South Ossetian independence referendum, 2006
Encyclopedia
South Ossetia, an independent
partially recognized republic in the South Caucasus
, formerly the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic with its capital in Tskhinvali
, held a referendum on independence on November 12, 2006. The voters answered the question: "should South Ossetia preserve its present status of a de facto
independent state?" 99% of voters supported independence. It coincided with de facto South Ossetian presidential elections, which took place on the same day.
) organized own elections in the village of Eredvi, inhabited by ethnic Georgians, in which both Georgian and some Ossetian inhabitants of the region voted in favour of Dmitry Sanakoyev
as the alternative President of South Ossetia. The alternative elections of Sanakoyev claimed full support of the ethnic Georgian population.
The Georgian side considers this move by de facto authorities in Tskhinvali as a provocative and unconstitutional action, and warns that this decision will further raise the tensions in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict
zone. However, on September 12, 2006, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma
, Boris Gryzlov
welcomed the appointed South Ossetian referendum and announced that Russian parliamentarians will observe the voting process. On September 13, 2006, the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, Merab Antadze, issued a statement, condemning Gryzlov's statement as "destructive."
On September 13, 2006, the Council of Europe
(CoE) Secretary General Terry Davis commented on the problem, stating that
The European Union Special Representative to the South Caucasus
, Peter Semneby, also downplayed the forthcoming South Ossetian referendum and said in Moscow, on September 13, that the referendum would not contribute to the conflict resolution process in South Ossetia.
On the other hand, the head of the Institute of CIS
Countries and the member of the Russian State Duma, Konstantin Zatulin
, is quoted on October 2, 2006 as saying:
On October 2, 2006, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht
said during his visit to Tbilisi:
On November 11, 2006, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
said in a statement:
On November 11, 2006, Luis Tascón, a member of the National Assembly of Venezuela
, stated during a press-conference in Tskhinvali:
He also hinted that Venezuela might eventually recognize the South Ossetian independence:
On November 11, 2006, Sergei Fyodorov
, an observer and Latvian Parliament
member of Russian nationality, stated during a press-conference in Tskhinvali:
He also made a commitment to inform the other members of the parliament of his observations.
On November 13, the European Union foreign ministers and the OSCE reiterated that they will not recognize the referendum and condemned it as unproductive. An EU statement was later joined by Ukraine
.
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
partially recognized republic in the South Caucasus
South Caucasus
The South Caucasus is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia also referred to as Transcaucasia, or The Trans-Caucasus...
, formerly the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
The South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast was an autonomous oblast of the Soviet Union created within the Georgian SSR on April 20, 1922. Its autonomy was revoked on December 10, 1990 by the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, leading to the First South Ossetian War...
within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic with its capital in Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali , is the capital of South Ossetia, a disputed region which has been recognised as an independent Republic by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, and is regarded by Georgia and the rest of the world as part of the Shida Kartli region within Georgian sovereign territory.It is located...
, held a referendum on independence on November 12, 2006. The voters answered the question: "should South Ossetia preserve its present status of a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
independent state?" 99% of voters supported independence. It coincided with de facto South Ossetian presidential elections, which took place on the same day.
Referendum
Parallel to the referendum and elections, the Georgia-backed Ossetian opposition movement (People of South Ossetia for PeacePeople of South Ossetia for Peace
The People of South Ossetia for Peace movement is the main opposition party and political movement in South Ossetia which was formed by the ethnic Ossetians who were formerly members of the secessionist government in Tskhinvali and outspoken critics of de facto separatist regime in Tskhinvali,...
) organized own elections in the village of Eredvi, inhabited by ethnic Georgians, in which both Georgian and some Ossetian inhabitants of the region voted in favour of Dmitry Sanakoyev
Dmitry Sanakoyev
Dmitry Ivanovich Sanakoyev is a South Ossetian and Georgian politician, a former official in the secessionist government of South Ossetia and currently Head of the Provisional Administration of South Ossetia, a rival entity established in 2007 in the Georgian-controlled territories of this...
as the alternative President of South Ossetia. The alternative elections of Sanakoyev claimed full support of the ethnic Georgian population.
Results
On November 13, the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia announced the results of the referendum. 99% of voters have supported the independence, and the turnout amounted to 95.2%.Reactions
The Georgian government has officially declared both elections illegal, but it is believed to support the Salvation Union of Ossetians, the organization in charge of holding the alternative elections. Kokoity thus accused Tbilisi of staging the alternative elections in order to create a "puppet government" in South Ossetia.The Georgian side considers this move by de facto authorities in Tskhinvali as a provocative and unconstitutional action, and warns that this decision will further raise the tensions in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict
Georgian-Ossetian conflict
The Georgian–Ossetian conflict refers to the ethno-political conflict in Georgia's autonomous region of South Ossetia, which evolved in 1989 and developed into a 1991–1992 South Ossetia War. Despite a declared ceasefire and numerous peace efforts, the conflict remains unresolved, and minor armed...
zone. However, on September 12, 2006, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma
State Duma
The State Duma , common abbreviation: Госду́ма ) in the Russian Federation is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia , the upper house being the Federation Council of Russia. The Duma headquarters is located in central Moscow, a few steps from Manege Square. Its members are referred to...
, Boris Gryzlov
Boris Gryzlov
Boris Vyacheslavovich Gryzlov , is a Russian politician and current Speaker of Russia's State Duma . He is one of the leaders of the largest Russian political party, United Russia...
welcomed the appointed South Ossetian referendum and announced that Russian parliamentarians will observe the voting process. On September 13, 2006, the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, Merab Antadze, issued a statement, condemning Gryzlov's statement as "destructive."
On September 13, 2006, the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
(CoE) Secretary General Terry Davis commented on the problem, stating that
The European Union Special Representative to the South Caucasus
South Caucasus
The South Caucasus is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia also referred to as Transcaucasia, or The Trans-Caucasus...
, Peter Semneby, also downplayed the forthcoming South Ossetian referendum and said in Moscow, on September 13, that the referendum would not contribute to the conflict resolution process in South Ossetia.
On the other hand, the head of the Institute of CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
Countries and the member of the Russian State Duma, Konstantin Zatulin
Konstantin Zatulin
Konstantin Fyodorovich Zatulin is a Russian politician, first deputy chairman of the committee of the State Duma for the CIS and relations with Russian nationals abroad.-Biography:...
, is quoted on October 2, 2006 as saying:
On October 2, 2006, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht
Karel De Gucht
Karel Lodewijk Georgette Emmerence De Gucht is a Belgian politician who has been the European Commissioner for Trade since 2010...
said during his visit to Tbilisi:
On November 11, 2006, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
Jakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009....
said in a statement:
On November 11, 2006, Luis Tascón, a member of the National Assembly of Venezuela
National Assembly of Venezuela
The National Assembly is the legislative branch of the Venezuelan government. It is a unicameral body made up of a variable number of members, who are elected by "universal, direct, personal, and secret" vote partly by direct election in state-based voting districts, and partly on a state-based...
, stated during a press-conference in Tskhinvali:
He also hinted that Venezuela might eventually recognize the South Ossetian independence:
On November 11, 2006, Sergei Fyodorov
Sergejs Fjodorovs
Sergejs Fjodorovs is a Latvian politician. He is a member of the Harmony Centre party and a deputy of the 9th Saeima . He began his current term in parliament on November 7, 2006.-External links:*...
, an observer and Latvian Parliament
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
member of Russian nationality, stated during a press-conference in Tskhinvali:
He also made a commitment to inform the other members of the parliament of his observations.
On November 13, the European Union foreign ministers and the OSCE reiterated that they will not recognize the referendum and condemned it as unproductive. An EU statement was later joined by Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
.