An initiative group is collecting signatures for a referendum in South
Ossetia. Their goal is to gain a legal opportunity for President
Eduard Kokoity to head the country for a third term, RES reports.
Kokoity said on June 13 that he will not participate in the
presidential elections in November 2011, regardless of the decision
the Supreme Court makes on the referendum.
The Supreme Court will make its decision on June 14.
Initiators of the referendum, headed by South Ossetian Deputy Defense
Minister Ibragim Gasseyev, say that the goal of the referendum is not
just to allow the president to stay in power, but to continue the
course for independence, democratic development and further
strengthening of ties with Russia.
A young state must not allow people who may put its future at risk to
rule it, the message says.
