Vienna - Russia has vetoed a Greek-sponsored plan for international observers to continue their work in Georgia and South Ossetia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said ThursdayWith only weeks to go before the current observer mission runs out at the end of June, most OSCE countries had supported a plan put forward by Greece, which currently chairs the Vienna-based organization.

Russia, which had tabled amendments to the plan earlier in the week, said no.

The Greek proposal skirts the question of the status of South Ossetia, which Russia recognizes as an independent state, and calls for separate missions to Georgia proper and to the breakaway province.

On Tuesday, Russia introduced last-minute changes to the plan, calling for the monitors in South Ossetia to be civilians, not military personnel.

Russia's amendments, which were obtained by the German Press Agency dpa, also said that the form of the observers' work would have to be worked out with local authorities.

The OSCE currently has 20 monitors in Georgia to observe the situation after last summer's fighting between Georgian troops on one side and the Russian army and South Ossetian militants on the other. The officers have no mandate to enter South Ossetia.

"It's hard to see how this can be salvaged without the will to salvage it," a Western diplomat said, referring to Moscow's position.

As there was a need for more OSCE involvement in Georgia, Greek Ambassador Mara Marinaki said in Vienna, "we call on all participating states to show strong political will to this end."

The breakup of talks came only days before the next round of multi-party talks on Georgia was set start on Monday in Geneva.

Previous eight-party talks at the UN's headquarters in Switzerland yielded no results on such questions as joint missions to conflict areas and humanitarian assistance.

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