TBILISI. Sept 10 (Interfax) - Georgia has described as "unacceptable" the decision by the authorities in South Ossetia to close the joint border temporarily.
"What is happening is absolutely unacceptable. I am not even saying that this decision is illegitimate and illegal," Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili told journalists on Tuesday, commenting on the South Ossetian State Security Committee's announcement that it had closed its border checkpoints due to a recent escalation in the border area.
South Ossetia's explanations sounded unconvincing, she said.
"There is no way this could have reasons or arguments," Tsikhelashvili said, suggesting that Tskhinval was thus trying to exert "direct pressure" on the people living in the border area, especially in the Akhalgori [called Leningory in South Ossetia] district which she says is mostly populated by ethnic Georgians.
Such a decision will have an adverse effect on all people in South Ossetia, the minister said.
"Effectively, what is happening is total isolation of the region," Tsikhelashvili said.
Announcing the temporary border closure on Monday, South Ossetia's State Security Committee explained that it was due to Tbilisi stoking tensions in several border areas and the ensuing complications.
The checkpoints will re-open once the situation normalizes, the committee said.