TRIGGERS OF CONFLICT ALREADY EVIDENT

Armenian media came out with numerous reports that Arme-nians living in the Javakhk [Javakheti] region of Georgia were being stripped of their Georgian citizenship. The fact of the matter is that Georgian citizens need visas to travel to the Russian Federation. Therefore, according to media reports, Armenians in Javakheti took Armenian citizenship in order to facilitate travel to Russia for work. But Georgian legislation does not allow dual citizenship, and such persons are stripped of their citizenship. According to media reports, about 5,000 Armenians living in Georgia took Armenian citizenship.

In an interview with R+, Sokhumi State University Professor Elguja KAVTARADZE commented on the possible consequences of the actions of these citizens of Armenian origin on Georgia's territorial integrity.

- According to several observers, [Armenian] nationalists are preparing to set off a wave of separatism in this region of Georgia through the mass distribution of Armenian passports.

- This forms the basis for a domestic conflict. The Constitution of Georgia grants each citizen, regardless of his nationality, certain guarantees. Each citizen of the country must live according to prescribed statutory rules of the state apparatus. This is what is written in the Constitution. The law forbids dual citizenship. How they manage to do it, using what technologies, and who does it - that's another question.

The actions of the Armenians only further encourage separatism, and we have had enough of it. As you know, 20 per cent of Georgian territory is occupied. Armenia is one of 20 states that is blocking our international initiative for the return of refugees to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Why are they doing this? Why are they deliberately sowing chaos? If these processes continue further, we will have a very difficult situation on our hands. The country is already in dire straits. We do not know where we are going: the government has declared a policy of early entry into the EU and NATO, but in reality, Eurasian structures funded by Russia are sprouting up like mushrooms across the country. Add to that everything that is happening in Samtskhe-Javakheti [region]... The time will come when we will probably have to re-examine the relationship between our two countries.

- How likely is it that the Armenians could turn Samtskhe-Javakheti into a second [Nagornyy] Karabakh?

- Separatism manifested itself in Samtskhe-Javakheti a long time ago. But to what degree it has grown, that is difficult to say. It is essential that the Georgian authorities do not ignore the onset of impending conflict, nor avoid public evaluations and measures to prevent aggravation of the situation. I think we must look for solutions so as not to have such conflicts.

- However, Armenia has recently laid claim to several hundred Georgian churches…

- This is simply ridiculous. There are probably not even that many churches in Armenia itself. It's just nonsense, I don't take such statements seriously. This is arrogance when a neighbouring state is always trying to put pressure on Georgia. If Armenia has the political will, then, on the contrary, it should cooperate with Georgia. Armenia has no way out, it is closed in on all sides. That is why I do not understand the claims that we owe them something...

- Many major pipelines and railway lines cross the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti, and they are very important not only for the region, but also for Europe and America: the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Baku-Supsa oil pipelines, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Can we expect to see provocations against these projects in areas settled by Georgian Armenians?

- The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which was the first of these projects to be completed, is truly the "project of the century". Thankfully, it was made a reality thanks to the efforts of Heydar Aliyev. This project was a huge success for all of us, but for the Georgian state it held special significance. As for provocations, they may resort to that. But I do not think that we should expect to see them from the Armenians. After all, it does not affect them, we're talking about a joint project involving several states that is at the centre of focus of international organizations.

- By the way, one more threat to the BTC project: In South Ossetia, across which oil also transits, claims are starting to be made about "their portion" of the transit revenues.

- The situation in Tskhinvali region is much more complicated than, say, in Abkhazia. Russia wants to sign an agreement with South Ossetia like the one it had with Abkhazia. In this respect, the Georgian government faces some very serious problems. But the government, for reasons unknown to me, is keeping quiet.

- Do you think that the separatist regime in Tskhinvali region can in all seriousness demand money for the transit of oil through the BTC pipeline? 

- It is possible, because, once again, the number of Eurasian structures is growing rapidly in Georgia. Their funding comes from Russia, and they are being engaged by local Georgians who are essentially selling out their homeland. When there is a situation like this taking shape within the government with respect to the occupied territories, nothing good can come of this. Incidents can arise if they are not responded to promptly. The emergence of such triggers of conflict are already visible.