Saakashvili: Rumor Armenians oppressed in Georgia not true

SAAKASHVILI: RUMOR ARMENIANS OPPRESSED IN GEORGIA NOT TRUE

Pan Armenian News
19.05.2005 04:09

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “I do not know who is interested in Armenia in
disseminating rumor that Armenians are oppressed in Georgia. To all
appearance it is due to some political processes in Armenia, however
it is not true,” stated Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili at a
press conference in Warsaw. As the President considers, such rumor is
not casual, they are due to the Georgian Government pursuing a policy
of integration of national minorities for the first time. “We have
a policy of appointment of representatives of national minorities
for diverse offices, training administrative skills, a program of
political and social development of all regions, where national
minorities compactly live,” the President noted, adding that rumor
that Armenians are oppressed in Georgia do not fit the interests of
Tbilisi and Yerevan. “This morning I had a conversation with Robert
Kocharian. We discussed the topic and it was noted that it does not
meet the interests of the Armenian and Georgian peoples. Nothing
and no one can divide us,” Saakashvili emphasized, noting Georgia
historically did not have problems with Armenians, as well as Armenia
did not have problems with Georgians ever. “Robert Kocharian is an
advocate of the Armenian-Georgian relations and establishment of
stability in Georgia, just like I root for stability in Armenia,”
the Georgian President emphasized, Prime-News reported.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS