Russia and Georgia are to put their differences over Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday, reported dpa. The Hague-based ICJ, the highest UN court, seeks to resolve matters of international law disputed by state governments. From Monday until Wednesday next week it will hold a public hearing on proceedings instituted by Georgia against Russia. Tbilisi has accused Russian forces of driving ethnic Georgians out of the two regions in a form of ethnic cleansing. Moscow has denied the allegations. Last month Georgia and Russia fought a brief conflict over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, resulting in the routing of the Georgian forces. Moscow has since formally recognized the independence of the two regions despite Western criticism. A judgement from the ICJ is not expected for several weeks. Its judgements have no legally binding effect.
