Russia not to Send Troops in Pankisi Without Georgia’s Approval – Russian Official

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 2, 2002) – “Without international consensus and Georgia’s approval Russia will not be involved in anti-terrorist operation in Georgia,” Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Russian Federal Council’s (upper chamber of the Parliament) Committee on Foreign Affairs stated today.

Earlier Margelov said that Russian Federal Council would support in case the Russian President appeals the senators to carry out counter terrorist operation in Pankisi gorge. This statement was named in Georgia as a “calling for the war,” as Georgian President’s spokesman Kakha Imnadze said on August 1.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports quoting Margelov that he did had never called for war. “In case Georgia agrees on joint operation in Pankisi Russian upper branch of Parliament will approve dispatching troops to Georgia,” Russian official added.