South Ossetian plenipotentiary representative: “Tbilisi is nervous because precedent is set to recognize our independence”

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“Reports that only South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity and his circle need independence of his country have been released for a long time. It is quite understandable, such information is needed by those, who want us to remain an unrecognized state instead of moving forward,” Republic of South Ossetia (RSO) plenipotentiary representative in Moscow Dmitry Medoyev said to a REGNUM correspondent, speaking about the referendum to be held on November 12, 2006.

“The referendum is a turning point in South Ossetia’s history,” the representative stressed, adding: “On November 12, the South Ossetian people should declare their position for the whole world. There is such concept in international law; starting from it, we should go to battle field and win.” “The referendum provides us with legal basis for recognition of independence of our state, because people’s will may not be either abolished or ignored,” Mr. Medoyev said, stressing, at that, that, according to the RSO constitution and current laws, referendum may be conducted repeatedly. “It is quite possible, we should further submit to all-national trial question whether we want to unite with North Ossetia,” he said.

Responding to a REGNUM correspondent’s question concerning consequences of  State Duma’s recognition of Transdnestr referendum’s legitimacy, Dmitry Medoyev said: “It is intermediate step towards Transdnestr independence’s recognition. It is quite understandable that Tbilisi is very nervous now because precedent for our independence’s recognition has been created.”