Russia recognises independence of Georgian areas
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
MOSCOW, Aug 26(Internet): Russia Tuesday formally recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two enclaves in Georgia whose separatist aspirations stirred the fierce conflict this month.
The step, which goes beyond Russia's military operation and is intended to consolidate its military success into permanent political gains, is viewed as highly provocative in the West, which has insisted on the preservation of Georgia's territorial integrity.
It drew immediate condemnation from the United States and its allies.
Acting a day after Russia's Parliament unanimously supported the enclaves' request to secede, President Dmitri A. Medvedev announced that he had signed decrees recognizing the two territories' independence. He blamed the Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, for causing the bloodshed and forcing Moscow's hand.
He said it was clear that the warring sides could never again live together, and South Ossetia and Abkhazia had to be independent.
"This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people," Mr. Medvedev said in a nationally televised address.
Speaking on a trip to the Middle East, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the move "regrettable," The Associated Press reported.
The step, which goes beyond Russia's military operation and is intended to consolidate its military success into permanent political gains, is viewed as highly provocative in the West, which has insisted on the preservation of Georgia's territorial integrity.
It drew immediate condemnation from the United States and its allies.
Acting a day after Russia's Parliament unanimously supported the enclaves' request to secede, President Dmitri A. Medvedev announced that he had signed decrees recognizing the two territories' independence. He blamed the Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, for causing the bloodshed and forcing Moscow's hand.
He said it was clear that the warring sides could never again live together, and South Ossetia and Abkhazia had to be independent.
"This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people," Mr. Medvedev said in a nationally televised address.
Speaking on a trip to the Middle East, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the move "regrettable," The Associated Press reported.