Tbilisi's policy may urge Armenians to demand secession from GeorgiaNovember 2, 2009 - 18:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgian authorities' policy may urge Samtskhe-Javakheti Armenians to demand secession from Georgia, Head of Yerkir Union Sevak Artsruni announced in Yerevan. "Official Tbilisi does not realize that radical policy in relation to Armenians is against their interests. That may lead to extreme solutions of the problem," Artsruni said, not ruling out possibility of secession in constitutional manner.With regard to possible influence of border opening on Samtskhe-Javakheti Armenians, Artsruni said it would significantly weaken Georgia's policy as a transit state. "But we do not have much positive expectations of border opening," he added. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |