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Russia's Lavrov denies plot to replace S.Ossetia leader Kokoity

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MINSK/MOSCOW, June 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign minister dismissed Russian media reports of a plot to replace the leader of the Georgian breakaway republic of South Ossetia.

On Monday, leading business daily Kommersant reported that Georgia had promised Russia a number of concessions if Moscow would agree to end all contacts with the South Ossetian authorities, led by President Eduard Kokoity, and instead deal with the so-called alternative administration of Dmitry Sanakoyev.

In exchange, Kommersant cited sources in the Georgian government as saying, Tbilisi promised to lift all barriers for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization and legally permit Russia to prolong its military presence in Georgia for indefinite period.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "Eduard Kokoity represents South Ossetia, which has been recognized as a party to negotiations, including by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Commonwealth of the Independent States. We must respect the format in which Kokoity is a participant, and implements agreements reached with his participation."

This spring, pro-Western Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili appointed Sanakoyev as the new South Ossetian leader, and declared separatist Kokoity illegitimate, even though Kokoity had been elected officially for a second term at the November 2006 presidential election in the self-declared republic.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement earlier Wednesday that Russia had no any intention of holding dialogue with Sanakoyev's administration.

"However much someone wants this, it is impossible to turn our backs on Tskhinvali [South Ossetia's capital] and start talks with Tbilisi's representatives, who are not a party to the conflict and have nothing to do with the negotiating process," the ministry said in a statement.

South Ossetia has been a sensitive issue in bilateral relations between Georgia and Russia. Georgian authorities are seeking to bring it back under control, and have accused Russia, which has peacekeepers in the area, of encouraging separatist sentiments.

"We see no sense in holding discussions with Georgian authorities on a local level, when we can talk directly with the central authorities of the country," the ministry said, adding that Moscow cannot fail to ignore where the real power is in South Ossetia, and who has the support of the population's overwhelming majority.

South Ossetia declared its independence from Georgia following a bloody conflict that killed hundreds in 1991-1992.

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