Georgian President Demands That Power Structures Oust Terrorists From Pankisi Gorge

The Georgian president has instructed law-enforcement bodies to prevent penetration of criminals and terrorists to the Pankisi Gorge when spring comes.

"Few people, who should be ousted from the Pankisi Gorge before spring, still remain there. We should prevent all possible illegal border crossing," Shevardnadze pointed out.

He spoke on February 6th at a ceremony to award 20 law enforcers, who distinguished themselves in the anti-terror operation last year in the Pankisi Gorge, government decorations - the Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali and the Order of Honour.

Georgian interior minister Koba Narchemashvili told journalists that the law-enforcement bodies of Georgia will specially control the Pankisi Gorge till the anti-terror operation is completed in the North Caucasus.

The head of the interior ministry did not rule out that terrorists were still hiding in the Gorge. At the same time he believes that although serious problems had to be solved in the Pankisi Gorge it should not be placed on the same list with Iraq and Afghanistan.