Civil Georgia, Georgia
Oct 1 2004

Senior Russian Senator Cites Terrorism Threat in Moscow’s Border
Policy

Chairman of the Council of Federation of Russia Sergei Mironov said
upon his arrival in Armenia on October 1 that Russia had to close
its borders with Georgia in order to avoid a penetration of
terrorists from Georgia into Russia.

`After the tragic events in Beslan [North Ossetia] we were forced to
impose strict control [on borders], since the terrorists, who enjoy
particular privileges in the territory of Georgia, were directly
infiltrating Russia,’ Sergei Mironov told reporters, reports the RIA
Novosti news agency.

At the same time, he stressed that this measure is not directed
against freight transit from Armenia. Russia’s decision to close its
border with Georgia at the Larsi checkpoint has had a negative effect
on the economy of both Georgia and Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Marganyan has recently urged Moscow to reopen its border
with Georgia.