Expert: Armenian public and government's reaction on Javakhk developments surprising

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Georgian government is implementing its plan for complete suppression of national forces in Armenian-inhabited Samtskhe Javakheti region. The persecution of United Javakhk is a perfect proof of the ongoing campaign, an Armenian expert said.



"With tacit consent of official Yerevan, the Georgian government continues to extrude Armenians from Javakhk. As result, the Armenian population of the region has halved. Meanwhile the Turkish factor is gaining influence in all southern regions of Georgia," Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan, chairman of Mitk analytical center, told a PanARMENIAN.Net



"The Georgian authorities have skillfully presented their national and political pressure on Armenians as a struggle against criminal structures. However, it's obvious that tensions in Javakhk are conditioned by attempts to exile Armenians from their homeland. Gurgen Shirinyan exhibited heroic behavior. He proved that the Armenian youth will be resolute in defending the Armenians' rights in the region," he said.



"But the most surprising is the reaction of the Armenian government and public to the situation in Javakhk. There is an impression that the Armenian authorities are quite indifferent about the fate of our compatriots in the neighboring republic. Furthermore, numerous political organizations representing themselves as protectors of Javakheti Armenians did not even try to do something to help them. Under the circumstances, the actions of the Georgian authorities do not surprise," he said.



Melik-Shahnazaryan emphasized that today the Armenians of Javakhk need support of the whole Armenian nation. "We should demonstrate unity to defend our national interests. Otherwise, the situation will cause grave military and political transformation in the South Caucasus," the expert concluded.



On July 20 Georgian special forces and police rushed into the house belonging to United Javakhk leader, Vahagn Chakhalyan, and arrested his and his family members - his parents and brother.



Another United Javakhk member, Aram Batoyan, is also kept in custody.



Policemen Arthur Berujanyan and Armen Gabrielyan were killed. Local police chiefs said the latter commented suicide.



The Armenian Foreign Ministry said it closely watches the situation in Javakhk and maintains contact with the Georgian authorities.