South Ossetian Independence Vote 'Waste Of Time'
September 13, 2006
September 13, 2006 -- Europe's leading human rights watchdog says a planned referendum on independence for the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia will not be recognized internationally.
Terry Davis, the secretary-general of the Council of Europe, says South Ossetia's separatist authorities are "wasting time and effort" with the referendum, which is scheduled for November 12.
He said they should instead engage in negotiations with the Georgian government to find an "internationally accepted outcome."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a press release on September 13 says the world must apply to the same standards towards Georgia's separatist regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia as it does to Kosovo.
Putin said Russia might use its veto power in the UN Security Council if it does not agree with a proposed solution to Kosovo's final status.
(AP)