OSCE Observers Unable to Fulfill the Task, Russian Defense Minister Says

(Tbilisi, August 23, 2002, Civil Georgia) – Sergei Ivanov, Defense Minister of the Russian Federation, stated today that OSCE observers in Georgia are unable to fulfill their task properly, Russian news agency Ria Novosti reports.

While talking on Russian observation on the antiterrorist operation Planned by Georgian in Pankisi Ivanov pointed out that the Russian government has raised the issue several times “but the position of Georgian side concerning the matter is well-known”.

“The OSCE observers mission is there but just recently Chechen fighters passed them without any problem”, Russian Minister stated.

“They make no advantage as observers”, Sergei Ivanov said.