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S Ossetia votes on independence S Ossetia votes for independence
(about 10 hours later)
Votes are being counted in a referendum in the tiny former Soviet region of South Ossetia, which officials hope will help it break away from Georgia. Officials in the tiny former Soviet region of South Ossetia say more than 90% of voters have declared they want independence from Georgia.
Officials in the region said turnout was more than 90%, and correspondents say the result is likely to be an overwhelming yes to independence. The authorities see Sunday's referendum as a first step towards eventual union with Russia, but the result is unlikely to be recognised by any government.
South Ossetia has sought secession since the early 1990s but has failed to win international recognition.South Ossetia has sought secession since the early 1990s but has failed to win international recognition.
Georgia terms the vote illegitimate and has vowed to win South Ossetia back.Georgia terms the vote illegitimate and has vowed to win South Ossetia back.
The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tskhinvali says the vote has further strained relations between Georgia and Russia, which has links to the region. The BBC's Matthew Collin in the region's capital, Tskhinvali, says the vote has further strained relations between Georgia and Russia.
The result is likely to be an overwhelming yes to independence from Georgia, judging by the enthusiasm of many voters here, he says.
But it is unlikely to be recognised by any country in the world.
'Not futile''Not futile'
South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity, who seems likely to be re-elected, hailed the vote. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity, who wants union with Russia, was re-elected with an overwhelming majority, the officials said.
"We have won together today," he told a crowd of supporters in the region's capital Tskhinvali after the polls closed. "We have won together today," he told a crowd of supporters in Tskhinvali after the polls closed.
SOUTH OSSETIA Population: About 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Orthodox Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari class="">Regions and territories: South Ossetia SOUTH OSSETIA Population: About 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Orthodox Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari class="">Profile: South Ossetia
"When we're together and united, no-one can defeat us.""When we're together and united, no-one can defeat us."
Earlier he appealed to the international community to accept the will of his people, insisting the referendum was not a futile gesture.Earlier he appealed to the international community to accept the will of his people, insisting the referendum was not a futile gesture.
"It's not a symbolic referendum, it's an answer to those who won't recognise the will of the people of South Ossetia," he said."It's not a symbolic referendum, it's an answer to those who won't recognise the will of the people of South Ossetia," he said.
South Ossetians held a party after the vote to celebrate what they see as their next step towards freedom. Our correspondent says it seems that referendum day has only made a peaceful solution to the conflict here harder to find.
But our correspondent says it seems that referendum day in South Ossetia has only made a peaceful solution to the conflict here harder to find.
This has been a strange and occasionally violent campaign, he says.This has been a strange and occasionally violent campaign, he says.
People in some of the ethnic Georgian enclaves, which lie within South Ossetia, voted in what they described as alternative elections, which seemed designed to undermine the credibility of the referendum on independence.People in some of the ethnic Georgian enclaves, which lie within South Ossetia, voted in what they described as alternative elections, which seemed designed to undermine the credibility of the referendum on independence.
South Ossetian forces have killed four men they said were planning terrorist attacks at the polls. South Ossetian forces have killed four men they said were planning to carry out attacks on election day.
Georgian accusationGeorgian accusation
The South Ossetian authorities see the vote as a step towards their ultimate goal - becoming part of Russia. Georgia has accused Russia of backing South Ossetia's ambitions to undermine its pro-Western government.
But Moscow has given them no indication it will ever accept them.
Georgia has accused Russia of backing South Ossetia's ambitions to undermine its pro-western government.
Georgia wants the Russian peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia to be replaced by an international force.Georgia wants the Russian peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia to be replaced by an international force.
HAVE YOUR SAY This will show once again the hypocrisy of Western society, which reckons anything pro-Russian as imperialistic. Anatoly Kondra, Moscow Send us your comments
But the South Ossetians see them as protection against what they believe are Georgian plans to invade.But the South Ossetians see them as protection against what they believe are Georgian plans to invade.
South Ossetia began its attempts to gain independence at the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, when hundreds died in fighting between Georgian and Ossetian forces.South Ossetia began its attempts to gain independence at the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, when hundreds died in fighting between Georgian and Ossetian forces.
Many in South Ossetia see Georgia's actions then as brutal and unforgivable.Many in South Ossetia see Georgia's actions then as brutal and unforgivable.
Since then the region has effectively run its own affairs with economic and political support from Russia.Since then the region has effectively run its own affairs with economic and political support from Russia.