| Sweden Takes in Close to 30 Familes of
Chechen Refugees from Pankisi Gorge TBILISI. July 29, 2004 (Interfax) - Sweden has temporarily taken in about 30 families of refugees from the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia, a representative of the Chechen community of Georgia, Aslanbek Abdurzakov, told Interfax. He said that Sweden is currently the only country that reacted to the request of the Chechen refugees residing in Pankisi to provide them with temporary shelter in countries that do not border on Russia. Abdurzakov noted, however, that Sweden has taken a very cautious approach to the issue and refused to host large numbers of refugees. The Chechen refugees in Georgia addressed other countries over a year ago with a request for shelter. Abdurzakov said that they have not yet received a "serious answer" from any of the countries. He said that over 2,000 Chechen refugees currently reside in Pankisi. "Many returned home, some settled in CIS countries, but very few managed to settle in European countries. Besides Sweden, two families went to Ireland and four to Norway. Several are trying to acquire Georgian citizenship," Abdurzakov said. He noted that, in spite of the unfavorable social and economic situation in Pankisi and the difficulties related to moving to other countries, the majority of those still residing in Georgia are not willing to return to Chechnya because of the absence of security guarantees. |