SAHAKASHVILI DIDN’T KEEP HIS PROMISE

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[04:50 pm] 20 June, 2006

"Javakhq counters a number of problems which call for a serious
dialogue between the Javakhq residents and Tbilisi. There are two
approaches here, either a dialogue must be held between the two
countries or between the Armenian residents of Javakhq and Tbilisi,"
claims Na deputy Shavarsh Kocharyan who participated in the round-table
on the Javakhq issues organized in Akhalqalaq at the beginning of June.

The deputy claims that the approach exiting in the times of
Gamsakhurdia, "Georgia is for Georgians" is still in effect. The
Georgian authorities don’t take measures to solve the existing
matters. On the other hand, social-economic problems worsen day by day.

Shavarsh Kocharyan points out that prior to the removal of the Russian
forces from the territory Sahakashvili promised to open 1000 working
places but so far he hasn’t kept his promise. Another concerning
matter is that 57 Armenians applied to various higher establishments
of Georgia but only one of them was admitted. Armenian delegates are
convinced that this is an apparent outcome of discrimination.

Shavarsh Kocharyan claims that the issue of the Javakhq sovereignty
is inadmissible for Georgia and the policy adopted by Georgia is
inadmissible for Armenia.

While speaking of applying the Georgian language as the business
correspondence language Mr. Kocharyan noted that nobody refutes the
fact that Georgian is the official language of the country and it
must be used but Armenian mustn’t be neglected.

Ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan who also participated in the conference
initiated by "Yerkir" NGO notes that the Georgian side has no distinct
approaches to the solution of matters. "I got such an impression that
the Georgian side invited to the debate either wasn’t acquainted with
the material or didn’t want to reply the question," she said.

Asked whether meetings of this format are favorable and efficient
Hranush Kharatyan answered, "If political figures haven’t got enough
will power or wish to discuss the matter it must be done in this way
and on this level." As for Shavarsh Kocharyan he claims that such
discussions may give flooring for settling the matter on a higher
diplomatic level.

The next stage of the conference is likely to be held in Tbilisi
in autumn.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress