The Republic of South Ossetia totally depends on Russian subsidies, but in fact the Moscow authorities cannot affect the decisions of Tskhinvali.
South Ossetia celebrated the 20th anniversary of the declaration of independence on the 20th of September. The highest officials of Abkhazia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia as well as delegations from Russian and Nauru regions and unrecognized post-Soviet republics attended the ceremony.
The celebration parade was delayed for two hours because the South Ossetian President, Eduard Kokoity, wanted to greet all the esteemed guests personally and to talk to all of them. The personal visit of the Ingush President, Yunus-bek Yevkurov, was the most anticipated,
due to the recent events in Vladikavkaz.
During the parade the Russian national anthem was played as well as the South Ossetian, and Russian troops marched alongside the Ossetians. One could have got the impression that the celebration is being held in one of the Russian republics and not in a sovereign state - a false first impression, so common in Caucasian affairs. All the official speeches stressed the unity and eternal friendship between the Ossetian and Russian peoples – a concept which is not new
at all. The government of South Ossetia totally depends on Russian subsidies, as it has no other sources of income, but in fact the Moscow authorities cannot affect the decisions of Tskhinvali on the subject of how to apply these funds. For example, the ex-Health Minister of South Ossetia, Nugzar Gabarayev, who was dismissed for corruption and misappropriation of money allocated by Russia by the prime minister – a protégé of Moscow. President Kokoity, however, appointed Mr Gabarayev his personal adviser.
A similar situation is now developing in Abkhazia. The issue of restoration of Russian citizens’ property rights is on the top of the agenda, but any success is doubtful without introducing several amendments to the state’s laws, and that’s a step Sukhumi is still unprepared to take. On the other hand, Russia, despite all the support of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, has not yet worked out a considered and straight policy for interaction with the newly formed Caucasian
Republics.
Maria Platonova, Tskhinvali, exclusively to VK
