Cuba backs Cold War ally Russia on Georgia actions

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba sided with its old Cold War ally Russia on Sunday when President Raul Castro issued an official statement supporting Russia's military actions in Georgia's breakaway enclave of South Ossetia.

He backed a Russian demand that Georgia unconditionally withdraw its troops from the pro-Russian area that Georgia tried to reclaim militarily on Thursday.

"It's false that Georgia is defending its national sovereignty," Castro said in the statement that appeared to reflect recent steps toward renewing Cuba-Russia relations.

"The request for a previous withdrawal of the invaders is just and our government supports it."

The conflict began on Thursday when Georgia sent troops into South Ossetia, and Russia, which had peacekeepers in the province, responded by sending in tanks and heavy armour to drive back the Georgians. Russia previously had provided support to the separatists.

On Sunday, Russia took control of the province's capital, Tskhinvali, while Georgia offered a cease-fire and peace talks after pulling back its troops.

Castro said South Ossetia shared neither nationality nor culture with Georgia and had maintained its status as "an autonomous republic."

"The Autonomous Republic of South Ossetia historically formed part of the Russian Federation," he said.

Castro charged that Georgia had launched its action on South Ossetia "in complicity with the United States," Cuba's long-time enemy.