The US does not Recognize the So-Called Elections in Breakaway South Ossetia, Urges Russia to Stop war Crimes in Ukraine
By Liza Norwich-Gerwik
Monday, April 11, 2022
The United States does not recognize the so-called presidential elections in occupied Tskhinvali.
The US Embassy states that the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are an integral part of Georgia and that neither the so-called elections nor the so-called referendum can change that.
The United States supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The United States does not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called presidential elections held in Georgia’s South Ossetia region on April 10 and will not acknowledge their outcome. Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia.
No “elections” or an a priori illegitimate ‘referendum’ calling for the incorporation of South Ossetia into Russia can change this. Accordingly, we reiterate our strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
The United States is urging Russia to end the war in Ukraine, withdraw its forces from the occupied territories of Georgia, and withdraw its recognition of the independence of the occupied republics of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
“Russia’s brutal, unprovoked, and unjustified war deliberately attacking Ukrainian civilians and cities makes it even more important to stand up for these fundamental principles that are the foundation of the international security architecture.
We, therefore, call upon Russia to immediately stop its war in Ukraine and its occupation of Georgia, and fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions, reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, and provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.”
5 candidates ran in the so-called elections on April 10. Among them is the current de facto leader of the occupation regime, Anatoly Bibilov. Bibilov promises to hold two so-called referendums the first on joining Russia and the second on unification with North Ossetia.
In addition to Bibilov, the so-called presidential candidates also include Alan Gagloev, the leader of the Nikhas party, Dmitry Tasoev, the so-called former member of parliament, Gary Muldarov, the current member of parliament, and Alexander Liev, the so-called deputy speaker of parliament.
Apart from the occupied Tskhinvali region, so-called polling stations were opened in Moscow and occupied Sokhumi.
32 thousand ‘voters’ were registered for the ‘elections’.
