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South Ossetia, moving away from Georgia more and more - PHOTOSESSION

South Ossetia, moving away from Georgia more and more - <span style="color: red;">PHOTOSESSION

28 September 2013 08:48 (UTC +04:00)

The inhabitants of the settlements located on the dividing line between South Ossetia and Georgia lose their property and agricultural lands.

Resident of Dhwani village inhabited by Georgians, 72-year-old Givi may remain on opposite side of the barbed wire and be separated from his relatives as his other fellow villagers. On September 22, 2008, his house was burnt and since this accident, he had been living at his relatives’ house. “We have a very good relationship, we are friends. They informed me that the border will move and my house will be on the other side,” – said Givi. Now he is trying to save the rest of the property as long as they have not become under the control of South Ossetia.

According to the sign indicating the start of South Ossetia’s territory, the border will be moved by 50 m into Georgia.

In recent months, reports have been released about the erection of barbed wire fences between the other part of Georgia and South Ossetia. Such a fence recently appeared in the village of Ditsi and last week in the village of Dhwani in Gori district. Earlier, the border was nothing but an empty territory and people, whose agricultural lands remained on the other side as a result of the war, could easily cross it.

According to the Georgian legislation and international law, crossing of the dividing line is not the violation of rule, because South Ossetia is a part of Georgia. The authorities of South Ossetia regard it as “the violation of border”, arrest and fine the detainees.

Unrecognized South Ossetian “Ministry of Foreign Affairs” declare that they are working to determine where the state border passes. Russia fully supports this. The South Ossetian side plans to toughen the rules for passing the dividing line, in particular, it is considered to prohibit the release of transport vehicles through control checkpoints and limit the maximum amount of transported goods at 50 kg. These rules was to come into effect on September 18, but it was postponed till December 1.

According to European observers, these rules will adversely affect those who live in the isolated areas. The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) monitor the area throughout the whole day. They realize the mission on fulfillment of terms of the ceasefire agreement signed in 2008, implementation of the patrol function in the area and meetings between the conflicting sides. EUMM told that they received reports on construction of fences and advancement of the border line in some places, however it is necessary to collect comprehensive information about it.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen issued a statement in connection with the construction of fences in Dhwani and Ditsi villages. He said that these steps are completely contrary to Russia's commitments to the international community.

But it seems that while the NATO Secretary General requires respect for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty on behalf of the international community, the South Ossetia will take all steps to physically mark its boundaries…