Russia Likely to Ignore S.Ossetia Status Commission

Moscow is unlikely to participate in Georgia?s state commission on defining South Ossetia?s autonomous status within Georgia.

?I doubt Russia will be involved in it,? Russia?s ambassador to Georgia, Vyacheslav Kovalenko, said on July 26.

At the first session of the commission on July 24, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli tasked Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili with encouraging both Russia and the EU to send representatives to the commission.

The EU?s attitude is still unclear. Peter Semneby, the EU special representative to the South Caucasus, however, is expected to visit Tbilisi this week.

Speaking with reporters after meeting with State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Davit Bakradze, the Russian ambassador reiterated Moscow?s position that there were only two internationally recognized sides to the conflict ? Tbilisi and Tskhinvali.

His comments were a clear rejection of Tbilisi?s contention that Dimitri Sanakoev, the head of the provisional South Ossetian administration, should also be recognized as a legitimate player.

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