SOUTH OSSETIA: South Ossetia held a referendum yesterday intended to reaffirm independence from Georgia in a vote the West calls illegal but which Russia says should be respected.
Nestled on the Russian border in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains, South Ossetia broke away after a 1991-92 war that killed hundreds and forced tens of thousands to flee.
But amid increased tensions within Georgia, whose pro-western president Mikhail Saakashvili seeks to regain control over the region, voters went to the polls to reaffirm their independence drive and elect a regional leader. "I voted for independence and a brighter future," South Ossetia's incumbent president Eduard Kokoity, widely expected to be re-elected, said after casting his ballot.
Election officials said more than half of the 55,000 eligible voters had turned out by 11am. First results are expected today.
Most South Ossetians, ethnically different from Georgians, hold Russian passports and use the Russian rouble. Madina Gurtseva (33), who came to vote with her sister and niece, said: "I believe South Ossetia will eventually join Russia. That will be better for our children."
But the region, located just 100km (60 miles) from Georgia's capital Tbilisi, has many villages populated by ethnic Georgians, many of whom fled their homes in separatist-controlled areas during the war. They reject the vote and were running their own polls to elect a rival regional leader yesterday. Tskhinvali does not recognise the alternative vote.
Dmitry Sanakoyev, former separatist prime minister who opposes Mr Kokoity, is the most probable winner of that poll. "We need to live together," he said.
For many who took part in the alternative vote, this is their only hope to return home. "I hope these polls will allow to return to Tskhinvali those who have been waiting for this for many years," said Nelly Rusitashvili, an elderly refugee from the capital.
The referendum came with relations between Moscow and Tbilisi at a low point. Russia cut transport links last month after a spying row and may cut gas supplies unless Georgia agrees to a twofold price increase.
A 500-strong peacekeeping force from Georgia, Russia and the bordering Russian province of North Ossetia observes a fragile truce agreed in 1992.
Skirmishes between separatists and Georgians have increased in the last few years as Mr Saakashvili stepped up rhetoric against breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Mr Saakashvili has said he will not recognise the vote and western powers have also described it as illegitimate.