Georgia, Armenia concerned about Russian border closure

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
30 Sep 04

[Presenter] The situation at the Lars checkpoint [on the
Russian-Georgian border] was discussed at the constituent meeting of
the Georgian-Armenian business association, which was held today at
the Courtyard Marriott [hotel in Tbilisi].

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and the
president’s wife Sandra Roelofs.

Member of parliament Beso Jugheli will be the Georgian co-chairman
of the association.

The event was also attended by business people and members of
parliament from Armenia.

Georgians and Armenians both complained about Russia’s decision to
close the Lars checkpoint, which has created problems for ordinary
people and businesses alike. Armenian businessmen asked the Georgian
prime minister to deal with this problem but Zurab Zhvania reminded
them that he was not Russia’s prime minister.

[Armenian businessman, no caption, addressing Zhvania in Russian]
I have 510 vehicles waiting at Nizhniy Lars, 510 vehicles waiting
for 15 days now. Will this border ever reopen?

[Zhvania] If you had Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov standing in front
of you, it would probably be worth asking him this question. There
is full readiness on the part of Georgia for the border to open
completely and operate properly.

You have mentioned vehicles, so I must tell you that late last night
I received a telephone call from the Armenian ambassador, who told me
that women and children there literally had to stay in the field. I
must also say that, after I informed him about our conversation with
the ambassador, President Saakashvili, in contravention of all border,
customs and other regulations, took the decision to ensure free passage
for them. This problem is gradually becoming very serious indeed. I
hope that your vehicles are safe and will reach their destination.