The residents of South Ossetia have gathered today on the central square in Tskhinval, where they have held a meeting in memory of the deceased Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The meeting was attended by President Leonid Tibilov, the government officials, members of the public, who came to pay tribute to blessed memory of the Venezuelan leader.
"We have gathered here today to say farewell to a great friend of our people - Hugo Chavez. Ossetian people with a heavy heart have taken the news of the untimely death of this outstanding man, as the loss of their loved ones "- said the President of South Ossetia.
"Hugo Chavez has been a strong fair politician. Just after Russia`s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia, hebrought attention of the people of Venezuela to the issue of recognizing our Republic - said Tibilov. - In spite of the obstacles created by the United States and other Western countries, Chavez firmly decided to recognize the independence of South Ossetia, and since that day the people and the President of Venezuela have become for us the close friends."
The President also highlighted the contribution of the Venezuelan leader to the development of his country.
"In the last years of his ruling Hugo Chavez has ensured that Venezuela has become one of the leading countries in Latin America," - said the president.
He has expressed hope that the friendship between the peoples of Venezuela and Nicaragua will continue.
"The people of Venezuela went through hard trials, so they are aware of the value of peace, they know what is labour" - he stressed.
Then the participants of the meeting were addressed by the First Deputy Head of Presidential Administration of the RSO Konstantin Pukhaev.
"All progressive peoplewith great griefhave taken the news of the death of the prominent political and public figure of our time, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Rafael Chávez. This sad news caused pain in the hearts of the people of our Republic. All of us remember well that among the first countries to recognize the independence of our Republic was Venezuela, in many respects, owing to the personal decision of Hugo Chavez. Our people will always be grateful to him for that,"- said Pukhaev.
Representatives of the intelligentsia and the public have also addressed the meeting. The Honored Artist of the Republic of South Ossetia Alla Byazrova sang her song dedicated to the Venezuelan leader.
At the end of the meeting was opened the Memory Watch to the Venezuelan leader. The participants laid flowers at the photo of Hugo Chavez and put their signatures in the "Book of Memory", which will be transferred to the Venezuelan Embassy in Moscow, after which it will be transferred to Caracas.
