Reliable protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South Ossetia remains a key priority in foreign policy of the Republic. This was stated by the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, speaking with the first, after taking office, Presidential message to the people and to the Parliament of the Republic.
The President has stressed that to ensure the security of the state, diplomatic efforts are not enough - Georgia, regardless of the actual change of the government, still has not given up its territorial claims to South Ossetia.
"According to available information, the current Georgian army vastly excels that one in August 2008. The recent joint Georgian-US military exercises at a base in Vaziani also show the continuing militarization of the neighboring state. And that means that we should keep our powder dry "- said the head of state.
At the same time Tibilov has stressed that the new state is under the double protection - on the one hand, this is the military contingent of the 4th Russian base and military units of the Russian FSS Border Control Agency stationed in the Republic, on the other - the armed forces of the Republic.
"I can assure the people of the Republic that the troops protecting us are equipped with the most modern weapons, necessary for the protection of our country. It`s not a secret, that, in accordance with the signed agreements, Russia is the guarantor of security of the citizens of South Ossetia and the inviolability of its borders, "- said Tibilov.
He has called a blunder the earlier made decision to reduce the staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic.
"This resulted in negative strategic and social consequences. Therefore, as a Supreme Commander in Chief, I consider the most important task correction of the error. And today I can say that we have achieved this. To date, the number of personnel of the Defense Ministry of South Ossetia is saved, "- said the president.
He has assured that the work on the technical equipment, professional development and social protection of South Ossetian troops will continue.
