(Tbilisi, August 27 2002, Civil Georgia) On 26 of August Minister for Internal Affairs Koba Narchemashvili and Minister for Security Affairs Valeri Khaburdzania arrived in Pankisi Gorge. According to them operation proceeds as it was planned prior.

Ministers of law enforcement agencies arrived in the troubled gorge on the second day of the anti-criminal operation. "We will enter anywhere we would like", said Koba Narchemashvili.

Both ministers stated that they control the entire situation. Prior to briefing they held meeting behind the closed doors.

7 checkpoints have been added to the existing two. According to Georgian law enforcers deployment of additional units of Internal Troops has not caused any tensions.
Local residents welcomed Internal Troops. They even expressed desire to serve in the law enforcement agencies. Minister for Internal Affairs said the Kists (local ethnic group of Chechen origin) would serve in the Internal Troops on contract base.

Local residents strongly opposed to the possible beginning of the same operation last year.

President Shevardnadze arrives in Akhmeta region on 27 of August. He will attend funerals of Guram Otiashvili, Georgian citizen who was killed during bombardments on 23 of August. President may visit Pankisi Gorge as well.

Additional units of Internal Troops entered the gorge on 25 of August in order to conduct anti-criminal operation.