(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 29, 2002) - "The Georgian-Russian border is monitored by the OSCE observers, as well as Georgian border guard and they did not notice any movement of fighters in this part [border with Chechnya] of frontier," Valeri Khaburdzania, Georgian State Security Minister stated today.

In the interview to the Rustavi 2 TV channel Khaburdzania commented the Russian reports that the Chechen fighters penetrated from Georgia's troubled Pankisi gorge to the Russian Federation.

At the moment armed clashes occur between the Russian troops and the Chechen fighters in Itum-Kale district of Chechnya.

Security Minister said that the fights take place in 12 kilometers away from the Georgian border. Khaburdzania ruled out that the armed clashes would spread on the Georgian territory.

Russians claim that the Chechen fighters infiltrated from Georgia are the members of the group led by warlord Ruslan Gelaev, allegedly harboring in Georgia. Valeri Khaburdzania said that he has no information where Gelaev is at the moment.

According to Khaburdzania situation in Pankisi gorge, where allegedly terrorists and Chechen fighters are hiding, is improved at the moment. Up to 3,700 refugees from Chechnya live in Pankisi gorge.