10 November, 1989 Council of People's Deputies of South-Ossetian Autonomous Region has proclaimed its autonomy as a part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Supreme Board of Georgia declares requirements of South Ossetia illegal, the first Georgian-Ossetian conflict (that was proceeding till January, 1990) begins.
On September, 20th, 1990 the South Ossetia autonomous region has accepted the Declaration on the sovereignty, having proclaimed the South Ossetia democratic Soviet republic. Deputies have addressed to Moscow with the request for a recognition of South Ossetia as the sovereign republic which are a part of the USSR.
On December, 10th, 1990 Georgia has abolished the South-Ossetia autonomy and declared territory of South Ossetia to be an administrative unit of Georgia named - "Tshinvalsky Region".
In December, 1990 the second Georgian-Ossetian conflict has begun. It has ended in July 1992
On January19th, 1992 the referendum about reunion of both South and the North Ossetia and joining to Russia (99 % of affirmative votes) has been held in South Ossetia. The referendum has not been recognised to be lawful neither in Georgia, nor in Russia.
On May, 29th, 1992 South Ossetia has accepted the Certificate about the state independence.
On June, 24th, 1992 in Sochi (Dagomys) the president of Russia Boris Yeltsin, the chairman of the State Council of Republic Georgia Edward Shevardnadze and representatives of South Ossetia have signed the agreement on principles of settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. According to this document, in a conflict zone in July, 1992 the mixed Russian-Georgian-Ossetian peace-making forces have been entered. Number of the Russian, Osset and Georgian peace-making contingents is approximately identical - on 500 persons.
In South Ossetia "blue helmets" are submitted to the Mixed Supervisory Commission (MSC), that consolidates Tbilisi (Georgia), Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia) and Moscow (Russia). For the termination of the mandate of peacemakers the common decision of all four participants is necessary.
On November, 2nd, 1993 the Republic South Ossetia Constitution is accepted. The constitution of Georgia (accepted in 1995), has left the question on the status of South Ossetia not settled.
On November, 30th, 1996 in South Ossetia the first presidential election has been held, Ludwig Chibirov became the president of South Ossetia. In December, 2000 the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental agreement on interaction in economical restoration in the area of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict and returning of refugees has been signed.
On December, 6th, 2001 on presidential elections in South Ossetia Edward Kokojty (53,3 % of voices) has won. In March, 2002 Kokojty has sent to Moscow the reference with the request to recognise independence of South Ossetia and to accept it in structure of Russian Federation.
On January, the 3rd, 2004 the candidate for presidents of Georgia Michael Saakashvili has declared, that 2004 is last year when South Ossetia and Abkhazia do not accept participation in the Georgian elections.
Territory of South Ossetia was about 3900 sq. km till 1989. The Znaursky District and the parts of Leningorsky and Dzhavsky Districts are separated from South Ossetia and occupied by the Georgian armies in 1990-1991.
Capital - Tskhinval..
The population of South Ossetia is about 85 thousand, Ossetins - about 67 %, Georgians - about 25 %, other nationalities - about 7 % (2003). About 40 thousand refugees from South Ossetia are now in the North Ossetia. The 95 % of the population have the Russian citizenship, including the considerable part of the Georgian population of the South Ossetia has both Georgian and the Russian citizenship.
The political status of South Ossetia remains uncertain. The self-proclaimed republic is not recognised by the world community, and official Tbilisi considers South Ossetia to be the Tshinvalsky Region of Georgia, but actually does not control it.
The majority of the enterprises of South Ossetia practically do not work. The basic receipts in the budget constitute incomes of the Transcaucasian highway, the customs duties and migratory gathering. Absence of workplaces causes the low standard of living of the population.