On 13 September President Shevardnadze formally responded to President Putin's 11 September statement warning that Russia may resort to unilateral military intervention if Georgia fails to take resolute action to neutralize "international terrorists" in the Pankisi Gorge. Shevardnadze expressed his readiness to discuss with Putin personally "all outstanding issues that are preventing closer ties" between Russia and Georgia. Shevardnadze expressed optimism that the Pankisi operation could be concluded in approximately three weeks; observers suggest he and Putin may meet face to face to discuss the Pankisi problem on the sidelines of the CIS summit to be held in Chisinau on 7 October. (Interfax)