Tskhinval mounts mil parade on anniversary of republic’s proclamation

10:30, 21 September 2009

TSKHINVAL. September 21. KAZINFORM Tskhinval staged a military parade on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the proclamation of the South Ossetian Republic. The parade involved units of the Defence Ministry, the Border Service of the State Security Committee and South Ossetian commandos, Kazinform refers to Itar-Tass.

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity hailed the troops. He recalled events that happened 19 years ago when "the Republic of South Ossetia was proclaimed by the will of people". "Born on September 20, 1990, during grim days of armed confrontation, Republic Day became a turning point in the latest history of our people.

"South Ossetia launched into a new life, the start of which was marked by a chain of tragic and heroic events," the president emphasized.

Along with the South Ossetian president, head of the breakaway Dniester Republic Igor Smirnov, the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign minister, the Nicaraguan ambassador to Russia and delegation members from subjects of the Russian Federation hailed parade members from stands.

Festivities will continue on Sunday with a show of records and achievements, a gala concert and fireworks, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com for full version.

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