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Wed 08 Aug 2008Russia draws criticism over decree on Georgian rebel regions
RUSSIA DEFIED the West by recognising the independence of the rebel Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia yesterday, and questioned the purpose of a "worrying" build-up of Nato warships in the Black Sea.
"I have signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of South Ossetia and the independence of Abkhazia," said Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. "Russia calls on other states to follow its example. This is a difficult choice, but this is the only chance to save people's lives."
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