DECREE ISSUED BY THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA on Current Situation in Shida Kartli

The Ossetian separatists having usurped power continue their anti-Constitutional and anti-State activities. The very potent proof of the aforementioned is the fact that on 26 October 1991 a session of the Supreme Council of the so called Republic of South Ossetia addressed issues relating to change of the title of the Republic, creation of new structures of power, adoption of constitution, endorsement of all the previously taken decisions on joining Russia, introduction of state of emergency, general mobilization, creation of Ossetian guard and other issues. The convocation of session of the Supreme Council of the so-called Republic of South Ossetia and decision taken at the session are gross violations of Article 2, Paragraphs 3 and 6 of Article 72, Articles 73 and 104.

The Ossetian separatists are supported by the troops of the Ministry of Interior of the USSR and the Soviet Army, and in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Georgia and recent decisions taken by the highest state authorities of the Republic of Georgia, there is no legal basis for deployment of Troops of the Ministry of Interior of USSR and detachments of the Soviet Army on the territory of Shida Kartli, moreover, their presence in the region represents one of the major factors of destabilization any hostile activities directed against the Republic of Georgia.

In order to guarantee the sovereignty, state security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia and pursuant to Article 104 Paragraph 24, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia decrees:

1. To declare invalidated and legally null and void the decision taken on November 26 1991 by the anti-constitutional and anti-state institution - the Supreme Council of the so-called Republic of South Ossetia.

2. The Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Georgia shall undertake all necessary measures against those who created an anti-constitutional organization aiming at undermining sovereignty of the Republic of Georgia and cessation of the region from the Republic of Georgia.

3. To demand from the competent bodies of the USSR immediate withdrawal from the territory of the Republic of Georgia of Troops of the Ministry of Interior and detachments of the Soviet Army deployed in Shida Kartli.

Deputy Chairman of Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia Nemo Burchuladze

3 December 1991

(Bulletin of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia, 1991, # 12, p. 36-37)