Russia seeks support from China, Central Asia in Georgia dispute

DUSHANBE, August 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's president said on Thursday he expects China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to support Russia's role in Georgia following the recent conflict.

Western powers have warned Russia that it faces "international isolation" over its continued security presence in Georgia, three weeks on from Tbilisi's attack on breakaway South Ossetia, and over its recognition of Georgia's rebel regions as independent.

Dmitry Medvedev, in Tajikistan for a two-day SCO summit, said: "We are confident that the position of SCO member states will produce an appropriate resonance through the international community, and I hope this will give a serious signal to those who are trying to justify the aggression that was committed."

The security bloc, seen as a counterweight to NATO's influence in Eurasia, comprises China, Russia, and four Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.