Georgian daily questions feasibility of Turkish Abkhaz resettling to Abkhazia
24 Saati, Tbilisi
18 Apr 06
Georgian newspaper 24 Saati has said that the leadership of breakaway
Abkhazia understands the risk of the ethnic Abkhaz population becoming
an “absolute minority” and sees the repatriation of descendants of the
19-century migrants from Turkey to Abkhazia as a solution. However,
the newspaper questions the feasibility of such a plan and notes that
it may cause problems not foreseen by the separatists or their Russian
supporters. The following is the text of Dimitri Avaliani’s article
“Abkhaz dream – prospects for repatriation with unknown results”
published in 24 Saati on 18 April; subheadings as published:
The Abkhaz authorities view the repatriation of descendants of the
Mohajirs [who were forced to resettle to Turkey in the 19th century]
as the way out of the demographic and political impasse.
“A part of the ethnic Abkhaz community in Turkey wants to return to
Abkhazia,” Sokrat Jinjolia, director of [the Sukhumi branch] of the
Caucasian Institute for Democracy, said during his visit to Turkey last
week. The Abkhaz delegation, which also included the chairman of the
[Abkhaz] state repatriation committee, Anzor Mukba, and the chairman of
the parliament’s defence and security committee, Garik Samanba, visited
Turkey to meet with representatives of the ethnic Abkhaz community.
“We travelled a lot in central Turkey and met with representatives
of the diaspora. The main thing for them is opening up the ways to
Abkhazia and knowing what is going on in their historical motherland,”
Jinjolia said.
According to Jinjolia, one of the deputy prime ministers of the
Republic of Turkey, members of the Turkish parliament, representatives
of the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy to Turkey took
part in the meeting. He also said that representatives of the Turkish
authorities noted that Turkey supported only a peaceful settlement
of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.
“Representatives of the Abkhaz diaspora in Turkey expressed their
hope that the Russian authorities will make it much simpler to cross
the Russian-Abkhaz border, which will facilitate the arrival of the
Abkhaz diaspora in their historical motherland,” Jinjolia said.
The Russian authorities will no longer make Jinjolia beg for the
open border: By a decision of the Russian Border Guard Department,
as of last week, foreign citizens are allowed to cross the border at
the Psou checkpoint.
Demography as Abkhaz national idea
Nowadays, the main Abkhaz national idea is the survival of the ethnic
group. For them, survival is associated with “demographic supremacy”.
In the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the ethnic Abkhaz, the
perpetuation of the existence of the Abkhaz ethnic group is possible
only in conditions of demographic supremacy. From this point of view,
the Abkhaz perceive the mass expulsion of ethnic Georgians as the
“restoration of historical justice”. In other words, their view is
that the ethnic Georgians went back to where they came from, and this,
in the Abkhaz point of view, is entirely fair.
Any aspiration of the Abkhaz towards national sovereignty and any
ideology of achieving it was unimaginable from the very outset without
getting rid of the main obstacle – the ethnic Georgian majority. At the
same time, any mention of “ethnic cleansing” gives rise to an extremely
negative reaction and protest among the Abkhaz, despite the fact that
this phrase, which is “ugly” in their opinion, precisely describes
what they did to the ethnic Georgian population of Abkhazia and what
is recognized at present as the main achievement of the Abkhaz victory.
The issues of the recognition of Abkhazia’s status, its political
system or civil rights are not as pressing to Abkhaz society as the
“demographic issue”.
However, at the same time, the demographic situation in modern-day
Abkhazia clearly shows that there is still a long way to go towards
achieving the main goal of the Abkhaz ethnic group. Back during [the
first separatist president Vladislav] Ardzinba’s rule, a “census”
was conducted that “established” the size of the population that was
advantageous to Sukhumi’s policy. According to that “census”, 320,000
people resided in Abkhazia, that is to say, more than a half of the
people who lived there before 1992 (whose number used to be more
than half a million). This was done to enable the Abkhaz authorities
to declare their policy an expression of the will of Abkhazia’s
population and reaffirm their legitimacy. However, in late 2003
[as published, should be 2004], during the scandalous presidential
election, the Abkhaz themselves put an end to this “trick” because
they had to calculate the real number of voters before the highly
contested and very important election. It emerged that, in reality,
Abkhazia’s population did not exceed 150,000-160,000.
Even against the backdrop of the decrease in population, the Abkhaz
are still a minority. At present, Abkhazia’s population consists of
three roughly equal groups, not only in terms of ethnicity but also in
terms of political orientation. These are the ethnic Abkhaz themselves,
some supporting the idea of Abkhazia’s sovereignty and others favouring
integration with Russia; the Russian-speaking population, which is
clearly of pro-Russian orientation and in which ethnic Armenians
dominate; and the ethnic Georgian population of Gali District with
its pro-Georgian orientation.
At present, ethnic Abkhaz are prevalent in the government bodies and
hold the highest posts, which does not reflect the real proportion
of the different ethnic groups. How long can this situation continue?
Migrants of Armenian origin already reside in Abkhazia, mainly in Gagra
District. The modern-day Abkhazia, whose population has decreased
several times over the last 14 years, is a complete “desert” from
the demographic viewpoint. However, for now, the difficult social,
economic, and crime situation hinders the cultivation of this desert
by foreign migrants.
Given the current situation, this state of affairs bodes nothing good
for the Abkhaz nation. If Abkhazia’s sovereign status is legitimized
and lawful investments start coming in, which is the goal of Abkhaz
policy today, the region will be flooded by migrants from Russia and
other CIS countries for the simple reason that the growing economy
will need a big workforce.
And this will affect Abkhaz politics no matter what. The ethnic Abkhaz
will gradually find themselves in a position from which they are now
desperately trying to get out from – in an absolute minority.
And putting an end to the domination of ethnic Abkhaz in the positions
of power will then become just a matter of time. Abkhazia will be
transformed into a Russian-speaking country in which the Abkhaz
themselves will wield very little influence. They will have much
less possibility to take part in governing their own country than
they had before 1992.
In other words, the Abkhaz will lose even the illusory advantage
which they now perceive as the main achievement of the victory they
attained at the cost of great sacrifice.
Repatriation – a threat or a new political lever?
The Abkhaz pin great hopes on the return of the descendants of the
Mohajirs, who live in Turkey and some Middle Eastern countries and
whose ancestors were deported from Abkhazia in the late 19th century
by the Russian Empire. Sukhumi has announced that their repatriation
is an official priority. The Abkhaz community is united and is part
of the Adyg-Cherkess diaspora that is quite influential in the
Middle East and especially in Turkey. There are reports that the
Abkhaz community is a few-hundred-thousand strong. This is a huge
demographic resource for the Abkhaz. However, the majority of these
people are not enthralled at the prospect of going back to their
historical motherland. At any rate, despite the fact that they have
common ancestors with the modern-day Abkhaz, they are people with a
completely different mindset, effectively a different ethnic group.
To many of them, although Abkhazia is their ancestral motherland,
it is not associated with the place of permanent residence.
The Abkhaz authorities are trying hard to make their demographic
dreams come true. The latest visit by the Sukhumi delegation to Turkey
served this purpose too. However, the prospect of the Mohajirs’ return
raises many questions which Sukhumi itself finds hard to answer. What
will the mass resettlement of citizens of Turkey and Arab countries
bring to Abkhazia? What will the repatriates’ attitude towards
the Russian-speaking and ethnic Georgian population of Abkhazia,
or even towards the modern-day ethnic Abkhaz, be? Will the Islamic
factor gain strength? Will this signify Abkhazia’s “Turkization”,
its transformation into Turkey’s satellite and active promoter of
Turkey’s interests?
An increase in the number of Turkish-oriented population will naturally
strengthen Turkey’s influence on internal Abkhaz politics.
Russian interests will be damaged substantially in any case. In
contrast to the modern-day Abkhaz population, the potential repatriates
are not connected with Russia in any way except through negative
historical experience. The likelihood is quite high that Russia will
“dig its own grave” in the Caucasus: Instead of a “friendly” separatist
entity created with its support, a hostile region will emerge on its
border and it will become the main base for North Caucasian separatism.
What prospects will this scenario create for Georgia? The Abkhaz
authorities and Abkhaz population are today radically opposed to the
return of the Georgian refugees to their own homes. They cite many
reasons for this, although the main reason is their fear of becoming
an absolute minority again. However, it is quite possible that their
resistance will not be so radical if, together with the refugees,
some of the descendants of the Mohajirs will also return, which will
make the Abkhaz population feel “demographically safe”.
The issue of the Abkhaz repatriates raises numerous questions. What
does their return mean to Georgia in terms of the conflict
settlement? How will Sukhumi’s policy change towards Georgia or
towards Russia if the repatriates come to power? What are the risks
and advantages for Tbilisi? Is it actually possible to drive Russia
out of Abkhazia? Georgia may be faced with these questions, in all
their complexity, in the future.

Defence Ministry denies Azerbaijan mediating between Iran, USA
Fars News Agency website
20 Apr 06
Tehran, 20 April: Minster of Defence [Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar] has
denied the report filed by Associated Press concerning Azerbaijan’s
mediation between Iran and America as a sheer lie.
Gen Kalantari, the deputy minister of defence for defensive and
international cooperation, in a telephone conversation with Fars News
Agency emphatically denied the news published by Associated Press
concerning Azerbaijan’s mediation between Iran and America.
He stressed: There have been no discussions concerning the mediation
of Azerbaijan over Iran’s relations with America and the report filed
by this agency is a sheer lie.
A few hours ago, Associated Press had announced that Iran’s defence
minister in his meeting with the president of Azerbaijan had said
that this country may mediate between Iran and America.

WAR WILL BE AZERBAIJAN’S LAST MISTAKE, VARTAN OSKANIAN DECLARES
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “The European
Union is very much interested in the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, we are interested in the stability of the South
Caucasian region,” State Secretary of Austrian Foreign Ministry,
Head of EU Troika delegation Hans Winkler declared at the April 20
press conference in Yerevan. According to him, EU tries to be useful
in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and here EU does
everything depending on it. “We want to render unbiassed assistance and
try to apply all possible measures for the settlement of the conflict
but this is the issue that should be solved by the sides,” Winkler
declared. According to Vartan Oskanian, the Nagorno Karabakh people
itself should have the right to solve the issue what political status
it wants to have. “If Azerbaijan recognizes the Karabakh people’s
right of self-determination, in this case the Armenian side is ready
to seriously discuss the issue about liquidating the consequences
of the war”. According to the Minister, issues regarding liquidation
of the consequences of the war are issues of territories, refugees,
issues of security. As for the continuing bellicose statements of
Baku, the Armenian Foreign Minister declared: “We have repeatedly
said that the Karabakh problem has no solution through a war. The
war will be a great mistake by Azerbaijan, I think this will be
their last mistake”. He again reiterated that a document regarding
the principles of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is on
the negotiations table. At that, an agreement on part of them has
been already reached between the sides but the sides have not come
to agreement on some clauses yet. “The issues stated in the document
cannot change in their essence, they are formulated very precisely,”
the head of the Armenian foreign political department declared.

SERGE SARGSIAN DOES NOT THINK THAT THERE ARE CHANGES IN NEAREST FUTURE
IN ISSUE OF INVOLVEMENT OF KARABAKH IN NEGOTIATION PROCESS
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Azerbaijan
wants to tear many things for its benefit, to make new proposals
what is inadmissible for us,” Serge Sargsian, the Secretary of the
RA National Security Council attached to the President, the Defence
Minister stated at the press-conference taken place at the end of
the military exercises held in Nagorno Karabakh. “If each of us makes
an attempt to tear for him more things for obvious, clear purposes,
we can hardly come to common denominator,” the Minister emphasized.
According to Serge Sargsian, the Armenian side never violates
conditions of cease-fire: “We just respond to press, and there are
few shots.” As for the issue of involvement of Nagorno Karabakh in
the negotiation process, Serge Sargsian mentioned: “I do not think
that there will be changes in future. Of course, it’s desired that
Nagorno Karabakh as well participates in the negotiations, but not
everything happens according to our wish.” The Minister estimated
normal the political situation in Armenia: “The political process
seems to develop in normal way, and, of course, such a situation
have a more favourable influence than when political passions are
imflamed. Of course, a more favourable atmosphere may be created, but
this one is also enough.” According to Serge Sargsian, a tolerance
is necessary for a favourable atmosphere as well as it is necessary
to avoid unwarranted political ambitions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. Wants Belarus on G8 Agenda
The Moscow Times, Russia
April 20 2006
A senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday that the United States would
press for discussion of political developments in Belarus as well
as conflicts in Georgia, Moldova and Nagorno-Karabakh to be on the
agenda of this year’s Group of Eight summit, to be held in St.
Petersburg in July.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said it would be the first
time that the G8 had discussed “these … conflicts very close to
Russia’s borders” — underlining the stark political differences
between Russia and the other G8 members.
He said that most G8 members agreed that Belarus’ recent election,
which returned President Alexander Lukashenko to a third term, was
“anti-democratic,” and that the G8 should help the governments of
Georgia and Moldova resolve conflicts with their separatist provinces
— all of which enjoy support from Russia.
Russia and the United States are working together under the aegis
of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to find a
resolution to the 18-year-old conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic
Armenian-inhabited enclave in Azerbaijan. They have both expressed
optimism that progress could be made this year.
U.S. President George W. Bush has said he will raise concerns about
Russian democracy during the summit.(AP)

Ex-Foreign minister of Armenia Aleksandr Arzumanyan: “I do not
exclude Azerbaijan to start war”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006
[ 20 Apr. 2006 18:11 ]
“Results of Azerbaijan and Armenia presidents Rambouillet talks is
not only failure of Nagorno Garabagh conflict resolution as well as
it is a failure of OSCE Minsk Group mission.” ex- Foreign minister of
Armenia Aleksandr Arzumanyan has made this statement. Negotiation
process, according to him, is prolonged not only by conflicting sides
but also the USA and European Union artificially.
“European Union appointed new representative to South Caucasus in
2006, Peter Semneby needs much time to be adopted to the situation.
Then the USA has changed its ambassador to Azerbaijan. This happens
to prolong the process by the end of 2006, and then pre-election
marathon will begin in Armenia. During the election process, as we
know, conflict regulation process stays in background.” Criticizing
the activity of OSCE Minsk Group in Rambouillet talks Arzumanyan has
stressed not existence of better mediating format. “I do not believe
happening any fundamental changes in regulation process. But after
Rambouillet talks, the tone sounded by Azerbaijani side does not
exclude this country’s start war.”/APA/

Vardan Oskanian: Co-chairs haven’t made new proposals to settle Garabagh conflict
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006
[ 20 Apr. 2006 17:58 ]
“The people of Nagorno Garabagh should decide themselves which status
they need – this is Armenia’s stance,” Armenian foreign minister
Vardan Oskanian stated (APA).
“Armenia is ready to discuss matters of overcoming the consequences
of the war when official Baku recognizes Garabagh people’s right to
self-determination. Only after that, speaking about territories that
form the security belt and return of internally displaced persons
will be possible. As coming to OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs making new
proposals, this is both true and not. Proposals, or rather principles
of the settlement, remain the same. Mechanisms are subject to change,”
Oskanian said./APA/

Tigran Torosian: “Diplomats co-chairing OSCE Minsk Group might be changed”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006
[ 20 Apr. 2006 18:36 ]
“Changes might happen in OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing Institute. I
do not exclude change Mann- Merzlyakov-Fasie trio. International
mediating process format has changed, therefore I do not exclude
change of anyone in OSCE Minsk Group diplomatic corpse,” head of
Armenian delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe
Tigran Torosian has stated. (APA).
He stated the impossibility of valuing the situation right after
Rambouillet talks. “But statement of official Baku after talks
on strengthening the army and increase of military budget worries
me.”/APA/

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006
Eldar Ibrahimov: We’ll try to achieve OSCE PA adopt document on
Garabagh being under control of Armenian separatist forces
[ 20 Apr. 2006 17:40 ]
“We try to achieve in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly like Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly to acknowledge Armenia as invader.
We’ll also try to achieve OSCE PA adopt a document on Nagorno Garabagh
being under control of Armenian separatist forces,” Eldar Ibrahimov,
member of Azerbaijani delegation to OSCE PA told journalists (APA).
He said that the delegation will do their utmost to achieve this very
difficult goal.
“I admit that this is a very difficult issue. Armenian lobby, Armenians
try to prevent bringing of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict up for
discussion in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly,” Ibrahimov underlined.
The delegation member also said OSCE PA rapporteur on Nagorno Garabagh
conflict Goran Lenmarker is due to visit Azerbaijan on May 5 this
year. The rapporteur will meet several officials during the visit.
Mr.Ibrahimov noted that it is not yet known what is on the agenda
of the OSCE Summer Session, and he thinks it will be known during
Lenmarker’s visit. Stating that it is not known whether Lenmarker’s
report will be discussed in the summer session, the parliamentarian
said the delegation will try to include the report on the agenda.
Ibrahimov said that Lenmarker could not visit the region due to the
parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan last year. His visit scheduled
for March was postponed later on./APA/

ARMAVIA AIRLINE GIVE VALUABLE PRESENT TO ITS 100,000TH PASSENGER IN 2006
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 20 2006
Yerevan, April 20. /ARKA/. The “Armavia” airline has given a valuable
present to its 100,000th passengers in 2006, the resident of Ashtarak
Marina Sarkisyan.
The present has been given to her in Yerevan by Director General of
the “Armavia” airline Norair Belluyan. The present costs AMD 200,000
($500).
This is an interim result of a special action announced by the airline
in 2006. According to the action terms, the first 100,000th, 700,000th
and 1,000,000th passengers can receive valuable presents.
The 700,000th passenger will receive keys of a “Peugeot” or “Renault”,
and the 1,000,000th passenger will be presented with a “Mercedes”.
The “Armavia” airline intends to exceed last year’s air transportation
index, 550,000 passengers, by October 2006.
The “Armavia” airline was founded on December 12, 1996. The airline
is currently owned by MIKA Armenia Trading. Î.À. -0–
–Boundary_(ID_8f4zKQxfPGR2ns/LVYh8hQ)–