Georgia accused of preparing invasion

MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Russia has accused Georgia of preparing an invasion into the breakaway province of South Ossetia under the guise of a Friday peace march.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said more than 3,000 people, mostly displaced Georgians from South Ossetia, have been asked to march into the region to mark the third anniversary of Russia's decision to recognize the region as independent, The Moscow Times reported Wednesday.

A similar march in 1989, inspired by Tbilisi, ignited a standoff that eventually culminated in an 18-month war and ended with the region claiming independence.

Between 20,000 and 40,000 Georgians took part in the initial rally, the Times said.

Trouble between Russia and Georgia was evident in the Moscow Arbitration Court where a landlord filed suit to evict a group of Georgian diplomats

The Ostozhenka Business Center accused the Georgian diplomatic section of occupying downtown offices without signing a lease or paying for utilities.