1:48pm UK, Thursday August 28, 2008

International concerns over Russia’s recognition of two Georgian provinces as independent appeared to be spreading, with an Asian security alliance failing to back Moscow.

Georgian activists burn the Russian flag outside the country’s embassy in Tbilisi

This week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree formally recognising the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent.

It sparked fierce criticism from the West – British Foreign Minister David Miliband warning the president not to start a new Cold War.

Seeking much-needed support, Mr Medvedev travelled to Tajikistan to attend a summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO).

The alliance was established in 2001 to counter Nato influence in the central Asian region and its members include China, Russia and four ex-Soviet states – Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

But while the alliance voiced support for Russia’s “active role” in trying to end the Georgian conflict – it did not back the independence decree.

“The SCO states express grave concern in connection with the recent tensions around the South Ossetian issue and urges the sides to solve existing problems peacefully, through dialogue, and to make efforts facilitating reconciliation and talks,” a declaration said.

The statement also called for the respect of “territorial integrity” – but did not mention Georgia by name.

“The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of respect for historic and cultural traditions of every country and efforts aimed at preserving the unity of a state and its territorial integrity.

“Placing the emphasis exclusively on the use of force has no prospects and hinders a comprehensive settlement of local conflicts.”

Mr Medvedev claimed the summit’s outcome showed a “united position” that should send a message to the West.

“I am sure that the united position of the SCO member states will have international resonance,” he said.

“And I hope it will serve as a serious signal to those who try to turn black into white and justify this aggression.”

However, before the SCO summit, China issued a statement on its “concern” over the independence issue.

“We understand the complex history and realities of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

“At the same time, reflecting China’s consistent stance on such issues, we hope all the parties can appropriately resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation.”

While Beijing has sought stronger ties with Moscow, it does not look favourably on the break-up of states – taking its own disputes with Tibet and other regions into consideration.

Earlier, French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner said EU states would be looking at the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis.

An emergency EU summit has been convened for early next week to discuss the issue.

Mr Kouchner said: “Sanctions are being considered, and many other means,” in preparation for the summit.

Also, a statement signed by Mr Miliband and the rest of the Group of Seven (G7) nations has criticised Moscow’s decree on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The G7 – which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US - added that the group deplored “Russia‘s excessive use of military force in Georgia”.

It came as the prosecutor-general of South Ossetia said 1,692 people had been killed in Georgia’s assault on the region earlier this month.

On Wednesday, tensions between Russia and the West escalated after a US military ship carrying 34 tons of humanitarian aid docked at the Georgian port of Batumi.

In response, the Russians sent three of its military ships to the Abkhazian port of Sukhumi.