Shevardnadze Calls Fighters to Leave Pankisi

(Tbilisi, May 23, Civil Georgia) – “I advice fighters harboring in Pankisi gorge leave the area as soon as possible,” President Shevardnadze stated in the interview to the State TV Channel May 22.

He commented on Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania’s statement that up to 100 Arab and 800 Chechen fighters are hiding in troubled gorge at the moment.

President expressed hope that fighters would leave the gorge with the peaceful means.

US military instructors arrived in Georgia on May 19 to train Georgian anti-terrorist units.