Sergei Minasyan:

Tbilisi's increase of pressure on Javakhk Armenians will produce converse effect

PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia is the only outlet to the sea for Armenia, that is why the Armenian-Georgian relations are in the limelight of politicians in both states. The relations are not simple: Georgia's participation in communication and energy projects bypassing Armenia undermines friendly relations between the countries. Javakhk is another major problem. Expert at the Caucasus Media Institute, historian and political scientist Sergei Minasyan comments on the situation to PanARMENIAN.Net.
How would you describe the Armenian community of Georgia? Can it have any influence on the domestic situation?

The Armenian community of Georgia doesn't represent a political and cultural power. The story originates from 1918-20, when the Republic of Armenia was proclaimed. The second stage came in 1930-40, when the existence of Soviet Armenia whipped up the outflow of Armenians from Tbilisi. During the third stage, in 1950-60 (the period of civil war) many Armenians fled Georgia. Presently, the Armenian community of Tbilisi numbers some 90-140 thousand. Certainly, the population of Javakhk is not counted here.

It turns out that the Armenian community is incapable to prevent destruction of Armenian districts of Tbilisi, specifically Havlabar…

Havlabar is a historical district and needs reconstruction That is the problem. A major part of historical Tbilisi, including Vake, Saburtalo, Sololaki, has been already reconstructed. Now it's Havlabar's turn. Although some political motives emerge, actually urbanization is taking place. Let's take the construction of the North Avenue in Yerevan, for example. Only fancy the clamor that would rise if Russians lived in those ramshackle houses…

As far as I know, Armenians are not kicked out in the street. It's quite another matter that it's a historical district where Armenians used to live for centuries. But these Armenians are poor; their houses too, unlike other districts of Tbilisi. Virtually, Havlabar is the front of Tbilisi. However, it's too unattractive.

Georgia is aspired to Europe. However, it fails to meet the commitments as regards national minorities…

Georgia will have to determine its position on Javakhk sooner or later. If it really wishes to become a European state it should fulfill on conditions set by the Council of Europe and the European Union. The U.S. and EU's pressure is much greater than Armenia's in this respect. Even if Armenia steps aside the Javakhk problem will remain. The Russian military base used to be a tool for blackmail. Now it's gone. Armenia and Georgia are the only strategic allies in the region. Georgia's ties with Azerbaijan and Turkey are restricted to communication and energy issues only.

Georgia's attitude to the Armenian community is much more serious than to the Azeri one. The problem of belonging of churches to the Armenian Apostolic Church emerged in the middle of 19th century. It originated from Armenia and Georgia's joining to Russia. I think the AAC itself is to deal with the issue.

As to demolition of Armenian cemeteries, the process started in 1930-ies, when Khojavank was destroyed.

It's not a secret that the Javakhk problem is the most painful point in the Armenian-Georgia relations. How do you see the future of the region?

It's important that Samtskhe-Javakheti is mostly inhabited by Armenians. The Armenian population makes 90 per cent in Akhalkalaki and 55-60 per cent in the region. It's worth mentioning that Georgia was always concerned over "separatist moods" of Javakhk Armenians, who do not treat Georgia like homeland. It refers to language, education and culture. Georgia is trying to change the demographic situation in the region, however in vain. Deportation of Turks-Meskhetians in 1944 fundamentally changed the demography of the region. The government of the Georgian Soviet Republic launched a large-scale settlement program after WWII. Bringing Georgians from other regions of the country, the government wished to break the domination of Armenians. It should be noted that the number of Armenians in Javakhk, despite the high rate of birth (one of the highest among Armenians throughout the globe), has not undergone serious changes.

In mid 1990-ies the Georgian President decreed to form a new administrative unit - the Samtskhe Javakheti region which included the Borzhom region (with the population of 33.3 thousand people, 10 per cent of whom were Armenians). According to the Georgian Constitution, any unit can be determined only after complete restoration of Georgia's jurisdiction throughout the state. Before the settlement of Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts, administrative governance is exercised by the President's plenipotentiaries. However, the institute of plenipotentiaries (also called governors) doesn't have an appropriate legal basis. The Armenian population is concerned over the fact that their fate depends on Georgia's problems with its former autonomies. Furthermore, as result of instability the overwhelming majority of the Russian and Russian-speaking population fled the country. Molokans and Dukhobors emigrated to Russia and Canada. Following the "order" of first Georgian President Zviyad Gamsakhurdia to create a Georgian buffer between Armenia and Javakhk, the villages of Dukhobors were settled by Ajarians. However, increase of Tbilisi's pressure on Armenians can produce a reverse effect.
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