Georgian leader to inspect Pankisi Gorge

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze is planning to visit the PankisiGorge where Georgian internal troops are running an "anti-criminal"operation. He will be updated on the progress of this mission and meet withthe relatives of air raid victims, which in the opinion of Georgianauthorities, were killed by Russian warplanes. Russia denies theseaccusations. According to statements made by Georgian officials, the majority ofmilitants have already fled the gorge. Earlier Shevardnadze said he was"positive that the Georgian military would successfully complete theirmission and restore order in the gorge." He also added that the"anti-criminal" operation had been launched in consideration of requests ofthe local population, whose representatives repeatedly came out in favor ofcleansing the gorge from criminals and terrorists. .