Talks with Russia on monitors collapse

[David]

AP


VIENNA, Austria - A senior Western diplomat says talks with Russia have collapsed on the sensitive issue of sending additional international monitors to two breakaway regions.

The official told The Associated Press that Moscow refused to approve 80 extra military monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to keep tabs on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The official says the decision has thrown into question the sincerity of Russia's pledge to withdraw its troops from key areas of Georgia later this month.

The diplomat, who has been involved in the negotiations, said Russia staked out an increasingly "hard-line" stance. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details with reporters.