Abkhazia asks for recognition of its independece

Citing the recent break of Kosovo from Serbia as precedent, the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia recently passed a resolution asking the international community to recognize its independence. This move came right after Russia lifted sanctions on the region. Russia says this is not related to Kosovo, whose independence Russia does not recognize.

Some news:
BBC: Abkhazia in independence appeal
International Herald Tribune: US, Georgia caution Russia against backing militants in breakaway Abkhazia
Reuters: U.S. says it regrets Russia's moves on Abkhazia

Ripples of Kosovo

In the last blog, I listed a bunch of stories about Kosovo's declaration of independence. This is a major event for the people of Kosovo and the surroundings countries. This also raises the specter of independence-seeking by many groups around the world. Thus, large countries facing breakaway republics, e.g. Russia, China, and Spain, do not approve, whereas countries like Taiwan are supportive. Indeed, Russia faces both issues - for example, it has supported the breakaway republic of Abkhazia in Georgia, but has waged a vicious war in Chechnya to hold on to that republic. Here's a couple more news stories that discuss this point:

In Asian Reaction to Kosovo Declaration, Fears of Secession

Russia links Kosovo with Georgia