22:51, 27 December 2003

South Osetian authorities to seek international recognition of republic

Residents of South Osetia became very interested in the answer of Vladimir Putin on the question which he was asked by a spectator from Kabardino-Balkaria during a live translation about the possibility of South Osetia and Abkhazia's joining Russia.
Russia will carefully watch the processes in these formations but it speaks for the territorial integrity of Georgia and will support it, the President of Russia answered.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Osetia Djioyev commented upon this answer in his interview with the national television of South Osetia: "South Osetia has been an independent state for 13 years in fact and has nothing to do with Georgia. Our people showed their position at the referendum in January 1992. They confirmed they did not want to be in Georgia. So, we should work hard in order that to induce international organisations to recognize South Osetia as an independent sovereign state. After such recognition, it will be easier to make steps in the direction of joining Russia."

Editors note: See also the article "Vladimir Putin: "Russia will meet international commitments in the process of conflict resolution in South Osetia and Abkhazia"".

Author: Inga Kochiyeva, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot