Reports: Russia will not Revoke April 16 Decision

Russia will not revoke its April 16 decision on establishing official links with breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Interfax news agency reported on July 11, quoting an unnamed Russian diplomat.

The April 16 Russian presidential decree triggered anger in Tbilisi and international condemnation, with many calling on Moscow to rescind its decision.

Interfax also quoted “a diplomatic source” in Moscow as saying that Russia was against western mediation in its relations with Tbilisi.

“We do not see any reason for anyone’s mediation,” the source apparently said. “We have a direct dialogue with Georgia; we maintain contacts.”

Georgia said on July 10 that it was recalling its ambassador from Moscow after Russia admitted its fighter jets had violated Georgian airspace with flights over breakaway South Ossetia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on June 6 at a meeting with President Saakashvili that the two countries could normalize ties without western mediation.