AZG DAILY #30, 21-02-2009

Javakhk Update: 2009-02-21 00:05:30 (GMT +04:00)

GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES COMMIT DEMOGRAPHIC TERRORISM IN JAVAKHK

Javakhk benevolent organization, Mitq analytical center and Yerkir
Union have issued a joint statement on occasion of Georgian Foreign
Minister Grigol Vashadzeâ??s visit to Yerevan.

The statement says that the ongoing arrests of Armenian activists in
Javakhk, grave violations of human rights in the trial of Vahagn
Chakhalyan and his family members, obstacles the Georgian checkpoint
officers pose at the Armenian-Georgian border leads to drift of the
population away from the region.

"The policy pursued by the Georgian authorities is nothing but
demographic terrorism, which aims at assimilation of Georgian
Armenians, neutralization of Armenian public organizations and
establishment of full control over the region," it says.

"The Armenian leadership should urge Georgia:-to put an end to
repressions and criminal prosecution of Javakheti Armenians and to
release Vahagn Chakhalyan, Grigor Minasyan, Sargis Hakobjanyan and
Grisha Avagyan.-to allow to use the Armenian language in public life
and administrative bodies of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka regions-to
establish an Armenian-Georgian university in Akhalkalaki to prevent
migration of young people-to officially register the Armenian
Apostolic Church and return appropriated Armenian churches.

Respect for the right of Armenians is the only way to maintain lasting
and sustainable development of the Armenian-Georgian relations," the
statement says, according to PanArmenian.net.