Kokoev Says Tbilisi Offered Deal in Exchange for Giving up Power

President of the self-styled South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev said at a news briefing in Moscow on July 28 that Georgian officials offered him USD 20 million and a high position in the Georgian cabinet in exchange for giving up power in South Ossetia.

?This offer was made in January by several Georgian officials including Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava and member of the Georgian Parliament Vladimir Gutsaev, as well as by several persons from the inner circle of Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze,? Kokoev said.

Georgian authorities have already denied Kokoev?s allegations.

?I really met Kokoev, but the only issue we discussed was participation of the Tskhinvali [capital of South Ossetia] soccer club in the Georgian championship,? MP Vladimir Gutsaev, a famous, former soccer player, told reporters.

?I think this issue is not even worth commenting on. I think Kokoev is in shock after the Georgian side curbed smuggling in South Ossetia and that is why he makes this kind of statement,? Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson, told reporters.

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