The Foreign Ministry held a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Ossetian people genocide dated 1918-1920. The event attended the Pridnestrovian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the PMR Alexander Korshunov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the PMR Stanislav Kasap, Minister of State Security of the PMR Valery Gebos, Heads of Representative Offices of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Alexander Vataman and Vitaly Yankovsky, Chairman of the Armenian Community in Pridnestrovie Gegam Gevorkyan.
This year, the Republic of South Ossetia registers the centennial of the Ossetian genocide committed by the Georgian government in 1918-1920. After the Russian Empire collapse, the Georgian National Council, pressed by German occupation authorities, announced the Georgian state creation, claiming South Ossetian lands as well. By this time, the already functioning legitimately elected Ossetian National Council spoke out in favor of giving Ossetians the self-determination right. Subsequently, the Ossetian authorities announced their intention to join the RSFSR. Trying to establish power by force, the Georgian government in 1920 authorized a vast invasion of South Ossetian territory. As a result of bloody punitive operation 5279 people were killed, out of them 1375 women and 1844 children; 1588 residential and 2639 farm buildings were burned, 23600 hectares of crops were destroyed. About 50 thousand people were forced to leave South Ossetia, saving their lives.
Lowering the national flag of the Republic of South Ossetia ceremony followed the moment of silence and afterwards the PMR Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev addressed the event. “Today we pay tribute to the memory in the framework of very tragic events that occurred on the territory of the fraternal South Ossetian people 100 years ago. At that time, thousands of people got killed, many lost their homes, women and children were killed and farms were destroyed. Unfortunately, these events have not received an international assessment at the proper level until today. Genocide has no justification, cannot be forgotten,” the Minister said.
According to him, the Pridnestrovians, who only yesterday recalled the Bendery tragedy anniversary, are very familiar with the feelings of fraternal of South Ossetia people.
“In the period of modern history, friendship bonds tied us along with mutual understanding, brotherhood and there was also common hardships and trials that we happened to pass shoulder to shoulder. We did not leave each other in that difficult period and today the people of South Ossetia can confidently look into the future understanding that fraternal peoples of Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie and Nagorno-Karabakh are standing next to them,” Vitaliy Ignatiev said.
In turn, Vitaly Yankovsky noted today’s nationwide mourning in South Ossetia. “Flags were lowered and the minute of silence declared. These moments of silence, announced in many cities of the world are very important for the people of South Ossetia. This is a tribute to the victims, victims of the genocide, this is a signal to the living once. This way we show our unity. I am very grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie for the opportunity to hold this ceremony, to the people of Pridnestrovie for their continued support and such a sincere complicity,” the diplomat emphasized.
At the end of the ceremony, the participants left entries in the Book of Condolences opened in light of Ossetian people’s genocide commemoration.
