Rally and counter-rally held outside Russian Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Chisinau today saw two groups rallied outside it, one requesting Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia, and the other thanking Moscow for “a model intervention which led to the end of war in South Ossetia”, Info-Prim Neo. The first group identified themselves as representatives of the Georgian community living in Moldova. “Today we organized a peaceful rally to protest against the occupation by the Russian army of 20 percent of Georgian territory. Today it's two years since the war in South Ossetia, as a result of which 500,000 people became refugees, thousands were left homeless and many others were killed. We demand that Moscow doesn't hinder the refugees from returning home”, said Zurab Darsalie, a protester. Minutes later another group appeared in front of the embassy, holding Russian and Moldovan flags. They claimed to represent civil organizations, which nevertheless they refused to name. Those who replaced the dissented Georgians came to praise Russia for its courage, for defending its citizens and for solving the conflict successfully. “Russia serves as a model of how authorities should defend its citizens and country. As we all now, the greatest majority of people in South Ossetia are Russians”, said Yulia Petukhova, a supporter. “We also request Moldova to recognize the independence of South Ossetia like Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua did”. The breakaway region of South Ossetia, like Abkhazia, proclaimed its independence from Georgia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Both seek integration into Russia. Georgia attempted to regain control over South Ossetia by starting a military campaign on the night of August 7 to 8, 2008. The following day Russia deployed combat troops in South Ossetia and launched bombing raids deep into Georgia. The hostilities ended 5 days later with a ceasefire agreement supported by the EU. On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of both breakaway regions in Georgia.