PAATA DAVITAIA: I DO NOT THINK THERE IS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST RISK OF PUTTING THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH SCENARIO IN JAVAKHETIA
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/poli tics/53185.html
June 17 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az Interview with Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament, the
representative of the parliamentary opposition Paata Davitaia.
- Mr. Davitaia, how would you comment on the fact that the Armenian
community of Georgia, residing in Javakhetia, sent an appeal to the
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, asking to raise the issue of
solving the dual citizenship before the Georgian president Mikhail
Saakashvili?
- I think that the formulation of the question is inappropriate for
the constitution of Georgia does not provide for dual citizenship. So,
I do not think that this kind of question would be raised in front of
the Georgian leadership. It would be not serious. Furthermore, as our
country's leadership does not interfere in the internal affairs of
Armenia, the Armenian leadership will not interfere in the internal
affairs of Georgia as well.
- Then how would you comment on the mere appearance of the statements
from Georgian Armenians that contradict to the Constitution of Georgia?
- It is regrettable to note that such statements have been heard not
for the first time. But they will remain just statements for there
is the Constitution of Georgia, which can not be violated by anyone.
- Javakhetia Armenians, among other things, express a "growing
concern about the worsening socio-political situation in the region
of residence". We all remember that the same points were used by
Karabakh separatists in the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Is there any risk of appearance of the
"second Karabakh" in Javakhetia?
- To begin with, the socio-political situation in Javakhetia, despite
the statements you are speaking of, is stable. In addition, of course,
the separatist activities in Javakhetia have been recorded before,
but now the situation is under control. For all these reasons, I do not
think there is even the slightest risk of putting the Nagorno-Karabakh
scenario in this region of Georgia.
- Is it possible to state that the actions of the separatist Armenian
Javakheti are backed by official Yerevan, which, thus, is trying to
exert pressure on Georgia?
- Of course, the secessionist sentiments do not appear by themselves
and there must be forces which direct these sentiments. But I do not
think that in this case we can speak only about Yerevan's support. I
am more inclined to speak of the next attempt to put pressure on
Georgia by Russia, which always differed with support to separatism
in the whole area of the former USSR.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/poli tics/53185.html
June 17 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az Interview with Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament, the
representative of the parliamentary opposition Paata Davitaia.
- Mr. Davitaia, how would you comment on the fact that the Armenian
community of Georgia, residing in Javakhetia, sent an appeal to the
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, asking to raise the issue of
solving the dual citizenship before the Georgian president Mikhail
Saakashvili?
- I think that the formulation of the question is inappropriate for
the constitution of Georgia does not provide for dual citizenship. So,
I do not think that this kind of question would be raised in front of
the Georgian leadership. It would be not serious. Furthermore, as our
country's leadership does not interfere in the internal affairs of
Armenia, the Armenian leadership will not interfere in the internal
affairs of Georgia as well.
- Then how would you comment on the mere appearance of the statements
from Georgian Armenians that contradict to the Constitution of Georgia?
- It is regrettable to note that such statements have been heard not
for the first time. But they will remain just statements for there
is the Constitution of Georgia, which can not be violated by anyone.
- Javakhetia Armenians, among other things, express a "growing
concern about the worsening socio-political situation in the region
of residence". We all remember that the same points were used by
Karabakh separatists in the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Is there any risk of appearance of the
"second Karabakh" in Javakhetia?
- To begin with, the socio-political situation in Javakhetia, despite
the statements you are speaking of, is stable. In addition, of course,
the separatist activities in Javakhetia have been recorded before,
but now the situation is under control. For all these reasons, I do not
think there is even the slightest risk of putting the Nagorno-Karabakh
scenario in this region of Georgia.
- Is it possible to state that the actions of the separatist Armenian
Javakheti are backed by official Yerevan, which, thus, is trying to
exert pressure on Georgia?
- Of course, the secessionist sentiments do not appear by themselves
and there must be forces which direct these sentiments. But I do not
think that in this case we can speak only about Yerevan's support. I
am more inclined to speak of the next attempt to put pressure on
Georgia by Russia, which always differed with support to separatism
in the whole area of the former USSR.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress