The Georgian president, Eduard Shevardnadze, has invited Russia to send unarmed military observers to monitor special operations against Chechen rebels in the Pankisi Gorge region. Mr Shevardnadze said Georgian law enforcement agencies were clearing the gorge of what he called criminal elements and gunmen. He said Russian observers would be able to familiarise themselves with the results of the operation. Last week, the lower house of the Russian parliament began drafting a document authorising military action against Chechen rebels inside Georgia. (BBC)