DECREE ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL OF NATIONALTIES OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE USSR on proposals aimed at normalization of the situation in the South Ossetia and its neighboring area

Having heard and discussed the information of the group of Deputies visiting the Republic of Georgia on 8-10 April of 1991, the Council of Nationalities notes that despite the efforts made by the Supreme Council of the USSR and the President of the USSR, either activities conducted by the unites of the troops of the Ministry of Interior of the USSR aimed at disarmament of the illegal formations and groups, still the situation in the South Ossetia remains quite complex and strained. The number of casualties is increasing as well as of refugees from both Georgian and Ossetian sides. Firing on the city Tskhinvali and the settlements of the Oblast never stops. Tens of villages are robbed and given to arson. The material and cultural valuables are being destroyed, as well as the economic and social infrastructure of the South Ossetia.

The Council of Nationalities finds the reconciliation and political methods as the only tools to settle the conflict. Respective representatives of Georgian and Ossetian people have to find courage and decisiveness in overcoming of existing dramatic situation in order to secure centuries-old friendship and peaceful coexistence of Georgian and Ossetian people. They have to do their best to remove mutual distrust, hostility, political disputes and act within the frame of the Constitution of the USSR and international norms on human rights. The sides have to enter immediately into dialogue in order to secure cease-fire, save the lives of people, establish the peace and stability on the whole territory of the South Ossetia.

Stating on compulsory implementation of the Decree issued by the Supreme Council of the USSR of 1 April 1991 “on situation in the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast”, the Council of Nationalities Decrees:

1. To support the proposal envisaged in the Protocol signed by the representatives of the Supreme Council of the USSR and the Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR on establishment of inter-parliamentary Commission composed of the members of the Supreme Councils of the USSR, the Republic of Georgia and the RSFSR on equal footing with participation of representatives of the South Ossetia aimed at elaboration of action plan for regulation the situation in the region and for observing and realization the measures.

To take a note of the information that the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR set up interagency operative Commission, which now is at the place of conflict and has started working.

2. To consider expedient on the side of the Commission dissemination of information to the public on the situation in the region.

3. To recommend the President of the USSR to set up the delegation for discussion of political, social and economic issues with the representatives of the Republic of Georgia.

Chairman of the Council of Nationalities R. Nishanov

24 April 1991

(Bulletin of the Congress of the People’s Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Council of the USSR, 1991, # 18, p. 694-695)