Georgian digest: excerpts
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Subject: Georgian digest: excerpts
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Georgian digest: excerpts
ANNOTATED DAILY HEADLINES OF THE GEORGIAN PRESS
Compiled by the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development (CIPDD)
Text: Tamara Shamil
English version: Guram Dumbadze
Editor: Emil Adelkhanov-Steinberg
September 21, 1998
1. Aslan Abashidze Shames Shevardnadze
The Supreme Council of Adjaria has revised the constitution of the
autonomy so that heads of municipal and district administrations in
Adjaria will be from now onward elective. They are to be elected by
local councils, though, the newspaper argues, it seems that these
offices will be held only by favourites of the Adjarian leader, Aslan
Abashidze. However, the Adjarian law is more democratic than the
central one (in the other regions of Georgia heads of local
administrations and mayors of large cities are appointed by the
President). Regrettably, the newspaper remarks, "it is local dictators
who teach the central government the principles of Helsinki Act", even
though it is just their pre-election decoration.
"Droni" No. 107, September 21-22
2. The Georgian Police Forced Meskhetians Out of the Country
On 17 Sept., at night, after having blocked them in a trade school
hostel, the police forced out of the country several dozens of
Meskhetians, members of the Khsna Society. They had come to Georgia
seeking for a meeting with President Shevardnadze and launched a
protest action in front of the State Office, demanding to be allowed
to him.
"Droni" No. 107, September 21-22
3. The Problem of Meskhetian Turks Cannot Be Solved in Such a Way
The office of the ombudsman of Georgia formally protests against the
deportation of the group of Meskhetians. In its statement, the office
says such methods damage the country's image.
"Droni" No. 107, September 21-22
......................
5. Georgia Will Be Allowed into the Council of Europe Next Spring
Hans Peter Fuhrer, the director of the political department of the
Council of Europe, has visited Batumi for talks with Aslan Abashidze,
members of his Revival party and some representatives of the Djavahk,
an Armenian nationalistic organisation of the Meskhet-Djavakheti
region. In his words, Georgia will become a member of the CE next
spring.
"Resonance" No. 258, September 21
6. Inter-Clan War in Akhalkalaki: the Only Idea They Share Is That of
Autonomy
In the Meskhet-Djavakheti region dominated by the Armenian population
and marked by an intensive struggle for power, the political alliances
are in fact family clans. The newspaper reports the scheme of family
relations and important positions in the region. According to the
scheme, the region is controlled by four clans that have divided all
lucrative offices (those of procurators, judges, police chiefs and
criminal bosses, as well as party leaders) among themselves.
"Resonance" No. 258, September 21
--------------------
September 22, 1998
...................
2. We Want Autonomy to Join Adjaria
After visiting Batumi, the capital of Adjaria, some representatives of
Djavahk, an Armenian nationalistic organisation of the
Meskhet-Djavakheti region, told journalists that, being against
separatism, they did not mind the region joining Adjaria. Djavahk is
going to support the Union for Revival, Aslan Abashidze's party, at
the forthcoming local elections.
"Resonance" No. 259, September 22
3. "If Djavakheti Wants to Join Adjaria, It Rules Out Separatism,
Isn't It?"
In his interview with the TV, the Adjarian leader said there was no
separatism in Meskhet-Djavakheti, while his contacts with the Djavahk
leaders were caused by the state interests and aimed to prevent
dangerous developments in the region, i.e. possible confrontation
between the Georgian and Armenian population. If Djavakheti wants to
join Adjaria, this is a victory of the Georgian statehood.
"Resonance" No. 259, September 22
4. Aslan Abashidze Tries to Lay His Hands on Djavakheti, Granting the
Region with Flour and Medicines
The Adjarian leader, who does not seem much concerned about low living
standards in the autonomy, the author writes, started to bombard
Meskhet-Djavakheti with presents. In the newspaper's opinion, this may
be explained by two reasons: his rivalry with Shevardnadze and the
interests of some external forces, which want to turn the region into
a part of a transport corridor between Iran and Russia. Those
countries' interests do not coincide with Georgia's ones and the
TRACECA corridor will bypass them. Such a communication line in the
south of Georgia might rehabilitate their positions and reduce western
influence. It might also benefit Armenia, which would get opportunity
to transport its goods directly to the Adjarian coast of Georgia
through the territory not controlled by Tbilisi.
"Resonance" No. 259, September 22
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