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BBC News
February 27, 2002

Five US military advisers have arrived in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, in what is being seen as a possible new front in the US war on terror.

At least US six helicopters have also been sent, and unconfirmed US media reports say up to 200 special forces may be deployed.

The US is stepping in because of reports that fighters allied with Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terror network may have escaped to Georgia.

President George W Bush defended US military plans, after Russia, which has traditionally regarded Georgia as part of its sphere of influence, had criticised the US involvement.

“As long as there is al-Qaeda influence anywhere we will help the host countries rout them and bring them to justice,” Mr Bush said.

‘New front’

The US and Georgia insist that the Americans will not be involved in combat, but will train the Georgian army in how to counter militant activity.

The helicopters – which arrived last autumn – are not equipped for carrying out air attacks, and will be used only to transport men and equipment, officials say.

However, their deployment is the first confirmed arrival of US military hardware in Georgia.

The US forces will have the right to act in self-defence, said a Pentagon spokesman.

The focus of US attention is the remote Pankisi Gorge, close to Georgia’s border with the Russian breakaway republic of Chechnya.

Washington is concerned that the Georgian authorities are unable to control the security situation there.

The US and Russia both believe that al-Qaeda suspects may be hiding in the gorge area, where militants who operate in Chechnya are also believed to be based.

But Russian officials are deeply unhappy at the prospect of US involvement, suspecting such co-operation is aimed at reducing their country’s influence.

“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 ORT public television.

Georgia has been trying to reduce Russian influence over its affairs, sparking an angry war of words between the two countries over recent months.

Special forces

The BBC’s Stephen Eke says co-operation between the former Soviet republics and the US is viewed with suspicion in Russia.

The exact scale of the US involvement remains unclear.

Several US media outlets, quoting military officials, have reported that up to 200 special forces could be sent in, but this has not been confirmed by either the US Government or Georgia.

Georgia’s Deputy State Security Minister, Irakly Alasania, stressed that all US involvement would be restricted to training.

“There is no question of a joint operation with another country,” he said. “We will use only our forces.”

Correspondents say the Americans are viewing the Georgian operation as 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.

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BBC News
February 26, 2002

Motorists driving into the centre of London will have to pay a £5 toll, the city’s mayor has announced.

Ken Livingstone said he would push ahead with his plans in a move which he believes will drastically reduce the amount of traffic on London streets.

Drivers entering the toll zone, which covers an area eight miles wide in the centre of London, will have to pay a daily fee between 7am and 6.30pm on weekdays, or face an £80 fine.

But Conservatives have called on the government to block the policy, which takes effect on 17 February 2003.

Mr Livingstone said: “For the first time there will be a serious attempt to tackle the chronic traffic congestion in central London.

“If we get, as we anticipate, a reduction in congestion of up to 15%… this will be the first time we have started to see congestion come down and an easier ability to get around on our streets.”

The announcement follows news of other long-term plans to tax motorists around the UK according to the distance they drive.

Under those charges motorists could have to pay up to 45p a mile to use the busiest routes.

Introducing the tolls was a key element of Mr Livingstone’s mayoral election campaign.

A cordon will be set up around central London with around 230 video cameras able to read car number plates.

These will be checked against a central database to check fees have been paid.

Mr Livingstone hopes the scheme will raise £150m a year which will go towards improving public transport.

“We now go into a long period of debate with the public to see how best to spend the money raised,” he said.

“Every penny will be used to improve transport for London.”

‘Cost of congestion’

Transport Commissioner Bob Kiley welcomed the scheme.

“London needs action to tackle congestion now,” he said. “It’s time to get London moving and reduce the traffic jams that are crippling our capital.”

Confederation of British Industry London director Jane Calvert-Lee agreed, saying: “Congestion inflicts huge costs on business.”

But she added: “If firms are not to be driven out of London, they will need to see a clear benefit from the revenue.”

She said businesses would now expect improvements for public transport and deliveries into London, and better traffic management around the charging area.

‘Flawed’

But the chairman of the London policy unit of the Federation of Small Businesses, Richard Morse, said the scheme would be an “annual £1,200 ‘poll tax’” on London’s businesses.

“It makes no allowance for essential deliveries to businesses and will particularly hit smaller firms since the charge will be proportionately higher for them,” he said.

Angie Bray, the Greater London Assembly’s Conservative transport spokesman, said the scheme was flawed, with “the most ill-suited roads selected as boundaries”.

Tory transport secretary Eric Pickles has written to transport minister John Spellar, demanding government action to block the new charge.

He said: “It will not cut congestion as traffic will increase around the tax zone border.”

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