South Ossetia to `take legal steps' towards annexation by Russia

"As a son of our motherland and the president of South Ossetia, elected by the people, I entirely support the idea of joining the divided Ossetian people as part of a united Russia," Gagloev told the Russian news agency Tass on May 14. (Neighboring North Ossetia, home to most Ossetians, is already a part of Russia.)

"From my position, I want to assure the people of South Ossetia that my actions connected with the unification referendum will be directed at observing international legal norms and consultations and the implementation of agreements with the Russian Federation."

Self-determination is prominently embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations

'Sapere aude'