Russian Senior MP Comments on South Ossetia

MP Andrey Kokoshin, who chairs the Committee for CIS Affairs of the lower house of the Russian Parliament, downplayed Tbilisi?s peace plan over South Ossetia, labeling it ?not serious? and warned that the Russian side can undertake ?tough measures? in case the Georgian side resorts to force, RIA Novosti news agency reported on August 4.

MP Kokoshin was speaking on August 4 at a news conference convened to comment about the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia. He said that the situation remains tense in the conflict zone as Georgia continues economic blockade, which is ?counterproductive.?

?I do not rule out that Russia will undertake the toughest measures in case Georgia will try to solve the South Ossetian conflict with use of force? Majority of population in South Ossetia is Russian citizen? And Russia can protect its citizens,? Russian MP said.

He criticized Tbilisi?s proposal over peaceful resolution of the conflict, which envisages broad autonomy for South Ossetia and number of social and economic benefits, as ?part of a huge propaganda aimed on western audience.?

?This is an attempt [by the Georgian side] to demonstrate as if Georgia tries to undertake political steps [to solve the conflict], but Tskhinvali [capital of breakaway South Ossetia] does not even want to consider them,? MP Kokoshin said.

Similar comments were made by the authorities in breakaway South Ossetia regarding Tbilisi?s peace plan.

Russian MP said that Tbilisi has already downgraded autonomy for Adjara and that is why ?we can not consider [Georgian President] Saakashvili?s offer [about granting broad autonomy to South Ossetia] seriously.?

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