Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday signed a decree under which Russia formally recognizes the rebel Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
“I have signed decrees on the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Medvedev said in a pre-recorded address on national television.
“Russia calls on other states to follow its example,” he said, standing at a podium flanked by Russian flags.
PHOTO: AFP
The Russian president said his decision was made “taking into account the freely expressed will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz people” and was in accordance with the UN charter and a 1970 declaration on international law.
Medvedev also cited the Helsinki Final Act and other “fundamental” international documents as justification for his decision.
“This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people,” Medvedev said.
He said Russia had demonstrated “restraint and patience” in its relationship with Georgia and had repeatedly sought to resolve the dispute over the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia through negotiations.
“But our insistent proposals to the Georgian side to reach an agreement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the renunciation of force remained unanswered,” he said.
“Unfortunately, they were ignored also by NATO and the UN,” Medvedev said.
He attacked the government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that on the night of Aug. 8 Tbilisi “made its choice.”
He was referring to Georgia’s attack on the separatist forces in South Ossetia.
“Saakashvili chose genocide to achieve his political goals,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev had called a meeting of Russia’s security council earlier yesterday after the parliament urged him to recognize independence for the two regions.
The US described the move to declare Abkhazia and South Ossetia independent from Georgia as “unacceptable,” while the G7 expressed “alarm” and European governments urged Medvedev not to go along with it.
Tensions were running high in the Black Sea after the destroyer USS McFaul carrying humanitarian aid left the Georgian port of Batumi en route to the Georgian port of Poti, where Russian troops are stationed.
US President George W. Bush warned Medvedev not to take the step of recognition, saying it would undercut a French-brokered ceasefire agreement to end the fighting and violate UN resolutions.
“I call on Russia’s leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions,” Bush said in a statement.
Washington also announced it was sending Vice President Dick Cheney, the US administration’s most prominent hawk, to Georgia next week, a day after the EU holds an emergency summit on the Georgia conflict.
Russia has accused NATO countries of using humanitarian aid as “cover” for a build-up of naval forces in the Black Sea.
Moscow also toughened its line with the West, with Medvedev on Monday saying Russia was ready to break with NATO and that it would withdraw from some WTO trade accords.
Medvedev said Russia’s relations with NATO had become “complicated” over the Georgia conflict.
“We will take any decision including up to a complete break in relations” if NATO decides to suspend cooperation with Russia, he was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.
NATO has suspended a NATO-Russia cooperation council.
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