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Memory of Chavez to last in hearts and minds of Abkhazians, South Ossetians - Kokoity

He recalled that Chavez was among the first heads of state to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

MOSCOW, March 6 (Itar-Tass) – The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will always cherish the memory of the deceased Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, the former president of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, told ITAR-TASS in an interview. Under Kokoity, South Ossetia gained independence. He recalled that Chavez was among the first heads of state to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, “and we will always be grateful for this,” Kokoity said.

“Chavez was a courageous and heroic ‘commandante’. He was both just and humane,” he said offering condolences to the Venezuelan people and to Chavez’s family.

Kokoity added that “with Chavez’s death a whole era of sincerity in Latin American politics is over.” He thinks that now the Venezuelan people “should brace for hard challenges.” Kokoity hopes Venezuela will cope with them honorably.

“We will remember Chavez for what he really was in this life. We will not forget our meetings – warm and sincere. At once we felt his desire to help us and our peoples, the desire to ensure that justice triumphs,” he said about the personality traits of the late Venezuelan leader. “We have lost a true friend,” Kokoity concluded.