Putin lays down the law to Kokoity

Russian PM Vladimir Putin has supported his so-called South Ossetian counterpart Vadim Brovtsev, who so-called South Ossetian MPs have been threatening to remove. Putin has demanded that [de facto South Ossetian President] Kokoity quash attempts to remove Brotsev and concentrate on rebuilding the region, writes Russian newspaper Kommersant.

The newspaper says that Moscow sent Brotsev to Tskhinvali to control the funds designated for the restoration of the Tskhinvali region. It reports that Putin discussed the attempts to remove the South Ossetian 'Prime Minister' with Eduard Kokoity and Brovtsev himself at a meeting which discussed infrastructure rehabilitation in South Ossetia.

Putin stated that since August 2008 the Russian Federation has allotted more than 26 million roubles to South Ossetia but despite such huge support some of the 30,000 population of the Georgian breakaway region are still homeless. He expressed hope that Moscow and Tskhinvali will create a good atmosphere for cooperation in order to achieve further progress.

Kommersant states that Putin also discussed the attempts to remove Brovtsev, which he blamed on Kokoity, with typical directness. It was decided that Brovtsev and his staff would continue working and local staff under Kokoity would not hinder them.

Vadim Brovtsev was appointed Prime Minister of South Ossetia on August 5, 2009. Relations between Brovstev and Kokoity have been tense since Kokoity demanded control over the allotted funds. After Brovtev objected Kokoity made several unproductive attempts to remove him. He did not openly demand Brovtsev's resignation but media outlets loyal to him began conducting a campaign against the so-called Prime Minister and then the South Ossetian Parliament started raising objections to him. Kommersant reports however that after Kokoity's meeting with Putin Brovtsev will work in Tskhinvali for as long as The Kremlin wants on terms suitable for The Kremlin.

Political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze has told The Messenger that having gained a political and military victory The Kremlin has also acquired serious problems for itself in Georgia's breakaway regions. The Russian Federation has given a lot of money to Kokoity's regime but these funds have vanished due to the corrupt nature of Kokoity’s Government. Due to its distrust of Kokoity The Kremlin appointed its own representative to control its donations and the construction work funded by them.