Shevardnadze Rules Out Use of Foreign Troops in Pankisi

(Tbilisi, July 8, Civil Georgia) – Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze stated at the news briefing on July 8, that involvement of the foreign troops to solve the Pankisi gorge problem is ruled out.

The reports said earlier that there is a secret talks between Georgia, Russia and the United States to hold a joint military action in Georgia’s troubled Pankisi gorge to crack down on terrorist groups and criminals harboring there.

Russia constantly demands from Georgia to carry out joint operation in the gorge. The Georgian side is categorically against. Officials in Tbilisi claim that Georgia is able to solve the Pankisi problem independently.