‘Kokoity Goodbye’ Campaign Visits Conflict Zone

Kokoity Fandarast (meaning Godspeed in Ossetian), which seeks to peacefully oust South Ossetian secessionist leader Eduard Kokoity through public campaigns, has made its presence felt in the conflict zone for the first time.

Since its establishment on August 5, the anti-Kokoity movement has been busy setting up branch offices thoughout Georgia and mobilising national public opinion behind its platform.

On August 17, however, the movement came within a kilometer of the breakaway region’s capital. In the Georgian-administered village of Tamarasheni, the movement outlined its objectives to local residents.

The presentation was, according to Vladimir Sanakoev, a co-founder of the movement and a spokesman for the Tbilisi-backed South Ossetian provisional administration, a great success. “Kokoity Fandarast,” he said, ” is gaining momentum as more activists are joining it.”

Those attending the event were also witness to the debut rendition of the campaign theme song. Performed to a hip-hop beat, the lyrics spell out what the movement’s priority is. “There is no other option / Kokoity Fandarast / You can’t turn back time / You’d better let others act.”

“Now we are in Tamarasheni, less than a kilometer from Tskhinvali,” Sanakoev said. “I hope our song is heard there.”

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