15 September 2004, 21:06
'No terrorists' in Pankissi Gorge
Georgian Defense Minister Georgy Baramidze does not confirm the existence of terrorists in the Pankissi Gorge. There was a problem of terrorists in the country but the state has already solved it, Mr Baramidze said. "At this point I've got no information that terrorists stay in the Pankissi Gorge, though the danger of terrorism still exists," he stated.
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania met with US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles in the State Chancellery on September 13. They are supposed to have discussed the statement issued by Mr Miles at the Interior Ministry, in which he acknowledged the presence of terrorists in the Pankissi Gorge. "In Georgia, the matter always concerned terrorists' living in the Pankissi Gorge, but I've got no information about their number and exact whereabouts. The Georgian authorities are carrying out an active struggle against terrorism," the ambassador said.
Head of the parliament Nino Burdjanadze has commented on this statement. She is convinced the ambassador's words were interpreted incorrectly. According to her words, their have been no terrorists in the Pankissi Gorge already for a long time.
Author: Natiya Djindcharadze, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
