PSKOV. Aug 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Paratroopers are ready to neutralize Chechen rebel units in the Pankisi Gorge if they are given the assignment, commander of the Russian Airborne Troops Georgy Shpak told Interfax on Thursday.
"We are military men, and we will accomplish the mission if the order is given," he said.
The situation in the Pankisi Gorge is "critical," the general said. "The bandit rabble who are nested in that area feel that the Georgian administration is helpless and the armed forces of that country are incapable of rebuffing them," he said. The commander thinks the actions of rebels in Pankisi tell on the situation in Chechnya.
"Such a special operation cannot be launched unilaterally," he said. "However, the international community must finally take measures to neutralize the rebel gangs in Pankisi."
He also commented on the situation in Chechnya and bluntly objected to any attempts at negotiations with Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov.
"He is a bandit, and one cannot hold negotiations with bandits. We held negotiations with him once, and everyone knows the results," Shpak emphasized.