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Georgia-Russia border to remain closed for large vehicles till April

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  • Georgia-Russia border to remain closed for large vehicles till April

    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]
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