GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT IN FIRST READING ADOPTS BILL ON REPATRIATION OF TURK-MESKHETIANS

Noyan Tapan
Jun 26, 2007

TBILISI, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Georgian
parliament in the first reading, with 134 votes in favor and 14
opposed, adopted the bill On Repatriation of Turk-Meskhetians on June
22. According to the A-Info, some MPs were absent from voting of the
bill. They had left the sitting hall as a token of protest.

In the words of Zviad Dzidziguri, a representative of the Democratic
Front opposition faction, "the authorities can assume such a commitment
as return of Turk-Meskhetians only with people’s consent." In his
opinion, settlement of Turk-Meskhetians in Samtskhe-Javakhk is
absolutely unacceptable, as this can result in ethnic clashes.

According to the bill, the Turk-Meskhetians, who wish to be granted
citizenship of Georgia, until January 1, 2009 should introduce the
necessary documents to embassies of Georgia in the countries where
they live. At the same time, it was mentioned that Georgia does not
assume the commitment of providing the repatriates with an apartment,
as well as compensating their property.