Officials do not Rule Out Influx of Iraqi Refugees to Georgia

(Tbilisi. March 20, 2003. Civil Georgia) – “We do not rule out the possibility of arrival of Iraqi refugees in Georgia,” Jemal Gakhokidze, the First Deputy Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council told Civil Georgia on March 20.

“However I think it is less possible that the Iraqi refugees will reach Georgia, as we have no common border with Iraq. But in case of influx of Iraqi refugees Georgia will act in accordance to the international law,” Gakhokidze added.

A well-informed source in Georgian State Security Ministry told the Civil Georgia that the Ministry is preparing for the influx of Iraqi refugees from Azerbaijan.

Commander of the Staff of the Border Guard Department Korneli Salia told Civil Georgia today “there are no special preparations in the Department regarding the possible entry of Iraqi refugees to Georgia”.

Reports say that Azerbaijani official estimated the number of refugees from Iraq at 300.

A group of refugees from Iraq picketed the office in Baku of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in late February to complain about problems in obtaining accommodation and food and to demand humanitarian aid, the Turan news agency reported.

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