Archive - 10/2015

30 October, 2015, the OSCE Co-Chair of the Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger visited the Republic of South Ossetia.
According to the press service of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of the RSO for post-conflict settlement, during the meeting with members of the South Ossetian delegation at the Geneva talks Ambassador Gnaedinger has introduced the independent expert on criminal investigation Mr. Dusan Ignjatovic.
In accordance with the previously reached agreements within the framework of the Geneva process, the OSCE invited the independent expert, Mr. Ignjatovic to investigate the issue of the residents of South Ossetia being listed as missing since 2008.
It is expected that by the end of a two-month work the expert will prepare a report with conclusions and recommendations.
During today's visit to the Republic of South Ossetia Ambassador Gnaedinger and expert Ignjatovic have also met with relatives of the persons being listed as missing.

Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of South Ossetia for post-conflict settlement Khokh Gagloyty has completed his work as head of the South Ossetian delegation in the format of Mechanisms to prevent and respond to incidents (IPRM).
As reported by Gagloyty after the IPRM meeting held in the Georgian village of Ergneti, he will end his duties as head of the delegation of South Ossetia in the format of IPRM and by the next meeting will be introduced the new leader.
Turning to the issues considered at today's meeting, Gagloyty has said that the parties have noted the raised number of the Georgian citizens detained at the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia.
"In our view, this is because of the reluctance of the Georgian side to conduct informational work with the local population with respect to the borderline," - said Gagloyty.
According to him, out of the 15 detainees 14 have been released today after payment of the corresponding fine.
"During this period it was also recorded three cases of firing from the Georgian side at the border marks at the state border - said Gagloyty. - In particular, to the north of the Georgian village of Ditsi and near the settlement of Kirbali. According to the Georgian party, there is no evidence that the firing was from the Georgian side. We said that it was so obvious that we did not even have to present photographic material, because the representatives of the observer mission were informed in due time and they attended these border areas. "
Gagloyty has also added that tomorrow in Tskhinval will arrive the OSCE co-chair Angelo Gnedinger together with the independent expert, which will investigate cases of the missing citizens of South Ossetia.

Rector of the South-Ossetian State University Vadim Tedeev has met with the delegation of the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies, headed by its director Leonid Reshetnikov.
During the meeting they discussed issues of cooperation between the South Ossetian State University and Russian Institute of Strategic Studies. In particular, all points were agreed upon a cooperation agreement to be signed by Vadim Tedeev and Leonid Reshetnikov on 28 October.
Technical issues have been agreed on the joint International Scientific and Practical Conference on Political Science, scheduled for October 28 in the conference hall of the Republican Library.
Also, the delegation met with the faculty and students of the South Ossetian State University.
At the beginning of the meeting the rector of the South Ossetian State University Vadim Tedeev has noted that on Wednesday, Oct. 28 South Ossetian State University and the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies will sign a cooperation agreement.
"In February, 2015 I had a telephone conversation with Leonid Reshetnikov, during which an agreement was reached about the meeting and the possible signing of a cooperation agreement, as well as to hold an International scientific and practical conference at our University - said Vadim Tedeev. - Both events are scheduled for 28 October. "
Leonid Reshetnikov, in turn, said he was glad to arrive in South Ossetia, as well as to start cooperation with the South Ossetian State University.
"We have arrived in South Ossetia with a great sense of love and friendship, - said Reshetnikov. - After signing the agreement with the South Ossetian State University, we will address specific issues. If possible, we will order the specialists of the South Ossetian State University research projects in various areas, carry out joint activities, invite the South Ossetian students, postgraduate students for training in our institute. With the rector we had a detailed discussion on cooperation. Our plans are real, and we will fulfill them. We reached an understanding on all issues and I am sure that cooperation between the South Ossetian State University and Russian Institute of Strategic Studies will be most effective."
According to Reshetnikov, the peoples of South Ossetia and Russia belong to the same civilization.
"We all belong to one civilization - said Reshetnikov. - We are united by centuries-old ties and traditions, approach to life, to human relationships, to work, to duty. "
Reshetnikov also spoke about the history and work of his institute.
"Our institute is special - it has no analogues in Russia, - said the director. - It was created in 1992 by decree of then-President Boris Yeltsin. Since 2009, the institute received a new Charter, according to which its founder is the President of the Russian Federation, and it works on the state order - the order of the President's Executive Office. We are the analytic center, which is preparing analytical works ; basically, the works on the external aspects of our state, while considering the issues related to domestic policy, primarily, national issues, interfaith relations, some issues of economic development. "
A member of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, a military journalist Yuri Kotenok said that the first time he had come to South Ossetia in 2004.
"At that time there was a difficult situation, when Georgian enclaves were being armed by Georgia, were organized armed provocations, skirmishes - said Kotenok. - After my first visit to South Ossetia, I was trying to support the Republic in every way. In 2008, when the war broke out here, I immediately packed my bags and 9 August I was in North Ossetia. In Tskhinval I could only arrive August 10. "
At the end of the meeting, the rector of South Ossetian state University Vadim Tedeev thanked the members of the delegation of RISS for interesting presentations and expressed hope that such meetings will be frequent..

The non-governmental "Foundation for protection of the wounded disabled during the 1989-2008 hostilities on the territory of South Ossetia," and the "Foundation of the disabled of the Patriotic War in Abkhazia" will sign a cooperation agreement.
According to the President of the South Ossetian Foundation of the disabled Madina Plieva, "the agreement provides for cooperation mainly in the humanitarian sphere. Abkhazians will assist in prosthetics for our disabled war veterans. People with disabilities, kids of the fallen heroes will be able to rest in health resorts of the fraternal Republic. The agreement also provides for cooperation in other areas..

On the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation the staff of the Embassy of South Ossetia in Russia took part in the round table "Learning and teaching Russian language and literature in the post-Soviet Union countries: problems and prospects".
According to the press service of the South Ossetian diplomatic mission, "the event was held at the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples. During the round table were made reports by representatives of South Ossetia, Armenia, Abkhazia, Transdniestria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.
Counselor of the Embassy of South Ossetia Inga Kochieva in her speech thanked the staff of the diplomatic mission for the invitation of the South Ossetian teachers to take part in the round table and wished the organizers every success in further activities. "
During the round table were also discussed various topics, including "problems of teaching Russian language and literature at schools and universities of the post- Soviet Union countries", "the Russian language as an instrument to open up a wide choice of opportunities for accession to the Russian and world culture," and other issues.
After the meeting on the invitation of Znaur Gassiev the teachers from South Ossetia Elvira Magkoeva, Alla Muldarova and Tamara Tuaeva visited the Embassy of South Ossetia in Moscow, where they were presented with keepsakes".

In South Ossetia hope that the International Criminal Court will be impartial when considering the events of August 2008 in South Ossetia on the subject of war crimes, said Deputy Foreign Minister of South Ossetia Alan Kochiev.
"We are open and willing to cooperate and if necessary, we can provide all the materials on the events of the August war," - he added.

The Deputy Minister has noted that in South Ossetia, «to put it mildly, were surprised that the International Court of Justice attended to address violations of rights of citizens of both South Ossetia and Georgia in 2008, only seven years after the events."

"There are a lot of criminal cases that have been filed since August 2008 on the applications of citizens of South Ossetia, but unfortunately, the International Criminal Court did not even try to start to consider them in due course," - he explained.

Alan Kochiev has reminded that in 2008 it was Georgia that attacked South Ossetia, and unleashed the war.
"Residents of the Georgian enclaves in those days left their homes not for the reason that South Ossetian citizens and militia forced them to do it, as has said the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, but because the Georgian authorities deliberately applied efforts to take these people from the territory on which they were about to open fire, "- he stressed.

Commenting the head of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia Thea Tsulukiani on investigation by the Hague tribunal the events of August 2008, in which she hoped that "the Hague prosecutor can conduct investigative activities in the occupied territories", since the occupied territories are inaccessible for Georgia, the Deputy Minister said, that the question itself is incorrect.
"On one of the rounds of the Geneva discussions were invited experts on international law. They said that South Ossetia is an independent state, existing for 25 years. There are all attributes of the statehood - the government: the legislative and the executive powers. - With regard to the visit to South Ossetia by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Fatou Bensouda, she may apply to the relevant competent authorities to obtain permission to enter our country to commit relevant proceedings. "

A week ago, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague Fatou Bensouda applied for permission to proceed with an investigation about possible war crimes committed during the August 2008 armed conflict in South Ossetia.

President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov has signed an Executive Order to decorate the Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics Alina Kabaeva with an Order of Honor "for great personal contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the peoples of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation, active charity."
As part of the grand opening of the Palace of Sport "for contribution to the development of friendly relations between the peoples of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation in the field of physical culture and sport" were decorated with an Order of Friendship a twice world boxing champion and the State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev, the legendary Russian classical (Greco-Roman) wrestler, triple winner of the Olympic Games Alexander Karelin and the WIBF, WBA and GBU professional boxing absolute world champion Natalia Ragozina, as well as one of the most famous sports commentators of Russia Dmitry Guberniev.

During the ceremony, Nikolai Valuev has expressed confidence that the athletes, who will be engaged in the Palace of Sport, will reach Olympic heights and the Republic will be proud of them.
Natalia Ragozina called for the young people to lead healthy life and wished them to achieve new heights in sports.

"Sport is life, joy and health, sport helps to be strong in life, whether on the court or in the ring. Alina and her team of champions love you and always will support you,"- said Ragozina.

It should be noted that in Tskhinval took place a grand opening of the Palace of Sport "Olympus", constructed under the auspices of Alina Kabaeva`s Charity Foundation.
The Palace of Sport "Olympus" is one of the largest facilities not only in North and South Ossetia, but also in Russia. The spacious rooms are designed for rhythmic gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, judo, swimming and choreography. There are nine halls in the sports complex and two swimming pools; it meets the level of world-class sports facilities.
The construction of the facility began in 2009 by the Charity Foundation "Sports for Peace!"

In the capital of South Ossetia took place a grand opening of the Palace of Sport "Olympus", constructed under the auspices of Alina Kabaeva`s Charity Foundation.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, the head of the charity foundation, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva, twice world boxing champion and the State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev, the legendary Russian classical (Greco-Roman) wrestler, triple winner of the Olympic Games Alexander Karelin and the WIBF, WBA and GBU professional boxing absolute world champion Natalia Ragozina, as well as Olympic champions of North and South Ossetia.

The head of the Charity Foundation Alina Kabaeva has noted that the Sports Palace was built exclusively for charitable funds and expressed gratitude to all who assisted in the construction.
"We have gathered here to enjoy the wonderful opening of the Palace of Sport. The doors of the sports complex will be opened to all, including children with disabilities. This day is special for me and, I think, it is special for the youth of Tskhinval. I express gratitude to all who assisted in the constriction, to the builders. The Sports Complex is built for children and I hope that in the future they will reach Olympic heights and will glorify their homeland ", - she said.

The President of South Ossetia was given a symbolic key to the Sports Palace. He has said that "today is a grand sporting occasion for South Ossetia."
"The sports arenas of the world exploded with applause when announced the name of the outstanding gymnasts of the modern times, the Olympic and the repeated world champion Alina Kabaeva. Her name is added into the golden annals of sports of the great country. After a brilliant way of sports, Alina Kabaeva has always been a person heedful of others' needs. We remember well, when she came to the destroyed Tskhinval and made a decision to build this magnificent palace "- the president said.

On behalf of the South Ossetian people and on behalf of himself, personally, the President has expressed gratitude to all who have made a contribution to the construction of such an important facility for South Ossetia, as well as to the leadership and people of Russia, who always assisted in restoration of the Republic.
"This magnificent palace will serve to champions in various kinds of sports. Having built such complexes, we can say that South Ossetia is being restored, "- said Tibilov.

During the event have also performed the young gymnasts from South Ossetia and Russia, as well as the creative teams of the Republic.

The Palace of Sport "Olympus" is the largest project implemented by Alina Kabaeva`s Charity Foundation, the construction of which started in 2009. The three-storey building meets the level of the world-class sports facilities. Inside the sports complex there are nine halls, two 25 meters long swimming pools – for children's and adults, an auditorium for 2000 seats, a health center, hotel, as well as the necessary infrastructure for sports - locker rooms for athletes and coaches, showers, saunas, rest rooms and so on. The Palace area is more than 10 thousand square meters. Palace of Sport "Olympus" is focused on such kinds of sports as wrestling, judo, sambo, weightlifting, boxing, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, basketball. The sports complex is equipped with the latest sports equipment and meets all the requirements for organization of international competitions.

The sports complex is built of the high quality and earthquake-resistant materials. One of the main tasks of the Charity Foundation was a rehabilitation of children, injured during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The Sports Complex meets the requirements to use the sports facility by children and adolescents with disabilities. After the commissioning of the sports complex "Olympus" the Republic will have all conditions for the development of adaptive sports.

The athlete from South Ossetia Soslan Ramonov became the champion of the VI World Summer Army Games in freestyle wrestling, which take place in Mungyeong (South Korea) in the framework of the World Council of the Army Sports (CISM).
As IA "Res" has been informed at the press service of the Committee for Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism of South Ossetia, the athlete performed in the weight class up to 70 kilograms.
In wrestling in the class up to 70 kilograms the gold of games won Soslan Ramonov, who is a member of the national team of the Russian Federation. In the final, he won a landslide victory over the sportsman from Azerbaijan Dzhoshgun Asimov.
Soslan Ramonov - the champion of Russia and the world, is trained in Moscow Central Army Sports Club by the South Ossetian freestyle wrestling trainers Stanislaus Ramonov and Anatoly Margiev.
The World Summer Army Games are held every 4 years. This year the games involved more than 8,500 athletes from 130 countries. The Games are held annually under the auspices of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). CISM is one of the largest international sports organizations, which represents 133 countries. The purpose of the organization focused on the armed forces of all countries is the promotion of sports competitions to strengthening peace in the world. "Friendship through Sport" - this is the motto of the CISM. Originally the CISM included France, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Today, this organization is one of the world's largest sports organizations, officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United.

Speaker of the Parliament of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov has taken part in the IV International Parliamentary Forum, held October 1 in Moscow.
According to the press service of the Parliament, the forum was dedicated to "The role of parliaments in ensuring international security in modern conditions."
"Opening the forum, the Chairman of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin said that "parliamentary forums should be as much as possible, and Russian deputies will support such initiatives. Russia has been and will advocate for the concept of a Greater Europe, for partnership stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok. Parliamentary diplomacy is also obliged to play its role in this."

In the course of the forum was also discussed the situation in the modern world around the migration relations, the reasons for its growth as a result of armed conflicts, the challenges facing states, and cooperation of the parliaments in matters of migration policy. According to the Chairman of the Parliament of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov, the parliamentary system is not only an important instrument for state-building, but the main mode of functioning of democracy.

"Just as within states, the rule of law and democracy must be ensured in the international arena. Therefore, this is the most important task of parliamentarians in the near future."

Bibilov has stressed that the forcible implanting of one sample democracy may provoke a conflict in any region.
"The West claims to be a unipolar world order, we can see how it turns out, there is a blatant interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, the unilateral assuming of the right to uncontrolled use of force anywhere in the world. Entire regions are destroyed, increasing terrorist threat, followed by streams of refugees. If lawlessness becomes commonplace in the international practice, the world will be embroiled in a large-scale war."
The forum was attended by more than 200 participants, including representatives from 42 countries and nine international organizations - leaders and members of parliaments, representatives of the expert community of the CIS countries, European countries, Asia, Africa and Latin America.