In Georgia, despite the pre-election period, it seems that many problems were to be solved as promised by the representatives of the upper circles of the Georgian authorities, for example, personally Bidzina Ivanishvili but the problems of Javakhk Armenians, on the contrary, reach larger scopes. That is the reason why a number of the Akhalkalaki NGOs are alarming that “no positive shifts have been noticed towards the solution of main problems of Javakhk Armenians’ concern: i.e. national-political, educational and spiritual and cultural matters. Moreover, numerous problems in this sensitive sphere are growingly becoming the cause of for new anxieties and excitements.
For example, in the reporting period, the ABC books, primer language and literature textbooks previously imported from Armenia were banned, and the Armenian students of all Javakheti regions are deprived of these books for already the third academic year.” In addition, there is also a black list in Georgia, according to which, the access of about 8 Armenian figures to Georgia without any substantiation is prohibited.
Aravot.am inquired from the president of “Javakhk” Foundation, Artyush Grigoryan about what policy is this and why such problems arise and deepen with our so-called friendly country. He responded, “I have no such information, in the pre-election period, ABC books were taken to Georgia and have encountered a prohibition. But this problem, generally, exists. The RA Ministry of Diaspora jointly with the Ministry of Education of Georgia must jointly discuss the problem and reach a common position to freely transport Armenian writing literature and textbooks to Armenian schools in Georgia. For years, these textbooks reach the Armenian schools in Georgia with great difficulty. I do not have information about the recent pre-election period that the books are transported and have encountered banning but if they had taken, they would have faced a banning.”
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Mr. Grigoryan singled out one of the reasons, which are organizational matters and the requirements by the Georgian side, “The Georgian authorities are not interested in the access of Armenian-letter literature. Last time, with a delay of one year, the ministry of Diaspora managed to send a batch of textbooks to Armenian schools in Georgia. The Ministry of Education in Georgia requires them to translation the textbooks for the Armenian schools, which will be in compliance with their curriculum. But their translated literature had many misspellings, with obscure and illiterate wordings.
There was an agreement for the formation of an Armenian-Georgian commission to involve an Armenian specialist for the proper translation.” To our question of which country’s government has failed that the problem is not resolved until now, Mr. Grigoryan replied, “I think the reason is the flaw of the two governments, including the Ministry of Diaspora. But the requirements of the Georgian side are too many. Frankly speaking, I do not see consistency in this matter.”
Back to the blacklist, the president of “Javakhk” Foundation listed the names, who at this point in time are not allowed to enter Georgia, “This ban exists for seven or eight people and it persists. They are: Shirak Torosyan, Stepan Margaryan, Hovhannes Ayvazyan, Samvel Karapetyan, historian Vahe Sargsyan, Chairman of “Yerkir” Union Sevak Artsruni. Our Foreign Ministry assures that they raise this issue but unfortunately nothing is changed, and the prohibition of access for these people to Georgia is preserved. Recently sports commentator Karen Giloyan’s access was also banned, but according to my information, now, he can have an access.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
