S.Ossetia Ruling Party Prepares for Independence Referendum

At a session on August 25 the ruling Unity (Edinstvo) party of breakaway South Ossetia set up “an initiative group” to organize an independence referendum, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee (PIC) reported.

According to the PIC the following question will be put forward at the referendum: ?Do you agree with the preservation of the South Ossetian Republic?s current status of independent state and [for South Ossetia] to be internationally recognized??

?The political council [a governing body of the South Ossetian ruling party] is proposing that a referendum be held in order to once again give our people [a chance] to confirm its independence,? Zurab Kokoev, the Unity party leader, said.

In a similar referendum in 1992, which was not internationally recognized, 98% of residents of the unrecognized republic voted for independence.

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