South Ossetia, Abkhazia mark independence anniversary

Aug 25, 2009, 12:33 GMT

Moscow - The breakaway Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Wednesday mark the first anniversary of their recognition as independent states by Russia.

South Ossetia is grateful to its 'big ally' not only for protection against the 'barbaric aggression of Georgia' and the salvation of its people, but also 'for the right of being allowed to develop freely,' South Ossetia President Eduard Kokoity said in a message to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedv, details of which were published by the news agency Interfax on Tuesday.

The two republics were granted recognition as sovereign states by Medvedev on August 26, 2008, shortly after the end of a five-day war between Georgia and Russia.

The West condemned the move and still regards the two regions as provinces of Georgia that should be returned to Georgian sovereignty.

The Russian Foreign Ministry defended the recognition, saying it was the only way. Moscow would continue to provide, economic, social and military support for the fledgling states, it said.

Russia has deployed thousands of soldiers in the region to ensure there is no repeat of last August's events when Georgia sent its troops into South Ossetia.

Russia anticipates that Nicaragua and other states will follow its example and recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which had been seeking international recognition before the Russia-Georgia conflict.

Western diplomats seek little chance of Georgia regaining control of the two provinces, which have hired a US public relations firm to publicize their existence in the West.

The two republics have complained of a lack of economic progress since recognition by Russia.

President Kokoity is due to meet Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss further cooperation.