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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Russia's 'Buffer Zone' Includes Georgia Territory

Moscow moves closer to recognizing breakaway enclaves

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(Newser) – Russia may soon officially recognize the sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, lawmakers said today, even as the military moved to establish so-called buffer zones that include Georgian territory, the Wall Street Journal reports. Then-president Vladimir Putin used the move to recognize the secessionist republics to criticize countries which did the same for Kosovo in February, saying Russia wouldn’t “ape” the West.

The buffer zone will include eight military bases on Georgian soil outside of South Ossetia, a move Georgia’s deputy defense minister slammed as “totally illegal and illegitimate.” Russia plans to keep about 3,000 troops in each breakaway republic—with about 15,000 spread across Georgia now.

Russian soldiers block the highway near Igoeti, northwest of the capital Tbilisi, Georgia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.
Russian soldiers block the highway near Igoeti, northwest of the capital Tbilisi, Georgia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev waves on his departure from Vladikavkaz, capital of North Ossetia, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev waves on his departure from Vladikavkaz, capital of North Ossetia, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Russian soldiers sit atop of their armored personnel carrier at the Black Sea port city of Poti, western Georgia, yesterday.
Russian soldiers sit atop of their armored personnel carrier at the Black Sea port city of Poti, western Georgia, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
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After the blood that has been shed in South Ossetia, we are once more convinced that we cannot live together with Georgia. - Sergei Shamba, Foreign Minister of Abkhazia

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