The document was signed by Vugar Zeynalov, ASK Vice President, and Kazbek Tuganov, President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber of
North Ossetia - Alania.
Vladikavkaz is the capital of the Russian republic of
North Ossetia. Although it is less plagued by violence than some other republics in the region such as Chechnya and Dagestan,
North Ossetia has experienced ethnic tensions and frequent attacks.
Geographically, South Ossetia (an autonomous region within Georgia) is linked to
North Ossetia (in Russia) by only a single winding pass through the imposing Caucasus Mountains, and all access routes to the south into the Republic of Georgia are blocked by the volatile, armed conflict lines.
Unfortunately, Saakashvili recently decided to challenge Russia for supremacy in the former Georgian territory of South Ossetia (
North Ossetia is a part of the Russian Federation).
His deputy, Tarzan Koikoti, added South Ossetians have the right to reunite with
North Ossetia, part of Russia.
They want independence from Georgia and to be reunited with their Ossetian "brothers" - in
North Ossetia in neighbouring Russia.
Georgia began diversifying its sources in January after explosions at a pipeline in
North Ossetia disrupted shipments and highlighted its reliance on Russian gas.
Torshin said Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev and his deputy had sent telegrams less than two weeks before the raid instructing the police department in
North Ossetia, where Beslan is located, to beef up security on the first day of school.