Georgian President confirms his initiative to send Russian observers to Pankisi Gorge

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze has confirmed his initiative to send Russian observers to the Pankisi Gorge "to control anti-criminal and anti-terrorist operations". Shevardnadze announced this on the National Radio on Monday.

The Georgian President is convinced that "observers from any country will be able to visit the Pankisi Gorge soon to see that the Georgian authorities maintain total control over the situation in this region".

"It is already possible to make a conclusion that complex measures in the Pankisi Gorge have been a success," Shevardnadze said. According to him, many fire-arms, Wahhabite literature and hi-jacked cars were discovered in the Pankisi Gorge. Several wanted criminals with assault-rifles and explosives were arrested there on Sunday, the president added.