BAKU: Armenians eye Southern Osetia

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 19 2004

ARMENIANS EYE SOUTHERN OSETIA
[June 19, 2004, 15:44:25]

The Armenian society “Ararat” has been established in the center of
Southern Ossetia region of Georgia – Tskhenvali, AzerTAj correspondent
reported. According to leader of the society Stepan Yaralov, their
major goal is to popularize the Armenian language and expand cultural
ties.

S. Yaralov claims that the ruler of Armenia, representative of arshaks
house – tsar Asfagur, had founded Tsenvali in II century. The ancient
Armenian streets and churches evidence it.

He expressed his regret those new generations of Ossetins and Armenians
do not speak Armenian language. Because of Georgia-South Ossetia
conflict, economic crisis and information blockade many Armenians
quitted Tskhenvali. The main goal is to restore Armenian community
here and popularize Armenian language.