Kokoity Notes U.S. Role in Stopping ‘Georgia’s Aggression’
Leader of breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity told visiting U.S. Senators in Tskhinvali on August 27 that the United States played “an important role in stopping Georgia’s military aggression” against the secessionist region in summer 2004, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported.
The Russian and South Ossetian sides claim that Georgia had to withdraw its troops from the conflict zone two years ago after pressure from the United States.
The South Ossetian leader also said that Tskhinvali remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and to a three-step settlement plan, which envisages demilitarization of the conflict zone, confidence building and security guarantees during the first stage; social-economic rehabilitation at the second stage; and a political settlement at the last stage.
While meeting with the U.S. Senators Kokoity also expressed regret that against the background of a “persisting information blockade,” the South Ossetian side has no opportunity “to use an international rostrum” for delivering its position to the international community.
