Russian President signs decrees on recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence

President of the Russian Federation (RF) Dmitri Medvedev has signed decrees on RF's recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence. It his today's address to citizens of Russia he has called other states to follow Russia's lead.

"You surely know about the tragedy of South Ossetia: the night bombardment of Tskhinvali by Georgian troops killed hundreds of our peaceful citizens and Russian peacekeepers who fulfilled their duty of protecting women, children and elderly people to the very end," runs Medvedev's statement.

According to his story, Georgian leaders unleashed, in violation of the UN Charter, their obligations under international treaties and against common sense, an armed conflict, where peaceful people fell victim. "The same destiny was prepared for Abkhazia. Obviously, Tbilisi relied on a blitzkrieg, which would have put the world community before a fait accompli. The most brutal way of achieving the aim was chosen - to attach South Ossetia through destruction of a whole nation," the President has noted, having emphasized that it there was not the first attempt.

"It's now clear: peaceful settlement of the conflict was beyond Tbilisi's agenda - the Georgian leadership was methodically preparing to war, while the political and material support of external patrons only contributed to the feeling of impunity," runs Mr Medvedev's statement placed in the official website of Russian President.

According to Dmitri Medvedev, at night on August 8, 2008, Tbilisi made its choice: "Saakashvili chose genocide to achieve his political targets", and by doing so "he crossed out all the hopes on peaceful coexistence of Ossetians, Abkhazians and Georgians in one state with his own hand."

"At referenda, the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia repeatedly expressed their will in support of national independence. We appreciate that after what happened in Tskhinvali and was planned in Abkhazia, they have the right to decide on their destiny themselves," Russian President has declared.