In connection with the fourth anniversary of the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation
On August 26 the Republic of South Ossetia marks the fourth anniversary of the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation. This day is surely an important turning point in the recent history of the Ossetian people. The decision on the recognition of the state independence of the Republic of South Ossetia was motivated by years of national liberation struggles for self-preservation and realization of the rights of our people to national statehood starting in 1989.
The Republic of South Ossetia has existed as a democratic, legal state exercising effective control over its territory, and performing all public functions for 20 years. The people of South Ossetia confirmed its will to independence three times - in referendums of 1992, 2001 and 2006.
Aggression, ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Georgia against South Ossetia in 1989-2008 caused death and suffering of thousands of people. As a result of a humanitarian catastrophe more than a hundred and twenty thousand Ossetians from South Ossetia and Georgia have become refugees.
Making terror the state policy and heading for a military resolution of relations with South Ossetia, committing a gross violation of Sochi 1992 Agreement on principles of settlement of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, Georgia made another full-scale military aggression against South Ossetia, code-named "Clear field " on August 7, 2008. The operation, involving the barbaric actions of the Georgian troops against civilians, brought our people tremendous sacrifice and suffering. Barbaric plan of the invasion to South Ossetia was aimed at the destruction of the base of the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia and wiping of unruly Ossetians who defended their right to freedom, human dignity and the right to life from the face of the Earth. President of Georgia adopted an irresponsible and criminal decision to attack peaceful Tskhinval with all saved firepower of their special forces. Thousands of people of different nationalities including Georgia were sleeping peacefully when they found themselves under Georgian rockets and guns fire. As a result of the Georgian government bloody action hundreds of people were killed - the Russian peacekeepers, ordinary residents of South Ossetia, and journalists. There will never be justification for these crimes against peace and humanity.
Only the heroism of soldiers and Ossetian peacekeepers, decisive actions of Russia, which protected South Ossetia and was the first to recognize its sovereignty, prevented even more dire consequences, and the complete destruction of our people.
The recognition of South Ossetia as a sovereign independent state by the Russian Federation in August 26, 2008 was an act of historical justice and the only solution of the Russian leadership. This solution is a guarantee of peace and stable development of the South Ossetian state and its people.
The past four years is enough time to prove the validity of crucial decisions, adopted and implemented by Russia in August 2008 in response to a criminal adventure of the Georgian leadership.
For the first time in two decades the Republic of South Ossetia assisted by the brotherly Russia has a possibility of a safe and stable building of its own sovereign state. We have a chance of independent social, economic and cultural development, of achieving full international legal personality seeking to establish the most friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all members of the international community committed like South Ossetia to the ensuring of the sovereignty in domestic and foreign policy on the basis of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and other fundamental international instruments.
We, people of South Ossetia, will always thankfully store in memory the feat of Ossetian and Russian soldiers and officers, and all those who stood by the Ossetian people and gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our country.
Tskhinval, August 25, 2012