Kokoity Refuses to Attend NATO Seminar

The South Ossetian authorities have condemned the participation of Tbilisi-loyal, alternative leader of South Ossetia Dimitri Sanakoev in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly?s 65th Rose-Roth seminar in Tbilisi on April 20.

The South Ossetian Press and Information Committee quoted the deputy prime minister of the breakaway region, Boris Chochiev, as saying that South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity was also invited to the seminar, but refused to participate. Chochiev also claimed that NATO was supporting only the Georgian side.

?We think that Eduard Kokoity?s participation in similar events held in Georgia is impossible, until Georgia recognizes the genocide committed against the Ossetian people, as well as the independence of South Ossetia,? Chochiev added.

NATO parliamentarians, foreign ambassadors accredited in Georgia and representatives of international organizations, including the OSCE and EU, participated in a three-day NATO seminar, which started on April 19. Georgian MPs and government ministers, as well as NGO members also attended the seminar. 

Alternative leader Dimitri Sanakoev did not deliver a speech at the NATO seminar. However, he participated in discussions and pushed for the involvement of the alternative government in the negotiating process.

?The proposal made by Sanakoev is the only way to by-pass the current deadlock and he should participate in any negotiations related to conflict resolution, because he represents a great part of the local population,? Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security Nika Rurua told Rustavi 2 television on April 20.

?And he has participated in the discussion, even though some people may not like it,? Rurua added.

Meanwhile, the South Ossetian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on April 21, in which it expressed concern that the international community ?basically receives information only from the Georgian side.? 

?The Georgian authorities expand their propaganda to mislead the international community regarding the real situation in the conflict resolution process,? the statement reads.

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