Russia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states

Russia formally rec ognized Tuesday the Georgian rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states in a new challenge which angered the Western powers.

President Dmitry Medvedev's declaration prompted bursts of celebratory gun fire in the streets of South Ossetia and Abkhazia but immediate censure from the US and its allies.

"We're not afraid of anything," Medvedev declared when asked on television if he feared the stand-off would lead to a new Cold War. Russia condemned a build-up of NATO ships in the Black Sea, said by the West to be delivering aid and conducting previously arranged exercises.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://epaper.dailystar.com.lb

In Georgia, Russia sends clear message United States, Israeli influence will not be tolerated

South Ossetian separatists, supported by Moscow,escalated their machinegun and mortar-fire attacks against neighboring Georgian villages last week. In response, Georgia attacked the separatist capital South Ossetian Tskhinvali with artillery to suppress fire. Tskhinvali suffered severe damage, thus providing the pretext for Moscow's invasion of Georgia. Russians in Abkhazia are also fighting the Georgians.

As Russia responded with overwhelming force, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin flew from the Beijing Olympics to Vladikavkaz, taking control of the military operations. Putin sidelined his successor, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, thereby leaving no doubt as to who is in charge. Medvedev's role is to handle the international diplomatic front which seems to be not on the table. Under Putin's orders, the 58th Russian Army of the North Caucasus Military District rolled into South Ossetia, reinforced by the 76th Airborne "Pskov" Division. Cossacks from the neighboring Russian territories moved in to combat the Georgians as well.

The Black Sea Fleet is blockading Georgia from the sea,while Russian ballistic missiles and its air force are attacking Georgian military bases and cities including Tbilisi.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://epaper.dailystar.com.lb