12:03, 15 June 2004

Georgian-Osetian talks suspended

South Osetia has declined to take part in the quadripartite talks on the resolution of the Georgian-Osetian conflict that were to take place in Tbilisi on June 14-15. A spokesman for the South Osetian government announced it and explained the refusal by saying that "the holding of the talks with Tbilisi is unreal after the situation in the zone of the Georgian-Osetia conflict had become extremely tense."

Official Tskhinvali suggested conducting the quadripartite talks (Georgia, Russia, North and South Osetias) on neutral territory: in Moscow or Vladikavkaz. But the spokesman noted that the renewal of the talks made no sense until Georgia fulfilled its obligations, in particular paid out damage compensation to South Osetia at the rate of $1 billion.

To remind, President of South Osetia Eduard Kokoity claimed during his recent visit to Moscow that Georgia had been in South Osetia's debt and estimated this debt at 32 billion rubles.

Source: RosBusinessConsulting News Agency