Russia, Georgia restart security talks in Geneva

GENEVA, May 19 -- Russia and Georgia on Tuesday restarted security talks after a walkout by the Russian delegation the day before, diplomatic sources said.

The talks aimed at healing rifts from the Russia-Georgia war had been planned to last for two days but the Russian delegation walked out as soon as the meeting started Monday, citing the absence of representatives from Abkhazia.

Delegates from South Ossetia also walked out of the meeting.

Abkhazia had threatened to boycott the discussions to protest U.N. documents that described the region as part of Georgia, according to media reports.

The gathering was supposed to be the first meeting since February between Georgia, Russia and Russia's allies from the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The talks have been held periodically since October to try and heal disputes remaining from the August war between Russia and Georgia.

Russia and ally Nicaragua recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states after the war but the rest of the world still considers the provinces part of Georgia.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Tbilisi's rule during wars in the 1990s that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Tensions remain in parts of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, particularly Akhalgori in South Ossetia and in the Kodori Gorge and Gali regions of Abkhazia.