By Vestnik Kavkaza
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of recognition of South Ossetia’s independence by Moscow, Vestnik Kavkaza interviewed the president of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov.
- The question is not to the president, but to Aqsaqal. The Caucasus is a rich region with fertile land and hospitable people. How can peace be achieved there?
- You said that the question is not to me as president, but as a person who is life-experienced, has seen a lot in life, has seen developments over South Ossetia, wars which were imposed on it. Of course a person should strive for peace. A lot depends on the person himself. The regime of Saakashvili imposed the wars of 2008 and 2004 on us. We should always remember that every person has a right to live and nobody can break this right. But there were forces which pushed Saakashvili to these actions – the [financial] support of Georgia, arming with corresponding forces, training soldiers in the war against South Ossetia, unfortunately.
When the Olympic Games took place in Beijing, and the attention of the international community was focused on the Olympics, war burst out here. It was a disloyal attack.
- There is little information about contemporary South Ossetia. Why?
- I agree. We have already signed a relevant agreement with ITAR-TASS – in South Ossetia a journalist project will be established, it will cover events which happen in South Ossetia. I think such a work will be continued with RIA Novosti and Russia Today and many other mass media which are ready to work with South Ossetia’s position. I think in the near future informational work will be improved.
- Are humanitarian cooperation projects important for South Ossetia?
- We cannot live within our borders only, we should move forward and establish contacts. Recently an educational center was opened in Tskhinvali. I hope it will be useful. It means cooperation between universities, staff members and those who have signed the agreement. I welcome such agreements.
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Speaking about control over spending financial resources allocated to South Ossetia by Russia for reconstruction of the republic, Tibilov said: “When I took the position of the republic’s president on April 26th, I signed an order on work of the General Prosecution of our republic and the Chamber of Control and Accounts of the republic on investigation of targeted spending financial resources which the republic get from Russia for reconstruction of the republic. Today more than 70 criminal cases have been initiated; many former responsible officials, including two ministers, are involved in the cases. About 9 officials are on an international wanted list – ministers and deputy ministers. Our General Prosecution and the General Prosecution of the RF provided joint investigation of all circumstances of non-targeted spending and stealing resources which were allocated to people of the republic.”
Touching on the socio-economic situation in South Ossetia, Tibilov noted: “There used to be 27 industrial facilities in South Ossetia, today none of them works. But of course the authorities of the republic are aimed at developing the economy because we cannot live without it.
We have launched a construction materials factory. The republic is rich with various mineral springs. We will produce our own mineral water. We intend to sell our local mineral water on the Russian market.
We have opened a garment factory where 150 people will work by the beginning of 2014.
There are serious opportunities for development of agriculture. South Ossetia’s climate conditions are thought to be perfect.
The authorities of the republic plan to develop an autonomous power system. The water potential of the republic is between 100 and 110 megawatts. We plan to build a series of hydropower stations on the rivers of South Ossetia. I think in the near future we will have our own small hydropower stations.”
