October 06, 2002

We've got a War on Islamist Terrorists to fight!
WorldNews: Russia, Georgia Try to Reconcile

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze expressed regret Sunday for the gulf of suspicion between their countries and reassured one another that their real goal was to combat terrorism, not undermine their neighbor.
The two leaders were meeting for the first time since a war of words broke out this summer over the presence of Chechen rebels and other militants in northern Georgia, on the Russian border. The quarrel, years in the making, came to a head after dozens of alleged Chechen rebels broke through the border and battled Russian border guards, killing eight.
"Everything we have done was aimed against bandits hiding in Georgia, never against Georgia itself,'' Putin told Shevardnadze in Moldova ahead of a presidential summit.
"I entirely agree with you that we must put an end to terrorism,'' Shevardnadze responded, adding that he expected he and Putin would achieve a "breakthrough'' in relations over the next day.
The conciliatory tone at the beginning of the meeting was in stark contrast to the increasing anger expressed in Moscow and Tbilisi.

I think these two boys are sincere and will come to a meeting of the minds on fighting the Chechens.