The Fifth International Conference of journalists, Gender and Media, War and Peace: Challenges and Overcoming was held in Tbilisi on Dec. 16-20. The conference adopted the Appeal to the presidents of Russia and Georgia demanding from them direct negotiations which is open for signing. To the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili To the President of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev APPEAL We, the initiative group, Formed at the Fifth international conference of journalists Gender and Media, War and Peace: Challenges and Overcoming (Tbilisi, Dec 16-20, 2008), appeal to the presidents of the two countries demanding DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

• real CEASE-FIRE;
• full restoration of DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS;
• creating necessary CONDITIONS FOR RETURN of the internally displaced persons;
• SECURITY for safe living of the PEACEFUL POPULATION;
• right to FREE TRAVEL within the conflict zone;
• communications channels and INFORMATION EXCHANGE between the sides of the conflict;
• terms for launching CIVIL MONITORING of the situation in the conflict zone and providing conditions for the activities of human rights international urgent action group;
• creating UNIFIED STRUCTURE WORKING ON MISSING PEOPLE, prisoners of war, militaries and civilians kept by the sides of the conflict;
• FREE ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION for mass-media, civil and human rights organizations.

INITIATIVE GROUP: Luiza Pogosyan, Armenia.
Georgy Vanyan, Armenia.
Vladimir Khanas, Ukraine.
Galina Petriashvili, Georgia.
Dmitry Shevkunov, Russia.

APPEAL SUPPORTED BY:
Sevinj Mamedyarova, Azerbaijan.
Darejan Odilavadze, Georgia.
Diana Petriashvili, Georgia.
Nana Plieva, Georgia.
Svetlana Garashenko, Ukraine.
Tetytana Isaeva, Ukraine.
Evgeny Sukhoverkko, Russia.
Marina Lyakh, Russia.
Masja Novikova, Netherlands.
Tsitsino Djulukhidze, Georgia.
Roza Kukhalashvili, Georgia.
Tamar Balavadze, Georgia.
Katya Yurtaeva, Georgia.
Tatiana Baeva, Ukraine
Valentina Marjanishvili, Georgia
Natia Kuprashvili,
Georgia Almaz Kalet, Kyrgyzstan
Alma Bekturganova-Andersen, Denmark
Anna Uturgauri , Georgia
Alexander Avsajanishvili, Georgia
Юлия Адельханова, Грузия
Marina Tabukashvili, Georgia
Anara Moldosheva, Kyrgyzstan
Nazira Raimkulova, Kyrgyzstan
Svetlana Shakirova, Kazakhstan
Tamuna Zarandia, Georgia
Galina Kuznetsova, Tynda, Russia

(the document is open for signing)

We appreciate your help in spreading this document and in collecting signatures. The Appeal was first voiced at the press-conference in Tbilisi, on Saturday, December 20. This Appeal can launch a broad civil anti-war movement aiming to normalize the relations between the countries and peoples, supporting civil dialogue, setting the priorities on social, rather than political issues. The program of the conference is also available at the website of the GenderMediaCaucasus Journalists Association: http://www.gmc.ge
The Conference was focused on the media work in conflict, analyzing the recent armed conflict in Georgia. Journalists from Georgia, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and the Netherlands participated in the Conference.

Sincerely yours,
Galina and the GenderMediaCaucasus Journalists Association
Please send your signatures to Galina Petriashvili galapet@ip.osgf.ge