Russian Peacekeepers Say Situation is Calm in Breakaway South Ossetia

(Tbilisi, July 2, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The commander of the peacekeeping forces, deployed in breakaway South Ossetia, Maj-Gen Sviatoslav Nadzorov told the Rustavi 2 TV channel today that the situation in Tskhinvali is ?calm and stable.?

De facto South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoev arrested on June 1 chiefs of special purposes units of the Defense and Security Ministries. Security Minister of the breakaway region escaped the arrest. He also dismissed several key ministers and officials.

Georgian Interior Minister told the reporters today that the Security Minister of the breakaway province was injured during the arrest. However de facto authorities of South Ossetia, as well as the commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops deny shootout in Tskhinvali.

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