RALLY PARTICIPANTS IN AKHALKALAK BRING FORWARD DEMANDS TO GEORGIAN
PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT

Noyan Tapan
2005-03-15 12:25:00

AKHALKALAK, 15.03.05. A demonstration took place in Akhalkalak
uniting about ten thousand people. The demonstration started at 10:00
AM and lasted till 1:00 PM. After the demonstration the participants
did not dissipate and on the main square a concert with Armenian
national songs took place. After this signatures were collected to be
sent to Mikhail Saakashvili and the Georgian parliament with the
following demands:

– recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915 by the Georgian
Parliament.

– voting of a law on the protection of National Minorities Rights in
Georgia.

– abandon of the interdiction to teach Armenian history in Armenian
schools and the prohibition of excursions to Armenia for school
children in Armenian schools in Georgia.

– demand not to withdraw the Russian Military Base in Akhalkalak (as
it represents a major stability and economic factor for the region).

– return the administrative services to Akhalkalak (such as the
Passport division).

The Organization of the demonstration requests that their demands be
answered until March 31.