News

In the capital city of the Republic of South Ossetia, in Tskhinval, a round-table :History of Parliamentarianism in the RSO” was held. Current Parliament Members (MPs) and candidate for election, representatives of political parties participating in the election and public activists had gathered at the independent discussion club “For transparent and fair elections”.
The Deputy Speaker of the RSO Parlliament Tarzan Kokoity stated that the current Parliament has been wrongly rebuked for lack of professionalism and insufficient work.
“One should not put the question about which convocation of the Parliament worked more, or which had adopted more laws or vice versa. I would like to stress that all Parliament convocations had achieved a lot; and the Parliament was the body which led the Republic together with the president to independence. I would like to warn both friends and foes from comparing the work of one or another parliament convocation.

An independent discussion club “For transparent and fair election: has been opened in Tskhinval. The Club was initiated by the Human Rights Commissioner of South Ossetia and Association of non-profit organizations (ANOP) for electoral rights “Civil Control”.

A full-fledge preparation for RSO Parliement election is ongoing in Leningor district, reported the Head of District Administration Anatoly Margiev.
”The preparation for parliamentary election is ongoing as scheduled. Almost all polling stations had been equipped, the population is ready to fulfill the civil duty – to come and cast their vote for their future”, said the head of the administration.

On 31 May 2009, 5th Parliament Election will be held in South Ossetia. The election will be conducted according to proportionate system. Four political parties will participate:
- Communist Party of the RSO, ChairmanStanislav Yakovlevish Kochiev, 23 nominees in the party list;
- The Republican Party "Edinstvo", Chairman Zurab Revazovich Kokoev, 34 nominees in the party list;
- "Narodnaya Partia" (People's Party"), Chairman Kazimir Kazbekovich Pliev, 26 nominees in the party list;
- Republican Socialist Party “Fydybasta” (Motherland), Chairman Vyacheslav Fedorovich Gobozov, 10 nominees on the party list.

South Ossetia is expecting the election to the main legislative body of the Republic to take place for the fifth time. The fact that the election to the Parliament will be held with the obtained status of a recognized state attaches special meaning to the upcoming plebiscite. Significant interest towards our election persists among the international community. According to information of the Ministry of Press and Media, 100 journalists from Russia, far and near aboard are expected to arrive in South Ossetia.
As it is known, journalists of two Georgian TV-channels "Rustavi-2" and "Imedi" are arriving through Russia to South Ossetia to cover the election. The Association of Journalists of South Ossetia is expressing its categorical protest against the presence of Georgian journalists on the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia and is demanding from relevant structures for official prohibition for RSO state border crossing by Georgian media representatives.

Russia does not agree with Geneva discussions on security and stability in the Caucasus to turn into a permanent mechanism. This stance has been voiced by the RF Ambassador Extraordinary to South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev at his press-conference in Tskhinval.
"We do not want to be engaged in a long negotiation process, and the Geneva discussions to turn into a permanent mechanism, through which we would be constantly reproached for having recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These Geneva discussions were envisaged to be held three-four times to elaborate a mechanism ensuring security on both sides of the borderline. So, security is the first problem. The second problem is related to return of refugees. These two problems are interrelated. Creation of safe conditions, and then comes the refugee return. The settlement of the refugee return issues should depend on their voluntary decision, "underscored Kargiev.
According to Ambassador, the negotiations in Geneva are difficult.
"OSCE and other international organizations are trying to control the process on both sides. The Russian side is more loyal. It is necessary to find ways, which would be acceptable for both South Ossetia and Georgia. We are apt to elaborating a mechanism to exclude criminal tensions related to the fact that the borders are not in place. In this regard, we are ready for open cooperation. However, I would reiterate, we cannot agree with the position that the Geneva process is a long-term one. For us, the political aspect of the issue is closed. We have recognized South Ossetia, no matter if anyone likes it or not," added Kargiev.

The village of Lashe in Znaur district came under fire from the Georgian territory, reported the press-service of the RSO Defense Ministry.
Today at about 13:00, Djoni Margiev, an inhabitant of the village of Lashe, came under fire from the bordering Georgian village of Gogeti while he was working in the field. "He managed to escape", said the press-service. "The Georgian side continues provocations and using threats as a method against peaceful population", added the report.

The suspended Consultations on stability and security in South Caucasus resumed today in Geneva, reported the RSO Special Representative for Post-Conflict Settlement Boris Chochiev.
According to Chochiev, "the Abkhaz Delegation decided to return to participation in Geneva discussions due to changed wording in the finally received report of the UN Secretary General about the UN Mission in Abkhazia".

On 20 May at 12:20, the RSO law enforcement bodes found an ammunition cache in the south-east part of Eredvi village. The cache contained spare parts for self-made explosive devices and foreign weapons. Currently, necessary investigation actions are carried out and combat engineers at the spot. Journalists are not allow to the location where the ammunition cache was found.

According to Interior Ministry of South Ossetia, the ammunition cache found in the village of Eredvi was meant for a terrorist act. As the source in an investigation crew working on the sport explained, “the ammunition cache contained mines, detonators, and other devices needed for self-made explosive devices.”
“According to primary findings, those, who had set this ammunition cache, were planning to install a device for a terrorist act”, reported the investigation crew member.