S. Ossetian president refuses to meet with Georgian PM

TBILISI. April 21 (Interfax-AVN) - South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has declined a proposal to meet with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli in Tskhinvali during Nogaideli's visit to Georgian villages in the conflict zone.

"We proposed to hold a meeting in order to make an acquaintance, but Mr. Kokoity refused," Georgian State Minister Giorgi Khaindrava told reporters on Wednesday.

Kokoity's refusal will not affect Nogaideli's itinerary, he said.