RETURN OF TURKS MESKHETIANS IN ARMENIAN-INHABITED REGIONS PREGNANT WITH NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR GEORGIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.05.2008 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Return of Turks Meskhetians in the Armenian-inhabited
regions of Georgia is pregnant with negative consequences, said Giorgi
Gogsadze, director of the department of human geography at Tbilisi
State University.

"Like 10 years ago, I do state now that the Council of Europe’s
urge on return of Turks Meskhetians to Georgia will do no good. But
unfortunately, we are under pressure," Govsadze told Caucasus 2007
international conference.

"Armenian-inhabited Samtskhe Javakheti region has always been
remarkable for loyalty toward the authorities. Armenians of Samtskhe
Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli voted for pro-governmental forces at all
elections. In 2003 they supported Eduard Shevarnadze; after the ‘rose
resolution’ votes were given in favor of Mikheil Saakashvili. The
same happened on January 5, 2008, although the official figure of
90 per cent of votes is exaggerated, since majority of Javakhetians
usually leave for Armenia or Russia to earn living in winter" the
Georgian expert said.