Georgia Seeks Increased Role for OSCE in South Ossetia

Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of the conflict resolution issues, told Civil Georgia on July 27 that Georgia will push to increase OSCE’s involvement in the resolution of the South Ossetian conflict at the organization?s Permanent Council session.

Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili will address a special session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on July 29.

Goga Khaindrava said that the Georgian side wants the OSCE to monitor the Roki pass, which links breakaway South Ossetia with Russia?s North Ossetian Republic. Tbilisi blames Russia for providing arms to the breakaway region via Roki pass.

?We want the OSCE to have a more important and active role in the resolution of the conflict. We want the OSCE to monitor the entire territory of South Ossetia, including the Roki pass and the Java district [which serves as the main stronghold for South Ossetian militia groups],? Goga Khaindrava said.

However, he added, ?Russia always tries to downplay OSCE?s role.? Russia has been criticizing the OSCE by claiming they offer a biased assessment of the situation in the conflict zone in favor of Georgia.

The OSCE has been the most actively involved international institution in the political sphere of the conflict settlement in South Ossetia since the early 90s.

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