Today, on September, 26 at 13:00 in Tskhinval on the Theatrical Square the action “South Ossetia accuses” took place. It became the beginning of the world action of the same name; such the actions will take place in the countries of the Western Europe, and since October - in the USA. All the Ossetian Diasporas, political parties and the youth organizations will take part in this world action.

Ruslan Bzarov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, chairman of recently created National Forum “Ossetia accuses” made a speech at the meeting.

“There is a question of whom Ossetia accuses, - Ruslan Bazrov has told, addressing to the gathered people. - Ossetia accuses those people, who came to destroy it, those, who tries to hide the committed crimes today. Ossetia accuses the authors of genocide of Ossetian people which lasts for 90 years. Ossetia demands the recognition of the Republic and recognition of genocide of Ossetian people. We are going to inform people about the truth of that have happened on August, and we shall speak about it in all the countries. The action “Ossetia accuses” starts today. This action will be continued on September, 27 in Vladikavkaz, and 29 inMoscow and Strasbourg in front of the building of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where the sessions on which events in South Ossetia will be discussed begin”.

The Chairman of a National Forum has called everybody to join to the work of a forum, to the gathering of materials which are necessary in order to call the criminals to account. “We are going to work until there will be even one military criminal in the world, while all the authors and executors of genocide of Ossetian people appear before the international tribunal. We made a mistake when we tried to forgive the destruction of our people. We made it in the Twenties and in 1992 when we believed that it would be possible to stop the war and genocide by ringing in the peacemakers. It tuned out to be impossible. We are not going to continue this flawed line, to forgive criminally the destruction of our people, - Ruslan Bzarov has emphasized. He called Ossetian people to change the position of “forgiveness everything”, it should never be any more, if Ossetian people want to survive and keep the unity of already incorporated native Land.

We are very far from illusory representations that the society is not responsible for the government which it selects. It is a false position of self-deception. Not only the governors of Georgia - last and present, are answerable for everything that happened with us, for genocide of Ossetian people. The Georgian society, which allows this, should be responsible for it in full, - the head of a Forum “Ossetia accuses” has declared in end of his speech.

Then the word was given to Grigory Mamiev, the member of the youth government, whose father died, the house is destroyed, and who was taken prisoner in result of the Georgian aggression. My father was 74 years old, he didn’t fight. He was killed because he had been an Ossetian, - he said. The pupils of 8 “A” form of the school №5 have addressed to General Public Prosecutor of South Ossetia with the request to call the criminals, who killed their teacher Diana Kadzhaeva and two their schoolmates, to account.

In every speech there were the demands to punish those, who had been responsible for genocide of Ossetian people.

Jury Vazagov

Translated by Tatiana Inozemtseva

Dick Cheney on Saturday erupted with a speech in Italy. He described the recent events in Georgia, saying that "Russia trampled democracy and sovereignty violated its own commitment, thereby causing insult to the European Union, undermining its credibility and damaging their status in the world". In so doing, in his retelling of the recent history, Mr. Cheney precisely emphasized the fact that not all European countries followed the U.S. and condemned Russia. "No matter our opinions on the status of these territories (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), nothing can justify the invasion by Russia. This is the minimum that must be understood by all the people of goodwill in 2008", - Dick Cheney admonished his listeners.

Then the vice-president of the United States has listed other "aggressive actions" of the Russian authorities: energy blackmail, the supply of weapons to Syria and Iran, obstructing the expansion of NATO eastward, threats to target its missiles at the Czech Republic and Poland. Also Dick Cheney remembered the words of Vladimir Putin, that the collapse of the USSR was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the twentieth century, noting that in his own view, "the disintegration of the USSR was the greatest step forward towards the freedom of humanity".

Then the vice president turned to the ultimatum: "Do the leaders of Russia believe that intimidating neighbors will favorably reflect on the future of their country? Does Russia want to separate itself from the community of values, which has done so much for its economic progress? Does the Russian government want to become an outsider of today's world, hostile to free countries and those who seek to manage the world's dictatorships? The Russian authorities cannot go on these two paths simultaneously. They can not profit from the trade, consultation and global prestige, while they use brute force, threats and intimidation sovereign, democratic countries ". This statement clearly did not sound as a warning towards Moscow, but as an insistent recommendation of the European Union. To top it all off, Dick Cheney remembered that at the NATO summit in Bucharest, the alliance of the member countries agreed that Georgia and Ukraine will be members of NATO, but did not provide them with a membership action plan. Currently, according to the Vice-President, the time to provide the plan to both countries is now.

The appeal of Dick Cheney to act more decisively against Russia was heard. At a meeting of the heads of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the European Union in Avignon, held almost simultaneously with the speech of U.S. Vice President, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said: "Vice President Cheney visited the region. I am happy for him, but what has this changed?" Noting that "the crisis is to be solved by political means, not by warships", Foreign Minister of France said that it is the EU, rather than the United States, that played a decisive role in settling the Russian-Georgian conflict: "The EU played its role, thanks to God, because if it were not for the EU, I do not know who would have played the role". Moreover, Mr. Kouchner said that "Europe has already gained enough political and economic weight" and is in need of a new concept of transatlantic relations. Thus, European diplomats, who do not feel offended at all, do not intend to agree with the findings of Dick Cheney. This means that the Russian-Georgian conflict has already led to a significant rift in the West. Europe no longer wants to follow all the orders of Washington. This is the conclusion that can be drawn from the reaction of the EU to the new speech of the deranged Cheney.


Arkady Guriev

Contrary to the expectations of the West, the tragic events in South Ossetia have not led to a universal isolation of Russia, but on the con ary, led to an intensive convergence with its immediate neighbors. The SCO Summit in Dushanbe became a clear example of the support of Russia from those nations. According to experts, at the forthcoming CSTO summit in Moscow even more revolutionary solutions are expected regarding Russia’s rapprochement with its neighbors, primarily with the countries of Central Asia. In these circumstances, the U.S. once again sharply increased their efforts in the matter of isolation of the Russian Federation from the region. The other day the U.S. National Guard Commander Stephen Blum arrived in Kyrgyzstan.

Visit of a major American military official in Bishkek following the tragic events in South Ossetia and the SCO summit in Dushanbe is not accidental. Kyrgyzstan has become one of the CIS countries that have offered the widest support for the actions Russia during the August fighting on the outskirts of Tskhinval. During the military aggression of Georgia the Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation also visited North and South Ossetia where meetings were held with the leaders of these republics.

Support of Moscow from the official Bishkek and the intensive convergence, which could follow soon between the two countries, are clearly a cause for concern to the U.S. Obviously Stephen Blum arrived in Bishkek with a crucial mission - to deal with moods on the ground and try to sell the interests of the American war machine in the Central Asian region.

The main objective of the US in this country today – to obtain an expansion of the Manas airbase. In the eve of the war in South Ossetia, Washington has stepped up its work to expand the base in Kyrgyzstan, by leading a lively trade with the official Bishkek. According to RBC daily, Kyrgyz authorities have been willing to make certain concessions for the Americans, allowing them to build up their forces in Manas.

However, the military aggression of Georgia against South Ossetia and the ensuing developments now play against Washington's interests in Central Asia. The polarization of the world into two opposing camps, which became more apparent after Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, pushed Kyrgyzstan to a final choice in favor of a military and geo-strategic alliance with Moscow. The outcome of the war against Georgia against South Ossetia has demonstrated that the U.S. literally "handed over" its ally. It is unlikely that Kyrgyzstan now wants to repeat the fate of Georgia. The only reliable ally for them has been and remains Russia.

According to the Kyrgyz political scientist, Toktogul Kakchekeev, Bishkek has no choice but to support Moscow in its confrontation with the West. "Only Russia can help Kyrgyzstan with all its wealth and potential. According to the theory of population, a state with a population of less than 30 million people is unable to confront challenges alone", - said the expert. According to him, if America will be able to implement its plans to organize the dissolution of Russia through the Caucasus republics, Kyrgyzstan will not be able to stand alone - it will cease to exist as an independent state.

Under current conditions of an increasingly clear choice of Kyrgyzstan in favor of Russia, USA and EU countries will obviously exert serious pressure on the official Bishkek, right up to the organization of the next "colored" revolution. Therefore, Moscow and Bishkek are very interested in supporting each other.

RBCDaily

Russia has serious grounds to believe that U.S. citizens were present in the combat zone in South Ossetia, stated the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in an interview with CNN.

"We have serious grounds to believe that directly in the combat zone there were United States citizens. If this is so, if it is confirmed, this is very bad. This is very dangerous, and is erroneous politics" - stressed Putin.

"Even during the cold war, the hard confrontation Soviet Union and the United States, we have always avoided direct clashes between our civil and, moreover, military, the soldiers," - Russian Prime Minister stressed.

It is reported by INTERFAX

The NATO Council at the ambassadorial level appealed to Russia to annul the decision on the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "The Council of NATO condemns Russia's decision on the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and calls on Russia to reconsider this decision", - the statement stresses.

As reported by ITAR-TASS, the NATO Council also expressed "full support" of the principle regarding the territorial integrity of Georgia. The NATO Council is the principal organ of the alliance that makes political decisions.

On Wednesday the Foreign Ministers of the seven leading world powers sharply condemned Russia for the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia said the agency "France-Presse".

"The decision of Russia leads to doubt its commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. We deeply regret the excessive use of military force by Russia in Georgia and the continuing occupation of some of its regions ", - says in the statement of foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, Canada and the United States.

Representatives of the "Seven" called on the Government of Russia to strictly adhere to the peace regulation plan signed by the presidents of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and of France - Nicolas Sarkozy, in particular to the part relating to the removal of Russian troops back to the positions held prior to August 8, 2008.

"We reiterate that we fully and continuously support the sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, we express our respect and support for the democratic and legitimate Georgian government and strive for a peaceful and long-term solution to this conflict", - says in the statement.

To remind you, on August 26th the President of Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia motivated by the interests of the population is two republics. Many countries around the world expressed regret regarding the Russian initiative, but in Georgia it was seen as an attempt by Russia to annex part of Georgian territory.

The West habitually requires everything that pleases it from Russia. But when a community wants to receive something from a player in the political field, it must also give something in return. Let's see if it would be worth it.

Last week North Ossetia was visited by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. The purpose of his two-day visit was to become familiar with the situation and concerning assistance to residents of South Ossetia. "We continue to support the Russian authorities in protecting the rights of the refugees from South Ossetia. Both the Government of Russia and, in particular, the Ministry of Emergencies does very much to help this population ", - he told the journalists who met him at the airport.

"For us there is one goal – for the people stop suffering regardless of political decisions – said the High Commissioner - Every conflict has a political dimension, and for this reason there is another structure at the UN - the Security Council. My role as the Commissioner is reduced to a purely humanitarian mission so that the people who suffer - no longer suffer regardless of nationality ".

In turn, the Director of the FMS of Russia, Konstantin Romodanovsky, who came to North Ossetia along with the High Commissioner, said that the leadership of the country has given him the task of "reception and full support of the victims". According to him, this work takes place not only in the FMS, "but in the whole country". "Russia is open to assistance and, especially, from international organizations, including UNHCR", - he said.

Romodanovsky noted that the UNHCR has had to participate in the elimination of the humanitarian consequences of the Georgian – South-Ossetian conflict. "We were both parties at the 1951 convention. You recall that when dealing with Georgian – South-Ossetian conflict in the 90s, UNHCR also took part and knows the situation well", - Romodanovsky stressed.

We would like to remind you that a few days before the visit of Antonio Guterres to Russia on August 19-20, two planes from Serbia delivered humanitarian assistance to North Ossetia, which was provided by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This was a 30-ton cargo, including bedding, dishes, water and jerry cans for water.

Noting that from the very beginning of the conflict the UNHCR had received information that a huge number of people have left South Ossetia, High Commissioner of UNHCR Antonio Guterres said that it was very important that people, who fled the fighting in South Ossetia, began to return to their ancestral place of residence. "The fact is that the return of refugees has always been the preferred solution and the right of return – is a key moment of the whole concept of the work with refugees", - he said.

After the UNHCR delegation, headed by the High Commissioner, visited the places of temporary accommodation of people who fled South Ossetia in Beslan and Alagir, a meeting was held with the head of Russia Sergey MOE Shoigu. The head of the emergency department noted that as a result of the coherent work of their team they were able to first stabilize the situation in South Ossetia, and then to take it out of a state close to a humanitarian catastrophe. Shoigu noted that in the early days 140 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to South Ossetia in one day, and now it is 400 tons per day. He also briefly described the situation in South Ossetia.

"It was probably the first time we found ourselves in a situation where our "kind" neighbors carried out bad actions close to our borders", - said the minister. He also stressed that even prior to the armed conflict the situation in South Ossetia has not been the best. "Not a single hospital nor a school in South Ossetia had heating for the last 7 years. There were stoves in each classroom, in every hospital ward", - told the minister. According to him, water was brought into town by vehicles. "And in those circumstances, people lived for 7 years", - Shoigu said, noting that the tragic events of the conflict were imposed on such a difficult situation.

In turn, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees noted that the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia, along with other government structures showed themselves in a great way in this situation. "Help from the UNHCR – it is miserly compared with what Russia has done for South Ossetia", - he said.

So what do we have here? The West, in a manner suited for a master, requires a virtual rejection of sovereignty from Russia. Uncle Sam brazenly sets up NATO bases on the perimeter of Russia. They will put us in a great reservation, as the poor Native-Americans were in America. And both the North Atlantic Alliance and the "Seven" still want to wipe their feet on Russia in the international arena. And in the meanwhile, throwing a little assistance from the UNHCR our way. All of this behavior is very close to an insult. In other words, the fatty West maniacally believes in its omnipotence, in that it is the "golden billion", in that it is allowed everything. It behaves exactly like a capricious child - does not want to notice the obvious changes on the planet, turning a blind eye to the growing multi-polarity, to the growth of China, India, Iran out of a third-world state. Moreover, the U.S. is plans to flex its military might against any rebelliousness country. Which is already obvious in the Black Sea. The conclusion is one: that it’s time to give the West an adequate rebuff; it's time to put the impudent U.S. conservatives in their place. The slogan of Russia in this given context should be only one: "It is time to remove NATO away from our borders!" Otherwise, Russia will be destroyed just as Tskhinval was in South Ossetia.

Arkady Guriev

As stated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Russia, Vasiliy Dolgolev, on 28^th of August, the official Minsk will soon support the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to the diplomat, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is preparing a declaration. "I think that literally today, and if not today then tomorrow," - Dolgolev said, referring to the approximate timeline of the Lukashenko’s expected speech.

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has already spoken in support of the consolidated position of CSTO on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and also assured of the alliance with Russia. In a message to the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on August 28^th, the Belarusian leader expressed a desire to bring the matter to the CSTO Collective Security Council on September 5, 2008 and for the adoption of a consolidated position by the county-participants, reports REGNUM.

The Government of Russia may reduce oil supply to Europe in response to the threat of sanctions due to the position of Russia in the Georgian -- South-Ossetian conflict, writes The Telegraph.

"Rumors started to circulate" about the probable reduction of supply through the pipeline "Friendship", which provides oil to Poland and Germany. Reducing of supplies could happen as early as September 1 of this year, at least by one oil company - Lukoil, whose leaders already gave warning, said the newspaper.

According to the Lukoil representatives, they know nothing of plans to reduce supply.

The actions of Russia are calculated so that they coincide with the EU emergency summit in Brussels, where possible sanctions against Russia are already on the agenda.

Deliveries of oil to Estonia have already been reduced in May 2007 after the dispute over the memorial of the "Bronze Soldier". Latvia has been excluded from the pipeline in 2005 and 2006 in the battle for control of the terminals in Ventspils, writes the newspaper.

Russia would lose a portion of its income from oil exports by reducing the supply, but the Kremlin may hope to make up for damages through higher prices. Russia supplies 26% of the EU’s oil needs and 29% - in gas.

Experts are not sure that the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other OPEC producers would be enough to compensate for the oil shortages in Europe.

FM Bernard Kouchner of France said that the EU intends to consider the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia in connection with events in South Ossetia and Georgia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the idea a product of "sick imagination"; and the permanent representative of Russia in the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, called on the EU to refrain from imposing sanctions against Moscow.

newsru.com

Prof. Boris Basayev: “Thousands have sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom”

On behalf of the All-Ossetian movement “Styr Nykhas”, at the historic meeting in Vladikavkaz on Aug 27, Prof. Boris Beshtaovich Basayev, a long time rector of GGAU (The Mountaineer State Agrarian University) was given an opportunity to speak.

Among other things he said:

-On behalf of the all-Ossetian movement “Styr Nykhas” I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the leadership of the Russian Federation, President Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, because they saved the Ossetian people from TOTAL annihilation of South Ossetia. We should always remember this. Today is the second historic moment in the history of Ossetia. The first one was when Ossetia voluntarily entered to become part of Russia, by the wisdom of our ancestors. And today when Russian leadership has recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We should be grateful and our descendants should be grateful for the fact that the Ossetian nation was saved.

I would like to express gratitude on behalf of the Ossetian people, on behalf of “Styr Nykhas” Council to the President of North Ossetia-Taimuraz Dzambekovich Mamsurov for the huge work that he has done, to ensure that today’s celebration would come to pass. This gigantic labor by Taimuraz Dzambekovich is not seen by the naked eye. But if we look deeper and see the huge amount of work he has done, we should give him his due and he deserves our respect and our good wishes.

Our good wishes are also deserved by the President of South Ossetia Eduard Dzhabeevich Kokoity. For his bravery, for his faith, for his love to his Motherland-the Republic of South Ossetia, and to Ossetia as a whole.

We should not forget, the today’s independence did not come to the Ossetians easily. For this bright day in the history of Ossetia, thousands upon thousands of citizens has sacrificed their lives to the altar of freedom- Ossetians and non-Ossetians who were subjected three times to genocide by the hands of Georgian revenge mongers.

We are grateful to all inhabitants of the Russian Federation, who have come to the aid of South Ossetia in this hard hour. We express our gratitude to the Abkhazian people who together with the Republic of South Ossetia have received independence. Ossetia wishes that the brotherly Abkhazian nation would flourish together with Ossetia on the path of world history. Thank you all; I wish you good health and good work!

Nikolai Zaseyev

The ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia is inviting envoys from OSCE member states to visit the republic

South Ossetia, after the recognition of its independence by Russia, is inviting envoys from the OSCE member states to visit the republic, in order to get objective information on the consequences of Georgian aggression.

 “We consider that OSCE, having objective information on the real situation in South Ossetia during the period of Georgian military aggression, could use their means more effectively to stabilize the situation. I have the honor on behalf of the President Eduard Kokoity to send you and the envoys from OSCE member states an invitation to visit South Ossetia, in order to acquaint themselves with the situation on the ground”- noted in the text of a letter, signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Dzhioyev and published on the official website of the government of South Ossetia on Wednesday.

The letter is addressed to the current Chairman of OSCE Alexander Stubb.

Murat Makiev

Yesterday, contrary to the pessimistic prognoses by analysts, the Shanghai Organization for Cooperation (SOC) has supported Moscow’s actions in the Caucasus. The position of this largest geopolitical union is very symbolic in the face of threats by the West to isolate Russia and enact economic sanctions against it.

In general the Dushanbe declaration accepted at the end of the summit is not very different from the previous balanced statements by the members regarding South Ossetia: the same “deep concern” and calls for “peaceful dialogue”. But one phrase changes the picture radically. “The SOC member states greet the approval on Aug 12 in Moscow of the six principles of conflict resolution in South Ossetia and support the active role of Russia in ensuring peace and cooperation in this region”- emphasized in the document.

A day earlier, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who became without a doubt a key figure of the summit, told his Asian partners about the “real situation” in the Caucasus, which, according to him, is very different from the “picture that was shown by some Western TV channels”. The partners were greatly impressed. “The West has ignored the attack by the armed forces of Georgia on Tskhinval” - the agencies quote the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, as per “Mayak” radio. “We all agree that subsequent actions by Russia were meant to protect the inhabitants of this long suffering city”.

Dmitry Medvedev remained pleased. He declared, that he does not consider SOC to be a counter-balance to NATO, but also noted that the organization is strengthening, which is evident from the fact that numerous states wish to become part of it.  Mr. Medvedev has noted, that it was decided in Dushanbe to create a working group to research the consequences of SOC enlargement, whose current members are Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.

Iran has expressed numerous times its desire to become a full-fledged member of SOC, but the organization was not in a hurry to satisfy these requests, unwilling to quarrel with the United States. However the changes in world politics after the “awakening of the Russian bear”, could open the doors of SOC to Teheran, who remains one of the main sources of oil for China. If this would happen, it would be possible to speak of the unprecedented consolidation of countries of Eurasian continent around Beijing and Moscow. This would render impossible the attack by the US against Iran and would bury the American designs to redraw borders in the Middle east and Central Asia. According to experts, such developments not only push the Kremlin to a partial reorientation of oil and gas exports to China but also alter the entire post-USSR world order. Still, the first Vice-Chairman of the State Duma committee on security, Mikhail Grishankov thinks, that it is still premature to speak of Iran’s entry into SOC.

Meanwhile there soon could be another important framework in Central Asia; yesterday in Alma-Ata was the final day of the Conference for cooperation and confidence measures in Asia, the members of which are trying to renew the unsuccessful attempts to create and Asian analogue to OSCE. In 2002 in Alma-Ata the first summit of Conference for cooperation and confidence measures in Asia  took place, attended by presidents of Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Mongolia, Kirghizia, Tajikistan, India and other states. As the source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has told RBK Daily, Astana hopes that changes in world politics will give Conference for cooperation and confidence measures in Asia a new impulse.

RBK

One province even threatens with separation.

Claims towards Tbilisi are voiced by Azerbaijanis who live in Georgia. According to the web portal newsru.com, they blame President Saakashvili with human rights infringements. Azerbaijanis inhabit the region of Kvemo-Kartli in Georgia. There are approximately 500,000 members of this ethnic group there. The World Azerbaijani Congress claims that the people there do not have basic rights. For example they cannot receive education in their language and land is forcibly taken from them. The Congress would like to attract the attention of international organizations and with their pressure to force Saakashvili to respect the rights of ethnic minorities. In their turn, Armenian political analysts call upon the official Yerevan to pressure Tbilisi, because as some experts think, Georgian leadership keeps the Armenian economy in tense situation.

Political analyst Levon Melik-Shahnazarian proposes to threaten Georgia with the separation of Samtskhe-Javakhetia region. This is one of the largest provinces in Georgia, in the south-west of the country. According to this political analyst, Georgia would never opt for aggressive measures against the Armenian population. Otherwise Tbilisi, according to him, can loose not only this province but also Ajaria.

Earlier Georgian media has reported that there are several dozen military vehicles on the border of Georgia and Armenia, ready to commence invasion at any minute. However the Ministry of Defense of Armenia has denied this information.

Echo Moskvy

On Sep 2, 2008 a Treaty on the deployment of Russian military bases on the territory of South Ossetia will be signed between South Ossetia and Russia.

This was announced today during a press-conference in Tskhinval by the vice-speaker of South Ossetian parliament Tarzan Kokoity.

According to the vice-speaker, the questions of size and timelines of the deployment of Russian bases on the territory of South Ossetia, according to the constitution of RSO, are in the competence of the President Eduard Kokoity. Tarzan Kokoity has noted that this question is currently discussed by the Russian Federation Council, with participation by President of RSO Eduard Kokoity. The signing of the treaty on deployment of Russian military bases in South Ossetia will most likely take place in Tskhinval.

At the press conference, the Speaker of RSO parliament Znaur Gassiev and second Vice-Speaker Yury Dzitsoity were also answering the journalists’ questions.

Regarding the matter of recognition of South Ossetia by other states, Yury Dzitsoity has noted that on the parliamentary level negotiations are being conducted with deputies of Belorussian parliament. He expressed hope that the dialogue with Belorussian deputies will lead to a result in the interests of South Ossetia.

To the question of government formation, the Speaker of RSO parliament Znaur Gassiev replied that President Kokoity has indeed requested assistance from the Chairman of Russian government Vladimir Putin in formation of the cabinet, in particular in areas of finance and economy. The President is ready to submit the candidacy of Prime Minister to parliamentary discussion and I am sure, that during the next week the government of South Ossetia will be completely formed”-added the Vice-Speaker Tarzan Kokoity.

Spartak Dzhioev, Tskhinval

A simple villager Kosta Pliev tells:

-I will soon be 95 years old. I lived a long and hard life. Currently I live in Mikhailovskoe village. During the Great Patriotic War I was in the front, fighting the Nazis at Stalingrad. But this not what I would like to speak about now.

Lately I followed with pain and worry after everything that happened in South Ossetia, listening with attention to everything regarding the Georgian-Ossetian conflict and the various commentaries on these events.

I am shocked by the one-sided approach of the West, especially USA, who despite the numerous victims among the civilian population of South Ossetia, consider the aggressor to be not Georgia, but…Russia who in this hard time has saved the civilian population from complete annihilation.

The Holy Scripture says: who sows a wind- will harvest a storm. That’s what happened to Georgia. It is just uneasy to listen how the black is called white and the aggressor is turned into a victim.

My granddaughter, who lives and works in Germany, said that the people there are so brainwashed, that they consider Russia to be the aggressor, although facts point to the contrary.

I can’t find enough words of gratitude to the President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity, who in these hard times did not waver, showed courage and a character of a true man. We are ready to give all we have to the refugees, victims of the barbaric aggression by Saakashvili regime. And we are happy in this regard, that the government of North Ossetia accepted the pain of our southern brothers like its own.

I know, not by rumor, the sorrow of being a refugee. Back in the 20-s the villages of South Ossetia were traversed by the punitive forces of Menshevik government. They burned and destroyed everything in their path. I was less than 6 years old, and we lived in Ruk then.

I saw the columns of refugees passing by our house: exhausted, hungry, full of despair. At that time, according to some sources, from 5,000 to 20,000 people. 5,000 are the direct victims of the executioner Dzhugeli and his henchmen. But the majority have died on the way from disease, starvation and exhaustion. Then there were no asphalt roads like today, no Roki tunnel, МЧС (The Ministry for Emergency Situations), medicine or speedy transportation. We have also left our homes, because we were afraid that the punitive army would not spare us.

And the last thing. I don’t want to think that all Georgians are our enemies. Only in North Ossetia there are about 27,000 of them, but we never had any quarrels among us. The short-sighted Saakashvili did not think about those whom he sent to a sure death, about their mothers, relatives, who went to restore “constitutional order” in South Ossetia. He also did not think about hundreds and thousands of Georgians, living in Russia, who at some point became hostages of his anti-humanistic policy.

So now the Georgian people should think about which kind of leadership they need: the one that bows before the West or the one that supports normal, friendly relations with the immediate neighbors?

Murat Makiev

On Aug 25, 2008, Alexander Dzasokhov, a representative of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania spoke before the Federation Council. The following is the dictaphone recording of his speech:

-Today’s date will take an important place in the newest history of Russia, Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples. In their magnitude the events, in which we currently participate, can be compared to the time 2 centuries ago when our nation has made its choice-to be with Russia.

The contemporaries will remember and the future generations will know in which political and military conditions the Federation Council is considering the petitions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In conditions, when the political leadership of Georgia has refused the numerous propositions to sign the agreement on cessation of use of force.

When the Saakashvili regime has treacherously violated its own calls for peace, choosing aggression and genocide as a form of political subjugation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

When the official Tbilisi defined its role as a gate and a bridge-head for NATO geopolitical expansion to the Caucasus.

When the short-sighted and adventurous generation of politicians in Georgia is ignoring the interest of its nation.

We see a great difference between the current political regime in that country and its people. The proof - is life and reality of the multiethnic Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.

The price for the new condition of Ossetian people is high. Huge number of dead, no end to destruction. But at the same time honor and dignity have been protected.

The Osseitan people, overcoming mountains of hardship, with support of the government and people of Russia, obtaining freedom and independence, will be able to mobilize its will and realize its creative potential.

In the historical memory of our people, in the North as well as South Ossetia will always remain the solidarity of the brotherly Abkhazian people, all our neighbors in the Northern Caucasus and Southern Russia.

Murat Makiev

Russia will support South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the event of an attack on them. This will happen in accordance with a decree on recognition of independence of these republics, the president Dmitry Medvedev clarified in an interview with the American channel CNN.

"With regard to relations around the conflict of Georgia with South Ossetia and the previous conflict with Abkhazia, all is in the hands of the West, if a new conflict is not inflated from all this.  If pragmatic positions are assumed, all will be well," - said Medvedev.

Medvedev stated that Russia is not interested in complicating the relations with the United States and that it can negotiate with the new U.S. administration "on a wide range of issues."  As an example of intense cooperation with Western partners, including the U.S., D. Medvedev brought forth the situation surrounding Iran.  "We are cooperating quite intensively on this issue and are trying to prove that our position has been consolidated.  There are no global contradictions at all here," - said the President of the Russian Federation.

"We are ready to work with the administration of the U.S. which will be elected by the American people. The main thing is that our American colleagues are pragmatic, that they are defending the true interests of the American people, and not the invented ideological schemes" - said Medvedev, whose interview was quoted by Interfax.

"And if everything will be all right in this sense, I am confident that we can agree on a wide range of issues," - said the President of the Russian Federation.

Russia, according to Medvedev, "does not want any complications." "We do not need a cold war" or its "new edition".  We would like full-fledged constructive relations with our Western partners, including the U.S., "- said the Russian head of state.  But for this, Medvedev said, "pragmatism and mutual will is required."

In doing so, Medvedev noted that Russia "calmly and constructively" continues conversations with Western partners on missile defense.

"With regard to missiles and missile defense, we certainly do not like it when new bases grow around Russia and new missiles appear. We talked about this repeatedly, but even in this situation we never abandoned the negotiations and always said that we are ready to talk "- said the President of the Russian Federation.

According to him, "the only question is in why these bases are needed, as was explained to us."  "According to our feelings, all this is piled up around our borders in order to exert pressure on Russia. We do not like any of this, but nevertheless, we calmly and constructively continued and will continue to discussions on this topic," - Medvedev stressed.

As announced by the head of state, "we have our differences but they are not fatal, and if a problem is not inflated from all this, if there is not attempt to inflate a new Cold War from these, then it will not happen".

In an exclusive interview he told Channel One about what will be done in South Ossetia after Russia has recognized its independence and the independence of Abkhazia.

Eduard Kokoity, the president of South Ossetia: "For me this initially seemed like an unrealizable dream. Today, this dream is realized thanks to Russia, especially to the President of Russia, the Chairman of the government of the Russian Federation, the people of Russia, who supported, extended a hand friendship, of help, during those difficult, tragic days for our people.  I think that today those emotions are sweeping over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.  I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate all residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on this historic day.

The other day, in response to Russia recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Georgian side declared that it is ready to unilaterally break off diplomatic relations with Moscow.  Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili instructed the government to initiate appropriate procedures.

However, it became known today that Tbilisi has not decided on the final severance of diplomatic relations after all.  Georgian Foreign Ministry has decided to simply reduce the number of staff at the embassy in Russia from 30 to two people.  According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Nino Kalandadze, only the Charge d'Affairs of Georgia in the Russian Federation and the adviser to the Embassy will remain in Moscow.

In addition, she noted, that the consular service performing technical functions would not be closed.  "The Embassy will work only at the level of protection of interests of the citizens of Georgia" - N. Kalandadze said.

In connection with this an anecdote was born:  "In response to Russia recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia decided to sever diplomatic relations. The relationship of the two diplomats was so inseparable that they decided to leave them in Moscow ".

France, the chairman of the EU, has blocked the initiative taken by Poland and of the Baltic countries to invite the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to the special EU summit opening on September 1 in Brussels. "Saakashvili will not be at the summit", - said today a member of the secretariat of the European council.

The Summit of Heads of State and Government is convened by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who chairs the European Council, at the request of Poland and a number of Eastern European States.  The issue of the situation in Georgia and the EU policy in relation to Russia was brought forth.

The one-day summit will last three hours, according to the schedule submitted by France.  In the process, in such a short amount of time, the heads of all 27 delegations will have to state their opinions.

ITAR-TASS

The reaction of the West to the recognition by Russia of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was predictable.  This way, London called the decision an "aggression of Russia in Georgia”, Berlin – “totally unacceptable”, while Washington expressed its extreme regret that Moscow has gone against their opinion.  In more detail about this, the head of the Paris offices of the Institute of democracy and cooperation, Natalya Narochnitskaya.

"That list of the so-called sanctions against Russia – what is on the surface – is ridiculous.  To bar entry into the WTO - who is seeking entry there at all?  If we wanted to, we would have entered it long ago. This is not a card that can interest us," -- Natalya Narochnitskaya believes.

"They will not invite us into the "eight ".  So what?  It’s a meeting in a VIP club, and if they will not invite those on whom the fate of the world depends, what will be prestigious there," - she said.

However, in her view, "it is to be a quite complicated laborious – how to weave lace; but it is quite natural."

"We will be blackmailed by many things, - Natalya Narochnitskaya is confident – they will draw parallels with Chechnya.  Here it is necessary to point out that Georgia withdrew from the Soviet Union in a non-legal way, not giving a referendum to its autonomous regions. The Russian Federation did not exit from anywhere. There can be no parallels here".

Member of the Public Chamber of Russia, the director of the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, Alexander Brod gave an interview to the Osetinfo.ru’s Information Portal of the Public Commission on investigation of war crimes in South Ossetia and assistance to the civilian population.  The human rights activist believes that the members of the Public Chamber behaved correctly and as objectively as possible in contrast to the legal representatives of international human rights organizations in studying and assessing the situation in South Ossetia.  By beginning of next week, Alexander Brod intends to prepare a report of Russian human rights activists.

OsetInfo:  How is the work on compiling the report moving along and what are the main items that will be included in the report?

Alexander Brod:  We will try to finish it by September 1st.  The main points will be: 1^st section - statements of non-governmental organizations on the situation in South Ossetia, 2^nd section - the media materials, 3rd - observations of Public Chamber members who visited there, and the 4^th section will be composed of eyewitness testimonies.

-- Who is directly involved in compiling this report?

-- It is our experts and I.

-- What is your reaction to the statements made by the international human rights organizations, and particularly the recent statement by the HRW organization that only 40 bodies were found in Tskhinval.

-- I've already expressed my position on this issue, but I want to reiterate once again that international human rights organizations are engaged in an extremely passive way in these issues and the problem of South Ossetia.  Either it was a complete non-interference in the situation or a totally one-sided approach reflecting the interests of Georgia, a complete disregard for the mass murders, war crimes, the destruction in Tskhinval, in the villages, an attempt for complete destruction of the republic. Somehow some of the human rights organizations had not noticed all this.  How they came up with this figure of 40 people is not understood.  Representatives of HRW - we had not seen there and the representatives of South Ossetian authorities that we spoke with were also not in contact with them.  When we were in Tskhinval, we were shown streets with piles of former buildings that were not yet examined.  There were dozens, perhaps hundreds of casualties of innocent civilians, who were sleeping and did not expect this attack.  There’s no way one can get 40, because there were also casualties among the peacekeepers.  That already brings us to hundreds of people, so I absolutely not understand the mechanism of these calculations.

Of course, human rights organizations also need to pay attention to the problems of Georgian civilians; peaceful civilians also suffered there, but there was no mass murder of the inhabitants as was in Ossetia.  This was a response of the peacekeeping forces of the Russian army to the Georgian war crimes: it was the suppression of enemy firing points and military bases.  Of course, these were military actions, as a result of which homes of civilians had been destroyed; of course, there were wounded civilians.  We are aware of individual cases of death, but nevertheless, human rights organizations should pay attention to this and help restore damaged property and to protect the rights of the victims ...

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