Georgian Minister Speaks of ‘New Force’ in S.Ossetia

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Merab Antadze said on December 2 that the Georgian authorities, along with other parties involved in the South Ossetian conflict, should show an interest in the “new force” that appeared in the region as a result of the alternative presidential elections in breakaway South Ossetia.
 
“We will hold a dialogue with any force that will be represented there and which will express the interests of the local population. I think that the international community should also be actively involved in this process,” Antadze said.
 
Merab Antadze was attending the inauguration ceremony of Dimitri Sanakoev – the Tbilisi-loyal, self-imposed president of South Ossetia – which was held on December 1 in the Georgian village of Kurta in the conflict zone. 
 
Antadze’s presence in Kurta triggered chief South Ossetian negotiator Boris Chochiev to cancel a meeting with Antadze scheduled for December 2 in the breakaway region’s capital, Tskhinvali.
 
“Boris Chochiev’s discontent was caused by the fact that I met with the population living there, I met with the new force which appeared just recently. Each party involved in the conflict should show an interest in what kind of influence this force has, as it represents the interests of both Georgian and Ossetian society,” Antadze said.  
 
He also added that the Georgian side will continue talks with the secessionist authorities of South Ossetia.

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