NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (file photo) (epa)
November 11, 2006 -- NATO has condemned a planned referendum on independence in Georgia's breakaway republic of South Ossetia.
In a statement, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said he and other international leaders rejected the "so-called" referendum and election. He said, in his words, such actions serve no purpose other than to exacerbate tension in the South Caucasus.
South Ossetia split from Georgia after a war 14 years ago. On November 12, eligible voters in South Ossetia will cast ballots to remain independent from Georgian authority.
The Georgian government has already said it will not recognize the referendum as legitimate.
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
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