The South Ossetian Ministry of Defense says the village of Otrev, near the South Ossetian capital Tskhinval, was shelled on Monday evening.
As reports of further shelling from across the border in Georgia continue, Russia’s Foreign Ministry says its troops stationed in South Ossetia are on high alert.
“The situation is really worrying as provocation from the Georgian side continues on the eve of the first anniversary of the August 2008 events. Due to this, Russian army units and frontier guards stationed in South Ossetia have been put on alert,” said the ministry’s spokesman Andrey Nesterenko.
He said that “The most important thing at the moment is to avoid any escalation and turn exchanges of fire into bigger conflicts.”
“We have been and will do everything to ensure that,” Nesterenko added.
“About an hour ago, the Ossetian village of Otrev was shelled from inside a Georgian village. Shells were fired from mortars. There were two of them. Now, an operational investigative group is working there to find out more details of what happened. However, one can be absolutely positive that this is another of the usual Georgian provocations which have recently become more frequent. This is the fourth shooting attack over the last two weeks,”
she said.This is the latest in what Russian authorities are calling a series of provocations from Tbilisi.Over the past week there have been several reports of Ossetian settlements being fired upon. Russia has warned it may use force to protect the republic if the firing continues.
Meanwhile, Tbilisi has accused Russia of trying to shift the border between Ossetia and Georgia. Moscow denies this, saying it is implementing traffic control measures.
“Provocations from Georgia continue”
South Ossetian president Eduard Kokoity has called an emergency Security Council meeting to deal with the situation in the republic.
“I’m urgently calling a Security Council meeting, with all security ministers reporting about the latest series of Georgian provocations,” Itar Tass quotes Kokoity as saying. “They will give their assessment of the situation and brief me on how the investigation develops.”
Kokoity has also stated that American and European observers turn a blind eye to Georgia’s actions:
“Observers from the US and the EU have not noticed the shelling incidents because they didn’t want to. Provocations, shellings and kidnappings of South Ossetian citizens take place regularly in their area of responsibility.”
“At least four people have been kidnapped in this area recently, including police officer Soslan Pukhaev,” Kokoity continued. “At first the Georgian side denied this fact, but then said he was detained on Georgian territory. But we have conclusive evidence that he was kidnapped in South Ossetia.”
South Ossetian government sacked
As the situation in South Ossetia is getting tense, President Kokoity is seeking to strengthen the government.
On Tuesday, he sacked the prime minister and dissolved the government. He underlined, however, that the premier was dismissed for health reasons.
Kokoity stressed that there are no political or administrative motives behind the dismissal of the government Aslanbek Bulatsev.
The South Ossetian president said he thinks the new government will be more active and solve problems more effectively.
“The new government of the republic will be announced within two days. There are several worthy candidates for the post of its head,” he said.
“Before the elections, I promised that part of presidential powers will be passed on to the parliament and the government. This process is now speeding up,” Kokoity said.
Last year’s war
Nearly 4,000 Russian troops have been legally based in South Ossetia and Abkhazia after the two republics signed deals on cooperation and protection with Moscow. Despite these measures, some locals are still worried.
“A lot of residents in Tskhinval have left the republic after the shelling, because the mere thought that another war will start is terrifying. A lot of people have left the republic together with their children,” local resident Maya Khorebova said.
On August 8, 2008, Georgia attacked South Ossetia, leaving many without a home or loved ones. The assault was only stopped when Russia’s 58th army stepped in. Nearly 80% of South Ossetians carry Russian passports, and Moscow said the move was in compliance with its peacekeeping obligations and aimed at protecting Russian citizens in the republic.
Many analysts say the actions shattered Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili’s dream of his country joining NATO.
“It was clear right after Saakashvili’s attack against South Ossetia that Georgia would not be a NATO member any time soon, or at least until he is in power in Georgia. Because, basically, neither Germany nor France or any other country wants a conflict with Russia,” political analyst Dmitry Babich told RT.
Shortly after the fighting ended, Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, despite international criticism.
RT
August 4th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
With growing anxiety the whole world is watching Caucasus. Russia and Georgia are getting ready for another war. While studying the Bible I found (in chapter 11 of the book of Daniel) a very interesting prophecy concerning this matter. The vision shows God’s plan extending from ancient Persia up to “the end of days”. Below I will point out some exciting details.
Verse 27 describes the transition from the fall of the Roman Empire to the second half of the 19th Century, when Russia took control over the regions which had previously belonged to Seleucus I, the ancient king of the north and in this way Russia took his position as “the king of the north”. In 1882 England conquered Egypt and took the role of “the king of the south”. About their superficial relationship we read: “And both these kings, their hearts (will be) to do evil [mischief], and at one table they will speak lie(s). But it will not succeed, for yet (the) end [ending period of time] to (the) appointed time.” (11:27, literal translation)
What was to happen in that ending period of time? The next verse is linked with Russia’s history after World War II: “And he ["the king of the north"] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [May 1945]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant; and will act effectively; and turn back to his own land [Russian troops came back to their own land after the dissolution of the Soviet Union].” (11:28, literal translation)
Daniel foretells here that “the king of the north” (Russia) will not only be successful in WW2, but also that he will return to his land with a great deal of goods. If only Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 advised him to stop military actions, the prophetic detail would have never been fulfilled.
Many wonder today why the plan of Stauffenberg failed. Some have called it the biggest misfortune of the 20th century. After the assassination attempt on the 20th of July 1944 Hitler believed that Providence protected him. This may be right as not only Russia’s victory was decided but also the Russians return to their own land with a great deal of material goods. However, in order for this to happen, the Germans, after they had plundered Europe had to fight to the very end.
God’s power is demonstrated by those prophecies. He had planned those events several thousand years ago. He is able by his power to control the course of history in such a way so that what he planned could be fulfilled down to the last detail. The prophecy certainly would not have been fulfilled if Adolf Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 had advised him to cease the military activities or if the assassination attempt had ended successfully. The unsuccessful putsch is an example of God’s power and that he watches his words in order to bring them to the completion. (Jeremiah 1:11,12) We can be sure of that when we examine closely God’s other earlier prophecies.
What will the future bring to us? “At the appointed time he shall return (Russia regains its former control, Russian troops again based abroad) and come into the south (that might be Georgia), but it shall not be as (the) former [May 1945] or as (the) latter [August 2008]. For shall come against him (the) dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [the West], and he will be humbled, and will return.” (Daniel 11:29,30a, literal translation)
The current economic recession does not appear to be coincidental as it might give Russia the possibility to regain control over many regions. The future will reveal the extent of Russia’s return before it comes somewhere into the south and clashes with the West.