RACIST LEAFLETS IN GEORGIA’S ETHNIC AZERI AREAS "PROVOCATION" – ENVOY

ANS TV, Baku
29 Aug 06

The Georgian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurab Gumberidze, has
said the distribution of racist leaflets in Georgia’s ethnic
Azerbaijani-populated areas might be a provocation aimed at damaging
relations between the two countries.

Speaking to the "Point of View" programme on commercial ANS TV on
29 August, the ambassador said there might be some "domestic and
foreign" forces behind the provocation. However, he did not elaborate
on the issue.

Unknown people distributed leaflets in Georgia’s predominantly ethnic
Azerbaijani-populated Marneuli District earlier this month, demanding
that local residents leave the country. ANS said many locals blamed
the incident on Armenians.

According to official figures, ethnic Azerbaijanis make up the largest
minority in Georgia. A census held in 2002 put the number of Georgia’s
ethnic Azerbaijani population at nearly 300,000.

Gumberidze said Georgia and Azerbaijan have established "unique"
ties since they gained their independence in 1991, adding that some
forces might be interested in damaging these ties.