By empty (8/24/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Speaking at an emergency parliament session on 24 August, Nino Burdjanadze described the 23 August bombing raid as "outrageous" and argued that Georgia should shoot down aircraft that violate its airspace. Defense Minister Lieutenant General David Tevzadze said on 23 August that Georgia does not have antiaircraft weapons capable of downing planes flying at 8,000 meters. But President Eduard Shevardnadze said the same day that Georgia does have the capability to down intruding aircraft but will not use it in order not to exacerbate Russian-Georgian tensions.