Georgia says U.S., Russia helping clear rebels

Reuters ^ | 9/16/02 | Margaret Antidze

[Nexus]

16 Sep 2002 18:34 Georgia says U.S., Russia helping clear rebels

By Margaret Antidze

TBILISI, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, under pressure from Moscow to clear Chechen rebels from a remote gorge, said on Monday that U.S. and Russian special forces were helping in an operation to remove them.

Shevardnadze was addressing a news conference after being subjected to fierce criticism over what Russia says is Georgia's failure to take action against separatists making incursions across the border into Russia's Chechnya province. Russian officials and media have suggested his hold on power is weak.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov told a Moscow daily the Kremlin had a number of options to consider if Georgia did nothing. Another top military official said there was no question of a moving troops into Georgia en masse.

Shevardnadze said the operation to clear rebels from Pankisi Gorge would be complete "within 10, 12, 15 days".

"The representatives of Russian special services are in Pankisi. They have their tasks and their Georgian colleagues are helping them. U.S. representatives are also present," he said.

Russia had earlier said it won agreement from Tbilisi to send an unspecified number of police to the area, a report Georgia denied at the time. U.S. officials have not reported their forces being in the gorge on the Russian border.

Dozens of U.S. military trainers are in Georgia to help turn the country's ragged army into a viable force.

President Vladimir Putin said last week Russia, which has been battling Chechen separatists for nearly a decade, was considering strikes against rebel bases inside Georgia under the provisions of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

U.S. President George W. Bush urged Moscow at the weekend to allow Georgia to get on with the job of tackling the rebels itself. Russia has scoffed at Tbilisi's efforts to clear up the gorge on its own.

VETERAN LEADER

Shevardnadze, who played a major role in ending the Cold War as Soviet foreign minister, has led Georgia through a steep economic decline since becoming the country's leader in 1992, months after it secured independence from Soviet rule.

The Georgian president told national radio earlier on Monday that the operation to root out the rebels, launched last month, was entering a decisive phase.

"On my orders, decisive action has been launched to detain terrorist elements and criminals and to free hostages," he said.

"We can now say that the first phase of the operation in the Pankisi Gorge and adjacent territories...has been completed. Considerable forces able to fulfil any task have been deployed."

Speaking live on television later on Monday, Shevardnadze said Georgian police had killed an armed Chechen in Pankisi after he refused to give up his weapon and opened fire. Shevardnadze said one police officer had been lightly wounded.

At his news conference, the Georgian leader said he and Bush had identical goals in wanting to do away with the rebels.

"President Bush and I have no differences on this," he said. "Bush knows that Georgia is undertaking all measures to clear the gorge of anyone there on an illegal basis."

He said successfully completing the operation would be the best way to improve relations with Russia and repeated his offer to talk with Putin at next month's summit of ex-Soviet states.

Shevardnadze also pledged to hand over to Russia 13 Chechens detained last month with weapons inside Georgia -- once criminal procedures were completed.

Russia's First Deputy Chief of Staff Yuri Baluyevsky told a Moscow news conference he disagreed with the U.S. stand that the Pankisi problem was for Georgia to solve on its own.

But he said: "There is no question -- and no one is even discussing it -- of the Russian General Staff drawing up a plan for the invasion of Georgia."

Ivanov, interviewed by the Moscow daily Kommersant, said Russia could in no way be criticised for undertaking military action against Georgia if it failed to deal with the rebels.

[phasma proeliator]

"Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, under pressure from Moscow to clear Chechen rebels from a remote gorge, said on Monday that U.S. and Russian special forces were helping in an operation to remove them."

This brings a huge smile to my face. Putin and Bush are perhaps two of the 'straightest shooters' in world politics - IMHO. The Russians often come out with controversial ideas, statements, and practices. But when you look under the dress - you find that they're still all "man". - and strong friend to the US.

[Mixer]

I hope they ALWAYS remember this when it comes time to helping us.

[crypt2k]

The world has an outlaw problem, and its gratifying to
see civilized nations working together to alleviate the situation.

[HAL9000]

An earlier post of an AP article - Georgia - Shevardnadze says Russia and US in Pankisi Gorge roundup of Chechen militants

[Grampa Dave]

Would this qualify as more stealth presidency as we find out about about the time it is being wrapped up.

We will hear more remarks like this from leaders of countries that have sheltered the al Qaeda thugs/terrorists:

At his news conference, the Georgian leader said he and Bush had identical goals in wanting to do away with the rebels.

"President Bush and I have no differences on this," he said. "Bush knows that Georgia is undertaking all measures to clear the gorge of anyone there on an illegal basis."

He said successfully completing the operation would be the best way to improve relations with Russia and repeated his offer to talk with Putin at next month's summit of ex-Soviet states.

It appears that the Georgian Leader fully understands these two concepts of President Bush:

1. You are either with us or against us!

2. You can choose life or death. The choice is yours!

[BOBTHENAILER]

Would this qualify as more stealth presidency as we find out about about the time it is being wrapped up.

al Qaeda finds itself in the iron jaws of a steadily closing vise.

[hchutch]

Hear, hear.

If you wonder why the ChiComs are going to behave, look to their north. It seems as if Bush's efforts with Putin have been VERY successful in allowing both the U.S. and Russia to work together on matters of "mutual interest."

[Shermy]

Good.

I hope we have the same joint action in Iraq.

[Nexus]

Kodzhori, Georgia: A Georgian Army special unit simulate an attack on al-Qaeda fighters holed up in the Pankisi Gorge. U.S. troops will train men like these to be more effective in the anti-terrorist role. The Gorge, about three hours' drive from the capital Tiblisi, is said to be completely out of government control. The hope is to clear out the Chechyen rebels, local bandits and al-Qaeda fighters who have taken up residence there.
http://www.time.com/time/europe/photoessays/pankisi/7.html

[Nexus]

Alexeyevka Air Force Base, Georgia: Pilot Col. James Manley of the U.S. Army stands beside one of the six Iroquois helicopters donated to Georgia by America. Manley is part of a team helping to train pilots of the Georgian Air Force in the skills required to more effectively wage a campaign against al-Qaeda terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge.
http://www.time.com/time/europe/photoessays/pankisi/4.html