Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 26, 2008

US, Europe Criticize Russian Recognition of Georgian Breakaway Regions
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1DE0F68:A6F02AD83191E160AEA0984EAEC4599721A4E82C900CD027&
 
Condoleezza Rice calls Russia's decision 'extremely unfortunate' and
says US will veto in UN Security Council any attempt to change status of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia 
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a press conference
in Jerusalem, 26 Aug 2008U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has
called Russia's decision to recognize two breakaway Georgian territories
"extremely unfortunate." Rice Tuesday said the United States will use
its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block any
Russian attempt to change the status of the pro-Russian territories of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia. She spoke in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
as European leaders uniformly criticized the Russian move. France called
the recognition "regrettable," while Britain issued a statement
rejecting the Russian move. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the
Russian move "absolutely unacceptable."The Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe said the Russian action violates fundamental
principles of European security. Residents in Georgia's breakaway
regions celebrated Russia's recognition. Celebrants fired guns and drank
champaign in the Abkhazian capital, Sukhumi. Witnesses reported separate
celebrations in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali. Some information
for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters. 


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