Georgian Intelligence Denies US Envoys’ Statement on Afghan Terrorists in Pankisi

(Tbilisi, February 12, Civil Georgia) – Chief of Georgian Intelligence Department Avtandil Ioseliani stated on February 12 that he has no information concerning Afghan terrorists harboring in Pankisi gorge, northeastern mountainous region of Georgia.

On February 11 Charge d’Affairs of the United States in Georgia Philip Remler did not rule out presence of terrorists from Afghanistan in Pankisi gorge.

“If anybody has such information, he should share it with the Georgian special services,” Ioseliani announced.

Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania stated at the government’ meeting on February 9 that there are several bases of criminals and Chechen guerrillas in Pankisi gorge.

In his report Khaburdzania did not say anything concerning the possible presence of Afghan terrorists in the gorge.

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