Russian Delegation on Chechens’ Repatriation Visits Georgia

(Tbilisi, September 1, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation Yuri Brazhnikov arrived on August 31 in Tbilisi to hold talks with the Georgian authorities over repatriation of the Chechen refugees living in Georgia.

Up to 3,700 Chechen refugees, who fled from the second war in Chechnya in 1999, live in Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge at the moment.

The Russian delegation visited Georgia in June. The delegation met with the Chechen refugees in Pankisi Gorge and tried in vain to con!
vince them to return in Chechnya.

Chechen refugees are cautious regarding the repatriation, claiming that the security conditions in Chechnya are still grave.

Georgian authorities say they will agree on Chechens’ repatriation only in case of security guarantees from the Russian authorities.

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