Bush opposes separation of Georgian domain

By: Ben Feller - Associated Press

Posted: 8/26/08

CRAWFORD, Texas - President George W. Bush says Russia's president should not recognize two breakaway regions of Georgia as independent countries despite pleas from Russian lawmakers.

Bush put out a statement criticizing Russia's parliament, which voted Monday to urge the Kremlin to recognize the independence of two separatist Georgian regions.

The White House says those two regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, remain part of Georgian domain.

Bush said Russia's leadership should "not recognize these separatist regions."

He said Georgia's borders deserve the same respect as any country's - including Russia's.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev did not immediately respond to the votes of the parliament.