Georgian-Russian border to remain closed for large vehicles till April

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
5 Jan 05

[Presenter] A group of [15] Italians who were stopped at the Lars
checkpoint [by Russian border guards] has turned back. The members of
the peace caravan left the border and are now trying to enter Georgia
through other routes. [Passage omitted]

Meanwhile, Armenian citizens stuck at the Lars checkpoint are still
waiting for permission from the Georgian side to cross the border. In
addition to bad weather conditions, another reason for their delay is
the size of the buses on which they are travelling from
Russia. Because of the frozen roads, the Georgian Department for Roads
has banned the movement of large passenger buses on the
Qazbegi-Kobi-Gudauri-Mleta section of the highway. This restriction
will probably remain in force until mid-April. The head of the
department, Roman Dalakishvili, will hold a news briefing on this
issue later today. Now he answers our questions live. Greetings Batono
[polite way of addressing a man] Roman.

[Dalakishvili] Greetings.

[Presenter] What are you going to say at today’s briefing which will
also be attended by the economic development minister?

[Dalakishvili] The news briefing will be held by Economic Development
Minister Lekso Aleksishvili. We should provide an explanation of why
this is happening. Now, there is no problem with the movement of
people. The only problem concerns the means of transportation. In
fact, the movement of this kind of vehicle used to be restricted on
the Kobi-Gudauri section of the highway every winter, and this year is
no exception. Advance notice was given to all sides, including the
Armenian side, their embassy and their ministry of transport. This
information was relayed by Armenpress [news agency] and it was also
published on the Internet. Everyone was aware of that.

[Presenter] Batono Roman, the road will probably remain closed until
April, until the snow melts. Meanwhile, the Armenians stuck at the
Lars checkpoint are talking about political and economic motives. Is
it possible to make an exception, or has it been firmly decided not to
let them pass until April?

[Dalakishvili] As I have said, there is no problem with the movement
of people. They can travel by any other vehicle: a minibus, a bus with
no more than 30 seats, a Zhiguli car or any other light car. There is
no restriction on that. The problem is with buses, the movement of
which is restricted for the sake of their own safety. [Passage
omitted]