Statements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSO

In connection with an armed provocation of Georgia in the territory South Ossetia

On September 29, 2012, at 3:40 am, South Ossetia border post in the village of Karzman, Java region, was gunned with automatic firearms and grenade launchers. South Ossetian side did not open return fire, but in the course of search operations in the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia, Georgian Interior Ministry official was arrested near the state border and he was seized a NATO-standard automatic rifle with grenade launcher.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia is deeply concerned about Hillary Clinton statement made on June 5 at a briefing in Batumi on the "recognition of so-called neutral passports for the residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

On July 9, 2012 at the annual meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Monaco the Resolution "On the situation in Georgia" proposed by the Polish deputy Michal Scherba was supported. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are referred to as the "occupied territories" in the resolution.

On June 29, 2012 the Interior Ministry of Georgia relocated a police station a few hundred meters closer to the state border of South Ossetia in the village Zardiantkari (Georgia), which is located opposite the South Ossetian village of Khelchua. This caused great tension among the people of Ossetian nationality living in these villages.

Of wrongfulness of using “occupation” and “occupied territories” terms in respect of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of South Ossetia notes eventuated within the frameworks of 20th round of Geneva discussions on the questions of security and stability in Northern Caucasus discussion of illegality of using in respect of South Ossetia and Abkhazia “occupation” and “occupied territories” terms from the point of view of norms and principles of international law as well.

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’.

On 12 March, 2012 the Statement of co-reporters Kastriot Islami (Albania) and Astrup Jensen (Denmark) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Georgia was released in Strasburg.

On 26 February 2012, a Referendum on the new draft Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic was held in Syria. 7, 5 million citizens or 89, 4 % of those who took part in the Referendum on Sunday supported the new Constitution.

The results of the referendum showed that the people of Syria support the policy of the government oriented on the reforms which will contribute to the expansion of civil rights and liberties and building a modern democratic state.

On January 19, 2012 is celebrated a twentieth anniversary since holding of referendum of independence of the Republic of South Ossetia and its reunification with Russia. Twenty years ago southossetian people fulfilled a significant political step in formation of its statehood. At the nation-wide voting conducted in full accordance with international norms and in presence of international observers from former USSR it uphold its right for creation of the independent state and a choice of strategic course and partners.

In the Republic of South Ossetia are under way festive events dedicated to the third anniversary of recognition of independence of the Republic of South Ossetia by Russian Federation. The date of August 26, 2008 was endorsed with golden letters in the historical chronicle of Ossetian people and celebrates as a state holiday – Day of recognition of State independence. This event became a greatest milestone in the modern history of South Ossetia.

For some past time we have received information that on 26 August, 2011 on the third anniversary of the Republic of South Ossetia recognition by the Russian Federation the official powers of Georgia intend to carry out a large-scale provocation on the border with South Ossetia.

On 7-8 August 2011, memorable events devoted to the third anniversary of the armed aggression of Georgia against South Ossetia are being held in the capital of the Republic of South Ossetia.