RUSSIAN MILITARY WERE GUARANTORS OF JAVAKHETI ARMENIANS’ SECURITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The withdrawal of the Russian military base from
Akhalkalaki has a psychological motive for the Armenians of the region,
Shirak Torosian, the head of “Javakhk” friendly association.

In his words, besides the loss of 4000 work places Armenians feel
unprotected. “The Russian military were the guarantors of security
and stability. The matter is who will replace them. If NATO troops
come Armenians fear it will be a Turkish contingent,” Torosian said.

When commenting on the supposed return of Turks-Meskhetians to the
region, Torosian remarked this step by the Georgian government is
targeted at infringement of the right of the local inhabitants,
both Georgians and Armenians. “Turks-Meskhetians used to live in
the villages of the Aspindz and Akhaltsikh regions. These villages
were long ago settled by Georgians and it would be inhuman to exile
them. There are large uninhabited territories in Georgia and the
repatriates should settle down there.