Russian Defense Minister Still Insists on Military Involvement in Pankisi

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 13, 2002) – “It is clear that the Chechen fighters will never be wiped out in Pankisi without Russian military involvement,” Sergei Ivanov, Russian Defense Minster told the reporters today, Russian media sources report.

Georgia is categorically against of joint anti-terrorist operation in Pankisi gorge, where allegedly Chechen fighters and terrorist groups are harboring.