Rice: Russian move to recognize Georgian regions 'extremely unfortunate'
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Russia's decision to recognize the independence of two breakaway regions in Georgia is "extremely unfortunate."
Rice says the US continues to regard Abkhazia and South Ossetia as "part of the internationally recognized borders of Georgia." She says the US will use its veto power in the UN Security Council to block any Russian attempt change their status.
Rice says Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is failing to honor his nation's commitments under an internationally backed cease-fire.
Rice spoke Tuesday at a press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Russia announced Tuesday it would recognize the independence of the two regions at the heart of a short but violent conflict earlier this month.