Czech Republic condemns Russia’s recognition of rebel provinces

The Czech Republic has condemned Russia's recognition of the rebel Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zuzana Opletalová told the AFP news agency that the Czech Republic recognised “all of Georgia and South Ossetia and Abkhazia were part of it”. The spokeswoman added that “Russia [was] not an impartial player in the conflict”. Other states, including the US and Great Britain and organisations such as NATO also strongly rejected the move on Tuesday by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who signed a decree recognising the two breakaway provinces. AFP reported that the Russian president said in a TV interview that Russia was “not afraid of a new Cold War” although he made clear it was not desired. The Russian president added that matters depended on “the stance of [Russia’s] partners… the world community and partners in the West”. He also said that Russia was “ready for anything”.