May 20, 2004 - 23:50 AMT
REPRESENTATIVE OF GEORGIAN PRESIDENT DENIED HEARSAY THAT TSALKA ARMENIANS HAVE ARMS
A special governmental commission to normalize the exacerbated situation in the Tsalka region (Eastern Georgia) started work on May 19. It should be reminded that a scuffle, which then developed into a serious clash between Armenians and Adzharians, took place upon the completion of a football match with participation of the youth of local villages, held in the regional center of Tsalka. As reported by A-Info news agency, besides the efforts to form interethnic confidence in the region, the commission plans solution of social and economic problems. As stated by commission member, Deputy Minister for Infrastructures and Development Henrik Muradian, it will be possible to solve a number of problems. At that he emphasized the importance of the statement of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Georgian President in the region of Kvemo-Kartli Soso Mamzishvili, who said the hearsay that Tsalka Armenians have arms is false. In the Deputy Minister's words, it will help establish mutual confidence in Tsalka. With that purpose a mass cultural measure, devoted to the Independence Day of Georgia, will be held in Tsalka, initiated by the commission.