28 January 2005, 22:30
Rally against Saakashvili nomination
A rally was held in the capital of South Osetia, Tskhinval, in connection with Mikhail Saakashvili's recent speech in Strasbourg, in which he made a suggestion that South Osetia be granted a high degree of autonomy within Georgia. The leitmotif of the speeches was distrust in Georgia's leaders who try to produce a favorable impression on the world public. Participants recollected the 1991-92 conflict, clashes in the summer of 2004, developments of the last two weeks marked by hostage-taking, blocked roads, and treats to settle the issue by force.
People suggested sending a telegram to the Nobel Committee on behalf of the meeting participants to protest against the nomination of Mikhail Saakashvili for the Nobel Peace Prize. They hold that president Saakashvili's actions towards the South Osetian people do not evidence peaceful intentions but on the contrary, show his aggressiveness and adherence to the policy of force.
Senators McCain and Hillary Clinton nominated Mikhail Saakashvili and Viktor Yushchenko for the Nobel Prize on January 27 for their contribution to the development of democracy in Eastern Europe.
Author: Inga Kochiyeva, CK correspondent
