USA, Washington, August 5 / Trend N. Bogdanova /
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the conflict and have passed the first six months of the new Administration, the Obama administration has shown, both in word and action, that U.S. support for Georgia remains steadfast and that we are on the right course with our policy in the region", Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, said. Vershbow also participated in the hearing on "Georgia: One Year After the August War".
Vershbow said that the USA will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. "U.S policy rests on the continued support of Georgia's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty; rejecting any notion of spheres of influence in the region; and promoting peace and stability. We stand by the principle that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions, and choose their own partnerships and alliances. Most importantly, we will continue to stand by and deepen our support to Georgia and its people", Vershbow said.
Military actions launched in the territory of unrecognized republic of South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Georgian troops entered the capital of South Ossetia - Tskhinvali. Afterwards, Russian troops occupied the city and drove Georgian military men back to Georgia. Russia recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, official parts of Georgia on August 26 and established diplomatic relations with them on September 9.