SOUTH OSSETIA TO CREATE ITS OWN PRESIDENCY.

The Supreme Soviet of South Ossetia, chaired by Lyudvig Chibirov, resolved September 6 to create a South Ossetian presidency and introduce presidential rule. The assembly tentatively scheduled a session for September 13 to make these changes in the South Ossetian "constitution." On September 7 in Tbilisi, Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze chaired a special session of the Security Council which issued a statement warning against a unilateral move which would undercut the "understandings" reached between Shevardnadze and Chibirov in Vladikavkaz (see Monitor, August 28). Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued its own statement cautioning that the proposed move would prejudice the political resolution of the conflict. (Interfax, Itar-Tass, September 7 and 8)

The ink is hardly dry on the August 27 Vladikavkaz communique, signed by Shevardnadze and endorsed by Russian, North Ossetian, and OSCE mediators, which committed the sides to a peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict. In practical terms, however, the statement basically provides that talks will be held. Tskhinvali’s move evidently aims at consolidating its South Ossetian statehood and cementing de facto secession from Georgia. The move again places an onus on Moscow to disavow any open move toward South Ossetian secession and prospective South-North Ossetian unification. The OSCE mission will also certainly seek to dissuade South Ossetia from instituting its own presidency.

Uzbek Opposition Leader, Human Rights Group Resume Activities.