PanArmenian News
Sept 25 2004

ARMENIANS OF SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETIA COMPLAIN OF DISCRIMINATION POLICY OF
GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES

25.09.2004 15:21

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Representatives of the European Center for Minority
Issues (ECMI) met with the public and political figures of the
Armenian-populated Samtskhe-Javakhetia region of Georgia in
Akhalkalaki September 22. The Center founded its office in
Akhalkalaki to carry out the program of integration of the region
with the Center. ECMI manager for the Samtskhe-Javakhetia integration
program M. Hertovt expressed concern over the issues of integration,
then Javakhetia residents presented their problems, such as the
discrimination policy pursued by Georgian authorities to change the
demographic situation in the region, subjective personnel policy,
ignoring of Armenian non-governmental organizations when awarding
international grants, and imposing the obligation on studying the
Georgian language without providing corresponding conditions. Upon
completion of the meeting the participants expressed hope that all
the problems will be solved with mutual understanding.