JAVAKHK ARMENIANS WILL POSSIBLY DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS VIA CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.02.2009 16:09 GMT+04:00

Georgian authorities should acknowledge that neglecting the problems
of Samtkhe Javakheti is not the best solution, Javakhk Expatriates’
Community head, RA NA member Shirak Torosyan told a news conference
in Yerevan today.

"There are, of course, social and economic problems in the region,
but the Armenian population is more worried about the national
discrimination, overtly demonstrated by authorities. Tbilisi’s wish
to overlook this and focus only on social and economic issues, will
only intensify the crisis," said Shirak Torosyan.

He reminded that Millennium Challenge Corporation provided Georgia with
a number of subsidies for development of construction, infrastructure
and communications in the region, yet the process keeps getting
delayed and the state of Akhalkhalaki-Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda-Tsalka
roads leaves much to be desired.

"Georgia lacks political will to resolve the problem. Yerevan keeps
initiating discussions on the issues troubling Javakheti Armenians,
yet gets no response from the Georgian part," Shirak Torosyan said.

"I understand Armenians who do not wish to increase tensions. Tbilisi
realizes its geopolitical significance for our republic, but we
can’t allow further abuse. If no solution is found, Armenians will
possibly defend their rights via constitutional referendum in Javakhk,"
he resumed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress