According to him, the military contingent in the Trans-Caucasian region functions as normal. In particular, he denied that the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki had been put on alert. Mr. Lutskevich also said there were no provocative actions against Russian troops based in Georgia.

Earlier, opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili said Russian troops in Akhalkalaki and Batumi had been put on heightened alert, and they were ready to use military force against the opposition to protect Eduard Shevardnadze’s regime. The opposition became more suspicious after Sunday’s phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Georgian counterpart Eduard Shevardnadze, and following a meeting with Vladimir Chkhikvishvili, the Russian Ambassador to Georgia.

Meanwhile, a clash between the police and the supporters of the opposition bloc National Movement, headed by Mikhail Saakashvili, was reported in the city of Senaki in western Georgia. When Mr. Shevardnadze, who is touring the country, arrived in Senaki, opposition protestors tried to block the way to the presidential motorcade. The police escorting Mr. Shevardnadze started clearing the way, and they met resistance.

According to the State Chancellery of Georgia, a scuffle broke out, but weapons were not used. Several cameramen of Georgian TV channels suffered in the fight, as their cameras were broken and film taken away.