New North Ossetian Leader for “Uniting” with South Ossetia

Newly appointed leader of Russia’s North Ossetia republic Teymuraz Mamsurov told Novaya Gazeta that his republic should annex Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia.

When asked about the policy regarding South Ossetia, Mamsurov responded: “I think that there is only one possible way. Ossetia – is a divided nation which was split within one country [Soviet Union]. That’s why there can be no other option than reunification.”

North Ossetia currently deploys some 500 military personell as peacekeepers in the Joint Peacekeeping Force (Russian, Ossetian, Georgian) stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone.

Outgoing North Ossetian president Aleksander Dzasokhov was known for his measured rhethoric towards the South Ossetia conflict. This is the first time that a top North Ossetian official has made an open statement suggesting the unification of North and South Ossetia.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)