21:11, 7 September 2004

Anti-presidential meeting held in Vladikavkaz

A meeting in connection with the developments in Beslan was held in front of the Government House in Vladikavkaz today, September 7. Speakers demanded that republican authorities, in particular President of the Republic of North Osetia - Alania Aleksandr Dzasokhov, should resign. Overt accusations and threats towards the head of North Osetia were heard at the meeting. Not many people, altogether about 700-800 people, gathered on the square. Many people were not able to come because law enforcers did not allow residents of the republican districts to cross the border. Participants also demanded that the authorities should order the police to let the republican people in the town. The meeting lasted for about two hours.

It should be noted that yesterday, September 6, Vladikavkaz Mayor Kazbek Pagiyev appeared on the local television and asked people not "to gather for a meeting tomorrow". He also asked not to follow the people who were trying to unleash an ethnic conflict by spreading leaflets with appeals to come to the meeting.

Author: Nino Dzhabiyeva, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot