DPA: IRAN, BOLIVIA, VENEZUELA CAN RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Iran, Bolivia and Venezuela may follow
Russia’s example recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, according to Aram Sargsyan, leader of the Democratic Party
of Armenia (DPA).

"I believe some states will recognize the republics of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia," the MP said. "It is quite natural that some countries
hesitate over the issue, as Russia’s recognition of the breakaway
regions’ independence was like a gust, and it was not a premeditated
action."

On August 26, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed decrees
recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He also
called other states to follow Russia’s example.

The DPA leader said other countries had not negotiated over the
independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions. According to him, it
will take some time while other states recognize the independence of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) did.

SCO member-states backed on August 28 Moscow’s six principles of
settling the conflict in South Ossetia.

Sargsyan did not rule out some courtiers following example of CSTO
member-states which had adopted a "silence-gives-consent" policy on
the issue.

"Armenia is either to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and

Abkhazia or not," the MP said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress