US, Russia to Improve Security in Georgia Together – Bush Says

(Tbilisi, May 24, Civil Georgia) – US President Georgia W. Bush stated during remarks with Russian President Putin at signing of Joint Declaration on May 24 in Moscow that Russia and the United States are “determined to work closely on important regional challenges”.

“Together, we will work to improve security in Georgia. We will work to help end fighting and achieve a political settlement in Chechnya,” the US President stated.

At the moment up to 70 US military trainers are in Georgia to train 4 battalions of the Georgian Defense Ministry in the counter terrorist actions.

Recently Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania stated that approximately 100 Arab mercenaries and 800 Chechen fighters are hiding in Georgia’s troubled Pankisi gorge at the moment.