MOSCOW - RUSSIAN President Dmitry Medvedev announced on Tuesday he had signed a decree under which Russia formally recognises the rebel Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.

'Russia calls on other states to follow its example,' said Mr Medvedev, standing at a podium flanked by two Russian flags.

The Russian president said his decision was made 'taking into account the freely expressed will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz people' and was in accordance with the United Nations charter and a 1970 declaration on international law.

Mr Medvedev also cited the Helsinki Final Act and other 'fundamental' international documents as justification for his decision.

'This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people,' Mr Medvedev said.

He said Russia had demonstrated 'restraint and patience' in its relationship with Georgia and had repeatedly sought to resolve the dispute over the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia through negotiations.

'But our insistent proposals to the Georgian side to reach an agreement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the renunciation of force remained unanswered.

'Unfortunately, they were ignored also by Nato and the UN,' Mr Medvedev said.

He attacked the government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that on the night of August 8 Tbilisi 'made its choice'.

He was referring to Georgia's attack on the separatist forces in South Ossetia.

'Saakashvili chose genocide to achieve his political goals,' Mr Medvedev said. -- AFP

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