2006 South Ossetian independence referendum

none South Ossetia 12 November 2006 Should the republic of South Ossetia retain its current status as an independent State, and be recognized by the international community? 51,565 60 538 55,163 2006 South Ossetian independence referendum by district.svg 250px Results by district Yes #2B2457 90–100% South Ossetia, a mostly unrecognized republic in the South Caucasus, formerly the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic with its capital in Tskhinvali, held a referendum on independence on November 12, 2006. Referendum The voters in the independence referendum organized by Tskhinvali answered the question: "Should the republic of South Ossetia retain its current status as an independent State, and be recognized by the international community?"http://www.caucaz.com/home_eng/breve_contenu.php?id=279 Two Referendums and Two "Presidents" in South Ossetia 2006-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20061128064202/http://www.caucaz.com/home_eng/breve_contenu.php?id=279 2006-11-28 Parallel to the referendum and elections, the Georgia-backed Ossetian opposition movement organized its own elections in Eredvi, inhabited by ethnic Georgians, in which five Ossetian presidential candidates opposed to Eduard Kokoity took part. On the alternative referendum the voters answered the following question: "Should South Ossetia engage in discussions with Tbilisi concerning a federal State uniting it with Georgia?" According to the Electoral Commission of Alternative Elections, 42,000 voters turned out for the elections held in the territories under Georgian control, but Tskhinvali claimed that the voters numbered only 14,000. Dmitry Sanakoyev was elected by 88% of voters as the alternative President of South Ossetia. Results On 13 November 2006, the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia announced the results of the referendum. 99% of voters supported independence,http://www.regnum.ru/english/737823.htm4.l 99% of South Ossetian voters approve independence Regnum November 13, 2006 November 27, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201431/http://www.regnum.ru/english/737823.html September 30, 2007 with voter turnout at 95%. 51565 60 538 55163 Direct Democracy Reactions The Georgian government has declared both the election and the referendum illegal, but it was believed to support the Salvation Union of Ossetians, the organization in charge of holding the alternative elections. Kokoity thus accused Tbilisi of staging the alternative elections that aimed at "dividing the Ossetian people".http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=14030 Staging 'Alternative Choice' for S.Ossetia Civil.Ge November 7, 2006http://www.kommersant.com/p720847/South_Ossetia_Elections/ South Ossetia to Elect Two Presidents Kommersant November 11, 2006 November 11, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190030/http://www.kommersant.com/p720847/South_Ossetia_Elections/ September 30, 2007 dead mdy-all https://www.rferl.org/a/1072652.html Georgia: South Ossetia Seeks To Contain Opposition Challenge Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty November 10, 2006 On 12 September 2006, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, welcomed the appointed South Ossetian referendum and announced that Russian parliamentarians would observe the voting process. On 13 September 2006, the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, Merab Antadze, issued a statement, condemning Gryzlov's statement as "destructive."http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13539 Tbilisi Slams Russian Speaker for 'Destructive Statement' Civil.Ge September 13, 2006 The European Union Special Representative to the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, downplayed the forthcoming South Ossetian referendum and said in Moscow, on 13 September 2006, that the referendum would not contribute to the conflict resolution process in South Ossetia.http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13544 EU Envoy Downplays Importance of South Ossetia Referendum Civil.Ge September 13, 2006 On 13 September 2006, the Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Terry Davis commented on the problem, stating that: The secessionist authorities of the South Ossetian region of Georgia are wasting time and effort on the organisation of a "referendum on independence" in November. [...] I do not think that anyone will recognise the result of such a referendum. If the people in power in South Ossetia are genuinely committed to the interest of the people they claim to represent, they should engage in meaningful negotiations with the Georgian government in order to find a peaceful, internationally accepted outcome.http://www.coe.int/t/dgap/tbilisi/archives/enews/EEVlEuyFElfTRjjwgP.asp Council of Europe Secretary General calls for talks instead of "referendum" in the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Council of Europe Information Office in Georgia The head of the Institute of CIS Countries and the member of the Russian State Duma, Konstantin Zatulin, is quoted during his visit to Artsakh in October 2006, where he spoke only about Artsakh and Transnistria, as saying: Recognition of the so-called unrecognized states is not far off. Unrecognized republics have all attributes of state system and stable democratic system.http://www.regnum.ru/english/714181.html Expert: "Recognition of so-called unrecognized states is not far off" Regnum October 2, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000814/http://www.regnum.ru/english/714181.html 2007-10-01 On 2 October 2006, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said during his visit to Tbilisi: I also call the South Ossetian authorities’ intention to hold a referendum counterproductive. It will not be recognized by the international community and it will not be recognized by the OSCE and it will impede the peace process.http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13740 OSCE Chairman Calls for Top Level South Ossetia Talks Civil.Ge October 2, 2006 On 11 November 2006, Secretary General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a statement: On behalf of NATO, I join other international leaders in rejecting the so-called “referendum” and “elections” conducted in the South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region of Georgia. Such actions serve no purpose other than to exacerbate tensions in the South Caucasus region.http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2006/p06-142e.htm Statement by the NATO Secretary General on "referendum" and "presidential elections" in South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region of Georgia NATO Press Releases November 11, 2006 On 11 November 2006, Luis Tascón, a member of the National Assembly of Venezuela, said during a press-conference in Tskhinvali: "Those people who wish to be free, will be free."http://www.regnum.ru/news/737426.html ru:Наблюдатель из Венесуэлы: Южная Осетия будет свободной Regnum November 11, 2006 ru He also hinted that Venezuela might eventually recognize the South Ossetian independence, claiming that president Chávez would make a correct decision. He also noted that his presence in Tskhinvali did not guarantee the recognition the South Ossetian independence by Venezuelan Government.http://www.rosbalt.ru/2006/11/11/274544.html ru:Уго Чавес может признать независимость Южной Осетии Rosbalt News Agency November 11, 2006 ru dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095751/http://www.rosbalt.ru/2006/11/11/274544.html 2007-09-29 On 11 November 2006, Sergei Fyodorov, an observer and Latvian Parliament member of Russian nationality,http://www.cvk.lv/cgi-bin/wdbcgiw/base/saeima9.cvkand9.kandid2?NR1=&cbutton=90166834278 Sergejs Fjodorovs Centrālā vēlēšanu komisija 2009-10-02 2020-01-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20200127154308/https://www.cvk.lv/cgi-bin/wdbcgiw/base/saeima9.cvkand9.kandid2?NR1=&cbutton=90166834278 dead and a member of Socialist Party, stated during a press-conference in Tskhinvali that all peoples had the right for self-determination, and it could not be ignored. He also made a commitment to inform the other members of the Latvian Saeima of his observations.http://www.regnum.ru/news/district-abroad/yugoosset/737431.html ru:Депутат Сейма Латвии: каждый народ имеет право на самоопределение (Южная Осетия) Regnum November 11, 2006 ru dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070930223924/http://www.regnum.ru/news/district-abroad/yugoosset/737431.html 2007-09-30 On 13 November 2006, the European Union foreign ministers said that the vote did not contribute to conflict resolution. The OSCE and the Council of Europe reiterated that they would not recognize the referendum and condemned it as unproductive.https://www.rferl.org/a/1072687.html International Community Will Not Recognize South Ossetia Vote Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty November 13, 2006 An EU statement was later joined by Ukraine.http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11620966 Ukraine does not recognize South Ossetia referendum - ministry November 13, 2006 Interfax https://web.archive.org/web/20070930230531/http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11620966 September 30, 2007 References 2 South Ossetia South Ossetia Category:Independence referendums Category:Referendums in South Ossetia South Ossetia Category:Russo-Georgian War South Ossetia Category:November 2006 elections