Georgia Accuses Russian Troops in Arms Dealing

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 31, 2002) – Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania stated that at the government’s extended meeting today that the Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in breakaway Abkhazia are involved in illegal armed dealing.

“Russian peacekeeper troops is the center of illegal arms dealing,” Khaburdzania said. Only the Russian troops could bring in Georgia the modern arms that were detained recently. Georgia police detained security and defense officials recently carrying anti-craft missiles.

Georgian Security Minister said that every one should pay special attention to the fact of Russian troops involvement in arms dealing, while Russia accuses Georgia in harboring terrorists.