RIA Novosti, Russia
March 17 2005
GEORGIA WOULD LIKE TO GAIN POLITICAL ADVANTAGE FROM ARMS SCANDAL IN
THE UNITED STATES
TBILISI, March 17 (RIA Novosti) – The governments of Georgia, Armenia
and the other countries whose nationals have been detained by the
United States’ law-enforcement agencies closely cooperate with the
FBI in investigating the arms traffic case, American ambassador to
Georgia Richard Miles has told journalists on Thursday.
In the group of 18 foreigners detained in the United States on
accusation for arms traffic are four Georgian nationals.
“Together with citizens of Armenian and other countries of East
Europe, Nikoloz Nadirashvili, Vato Machitadze, Iosif Khabaradze and
Levon Shvelidze have been detained on accusation for taking Russian
arms to the United States”, Georgian ambassador to the United States
Levan Mikeladze reported by telephone from Washington.
“The accusation has already been brought”, he added. Lawyers have
been appointed for two detained Georgians. Representatives of the
Georgian consulate have already met with the lawyers, Mr. Mikeladze
said.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili reported at a cabinet
sitting on March 16 that the Georgian secret services participated in
investigating the attempt at arms contraband to the United States.
“We do not know where the arms intended for bringing to the United
States were from. It is known that they are of Russian make”, Ms.
Zurabishvili said.
“I have no information on whether the arms were brought from Georgia
or through its territory. Many arms are said to be brought from
Armenia”, she said.
“Georgia has many times said that control by the central Georgian
authorities should be established in the Roksky tunnel and on other
parts of the border. This case is another confirmation of such need.
Control is needed for the security of not only Georgia but also many
countries from which the arms may have arrived”, stressed the
Georgian foreign minister.
The Roksky tunnel, linking Georgia and Russia, has during the last 15
years been in control of the authorities of the self-proclaimed
republic South Ossetia.
American authorities have raised the accusation to 18 persons for the
attempt at the contraband of portable antiaircraft missile systems,
grenade-throwers, mortars and other arms to the United States.