Russia recognizes Georgia rebel regions

SOCHI, Russia-Russia recognized two rebel regions of Georgia as independent states on Tuesday, escalating tension in the volatile Caucasus and putting Moscow on a collision course with the West.Flanked by a Russian flag and a presidential banner, a somber President Dmitry Medvedev said Tbilisi's desire to seize back Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force had killed all hopes for their peaceful co-existence in one state with Georgia."(Georgian President Mikheil) Saakashvili chose genocide to solve his political tasks," Medvedev declared in a statement broadcast from his summer residence in the resort of Sochi."...The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have more than once spoken in referenda supporting the independence of their republics. We understand that after what had happened...they have the right to decide their fate themselves." Medvedev's move came as Russian tanks and troops still occupied parts of Georgia after a brief war over South Ossetia earlier this month-the first time Moscow has sent troops into another country since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991.The United States, NATO and European powers swiftly attacked Moscow's decision.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described it as "regrettable" while German Chancellor Angela Merkel termed it "absolutely unacceptable". Britain "categorically rejected" the decision and France expressed dismay. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the Russian government leadership had "chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general."
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As in the days of Noah...