Britannia Radio

TELEGRAPH   29.8.08   @ 11:03AM BST
Georgia conflict: South Ossetia seeks to merge with Russia
Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia has signalled that it 
will formally seek to merge with Russia.

By David Blair, Diplomatic Editor

This move would amount to Russia’s annexation of an area of another 
state and the redrawing of the map of a corner of Europe.

South Ossetia, with a largely Russian population of only 70,000, has 
no viable future as an independent state and observers believe that 
its only realistic option is to join its giant neighbour.

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia discussed this option with his 
South Ossetian counterpart, Eduard Kokoity, earlier this week during 
a meeting in Moscow.

Znaur Gassiyev, the Speaker of South Ossetia’s parliament, said the 
enclave would formally join Russia "in several years" or possible 
earlier. This had been "firmly stated by both leaders” during their 
meeting in Moscow.

Tarzan Kokoiti, the deputy Speaker, predicted: “We will live in one 
united Russian state.”

While the Kremlin has recognised South Ossetia as an “independent” 
country, Russia effectively controls the tiny enclave, which has no 
viable economy and depends largely on smuggling.

If the area merges with Russia, this would be a formal 
acknowledgement of reality.

At the close of this month’s war with Georgia, Russian troops were in 
full control of South Ossetia and the other breakaway region, Abkhazia.