Medvedev: Russia will not Reverse Abkhazia, S.Ossetia Recognition

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the decision about recognizing the independence of breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia was final and irreversible.

“This is not an issue to be trifle with,” he said in the interview with the French daily Le Figaro, which was posted on the Kremlin’s website on November 13. “We have recognized two new subjects of international law. In terms of international doctrine, these two subjects do exist.”

When asked whether he planned to reduce the Russian military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Medvedev responded: “I draw your attention to the fact that not a single document, including my joint plan with [French] President Nicholas Sarkozy, stipulates that this contingent should abide to any rules.”

He said that the number of Russian contingent was regulated by bilateral agreements with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali.

“And we ourselves will decide which contingent is needed, where it will be stationed, and what military bases will be present there,” Medvedev continued. “These steps are all in the interests of defending these two new subjects of international law, protecting the people who live there, and making sure that another humanitarian disaster does not take place. The size of this contingent has to be sufficient to fulfill these missions.”

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