In South Ossetia, as part of the events dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Georgian aggression in August 2008, has been held a ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the Memorial "Defenders of Ossetia." The event was attended by President Leonid Tibilov, government officials, members of the public, political parties, as well as the guests of the Republic.
The stone laying ceremony was opened by the Chairman of the Writers' Union of South Ossetia Meliton Kazity. He noted that for 20 years the Georgian government had committed genocide after genocide, but South Ossetia survived and achieved independence.
"The best sons of Ossetia fell on the field of battle in the name of freedom, when the enemy attacked, they spared no effort to defend their homeland - said Kazity. - It is impossible to forgive and forget the outrages committed by Georgia. "
Leonid Tibilov, in turn, has noted that the Memorial will be erected to perpetuate the names of the defenders, who gave their lives as a sacrifice for peace and bright future of South Ossetia.
"Since the 90s people of South Ossetia have the only aim - to survive, not to surrender to the enemy, and now, having acquired our independence, we will make every effort to develop and strengthen our Republic - said Tibilov. - We will not forget the feat of the Russian and the Ossetian soldiers who were killed in action, defending South Ossetia."
Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Stanislav Kesaev has said that the people of North Ossetia are also mourning and express deep respect for the heroism of their southern brothers.
"Laying a stone in honor of the war dead should be a symbol of the freedom, for which South Ossetia paid a dear price, and the people should do everything possible the Republic to be prosperous," - said Kesaev.
Then representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, Father Andrew has consecrated the stone of the Memorial "Defenders of Ossetia," after which the event participants laid flowers and wreaths at the site of the future memorial.
