[x5452]

Not mentioned in your response is that it is governed autonomously, has a 90%+ NON-Georgian population, has been autonomous since before the end of the soviet union, was rejoined in 1989 with North Ossetia, and not only are ethnic Georgians practically non existent in South Ossetia, so is the Georgian language, as all state business in South Ossetia is conducted in Russian or Ossetian.

So much for conservative princibles though like Self determination, and the government being derived from the will of the people.

[Zhang Fei]

So much for conservative princibles though like Self determination, and the government being derived from the will of the people.

I doubt the Russian government would look kindly upon applying these principles to those of its provinces that want to leave the federation. It's a hard question. Georgia is a tiny country of 70,000 sq km with a lot of national minorities. If South Ossetia breaks off, the whole country could disintegrate. Which may be Russia's intent in funding separatist movements in Georgia. Is that such a bad thing? Depends on whether you're Georgian.