My profile:
Gennady Onishchenko, Russia's chief sanitary inspector, defended his decision to accept citizenship in another country Thursday, although he admitted that it was against Russian law for government officials to have double nationality.
Onishchenko was presented with a South Ossetian passport on Wednesday during a meeting with Eduard Kokoity, the leader of the breakaway Georgian region.
According to the passport, Onishchenko is registered in a private home in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, Kokoity said, Interfax reported.
"It's true that our laws say a government official has no right to have double citizenship," Onishchenko told journalists Thursday.
"But I was given this. I didn't write a request for double citizenship," he said. "I consider it a symbol of recognition of my very modest accomplishments."
A 2006 federal law that was signed by then-President Vladimir Putin restricts foreign nationals from holding government posts.
The law mentions the federal and regional parliaments, the Security Council and the Audit Chamber, without specifically listing the Federal Consumer Protection Service, which Onishchenko heads.
After the Georgian-Russian conflict in South Ossetia last August, Onishchenko went to Tskhinvali with Russian sanitary inspectors to test local water quality and epidemiological conditions.
No country except Russia and Nicaragua recognizes South Ossetia as an independent country with valid passports.
Most South Ossetian residents have Russian passports.
"I am very proud," Onishchenko said of his new passport Thursday.
Onishchenko Stands Up for His South Ossetian Passport
26 June 2009
The Moscow Times
Discussion
Comments
To post comments you must be registered
Comments via Facebook
Most Read
1.
During Debate, Mikhalkov Admits he Would Vote for Opponent
Nikita Mikhalkov, film director and official backer of presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, admitted during a debate that he would vote for his opponent Irina Prokhorova, sister of billionaire presidential candidate Mikhail Prokhorov, if she were on the ballot.
2.
Russian Man Causes Chaos at Amsterdam Airport
A 40-year-old Russian man shouted that he was carrying a bomb in Amsterdam's busy Schiphol airport on Monday, causing a disruption that resulted in flight cancellations and delays.
3.
'One-Handed' AK-47 Replacement Unveiled
The Kalashnikov that has been designed to replace the iconic AK-47 was officially presented Tuesday, while engineers at the Izhmash plant in Udmurtia, where the weapon is made, said modifications are ongoing.
4.
Moskva Hotel Reopens as Mall
A slew of Moscow real estate players unveiled a reconstructed Moskva Hotel on Tuesday, relaunching the premier Soviet hotel as a commercial center with 70 shops, a department store, underground parking and a hotel.
5.
Ekho Shake-Up Stirs Censorship Fears
The announcement on Tuesday of a boardroom shake-up in the country's most prominent opposition radio station and a decision to nix a critical television talk show has raised fresh concerns over media freedom.
6.
From South Ossetia to War With Georgia
While the Russian authorities are, for the time being, using kid gloves to deal with the opposition at home, they have not shown the same constraint in South Ossetia.
7.
Official Quits Over Visa Tiff
A Federal Migration Service official involved in the expulsion of French author Anne Nivat from the country over a visa issue resigned Tuesday.
8.
Putin Proposes Creating a Free Speech Space in Moscow
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow should have a site similar to London's Hyde Park where people are always free to express their views.
9.
Why Russians Like Vodka More Than Lenin
When we witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union 20 years ago, we also witnessed the fall of its monuments. The general impression was that we were observing something unique and unusual. But the tendency to destroy old symbols and build new ones is as old as humanity.
10.
Real Market Value to Determine Property Tax
If the government's plans come to fruition, this year will be spent completing property evaluations across the country according to market-based standards, paving the way for the implementation of a new property tax, which could partially enter into force as early as 2013.
1.
Putin Chasing Imaginary American Ghosts
Here we go again — another round of anti-Americanism from the Kremlin and state-controlled media. Blaming outside forces for Russia's woes has a long history in the country. The closer we get to the March 4 presidential election, the more intense the anti-American hysteria becomes.
2.
Moscow Is Unlovable and Unlivable
Today's Moscow is unlovable and unlivable, overdeveloped, underserved by public utilities and choked by traffic. You can't drive, you can't breathe, there is no place to park and walking is impossible thanks to giant SUVs lining the sidewalks.
3.
Report: United Russia Might Be Dismantled
United Russia, the country's dominant political party for more than a decade, might be radically reformed or even dissolved in the coming months.
4.
Putin Plan Targets Population Drop
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin unveiled his plan on social policy Monday, focusing on how Russia will boost its dwindling population amid a demographic crisis that threatens to turn the country into "void space."
5.
Journalist Booted After Visa Violation
A prominent French writer and journalist has been kicked out of the country on the grounds that she did not have the right to research a book while on a business visa.
6.
St. Petersburg Anti-Gay Law Advances
St. Petersburg lawmakers on Wednesday approved at the crucial second reading a bill introducing fines for advocating gay and lesbian relationships in front of children and promoting pedophilia.
7.
Nation Ticked Off After a Winter of Summer Time
The famous proverb, "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise," was penned by American founding father Benjamin Franklin. He was also the first to suggest implementing daylight-saving time.
8.
Russia Gets Bad Rap Over Syria
As the violent standoff between Syria's security forces and armed opposition groups roils the country, the crisis has opened heated divisions at the United Nations Security Council.
9.
Putin Calls For More Religion on TV
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with religious leaders Wednesday that the "voice of the church" should have a greater presence on state-run television channels and that more TV programming should be devoted to religious topics.
10.
Putin Aide: Corruption Was 'Civilized'
Corruption in Russia was "normal" and "civilized" during Vladimir Putin's first stint as president and support for him has grown stronger as a result of recent opposition rallies, the prime minister's campaign manager has boasted.
1.
Election Webcam Installation Begins
In a city that was once the cradle of Russian democracy, an unprecedented new campaign kicked off over the weekend to install web cameras in every polling station around the country in an effort to prevent voting fraud.
2.
Feminist Punk Band Become Unlikely Putin Foil
Pussy Riot, a feminist punk collective from Moscow, creates protest through its dissident songs and unsanctioned performances, including a brief unauthorized concert in late January on Red Square.
3.
Why Putin Will Never, Ever Give Up Power
If Putin gave up power at any age, he and dozens of his friends and colleagues who have become millionaires and billionaires over the past 10 years through their Kremlin-connected businesses could face serious corruption charges. This is why the best, and perhaps only, way for Putin to preserve immunity is to stay in power until death.
4.
Why Putin Is Mad at Me
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin got very angry last Wednesday when he met with the editors-in-chief of Russia's top media outlets.
5.
Russia Seeks Proof U.S. Zapped Failed Probe
A Russian state commission investigating the crash of the Fobos-Grunt Mars probe will conduct tests to see whether U.S. radar played a role in the spacecraft's failure.
6.
Putin Stand-In Faces Zhirinovsky Fire
In Tuesday's second presidential debate of the campaign season, firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky harangued Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's levelheaded proxy over her patron's refusal to debate and alleged desire to rule for life.
7.
Recruiters Say Mother Russia Seeking Talent
Demographics make it a candidate’s market, but foreigners have to offer something unique to find their place.
8.
Pro-Putin Song Is Web Hit
A schmaltzy music video hailing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as Russia's savior became a hit on the Russian Internet on Tuesday, with many bloggers and YouTube users poking fun at the song's hyperbolic lyrics.
9.
From Protest to Nausea
The history of successive authoritarian regimes in Russia reveals a recurring pattern: They do not die from external blows or domestic insurgencies.
10.
Why Putin Is So Scared of Debates
Putin has always been the ultimate "Teflon president" — but certainly not in the Ronald Reagan sense of the word. Putin's brand of Teflon is clearly made in Russia. Because he wants to avoid uncomfortable questions about his decade-long rule, Putin is once again refusing to participate in presidential debates.
