GEORGIA’S EX-PRESIDENT SENDS A WARNING TO ARMENIA

Armenpress
Feb 20 2007

BAKU, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS: In an interview with an Azerbaijani
magazine, called ‘ Region+’ Georgia’s ex-president Eduard Shevardnadze
called on Armenia to come to terms with Azerbaijan, arguing that
otherwise it may lose its independence.

"I think Armenians realize that a solution to the Karabakh conflict
must be found, sooner or later, otherwise they risk to lose their
independence," he argued. "Azerbaijan is gaining strength and is set to
develop into region’s most powerful nation and this is why Armenians
should have this in view. Very soon Azerbaijan will be able to solve
any issue by force," Georgia’s ex-president, ousted by pro-western
Mikhail Saakashvili in 2003, said.

Shevardnadze further denounced some forces in Armenia, ‘which are
encouraging the Armenian population in southern Georgia’s region
of Javakheti to demand autonomy and grant the Armenian language an
official status.’ "These forces have to understand that this policy
would lead only to undesired developments," he said, but added that
they have cooled down after Russia pulled out its military base from
the region’s administrative center Akhalkalaki.

Shevardnadze said Russia is not impartial in what concerns the efforts
to end the Karabakh conflict, but added Armenians will eventually
understand that the conflict must be settled in order to give them
a chance to move ahead.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress