Day of South Ossetian diplomacy

The traditions of Ossetian diplomacy prompt a solution of the conflict

The first department for foreign affairs was created in South Ossetia
18 years ago. Its main function was "to inform the world community of
the real situation in the republic and strengthen foreign relations".
Now politicians and experts are summing up the results of their work.

The main argument for the success of the external policy of the
republic is that Russia has recognized it as an independant state. In
addition, South Ossetian diplomacy has been developing relations with
Vladikavkaz and, from 1992-2004, with Tbilisi.

Kosta Dzugayev, the former representative of the republic at the talks
with Georgia, says that two main issues to have been developed were
the resolution of the conflict between Ossetia and Georgia and
relations with Russia. He points out that the conflict with Georgia
had already been resolved before the change of regime in Tbilisi in
2003. As a result, he adds, Georgia and South Ossetia are now in a
state of international conflict. As to the relations between the two
Ossetias, Dzugayev has mentioned some important documents signed by
the two sides. He thinks that the main aim of the external policy of
the republic is its recognition by as many states as possible.

The opponents of the Ossetian authorities argue that the recognition
of the republic by Russia is not the result of diplomacy but of armed
conflict. Maya Tsoboshvili, who worked as the foreign minister of the
alternative government of the republic in 2006-2007, says that there
had been no diplomacy since the conflict of 1992 and that both Ossetia
and Georgia were to blame. "Unfortunately, there was no diplomacy in
2008 either" - she continues. "All sides should understand that a
forced solution brings no results. We all have to start diplomatic
talks, or at least try to. By this I do not mean the Geneva process,
which will bring no results".

Experts underline that the armed conflict was a result of multiple
small local conflicts, meaning that a real result can be achieved only
by means of diplomacy. The Sochi agreement of 1992 shows that
diplomacy was able to put the conflict on hold for many years.

The population of South Ossetia is 20 times smaller than that of North
Ossetia, yet the latter has never even thought of having a Foreign
Ministry. Nevertheless, the only Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of the Soviet Union from the North Caucasus was
Ossetian-born Alexander Dzasokhov. And with Elbrus Kargiyev as the
first plenipotentiary ambassador of Russia in Tskhinvali, the
traditions of Ossetian diplomacy continue.

Oleg Kushaty, exclusively for VK