Russian Foreign Ministry disproves Georgian President’s words

Georgian President Edward Shevarnadze made a sensational declaration on the national radio today. He said that Russia and Georgia reached an agreement to postpone introducing visa mode for three months. The president ascribes this victory to Georgian diplomats. According to Shevarnadze, “Russia got a chance to consider everything carefully and make a wise decision.” “Russia was not ready for introduction visa mode from December 5 either” – said the president. But in two hours after Shevardanze had pronounced these words, they were denied by RF Foreign Ministry. According to the Ministry, visa mode will be introduced from December 5, as it was announced before. It concerns citizens of both countries passing the border between Russia and Georgia. However Georgia achieved some concessions. “So-called “privileged term” will be one of elements of the new visa mode. The “privileged term” will expire in 2001, March 1,” – the report of the Foreign Ministry runs. But it’s still unclear what is “privileged term”.