RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN BORDER REMAINS CLOSED WITH OVER 1,000 VEHICLES STUCK

Armenian Radio First Programme, Yerevan
8 Oct 04

(Presenter) The Russian-Georgian border remains closed. It is not yet
known when it will reopen.

(Correspondent Tatul Akopyan by phone from Georgia) The
Russian-Georgian border remains closed. As has already been reported,
more than 1,500 vehicles have piled up on the Russian-Georgian
border. Most of them are heading for Armenia, some are delivering
various Armenian products to Russia and other CIS countries. The
condition of the Armenian drivers who are still on the so-called
“neutral zone” is very difficult. They must either wait till the
opening of the border, and is not known yet when this will happen, or
return to Armenia with cargo and pay extra transit duties.

The employees of the Armenian embassy in Georgia visited the Verkhniy
Lars checkpoint yesterday to familiarize themselves with the situation
on the spot and try to help the Armenian drivers. It must be noted the
Armenian drivers have been caught unawares. They are living in their
vehicles and the nights are very cold. There is also a bread problem;
people have spent all their money.

The number of people stuck at the border is less than 100; they are
bus passengers. After waiting for many days most of them returned to
Armenia or Russia. The Georgian authorities gave assurances that they
were ready to open the border for three hours but the Russian side
violated the agreement. Yesterday when we asked the Russian border
guards why they did not open the border, they answered that they had
received an order from on high not to.

The Russian border guards said that even if they opened the border for
three hours it would not be possible to allow more than 10-15 vehicles
to cross the border.

Tatul Akopyan, Tbilisi.

(Note: Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian 1015 gmt 8 Oct 04 reported that
yesterday evening three lorries were able to cross the border with a
special load destined for the Armenian Nuclear Power Station)