South Ossetia Calls For Russia To Recognise Its Independence

Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 6:44 pm

TSKHINVALI :The separatist leader of Georgia’s South Ossetia region on Thursday called for Russia to recognise its independence.

The local leadership will turn to Russia “with a request to recognise South Ossetia,” Eduard Kokoity told a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered in a central square in the rebel capital Tskhinvali.

Kokoity lambasted Georgia’s August 7 attempt to take back control from the rebels, which was met by a massive Russian military offensive.

He called for a minute of silence “in the memory of the heroes, of our brothers and sisters savagely murdered by the bloody aggressor.”

Local officials supported by Russia organised a day of events on Thursday aimed at promoting the region’s claims to independence from Georgia and closeness to giant northern neighbour Russia.

Celebrated Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who has family origins in South Ossetia, was among those due to perform.

Russia says its military intervened in Georgia to protect the many Russian citizens resident in South Ossetia.

Saakashvili, who has US backing, has accused Moscow of invading his country and of reneging on promises to pull back Russian troops.

Russian forces have moved deep into Georgian territory, well beyond South Ossetia and another Moscow-backed rebel region, Abkhazia.