Georgia Needs Russian Help to Fight Chechen Guerillas

(Tbilisi, August 28 2002, Civil Georgia) Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his concern about misunderstanding and lack of partnership between Russia and Georgia. According to “Rianovosti”, Putin emphasized, “the situation at the Russian-Georgian border is not alarming, but poor coordination and misunderstanding with our partners in Georgia”.

“Recently, we were told that there are no terrorists in Georgia. Later, they admitted this fact. Then they thought for a while and said they are good, well educated. Later, it was turned out that these persons with high education are involved in drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, that they kidnap and kill people”, Vladimir Putin said.

Russian President expressed hope that actions of Georgian government directed against terrorism “are not fiction, but desire to clear the territory from terrorists. Georgia needs Russian help to fight Chechen guerrillas. In this respect we are ready to cooperate with Georgian side”, Putin said.