April 23, the Report on 2012 Presidential elections in Russia held on March 4 made by the observers of the Council of Europe was heard at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This document, being initially biased, disapproves the opening of polling stations in the territories of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia which allegedly are ‘occupied territories of Georgia’.
In South Ossetia, this attitude of PACE representatives has caused, to put it mildly, a deep regret. Parliamentarians of such a respected organization dedicated to protecting human rights, in favor of political ambitions, so disrespectfully treated to compliance of voting rights of many tens of thousands of Russian citizens living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia which had received Russian citizenship in full accordance with Russian legislation, after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Polling stations for the presidential election were opened under the electoral law in Russia and were among the 378 polling stations in 145 countries, resided by citizens of Russia. Instead of welcoming the possibility of Russian citizens living in South Ossetia and Abkhazia to fulfill their civil rights PACE representatives showed them demonstrative contempt.
Persistent repetition of the term "occupied territory" in relation to South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the PACE documents and the blind support of the virtual position constructed in Tbilisi where Georgia is the victim of aggression are no less worth of pity. In order to fulfill the international obligations faithfully and to make solid conclusions, one should proceed from the fundamental consideration of the issue, study it inside and ask the opinion of the people living in these areas and having experienced "the Georgian love of peace," rather than a one-sided position, offered only by the Georgian side.
The reality is that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have no relation to the territorial integrity of Georgia and are not the "breakaway regions", but they are recognized, sovereign states. And it is high time for PACE deputies to recognize the existing legal basis of the existence of the Republic of South Ossetia, or at least not to dramatize the situation in their own preconceived position.
The South Ossetian delegation at the Geneva international discussions has repeatedly proved the absurdity of the terms "occupation" and "occupied territories" to the realities of South Ossetia and insisted on holding a special discussion with the participation of professionals - lawyers at the next round of discussions.
The danger of the support of Georgian authorities’ ambitions by some countries and international organizations is that such support is considered in Georgia as an encouragement of President Saakashvili and his entourage to take further aggressive steps, a new round of arms and, accordingly it could exacerbate the situation in the region.
Tskhinval, April 27, 2012