Катерина Пухаева

In the city of Sochi in February will be held the European Table Tennis championship, where as the spectators are invited a representative of the Table Tennis Federation of the Republic of South Ossetia Mirian Dzhioev and one of the best tennis players of the Republic Edward Bekoev.

According to Mirian Dzhioev, the European Table Tennis Championship will take place on February 1-6, 2016.

"In Sochi will also be conducted tennis workshops involving leading world experts, where we will also participate", - said Dzhioev.

The interviewee has added that the representatives of South Ossetia were invited to the event by Table Tennis Federation of Russia.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Rashid Nurgaliev, arrived in the Republic on a working visit.
During the meeting they discussed a wide range of issues relating to the security of South Ossetia, as well as bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation.
Then the Head of State met with a delegation of Russian interagency working group led by Rashid Nurgaliyev.
Leonid Tibilov welcomed the guests of the Republic, noting close allied relations between them.
"We met and worked here in June - reminded Tibilov.- There are many issues that we need to discuss together, especially in this difficult time, we have to be sensitive, attentive, vigilant on many state matters ".
The head of state has expressed confidence that the discussions between the representatives of Russian interdepartmental working group and the South Ossetian side will be productive.

"We are ready to work - said Tibilov.- The leadership of the Republic retained the mood to the positive work. Basically, this attitude is to maximize the use of the tremendous material and financial assistance in budgetary sphere, as well as to implement the Investment Program. South Ossetian side is not going to retreat from these principles. "

Leonid Tibilov wished his colleagues to develop common approaches in relevant areas.

"We are working hard to make the work of the government agencies completely or as close as possible to adapt to the principles that exist in the Russian Federation", - said the president.

Rashid Nurgaliev also welcomed those present, noting that the meeting was held within the framework of the signed plan of cooperation between the staffs of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the RSO for 2015-2016.

"We are holding this meeting as part of this plan - said Nurgaliev.- Our trip and work is to determine the main directions, conducting interagency bilateral working consultations, primarily on the exchange of experience of law enforcement agencies of our states, the competent authorities of South Ossetia, on the issues of general crime, the fight against the organized crime and the sphere of corruption counteraction. "

Nurgaliyev has noted that in South Ossetia has arrived a large group of specialists of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Interior Ministry, the Investigative Committee and the FSB.

"Within two days we will be working together as part of our planned activities, - continued Nurgaliev.- Of course, we understand that two days is short-term, but we act on the premise that this work and the interaction between our agencies were organized in the past. Therefore, I believe that the developments that have already been among our agencies today will help to work more effectively in these areas. Our main goal is, above all, direct communication and networking. "

Nurgaliev has expressed confidence that communication will be useful for both sides.

"It is necessary first of all to establish a constructive and useful contact to form the set of questions and problems, to work together to solve them, - said Nurgaliyev. – After the discussions we with Leonid Tibilov will hold an extended meeting and will consider the results of the work of our colleagues. "

The meeting was also attended by the heads of relevant ministries and agencies of South Ossetia.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov met with the acting head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Vyacheslav Bitarov, arrived in the Republic on his first official visit to participate in the festive events dedicated to the Day of recognition of independence of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation.
The Head of State welcomed the guest and noted that he was glad to see him in the Republic in such an important and meaningful celebration for the South Ossetian people.
"I am very glad that you are with us today on this solemn day for us, together with the South Ossetian people taking part in the celebration of such an important event - the day of the recognition of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation", - Tibilov said.
The President has also said that he does not divide Ossetia into South and North.
"We are one nation, and we are always glad to see you here," - said Tibilov.
Vyacheslav Bitarov congratulated Leonid Tibilov on the eighth anniversary of recognition of the state independence of the Republic of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, noting that today is a holiday not just for South Ossetia, but for Ossetia as a whole.
"The people of the Republic underwent a lot of hardships,- Bitarov said. - Today South Ossetia is independence, recognized state. People of North Ossetia are rejoicing with the South Ossetian people. We will be doing everything we can to strengthen the unity between the people of Ossetia."
During the meeting, Tibilov and Bitarov agreed to implement joint projects in socio-economic and cultural spheres.

The issues and incidents occurring directly on the state border between the Republic of South Ossetia and Georgia and on the adjacent territory were discussed at today's meeting held in the village of Ergneti within the framework of Mechanisms on prevention and reaction to incidents (IPRM), - told reporters after the meeting the head of the South Ossetian delegation David Sanakoev.

"For the last month for violating the state border was detained only one person - said Sanakoev.- We have stated that the situation on the border is stable."

According to Sanakoev, during the meeting were also discussed issues related to delimitation and demarcation of the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia.

"We have raised the question on the necessity of delimitation and demarcation of the border between South Ossetia and Georgia, as many other issues related to the citizens living on the territory adjacent to the state border, depend on this issue ", - Sanakoev said.

He has noted that the parties again discussed the question of the necessity of timely and accurate informing both sides on the hot line about the incidents.

"We have also discussed a number of private issues which have reached a certain understanding," - said Sanakoev.

Referring to the detention of a citizen of Georgia Giorgi Giunashvili for illegal crossing of the state border and on suspicion of subversive and terrorist activities, Sanakoev said that Giunashvili was in a detention center.

"He will be detained for 2 months - said Sanakoev.- His state of health and maintenance is satisfactory. The case will be heard in court. "

Sanakoev has also added that the South Ossetian side has not any information about the missing citizen of Georgia Nikoloz Sagerashvili.

"We have designated the time and place where presumably disappeared this citizen, we rechecked all the information and cleared up that there was not such citizen on this territory ", -said Sanakoev.

The next meeting of the IPRM is scheduled for August31.

In South Ossetia took place a 1992 mourning rally dedicated to the victims of the ZAR tragedy.

The South Ossetian leadership, headed by President Leonid Tibilov, the public, relatives of the victims came to the monument "Grieving mother" to commemorate the victims.

At the beginning of the mourning rally those gathered observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims. At the same time, a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Zar tragedy was observed throughout the Republic, was halted the traffic, suspended the work of organizations and institutions in the Republic.

The participants of the rally laid flowers and wreaths at the monument to the memory of victims of the Zar tragedy.

Opening the mourning events the Head of Department of the Ossetian language and general linguistics of the South Ossetian State University Yuri Dzitstsoyty has stressed that the Zar tragedy is one of the bloodiest tragedies in the recent history of South Ossetia.

The Chairman of the Committee for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Marina Kochieva, who had lost her mother in the Zar tragedy, said that "although 24 years have passed since those terrible events, but the pain is still fresh and the wounds open."

"The people of South Ossetia experienced many tragedies, including the Zar, Ered, Tsinagar tragedy - Kochieva said. - We need to know and remember the people who fell on the field of battle for freedom, brought their lives on the altar of freedom in the name of our Republic. "

Kochieva has expressed the hope that in South Ossetia will never be such a terrible tragedy.

"The Zar tragedy - it is not only the tragedy of the families who lost their loved ones, it is a national tragedy, and your help and support for us is veryprecious," – said Kochieva.

She has noted that the day before, May 19, in South Ossetia, there was another tragedy - the accident on the highway Tskhinval-Leningor, leading to the deaths of Russian servicemen.

"We know the bitterness of loss - said Kochieva. - We are grieving and mourning together with their families and friends. "

The Head of State Leonid Tibilov welcomed those present and expressed his sorrow and condolences to all the relatives and friends of the victims.

"Exactly 24 years ago on May 19 Georgian aggressors had committed a monstrous crime against our people, were killed the innocent people, we will never forget this tragedy"-, said Tibilov.

Tibilov said that people of South Ossetia will always keep the memory of those killed in the Zar, Ered, Tsinagar tragedies, all the victims, who were killed defending their Fatherland from the enemy.

"We will always remember the names of those who selflessly fought for their country, those thanks to whom we live today in the independent state, - Tibilov said. - We will never forget the names of Russian soldiers who gave their lives to save South Ossetia. "

The Head of State has reminded that May 19 on the territory of South Ossetia, on the highway Tskhinval- Leningor there was a terrible tragedy, which claimed the lives of young Russian servicemen.

"Once again I express my condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims, to the leadership of the Fourth military base and all those who in sorrow met this terrible news. Our people are united; we share the bitterness of the loss and are grieving with their families. "

Tibilov instructed the heads of the ministries and agencies to develop proposals on the perpetuation of names of the servicemen killed in the accident.

"These guys were serving not only in the Russian army, they served our people and maintained the peace that we have," - said the president.

The Dean of the Tskhinval churches Priest Jacob Khetagurov said a prayer for the souls of the dead.

It should be reminded that May 20, 1992 Georgian gunmen shot on the Zar road a convoy of four cars, trying to leave Tskhinval. Were killed 32 people, most of whom were the elderly, women and children.

The exhibition of the Ossetian artists "Arv-Art" will be opened in Brussels in the framework of the program "The Days of Ossetian culture in Europe", informed the news agency "Res" the head of the international non-profit association «Renaissance Sandidzan» Radion Pukhaev.

According to him, the international exhibition of the Ossetian artists "Arv-Art" will be opened on May 14.

"At the exhibition will be presented the works by Igor Toguzaev, Teimuraz Pliev, Arkady Kumaritov, Fatima Tsallagova, Valery Ataev, Victor Tsallagov, Karina Kachmazova" – said Pukhaev.

He has added that the exhibition of the Ossetian artists will also be presented in Luxembourg, French Aviote and Berlin.

"In addition, in the near future we plan to hold a round table with participation of the clerisy from Ossetia and Europe", - said Pukhaev.

In Makhachkala has completed the work the international youth student forum "For the mutual understanding in the Caucasus", which was attended by representatives of socially active young people, journalists and bloggers from all over the North Caucasus, as well as representatives of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Krasnodar region, Sevastopol, Republic of Adygea, Kalmykia and Crimea.

As reported to the news agency "Res" by the head of the South Ossetian delegation, Assistant Vice-Rector of South Ossetian State University for educational and vocational guidance work Bela Mamieva, the forum "For the mutual understanding in the Caucasus" was very informative and interesting.

"Our delegation has included a lecturer of the Department of Journalism of the South Ossetian State University Zarina Kachmazova, a Chairman of the student council Albert Gabatty and a student of our university Azamat Tedeeev ", - she said.

Mamieva has noted that the program of the forum has included the work in the areas such as patriotism in Russia, social activity, public diplomacy, information space.

"The forum participants could choose interesting fields, we have chosen public diplomacy and information space - clarified Mamieva.- Each section was attached to a specific expert. Our expert was a Chairman of the Board of the Fund for Support and Development of Jewish Culture Mikhail Chernov - an expert of the site "information space". Chernov is a well-known journalist, who worked from 2002 to 2008 on the territory of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, he has warmly welcomed us.

The head of the delegation has noted that the South Ossetian students were very active during the round tables.

"They were also included in the expert group and the working section of the" people's diplomacy ", - said Mamieva.- Following the forum, each Republic has chosen one direction in which it intends to work. We have chosen the work with bloggers and the placement of the Caucasus content on the Russian portals. We started working on it and we hope that we will succeed. "

Mamieva has emphasized that the visit of the South Ossetian delegation .took place thanks to the Chairman of the Committee on Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism of South Ossetia Sergey Zasseev and Rector of the South Ossetian State University Vadim Tedeeev.

She has also added that Sergey Zasseev and Vadim Tedeev were handed over letters of thanks from the organizers of the forum "For understanding in the Caucasus".

Republic of South Ossetia was proclaimed on September 20, 1990, after which began the formation of the bodies of the state power in our Republic, said Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev, commenting on the importance of the Basic Law in the life of the state.

"One of the most important steps in this regard was the adoption of the Constitution of our country - said Dzhioev. - The first Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia adopted November 2, 1993 at the first session of the first parliament, which was then called the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia ".

According to Dzhioev, Constitutional Commission was established before the adoption of the Constitution of South Ossetia.

"MPs unanimously adopted the Constitution - said Dzhioev. - It is very remarkable that each deputy fixed his signature on the Constitution.

But it was the constitution of the parliamentary state, that is, then the supreme authority was the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia. In 1996 the Republic of South Ossetia became a presidential republic. That is, the Constitution was amended, and in accordance with the amendments, the presidential elections were held in South Ossetia in 1996".

Dzhioev has noted that by 2001, many amendments were introduced into the Constitution, and in fact there was a question about the necessity of its radical changing, in order to fully meet the requirements and interests of the then period of the formation of the state.

"By the Decree of the President was established the Constitutional Commission, which worked for a few months and introduced constitutional alterations,- said Dzhioev.- And when the Constitutional Commission finished its work, the Parliament made a decision to hold a referendum, so that the Constitution to be adopted nationally. "

The Envoy has noted that by 2001, people of South Ossetia were experienced in holding referendums.

"We had already held several referendums - said Dzhioev.- In particular, on March 17, 1991, we took part in the all-Union referendum on preserving the USSR. Then the majority of participants of the referendum voted for preservation of the USSR. January 19, 1992, we held a referendum on the independence of South Ossetia and its reunification with the Russian Federation. "

According to Dzhioev, holding the referendum on the new Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia was entrusted to the Central Election Commission, headed by himself.

"In accordance with the law on the referendum, the Central Election Commission carried out a proper job, that is, were formed, the polls, the corresponding work on the compilation of voter lists was carried out, - he said Dzhioev.- Constitutional Commission issued a draft Constitution for national discussion. The draft Constitution was published in the media, and each voter had the opportunity to review it in advance. "

Dzhioev has stressed that there were some antagonisms while developing of the draft Constitution.

"In particular, I remember that it caused great controversy the issue of residency requirements for those who can run for president and the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia - said Dzhioev.- Nevertheless, the Central Election Commission conducted all the necessary preparatory work for a referendum, which took place on April 8, 2001.

The Envoy has noted that almost 70% of voters participated in the referendum.

"I remember, the referendum was very active, with great enthusiasm of the people, - said Dzhioev. - And following the results of the referendum, by an absolute majority of votes the draft Constitution was adopted. And since that time it came into effect the new Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia, which was in full compliance with the spirit of that time, reflecting the political reality in the Republic. "

Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy has stressed that the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia was an important step in the formation of the South Ossetian state.

"And the fact that the Constitution was adopted nationwide is the evidence of the great state culture of the people of South Ossetia - added Dzhioev.- Our people once again demonstrated that they could form their own national state. 15 years have passed since that time and I want to congratulate all the people of South Ossetia on this remarkable date, all the more so since 2008 we live in a recognized state- the Republic of South Ossetia".

Constitution Day of South Ossetia - April 8, is a milestone in the modern history of South Ossetia, said the news agency "Res" the State Adviser to the President of South Ossetia, a member of the commission for drafting the Constitution of the Republic Zhanna Zasseeva, commenting on the importance of the Basic Law for the state.

"A special commission was set up to develop the Basic Law of South Ossetia by the Decree of the then president Ludwig Chibirov, which included experienced lawyers and public figures - Zasseeva said. - The commission included eleven people. "

According to Zasseeva, the Commission had the task to prepare the basic document, which should have been focused on legal, political and ideological features of the young state.

"We assumed as a basis we took, the first Constitution and the Constitution of North Ossetia, as it was spiritually close to us, - noted Zasseeva.- But we also have considered the Constitution of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Spain, etc. Constitution of South Ossetia was to clearly define the main priorities of the state development, the rights and freedom of a man. "

Zasseeva has noted that in the course of the work the Committee members consulted with many leading experts outside of South Ossetia, dealing with the Constitution.

"The final version of our draft Constitution was sent for examination to Russia and received a positive assessment, - explained Zasseeva. - The Basic Law of the state, in my opinion, had covered all the aspects of our life. The Constitution is amended, as it should be, but you can not negate the positive work done. "

She added that over the Constitution had been working Merab Chigoev, Peter Gatikoev, Stanislav Kochiev, Konstantin Kochiev, Alan Parastaev and young lawyers Ilona Khubaeva and many others.

"I was happy to work with such luminaries and I am grateful to every moment we spent with them at the meetings of the Constitutional Commission," - said Zasseeva.

It should be reminded that on April 8 in South Ossetia is celebrated the Constitution Day. The Basic Law of the Republic was adopted on 8 April 2001 while holding a national referendum.

The icon of Okonsky Triptych is of great artistic value. This is a rare work of early Byzantine school of icon painting, made by ivory carving, decorated with pearls, gold and silver, told the news agency "Res" director of the National Museum of South Ossetia Merab Zaseev, commenting on the issue of returning to South Ossetia from Georgia the Okonsky triptych, stolen in 1991 from the Local History museum of the Republic.

"The fact that there is grandeur in this icon says about its value and importance in the Christian world, - said Zaseev. - It is surprising that the fragments of the similar icons are at the Royal British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of New York, and we had it fully. "

Zaseev has noted that according to the available information the Okonsky Triptych in value is in the same list with the icon of Our Lady of Blachernae.

"These icons are masterpieces of early Byzantine school of icon painting, - said Zaseev. - In our museum the Okonsk Triptych was since 1925 according to the decision of the Central Executive Committee. By the decision of the CEC the icon was removed from the Okonsky church in Znaur district of South Ossetia and handed over to the museum - Zaseev said. According to certain information, this icon was presented to the Alan prince by the Byzantine emperor. "

Zaseev has noted that the icon is the exhibit of paramount importance for the museum.

"Each icon, especially in the Middle Ages, when in the Caucasus was spread Christianity, was handed over with a prayer, and every icon belonged to a certain community, - added Zasseev.- And, of course, it was of great spiritual importance for them."

The director has noted that it is difficult to estimate the importance of the Okonsky Triptych.

"The icon was venerated by all Orthodox Christians – he said. - But, unfortunately, during the Georgian aggression, the icon was lost, and, according to the available information, is now in Georgia. Furthermore, attempts were made to its sale; it was estimated at 2.5 million euro."

Zaseev has expressed the hope that during the negotiation process the parties will approach with great care to the issue of returning the Okonsky triptych to South Ossetian authorities.

"If we could only talk about an objective assessment of the situation by the International community and those involved in the consequences of the Georgian aggression against South Ossetia, such values are usually returned to the original owners after any war, - said Zasseev.- And we honestly cherish hope that this issue will be considered objectively, with due attention and the process will lead to good results. "

The day before, at a meeting with the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, Presidential Envoy for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev has noted that in Geneva South Ossetian representatives intend to raise issues of preserving the Ossetian artifacts being now in Georgia.

"Once again, we will raise the issue of cultural heritage, the return of the Okonsky Triptych to South Ossetia, stolen in 1991 from our Local History Museum and being now on the territory of Georgia", - stressed the envoy.