Znaur Gassiev
Encyclopedia
Znaur Nikolaevich Gassiev ' onMouseout='HidePop("6499")' href="/topics/Tskhinvali">Tskhinvali
, South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
), is a South Ossetia
n politician, who was one of the leaders of the South Ossetian independence movement in the early 1990s, which culminated in the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War.
Gassiev was born in Tskhinvali in 1925, but soon moved with his parents to Moscow
. In 1935 the family went back to Tskhinvali, where Znaur Gassiev finished secondary school in 1942. He enrolled in the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of the South Ossetian State Pedagogical Institute, but was drafted into the Soviet Army
to fight in World War II
during the period 1942 to 1944. Upon completion of his studies in 1947, he started working as a teacher
, teaching mathematics and physics in various schools in Tskhinvali.
In 1951, Gassiev moved to Tblisi, where he worked as a teacher for four years, and at the same time studied at the Mining Department of the Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated with honours in 1955. He then started working at the Mining Department of Kvaisa
, where he held several ranks.
Gassiev subsequently moved into politics, first working as the head of the industrial and transport committee of Dzau district. In the early 1960s, he was appointed the chairman of the Tskhinvali branch of the Georgian Communist Party
, as well as the head of the administration of Tskhinvali city. In 1963, he went to the Higher Party School, from which he graduated with honours in 1965. Then, until 1972, he worked as deputy chairman of the South Ossetian executive committee.
In 1991, when armed aggression was starting, he was elected first secretary of the South Ossetian Communist Party, and also headed the Supreme Council
when South Ossetia declared its independence. As chairman of parliament, Gassiev was Head of State of South Ossetia
. In early 1992, Gassiev handed over power to Torez Kulumbegov
, a former chairman of the Supreme Council, who had been imprisoned in Tblisi by Georgian police until then.
Since 1992, Gassiev remained active in politics, being re-elected as an MP in the 1994 election. Gassiev was once again elected in the 2004 election
, where he ran as a member of President Eduard Kokoity
's Unity Party
. Following the Unity Party's electoral victory, Gassiev was once again elected chairman of Parliament.
After the 2008 South Ossetia war
, Gassiev was appointed head of the government's commission to deal with the resulting emergencies.
Gassiev, then 84 years old, did not run in the 2009 election
, and was replaced as speaker by Stanislav Kochiev
.
On 27 October 2010, Gassiev was appointed State Advisor to President Eduard Kokoity.
Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali , is the capital of South Ossetia, a disputed region which has been recognised as an independent Republic by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, and is regarded by Georgia and the rest of the world as part of the Shida Kartli region within Georgian sovereign territory.It is located...
, South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast
The South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast was an autonomous oblast of the Soviet Union created within the Georgian SSR on April 20, 1922. Its autonomy was revoked on December 10, 1990 by the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, leading to the First South Ossetian War...
, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
), is a South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
n politician, who was one of the leaders of the South Ossetian independence movement in the early 1990s, which culminated in the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War.
Gassiev was born in Tskhinvali in 1925, but soon moved with his parents to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. In 1935 the family went back to Tskhinvali, where Znaur Gassiev finished secondary school in 1942. He enrolled in the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of the South Ossetian State Pedagogical Institute, but was drafted into the Soviet Army
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
to fight in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
during the period 1942 to 1944. Upon completion of his studies in 1947, he started working as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, teaching mathematics and physics in various schools in Tskhinvali.
In 1951, Gassiev moved to Tblisi, where he worked as a teacher for four years, and at the same time studied at the Mining Department of the Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated with honours in 1955. He then started working at the Mining Department of Kvaisa
Kvaisa
Kvaisi or Kvaisa is an urban-type settlement in the Dzau district of South Ossetia, Georgia. According to the official subdivision of Georgia it is in the Oni district of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region of Georgia.First city major - Chermen Gagiev...
, where he held several ranks.
Gassiev subsequently moved into politics, first working as the head of the industrial and transport committee of Dzau district. In the early 1960s, he was appointed the chairman of the Tskhinvali branch of the Georgian Communist Party
Georgian Communist party
Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic after 25 February 1921 when the Red Army entered its capital Tbilisi and installed a communist government led by Georgian Bolshevik Filipp Makharadze. After the 1924 August Uprising in Georgia the country was...
, as well as the head of the administration of Tskhinvali city. In 1963, he went to the Higher Party School, from which he graduated with honours in 1965. Then, until 1972, he worked as deputy chairman of the South Ossetian executive committee.
In 1991, when armed aggression was starting, he was elected first secretary of the South Ossetian Communist Party, and also headed the Supreme Council
Parliament of South Ossetia
The Parliament of South Ossetia is the unicameral legislature of the partially recognized Republic of South Ossetia. Members are elected using a system of Party-list proportional representation. South Ossetia has a multi-party system, and currently 3 political parties are represented in parliament....
when South Ossetia declared its independence. As chairman of parliament, Gassiev was Head of State of South Ossetia
President of South Ossetia
The President of the Republic of South Ossetia is the de facto head of state of the partially recognized Republic of South Ossetia that is de jure part of Georgia...
. In early 1992, Gassiev handed over power to Torez Kulumbegov
Torez Kulumbegov
Torez Georgievich Kulumbegov , was a political leader of South Ossetia, a former Soviet Autonomous Oblast which unilaterally elevated its status to Republic in 1990 and declared its independence from Georgia in 1991. Kulumbegov ruled as chairman of the Presidium of the South Ossetian Supreme...
, a former chairman of the Supreme Council, who had been imprisoned in Tblisi by Georgian police until then.
Since 1992, Gassiev remained active in politics, being re-elected as an MP in the 1994 election. Gassiev was once again elected in the 2004 election
South Ossetian parliamentary election, 2004
A parliamentary election in South Ossetia, a de facto independent country considered by most countries to be a part of Georgia, was held on 23 May 2004.-Election setup:At the time of the election, South Ossetia's parliament had 34 seats...
, where he ran as a member of President Eduard Kokoity
Eduard Kokoity
Eduard Dzhabeyevich Kokoity is the de facto President of South Ossetia.-Early life:Eduard Kokoity was born on 31 October 1964 in Tskhinvali, in the Georgian SSR, a part of the Soviet Union at the time. Kokoity was a member, and champion, of the Soviet Union's national wrestling team...
's Unity Party
Unity Party (South Ossetia)
The Unity Party is a major political party in South Ossetia, a partially recognized Caucasian republic, considered by most countries to be a part of Georgia. The Unity Party, founded in 2003, supports President Eduard Kokoity, and is currently the largest political party in South Ossetia. As of...
. Following the Unity Party's electoral victory, Gassiev was once again elected chairman of Parliament.
After the 2008 South Ossetia war
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, Gassiev was appointed head of the government's commission to deal with the resulting emergencies.
Gassiev, then 84 years old, did not run in the 2009 election
South Ossetian parliamentary election, 2009
A parliamentary election in South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia recognised as an independent state by Russia and Nicaragua, was held in June 2009. According to the preliminary results, the highest number of votes went to the ruling Unity Party...
, and was replaced as speaker by Stanislav Kochiev
Stanislav Kochiev
Stanislav Jakovlevich Kochiev |Kurta]], Tskhinvali district, South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union), is a South Ossetian politician, who is a former presidential candidate and currently the chairman of the Parliament of South Ossetia.Kochiev was born in Kurta, and went to...
.
On 27 October 2010, Gassiev was appointed State Advisor to President Eduard Kokoity.