Biden says US will not recognize SOssetia, Abkhazia independence.

TBILISI, July 24 (Itar-Tass) -- US Vice-President Joe Biden said on
Thursday his country will not recognize the independence of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia claimed by Georgia.

"We will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent
states and we urge the world not to recognize them as independent states,"
he said in Georgian parliament.
"We call upon Russia to honor its international commitment, clearly
specified in the April 12 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of all
forces to their pre-conflict positions and ultimately out of your
territorial area", he added.
Biden admitted "there is no military option to reintegration" and
called on Georgia "to keep the doors open to the Abkhaz and South
Ossetians, so that they know they have other options besides the status
quo."
The vice-president played down Georgian fears that US policy of
resetting relations with Russia means it is neglecting Georgia.
"I know there is some concern, and I understand it, that our efforts
to reset relations with Russia will come at the expense of Georgia. Let me
be clear: they have not, they will not and they cannot," he said.
"I come here on behalf of the United States with a simple
straightforward message: we, the United States stand by you on your
journey to a secure free democratic and once again united Georgia," he
said.
As for Georgian NATO plans, Biden said "we fully support that
aspiration. And we will work to help you meet the standards of NATO
membership."
Biden said the United States would not agree to Russian claims to an
exclusive sphere of interests in former Soviet republics.
"We stand by the principle that sovereign democracies have the right
to make their own decisions and choose their own partnerships and their
own alliances. We stand against the 19th century notion of spheres of
influence. It has no place in the 21st century," he said.
As for Georgian democracy, Biden made it clear it is far from perfect.
"Your Rose Revolution will only be complete when government is
transparent, accountable, and fully participatory; when issues are debated
inside this chamber, not only out on the streets; when you fully address
key constitutional issues regarding the balance of power between the
parliament and executive branch, and levelling your electoral playing
field; when the media is totally independent and professional ... when the
courts are free from outside influence and the rule of law is firmly
established, and when the transfer of power occurs through peaceful,
constitutional, and democratic process, not on the street."

.Russia patrols Abkhazian borders.

SUKHUM, July 24 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia began patrolling Abkhazian
border with Georgia a week ago, on July 16, in compliance with a bilateral
agreement, the Russian Border Guard Service said on Thursday.
Spokesman Vasily Malayev said border protection is ensured jointly
with Abkhazian security and police forces.
He said Russian border guards will prevent terrorism and smuggling of
weapons and munitions, illegal drug trafficking, other unlawful
activities, and will also train Abkhazian colleagues.

.Lavrov begins official visit to Thailand.

BANGKOK, July 24 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
begins his official visit to Thailand on Friday. He will be received by
King Phumiphon Adunyadet and will meet Prime Minister Abhisit Wechachiwa
and Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom.
Lavrov will also speak out in the oldest Thai university on bilateral
relations and Russian policy in Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Russia and Thailand "have numerous points of coincidence on actual
modern issues, in particular, on problems of nuclear missile disarmament,
the fight against terrorism, and overcoming the world financial crisis,"
foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said.
He said Lavrov and his Thai counterpart will carry out "a detailed
inventory of the state of relations and will sign an action plan to
promote cooperation between Russia and the Kingdom of Thailand in
2009-2013".
The talks will focus on possibilities to expand cooperation in the
energy sphere, science and high technologies, space, the
military-technical sphere, transport, education and tourism.
Nesterenko recalled that Thailand "has been occupying the first place
among ASEAN countries by the volume of reciprocal trade with Russia".
The foreign ministers are expected to sign a plan of consultations for
2009-2011, which will help "synchronize our approaches to the solution of
burning problems of global and regional development," Nesterenko said.
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