UPDATE: Russia recognizes Abkhazia, South Ossetia independence
(Adds more remarks by Medvedev)
MOSCOW, Aug 26 (Prime-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a televised broadcast Tuesday he had signed decrees to recognize the independence of Georgia's breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
"This is not an easy choice but this is the only way to save human lives," he said.
Medvedev said he believed Georgia's attack on South Ossetia earlier this month gave the breakaway republics a right to independence.
"(Georgian President Mikhail) Saakashvili chose genocide to achieve his political objectives," Medvedev said. "Thus he dashed all hopes for peaceful coexistence of Ossetians, Abkhazians and Georgians in one state. The South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples have repeatedly voted for their republics' independence in referendums. We understand that, after what happened in Tskhinvali (South Ossetia's capital) and what was being planned for Abkhazia, they have a right to be in charge of their own destiny."
Medvedev also accused Georgia of thwarting negotiations on the breakaway republics' status, ignoring agreements and carrying out provocations.
Under the recognition decrees, Russia is expected to establish diplomatic relations with the two republics and conclude cooperation accords, the president's press service reported Tuesday.
Russia sent troops into South Ossetia and Georgia proper in response to Georgia's attack on South Ossetia, triggering a major row with the West. Western leaders have called on Russia to withdraw all of its troops from Georgia.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia after military conflicts in the early 1990s, but no country had recognized them until now.
End
26.08.2008 16:48
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