TBILISI. Aug 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The Georgian Foreign Ministry has demanded that Russia give explanations on press reports of Cossack actions in South Ossetia, Giorgi Chkheidze, head of the Russian department of the ministry, said at a Wednesday meeting with Russian embassy envoy Viktor Rinza.
"The Georgian side is demanding explanations and effective measures. The Russian Federation is responsible for all the illegal actions of its citizens directed against a sovereign state," says a ministry press release.
"Statements by Cossacks and North Caucasian rebels in the Russian press were the reason for inviting the diplomat to the ministry. In one article, Cossack leader Nikolai Kozitsyn openly spoke of Cossacks' involvement in the hostilities in the area of Tskhinvali," the press release says.