Duma Deputy: Saakashvili hopes to survive the economic crisis through provocations

Саакашвили надеется пережить острый экономический кризис за счет оплаченных силовых провокаций - депутат Госдумы РФ

Georgia's armed provocations are just another way for Mikheil Saakashvili to ask for money from the international community, first and foremost, from the US, believes Ruslan Kondratov, member of the Committee for International Affairs of the Russian State Duma. According to an IA Regnum correspondent, on August 5, Kondratov stated that he was certain that in the next few days, the situation at the Georgian-Abkhazian border could become very complicated. "Today, South Ossetia closed its border with Georgia, and the Ossetian's fear is quite justified--after last year's monstrous demarche, any kind of provocation can be expected from Saakashvili, including the use of military force. Now, the Georgian president needs to increase his political weight, and the anniversary of the military conflict in the Caucasus region is a serious occasion," noted the parliamentarian.

"In addition, Georgia is in the midst of an economic crisis, and armed provocations against South Ossetia and Russia are another way for Saakashvili to ask for money from the international community, first and foremost, the US," said the Duma deputy. "Tbilisi understands that if they can get the Russian army to use force against Georgia, this could be a trump card in their foreign policy game. Therefore, the main task of our border forces is not to permit such events to unfold. Nevertheless, since the end of July, South Ossetia and Georgia have reported provocations on the border," said Kondratov.

South Ossetia closed its border with Georgia. The Leader of the republic, Eduard Kokoity, explained that the move was necessary as provocations from Tbilisi have increased in the last few days.

In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized Saakashvili's request that American observers be included in the EU Mission as an attempt to destabilize the situation in the South Caucasus and to provoke a conflict between the US and Russia.

CSAMR "SOCIUM" Opinon poll: Russia and West tore Georgia to pieces

Россия и Запад разорвали Грузию на куски: экспертный опрос ЦСиМИ "SOCIUM"

The Center for Sociological and Marketing Research (CSAMR) "SOCIUM" conducted a research study between August 27-29 of 34 experts from scientific research institutes and faculty of institutes of higher education in Tbilisi.

The [Georgian] experts were asked the following questions: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?", "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'" and "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"

CSAMR "SOCIUM" received the following responses:

Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?"

19 respondents support - 56%

5 do not support - 15%

10 no answer - 29%

Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'"

4 respondents support - 12%

23 do not support - 68%

7 no answer - 20%

Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"

2 respondents support - 6%

26 do not support - 77%

6 no answer - 17%

Comments from the respondents:

-Russia clearly overstepped its bounds

-Georgia has been broken into pieces by the West and Russia

-Georgia has fallen victim to the Russian-American standoff

-Yes, Georgia truly aspires to NATO membership so that this organization might defend Georgia's sovereignty, and what can Russia do to stop it?

-Russia, unlike many other countries, had enormous leverage on reintegration in Georgia. But for some reason, investments came in from Turkey and America, and not from Russia.

-In Georgia, many of us waited for a reasonable decision from Russia, even in the conditions of extremely confused policy from Saakashvili.

-Georgia does not bear enmity towards the Russian people, but there are a few crude politicians among the ruling elite, first and foremost those who do not understand the situation in the Caucasus.

-Georgia will never come to terms with the annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is Georgian soil.

-The conflict between Georgia and Russia can only be decided by our Patriarch; politicians can't do anything.

-Instead of an Orthodox Russia helping an Orthodox Georgia to improve economically, to draw more closely culturally, Russia turns to aggression. We don't take delight in America, but no one will protect us any longer. And we ourselves are in no condition to do it.

-We need Stalin to reconcile the people.

-Russia more than anyone is guilty of the breakup of the Soviet Union, where there were no such large-scale inter-ethnic conflicts. The same Russia is trying to extinguish the fires in the fragments of the late great country like a "bear in a china shop." [a play on words--Medvedev means "son of a bear"]

-Russia could have bought Georgia's economy by means of investments. But this was done by Turkey, America, just not the Russians. But the Russians sent us armies.

-It's clear that the interests of America, NATO, and Russia crossed--and Georgia was held hostage.

-The Georgian leadership handed over its people to the Americans. And it should bear full responsibility for the breakup of Georgia.

-If Saakashvili and his band were adequately eliminated by the Russians, then there wouldn't have been aggressions against South Ossetia.

-It's necessary to remove the Americans, and then everything will fall into place.

-Georgia is not being occupied by the Russians, as Saakashvili is saying everywhere, but rather by NATO led by the US. And even it [NATO] receives funding from them.

Supreme Mufti of Russia calls on the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Верховный муфтий России призвал исламский мир признать независимость Южной Осетии и Абхазии

Chairman of Russia’s Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tajuddin [Tadzhuddin] has called on regional spiritual leaders to render the much needed aid and support to the people of South Ossetia and to all who have suffered in this humanitarian catastrophe on the territory of this republic, says the press committee of the Directorate.

The Supreme Mufti of Russia also called on everyone in the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "Russian Muslims, just like our compatriots, support Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which was done for the peoples of these republics, and we call on the international community and the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the name of peace and stability in the Caucasus," stated Tajuddin.

"From the very beginning, the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate (MSD) of Russia has condemned the perfidious aggressions against South Ossetia by the Georgian leadership, who unleashed full-scale war on a distressed Ossetian people," said Tajuddin, "The blood of Russian peacekeepers, of hundreds and thousands of civilians, women, children, and the defenseless elderly was spilled here. In the ruins of Tskhinvali and in the peaceful settlements, the genocide of an entire people was truly carried out."

"No one can remain indifferent to the suffering of these people," believes the Chief Mufti, "Every community is praying for the dead and for the restoration of peace and calm in this tragic land. The CMSD of Russia and its regional MSDs are directing material aid to inhabitants of South Ossetia."

"We, like all just peoples in the world, cannot accept double standards regarding these events, when a few transoceanic figures try to make our country look like the aggressors and raise tensions," believes Tajuddin, "Russia was and is a guarantor of peace and stability in the Caucasus. Russian peacekeepers were shot in the back while carrying out their virtuous duty."

China understands Russia's motives in recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Китай выразил понимание мотивов России, признавшей Южную Осетию и Абхазию

China has been informed of the political motives behind Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Deputy foreign minister Alexei Borodavkin made the comment regarding the outcome of a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang, reports the Chinese newspaper "People's Daily."

The two parties discussed Abkhazia and South Ossetia's situation after Russia's recognition of their independence. The Chinese have been informed in detail of the political and legal motives for Russia's decision, and they express their understanding.

Belarus preparing to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Белоруссия готовится к признанию независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии

Minsk will soon support the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The statement was made to journalists in Moscow on August 28 by the ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Russia, Vasily Dolgolyov. According to him, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko will make an announcement of support. "I think most likely today, and if not today, then tomorrow," he said, speaking on when the announcement is likely to occur.

As IA Regnum reported earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko today spoke for the consolidated position of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and also reaffirmed his alliance with Russia. In a statement to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on August 28, the head of the Belarusian state expressed his opinion that it would be expedient to submit this issue for consideration to the Collective Security Council of the CSTO, whose next session is scheduled for September 5, and to accept the consolidated position of member states.

Lavrov: Russia not urging other countries to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Россия не подталкивает другие страны к признанию независимости Южной Осетии и Абхазии: Лавров

Russia is not actively encouraging other countries to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Sergey Lavrov, head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement today, August 28. According to him, negotiations are not being conducted on this account. "Unlike some of our Western partners, we prefer each country to think for itself," he emphasized. "We are perfectly aware of trips by American emissaries to other countries and that they are educating them on America's position. Such rudeness does not have a place in our political tradition," declared the minister.

Today at a press conference in Minsk, the Russian ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov stated that "Russia is counting on Belarus to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia." "To recognize or not to recognize their sovereignty--this is the sovereign right of Belarus, but we, to tell the truth, are counting on them as the closest partner of the Russian Federation," noted the diplomat.

Russia proposes that OSCE listen to Bagapsh and Kokoity

Россия предложила ОБСЕ выслушать Багапша и Кокойты

Russia believes that it would be expedient to invite the leaders of the newly formed states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to a session of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As Anvar Azimov, permanent representative of Russia to the OSCE, told journalists, this would help create an objective picture of the situation which has arisen in the region. However, the Russian representative expressed doubts that this initiative would be supported by the secretary of the OSCE.

In Rukhi, release of captured Georgian soldiers awaited

სოფელ რუხში რუსების მიერ დაკავებული ქართველი ჯარისკაცების გათავისუფლებას ელოდებიან

Residents of the village of Rukhi in the Zugdidi region [near Abkhazia] are waiting for the release of Georgian soldiers captured by Russian forces near the Enguri Bridge. According to an "Interpressnews" correspondent, they were to have been released today at 10:00. However, more than an hour later, local authorities are still waiting for their release.

The soldiers have not yet been brought to Rukhi, but according to official sources, it is only a matter of time and they will definitely free them today.

22 Georgian soldiers were captured by Russian occupiers at the port in Poti 10 days ago and they were transfered to the Senaki military base. Later, 12 of them were released. The rest, however, were held prisoner by the Russians in the village of Urta and then the Gali district.

Interpressnews [Georgian news agency]

Dmitry Medvedev: Russia had no choice but to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia

У России не было иного выбора, кроме как признать независимость Абхазии и Южной Осетии: Дмитрий Медведев

"In consideration of the free will of the Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples and guided by the provisions of the UN Charter and other international documents, I signed a decree on behalf of the Russian Federation recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," stated Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today, August 28 in a piece he wrote entitled "The Right to Self-determination: Why I was compelled to recognize the breakaway regions of Georgia," published in the newspaper "Vedomosti."

As Medvedev notes, Russia's decision to recognize the independence "was not easy and was not done without fully appreciating the consequences." The President emphasizes that the potential consequences were weighed against a sober estimation of the situation--the history of the Abkhazian and Ossetian peoples, their freely given support for independence, the tragic consequences of the last few weeks, and the international precedents for similar actions." In his piece, the Russian leader reminds readers that after the breakup of the USSR "Georgia immediately deprived the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia of their autonomy. Can you imagine that the Tbilisi government closed the Abkhazian university in Sokhumi because they said that they didn't have a genuine language or history, so what use was a university? Having recently gained independence, Georgia began a vicious war against its own minorities, deprived thousands of people of their homes, and sowed seeds of discontent which would only grow."

In Medvedev's opinion, Western countries certainly had an effect on "the aspirations of South Ossetians and Abkhazians for freedom. They brought themselves closer to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose first step was to destroy the autonomy of yet another region, Adjara." "Western countries," the Russian president reminds readers, "hurried to recognize Kosovo's illegal proclamation of independence from Serbia. We consistently pointed out that after this it would be impossible to explain to Ossetians and Abkhazians (and dozens of other groups in the world) that this was beneficial for Kosovo Albanians, but it would not be beneficial for them. In international relations you cannot have one set of rules for one group and another for the rest."

Dmitry Medvedev emphasizes that Russia had no choice but to introuduce its army onto South Ossetian and Georgian territory after the events of August 7 and 8. "This war was not our choice," emphasizes the president, "we do not have any designs on Georgian territory. Our army entered Georgian territory in order to neutralize those bases which were supporting the attacks, and then they left. We restored peace, but we could not extinguish the South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples' fear that Saakashvili would continue (with partnership and encouragement from the US and other NATO member countries) to talk of rearming his forces and restoring control over "Georgian territory." The presidents of the two republics appealed to Russia to recognize their independence."

In the conclusion of his piece in "Vedomosti," Medvedev emphasizes that Russia has friendly feelings towards the Georgian people and hopes that Georgia "will one day find leaders who are worthy of them, who will care for their country, and who will establish feelings of mutual respect among all peoples of the Caucasus."

Lavrov: "Moral admonitions from Western colleagues cause of bewilderment"

Лавров: "Нравоучения западных коллег вызывают недоумение"

"Moral admonitions from Western colleagues regarding Russia's position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a cause of bewilderment," stated head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to journalists on August 27. The head of the foreign policy department of the Russian Federation thus made it clear that Moscow was open to dialogue with the West.

Speaking about some of the statements coming from Western governments concerning Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Lavrov stated that "they are not factual and fail to address the issue from which all of this began." "They completely ignore the reality that we lost thousands of innocent civilians and peacekeepers who were operating with the support of the OSCE," emphasized Lavrov.

First President of Abkhazia congratulates Abkhaz people on recognition of independence

Первый президент Абхазии поздравил народ с днем признания Независимости

The first president of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba congratulated the people of Abkhazia on their recognition of independence. Here is his full statement of congratulations:

"My dear compatriots! The day August 26, 2008 will forever be remembered in the history of our country as a major milestone marking this truly epoch-making event--the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia. In order to realize a century of expectations and hopes that our people might one day know free existence and development, we had to endure the distressful and thorny road of national-liberation struggle. The burden of this heavy ordeal has been carried on the shoulders of many generations for the sake of freedom and independence. Many true patriots of our homeland have sacrificed their lives for this sacred struggle. During 1992 and 1993, when the Georgian aggressors tried to destroy our statehood, hundreds, thousands of worthy sons of the Abkhaz people stood up to defend our Fatherland. And in this struggle we were aided by many volunteers from our sister republics in the North Caucasus. The South of Russia, our foreign compatriots. The domestic war of the Abkhaz people ended with the exile of the Georgian occupiers from the territory of our republic. We admire the memory of everyone who put their lives before the altar of victory!

Today, the multinational people of Abkhazia celebrate one more great victory. We are inspired by the courageous and wise decision made by the political leadership of Russia. The declaration of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Anatolevich Medvedev recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia is in full accordance with international laws and norms. I am confident that soon we will hear of similar decisions from a number of other states. From the bottom of my heart I congratulate the people of Abkhazia and our brothers in South Ossetia, who endured all the horrors of Georgian aggression, on this long-awaited victory. Abkhazians and Ossetians are ancient indigenous ethnic groups of the Caucasus whose history and culture go back a long ways. Their right to sovereignty and political self-determination is supported by the centuries-old tradition of statehood. I warmly congratulate the peoples of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia on the recognition of independence! I pray for peace and prosperity for our states. Peace, stability, and well-being for the entire Caucasus and Russian Federation!

Shots ring out for half hour near villages in lower part of Gali district

გალის რაიონის დაბალი ზონის სოფლებში დაახლოებით ნახევარი საათის განმავლობაში ინტენსიური სროლის ხმა ისმოდა

Gunfire lasting approximately half an hour was heard in villages in the lower part of the Gali district.

As it was later determined, the fire came from representatives of the Abkhazian armed forces. They were drunk, celebrating the signing of a decree recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Currently, no gun shots are being heard, but in spite of this, residents are choosing to leave the area.

Interpressnews [Georgian news agency]

Russian General Staff: Georgia planned to take Abkhazia via South Ossetia

Генштаб РФ: Грузия через Южную Осетию планировала захватить Абхазию

Georgia planned to attack Abkhazia if its campaign in Tskhinvali succeeded. The statement was made today, August 26, at a Moscow press conference by Anatoly Nogovitsyn, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, reports an IA Regnum correspondent.

According to Nogovitsyn, valuable maps, which evidently demonstrate preparations to take Abkhazia by force, came into the possession of the Russian army. As the general told reporters, the operation was intended to be carried out in one day. Following day one, according to Nogovitsyn's sources, the command of the Georgian forces planned to leave for the city of New Athos and then to occupy the capital of the republic, Sokhumi. Nogovitsyn drew attention to the detail that artillery bombardment should precede any ground invasion. The signal for commencement of operations, or 'H-hour,' would have been dawn, from which the operation took its name--'Morning Dawn,'" said Nogovitsyn. But, according to Nogovitsyn, the Georgian leadership did not go ahead with the forceful resolution of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict only because the blitzkrieg in South Ossetia failed. "Thanks to the courage of the Russian peacekeepers, the actions of South Ossetia's top brass, and the decision to introduce divisions of the 58th army into the conflict zone, we managed to prevent Georgian aggression against Abkhazia," said Anatoly Nogovitsyn.

Mikhail Gorbachev: Recognition of Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence -- "Saakashvili's fault"

Признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии - "на совести президента Саакашвили": Михаил Горбачев

Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the consequence of the Georgian leadership's aggressive actions against the people of South Ossetia. The statement was made today, August 26, on TV news channel "Vesti" by ex-president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev.

Gorbachev believes that Dmitry Medvedev's decision was made in light of the events of the past few weeks in Tskhinvali. "All of this is a result of those events, everything lies on the conscience of President Saakashvili, the Georgian leadership," said the ex-president of the USSR.

Earlier IA Regnum reported that on August 26, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. [Read Medvedev's speech here]

Sergey Lavrov: "By so acting, Tbilisi surrendered its claim to territorial integrity"

"Действия Тбилиси поставили крест на территориальной целостности Грузии": Сергей Лавров

"By so acting, Tbilisi surrendered Georgia's claim to territorial integrity," stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today, August 26. Lavrov believes that Russia had no choice but to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"Georgia demonstrated its unwillingness to abide by agreements, but Russia did not give in to provocation and continued to search for a compromise," noted the head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As "Vesti" reports, Lavrov reminded viewers that historical Ossetians, Abkhazians, and Georgians lived together in one body in the framework of another state--at first the Russian Empire, and then the Soviet Union. After the breakup, the autonomous republics had the right to determine their own status.

Dmitry Medvedev: Russia not afraid of cold war, but hopes for understanding from the West

Россия не боится холодной войны, но надеется на понимание Запада: Дмитрий Медведев

Russia is not frightened by the possibility of the beginning of a "cold war," but neither is she aspiring to it. The statement was made today, August 26, by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in an interview with Russia Today, commenting on the possible fallout from recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "Nothing frightens us, including the prospect of a cold war. But we don't want one, and in this situation, everything depends on the position of our partners," he noted.

In Medvedev's opinion, the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was recognized in complete accordance with international law. "Each case of recognition is by nature a unique one. The particular situation of Kosovo, the particular situation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," emphasized the president. "If the West wants to preserve good relations with Russia, they will understand the reason for our decision."

"Russia has completely fulfilled its 6-point obligations under the so-called 'Sarkozy-Medvedev' peace plan," the head of state reminded viewers. "Our armies have withdrawn from Georgia, except from the so-called safety strip."

[Read Medvedev's speech on recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia]

Sokhumi and Tskhinvali celebrate new independence

Сухуми и Цхинвали празднуют выстраданную независимость

Residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia greeted Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's announcement of the recognition of the independence of these republics with joy. The capitals of both countries have turned into improvised stages for mass gatherings. People are congratulating one another, many of them with tears in their eyes. Leaders have joined the people. The people are waiting for President Sergey Bagapsh.

A few minutes ago, the president of Russia signed a decree recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In Medvedev's words, "Saakashvili chose genocide as the solution to his own political problems." "Russia stepped in to stop the destruction of the Ossetian and Abkhaz people. Russia showed patience and equanimity. We repeatedly called for a return to the negotiations table," stated Medvedev, noting that these appeals were ignored both by NATO and the UN.

[Read Medvedev's speech in full]

Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia: "Russia annexed Abkhazia and South Ossetia"

"Россия аннексировала Абхазию и Южную Осетию": замглавы МИД Грузии

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia amounts to the annexation of Georgian territory, stated the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Giga Bokeria, reports Reuters. "This is the open annexation of territories which are part of Georgia," he said.

Russia officially recognizes independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, calls on others to follow example

Россия официально признала независимость Абхазии и Южной Осетии и призвала страны мира последовать ее примеру

The following is a complete transcript [translated by me] of the speech made by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who today, August 26, approved the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The transcript is taken from the President's official site.

"Dear citizens of Russia!

You, of course, know of the tragedy in South Ossetia. The night attack by the Georgian army on Tskhinvali left hundreds of our peaceful citizens dead. Russian peacekeepers died performing their duty of protecting women, children, and the elderly to the very end.

The Georgian leadership, in violation of the UN Charter, of its own obligations according to international agreements, senselessly unleashed a conflict whose victims became civilians. The same fate awaited Abkhazia. Obviously, Tbilisi was counting on a blitzkrieg which would present the international community with a fait accompli. The most inhumane way was chosen to achieve this goal--to annex South Ossetia through the destruction of an entire people.

This was not the first attempt. In 1991, President of Georgia Gamsakhurdia with the slogan "Georgia for Georgians"--just think about these words--ordered the storming of Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Thousands killed, tens of thousands made refugees, villages leveled--that is what happened then. It was Russia who stepped in to stop the destruction of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian people. Our country became the intermediary and the peacekeeper, striving to reach a political solution. Accordingly, we began with the recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity.

The Georgian leadership chose a different path. The breakdown of talks, ignoring agreements once reached, political and military provocations, attacks on peacekeepers -- all of this contributed to the breakdown of the framework of operations established with the support of the UN and OSCE.

Russia showed patience and equanimity. We repeatedly called for a return to the negotiations table, and we did not abandon our position even after Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. But our persistent requests to the Georgians to agree to the non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia went unanswered. Unfortunately, they were ignored by NATO and even the UN.

Now it is clear: a peaceful resolution to the conflict was never a part of Tbilisi's plan. The Georgian leadership methodically prepared for war, and the political and material support they received from their Western patrons only served to strengthen their sense of impunity.

On the evening of August 8, 2008, Tbilisi made its choice. Saakashvili chose genocide as the solution to his own political problems. In doing so, he eliminated all hope of peaceful co-existence of Ossetians, Abkhazians, and Georgians in one state. The people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia repeatedly expressed in referenda their support for the independence of their own republics. We understand that, after what has occurred in Tskhinvali and what was planned for Abkhazia, they have the right to determine their own destiny.

The Presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, based on the results of referenda and at the request of their parliaments, appealed to Russia to recognize the sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Federation Council and the State Duma [of Russia] voted to support these appeals.

In view of this situation, it is necessary to make a decision. In consideration of the free will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz people, guided by the provisions of the UN Charter, by the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations Between States, and the 1975 CSCE Helsinki Accords, and by other foundational international documents, I have signed a decree on behalf of the Russian Federation recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russia calls on other states to follow her lead. It is not an easy decision, but it is the only way to protect the lives of people."

Patriarch of Georgia asks Russia not to ratify independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Грузинский патриарх просит Россию не узаконивать независимость Южной Осетии и Абхазии

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has requested the leadership of Russia "not to ratify" the resolution passed by the Russian parliament "concerning the Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions."

In his statement, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church particularly said : "For the welfare and future of the two countries, the Cathlicos-Patriarch of all Georgia requests the President and Prime Minister of Russia not to ratify the resolution passed by the Federation Council and State Duma, as it is lacking any legal or historical basis," reports ITAR-TASS.

In the next two days, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev could sign the resolution recognizing the independence and sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Immediately after Russia, Iran, Belarus, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, and a couple dozen other states will also recognize the republics.

On August 25, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, at an extraordinary plenary session, passed a resolution urging the President of Russia to recognize the independence of the Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Several hours earlier, a similar resolution was passed by the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

IA Regnum