Kokoity to Ivanishvili: Recognize Our Independence and Return the Occupied Valleys

"Ivanishvili is one of the first Georgian politicians to make such a bold statement. We unequivocally support any initiative or trend aimed at the peaceful settlement of all existing differences. However, the question is how sincere this all is and whether it’s just a pre-election political stunt.

There’s nothing new in Ivanishvili’s statement. Since 2008, I’ve been declaring that Saakashvili and his subordinates are international criminals. They must be tried and punished. But the real question is: why does the leader of Georgian Dream, Ivanishvili, only want to apologize to the Ossetians? What about the Abkhazians? Did Georgia bring less tragedy and pain to our Abkhaz brothers and sisters?

Why are we only talking about the events of 2008? We know and respect our history well. We have not forgotten the genocide of 1920, the destruction of the Ossetian intelligentsia and prominent figures, or the chauvinism of Zhordania, Gamsakhurdia, and their followers," Kokoity said.

According to him, the attempt to place all the blame on Saakashvili and the United States is "unsuccessful and short-sighted" because "the responsibility lies with all of Georgia."

"My appeal to the people and to all political and patriotic forces in Ossetia is this: it is not worth showing a superficial approach and playing with our southern neighbor. We must take a united, principled, and strict position. If Georgia is responsible for the Ossetian people, then first of all,

Georgia should recognize the independence of South Ossetia, sign all the necessary agreements that guarantee peace and the non-renewal of hostilities, and raise the issue of the return of Truso, Gudo, and other Ossetian valleys currently occupied by Georgia.

Considering the economic damage inflicted on South Ossetia since 1920, the $10 billion previously mentioned by the Prime Ministers of Georgia is insufficient. But that’s not the point. Who will bring back the tens of thousands of murdered brothers and sisters? Who will heal the pain caused to their families and friends? We will never forget, and we will not forgive," Kokoity said.

However, according to Eduard Kokoity, given the current tense global situation and "the efforts of the United States and the collective West to provoke a war near Russia’s borders," South Ossetia is prepared to fight for peace alongside Russia to avoid a new conflict in the South Caucasus. According to Kokoity, "peace with Georgia" should be based on Russia’s conditions.

"We are ready for a fair dialogue on equal terms, taking into account the current reality:

South Ossetia and Abkhazia are independent and sovereign states, whose status is not subject to any discussion or revision. Ossetia and Abkhazia should serve as the main outposts of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, a reliable pillar of Russia. Other paths are unacceptable for our people.

Therefore, I appeal to my Abkhazian brothers and sisters: in this difficult time, let us take responsibility for our brotherly Abkhazia. Together, we achieved a historic victory for our peoples, and together we must determine the future of our restored states. Without Russia, without a reliable alliance with Russia, we may not even have this future," Eduard Kokoity said.

On September 14, during a pre-election meeting with voters in Gori, Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili said, "As soon as the October 26 elections are over, when the instigators of the war are put on trial and when all criminals receive the strictest legal verdict for the destruction of the Georgian-Ossetian brotherhood and coexistence, we will surely find the strength within ourselves to apologize for the fact that the treacherous National Movement, under the mandate, burned our Ossetian brothers and sisters in 2008."