Georgia seeks British help to combat terror

The Times (U.K.) ^ | 03/15/2002 | Alice Lagnado and Richard Beeston

[Pokey78]

BRITAIN has been asked to join the second phase of the war on terror by offering intelligence training and equipment to Georgia, where al-Qaeda terrorists are believed to be hiding in the notorious Pankisi Gorge.

As the first elements of a US special forces contingent of 150 troops arrives in Georgia today to begin anti-terrorist training, the country’s security chief is in London seeking British assistance. After talks in Washington, Valeri Khaburdzania, Georgia’s State Security Minister, arrived in Britain for meetings this week with officials from MI6 and MI5.

Whitehall sources confirmed that the talks were taking place but refused to discuss details of what the Georgians want and what Britain is prepared to provide. However, Mr Khaburdzania said in an interview before his visit that he wanted London to provide sophisticated surveillance equipment and to share information on terrorist suspects.

“There is a major risk that Georgia could become a transit country for international terrorists,” Mr Khaburdzania said. “We would like to pool information with MI5 and MI6, and we need technical help — listening devices, stun guns, observation equipment. We don’t even have the equipment to intercept mobile phones, which is hopeless.”

President Eduard Shevardnadze, who enjoys close ties with Western leaders dating back to his days as the Soviet Foreign Minister, is struggling to maintain authority over his lawless state. The Georgian military is involved in two separatist struggles, in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and it has not been able to cope with the new terrorist threat.

US intelligence agencies believe that al-Qaeda fighters are hiding in the Pankisi Gorge among thousands of Chechen refugees who have fled fighting in Chechnya between Russian forces and rebels, some of whom are also linked to al-Qaeda.

Although Britain is likely to respond positively to the request for help, Washington and London are mindful of the dangers of becoming embroiled in the politics of the Caucasus. Russia has made it clear that it supports the war on terror but is highly suspicion of Western interference in a region it regards as its backyard.

There is also the danger of becoming embroiled in the Chechen conflict. The Foreign Office and the US State Department have held talks with representatives of Aslan Maskhadov, the Chechen leader, and are sympathetic to the plight of the Chechen people. But among Mr Maskhadov’s followers are suspected terrorists such as Emir Khattab, a Saudi mercenary and rebel commander who has had training in Afghanistan and has links to Osama bin Laden. In addition, the Pankisi Gorge is already a haven for Georgian and Chechen criminals, kidnappers and drug lords who, until recently, were tolerated by corrupt Georgian government officials.

Mr Khaburdzania, whose predecessor was fired amid allegations of criminal ties, has sought to reassure the West that Georgia can become a stable and reliable partner.

[Donaldpaul]

I suppose everything has come full circle. North and South Carolina originally used Georgia to protect part of their backsides from a sneak attack by the British.

[Free the USA]

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