World IN BRIEF : RUSSIA : Walkout Halts Talks on Peace in Chechnya

Peace talks to end the bloodshed in Chechnya broke off abruptly when the Russians walked out. The warring sides appeared to be largely ignoring a cease-fire sought by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, sponsor of the negotiations. “The Russians aren’t ready to stop killing civilians yet,” Usman Imayev, leader of the Chechen rebel delegation, said after the Russians walked out after only three hours. Russian officials later said the delegation was taking a break to consult with military commanders and that the talks might resume in a few days.