Filadelfo Aleman, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Nicaragua has became the first country other than Russia to formally recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, giving Moscow a victory in its battle with Georgia over the two breakaway provinces.

President Daniel Ortega expressed support for Russia's position in a speech Tuesday, but took no formal action until a decree was read today at Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry.

Nicaragua will immediately establish ties with the two republics and eventually send ambassadors, said Manuel Coronel Kauz, a top official in the Foreign Ministry.

Russia has been looking for allies in its war in Georgia.

The fighting and resulting international debate has plunged Russia's relations with the West to their post-Cold War low.

Last week, Ortega's ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Russia made the right move by recognizing the independence of the two breakaway regions.

But Chavez hasn't formally done the same.

Chavez said he fully supports Russia's position and that Venezuela "would do the same if someone dared to attack us."

The Venezuelan leader has criticized Georgia and has called President Mikhail Saakashvili a "puppet" of Washington.