State Minister Khaindrava Slams Military Police

Giorgi Khaindrava condemned the Georgian Military Police and its chief Alexander Sukhitashvili?s decision to briefly detain Russia officials as ?an irresponsible act.? He said that Georgia has already received complaints from its western partners over this incident.

?We have received some statements from our international [partners], as well as from JCC. The July 15 incident involving the [Russian] diplomats will definitely be a subject for discussion, because Vienna Convention says that diplomatic missions and vehicles should have absolute guarantee of security and it was a really serious incident which should become a subject of serious discussion,? Khaindrava told Imedi television station on July 16.

The Georgian Military Police stopped on July 15 a car of the Russian Embassy at a gunpoint and searched passengers ? Russian chief negotiator on South Ossetia Yuri Popov, deputy commander of the Russian land forces Valery Yevnevich and an employee of the Russian Embassy. The incident occurred near the town of Gori, while the Russian officials were going from Tskhinvali to Tbilisi. A similar incident also took place on July 14.

In an interview Giorgi Khaindrava dismissed Russia?s allegations over Tbilisi?s readiness to use force in South Ossetia.

?Our guideline and strategic way is the Peace Plan, which is internationally supported,? Khaindrava said.

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