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Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement Can Cause Problems In Georgia, Says Ana

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  • Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement Can Cause Problems In Georgia, Says Ana

    ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS IN GEORGIA, SAYS ANALYST

    Tert
    Oct 26 2009
    Armenia

    The process of rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia should be
    considered as a regional issue since it can cause problems in the
    Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, senior fellow at the Foundation
    for Strategic and International Studies in Georgia, Professor Vladimir
    Papava said, reports Azerbaijani news agency Trend News.

    "I do not think that rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia is
    in the interests of the region. After rapprochement between Turkey
    and Armenia, Georgia will have no argument against the return of
    Turks-Meskhetians [and their repatriation] will create new ethnic
    problems in the region. But, in fact, Armenians living in those
    territories [Samtskhe-Javakheti] oppose and are afraid of the Turks'
    return," Papava told Trend News.

    The law on repatriation of internally displaced people to Georgia came
    into force in early January. According to the Ministry of Refugees
    and Resettlement, bids for return are made by people willing to
    be repatriated.

    The Repatriation Law was approved at request of the Council of Europe.

    Primarily, it concerns Turks-Meskhetians internally displaced from
    South Georgia in 1944 by Stalin's regime. Now Turks-Meskhetians live
    mainly in Russia and Azerbaijan. Many of them intend to return to
    their historical homeland.

    According to Papava, if Armenia feels that the Nagorno-Karabakh
    issue will be resolved in its favor, some forces in the country will
    provoke the conflict in Samtskhe-Javakheti too. This process should
    be considered as a regional process but not as Georgian internal one.

    Certainly, Javakheti's issue should be considered both in the context
    of Turkish-Armenian rerapprochement and return of Turks-Meskhetians
    in the territory where the Armenians live now, he said.

    "At present, Georgia is in a very difficult position. The Armenians
    living in Georgia significantly oppose return of Turks-Meskhetians
    to this region," Papava said.

    If Turkey and Armenia fully approach, the Armenian community living
    in Javakheti, must not oppose return of Turks-Meskhetians. However,
    the situation is different. It can cause ethnic problems in the region,
    said the analyst.

    "However, on the other hand, the status quo in the Caucasus could
    not be maintained for a long time. Conflicts in the region must be
    solved," Papava said.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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