March 18, 2008 - 15:01 AMT
RF Duma CIS affairs committee set to initiate South Ossetia and Abkhazia recognition
The recent Russian State Duma hearing on recognition of sovereignty of Caucasian states revealed three tendencies of Russia's policy: to recognize or not recognize their independence or grant a "dalayed status" which offers opportunities for cooperation with the unrecognized republics. The third version is supported by majority of Russian politicians.

The South Ossetian leadership gave a balanced assessment to the decision meanwhile Abkhazia disagreed.

The Duma committee on CIS affairs intends to consider the proposals for the procedure of recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence.

Given recognition of Kosovo's independence and Georgia's aspiration to NATO, Russia's moves should be preventive. 90 per cent of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's population are Russian citizens, who are under protection of the Russian Federation. Establishment of Russia's representations, expansion of economic, political and humanitarian cooperation will promote peaceful realization of the dream the unrecognized republics have been cherishing for a long time, InAPro reports.