October 22, 2004 - 00:11 AMT
GEORGIA LET ARMENIAN CITIZENS CROSS GEORGIAN-OSSETIAN BORDER
Georgia allowed the Armenian passenger buses and several trucks, which arrived from the Rokski tunnel of the south-Ossetian sector of the Russian-Georgian border, to pass through its territory. To remind all these vehicles were standing idle near the settlement of Ergneti. The Georgian officials emphasized that without undergoing customs control the vehicles passed through the Rokski tunnel, which is closed for transportation. At the same time the Georgian authorities stated that they will not permit the usage of the Southern Ossetian territory as a transit between Russia and Armenia or any other states. As Rosbalt news agency came to know from Shida-Kartli administration, the unblocking of the territory for the Armenian cargo is a demonstration of Georgia's good will. Let us note, that tomorrow Armenian President Robert Kocharian will depart for Tbilisi to meet with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. The transport blockade of Armenia is expected to be the main topic of the discussions. It should be also noted that the Armenian citizens had to use the Rokski route as Russia had closed Verkhny Lars checkpoint at the Russian-Georgian border as a means of struggle against terrorism.