Abkhazia Asks Russia To Recognize Its Independence

Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) October 18, 2006 -- Abkhazia's parliament today sent an official appeal to the Russian president and Russian parliament asking for recognition as an independent state.

The Abkhaz parliament's document said Abkhazia has all the necessary attributes for sovereignty.


Abkhazia is officially part of Georgia and the Georgian government has repeatedly stated it will not allow any parts of the country to secede.


(ITAR-TASS)

Moscow And Tbilisi

Moscow And Tbilisi

Russian military hardware being withdrawn from a Russian base in Batumi, Georgia, in August 2005 (TASS)

WHAT COMES NEXT? Although Russia is unlikely to push an aggressive military response to the current tensions with Georgia, it has a number of economic, political, and diplomatic options at its disposal. Already on October 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin summoned his inner circle to weigh Moscow's options... (more)


RELATED ARTICLES

Russia Says Georgia Sanctions Will Continue

Russia Suspends Transport, Postal Links To Georgia

EU Commissioner Urges Dialogue With Moscow

Ulterior Motives Seen Behind Escalation Of Spy Row

Georgia Turns Russians Over To OSCE

MORE: Coverage of the situation in Georgian from RFE/RL's Georgian Service and in Russian from RFE/RL's Russian Service.


ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's English-language coverage of Georgia and Russia.