Dmitry Medoyev: security issues tend to become most important in South Osetia

The Caucasian Knot own correspondent in South Osetia conducted an interview with Dmitry Medoyev, a political scientist, member of the Institute of History and Archeology of the Republic of North Osetia - Alania and former foreign minister of South Osetia.

- Dmitry Nikolayevich, would you give some comments on the new stage in the cooperation between Georgia and the United States?

- The fact that the change of leadership in Georgia coincided with the acceleration of militarization in the county cannot but attract everyone's attention. The training of four battalions, reinforcement of frontier, naval and interior troops - all these raise anxiety in Abkhazia, South Osetia and Adjaria. It also puts Russia on her guard, in spite of the fact that Georgian politicians make statements on their intention to maintain the best relations with it. But militarization has never resulted in good things. The level of economy [in Georgia] is reduced to zero, and under such conditions, large amounts of money are allotted for arming. No economy can stand such financial infusions in where they should not be done. New leaders count on financial support from the West. Their predecessors did it too. And they did it in such a way that the natural question - "Where is the money?" - occurred to the Western investors. Georgia has turned into a black hole, which can hardly be closed because in order to do it one has to fight against a very strong machine of corruption.

- What position should South Osetia take in such a situation?

- First, South Osetia should declare we are ready to continue negotiations and move at a peace pace towards settlement. South Osetia should proceed with the negotiation process and should not change its format. This process have been frozen, there have been some transpositions. But both the parties need it. This process is a long one; the problem can not be resolved in the way that the Georgian leaders announce. The problem of South Osetia does not exist for them. But in some aspects the South Osetian problem is even more serious than the Abkhazian one. By their actions of militaristic nature, the Georgian leaders force South Osetia to take measures in order to repulse the possible use of force by Georgia. Appeals to Russia and people of North Caucasus, reinforcement of the army and armaments build-up are among those measures.

- It is a good time today to stir up efforts aimed at South Osetia's joining Russia, isn't it?

- The fact that the visa regime has been abolished for Adjaria is evidence that Russia is not interested in instability anywhere in immediate proximity to its frontiers. Russia will do its best in order not to let possible instability in Georgia spread to Russia's southern regions. The South Osetian leaders have appealed to the Russian leaders several times, asking them to admit South Osetia to Russia. These questions certainly are not set aside in Russia. The question of admitting South Osetia to Russia was put on the agenda of a State Duma session in December. Then it was removed. But it is unimportant as the question was brought up. The fact is that the State Duma takes such actions. The new Duma can make more progress in this field then the previous deputy corps, which did not have the one leading party. The decision on the admission of South Osetia, Abkhazia or Adjaria to Russia is possible under certain circumstances, which may arise in Georgia or in South Osetia or Abkhazia. By the way, the law on the admission of new members to the Federation has already been passed by the State Duma. So this direction of activity is very important for South Osetia.