As of today, NATO exercise has started in the neighboring state of Georgia. The attitude of the South Ossetian authorities has been expressed by the RSO Foreign Minister Murat Djioev.
"We have already expressed out attitude towards the NATO exercises which are starting today on the territory of neighboring Georgia. Our attitude is in the stance that NATO exercises are of direct threat to security in the region. We consider them as open demonstration of NATO's support to Georgia's militarism. Recently, in August 2008, Georgia committed armed aggression against South Ossetia, the results of which are still visible. The relations between South Ossetia and Georgia are still unsettled. Under these circumstances, when Georgia provides with no guarantees of non-use of force against its neighboring states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, conducting these exercises means demonstrating Georgia's aggressiveness", stated the Minister.
"Therefore, I would like to reiterate our discontent with the exercises which are taking place not far from the borders with South Ossetia. Moreover, we had repeatedly addressed the world community, namely, the NATO member states, with a request to stop militarization of Georgia. But unfortunately, our calls were not heard, moreover that the exercise will be held against the background of instability in Georgia as it was clear from the yesterday’s. And, there is no guarantee that the authorities of Georgia would not use this situation and the support of NATO in their aggressive intentions”, added Murat Djioev.
