Shevardnadze Confirms Abkhaz Fighters Entered Kodori

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 12, 2002) – “Reports that the Abkhaz fighters entered Georgian controlled Kodori gorge are unfortunately true,” Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said in his traditional Monday radiobroadcast on August 12.

He said that the UN Secretary-General’s special representative to Georgia is informed concerning the incident.

According to Georgian President’s Representative in Kodori Gorge Emzar Kvitsiani up to 100 Russian soldiers and Abkhaz fighters entered the upper Kodori, violating agreements, considering demilitarization of the Kodori gorge.

Kvitsiani told the reporters today that Georgian helicopters was fired by Russian soldiers on August 12, causing no casualties. Kvitsiani was onboard of helicopter.