in Tbilisi, Georgia, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1077 of 22 October. It is jointly staffed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The office forms part of UNOMIG and reports to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through the Head of the UNOMIG Mission. Though they maintain a political office in Tbilisi, their military headquarters are in Sukhumi, Abkhazia.
   On 8 October 2001 a UNOMIG helicopter was shot down in Abkhazia. The perpetrators have never been found, despite repeated demands from the Security Council.[citation needed] In 2002, UNOMIG vigorously opposed the resumption of rail services between Sukhumi, Abkhazia and the city of Sochi in Russia.
7. The Security Council passed another resolution on 30 July 2003, on the recommendation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, authorizing for a civilian police component of 20 officers be added to UNOMIG, in order to strengthen its capacity to carry out its mandate and assist in the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
8. On 30 January 2004, again at the request of Secretary-General Annan, Security Council Resolution 1524 was passed, which extended UNOMIG's mandate until 31 July 2004.
9. Today, UNOMIG is concerned with security, assisting the return of the displaced and repairs of key infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. As of January 2003, 21 projects were at an advanced or intermediate stage and 10 others were awaiting the release of funds by donors. They have also continued to push for a political settlement to the conflict, though Secretary-General Annan has complained about the slow rate of progress. In late 2003, UNOMIG became concerned about an increase in kidnappings, murders and robberies, particularly in the Gori region. They also expressed concern about potential instability around the tenth anniversary of the end of the war.
10. The current chief military observer is Major General Anwar Hussain from Bangladesh. The strength of UNOMIG on 20 September 2008 stood at 134 military observers (including 12 medical personnel) and 17 police advisers.
11. The mission was wound up in 2009 because of a Russian veto in the United Nations Security Council. As a result of the Russian veto, UNOMIG which had been active in the region since 1993, and had 150 personnel on the ground at the time of the veto, made up of 131 military observers and 20 police officers, saw its mandate expire on 16 June 2009 at 4am GMT. It was later announced that the withdrawal of the Mission from Abkhazia would be completed 15 July 2009, keeping in line with United Nations practice of a Mission taking up to two months to finalise its withdrawal
12. Each United Nations mission for which an UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded an UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

Background:

1. Presentation. The Senior Representative of the Secretary-General who makes the award normally makes presentation of the UNM in the field. Approval authority to accept and wear the UNM to member of the Armed Forces of the United States is the Secretary of Defense. When presentation is not so accomplished, any person who believes he or she is eligible for award may submit to Commander, USA HRC, (see CFR paragraph 578.3(c) for address) and a request for such award with copy of any substantiating documents. Commander, AHRC will forward each such request through the Office of Internal Administration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, to the United Nations for consideration.
2. Medal. The medal is bronze, 13/8 inches in diameter, with a top view of the globe enclosed at sides and bottom by a wreath and the letters “UN” at the top of the medal. On the reverse side is the inscription “IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE”. The United Nations Service Medal Korea is the same design, except the obverse does not include the letters “UN” and the medal has a hanger bar with the inscription “KOREA”. On the reverse side of the United Nations Service Medal Korea is the inscription “FOR SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS”.
3. Ribbon. Each United Nations mission for which a UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded a UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will be worn to denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the DoD Approved U.N. Missions and Actions approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)