Abkhazia and South Ossetia Celebrate News of Their Independence Loudly
Machinegun fire was heard again in Tskhinvali yesterday, and in Sukhumi as well, as residents started celebrating the news of Russia’s recognition of the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as soon as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made the announcement. In Tskhinvali, a microphone and amplifier appeared mysteriously on the city’s central square and were made open to all. Cars adorned with Russian and South Ossetian flags raced by, often carrying people who had just met. People chanted “Russia! Russia!” Church bells rang.
“We don’t need the bullets any more,” a young man called out as he fired off a Kalashnikov in the middle of the street. “We’re free!”
In another part of the city, the mood was somber. At bombed-out School No. 5, where a cemetery dating back to the first Georgian-Ossetian war is located, about 50 people gathered and, in the Ossetian custom, poured shot glasses of strong drink that they then poured over the graved.
“You did not die in vain,” said a young man in camouflage, still wearing a white band around his arm – an identifying mark in the battle for Tskhinvali. “You see what is going on today in your homeland. People are rejoicing. It couldn’t have happened without you.”
By 5:00, there were more than 2000 people on the square. They hugged and congratulated each other and waited in line for the microphone.
“Brothers, we always believed Russia would keep its promise, but we didn’t think it would be so soon,” an elderly man told the crowd, barely holding back his tears. “Now we can forget about war forever and our children can sleep peacefully at night.”
There was celebration in Vladikavkaz, capital of North Ossetia as well, although it was more restrained. “Through the efforts of the most just and humane state on the planet, Russia, the bloodshed has been stopped,” declared North Ossetian President Taimuraz Mamsurov. “I hope Russia never regrets that step.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 27, 2008
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