13:40, 25 August 2008

State Duma votes for recognition of Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence

Russian State Duma has called the international community and President Dmitri Medvedev to recognize the sovereign status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The "Vesti" TV Channel reported live that 450 Duma Deputies have voted for the Duma's statement, with no votes against or refrained.

Earlier today, an appeal to Russian President urging him to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was adopted by the Federation Council. According to the same TV Channel, voting of 130 Senators was also unanimous.

Nevertheless, as The New York Times writes, President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili has not given up his intention to bring Abkhazia and South Ossetia back into his country.

To do so, Georgia wants to recover its army damaged in the warfare. Mr Saakashvili has noted that the USA will continue supporting him. According to his story, he talks twice a day with presidential candidate John McCain and has regular contacts with Joseph Biden, the US would-be vice-president in case of Barack Obama's victory, the "Gazeta.Ru" reports.