>>If Ossetia wants to be united with Russia, why did they declare independence and start the process for their statehood with a referendum and ask for international recognition as a separate state?
>
>Didn't Texas do a similar thing?

Are you referring to their independence from Mexico after the Texas Revolution?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Declaration_of_Independence

And then their later joining the union?

In February 1845, Texas approved the resolution to enter the Union. Part of that resolution, which came to be known as the Constitution of 1845, stated that Texas would retain its right to divide into four states in addition to the original Texas. Although most Texans can't imagine splitting up the Lone Star State, the legal right to do so still remains!" The US Congress passed a resolution offering statehood to the Republic of Texas on 3/1/1845. Approved by Texas Congress on 6/19/1845. The Convention
of 1845 met, accepted statehood, and wrote the Constitution of 1845. The federal resolution contains the Texas one-time-option of dividing, not any Texas document.


http://www.texas-on-line.com/graphic/history.htm

Are you thinking that Osettia's independence was only a step towards rejoining Russia?