Russia’s Javakhk Diaspora urges Georgian authorities to declare Samtskhe-Javakheti national-cultural autonomySeptember 30, 2010 - 17:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Javakheti Diaspora of Russia disseminated a statement with respect to the upcoming visit of Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze to Armenia. It says that the Georgian authorities transfer their country into a mono-ethnic state, while nationalism and discrimination continue growing in the country. President Mikheil Saakashvili aspires towards construction of a national state. And it is well-known that there are two ways for it – assimilation and emigration. Currently, Tbilisi is trying to assimilate the national minorities residing in Georgia. The statement notes that Armenians of Samtskhe-Javakheti are deprived of the opportunity to create in Armenian language, though they make a majority in the aforementioned region. “Nevertheless, as per European conventions on national minorities rights protection, which are signed, but not ratified by Georgia, a national minority making 20% of population has the right to use its native language as a language of court proceeding and education. It is evident that the Georgian authorities violate the existing international standards in this matter,” reads the statement. Authors of the statement believe that false rumors intentionally disseminated by some Georgian media about Javakhk are vain and there are not any separatist moods in the region. The problem of a cultural autonomy exists there in part. “It is ridiculous not to have a cultural autonomy in the region, where even Georgians speak Armenian better than their native language – Georgian. Taking this into consideration, we, the Javakheti Diaspora of Russia, urge the Georgian authorities to declare the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti a national-cultural autonomy,” reads the statement. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |