Russian politicians accused Georgia of trying to cover up its own military blunder in the Pankisi gorge.

BBC: Georgia accuses Russia of 'barbarism'

The Georgians stand accused of posing a threat to Russian security because they cannot or will not take effective action against the Chechen fighters, possibly allied with Islamist extremists from elsewhere, who have set up camp in the remote Pankisi gorge.

ECONOMIST: Russia and Georgia

The Georgian government, under threat of military action from Russia, insisted that Russians and Americans were already co-operating to pacify the lawless Pankisi Gorge, in the northern part of the country abutting Chechnya, and root out rebel Chechens using the territory for refuge.

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