G7 condemns independence recognition

The G7 nations have condemned Russia for its recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence. "We, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom, condemn this move," the group said in a statement released by the U.S. State Department. G7 condemns independence recognition G7 foreign ministers also stated that they deplored Russia's excessive use of military force in Georgia and its continued occupation of parts of Georgia, Reuters reports. "We call unanimously on the Russian government to implement in full the six-point peace plan brokered by [French] President [Nicolas] Sarkozy on behalf of the EU, in particular to withdraw its forces behind the pre-conflict lines," the G7 statement added. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that the U.S., Europe and their allies would prove to Russia that its decision to recognize breakaway Georgian areas was “shortsighted.” Fratto said that the decision to recognize had come up against “very strong condemnation” from the international community. He said that he had not noticed any country following Russia’s example, when it came to recognizing the breakaway provinces, stressing that it was very different from the situation in February when dozens of countries recognized Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, which Russia opposed, Associated Press reports. Frato said that Russia was familiar with the U.S. position on recognition of the two Georgian provinces as independent states. The spokesman said that he believed that “Russia has got the message, though I won’t try and guess when that message could have a bearing on their decision.”

G7 condemns independence recognition

G7 foreign ministers also stated that they deplored Russia's excessive use of military force in Georgia and its continued occupation of parts of Georgia, Reuters reports.

"We call unanimously on the Russian government to implement in full the six-point peace plan brokered by [French] President [Nicolas] Sarkozy on behalf of the EU, in particular to withdraw its forces behind the pre-conflict lines," the G7 statement added.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that the U.S., Europe and their allies would prove to Russia that its decision to recognize breakaway Georgian areas was “shortsighted.”

Fratto said that the decision to recognize had come up against “very strong condemnation” from the international community.

He said that he had not noticed any country following Russia’s example, when it came to recognizing the breakaway provinces, stressing that it was very different from the situation in February when dozens of countries recognized Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, which Russia opposed, Associated Press reports.

Frato said that Russia was familiar with the U.S. position on recognition of the two Georgian provinces as independent states.

The spokesman said that he believed that “Russia has got the message, though I won’t try and guess when that message could have a bearing on their decision.”