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Thursday,
July 26,
2007, #141 (1408) Tbilisi’s next step in conflict resolution was taken July 24, as the prime minister opened the first session of the new state South Ossetian Status Commission. State Minister for Conflict Resolution Davit Bakradze said the status of South Ossetia would be based on the three principles of 1) Georgia’s territorial integrity, 2) political and cultural guarantees for South Ossetia and 3) human rights. These principles sound similar to a 2005 document laying out the Georgian government’s vision for South Ossetia’s status, dropped not long after its creation. The document declares that South Ossetia would be granted “Autonomous Status as a territorial entity of Georgia.” It said the region could establish its own government (an executive branch and parliament) through democratic elections of the people and that South Ossetia would also be guaranteed representation in the parliament of Georgia. The 2005 document also addresses the preservation of the Ossetian language and culture. The Ossetian language will be used in the education system and will be considered an official language along with Georgian. It also mentioned the Georgian government would commit to providing state funds to preserve the Ossetian culture and history. The document goes on to talk about, in brief, a process for restoring property rights, economic development projects for the region’s rehabilitation and a three-year transition period in which Georgian–Ossetian police forces would be established in the region under the aegis of international organizations. It is likely that the final status document could resemble many of these points laid out in the earlier version. But if a viable version is adopted, it’s probable that Russia will play a role in the region otherwise South Ossetia is not likely to successfully achieve any status of Tbilisi’s liking. In the 2005 draft, Russia is not mentioned at all. Perhaps Russia will keep some sort of peacekeeping role, at least through a transitional phase. Perhaps they will be allowed to help the economic rehabilitation of the region. But almost definitely, they will need to play some role. According to Rustavi 2, Russian officials are going to be invited to participate on the status commission along with European officials though it’s unclear who has been invited. The TV station also reports that State Minister for Conflict Resolution Davit Bakradze will call South Ossetian Joint Control Commission (JCC) co-chair and ask him to sit on the commission as well. While it’s wise for Georgia to invite Russia to participate on the commission, whether they accept the offer or not will be a true sign of how close Georgia actually is to bringing South Ossetia back into the fold. Dmitry Sanakoyev, head of the South Ossetian provisional administration, also thinks Russia must play a vital role in the process. “I am not sure that at the present stage, de facto authorities of Tskhinvali will consent to work on the commission, but I think Russia must participate in it by all means because peace, calmness and order on its borders are in its interests. The Russian side’s participation in the work of the commission will also determine the participation of the de facto authorities of Tskhinvali in the next phase,” Sanakoyev commented after the first commission meeting. |
No South Ossetian Status Without Russian Role