The incumbent President of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, called the expanded meeting of the action group on holding a referendum on South Ossetia's accession to Russia a significant historical event that the people of Ossetia have been waiting for 100 years.
Addressing the guests who are taking part in the event, Bibilov noted that "they came to South Ossetia as brothers, to support our aspiration to unite with Russia."
He addressed the people of South Ossetia with words of congratulations on the Constitution Day, which is being celebrated in the Republic today, April 8.
“I would like to congratulate the people of the Republic of South Ossetia on the Constitution Day. For us, this date has always been a symbol of the Republic's independence. A symbol of our pride. The democratic foundations of the state, the rights and freedoms of a citizen, enshrined in the Constitution, have become a reliable basis for subsequent development. Historically, the people of South Ossetia for a long time had no choice - which territory to be part of. For many years, this was being determined not taking into account our opinion, based on political interests, geographical and economic factors,” he said.
The current head of state has reminded that 30 years ago, having proclaimed the Act of Independence of the Republic of South Ossetia, "we made our choice ourselves, and we defended this choice, not wanting strength and blood."
“We have achieved recognition, and today, thanks to Russia, we are successfully solving socip- economic problems, raising the standard of living of our citizens. But it's time to take a step forward. We must provide an opportunity to remove the artificial barriers between north and south Ossetia. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and the Republic of South Ossetia should live and develop within the framework of one state,” Bibilov has emphasized.
According to him, today "we are determining the future of our generations." Bibilov believes that the only way to a secure future for the people of Ossetia is the unification with Russia.
“We must understand that the world has changed, the so-called partners have dropped their masks and will try to destroy Russia and its allies. Therefore, we must unite, take responsibility for our children and ensure their safety and prosperity,” he said.
Bibilov has reminded that revanchist rhetoric is heard in Georgia today. The South Ossetian people understand that there is no power in it, but history shows that sometimes one villain is enough to unleash a bloody massacre by attacking a peacefully sleeping city, as it was in 2008.
“We all remember that a year before August 2008, our thoughts were occupied with something completely different - our own affairs, development, political competition, finally. But in August 2008, everything immediately ceased to matter, we were just saving our people. And we were able to do it thanks to Russia. We must understand that no one will tell us what will happen tomorrow, we must ensure this future ourselves. I devoted my entire political life to uniting the divided Ossetian people within the Russian Federation, using the foundation laid by our presidents: Ludwig Alekseevich Chibirov, Eduard Dzhabeevich Kokoity, Leonid Kharitonovich Tibilov. All of them are members of the action group for unification with the Russian Federation. This group has also included other respected and iconic people for South Ossetia, I am very proud of the opportunity to initiate a referendum in such an honorable circle,” the incumbent President has emphasized.
As for the procedure and legal issues, as noted by Anatoly Bibilov, this topic is being approached with great responsibility - it is important that there are no questions about the legitimacy of the procedure.
“Yesterday we received the registration certificate of the group. The collection of signatures in support of the referendum has now begun. We need to get 2,000 signatures, but we will get much more. We must show the whole world that the people of South Ossetia are “FOR “joining Russia.
Next, we have to submit signatures to the Central Election Commission, and then send a draft decree on the referendum to the Supreme Court. After the court's decision, we will finally be able to set the date of the referendum and prepare for its holding,” he said.
Bibilov has stressed that today South Ossetia is on the verge of a major historical event. "And we are not just its witnesses - right here and right now we are making History! South Ossetia will be with Russia!"
In Tskhinval, in the building of the State Drama Theater, the first meeting of the action group for holding a referendum on the accession of South Ossetia to Russia is being held, which is broadcast live. The event is attended by the current head of state Anatoly Bibilov, ex-presidents of South Ossetia - Eduard Kokoity, Leonid Tibilov. Also, in the republic have arrived: the head of the Republic of North Ossetia Sergey Menyailo, the Governor of the Stavropol Territory Vladimir Vladimirov, Kazbek Kokov - the head of the Kabarda-Balkar Republic, in the hall, there are the Russian Ambassador to South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov, representatives of the State Duma and the Federation Council, the legislative and executive branches of power of the Republic of South Ossetia and the public.
