Bush Says Breakaway Provinces Part Of Georgia As Abkhazia Calls For Independence

August 20, 2008 9:45 p.m. EST

Orlando, FL (AHN) - President Bush declared Wednesday that two breakaway provinces of Georgia are part of the former Soviet republic.

The declaration was made on the same day Abkhazia, one of the provinces, appealed to Russia to recognize its independence.

"South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia, and the United States will work with our allies to ensure Georgia's independence and territorial integrity," Bush said in a speech before veterans attending the Veterans at Foreign Wars convention here, according to Voice of America.

Meanwhile, the Abkhazian parliament approved Wednesday an appeal by President Sergey Bagapsh to Russia and to the governments of other countries to recognize the independence of the region in eastern Georgia. Abkhazia declared its independence from Georgia in 1992 but many countries still recognize it as part of Georgia.

Bagapsh, who was present at the parliament session, said that now is the best time for both Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's recognition, according to Russia Today.

Russia supports the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the other Georgian separatist province. Russian peacekeepers are stationed in the two provinces, which gained de facto independence after wars with Georgia in the 90s.