OSCE resumes talks on observers in Georgia, S.Ossetia

VIENNA, January 13 (RIA Novosti) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) resumed talks on its observer missions in Georgia and the breakaway republic of South Ossetia on Tuesday, Russia's OSCE envoy said.

"The Russian stance remains unchanged: we are for two separate OSCE missions in Tbilisi and Tskhinvali," Anvar Azimov said, adding that the organization would have to agree on its mission in Tskhinvali with South Ossetia's leadership.

The OSCE mission had a presence in South Ossetia until Georgia's August 8, 2008, attack on its rebel province. The organization stated its desire to reinstate its monitors in South Ossetia after the ensuing five-day Georgia-Russia war, but was denied permission by the South Ossetians, who accused the OSCE of failing to prevent the Georgian attack.

On December 22 last year, Russia said it was against extending the OSCE mandate, which expired on the last day of 2008.

Russian recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway republic, as independent states on August 26.