PM Nogaideli Speaks of South Ossetia

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said in an interview with Rustavi 2 television on November 1 that the Georgian authorities” short-term top priority in respect of the South Ossetian conflict is to demilitarize the conflict zone.
 
“Our immediate goal is to achieve a demilitarization of the conflict zone as soon as possible. There are lots of gangs and un-authorized armed groups and military hardware, which should leave the conflict zone as soon as possible. There are so called “Opolchentsi” [militiamen], who terrorize the local population – both Ossetians and Georgians – and are a source of provocations,” he said.

“State Minister [for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi] Khaindrava has been instructed by me, by the President as well, to push the issue at the upcoming JCC session in Ljubljana [on November 15-16]… All four sides [Georgian, South Ossetian, Russian, Russia”s North Ossetian] have already signed relevant agreements [on demilitarization] 11 times already, but no practical steps have been taken so far,” the Georgian Prime Minister stated.

He also stressed that demilitarization of the conflict zone will largely depend on the Russian side, “which is constantly calling for implementation of JCC agreements.”

“Now let”s see what the JCC will do,” PM Nogaideli added.

Nogaideli said that the South Ossetian leader refused to hold talks with him. These talks were scheduled for sometime in the first half of November. The Prime Minister added that he will not meet South Ossetia”s head of government Yuri Morozov instead of Kokoity.

“I have nothing to talk about with the head of the [breakaway South Ossetian] government. We will continue our efforts to organize this meeting with Kokoity. But I want to say that we have nothing to ask for; we just want to avoid provocations,” he added.

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