Georgia strengthens Georgian-Russian border

The Georgian side is taking special measures to strengthen the northern section of the Russian-Georgian border, reported Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze.

The country has increased the number of border guards and interior ministry roadblocks in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge, introducing also elite units of the Georgian Defence Ministry into the area, he told a briefing on Monday.

He said he was convinced Chechen militants would not "attempt an adventurist breakthrough of the Russian-Georgian border." "I don't think the Chechens will attempt such a breakthrough, and even if they do, we are ready for it," said the Georgian leader. "But there are mainly Chechen refugees, mostly children, women and elderly people, in the Pankisi Gorge at this moment."