Medvedev hails support from China, Central Asia

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

DUSHANBE (AFP) — President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday claimed backing from China and four Central Asian states for Russia's actions in Georgia and said their support should send a "serious signal" to the West.

"I am sure that the united position of the SCO member states will have international resonance," Medvedev said at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO), grouping Russia, China and four ex-Soviet Central Asian states.

"And I hope it will serve as a serious signal to those who try to turn black into white and justify this aggression," he said in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, referring to Georgia's attack on the rebel province of South Ossetia.

The six-member group was expected to issue a joint statement, a draft of which was seen by AFP,...