(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 29, 2002) - "The border has two sides and Russians, as well as Georgians should protect it," President stated today, while commenting on Russia's reports that Chechen fighters infiltrated to Russian Federation from Georgia.

Armed clashes occur in Itum-Kale district of Chechnya near the Georgian border between Russian troops and the Chechen fighters since July 27.

Russians claim Chechen fighters penetrated to the Russian Federation from Georgia's troubled Pankisi gorge. Georgian Border Guard Department denied information stating that it has no information confirming any movement across the Georgian-Russian border.

In his traditional Monday radiobroadcast President Shevardnadze said that the Russian side is also responsible for the protection of the border.