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Georgia: Recognition of breakaway regions to isolate Russia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-26 23:58

TBILISI -- President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will "leave Russia isolated", Georgian Minister for Reintegration Temur Iakobashvili said Tuesday.

Related readings:  Russia recognizes breakaway Georgian regions  Duma backs independence of Georgia's breakaway regions  Russia withdraws troops from Georgia

Speaking shortly after President Medvedev signed decrees recognizing the independence of the two regions Tuesday, Iakobashvili said the decision was a challenge not only to Georgia but to the international community as it violated the UN Charter, Georgian news agency Caucasus Press reported.

Both houses of the Russian parliament voted Monday to approve appeals to Medvedev for the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili called the Russian lawmakers' appeal "a serious mistake", saying the decision will lead to "serious consequences" and will not benefit Russia.

The two regions broke from central Georgian rule during wars in the early 1990s after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. But their self-proclaimed independence is not recognized internationally.

Georgian troops rolled in earlier this month to reclaim South Ossetia, triggering a military offensive from Russia, which saw Georgian forces driven out of the region and the taking over of parts of Georgian territory by the Russian army.

Russia said it will maintain peacekeeping observation posts in security zones around South Ossetia and Abkhazia after its withdrawal of troops.