BREAKING NEWS Russia recognizes S.Ossetia, Abkhazia as independent. Powerful elite "world leaders" give speeches, make threats...

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Quotes below are from the full article at:
Russia: S.Ossetia, Abkhazia independent (ChinaDaily.com - 27 Aug 08)... Russia Tuesday formally recognized the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as two independent states, which is set to challenge the United States and its NATO allies who have been the staunch supporter of Georgia.

"This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a nationally-televised speech. The top Russian leader said that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had "opted for genocide."

US President George W. Bush called on Russia to reconsider the "irresponsible decision."

The European Union said it "strongly condemned" the move and a statement from the French EU presidency said the 27-nation bloc would now "examine from this point of view the consequences of Russia's decision."

A White House spokesman said the US was "looking at a variety of options with regard to consequences for Russia's behavior in Georgia, its aggression in Georgia."

Amid a hail of Western criticism, Medvedev was unapologetic, saying: "We're not afraid of anything." "We will do everything we can to avoid" a new Cold War, he said in an interview to French LCI television. But he added: "If they want relations to worsen, they will get it."

Fears of an escalation were rife, with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner saying: "We fear a war and we don't want one."

His German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier said all sides were "playing with fire" and urged: "The spiral of provocation must stop, and immediately."

Britain's Foreign Minister David Miliband said the announcement "further inflames an already tense situation in the region."

Wake up free human beings of the united states of America! The US government must be forced to serve its citizenry, not the opposite. You are their master. Demand in any way you can that the US cease all hostilities against the people of the rest the world. Do not allow WW III to begin while you sleep. Now is a time for action.