Georgia’s separatists hold rallies for Russian recognition
Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia today held mass rallies, one day after leaders from the two regions made appeals to Russia for recognition of their independence.
By: IranVNC
Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008
15:30GMT—11:30AM/EST
GEORGIA – SEPARATISTS – RUSSIA
Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia today held mass rallies, one day after leaders from the two regions made appeals to Russia for recognition of their independence.
In Abkhazia, about 1,000 people gathered by midday [08:00GMT] on the main square of the capital city of Sukhumi, while crowds were expected to gather later in South Ossetia’s capital, Tskhinvali.
Moscow, which is set to review the issue on Monday in an emergency session of Russia’s upper house of parliament, plans to keep troops in a buffer zone around South Ossetia.
Speaking to reporters today, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “Tomorrow, eight checkpoints will be established in the security zone in which 500 peacekeepers will be deployed, no more than that,” Reuters reports.
“Other peacekeepers will be moved to South Ossetia, while other troops will be moved to Russia,” he added.
For his part, US President George W. Bush yesterday voiced his support for Georgia’s sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, saying: “The United States of America will continue to support Georgia’s democracy.”
Speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Orlando, Florida, he added: “South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia, and the United States will work with our allies to ensure Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity.”
Russia, whose troops entered into neighboring Georgia on 8 August after Georgian troops launched an attack on South Ossetia, has come under pressure from Western powers through NATO and the United Nations to abide by a French-brokered plan to withdraw its forces.
Lavrov told reporters that Russia was abiding by the ceasefire agreement, saying: “I want to state this clearly and unequivocally that Russia is carrying out the six principles agreed between [Russia’s President] Medvedev and [France’s President] Sarkozy.”
Russia’s ambassador to Iran, Alexander Sadovnikov, yesterday said that Russia had begun withdrawing forces, but could not set a time table due to “dubious acts” taken by Georgia.
Commenting on Iran’s role in the region, he said: “We know that Iran has good ties with Russia and Georgia, and Moscow understands Tehran’s willingness to help bring an end to the situation in the Caucasus region [back] to normal,” Iran’s official IRNA reported.
Sources: Reuters, Agence France-Presse, White House website, IRNA in English
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