Russia Recognizes Independence Of Two Georgian Rebel States Sparking Condemnation From West

Following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declaration on Tuesday that Moscow would recognize two Rebel territories in Georgia as independent states, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili called Russia’s recognition illegal. On the streets of Tblisi more than a hundred protestors gathered outside the Russian Embassy to rally against Russia’s unilateral decision to recognize the territories independence. The West had strongly urged Moscow not to recognize the regions and to support Georgia’s territorial integrity. Yet, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin, says Russia had no other choice. Georgia and Russia fought a brief war over the breakaway region of South Ossetia earlier this month after Georgia sent in troops to try to retake the province by force. Russia responded by a massive counterattack by land, sea and air, brutally defeating Georgian forces.08/27/08