President Hails New Phase of Anti-Crime Operation in Pankisi

(Tbilisi February 24, 2003. Civil Georgia) – President Shevardnadze says that the new phase of anti-crime operation in Pankisi gorge aims at maintaining stabile situation and rule of law in the gorge.

?A new phase of anti-crime operation will be held in order to secure safety of the local population and the Chechen refugees living in the gorge. At the same time, the law enforcers will finally crack down on those small groups of criminals hiding in Pankisi,? Eduard Shevardnadze said.

He added that the operation would also prevent possible penetration of the armed groups into Pankisi gorge.

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Tedo Japaridze said last week that the plan of the new phase of the anti-crime operation was drafted. He said that according to the plan Interior Minister will play a key role in the operation. State Security and Defense Ministries will be involved in the operation as well.

Interior Ministry intends to dispatch additional units of the internal troops to the gorge.

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