Water Supply Partially Restored in S.Ossetia

South Ossetia has restored water supply to Georgian villages in the conflict zone, Georgian sources reported on June 2.

But the breakaway region?s capital, Tskhinvali, according to South Ossetian sources, still remains without water. The residents there have been without water for more than a week.

The South Ossetian Press and Information Committee said on June 2 that the Georgian side was preventing Ossetian workers from repairing the damaged pipeline in the Georgian-controlled villages to the north of Tskhinvali.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, on May 31, accused Tbilisi of playing ?political games? with the water supply, adding that Tbilisi had turned local residents into hostages of these games. It also claimed that Tbilisi was demanding that the South Ossetian side first seek permission from the Tbilisi-loyal local provisional administration to repair the water pipeline. This is unacceptable for the Tskhinvali-based authorities, as it would in effect mean acknowledging the newly-installed Sanakoev administration.

In response, the Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 1, accusing Russia of ?misinformation? and ?deliberate distortion of the facts.?

It said that ?through artificial dramatization of the situation? the Russian side was trying to prepare the ground for the escalation of tensions and ?the use of force, which in reality corresponds to the scenario designed by the Russian side.?

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