Georgia has asked Belarus not to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Georgia urged fellow former Soviet republic Belarus today not to follow Russia in recognizing the breakaway Regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as Independent States.
Belarus dispatched parliamentarians to Georgia and its rebel territories this week to consider the issue, with Minsk torn between loyalty to traditional ally Russia and a bid to improve relations with the European Union, which supports Georgia.
Russia recognized the breakaway Regions in August 2008 after crushing an assault by U.S.-ally Georgia on South Ossetia in a five-day war. Only Nicaragua and Venezuela have followed suit.