PAPER CRITICAL OF GEORGIA’S ELECTION TACTICS IN ARMENIAN-POPULATED REGION
by Vrezh Aharonyan

Source: Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan, in Armenian 10 Oct 06, p 4
Hayots Ashkharh
Oct 10 2006

"They are trying to drive a wedge in the movement for autonomy"

Text of report by Vrezh Agaronyan in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 10 October headlined

What has been taking place in Javakhk [Georgia’s Armenian-populated
Samtskhe-Javakheti region] following the local election on 5 October?

Some members of the United Javakhk movement who took part in the
local election as candidates of the Industrialists today said that
the election were rigged.

They said that first they had come forward as the governing party’s
candidates, but because the governing party had required getting six
seats out of 10 to be contested, the whole pre-election process had
gone a bit bizarre, and they decided to join another party.

Then there was an incident in which the police chief was beaten.

Reportedly, some young male members of the United Javakhk were being
secretly recruited by Georgian security agents prior to the election.

Reportedly, these young men had been promised by Georgian security
some material support in setting up their own businesses. By doing
this Georgian government was probably trying to undermine the movement
for autonomy. This also could explain the fact of a large group of
young men occupying a polling station without difficulty.

Nonetheless some worthy candidates were still elected to regional
councils, and the election results are generally considered
satisfactory. But although no irregularities were registered, it was
too evident that driving a wedge between Armenians had been designed.

We are sorry that the Georgian authorities had chosen such tactics.

They would be doing the right thing if they chose to solve social
problems of the population instead.

Today Armenia is investing heavily in this region to ease social
tensions, while Georgia should stand by its promises.