AP cover as Duma backs Georgia's rebel provinces, Abkhazian Pres, reax
(25 Aug 2008) 1. Wide shot Duma session 2. Mid shot Duma deputies seated 3. Wide shot as Sergei Bagapsh, leader of Abkhazia, takes floor, AUDIO: applause 4. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Sergei Bagapsh, leader of Abkhazia: "I urge you to restore historic justice in the name of the worthy future of our peoples (Abkhazian and South Ossetian), in the name of development of the whole Caucasian region, and your decision should lay foundations of this future. There is no other way for Abkhazia and, I will take the liberty to say, for South Ossetia as well, and they will never return to the past." 5. Cutaway journalist watching session on monitor 6. Wide shot corridor and stairs of Duma 7. Wide shot Gennady Zyuganov, Communist party leader speaking to press 8. Cameramen 9. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Gennady Zyuganov, leader of Russian Communist party and Communist faction in Duma: "The Western countries have absolutely nothing to gain from boycotting and using force against Russia. They have not sorted out the Balkans; they have drawn themselves into the bloody quagmire in Iraq; they are not able to do anything in Afghanistan. And if they need one more hot spot, let them start." 10. Wide shot Duma interior, staircase 11. Interior office of Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction office in Duma 12. Wide shot Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), and colleagues in his office 13. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) "I think in the next few days the President will sign the decree on the recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We will establish diplomatic relations with them and conclude all the necessary agreements on trade, defence, communications, finance. In other words, on everything necessary for a certain level of bilateral relations." 14. Wide shot Duma hall interior STORYLINE: Russian politicians voted unanimously on Monday to ask the president to recognise the independence of Georgia's two rebel provinces, a move likely to anger the United States, the European Union and other Georgian allies. The twin votes by the upper and lower houses of the Russian parliament came after intense fighting between Russia and Georgia over the two separatist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The votes were not legally binding and it was up to President Dmitry Medvedev to make the final call on diplomatic recognition. Still, experts say the blessing by lawmakers gives the Kremlin an extra bargaining chip in its dealings with the West as it tries to reassert influence in the former Soviet republics and resist moves by Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. Currently, neither Russia nor any other member of the United Nations recognises the two provinces' claims to independence. Both won de-facto independence in the 1990s after wars with the Georgia, and have survived ever since with Russia's financial, political and military support. Abkhazian leader Sergei Bagapsh, addressing the Duma on Monday, urged lawmakers to "restore historic justice in the name of the worthy future of our peoples (Abkhazian and South Ossetian), in the name of development of the whole Caucasian region, and your decision should lay foundations of this future." "There is no other way for Abkhazia and, I will take the liberty to say, for South Ossetia as well, and they will never return to the past," he continued. Speaking after the Duma session, Russian lawmakers of all political stripes voiced their support for the Duma's decision. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
