Crossfire War - South Ossetian Electorate Vote Overwhelmingly for Autonomy

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By Willard Payne

Crossfire War - MOSCOW WATCH - South Caucasus Theatre: Moscow - Tskhinvali/Tbilisi - Tehran; South Ossetian Electorate Votes Overwhelmingly for Autonomy (Independence) from Georgia - 99%

Night Watch: TSKHINVALI - Time has not healed the political wounds caused by the 1991-92 war between Georgia and the South Ossetian republic when it declared its independence from Tbilisi with the end of the Cold War in 1990. That declaration was in response to the majority of its citizens identifying with Russia. RIA reports that a referendum was just held yesterday in the republic on continued support for autonomy (independence) and 99% of the electorate still approve of their secession from Georgia. 94% of those eligible to vote participated in the referendum and 98% voted for incumbent President Eduard Kokoity. Election Commission Chief Bella Pilyeva said 52,000 of the 55,000 eligible voters cast their vote. [RIA]

The result should be no surprise and it is one that Moscow supports openly, very much opposed to Tbilisi's desire and military preparations to regain control over the area. Tehran has also recognized the result, one that they also approve of because they are aware it will cause another front they hope to use to defeat Moscow as Chechens did 10 years ago in the North Caucasus. Iran has publicly supported Georgia in its miltary standoff with Russia. The only question is who starts the shooting. I suspect it will be Georgia.

Georgia's Interior Ministry is denying South Ossetian claims that Tbilisi has airlifted an assault force into the republic. [RIA]

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