Georgia: Situation calms down in S.Ossetia, but source of tensions remains
The main road into the South Ossetian conflict
zone, which has been closed for several weeks, was reportedly re-opened
on Sunday after Georgian State Minister Giorgi Khaindrava warned, on July
16, that the situation in the region is worsening because of "well-planned
provocations." The overall situation in the region started to deteriorate
on May 29 when four Ossetians and one Georgian policeman were killed in
a shootout near the Georgian village of Tamarasheni. This incident was
followed by the disappearance of four Georgians. Their whereabouts still
remain unknown. in a response, relatives of these four men started blocking
major roads in the conflict zone.
This reopening of the road in the conflict zone is expected to defuse tensions, at least slightly. But without proper investigation, the May 29 and June 6 incidents will remain a source of different interpretations by Tbilisi and Tskhinvali and potential sources of tensions. Alternatively, the large number of arms and unauthorized Georgian and Ossetian checkpoints, as well as armed men in the conflict zone, might also undermine the fragile peace in the region at any time.
- United Nations Association of Georgia
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