Russian Defense Chief Demands Military Involvement in Pankisi

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 29, 2002) – “Without Russian military involvement it will be impossible to solve the Pankisi problem,” Sergei Ivanov, Russian Defense Minister stated on July 29.

Russian media sources report quoting Ivanov that terrorist groups remain in Georgia. He said that the Georgian government is unable to deal with these terrorist groups.

At the moment Russian troops combat Chechen fighters in Itum-Kale district of Chechnya, near the Georgian border. According to the Russian officials these Chechen fighters infiltrated from Georgia’s troubled gorge to the Russian Federation. Georgia denies report.

In Georgia fear that the armed clashes near the border could spread on the Georgian territory. The bombardment of the Georgian territory on July 29 has increased the fears.

According to the Georgian Border Guard Department fighter helicopters from Russia violated Georgian airspace above the Chechen border and bombed unpopulated territory causing no casualties.