Kremlin Says Georgia an “Enclave of Terrorism”

(Tbilisi, August 24 2002, Civil Georgia> Russian official news agency RIA Novosti quotes unspecified source in the Kremlin saying that part of the Georgian territory became “an enclave of international terrorism.”

The source also said deteriorating situation in Pankisi is a result of Georgia’s denial to allow Russian troops enter Pankisi. If the situation persists the source said, Georgia “would rot from inside.”The announcement comes as a continuation of the Russian pressure on Georgia to allow for Russian military involvement in Pankisi. It is also positioned against the background of yesterday’s incident of the Russian warplanes bombed the Georgian territory killing one and injuring several civilians.