A series of highway robberies targeting humanitarian goods and personnel in several areas has also caused localized difficulties for both agencies and displaced populations.

The situation in the Zugdidi sector has been generally calm, with a number of criminal incidents reported, including one killing, two shootings and seven robberies.

Robberies have also increased on main roads, while some elements of the Forces nouvelles and pro Government militias have infiltrated the zone of confidence on several occasions.

The situation in the Gali sector has been relatively calm, although criminal activities continued with 11 armed robberies, one shooting, one abduction, five detentions and one explosion reported.

Burglaries, robberies, harassment at checkpoints and the threat of being assaulted or taken hostage are prevalent in many areas where the presence of the United Nations has long been and remains indispensable.

According to the author, her son was beaten by investigators to make him confess participation in different unresolved crimes, including murder, use of violence, robberies and theft, and different other crimes that occurred between 1998 and 2000.

The number of armed robberies and shootings also increased, while rape was the only violent crime that decreased in the Territory, with 69 cases reported.54 According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime declined by 2 per cent nationwide during the first half of 2004.55 The local media also report frequent incidences of domestic violence and child abuse.

But holding cash can be risky, as Greek savers, worried about the safety of their bank deposits, learned after stuffing it into their mattresses and walls the number of armed home robberies rose sharply, and some cash was devoured by rodents. So, if you include the costs of holding cash safely and include the benefits of check writing it makes sense to accept a negative return.