Georgia fights terrorism only in words

Georgia is continuing a dialogue with Russia and the USA on security and anti-terrorist campaign issues, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said Monday in an interview with the National Radio. In his words, last week Georgia's National Security Secretary Tedo Dzhaparidze negotiated in Moscow, and is at present in the United States.

The dialogue at issue is being solely maintained with the United States, whereas it fails to be established with Russia due to the Georgian authorities' stance. As to handing armed Chechen terrorists detained on the border over to Russia, Shevardnadze said the issue of their extradition would be settled in line with the Pan-European conventions, with due account for the European Council and the European Court's recommendations after all the legal aspects are clarified.

"I promised to Vladimir Putin that there would be no obstacles for the extradition. However, the European Council's interference is a new element," Shevardnadze remarked. Thus, the Georgian leader once again gave an evasive answer as to when he would fulfil his pledge to Vladimir Putin and meet Russia's demand to extradite the terrorists.