Abkhazia, South Ossetia send sovereignty appeals to Russia

Abkhazia, S.Ossetia send sovereignty appeals to Russia

21/08/2008 19:19


SUKHUMI, August 21 (RIA Novosti) - Georgia's breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia sent official appeals Thursday to Russia's president and parliament to recognize their independence.

The relevant resolutions were announced during rallies in the two separatist republics' capitals earlier Thursday.

In Sukhumi, around 50,000 people gathered on the central square to show support for the appeal to recognize Abkhazia "as a sovereign and independent state, and sign a treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance."

"It has become clear that Abkhazia will not live in the same state with Georgia," Abkhazian parliament speaker Nugzar Ashuba told the rally.

Addressing a similar gathering in Tskhinvali, South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said: "Those who armed Georgia are also responsible for what happened in South Ossetia, and do not have the moral right to claim the role of peacekeepers."

"We appeal to Russia to be the first country from the international community to recognize the independence of the republic of South Ossetia," reads Tskhinvali's request.

Both chambers of Russia's parliament are expected to consider the appeals by the republics on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled that whether Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries would depend on the Georgian president.

"[Mikheil] Saakashvili is responsible for how the situation will develop," Lavrov said.


[link to en.rian.ru]