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S Ossetia votes for independence S Ossetia votes for independence
(about 3 hours later)
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 tiny former Soviet region of South Ossetia say more than 90% of voters have declared they want independence from Georgia.
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.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 the region's capital, Tskhinvali, says the vote has further strained relations between Georgia and Russia.The BBC's Matthew Collin in the region's capital, Tskhinvali, says the vote has further strained relations between Georgia and Russia.
'Not futile' Vote condemned
The European human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, denounced the referendum as "unnecessary, unhelpful and unfair".
Meanwhile, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli told Reuters that the vote "can only increase the tensions in the region".
South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity, who wants union with Russia, was re-elected with an overwhelming majority, the officials said.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 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 Profile: South OssetiaSOUTH OSSETIA Population: About 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Orthodox Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari Profile: South Ossetia
"We have won together today," he told a crowd of supporters in Tskhinvali after the polls closed.
"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.
Our correspondent says it seems that referendum day has only made a peaceful solution to the conflict here harder to find. But 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.
This has been a strange and occasionally violent campaign, he says. Earlier, South Ossetian forces killed four men they said were planning to carry out attacks on election day.
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. Georgian accusations
South Ossetian forces have killed four men they said were planning to carry out attacks on election day.
Georgian accusation
Georgia has accused Russia of backing South Ossetia's ambitions to undermine its pro-Western government.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 commentsHAVE 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.
Do you live in South Ossetia? Did you vote? Send us your views and experiences using the form below: name="say">
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Since then the region has effectively run its own affairs with economic and political support from Russia.
Do you live in South Ossetia? Did you vote? Send us your views and experiences using the form below: Name