Georgian Denies Contacts with Rebel Chechen President

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 16, 2002) – “Georgian authorities never had and will not have any contacts with Aslan Maskhadov [President of Chechen rebels],” Georgian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Kakha Sikharulidze stated at the news briefing today.

Russian Foreign Ministry issued statement on August 15, urging Georgian government for explanations concerning the media reports on alleged contacts of the Georgian authorities with Aslan Maskhadov.

Georgian Foreign Ministry official said he was surprised because the Russian official statement was made on the base of unconfirmed media reports.