"I think the consequences of the recent provocative actions undertaken by Georgia made it clear to the Georgian leadership that use of force would not help resolve the conflict and that true settlement can be reached only at the negotiating table," Mr. Guliyev said.
He believes that the South Ossetian President's order to suppress Georgian firing points can naturally result in further escalation of the conflict. Mr. Guliyev repeatedly emphasized that "it is of vital importance to understand that we have not declared aggression on anyone." He reminded the RIA Novosti correspondent that it was the Georgian side that had started sending armored vehicles and artillery into the area of the conflict two months ago.
Robert Guliyev once again confirmed South Ossetia's resolution to repel any possible armed provocation staged by Georgia. According to him, equivalent retaliatory measures would be taken in all these cases.
The South Ossetian Interior Minister stressed that the ultimate aim of the republic's current policy is to avoid repetition of the 1989-1992 developments. "We will not allow anyone to destabilize the situation in the Republic of South Ossetia," he said.
"I would like to officially state now that the responsibility for possible consequences of an aggression would totally rest with the Georgian leadership," the South Ossetian Interior Minister said. According to him, the euphoria that set in following the new political forces' "seizure of power in Tbilisi and Batumi must currently be on the wane".
"South Ossetia will never succumb to these criminals who have come to power and are now busy lining theirown pockets," Mr. Guliyev pointed out.
South Ossetia is not going to wage a war against Georgia but it is capable of repelling any aggression, the Interior Minister of the self-proclaimed republic said.
At the same time, he believes that the situation in the conflict area will "ease off to some extent" in the next few days.
Robert Guliyev thinks that the current situation is very much different from that of 1989 when the "independent republic" badly lacked combat capabilities". "At present, South Ossetia's defense capability is so high that the republic can repel any aggressive actions undertaken by Georgia," the Minister underscored.
"We have no problems with the people of Georgia, we have problems with Georgia's criminal leaders who have unleashed true repression on the territory under their control. This is currently going on in Adzharia and eastern Georgia," the South Ossetian Interior Minister said.
The Georgian-Ossetian conflict broke out in 1989-1992 when Georgia annulled the republic's autonomous status and carried out massive punitive actions after South Ossetia declared independence. Peacekeeping forces have been deployed in the area of conflict since 1992. Tension has been sharply aggravated in the region over the past few months.
