WASHINGTON—In response to a direct written question from Representative Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially reaffirmed the Obama Administration’s focus of “significant assistance resources toward programs that benefit the Samstke-Javakheti region of Georgia,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Secretary’s written statement came in response to a formal “Questions for the Record” submitted by Representative Sherman during her Feb. 29, 2012 appearance before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. In her answer, Secretary Clinton noted that the U.S. government, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, had “rehabilitated approximately 222 kilometers of a main road linking Tbilisi with Samtskhe-Javakheti to foster economic development in the region through increasing exports of agricultural products.” She also listed priority areas for continued U.S. assistance, including cattle farming, trout farming, potato production, dairy processing, feed production and beekeeping, as well as support for private sector development via the promotion of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector.
“We appreciate Congressman Sherman’s principled leadership in supporting the economic welfare of Javakhk and welcome the Secretary’s reassurance that the Obama Administration places a priority on aid programs to this historically Armenian-populated region,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to support the targeting of 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to the Javakhk.”
During a March 23rd House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Sherman questioned US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah about the need for targeted U.S. assistance to the population in Javakhk. USAID Director Shah noted that “On Georgia, and specifically the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, that you were referring to, we have been working with specific programs that deal with agricultural modernization, social development, maternal health and certain health and infrastructure efforts as well as support for civil society groups. We have increasingly tried to do that work in consultation with Armenian American communities and with an eye toward launching specific public-private partnerships with those communities.”
Economic Development of Javakhk an ANCA Priority
The ANCA places a high priority on the economic development of Javakhk, as reflected in the testimony submitted by Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian for the March 30, 2012 hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. In remarks to the panel, Nahapetian called for 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to be targeted to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region:
“Over the past decade, USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation have expanded their presence in Samtskhe-Javakheti (SJ), a historically Armenian populated region in the Republic of Georgia, in an effort to address core humanitarian and economic difficulties that face the population. However, with unemployment and under-employment in the region over 20% according to official sources, and over 40% based upon our on-the-ground assessment of the living conditions of the population, much more needs to be done to bring about a measurable reduction in poverty and to create a strong foundation for economic development in the region.”
“Over the past several months, Armenian Americans have reached out to USAID to identify ways to leverage existing U.S. aid programs in the region and explore public-private partnership opportunities in an effort to incentivize private investment and minimize political and economic risk for investors in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.”
“These efforts have been welcomed by the Georgian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Temuri Yakobashvili, who has stated that “The Embassy of Georgia, in support of our government’s material commitment to economic development for our citizens in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and throughout all of our Republic, looks forward to working with our friends in the U.S. Congress and the Administration and with all American civil society stakeholders—including, of course, with the Armenian American community—in encouraging the targeting of U.S. assistance to meet Samtskhe-Javakheti’s urgent job-creation, infrastructure, technical, and humanitarian needs.”
“In anticipation of future expanded cooperation, the ANCA urges that at least 10% of a robust U.S. assistance package to the Republic of Georgia be targeted to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region to support much needed job-creation and poverty reduction programs in the area.”
In Sept. 2011, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian travelled to Javakhk and Tbilisi, Georgia, and held a series of meetings with local non-government organization leaders as well as high-level meetings with Georgian government officials, to identify ways to address the concerns of the Armenian population in the Javakhk.
That dialogue continued in Washington, DC, in January of this year, when Hachikian met with Georgian Ambassador to the U.S. Temuri Yakobashvili to explore ways to expand the Georgian-Armenian partnership to include broader direct Georgian and Armenian investments and also increased U.S. assistance to promote job-creation in the region. Following the meeting, Ambassador Yakobashvili had noted that “The Embassy of Georgia—in support of our government’s material commitment to economic development for our citizens in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and throughout all of our Republic—looks forward to working with our friends in the U.S. Congress and the Administration and with all American civil society stakeholders—including, of course, with the Armenian American community—in encouraging the targeting of U.S. assistance to meet Samtskhe-Javakheti’s urgent job-creation, infrastructure, technical, and humanitarian needs.”
The ANCA has worked closely with Rep. Sherman, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), and other House members as well as USAID representatives to raise awareness about the challenges facing the population of Javakhk and identify avenues for the U.S. government to partner with the Armenian Diaspora.
Last month, Rep. Sherman was among over 30 House members who cosigned a Congressional letter spearheaded by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and addressed to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) urging 10 percent of U.S. assistance to Georgia in FY2013 to be targeted toward job creation efforts in Javakhk.
The full text of the Sherman-Clinton exchange on Javakhk is provided below.
(Congressman Brad Sherman): I request that our aid programs in Georgia, while supporting development throughout the entire country, focus on the relatively impoverished and under-developed Javakh region in the south of Georgia. We should provide a robust U.S. aid package for Georgia that includes targeted assistance to the Javakh region. Do you support U.S. aid to the Javakh region of Georgia?
Answer (Secretary Hillary Clinton): The United States has, and continues to focus significant assistance resources toward programs that benefit the Samstke-Javakheti region of Georgia. By far, the largest U.S. Government investment has been the over $200 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) effort that rehabilitated approximately 222 kilometers of a main road linking Tbilisi with Samtskhe-Javakheti to foster economic development in the region through increasing exports of agricultural products.
Other efforts in the bilateral budget are leveraging the MCC investment, including agriculture development efforts, which have supported various activities including cattle farming, trout farming, potato production, dairy processing, feed production and beekeeping. We are supporting private sector development by promoting development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector, increasing the access to long-term finance, and broadening business training opportunities.
Our programs also target social sector and democratic development. U.S. assistance rehabilitated three public hospitals in the region, and a new primary education project includes teaching Georgian language in schools in Samtskhe-Javakheti to improve the children’s ability to participate in the Georgian economy and political life. U.S. democracy programs are focused on empowering people and organizations to debate and resolve issues and increasing active citizen participation in the electoral process, both of which are integral to building a cohesive multi-ethnic nation.
Good bless America
Not Javakhk, right name is JAVAKHETI on english.
Call the province as you wish on armenian.
Not Javakhk but, Javaxeti! And we do not need your assistance, it’s Georgian part and Georgian government will care about it.
Giga, you must remember to share and return to others what is theirs, just as you were taught in kindergarten. Once you are clear on this, than you can refresh yourself on the history of the region and the rights of people to self-determination.
Sorry but you are crazy or not?
What a bullshit you wrote.
///history of the region/// – yes, yes, exactly, but not from a some armenian histories of armenian globe.
Friend, first at all , it’s better to learn history…The Armenians are not native even in Yerevan for example and about Javakheti…I live here from the begining my ancetors too and who knows better where Armenians came from…Every armenian lives here knows their villages’ names in Erzerum where from they moved here with their Kachkares and bad memories of Turks that killed and raped them….
Also never fortet and don’t be thankless like Ossetians are they have forgotten not only our contributions but their heads too and the people became one of the disgusting, detestable, abominable; repulsive, loathsome people between Caucasians- Georgians ,Ingush and Kabardians….
So to say politely and to be honest I love Armenians and don’t make such I change my opinions…Even don’t forget hundreds of thousands of ethnic Georgians that were killed and others forced by the Russians to leave their home (Samckhe,Javakheti ) land and settle in Turkey.
“The Armenians are not native even in Yerevan for example”
It’s hard to think of a more nonsensical comment, really. And who are the natives of Yerevan according to you? Georgians or Turks or Russians or who else?
it’s Javakheti not Javakh, it’s Georgian land and Georgia will decide how and what to do in it’s territory, I don’t understand why you guys keep writing about Georgian territory it’s none of your Business, lots of Armenians live on Georgian territory, it seems like instead of thank you Georgia gets more demands from Armenians it has sheltered for centuries, things will change
Georgia is not taking no more steps back this I promise you.
“it’s none of your Business”
How Armenians live anywhere in the world is our business, whether you like it or not. We can write, read, and have discusssions about Armenians, as well as any other topic, any time and anywhere we want. And what’s exactly your problem with that?
“things will change”
Is this a threat?
Vagharshak – “return to others what is theirs ” – haha, this is you who have to return to us what is our historical land – Lore Region! in 1921 you with the help of Russians, occupied it and deprived it from us. So, refresh yourself I do not need it, and I do not need your useless advice. “people to self-determination” – common, what kind of self-determination must be in Javakheti apart from Georgia ? Do not even dream about it, I know what you mean. we are neighbors and we must respect each others, making fake historical statements is not good thing for none of us. We care about our citizens, no matter who they are, so we, without any need of “external” help (especially when in this “help” god knows, maybe something snakish is implied)
We care about our citizens, no matter who they are, so we, without any need of “external” help (especially when in this “help” god knows, maybe something snakish is implied), we by ourselves can solve it.
Obviously the region does need assistance and if you have read the article, even the Georgian authorities agree it does and seem to be working with US Armenians for increased development and aid to the region. The Georgian government obviously cannot help at this stage and perhaps they don’t really want to. Why should a Georgian have a problem with this? Furthermore, the US has spent billions on military and non-military aid to Georgia in recent years. Should this end?
Obviously geronti, Giga or whoever you are, you really did not read the article. You’re probably the same people who voted for Gamsakhurdia in the early 1990’s and are the reason why Ossetia and Abkhazia are nor gone. Should Javakh be next?
I have read an article and Georgian government agree or not whit it, I have my own idea, I think that a country, a state should be caring about its all citizens, no matter ethnicity or whatever, this is what I meant and as some Armenians here comment about harassing Armenians in Georgia, is total slandering against us.
“You’re probably the same people who voted for Gamsakhurdia in the early 1990′s ” to be frank, I do not have that age.
“Should Javakh be next?”
First, If you all are polite and just here commenting, why all of you mention Javakhk instead of Javakheti? You know it well that this is fake and invented story by you, second, why Javakheti should be next? with what right? We gave you shelter and you give us hatred? It’s upon you, but believe me, it’s not just and deed of civilized nation.
Well said Gina:
Giga, Guest, Geronti:
Whether part of Georgia or not, the fact remains that Georgian government not only does not take care of certain Georgian citizens – those of Armenian descent – but actively discriminates against them in order to drive them out of their ancestral homes.
All Armenian Diaspora and RoA efforts are humanitarian: something the Georgian government should be doing itself, but deliberately doesn’t: for no other reason than that the subjects are Armenian. So we have to step in. You expect us to sit around and do nothing while your leaders treat Armenians of Georgia as 2nd class citizens; try to forcibly assimilate them; drive them out ?
The Government of RoA has very wisely kept cordial relations with Georgia despite the latter’s consistent Anti RoA policies, and openly siding with Azerbaijan and Turkey. RoA leadership has certain geopolitical and neighborly constraints: cordial, peace-centric relations with Georgia is the right thing to do for RoA.
We, Diaspora Armenians, have no such constraints. We can do whatever we want through our elected representatives. We can interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs, cause problems, sabotage your plans, whatever. We have the organizations and decades of experience dealing with far more skilled operators. (guess who ?)
As long as you guys keep harassing our brothers and sisters in Javakhk, we will use all legal mechanisms available to interfere and make trouble.
Treat our brothers and sisters with respect and dignity, and we’ll stand down.
And don’t talk too tough. You guys already lost Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Ajaria is semi-independent. Your modern NATO trained, NATO equipped army was routed by the antiquated Russian army in 5 days. They could have cut Georgia in half if they wanted to. Georgia is already on Russia’s s____list. With Putin in the helm again, the heat will be turned on. No Western country is going to risk WW3 to save Georgia from the angry bear.
“harassing our brothers and sisters in Javakhk”
Sorry but you speak total bullshit, first it is Javakheti, second Georgian Armenians here are treated as all other citizens. This is we who have given shelter to thousands of refugee Armenians here and you pay back with what? hatred! I respect you as a nation, as a people, but there are quite a bit people like you, who unfortunately are trying to bring some destabilization in the region and you do it with no legal actions, but with your snakish deeds, this is not brotherhood.
South Ossetia- historical lands of the Ossetians. Abkhazia- historical homeland of Abkhaz people. Javakheti- historic homeland of….. GEORGIANS. Sorry, if you want every piece of land Armenians historically lived on, or live in currently to one day become part of Armenia, you are living in said “fantasyland” Mr. Mensoian mentioned in an earlier article.
“The Government of RoA has very wisely kept cordial relations with Georgia despite the latter’s consistent Anti RoA policies, and openly siding with Azerbaijan and Turkey.”
And Armenia sides with Georgia’s enemy Russia- Armenia’s former colonizer as well. What’s up with that, developing Stockholm Syndrome?
RVDV:
Armenia was siding with Russia long before Georgia’s Westernized Pres Saakashvili decided to invite Neocon warmongers to setup a NATO base in Georgia in order to threaten Russia. Saakashvili attacked South Ossetia (goaded by US Necons, such as VP Cheney), and got slapped by the bear: not Armenia’s fault.
As to the Stockholm Syndrome: you should know better than to throw stuff like that at me.
You were born a Kurd; your Great-grandfather was hanged by Turks (for helping save Armenian civilians); Kurds have been massacred by Turks (Dersim); have been marginalized, suppressed, their identity erased (‘Mountain Turks’), jailed for speaking Kurdish; ethnically cleansed form their villages…the list is endless.
Yet you proudly proclaim your are a ‘Turk’.
What’s up with that: developing Stockholm Syndrome, pal ?
Or already fully developed.
///Whether part of Georgia or not, the fact remains that Georgian government not only does not take care of certain Georgian citizens – those of Armenian descent – but actively discriminates against them in order to drive them out of their ancestral homes.///
It is not true.
Georgian government develop and care of Javaxeti in the same way, as for other regions. There are no regions privileged or discriminated. Unfortunately, Georgia is a poor country and problems are everywhere – in the regions with georgian, armenian or azerbaijanian inhabitants.
I undestand humanitarian efforts, why not? But – when someone wrote Javakhk, it means, that he do not recognize region as indivisible part of country. So the efforts turns into a cover of unfriendly intentions. This is the problem, not the humanitarian care.
to RVDV – “South Ossetia- historical lands of the Ossetians. Abkhazia- historical homeland of Abkhaz people. Javakheti- historic homeland of….. GEORGIANS.”
South Ossetia always belonged to Georgia, it was not populated with Ossetians at all until some centuries ago, and Historically it was named Samachablo after Machabelis who were owners of that territory. What concerns to Abkhazia it i our common land, historically we Mingrelians (Georgians) and Abkhazs (apsuas) lived there together. And finally Javakheti, every good historian knows it that this is our land and Armenians did not live there until Russian motherf…s would not exile Georgians from that and and would settle there Armenians.
RVDV,
Worry about your glorious Turkic Seljukes who came in 1070 who today wrongly claim that they were there for thousands of years…..just like those Azeri’s who wrer videoed destroying an ancient Armenian cemetery to pretend that no Armenians lived there?
The Armenians in Georgia don’t claim that to be Armenian but will not allow the Armenians to simply be treated like garbage.. It ain’t going to happen..And if the Georgians continue that practice then no Armenian will simple sit and allow it to happen..
I don’t view Turks as the enemy or captors of the Kurdish people, so I don’t see how I could develop Stockholm Syndrome. It’s not the Turks fault Kurds were stupid enough to trust them during the AG and War of Independence. In order to find the root of a problem, you need to look in the mirror sometimes. The word you’re looking for would be assimilation. Nice try though, I appreciate the effort you went through- It’s nice to know that you spent time on this post, recalling past information.
John:
Is the ARF Armenian? Because they claim Javakheti should belong to Armenia.
“I don’t view Turks as the enemy or captors of the Kurdish people”
Turks are not your captors? Really? That’s a real revelation to me and, most likely, a demonstration of your Stockholm Syndrome. The victim of a kidnapping or abuse sympathizes with the captor because of some special bond they have developed over the time they have been together or other reason that’s hard to explain.
I am not saying that you should hate Turks. Not at all. But there seems to be some kind of internal conflict, love and hate feelings towards your oppressors or confusion about your true identity that you are not quite able to sort out for yourself and this is not the first time I am getting this impression about you. Hard to say, I am not a pshychologist. Do you think you are a self-hating Kurd?
[Stockholm Syndrome is an apparently paradoxical psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them]
An apparently paradoxical psychological phenomenon in which a Kurd, whose ethnic kin have been massacred, tortured, victimized, discriminated against, jailed, tortured, terrorized, tortured, murdered, etc, etc, – and specifically his family – having been victimized by Turks (family member murdered), expresses positive feelings towards his victimizers to the point of defending them.
“And Armenia sides with Georgia’s enemy Russia- Armenia’s former colonizer as well.”
RVDV,
Aren’t you funny?
Does Armenia side with Russia AGAINST Georgia? Did Armenia participate in any way in the Russo-Georgian conflict? Absolutely not. Armenia simply has to maintain the best possible relationship with Russia and Iran to survive in the neighborhood, whether they are former colonizers or not. It is not in spite of Georgia and it is not to harm Georgia.
And who does Georgia side with? Armenia’s friends or enemies? Georgia has been the primary beneficiary of the conflict between Armenia and Turkey and Armenia and Azerbaijan, openly siding with Turkey and Azerbaijan long before their conflict with Russia. They have capitalized on it the maximum possible way.
taken advantage of our situation and milked it all the way to the bank. Georgia’s big-mouthed president openly declares Azerbaijan’s enemies as Georgia’s enemies and sucks up to Turks at every opportunity. What do you say about that?
What do you suggest for Armenia to do? To become enemy with everyone around, become even more isolated?
And who did you, Kurds, side with? I am sure you know it too well. And in your case it was AGAINST Armenians. First-hand and direct participation in our removal from OUR HISTORICAL HOMELAND.
“Georgia’s big-mouthed president openly declares Azerbaijan’s enemies as Georgia’s enemies and sucks up to Turks at every opportunity. What do you say about that?”
I say if Georgia believes it will benefit economically with a positive relationship with Turkey and Azerbaijan, that’s their call. I don’t really care- Georgia can do what they want, and sticking up for your allies is not sucking up. You just view any country who has a positive relationship with Turkey or Azerbaijan as the Antichrist.
Well said, RVDV. In fact, I don’t blame Georgia for it either.
However, for some reason, you do not apply the same logic when you analyze Armenia. Therefore I had to ask those questions so you could clarify that reason for your double standards. You think it’s ok for Georgia to have allies and do what’s best for her even if it’s not best for Armenia. I agree. I am sure the government of RoA understands that much, too. Better than you do, actually. Moreover, I also agree with a previous poster that Armenia has been trying to be as cordial and as neighborly with Georgia as she can be under these circumstances. President Sarkisian even gave a medal to Sahakashvili, which I personally thought was quite undeserved and unnecessary.President Sarkisian never said anything about Russia’s enemies being Armenia’s enemies.
So why is it a problem for you if Armenia views Russia as an ally and maintans a similar relationship with her? Do you have to bring up Stockholm syndrom and be so critical when it comes to Armenia? That’s what your post to which I replied implies.
So I guess, you should add: if Armenia “believes it will benefit economically with a positive relationship with” Russia, “that’s their call. I don’t really care-” Armenia can do what they want.”
“You just view any country who has a positive relationship with Turkey or Azerbaijan as the Antichrist.” This is a totally absurd and untrue statement that you made up about me and I resent it.
I have absolutely no problem with Armenia having a positive relationship with Russia- Armenia can’t totally isolate itself. I just don’t see how just because Georgia has a positive relationship with Turkey that their suck ups. I’m sure Armenia gains a lot from it’s relationship with Russia, that doesn’t mean Armenia is sucking up to Russia. In my earlier post I said that Gerorgia does not have anti-Armenian policies- Georgia and Turkey are, i’d say, allies- but being an ally to Turkey does not necessarily, though it may be true, Mean that Georgia anti- Armenian.
Dear Gina,
Have patience,time will come when our situation will change in that Region,full of double standard people…
Your arguments indeed are to the point.But who are you preaching????
like the Armenian saying goes ……preach or pray on a …..person who is actually wwwww….
So better save your breath .We are doing fine both in Armenia and Diaspora.indeed can do much better,to which we shall mobilize all our possibilities. We have no other choice,especially in Diaspora.Re-organize!!!!
Unfortunately, RVDV, in some historical periods Georgians have been like this throughout the lengthy time of their co-existence with the Armenians. Being the southernmost nation in Asia Minor, or in the Caucasus if viewed from the northern angle, Armenians oftentimes fended off foreign invaders’ incursions into the area (Arabs and, most horrifyingly, the Turks) thus indirectly saving Georgians from grief and devastation that Armenians have experienced in the forefront. Unfortunately, Georgians tend to place their economic benefit from relationship with Turkic nations above their millennia-long relationship with the Armenians, shared historical legacy, religious affinity, grand contributions Armenians have made to Georgia, and the fact that some Georgian dynasties had Armenian origin. It’s a historical/cultural/moral aspect vs. immediate profit aspect. Sticking up to allies is of course not sucking up, but when it’s being done at the expense of a nation’s extensive historical/cultural/religious ties with another ally (Armenia), such materialistic behavior looks undignified. I believe Georgians could have conducted more balanced policy instead of, for instance, erecting Heidar Aliyev’s monument in Tbilisi. Such buttering-up is an extreme and does no credit to our ancient, mostly friendly, but oftentimes unreliable, neighbor.
There is, apparently, a Heidar Aliyev park in Tblisi. I have to agree with you on the buttering up. But perhaps Armenia is an example for Georgia? Turkey and Azerbaijan put an economic burden on Armenia, perhaps Georgia doesn’t want that to happen to them. It’s not much of an excuse but often people choose money over friendship and morality.
First of all. What is it with the thesis that Armenians are 2nd class citizens in Georgia?. Second of All, to respond to Gina’s comment that Georgia has been using the Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict in their economical advantage, that is completely false. In Case you did not know, Georgia has played a crucial role in Armenia’s link to the rest of the world. Armenia has been surrounded and isolated by Islamic powers, especially during the war. Georgia remained as one of the only passages that allowed flow of humanitarian and other types of aids into the region.
As far as this article goes; “you may not yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.” We are facing problems in two breakaway regions. When Armenian organizations play with phrases like Javakhk, they are smart enough to know what kind of reaction it will cause in Georgia. Please dont play on our sentiments in order to get a rise from us.
As far as the 2nd class citizenship goes, if you think that because Armenian language is not used as business or political language that means that your people are discriminated upon, then you are clearly living in the bubble. With all the problems that Georgian language faces today, it is crucial to its survival to make sure that all Georgian citizens know Georgian language. It is not too much to ask to learn a language of the country where you live. I do not see Armenians complaining about learning Turkish, or English, or French, or Austrian or any other language where they currently live. This is our country and our state; we do whatever is better to stabilize and improve situation for all of our citizens.
As far as status or the region goes. You clearly do not think that Georgia will undermine its state integrity, do you? If some of our neighbor stopped being so egoistic and looked around, they would have noticed that Georgia is the single most multi-ethnic country in Caucasus. Do you really think that we would jeopardize out state’s integrity and chance for future survival so that Armenians would feel little more secure and little more homelike in JavakheTI? No offense and no hard feelings towards our comrades and our dear citizens of Armenian decadence but you have too realize that we are all living together in a developing country with tons of Economic, Political, and Social problems.
Plus you also have to remember that Armenians are not the only people who live or deserve to live in Javakheti. We have lists of Ahiska Turks piled down on us, the inhabitants of this region who were deported from here during Soviet Union. They are demanding to be repatriated; they do not have anywhere else to go. Process of repatriation has been halted in favor of Armenian community in Javakheti who are not politically and social prepared to coexists with pro-Turkish Population.
As far as the history of the region goes. Not a single scholar, even majority of Armenian scholars, takes seriously the historical claims that some of Armenian organizations claim over Javakheti. Its historical inhabitants were Meskhi, Georgian clan. These people were wiped out during the Turkish invasions in late middle centuries. They have been survived by modern day people who live in Mtskheta Mtianeti (they are descendants of Meskhetians, who founded the city of Mtskheta). There has always been some Armenian presence in the region; however, the amount remained comparably smaller and was due to neighboring Armenian state.
All in All, If Armenians from all around the world, would like to help this particular region and its Armenian inhabitants, that is a great news. It will be a help which Georgian state, I am sure, will very much appreciate. However, outside interests can not be motivated by destabilizing the region, or undermining the interests of the Georgia proper. We wish we could do more and we wish we could have all of our citizens living well; however, Georgians are fighting with the country which is dozen times larger, stronger, richer and more influential than Azerbaijan. You have to respect my country’s interests and its integrity which is our top priority. Try having two breakaway regions and one-third of your country occupied by foreign force. See how that works out for you. I think Armenians have smart enough community to know that throwing in questions like ” should Javakhk be next?” will not have positive reaction from Georgia. If you would like to have better response from Georgian society, you have to stop provoking us with such phrases. Unless such organizations change their approach towards the region, no positive agreement will be reached. As long as Armenian side continues to ask questions like ” Should Javakheti be Next?” the relations will only get worse. Our Country’s integrity and protection of our border is our number one priority, our worst sore and our biggest headache. I am sure it not much to ask, especially if the interests of these organizations are to strengthen Armenian community WITHIN GEORGIAN STATE.
P.S. I would like to also express my big respect and appreciation to Armenia’s president, Serzh Sargasian; for he has been able to maintain relative neutrality although the sentiments in many Armenian organizations have long been supporting destabilization of Georgian presence in Javakheti.
My name is Levan and I come here in peace.
Conflict with Georgia over Javakheti will be suicide for Armenia but also probably hurt Georgia immensely after the wars brought on by Russia. Instead, I’m glad to see that Armenian and Georgian governments are trying to resolve this conflict which many believe is being stirred up by nationalist forces in Armenia, Georgia and Russia. Cooler heads must prevail and I think they are for the most part.
Two things, though.
The Church issue is real enough. I understand from Armenian friends that there are elements of the Georgian Church that put pressure on Armenians from time to time, have a nationalist outlook, have antagonism not just for the Armenian church but also for Georgian Catholics, etc for sure, but this issue of Meshketian Turks returning is actually a Council of Europe obligation and the pressure for that to happen is coming from there. Therefore, Armenian lobby groups would be best to try to explain to the CE why this is not such a good thing to do at present- they won’t listen to the Georgian side and have forced this on us although we are holding it back. It is in the interest for both Georgian and Armenians to block their return. As a Georgian, I am actually more worried by Turkish designs on the region than Armenian because it seems the Armenian authorities are actually more pragmatic in the case of Javakheti.
Separation from Georgia is insane, especially as only a minority of Armenians are believed to support such an idea. However, a federal state with autonomy for Armenian populated regions? Why not? But at the same time, the region should be integrated into the Georgian economy, Armenians there integrated in the political system. Georgia indeed has much to do but few resources and is still hurting from the 2008 invasions and illegal annexations. Armenian groups can work with Georgian authorities; Armenian lobbying groups could play a role.
Basically, if Javakhk ignities, Armenia will suffer practically surrounded as it already is by Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The border issue, though, has long been on the cards and is a legacy from the Soviet era. We understand this in relation to Nagorno-Karabakh but Javakheti is a different case.
It has to be sorted and Armenians in Georgia must be integrated into the country, but with their minority linguistic and cultural rights protected. This has to be joint effort but requires time, patience, mutual respect, team-work, trust, resources, law and order, decreasing corruption amongst both peoples and governments, democracy, etc. Both peoples have much to do in this regard.
We may have our differences but unlike Azeris, Turks, Russians, etc, the Georgians and Armenians are related, we are cousins, we must find a way to work together. Although some of our interests seem to contradict each other, we must find a way to work together and help each other.