May 12, 2005 - 09:23 AMT
BUSH: NATIONAL MINORITIES HAVE IMPORTANT ROLE IN UNITY OF GEORGIA
In the course of the visit to Tbilisi US President George W. Bush met with representatives of national minorities of Georgia, reported A-Info news agency. During the 40-minute meeting matters of participation of the national minorities of Georgia in the political and economic life of the country, as well as questions of integration, prevention of conflicts and gender issues were discussed. The US President noted the important role the national minorities have in the unity of Georgia. At a request of those gathered, G. Bush presented the American experience of work with national minorities. Representatives of the Armenian, Ossetian, Azeri and other communities participated in the meeting. Co-Chair of Multinational Georgia NGO Arnold Stepanian and head of the UNDP Office in Akhalkalaki Robert Chomarian represented the Armenian community.