Top Security Officials Inspect Border with Russia

Following an operation by Georgian security, defense and border guard forces at the Chechen, Ingush and Daghestani sections of the Georgian-Russian borders, top Georgian security and defense officials, accompanied by representatives from the OSCE Mission to Georgia and the U.S. embassy, toured the border areas on October 3.

Details of the operation were not unveiled; however officials say that it was “a prophylactic measure” against the possible infiltration of armed groups into the Georgian territory.

“This operation proved once again that we are in full control of the situation on the border areas, including in Pankisi gorge,” Vano Merabishvili, the Georgian Security Minister told reporters.

Observers from the OSCE border monitoring operation have been observing the Chechen, Ingush and Daghestani sections of the Georgian-Russian border since 1999. Last week, at the request of the Georgian side, officials from the Security Ministry and Border Guard Department visited the OSCE Border Monitoring Operation Head Office in Shatili and observed operational activities being undertaken there.