Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze stated that authorities of the country would not allow serious complications on ethnic ground between Georgians and Kists in Pankisi valley.

In interview to national radio he stated that the conflict that flared up at the end of last week after unknown people kidnapped local dweller of Kakheti is on “stage of fading away.” President Shevardnadze reported that the best specialists of law defending structures under the head of Minister for Internal Affairs Khaha Targamadze are in the region; considerable forces that can be required for restoration of order are transferred into region. He remarked that residence of 7 thousand refugees from Chechnya complicate the situation in the region, but at the same time he remarked that they will return home without fail. Tbilisi is actively working upon plans of social-economic development of the region Shevardnadze stated. He called conflicting sides to final reconciliation, in order to realize these plans. As to people kidnapping, robberies, drugs spreading, we should put an end to this evil and absolute majority of population in the region speak for that, Shevardnadze stated. Meantime, chairman of parliament committee for human rights Elena Tevdoradze considers that the Sunday incident when she and well-known specialist of Caucasian relationships Mamuka Areshidze were not allowed to Pankisi Valley was to some degree incited by Georgian police. In interview to Georgian media Tevdoradze stated that police didn’t want let her go to Pankisi during that days and let her get acquaintance with situation on the place.