(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 10, 2002) - Russia Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and US Secretary of State Colin Powell held a phone conversation on August 10. Russian Foreign Ministry reports that together with other issues situation in Georgia was also discussed.

Russian Foreign Minister told the US Secretary of State that the recent incursion of Chechen fighters into Russia from Georgia proved that the Georgian authorities’ statements contradicts to their actions. Russia accuses Georgia of abetting Chechen fighters and terrorist allegedly hiding in Georgia’s troubled Pankisi gorge.

Russian demands from the Georgian government to carry out joint anti-terrorist operation in Pankisi. Georgia is categorically against of proposal.