Putin Offers Assistance to Crack Down on Militants in Georgia

(Tbilisi, June 20, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a June 20 press-conference in the Kremlin that Russia is ready to render any kind of assistance to Georgia ?to cease the activity of destructive groups on the territories of Georgia bordering with Russia, including the Pankisi gorge.?

?We are ready to provide financial assistance; our militaries can render information support. If you wish our Special Forces and Defense Ministry can take part in joint operations. However, we do not dictate our terms of solution of the problem to Georgia,? Russian President said.

While answering the question, what should Georgia have to do to defuse tensions in the relationship with Russia, Putin answered, ?Georgia should do its best to prevent attacks against Russia from the Georgian territory.?

President Putin thanked the Georgian leadership for the recent actions against ?the gangs and militants.? He also thanked Georgia for extradition of several persons, suspected in terrorists attacks on apartment buildings in Moscow in 1999.

The Russian President expressed hope that Russia and Georgia could jointly solve the Abkhaz problem. 

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