Nicaragua recognises South Ossetia, Abkhazia

Moscow, Sep 4 (UNI) Nicaragua has become the first country after Russia to recognise the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Ekho Moskvy radio reported.

Latin American nation's decision was confirmed by an official of the Russian embassy in Nicaragua, Valery Bobrov, the report said.

Russia recognises the two breakaway regions as independent states on August 26, drawing sharp criticism from the West.

Belarus and Venezuela have supported the Russian decision but stopped short of follwoing suit.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced on Tuesday, ''Nicaragua recognises the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and fully supports the Russian government's position.'' ''We have started preparaing all the necessary documentaion for an official recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following instructions issued by the President,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Nicaraguan Deputy Foreign Minister Manuel Coronel Kautz as saying yesterday.

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