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January 28, 2006

Georgian Official Says Pipeline Repairs Complete

Tbilisi residents lining up to fill gas canisters on 26 January (epa)

28 January 2006 -- A Georgian presidential envoy says repairs on a damaged pipeline that delivers gas to Georgia from Russia are complete and supplies could resume shortly.

Vasily Maglakelidze, the presidential envoy to Georgia's Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, which borders Russia, said "gas will be pumped to Georgia tonight [28 January] or Sunday [29 January] morning."


Earlier on 28 January, local officials in the Russian republic of North Ossetia said work is continuing on the damaged pipeline, but no date has been set for the resumption of energy supplies.


Georgia is in the midst of a severe energy crisis after twin blasts damaged the Mozdok-Tbilisi pipeline on 22 January, cutting off supplies of gas.


To compensate for the shortage, Iran will start delivering gas to Georgia in the next few days.


Georgia has suggested that Russia was responsible for the explosions. Moscow denies the charge and says it is investigating the incident.


(Interfax, AFP)


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