January 29, 2009 - 16:41 AMT
Demographic balance unlikely to change in Javakheti
Armenia has better maintain the status quo that formed in Javakheti during the soviet era, an Armenian expert said.

"Meanwhile, the situation doesn't meet the views of present-day Georgia's, which eyes Armenian cultural figures as enemies," political scientist Sergei Minasyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

The Armenian Diaspora and non-governmental organization can best address Javakheti problems, according to him. "Georgia, which is rapidly moving toward Europe, should be called to observe European values with respect for ethnic and religious minorities," he said, adding that anti-Georgian attitude of mind doesn't prevail in Armenia.

Commenting on arrests in Akhaltsikhe, the expert said it's premature to make univocal statements. At that he remarked that the two arrested were linked to the Union of Armenian Aid NGO cosponsored by ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

Grigory Minasyan and Sargis Hakobjanyan were detained in Samtskhe Javakheti on January 22.

A criminal case in compliance with articles 18.1, 223.1 and 314 (formation of illegal armed unit and espionage) of the Georgian Penal Code was initiated.