APPEAL OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH OSSETIA TO THE VI CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE’S DEPUTIES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia appeals to the VI Congress of the People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation with request to discuss the issue of South Ossetia and resolve it in accordance to the results of the Referendum of the Republic of South Ossetia of 19 January 1992. These results offer to solve the problem on the basis of norms recognized by the international community.

South Ossetia, until the revolution of 1917 was the part of the united Ossetia, which had been subordinated to the Russian state. Currently there are no legal bases in Georgian state-legal situation that could pose any impediment to the restoration of unity of South Ossetia with Russia, including the Treaty of 7 May 1920 between Russia and Georgia. The latter also determines the right of South Ossetians to the self-identification.

Consideration of the Caucasus range as the “natural border” separating the Ossetian people has no ground. The mountain ranges may not be used for dividing the national territories. Upon termination of the validity of the Constitution of the USSR and of the GSSR there is no treaty-legal base confirming legitimacy of such division.

Some Georgian politicians and scholars also push forward certain claims based on historical insinuations, although the evidence shows dishonest approach of such professionals. The historical reality proves that until 1922 the South Ossetia never had been “a part” of Georgia. First of all the Georgian sources are proving the said fact.

Georgian leaders have always pursued the geopolitical interests, and in doing so they twice exercised brutal pogroms against South Ossetian population – once in 1918-1920 and then in 1989-1992. Those operations were conducted with the aim to suppress the national movement and strengthen Georgia’s colonial ambitions over the South Ossetia. Unfortunately the Bolshevik government of Georgia succeeded in his attempt. In 1922, contrary to the will of South Ossetian people and their leaders, it was included within the Georgian SSR, while the latter entered the USSR on the similar Constitutional bases…

The Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia submits the appeal to the Congress of the People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation and asks to include in the Agenda the issue on South Ossetia and solve the proposals advanced on behalf of the people:

1. To restore the Russian protectorate over the people of South Ossetia that had been acquired by Ossetia in 1774 and then forcibly annulled as a result of 1917 revolution.

2. To extend the sovereignty of the Russian state over the territory of South Ossetia and return the Russian citizenship to the dwellers of South Ossetia that enjoying the USSR citizenship.

3. To address the attention of the government of Russian to the necessity of unconditional execution of resolutions regarding Georgia adopted at the 4^th and 5^th Congresses of People’s deputies of the RSFSR.

5. To determine the status of the Internal Forces deployed in South Ossetia as the forces operating on the territory of the Russian Federation and extend their mandate for protecting the constitutional system and security of the population across the whole territory of the Republic of South Ossetia. Given the stabilizing role of the military units deployed on the territory of South Ossetia their withdrawal or disbanding should be avoided.

The present Appeal is based on the belief that Russia will demonstrate her mission of a defender of oppressed people and make another considerable step towards raising her international authority.

It will be invaluable input of the current Congress of the People’s Deputies to the restoration of historical justice, as well as the considerable political step determining the future friendly relations between the nations of the Russian state.

Adopted at the session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia.

30. 03.1992

(South Ossetia. Chronicles of the events of Georgian aggression. 1988-1992. Compiled by E. E. Chochiev; M. K. Jioev. - Tskhinval, 1996, p. 77-79/in Russian)