US Deploys Military Advisers to Georgia

US military advisers have arrived in the former Soviet republic of Georgia to train its forces in the fight against terrorism, according to defence officials in the capital Tbilisi.

There is no question of a joint operation with another country. We will use only our forces

Irakly Alasania, Georgia's Deputy State Security Minister

Reports say that fighters aligned with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network may have escaped to Georgia and are currently hiding in a remote Pankisi Gorge on the border with Chechnya.

Georgian officials say the five US experts will take no part in any anti-terrorist operations.

But Russia, which has traditionally regarded Georgia as in its sphere of influence, has criticised the US involvement.

"We think it could further aggravate the situation in the region which is difficult as it is. That is our position and Washington is well aware of it," Russian Foregn Minister Igor Ivanov told the ORT public television.

Earlier, several reports in the American media quoted military officials in Washington as saying up to 200 US special forces members may be sent to Georgia to help train its soldiers in anti-terrorist operations.

However, the US officials also said a final decision on this had yet to be made.

'New front'

Georgia shares a border with Chechnya, where Russian troops are fighting against separatist Muslim rebels.

Correspondents say the Americans are viewing this a possible new front against global terrorism.

As well as the operations against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, US troops are actively involved in efforts by the Philippine Government to contain Muslim guerrillas that Washington believes to have links with al-Qaeda.