Russia Still Insists on Joint Operation in Pankisi

(Tbilisi, September 4, 2002, Civil Georgia) – “Without Russian involvement Georgia is unable to defeat terrorists on its territory,” Russian Interior Minister Boris Grizlov stated today at the joint news briefing with his German counterpart, while visiting Germany.

Russian high official said that Russian combats terrorism on its territory and can defeat it in Georgia as well. Georgian authorities categorically reject Russian proposal on joint anti-terrorist operation in the troubled Pankisi gorge.

Georgian authorities claim they can solve the problem independently. On August 25 Georgian law enforcers started anti-criminal operation in the gorge, deploying units of the Internal Troops deep into Pankisi gorge.