"As we see it, there is no use for a conflict zone status of the Tbilisi-Gori-Kutaisi highway. Only such areas that run the risk of tensions brewing should be entitled to that status," he pointed out to a news conference in Tbilisi.
The present peacekeeping arrangement is quadripartite to involve Georgia, Russia plus the two Osset autonomies-Russia's North Ossetia and Georgia's South, now a self-proclaimed republic. That arrangement appeared twelve years ago. Related understandings have outdated since.
"Much has changed over those years. The local people-in-the-street, Georgians and the Osset, have grown friendly to each other. We owe the conflict to particular groups' interests alone." As the minister sees it, the peacekeeping activity zone demands a reappraisal to be limited to localities where tensions may come to an edge and bring bloodshed.
"Russian peacekeepers have always borne the brunt of local stabilisation efforts. Now, they have all but given up their duties.
"If things go on that way, we shall be ready to assume responsibility for full-fledged peacekeeping."
Georgia's chief troubleshooter accused peacekeepers of shirking their duties and involvement in smuggling. As he suspects, things have come to an edge in the conflict zone as "anti-contraband efforts the Georgian top launched in the area are alarming particular forces".
"That was, I think, the main reason why certain people on the [South Osset] separatist top sat up and took notice-everyone knows that the underworld in Tskhinvali [South Osset capital] and some of the peacekeepers have been involved in smuggling," he said.
Mr. Khaindrava, however, does not think Russia is to pull out its peacekeepers from the conflict zone just now.
"Thatis up to people at the negotiation table, so we are insisting on the Joint Control Commission to urgently meet in session," he said.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Georgia's first post-Soviet president, deprived the recalcitrant republic of its autonomous status early in the 1990s.
