Thread: Breakway South Ossetia region holds election

Breakway South Ossetia region holds election

The rebel Georgian region of South Ossetia voted yesterday in polls expected to secure the grip of its separatist leader nine months after it was the subject of a war between Russia and Georgia.

Last Updated: 4:54PM BST 31 May 2009


Election posters on display in the breakaway region of South Ossetia Photo: GETTY

Local opposition groups said Eduard Kokoity was seeking to use the elections to forge a loyal parliamentary majority to push through an amendment allowing him to run again for office when his second term lapses in 2011.

Officials estimated the voter turnout at over 70 per cent.

Russia – which outraged the West by recognising South Ossetia as independent in the wake of the August war with Georgia – has said South Ossetia should not amend the existing term limits in its constitution.

Mr Kokoity said, however, it was too early to say whether he planned to run again, although he did not rule out that possibility.

Four parties were competing for the 34 seats in the parliament, but the central election commission has barred the only two parties not loyal to Mr Kokoity.

Opposition activities said voting would not make a difference. Critics accused Mr Kokoity, an ex-wrestling champion, of muzzling opponents and stealing the money sent from Russia.

Georgia ridiculed the vote, with the country's reintegration minister Temur Iakobashvili saying the elections were "nothing but clownery, a farce and a redistribution of a criminal power."

Mr Kokoity insisted the elections were in strict accordance with law, saying the polls were "a maturity test for the small independent state".

He said the large number of voters at the polling stations was proof that the vote was deemed "genuine" by people.

Eighty-eight polling stations were set up for the region's 50,000 residents as well as additional sites in Russia for expatriates and refugees from the fighting.

Mr Kokoity – who built connections in Moscow working as a trade official for the rebel region when it was known as a highway for smuggling in the early 1990s – has rejected accusations against him as Georgian propaganda.

But as the looming political scandal in the region threatens to become an embarrassment for Moscow, there are signs that the Kremlin is scaling back its support for the South Ossetian leader.

Sergey Naryshkin, the head of the Russian presidential administration, said on Russian television this month that South Ossetia should not mend the existing term limits in its constitution.

Moscow and Tbilisi fought a brief but intense war last August over the region, which had enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s thanks to tacit Russian support.

Following the conflict Russia formally recognised the region as independent, a move followed only by Nicaragua.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... ction.html

Moscow and Tbilisi fought a brief but intense war last August over the region, which had enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s thanks to tacit Russian support.

19 years.... and Washington still calls it a so called "Break Away Republic"

I pray that this poor state of South Ossetia gets as far away from the United States and Georgia as it possibly can.

this was never even an issue untill the Oligarchs wanted 2 oil pipe lines and a natural gas pipe line to go through the area called "White Stream 1", "White Stream 2", "White Stream 3".

So Washington spent "BILLIONS" of our tax dollars, Armed up Georgia, trained them with "BLACK WATER" Mercinaries and fought South Ossetia (Russian Citizens) by proxy so Bush, Chaney, the Clinton's, George Soro's, Rothchild Family could make money off of the invasion by Georgia ... and did it all on your dime...

For once I am glad Russia stood up for itself and put Washington in it's place. It's actually refreshing to know that a country will protect it's citizens ... Whodathunkit that I would be referring to Russia and not the USA

One last thing .... at some point, there has to be war crimes tribunials for the millions of people that have been killed, maimed or displaced by these megalomaniacs in Washington, and that day cannot come soon enough

BY the way... Russia seems to have more concern for protecting it's citizens than this goofy government.

We have been envaded by 3rd world countrys and it took this giant country to it's knee's while Washington praised the Illegal Alien hoards for they're success

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

BY the way... Russi seems to have more concern for protecting it's citizens than this goofy government.

We have been envaded by 3rd world countrys and it took this giant country to it's knee's while Washington praised the Illegal Alien hoards for they're success

Well said AS7 - Its all so sick and twisted.

Thanks for posting this article. I admit I don't know a lot about this whole situation with Russia and Georgia, but after reading this article I think I should learn. Interesting to know exactly how this region rebelled and broke away.....

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

19 years.... and Washington still calls it a so called "Break Away Republic"

I pray that this poor state of South Ossetia gets as far away from the United States and Georgia as it possibly can.

this was never even an issue untill the Oligarchs wanted 2 oil pipe lines and a natural gas pipe line to go through the area called "White Stream 1", "White Stream 2", "White Stream 3".

So Washington spent "BILLIONS" of our tax dollars, Armed up Georgia, trained them with "BLACK WATER" Mercinaries and fought South Ossetia (Russian Citizens) by proxy so Bush, Chaney, the Clinton's, George Soro's, Rothchild Family could make money off of the invasion by Georgia ... and did it all on your dime...

For once I am glad Russia stood up for itself and put Washington in it's place

One last thing .... at some point, there has to be war crimes tribunials for the millions of people that have been killed, maimed or displaced by these megalomaniacs in Washington, and that day cannot come soon enough.


BY the way... Russia seems to have more concern for protecting it's citizens than this goofy government.

I totally agree, AS7! I followed this conflict since day one and was amazed how long it took for ANY U.S. official or MSM to finally acknowledge that Georgia initiated the conflict. Only a few weeks ago I overheard Fareed Zakaria mention on GPS 'Russia's war against Georgia' which infuriated me!

Originally Posted by builditnow

I admit I don't know a lot about this whole situation with Russia and Georgia, but after reading this article I think I should learn. Interesting to know exactly how this region rebelled and broke away.....

builditnow.....there were some good articles posted on this site if you perform a search.

Originally Posted by carolinamtnwoman

Originally Posted by builditnow

I admit I don't know a lot about this whole situation with Russia and Georgia, but after reading this article I think I should learn. Interesting to know exactly how this region rebelled and broke away.....

builditnow.....there were some good articles posted on this site if you perform a search.

Thanks, will do. I remember the conflict and that we were involved in some way to try to stop it, but I'm not sure exactly how it developed and all the issues. I'm especially interested to know how this region rebelled and broke away.