DECREE ISSUED BY THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE GEORGIAN SSR on the Decision to change the status of the Oblast taken by the Oblast Council of the People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of the South Ossetia.

The Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR notes with a deep concern that recent separatist movement is gaining momentum in the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, thereby undermining territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Georgia.

The very telling proof of the aforementioned is a decision taken by the Oblast Council of the Peoples’ Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of the South Ossetia on turning the Oblast into the so-called “The Soviet Democratic Republic of South Ossetia”.

Through its decree of 21 September 1990, the Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR declared null and void and invalidated the decision, dated 20 September 1990, taken by the Oblast Council of the Peoples’ Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of the South Ossetia.

However, on 16 October 1990 the 15th session of the Council of Autonomous Republic was summoned that endorsed its previous decision and elected so-called “ Executive Committee of the Soviet Democratic Republic of South Ossetia” and adopted temporary procedure for elections to the Supreme Council of the Soviet Democratic Republic of South Ossetia and to local councils of the South Ossetia. The elections are to be held on 2 December 1990:

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia decrees:

To declare null and void the decision of the Oblast Council of the Peoples’ Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of the South Ossetia on turning the Oblast into the so-called “The Soviet Democratic Republic of South Ossetia” and all attendant decisions, including the one on holding elections on 2 December 1990, since these decisions are not in conformity with the current Constitution of Georgia, either with the Constitution of the USSR and the decree of the Supreme Council of Georgia, dated 2 September 1990.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia calls upon all citizens residing in the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, especially ethnically Ossetians, to demonstrate common sense, political far-sightedness and adequately assess the dangerous activities of the separatist forces that may well result in general destabilization and attendant dire consequences.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia declares that it will continue its unswerving struggle for territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Georgia. At the same time, it reaffirms its determination to protect, in full conformity with the universally recognized principles of human rights, fundamental freedoms and rights of ethnic minorities residing in Georgia.

The Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia Z. Gamsakhurdia

22 November 1990

(Bulletin of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia, 1990, # 11, p. 57-58)