22:47, 14 March 2007

Georgia has promised to shoot down Russian helicopters

Today, president of Georgia visited Upper Abkhazia. Mr. Saakashvili inspected the damaged buildings and promised support and protection to local residents.

Malkhaz Akishbaya, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, stated in his interview to "Rustavi-2" TV Company that the monitoring group found 25 exploded shells. In his words, the types of the shells indicate that the shelling of Upper Abkhazia on March 11 was performed both from helicopters and from land surface.

Vano Merabishvili, head of the Georgian Interior Ministry, stated on March 12 that thereafter fire for effect would be opened against infringers of the air space of Georgia.

The Minister has reported that during the last six months helicopters from the territory of Russia penetrated into Kodor Gorge of Georgia on four occasions. "But it was in the daytime, and they never opened fire. After the yesterday's fact, it'll be all different," he said.

President Saakashvili has stated that any attack on Upper Abkhazia will be treated as an attack on Georgia.

Author: Alena Aleschenko, CK correspondent