Medvedev says no going back on South Ossetian recognition

VLADIKAVKAZ, August 8 (RIA Novosti) – President Dmitry Medvedev said
on Saturday that Russia would not revise its decision to recognize the
former Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent
states.
"I stress this decision will not be reviewed," Medvedev said in the
southern Russian city of Vladikavkaz, during an award ceremony for
service personnel, who fought in the five-day war that started a year
ago.
Some 162 civilians and 67 Russian service personnel, including
peacekeepers, were killed when Georgia attacked the former Georgian
republic of South Ossetia last August. Russia reacted swiftly
expelling Georgian troops from the region and subsequently recognized
both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another former Georgian republic.
The president said that the decision to recognize the former republics
had been the only option following Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia
last August.
"This was the only way we could guarantee people’s security and
stability in the Caucasus region," he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress