MINISTER SAYS AL-QA’IDAH PLANS TO RECRUIT KAMIKAZE GIRLS IN AZERBAIJAN FOILED
Ekho, Baku
18 Mar 06
National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov has announced his country’s
“relentless fight against terrorism” and said his ministry has
“neutralized” Al-Qa’idah’s Caucasus group that planned to recruit
Azerbaijani girls to perform kamikaze acts. In an interview to
Interfax news agency, reprinted by the Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho,
Mahmudov said that Azerbaijan’s location and major international
projects have increasingly made it “more attractive to terrorists”
and therefore his ministry gives priority to the anti-terror fight.
The following is the text of unattributed report in Azerbaijani
newspaper Ekho on 18 March headlined “They were trying to make
kamikazes of Azerbaijani girls” and subheaded “And terrorists want
to topple Azerbaijan’s secular government, says National Security
Minister Eldar Mahmudov”
“Today, international terrorism and other forms of transnational
organized crime, which operate in various spheres and often in various
countries and regions, still pose the biggest threat to national
security. This is why the special services give priority to the fight
against terrorism in defending national security.
“An analysis of the existing operational situation shows that the
nature and tactics of terrorism have undergone radical changes, and
new trends have emerged. Azerbaijan’s suitable geographic location,
the implementation of major international projects, the existence of a
large number of key infrastructure and transport facilities, and some
other factors have made the country more attractive to terrorists,”
Azerbaijan’s National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov has said in
an interview with Interfax.
“Relentless” fight on terror
“Our relentless fight against terrorism as part of the international
anti-terror coalition irritates terrorists of all stripes almost as
much as a piece of red cloth irritates bulls. Whereas most of the
terrorists whom we detained five years ago had attempted to use our
country as a transit territory or to prepare for terrorist acts abroad,
the situation now has significantly changed. We are now detaining
terrorists who plan terrorist acts in Azerbaijan either on their own
initiative or under orders from the terrorist network headquarters,”
Mahmudov said.
“We are increasingly dealing with religious-extremist terrorist groups
that are aiming to oust the secular and democratic form of state
and force Azerbaijan to stop its participation in the international
anti-terrorist coalition,” the minister said.
Strategic facilities at risk
“In order to achieve their goals, they often plan terrorist acts
against strategic facilities such as embassies, foreign companies
and areas densely populated by foreigners. Given the growth in the
number of the above mentioned facilities, their protection becomes
increasingly important with every passing day,” Mahmudov said.
The minister believes that the resolution of this problem requires
a creative approach, and a wide range of administrative, legal,
operational, social, enlightening and even religious measures should
be taken.
“We know from experience that young religious people primarily from
the poorest strata of society – theologians or unemployed people,
20-25 year old on average – are at the core of extremist cells. And
the most difficult task that we are facing is to prevent the spread
of such cells and young Azerbaijanis from being recruited by the
international extremist cells on time,” the minister said.
Azeri girls recruited for kamikaze squad
Mahmudov said the Azerbaijani special services are experienced
enough to prevent anything like this happening. However, he said,
information about plans of the now neutralized Al-Qa’idah Caucasus
group to recruit Azerbaijani girls for a kamikaze squad “has been
the worst discovery of the past few years”.
Apart from that, “one should not overlook the problem of acts of terror
carried out by Armenian terrorist organizations with the support from
state agencies of the Republic of Armenia [as given]”.
“I should say that the fight against terrorism is difficult in
Azerbaijan because of the unresolved Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the
occupation of 20 per cent of our territories, and also due to the
132 km stretch of Azerbaijani-Iranian border that is not under our
control. Therefore, we consider problems related to this conflict as
part of our work to ensure security and prevent terrorist threats.
Thanks to our comprehensive efforts we have managed to curb the wave
of terrorist acts that overwhelmed Azerbaijan in early 1990. But we
should always bear in mind that our mistakes can cost human lives,”
Mahmudov said.
“Reliable partner” in fight on terror
The minister said “our country is stepping up efforts regarding
various mechanisms for cooperation in the fight against terrorism
and is considered a reliable partner”.
“The detention and extradition of members of terrorist organizations,
such as Al-Qa’idah, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Al-Jamaa al-Islamia,
the Caucasus Islamic army and the Islamic movement of Uzbekistan could
serve as an example of our achievements,” Mahmudov said and added: “We
have neutralized local cells of Jayshullah, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Al-Qa’idah
Caucasus and al-Muwahhidin. Apart from that, the Baku branches of
several foreign humanitarian organizations have been closed down on
suspicion of funding terrorism. By all means this is not a complete
list of our achievements in the fight against terrorism.”

GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: KARS-AKHALKALAKI IS A NO-OPTION RAILROAD
Lragir/am
20 March 06
Georgia has to build the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, every country
needs transit routes, and we will be glad if the Gyumri-Kars railroad
is operated, stated Revaz Gachecheladzeh, Georgian Ambassador to
Armenia on March 20.
According to him, Georgia has no reasons to reject economic flows
determined by the railroad, with the annual capacity of the Georgian
ports of 22 billion tones.
Soon the ports will not supply the demands of developing Georgia. Revaz
Gachecheladzeh thinks that the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad is favorable
for Javakheti too. “Not all the freight is for transit, part of it
remains. Besides, crafts will develop in Akhalkalaki.” The ambassador
suggests viewing Kars-Akhalkalaki as a purely economic project that
will become part of the Beijing-Paris highway.
Georgia, which welcomes the re-operation of Gyumri-Kars, will not
try to influence Turkey or Azerbaijan in the question of opening the
borders, however. ” First because even the Minsk Group cannot influence
Turkey and Azerbaijan,” and besides, “like Armenia, we also conduct
a complementary policy, we want to have good relations with everyone,
and especially our neighbors. The question of opening the borders is
your internal affair.”
Everyone understands that Kars-Akhalkalaki is not favorable for
Armenia. The ambassador does not say anything with regard to this. The
Georgian-Armenian economic relations were not satisfactory but there is
progress. For instance, in Georgia they are already selling Armenian
products – juice, cigarettes, cement, etc. Besides, the Armenians are
building a hotel in the resort town of Kobuleti. “We assist the inflow
of the Armenian capital to Georgia. I think you would assist the inflow
of the Georgian capital to Armenia. Our markets are small, and if we
unite, both countries will benefit,” assures Revaz Gachecheladzeh.
The Armenians and Georgians are also implementing regional
projects. The second transmission line of electricity from Armenia
to Georgia is being built.
If it joins the Iran-Armenia line, something that Georgia is eager for,
trilateral cooperation would facilitate the export of electricity among
these three countries. Georgia would like the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
to reach Georgia and have a sufficient capacity to transport gas to
Europe, which would be favorable for both Armenia and Georgia. But
“Armenia decided to construct a small pipeline.”

THE CO-CHAIRS WILL TRY TO COME OUT OF THE BLIND ALLEY
Tatul Hakobyan
“Radiolur”[Arm Radio]
20.03.2006 16:17
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov, Steven Mann and Bernard
Fassier are having today their recurrent meeting in Istanbul. RA
Foreign Minister has remarked in his interview to the Second Armenian
TV Channel that after the failure in Ramboulliet the settlement
process is actually found itself in a blind alley. After the meeting in
Istanbul it will become clear what route the negotiations will take,
when the Co-Chairs will visit the region and whether the meetings of
Foreign Ministers will continue.
After the failure in Ramboulliet the US and France have not lost the
expectations regarding the future of the settlement, to more exact,
the signing at least an intermittent agreement this year. And this is
natural, since this was with the mediation of these countries that
Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliev left for the castle of
Ramboulliet. The third mediator, Russia, which continues to remain
the major role player in the Caucasus region, did not have serious
expectations from the very beginning and did not consider that the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan would be able to find the “key to
the resolution” in Ramboulliet.
RA Foreign Minister actually accepts that the talks have entered
a blind alley. Following his meeting with the Assistant to the
US Secretary of State and the American Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Vardan Oskanyan said in his TV interview, “After the failure
in Ramboulliet, it is important to maintain the positive achievements
and continue the talks based on these. Our further steps will become
clear after the upcoming meeting of the Co-Chairs. The basis of our
today’s talks is the search for solutions, which will allow to come
out of the blind alley.”
However, the American side has not lost the optimism. The Assistant to
the US Secretary of State Daniel Fried and the American Co-Chair of
the Minsk Group Steven Mann confirmed this in their press conference
on Thursday that there is no blind alley.
Kiro Manoyan, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office told “Regnum” agency,
“There is an impression that through Turkey the mediators are trying
to exercise pressure over Azerbaijan. It is Baku’s fault that the
meeting of the Presidents failed. The Azerbaijani side refused from
the obligations undertaken. I think that the decision of holding the
meeting of mediators in Istanbul is not accidental.
According to Vazgen Manukyan, Head of the National Democratic Union,
the decision to hold the meeting of the Co-Chairs in Istanbul has a
pretext, which is psychological rather than political.
Yesterday the Assistant to the US Secretary of State Daniel Fried
and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Steven Mann met with Turkish
authorities. The Turkish “Zaman” newspaper informs that the government
of Turkey gave a negative answer to the demand of the US to open
the border with Armenia. Fried and Mann met with representatives of
the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to “Zaman,” Fried
presented an official demand to open the border with Armenia. Turkish
officials, however, mentioned three preconditions for establishing
diplomatic relations with Armenia – withdrawal of Armenian forces from
Azerbaijan, suspension of the campaign for international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, as well as refusal from territorial demands
on Turkey.

ARMENIA DOES NOT ATTRACT MIGRATING SWANS
ArmRadio
20.03.2006
It turns out that Armenia is not that attractive for swans. However,
now, when the migration of birds has started, people are interested
and surprised why bird flu does not reach us.
Although ornithologist Martin Adamyan is tired of continually
answering the same question, he gave some clarifications to “Radiolur”
correspondent.
According to him, the temperature under zero is favorable for the
virus.
“From this point of view part of the virus has already expired,
the rest will expire before reaching Armenia.
Martin Adamyan noted also that the possibility that bird flu will
reach Armenia gradually decreases.

By Ruth Bedevian
TSAGHKADZOR, ARMENIA
Orbeli Brothers Monument
(© K. Vrtanesyan)
Despite the light drizzle of rain and overcast clouds of a late
October day, Geraseem and Marineh Megerdichian stood on the portico of
the Orbeli Brothers’ Museum in Tsaghkadzor and eagerly greeted our
party of three with warm smiles. Before we introduced ourselves,
Marineh candidly revealed her curiosity and queried, `What is your
interest in the Orbeli brothers and why have you come here today?’ I
straightforwardly responded, `I knew nothing about these brothers!’ I
then embellished with my own question, `What better source should I
seek to learn about them?’
Orbeli Museum
(© K. Vrtanesyan)
The museum is a 40 minute ride north west from Yerevan and is nestled
in the Kotyak Province in a desirable resort area which was the
training center for the former Soviet Olympic ski team. It is an
exceptional museum in that it is devoted to three brothers who each
rendered major achievements in their respective careers and brought
international recognition to themselves and to their nation. [In
birth order] `RUBEN, LEVON and HOVSEP (Joseph) are revered today by
the Armenian people for their professional distinction, but also, and
more importantly, because they distinguished themselves in their
humane endeavors,’ declared Marineh, who has been the director of the
museum since 1983, taking over the responsibility from her husband,
Geraseem, who was the original curator when the museum was founded in
1980 and who was formerly the Director of the History Faculty of
Ethnography of Yerevan State University. (The official opening of the
museum took place in 1982 on the 100th year anniversary of Levon’s
birth). Marineh continued, `By no means were the Orbelis wealthy,
although they descended from a princely family – the Orbelian clan.’
Orbeli Family Photo
(© K. Vrtanesyan)
Ruben, the eldest (1880-1943), was the father of underwater
archaeology in the USSR. Levon (1882-1958) was a famous physiologist
and member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences; the youngest, Hovsep
(1887-1961), was a leading Orientalist and director of the Hermitage
Museum in Leningrad. Only one brother (Levon) was born in Tsaghkadzor,
but all three spent their childhood years there. The building in
which over 2000 items are archived was the home of Abcar Orbeli
(father of Ruben, Levon and Hovsep), an alumnus of the Law School of
St. Petersburg University who worked in the Czar’s service. From
correspondence it was learned that Khrimian Hayrig had invited Abcar
to Etchmiadzin, the Holy See, for tea in 1896. Following such a
privileged visit with the Catholicos of All Armenians, he wrote to a
friend, `He’s a pretty good fellow!’
Vartanoush, the mother, came from a noble family and was well
educated. Marineh informed us that she was educated in Tiflis and
taught French. Obviously enjoying her narrative of this remarkable
mother, Marineh quoted Vartanoush’s advice to her sons, `Study well
and become famous so I will become famous!’ Vartanoush was also fond
of saying that she graduated four times – once on her own and three
times more for each son. The Orbelis’ paternal grandfather was a
priest (Father Hovsep) who had served in Astrahkan, Tbilisi and
St. Petersburg.
We strolled pleasantly through six rooms of memorabilia which included
copies of published scientific works and photographs of relatives who
were outstanding in dentistry and psychiatry. Both Geraseem and
Marineh’s anecdotes created lively history. Marineh related that
Davit Orbeli – the paternal uncle – is credited with saving the famous
revolutionary, Kamo. Kamo pretended to be insane in order to escape
punishment. Davit who was a prominent and respected psychiatrist, was
asked to examine him. He declared that he was not pretending and Kamo
was freed.’ A trilogy of films were produced at Hyefilm in the 1970s
about Kamo (“Andzamb Tchanachum Em” (‘I Personally Know Him’) and
“Artakarg Handznararutyun” (‘Extraordinary Recommendation’) directed
by S. Kevorkov and E. Karamian, and “Kamoyi Verjin Sxranqy” (‘Kamo’s
Final Exploit’) directed by S. Kevorkov and G. Melik-Avagyan), and
Davit Orbeli’s work is reflected in one of the films, although he is
left unnamed.
Rich in artifacts, the museum’s sources derive from Levon’s daughter,
granddaughter and the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia). A
wealth of information has also been documented in plentiful
correspondence that has been given by family members and friends.
These archived letters have richly added to the chronicle of the
Orbeli brothers – their personal and professional lives as well as
their contributions. Hovsep Orbeli’s silver medals and photo at
Nuremberg were very thought provoking.
RUBEN – the first born- and whose room we entered first, knew 12
languages. He graduated from Law School (like his father) from
St. Petersburg University. He became a state senator and secretary of
the Arbitration Commission prior to the 1917 revolution. After the
revolution, he redirected his career and became one of the first
underwater archeologists, concentrating much of his work in the Black
Sea and the River Buk. He authored books and papers on scientific
diving and became a noted authority on the history of ancient diving
techniques in Greece and Rome. A paper he prepared on his study of
Leonardo DaVinci’s research on diving technologies is on display. His
PHD thesis was on Ancient Armenian Marriage Law.
Levon’s Desk
(© K. Vrtanesyan)
LEVON, the middle child, founded the Physiology Institute of Armenia
in Yerevan (1946). Orbeli Street in Yerevan is named after him. His
national fame grew to international fame as evidenced in the following
quote from The Nation Magazine, `One need hardly mention such names as
Pavlov, ‘Speransky, and [Levon] Orbeli, … to remind us of Czarist
Russia’s high achievements in medicine.’ Levon attended a Military
Medical School and studied under the world famous Ivan Pavlov, 1904
Nobel Prize Laureate. Geraseem said that a close association and
respect formed between teacher and student and that Levon’s future
work took direction from Pavlov’s influence. Both scientists’
upbringing gave them much in common as Pavlov came from a family also
grounded in humane purpose as well. At the age of 26 Levon published
his doctorate and for the next three years of his life he visited
Germany, England and Denmark. He was knowledgeable in seven
languages. In 1929 Levon visited Boston to participate in the
International Congress of Physiologists. He most enjoyed a trip to
the seashore. In 1942 he was appointed director of the Military School
and attained the rank of General. He adopted his 6 year old natural
grandson when his daughter, a physicist died through a radioactive
experiment. He autopsied the body of his own daughter. He pioneered
the study of aviation and cosmic health for pilots and astronauts and
for this achievement he was bestowed an honorary member of London
University. The cap he received on this occasion is on display. Levon
anonymously provided funds for many Armenian medical students to study
at St. Petersburg University.
Hovsep Orbeli’s testimony at Nuremberg Trials
(Hovsep Orbeli is on the left)
HOVSEP, the youngest, founded the Armenian Academy of Sciences and
presided as its first president (1943). He was born in Tiflis (1887),
and graduated from St. Petersburg University, majoring in History. In
his 3rd year, he took part in the excavations of Ani which at that
time attracted much of the Armenian intelligentsia. He launched his
career with this experience in Ani which was a center of Armenian
Architecture and a prototype for much of European structures. By 1924
he was appointed the Head of the Oriental Section of the Hermitage
Museum. He later went to London during an exhibition of Iranian Art
where the Second International Congress of Art was held. He was
successful in bringing the 3rd International Congress to the
Hermitage. Geraseem related an account which revealed much about the
unselfish devotion of this man. He melted all his personal household
silver to make medals for the 188 participants for this International
Congress. A sample was on display. Embossed on the medal coin was a
mythological Iranian figure. He worked for 31 years in the Hermitage
of which he was director for seventeen years. He was director during
the blockade during World War II when the art was saved from the Nazis
by being sent to Sverdlovsk. A photograph in the museum showed him
participating in the Nuremberg Trials as a witness to the destruction
of art during World War II.
Readers interested in reading by the Orbelis can find few books in
English, such as Hovsep Orbeli’s “Sasanian and Early Islamic
Metalwork. A Survey of Persian Art from Prehistoric Times to the
Present” (London – New York, 1938). As for books about them in
Armenian and Russian:
Shilinis Yu. A., “L. A. Orbeli (1882-1958)”, Moscow 1967
Karapetyan S. K., “L. A. Orbeli: Zhizn i nauchnaya deyatel’nost'”
(“L. A. Orbeli: life and scientific activities”), Yerevan 1973
“L. A. Orbeli v vospominaniax sovremennikov”
(“L. A. Orbeli as remembered by his contemporaries”), Leningrad, 1983
Yuzbashian K., “Akademikos Hovsep Abgari Orbeli”, Yerevan, 1971
Megrelidze I. V., “Iosif Orbeli”, Tbilisi, 1983

Franco-Turkish groups rally against Armenian genocide memorial
Agence France Presse — English
March 18, 2006 Saturday 7:38 PM GMT
LYON, France, March 18 2006 — Several thousand people joined a
boisterous rally in this southeastern French city Saturday organized
by Franco-Turkish associations opposed to the construction of an
Armenian genocide memorial.
The meeting turned rowdy when another group, students staging their
own protest against a controversial new employment contract for youths,
began throwing bottles and police stepped in with tear gas to separate
the two groups.
Police estimated the pro-Turkish gathering at about 3,200 protestors,
who carried signs claiming “There never was an Armenian genocide”.
“We do not want a monument erected. It is a verdict without a
judgment,” said Sevda Gog, a representative of the Franco-Turkish
committee, which plans to petition the Socialist mayor of Lyon,
Gerard Collomb.
In 2001 France declared to be genocide against Armenians the events
that took place under the Ottoman empire from 1915 to 1917, leaving
1.5 million dead, according to Armenian estimates. The French decision
angered Turkey.
In 2003 Collomb announced that Lyon would build an Armenian memorial,
though plans were suspended on the advice of the regional commission.
Armenians say their kinsmen were slaughtered in an orchestrated
genocide under the Ottoman Empire, a theory many countries have
endorsed, much to Ankara’s ire.
Turkey rejects the genocide label and argues that between 300,000
and half a million Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil
strife during World War I when Armenians took up arms for independence
in eastern Anatolia and sided with Russian troops invading the
crumbling empire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SHALL WE OPEN THE WINDOW OF DEMOCRACY IN 2007?
Panorama.am
15:01 18/03/06
“The Process of State Security (PSS) will be ready till the end of
the year, later hearing will be held in the Parliament and it will
be represented to the society,” informed NA Deputy, “Orinats Yerkir”
vice president Mher Shahgeldyan. And as a draft law the PSS will be
introduced to the NA only in 2007. Thus, the NA Deputy stated the
importance of adopting the Process as it will raise the positions of
Armenia from the view point of democratization. “The 2007 can be a
window for Armenian democratization,” the speaker noticed.
The NA Deputy also touched upon the meeting of OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs expected to take place in Istanbul on March 20. He
particularly mentioned that Nagorno Karabakh negotiation process will
be continued. The Deputy called the 2006 a window, but this time
a window for Karabakh issue regulation. And he finds it natural
that the meeting is to be held in Istanbul: “I see no context
here.” /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
14:12 18/03/06
BUSINESS FACULTY IS NOT WALL STREET YET
Today the American University in Armenia (AUA) had announced open-door
day with the slogan “Choose a Profession and Start Creating Your
Future Today”.
In reply to Panorama.am question what the AUA education gives, the
head of University Department of Management of Industrial Polytechnics
and Systems Artak Hambaryan said: “The first thing in which the AUA
differs from the other Universities are the high standards.”
Specialists have brought forward statistical data based on the indices
of previous years according to which the faculty of Business is in
the greatest request among the faculties of the AUA. A. Hambaryan
explains this circumstance saying that the word “business” itself
contains some magical power. “As soon as one hears the word “business”
he imagines Wall Street, the skyscrapers, and one thinks he is already
a millionaire there,” AUA representative says.
A. Hambaryan expects the number of their students will grow year by
year. The AUA specialists bring mention several reasons to continue
one’s education in AUA. That is, one receives American education paying
1/10 of the money needed to get the same education in America. Besides
“today the 95% of AUA graduates have jobs.” /Panorama.am/

“DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS HOWEVER YOU CAN,” ARTHUR ABRAHAM SAYS
Panorama.am
13:49 18/03/06
“Im iravunk” (My Right) newspaper conducted an
exceptional interview with IBF Box champion Arthur
Abrahamyan (sport name Arthur Abraham).
Q: What will you advise to “Im Iravunk” readers? Do
they have to defend their rights by their fists or by
law?
A: It’s a good question. They have to defend their
either with fists or by law depending on the
circumstances and necessity.
Q: During your life in Armenia you went in for cycle
racing. What is your success in that sport?
A: I have been champion of Armenia among teenagers for
several times. Later I left that sport when I left for
Germany.
Q: How much did it help you in box and what did it
give to you?
A: It gave me durability. Cycle racing is a very
poignant sport and it helped me become World Champion.
Q: Recently your uncle has sent you a woolen mattress
from Armenia…
A: Where did you learn that from?
Q: Anyway, did it help you to become champion?
A: Well, it helped so mush as I could sleep well.
Q: Do you agree that any victory is the result of
struggle?
A: All the victories are.
Q: Nevertheless, what is your formula of victory?
A: Discipline. It includes everything, and if a
sportsman is disciplined all the results will come
automatically.
Q: And what did life in Germany give you?
A: Again discipline. I used to be late for the
trainings for 10-15 minutes in the past, and now there
is nothing of the kind. On the contrary, I always go
5-10 minutes earlier.
Q: And what do you think, can Armenia become Germany
form that point of view?
A: Armenia doesn’t matter in this case. Every person
has to work over him to be come disciplined himself.
Q: You used to train in Sports School after
Yengibaryan and one of these days you visited it. In
what state was the school and what can be done?
A: There was no state at all. Everything must be done
from the very beginning.
Q: Today most young people smoke and use alcohol. What
would you advise them as a person they want to
resemble?
A: I advise everybody, not only the young, to go in
for sports not to become professional but to become
estranged form the street life. Little children go in
for sport involuntarily, but when they grow up sport
becomes a need. But it cannot be done by words; every
person must think and do on his own. /A. PETROSYAN/
_________________________________ ___________________
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MP urges Armenian, Georgian governments to tackle problems in Javakhk
Arminfo
18 Mar 06
Yerevan, 17 March: Although steps are being taken to tackle the
socio-economic problems in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region,
Armenia can do more on this issue, MP Mger Shakhgeldyan, chairman of
the parliamentary standing commission on defence, national security
and internal affairs, told a news conference today.
The Armenian and Georgian authorities should resolve problems of
the region by joint efforts, he said. Shakhgeldyan believes that an
improvement in the situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti is in the interest
of both countries. In his opinion, the creation of conditions for
the socio-economic development of Javakhk will considerably alleviate
the situation in the region.
Commenting on the incident in the Georgian town of Tsalka, where an
ethnic Armenian Gevorg Gevorkyan was killed, Shakhgeldyan said that
offenders should be punished with the utmost rigour of the law.