September 20 is the 31st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of South Ossetia. On this day in 1990, the Council of People's Deputies decided to raise the status of the autonomous region to the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic within the Soviet Union. This decision was one of the first steps towards the independence and international recognition of the Republic.
This decision was made due to the socio-political situation in Georgia. The forces of aggressive nationalism relied on massive support.
Nazi slogans, demands for the liquidation of autonomous formations, insults to the peoples living in Georgia were heard not only at rallies, but also in the media, on the pages of reputable scientific publications. The man-hating ideology was supported by practically all prominent figures of the Georgian intelligentsia and clergy.
In this situation, South Ossetia tried to maintain autonomy, to prevent a conflict within the legal framework of the USSR.
On November 10, 1989, the Council of People's Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region decided to transform it into the autonomous republic.
The Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR recognized this decision as unconstitutional, after which at the end of November, with the direct assistance of the top officials of the republic, more than 15,000 Georgians tried to arrive in Tskhinval to hold the declared "peaceful rally" there. The true goals of the operation became apparent later, when the militants of informal associations staged a blockade of South Ossetia, terrorizing the civilian population. At that time were the first killed and wounded.
In March 1990, the Supreme Council of Georgia adopted a resolution on "guarantees for the protection of state sovereignty," which essentially declared Soviet power in the Republic illegal. Unlike some other republics of the Union, which declared sovereignty, this was not just a declaration of the intents. The National Democratic Movement of Georgia was openly seeking for the independence of the republic and by the end of the year made a number of steps in this direction.
Having come to power in the fall of 1990, the movement, led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia, began to liquidate the bodies of the Soviet power, laws on state symbols were adopted, and the development of a new constitution started.
It became obvious that Georgia was preparing to secede from the Soviet Union. At that turning point in history, the proclamation of the South Ossetian Republic as part of the USSR was the only way to create minimal legal guarantees and prevent the development of the situation tragic for the people of South Ossetia. It should be noted that South Ossetia was acting exclusively within the framework of the legislation of the USSR and the principles of international law.
On September 20, 1990, the Council of People's Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region proclaimed the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic as part of the USSR. The Declaration of National Sovereignty was adopted.
This is how the Republic of South Ossetia has started forming.
