On October 31, Dmitry Medvedev sent his last birthday greetings to the president of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, whose presidential term expires in November. In his congratulatory message Medvedev marked the contribution of Kokoity in strengthening Russian-South Ossetian partnership "based on principles of equality, mutual respect and trust," and expressed his hopes for the further development of bilateral relations. The wishes of the Russian president have a certain hidden meaning. From the beginning of the presidential campaign in South Ossetia some candidates have been propagating the idea of immediate reunification of the Ossetian people by joining Russia.
Several media sources, South Ossetian as well as Russian, wrongly attributed the idea of the "loss of sovereignty" to the presidential candidate from the "Unity" party, the head of the Republican Emergency
Services, Anatoly Bibilov. However, if any media representatives read Bbibilov's program they would not find any calls for the immediate unification of South Ossetia with Russia. In Bibilov's view, unification has to be a long-term project, carefully thought-out and implemented.
A united Ossetia, in Bibilov's view, is a country devoid of customs barriers and obstacles, in which every citizen will be able to move freely, as well as live and work in both its parts. Some steps in this direction
have already been made: in early November, the State Duma ratified a bilateral agreement between Russia and South Ossetia on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters.
Bibilov's program offers concrete precise actions without populist slogans and clearly defined steps that the candidate will undertake if he is elected president. Bibilov believes that the restoration of the republic
after the war has sunk into bureaucracy and corruption and proposes to establish an Anti-Corruption Committee. At the same time he proposes that very high-ranking officials publish an annual declaration of their incomes, as well that of their family members.
After the war, in August 2008 the Russian government allocated 6.5 billion rubles to the reconstruction of South Ossetia. The republic as yet has spent only 1.5 billion rubles, but due to the lack of documentation on
the sums spent it cannot receive the remaining 5 billion. South Ossetia does not have enough funds to restore the economy, many roads are still damaged, there is a high unemployment rate. In order to improve the situation, Bilibov proposes implementing a long-term plan of socio-economic development, at least for the next 10 years.
In order to decrease the level of corruption Bibilov proposes returning to national control, meaning entitling local communities with the right of deciding what projects need to be financed in their neighborhood. Bibilov believes such a step is necessary, as officials are always guided by their own interests and usually neglect the interests of the local population.
In order to solve the socio-economic problems, Bibilov proposes to first of all initiate an audit and accounting of state property. At the same time, Bibilov calls for a cadastral registration of the land and its division for
agricultural land, land for settlements, conservation areas and land for industrial use. In order to determine the economic potential of the republic and the consumers' market, Bibilov proposed conducting a population
census.
The Bibilov's ten-year plan also provides sector-specific plans. He proposes focusing on the development of agriculture, light industry, food industry, tourism and education. At the same time he states the necessity
of infrastructure for the economy and urges the building of roads, electricity lines, gas networks, etc.
Bibilov promises soft loans (not exceeding 5% per annum) for the purchase of machinery, fertilizers, housing, restoration of production and facilities in the sector of agricultural development. His program also provides the creation of the state land bank, which will monitor land sales. The agricultural land would be leased to those who work on it. The state should establish a system of public procurements and orders for farmers at fixed prices. In addition to directing benefits to the budget, this will create new jobs. According to Bibiliov, South Ossetia should focus on the Russian Federation as the main market. Therefore, the government would help enterprises to seek partners in Russia.
Bibilov also promises maximum freedom of entrepreneurial initiative. The state must act on the principle of "everything is permitted that is not prohibited by law." Tax conditions should be most favourable to entrepreneurs. In order to protect businesses against raids a number of laws should be introduced.
Finally, Bibilov believes that South Ossetia has great potential for the development of tourism and promises investors a special economic zone regime.
Ekaterina Tessemnikova. Exclusively for VK
