Senior Russian Senator Cites Terrorism Threat in Moscow’s Border Policy

Chairman of the Council of Federation of Russia Sergei Mironov said  upon his arrival in Armenia on October 1 that Russia had to close its borders with Georgia in order to avoid a penetration of terrorists from Georgia into Russia.

“After the tragic events in Beslan [North Ossetia] we were forced to impose strict control [on borders], since the terrorists, who enjoy particular privileges in the territory of Georgia, were directly infiltrating Russia,” Sergei Mironov told reporters, reports the RIA Novosti news agency.

At the same time, he stressed that this measure is not directed against freight transit from Armenia. Russia’s decision to close its border with Georgia at the Larsi checkpoint has had a negative effect on the economy of both Georgia and Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Marganyan has recently urged Moscow to reopen its border with Georgia.

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