‘The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have several times spoken out at referendums in favour of independence for their republics… The presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, based on the results of the referendums conducted and on the decisions taken by the parliaments of the two republics, appealed to Russia to recognise [their] state sovereignty... Considering the freely expressed will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples and being guided by the provisions of the UN charter, the 1970 Declaration on the Principles of International Law Governing Friendly Relations Between States, the CSCE Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and other fundamental international instruments, I signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of South Ossetia’s and Abkhazia’s independence. Russia calls on other states to follow its example,’ Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, official statement, 26 August
‘The United States condemns the decision by the Russian President to recognise as independent states the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This decision is inconsistent with numerous United Nations Security Council Resolutions that Russia has voted for in the past, and is also inconsistent with the French-brokered six-point ceasefire agreement which President Medvedev signed. The six-point agreement offered a peaceful way forward to resolve the conflict. We expect Russia to live up to its international commitments, reconsider this irresponsible decision, and follow the approach set out in the six-point agreement. The territorial integrity and borders of Georgia must be respected, just as those of Russia or any other country… Abkhazia and South Ossetia are within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia, and they must remain so.’ US President George W. Bush, official statement, 26 August
‘The member states of the SCO express their deep concern in connection with the recent tension around the issue of South Ossetia, and call on the relevant parties to resolve existing problems in a peaceful way through dialogue, to make efforts for reconciliation and facilitation of negotiations. The member states of the SCO welcome the approval on 12 August 2008 in Moscow of the six principles of settling the conflict in South Ossetia, and support the active role of Russia in promoting peace and cooperation in the region,’ the Heads of Member States of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) in part 3 of their Dushanbe Declaration, 28 August
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