Valeria Romashchenko, especially for "Vestnik Kavkaza"
On April 3,a roundtable took place in Moscow's RIA Novosti news agency on the topic "Parliamentary elections and parties in South Ossetia: inquiries and expectations", in which heads of three parties represented in the South Ossetia parliament - Zurab Kokoyev ("Unity"), Anatoly Bibilov ("Uniform Ossetia"), David Sanakoyev ("New Ossetia") took part.
The Acting Foreign Minister of South Ossetia David Sanakoyev noted that the current situation in the republic is calm, all parties are adjusted for a constructive fight. There are 15 parties in the political arena of South Ossetia today and this election cycle will resolve an issue of what parties are viable. David Sanakoyev's opinion was supported by the vice-chairman of parliament of South Ossetia Zurab Kokoyev, who noted positive fact-election on the eve of the Prime Minister of South Ossetia, that in his estimation, is the first step to further stabilize the economic situation in the republic. The positive aspect is also the approval of the investment project for 2014. And finally, in May in Tskhinvali at the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission the investment will be approved for 2015 - 2017 years.
Leader of "Unity" stressed that stability and the further development of the country is important for the party. The main sphere is a social and economic development, and we will give the central place to this question. It is important that this year we finished recovery process and next year began development… We have all forces for a victory on elections. The brotherly party "United Russia" is next to us.
In turn, speaking of the goals and objectives of the "United Ossetia" Anatoly Bibilov noted that they are virtually identical for all parties going to elections. As the number of parties do not indicate a split in society. Therefore Bibilov confident, that the elections will take place in a calm atmosphere, because there is no reason for instability. Also the leader of " United Ossetia " estimating a situation doesn't consider that any political force in South Ossetia will be aimed at situation destabilization.
Acting Emergencies Minister South Ossetia also said that the party "United Ossetia" is numerous and it contains almost all sectors of society.
Bibilov focused attention that the party will achieve that the word “conflict” didn't sound any more concerning South Ossetia and Georgia. “It was war and it is necessary to call such way. Moreover, it was the Patriotic War” , declared Anatoly Bibilov.
Also, during the roundtable, the leader of "United Ossetia," noted that for parties RSO great example of an organization party work is the activity of Russian deputies. Bibilov stressed that all of South Ossetia proud Parliament first convocation , which actually led to the independence of the republic. Therefore it is necessary to be at a level with the Parliament first convocation.
An important question raised at the press conference regarding the entry of foreign nationals into the territory of South Ossetia. David Sanakoyev noted that now just there is a work on laws that should facilitate movement across the border of Russia and South Ossetia. Also preparing to adopt a number of laws to streamline the issue- Law on nationality in the new edition, Law on a legal status of foreign citizens.
For Russian citizens entry remain the same simple in South Ossetia- on existence of only the Russian passport. For citizens of other countries with whom South Ossetia has no diplomatic relations a comfortable entry into the RSO will also ensure in the future. Sanakoev said that there were a lot of historical monuments, magnificent nature in South Ossetia. In the future it will be possible to get a good spa treatment and tourism is another area that will be a priority for the country.
One more important aspect of discussion is a frontier question. Leader of "New Ossetia" drew attention to the fact that the special Commission on delimitation and border demarcation was created with Russia, in the course of which all the issues had been resolved. The same request to establish a commission South Ossetia sent Georgia, but the response has been received yet.
The first deputy chairman of the parliament of South Ossetia Zurab Kokoyev also declared that the party "Unity" sets the task to simplify border crossing from the Russian side that guests didn't stand in big queues any more.
Another important issue that was discussed during the press conference is a subject of work of party structures with youth. So, in 2009, during the parliamentary elections the party "Unity" has allocated 20% of the list of places for young people. This time it is also planned to put such personnel reserve. Besides, the youth wing of the party actively works. Huge help is realization joint with Russia of educational projects. Kokoyev thanked Russia, for making a lot for the development of education in South Ossetia. The task of party also consists of issue about the students who are training in leading higher education institutions of Russia, returned home and actively participated in political life of the country. Working with young people is a priority for the party.
Anatoly Bibilov, in the conclusion declared that the party is faced by the accurate purpose which is put in the "minimum program"-“Two countries - one Ossetia”. The party stakes on association of the people of North and South Ossetia, i.e. the border between South Ossetia and the Russian Federation should be moved 80 kilometers south of the place where it is now.
Bibilov stressed the need to unite a divided people. It is not just the desire of politicians, it is the desire of the people. And if there was a referendum, the people would have voted for unification with North Ossetia. "We firmly stand on such position. At the same time in any case we must develop the state in all its directions. Priority tasks – economy development, socially spheres, educations”.
