MINELRES: UGR: Youth Seminar for non-conflict repatriation of Meskhetians

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Marat Baratashvili <marat@geo.net.ge>


Dear friends,

We offer for your attention the press release of the Union of Georgian
Repatriates.

Best regards,

Informservice of the Union of Georgian Repatriates

Marat Baratashvili,
President of the Union of Georgian Repatriates.

Phone: (995 32) 79 25 10
E-mail: marat@geo.net.ge


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Press release of Union of Georgian Repatriates

As we informed earlier, on July 24-27, 2002 the Union of Georgian
Repatriates (UGR) has carried out the third activity within the
framework of the project "Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict
repatriation. Council of Europe supports this  project. 

During the mentioned project, on August 16-18, 2002 the fourth activity
- Youth Seminar-dialogue was held. The seminar was carried out in the
suburbs of Baku - settlement Duvany (Azerbaijan), in a cottage on the
Caspian coast.

The representatives of both ethnic majority  and minority of Georgia and
representatives of deported Meskhetians from Georgia and Azerbaijan have
taken part in the seminar. In the geographical relation the following
regions of Georgia were represented: Samtckhe-Javakheti, Guria, Imereti,
Kartli and city Tbilisi and also city Kazakh of Azerbaijan Republic.
Also the post-graduate student of the Columbia University (USA) took
part in work of the seminar. 

The participants of the seminar were acquainted with the purposes and
contents of the current project. They had an opportunity to communicate
with each other and to discuss a lot of burning issues connected to a
problem of deported Meskhetian population. The discussions on various
themes were carried out, the situation connected to Meskhetian life in
places of their present residing was discussed. The brain storm on a
theme "What can  we do for non-conflict  repatriation?" was held. The
participants especially have noted necessity of distribution of
objective and operative information among the population of Georgia
about a problem of deported Meskhetians. The efficiency of personal
direct contacts between the simple people was emphasized, it was offered
to carry out  meetings of Meskhetians with the representatives of
different communities of Georgia more often. 

It was spoken that when the authority is weak (and it takes place in
modern Georgia), the role and importance of mature and active NGOs is
growing in realization of state tasks.

Within 3 days the participants have got acquainted with each other
closely and have made friends, including with Meskhetians, about which
till now  had a little objective information.

During the preparation and realization of the seminar UGR applied the
various forms and methods of effective contact between the participants.
The dialogue of the participants was not limited official agenda. Joint
bathing in the sea, celebrating of one of participants birthday,
collective excursions promoted formation of feeling of united team. In
one evening even the companionable football match was held between the
team of the seminar participants and the team of a settlement Duvany,
where the seminar was carried out.

The participants in written responses have given a positive estimation
to the organizer of the seminar - Union of Georgian Repatriates. Last
day of work of the seminar the participants have decided to accept the
joint document named "Apsheron Memorandum of Youth for Non-conflict
Repatriation of Meskhetians". 

Other activities of UGR are coming within the framework of the mentioned
project.

Information about a course of the further realisation of the project
"Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict repatriation" will be given to
all interested persons.

Our contacts:
Phone: (995 32) 79 25 10
E-mail: marat@geo.net.ge