Statement of the RSO Presidential Commissioner for Human Rights Inal Tasoev on the occasion of the Day of the Missing
Today all over the world is being commemorated the Day of the Missing.
In South Ossetia the problem of the missing persons is very urgent as about 140 citizens of South Ossetia are missing since the 1989-2008 Georgian aggression.
The fate of the eight citizens of South Ossetia, missing since the war in August 2008, is still unknown. This was announced today – on the International Day of the Missing - by Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of South Ossetia for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev at a briefing in Tskhinval.
"Today in South Ossetia, along with other countries, is being marked the International Day of the Missing - said Dzhioev. - This date is celebrated in more than 30 countries around the world, especially in those who have experienced military conflict, aggression."
In South Ossetia were held the events to mark the International Day of the Missing, organized by the South Ossetian non-governmental organization "Memory" with the assistance of the Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in South Ossetia. As part of the event was laid the foundation stone of the park dedicated to the missing as a result of the Georgian aggression in 1989 - 2008 years. The ceremony was attended by members of the families of the missing persons as well as the public.
As reported the news agency "Res" by the head of the department for the missing under the NGO "Memory" Lydia Kudzieva, the purpose of the event is to remind the public of the issue of the missing persons.
"Because of the war, the fate of the missing citizens is still unclarified - said Kudzieva. – We have been waiting and will always remember our loved ones who are missing since 1989 -2008."
Kudzieva has added that since 2010, in collaboration with the Russian organization of General Lebed's peacekeeping mission to search for the missing people they have been exhuming nameless graves in the territory of South Ossetia.
"This organization is helping us with the DNA analyzes - Kudzieva said. Then I send the data as well as bone fragments after the exhumation to the Moscow molecular laboratory, where have already been done 82 DNA-passports for us."
In memory of the missing persons at the Theatre Square also will be held the action "We remember ..."
It should be noted that there are about 150 families in South Ossetia whose loved ones are missing.
Geneva / Tskhinval (ICRC) - Today, August 30, on the International Day of the Missing persons, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling on to provide more active help to the families of those who are missing as a result of armed conflicts or natural disasters.
South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has met in Tskhinval with the delegation of the Russian Social Insurance Fund. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health Gregory Kulidzhanov and the State Councilor to the President Rodion Siukaev.
At the beginning of the meeting the Deputy Chairman of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation Vitaly Linnik congratulated the president on the last holiday - the Day of the recognition of independence.
South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received a well-known opera singer, a native of the Republic Amaga Gotti.
The Head of State has welcomed Amaga Gotti and has said that she, "as a true patriot of her homeland," is always with her people.
South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received the native of the Republic, the famous opera singer, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and South Ossetia Veronica Dzhioeva.
He has welcomed the actress, noting her talent, which she demonstrates to the fans of classical music all over the world.
"We are proud of such talented representatives of our people as Veronica - said the president - they glorify their people, their country, once again proving to the world that the Ossetian people are talented."
In turn, Veronica Dzhioeva thanked the President for the warm welcome and a solemn celebration.
"I was happy to sing for my people, and was feeling a sense of pride in the changes that I had seen in my homeland," - she said.
According to the singer, "for the past year Tskhinval has changed, and what is more important, have changed the people's eyes - they are kinder and happier now."
She also expressed the wish to see a modern concert hall in South Ossetia, where the international celebrities could be invited.
The Head of State has assured that the long-term plans also include the construction of a concert hall, which will meet the global standards.
Veronica Dzhioeva is a leading soloist of three opera houses in Russia: the Mariinsky, Bolshoi and Novosibirsky. She is one of the most popular singers in the world. The singer has performed in China, South Korea, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, United States, Estonia, Lithuania and other countries.
The State Committee of the Information and Press of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Information Telegraph Agency of Russia (ITAR-TASS) agreed to implement a comprehensive and effective information collaboration to extensive coverage of the most important events in political, social, economic, cultural, scientific, educational, sports and other areas of South Ossetia. The agreement was signed in Moscow on August 23 by the Chairman of the State Committee of the Information and Press of the RSO Vyacheslav Gobozov and Director General of ITAR-TASS Sergey Mikhailov, informed the news agency "Res" Vyacheslav Gobozov.
"According to the document, the ITAR-TASS will assist the State Committee of Information to establish the state news agency, and will organize and conduct on the basis of the agency or its partners, workshops and seminars for the retraining of journalists of South Ossetia. In turn, the South Ossetian news agency is ready to "create favorable conditions" for the ITAR-TASS news agency in the Republic "- said Gobozov.
He has added that one of the most authoritative Russian news agencies will facilitate direct contacts and co-operation of South Ossetia with the media of Russia and other countries.
"For this purpose, using the organizational facilities of the ITAR-TASS (press center, internet site, service, monitoring, correspondent centers and information centers in the Russian Federation), it is scheduled to systematically organize press tours of the journalists of the leading media to South Ossetia, holding press conferences, briefings, meetings with representatives of South Ossetia. ITAR-TASS is ready to timely covering of trips and visits of the President and other representatives of South Ossetia to Russia and other countries, as well as to provide expert support in holding forums, exhibitions, presentations and other events, "- said Gobozov.
In turn, the State Committee of Information and Press will send to the ITAR-TASS channels the official statements and reports, as well as the information, analytical and other materials. It will also report on the planned and ongoing events and activities, trips and meetings of the leaders of the government of South Ossetia, projects and programs of the country.
"The State Committee will provide an ITAR TASS the opportunity to participate in all media events and press conferences held by the leadership of the Republic, and is ready to assist them in organizing meetings and exclusive interviews with socially significant persons of the country," - said Gobozov.
The parties have also agreed that the representatives of the Republic will be taking part in the international events held under the auspices of the ITAR-TASS news agency, and the leaders of the ITAR-TASS news agency - in actions and activities held by the public authorities of South Ossetia.
According to the signatories, the implementation of the provisions of this agreement will lead to "the establishment and strengthening of strategic partnership" between the State Committee of the Information and Press and ITAR-TASS, which, of course, "will promote efficiency, reliability and comprehensive coverage of the processes taking place in the political, socio-economic, cultural, scientific, educational and other spheres of life in the Republic of South Ossetia."
The signed document does not limit the ability of the information cooperation of South Ossetia with other media and their activities in the country. Moreover, the State Committee of Information and Press of South Ossetia is ready and will continue to expand international cooperation in the sphere of information. In this regard, Vyacheslav Gobozov does not exclude that in the near future the similar agreements can be signed with other authoritative media, as well as with various state information structures.
Today in Tskhinval South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received the delegations of the Russian Federation Council, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria and the Stavropol region, arrived in the Republic on the festivities.
The meeting addressed the issues of cooperation with Russia as a whole, and with the North Caucasus republics, in particular.
'' I am proud of the relationship between our countries. South Ossetia has a historic opportunity to strengthen and develop its statehood. More than 70 agreements are signed with Russia, and we are working hard to implement them'' - said Tibilov.
According to him, South Ossetia has always been focused on Russia, and this course will continue.
'' Russia has a major strategic partner - South Ossetia- on its southern borders. And today’s holiday is common for us, because we've passed this way together. We are aiming at a positive, I think, in the near future we will complete the recovery process and will start implementing the development issues'' - said the head of state.
He has noted that the first steps in this direction have already been made - the garment factory and a plant of building materials started manufacturing in Tskhinval.
''In September- October, we plan to hold the Economic Forum in South Ossetia, which will discuss the development of our economy with entrepreneurs from other countries'' - said Tibilov.
The head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Speaker Ilya Umakhanov has assured the South Ossetian side, that Russia is ready for further enhance cooperation.
'' We are together and we can resolve any problems. Three meetings between the presidents of Russia and South Ossetia have taken place for less than a year. These relations correspond to the ones with major allies of Russia'' - said Umakhanov.
In turn, the head of North Ossetia, Taimuraz Mamsurov has said that the main goal of South Ossetia at this stage is the development of the economy.
"In this effort we are ready to help you. Peace is absolutely guaranteed in South Ossetia, which gives it great potential for the development'' - said Mamsurov.
Chairman of the North Ossetian Board of Veterans Soltan Kabolov presented to President Leonid Tibilov the diploma of the laureate of the Forum '' Public recognition for achievements in strengthening of the statehood of South Ossetia and the development of friendly relations with Russia.''
During the meeting there were also words of congratulations from representatives of Ingushetia and Chechnya.
Ambassador of Russia to South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev said that a lot had been done in the Republic for five years.
"I would like to appeal to the Russian colleagues to make an objective assessment of the contribution of Russia to the rehabilitation of South Ossetia. I would like to ask to avoid the extreme sense assessments, which are sometimes heard, that in five years, nothing has been done, or done very little in South Ossetia ", - he said.
Regarding security issues, Kargiev has noted that the priceless achievement is that people feel themselves in safety, which is guaranteed by the presence of the 4th Russian military base and border guards.
Speaking about the achievements in socio-economic sphere, the Ambassador, first of all, mentioned the construction of the "unique" gas pipeline "Dzuarikau-Tskhinval" at an altitude of 4000 meters. "Now gas supply is more than enough in the Republic. Electricity supply is also regular. But we think of the construction of small hydro power plants in 2014, "- said Kargiev.
The ambassador has also noted that the public sector workers receive a stable salary, which this year has been raised by 40%.
"About 80% of the population has Russian citizenship, many receive Russian pensions. In addition, was virtually rehabilitated the entire system of education - schools and kindergartens,"- said the Ambassador.
More than 700 families have the opportunity to move into new homes, was also renovated the public housing.
"It was built a road to the remote Leningor district, restored the power line, which in the absence of gas supply is the only source of heat in winter, is renovated the hospital. The road to Znaur district is also built, "- listed Kargiev.
At the same time, one should talk about the lack of effective drawing of funds.
"I attribute this to a lack of experience in management, the organization of the state power in the early postwar years. For 20 years the Republic has been living in a state of uncertainty. Now it is being built up a mutual system of the mechanisms of the Russian and South Ossetian authorities, the control system within South Ossetia, which complies with the functioning standards of the state. We have set up 13 joint working groups that elaborated more than 70 legislative acts. We will help the Republic out of the crisis in the near future "- said Elbrus Kargiev.
In turn, Leonid Tibilov has noted that by the end of this year, much will be done.
During the meeting, the President also presented the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Ilya Umakhanov and the Chairman of the North Ossetian Parliament Alexei Machnev with the Order of Friendship.
Flash-poll: Today South Ossetia is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the recognition of its statehood by the Russian Federation. What role, in your opinion this event played in the modern history of South Ossetia?
Vyacheslav Gobozov, Chairman of the State Committee for Information and Press of the RSO:
The Day of recognition of the independence of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation is definitely a landmark date for us. For me, this day means a lot, considering that I was the one who started the movement for the state-building.