Archive - 5/2009

South Ossetia is expecting the election to the main legislative body of the Republic to take place for the fifth time. The fact that the election to the Parliament will be held with the obtained status of a recognized state attaches special meaning to the upcoming plebiscite. Significant interest towards our election persists among the international community. According to information of the Ministry of Press and Media, 100 journalists from Russia, far and near aboard are expected to arrive in South Ossetia.
As it is known, journalists of two Georgian TV-channels "Rustavi-2" and "Imedi" are arriving through Russia to South Ossetia to cover the election. The Association of Journalists of South Ossetia is expressing its categorical protest against the presence of Georgian journalists on the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia and is demanding from relevant structures for official prohibition for RSO state border crossing by Georgian media representatives.

Russia does not agree with Geneva discussions on security and stability in the Caucasus to turn into a permanent mechanism. This stance has been voiced by the RF Ambassador Extraordinary to South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev at his press-conference in Tskhinval.
"We do not want to be engaged in a long negotiation process, and the Geneva discussions to turn into a permanent mechanism, through which we would be constantly reproached for having recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These Geneva discussions were envisaged to be held three-four times to elaborate a mechanism ensuring security on both sides of the borderline. So, security is the first problem. The second problem is related to return of refugees. These two problems are interrelated. Creation of safe conditions, and then comes the refugee return. The settlement of the refugee return issues should depend on their voluntary decision, "underscored Kargiev.
According to Ambassador, the negotiations in Geneva are difficult.
"OSCE and other international organizations are trying to control the process on both sides. The Russian side is more loyal. It is necessary to find ways, which would be acceptable for both South Ossetia and Georgia. We are apt to elaborating a mechanism to exclude criminal tensions related to the fact that the borders are not in place. In this regard, we are ready for open cooperation. However, I would reiterate, we cannot agree with the position that the Geneva process is a long-term one. For us, the political aspect of the issue is closed. We have recognized South Ossetia, no matter if anyone likes it or not," added Kargiev.

The village of Lashe in Znaur district came under fire from the Georgian territory, reported the press-service of the RSO Defense Ministry.
Today at about 13:00, Djoni Margiev, an inhabitant of the village of Lashe, came under fire from the bordering Georgian village of Gogeti while he was working in the field. "He managed to escape", said the press-service. "The Georgian side continues provocations and using threats as a method against peaceful population", added the report.

The suspended Consultations on stability and security in South Caucasus resumed today in Geneva, reported the RSO Special Representative for Post-Conflict Settlement Boris Chochiev.
According to Chochiev, "the Abkhaz Delegation decided to return to participation in Geneva discussions due to changed wording in the finally received report of the UN Secretary General about the UN Mission in Abkhazia".

On 20 May at 12:20, the RSO law enforcement bodes found an ammunition cache in the south-east part of Eredvi village. The cache contained spare parts for self-made explosive devices and foreign weapons. Currently, necessary investigation actions are carried out and combat engineers at the spot. Journalists are not allow to the location where the ammunition cache was found.

According to Interior Ministry of South Ossetia, the ammunition cache found in the village of Eredvi was meant for a terrorist act. As the source in an investigation crew working on the sport explained, “the ammunition cache contained mines, detonators, and other devices needed for self-made explosive devices.”
“According to primary findings, those, who had set this ammunition cache, were planning to install a device for a terrorist act”, reported the investigation crew member.

Russian Orthodox Church again brought humanitarian assistance to war-affected people in South Ossetia. IA RES learnt this from Oleg Kalimullin, Consultant of Department for Church External Relations.
According to him, “the humanitarian aid includes kitchenware and bed-linen (270 sets) and hygienic items, which were handed over to Humanitarian Commission of South Ossetia. It is desirable that this assistance goes to those who completely lost their housing in rural areas of the republic”.

The fifth round of Geneva discussions on security and stability in South Caucasus has finished. In accordance with the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreements of 12 August and 8 September, delegations of the Republic of South Ossetia, the Republic of Abkhazia, the Russian Federation, Georgia, and representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE and the USA participate on an equal basis.
It was possible to gather a joint session with all parties’ participation once the problems, which had complicated the discussions due to certain intrigues around the UN Secretary General’s Report, were overcome.

On 18 May, the fifth round of international discussions on security and stability in South Caucasus was expected to start in Geneva. In accordance with Medvedev-Sarkozy agreement of 12 August and 8 September, delegations of the Republic of South Ossetia, the Republic of Abkhazia, the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE and the United States, participate in the Geneva discussions on an equal basis.

On the ongoing NATO exercise in Georgia
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia expresses deep regret about the fact that the NATO leadership happened to be unable to draw any conclusions from the tragic events of August 2008, which were a direct consequence of NATO’s flirting with the current Georgian regime. In this regard, the multinational NATO exercise held 6 May-1June on the territory of Georgia with the participation of its armed forces causes serious concerns.