Interfax Reports South Ossetia to Join Russia

A Russian news agency reports that Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia intends to become part of Russia.

Interfax Thursday quotes the leader of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, as saying the region plans to unite with North Ossetia, just across the border in Russia.

Another Russian news agency reports the separatist region of Abkhazia intends to become an independent republic.

Itar-Tass quotes Abkhazia leader, Sergei Bagapsh, as saying Russia has no claim to the region and has stated it does not intend to seize any part of it.

Russia has recognized Georgia's breakaway regions as independent states and set up diplomatic ties with them.

Russian forces pushed into Georgia last month after the Georgian military tried to retake control of South Ossetia.  Russia said it had to protect its citizens in the pro-Russian region.

On Wednesday, the United States accused Russia of finding excuses not to live up to last month's cease-fire agreement in Georgia.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Russia is trying to, in his words, "wiggle out of a commitment" signed by President Dmitri Medvedev.