Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia is deeply concerned about Hillary Clinton statement made on June 5 at a briefing in Batumi on the "recognition of so-called neutral passports for the residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."
The fact that some Western politicians and countries endorse unrealistic proposals of Tbilisi authorities increases alertness in Tskhinval. In her statement, which was clearly adjusted to the Georgian audience expectations, Hillary Clinton went the limit, considering that she had a right to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state of the Republic of South Ossetia and to decide for citizens what documents they should acquire.
It is obvious that this idea is part of a sophisticated and aligned Georgian policy of "engagement without recognition", developed after August 2008, and allegedly aimed at raising isolation from South Ossetia. In fact, the main goal of Georgia and those who actively support the idea of "neutral passports" is undermining the stability of the region.
Citizens of South Ossetia in the majority and legally have passports of the Republic of South Ossetia and of the Russian Federation as identity documents, which allow them to travel around the world, and no one in South Ossetia is interested in "neutral passports". Widely declared "neutrality" of these documents is untruth as the "country code" contains a reference to Georgia.
Extremely politicized and discriminating approach of Western politicians in addressing issues concerning South Ossetia without the consent of the representatives of the South Ossetian side will not help stabilize the situation in the region.
The West in general and the U.S. in particular should draw lessons from August 2008, deviate from block thinking and not ignore the legal documents of South Ossetia, otherwise it will be regarded as discrimination of South Ossetian citizens. Against the background of the upcoming next round of Geneva discussions such steps would adversely affect the negotiating process and will encourage a further denial of Georgia to sign a legally binding document on the nonuse of force.

Tskhinval, June 6, 2012.