Phrygian Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 This is the new "democratic" Georgia? ~~~ THE VIOLENT INCIDENTS AGAINST ETHNIC GREEKS IN TSALKA CONTINUE Chicago, 13 May 2005 (15:47 UTC+2) Andrew A. Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad has sent a new letter to Mikael Saakashvili, President of the Republic of Georgia regarding issues of security and violation of the human rights of Georgian citizens of Hellenic descent living at the area of Tsalka. In his letter, Mr. Athens mentions that the incidents of violence against our fellow Hellenes continue to take place, while despite the personal commitment of the Georgian Prime Minister, Zourab Nogaideli during his meeting with SAE President on April 20 in Tbilisi, and the interest shown by the Georgian Minister of Refugees and National Minorities, Ms. Astemirova, no measures have been taken for the protection of the local Hellenic community. A distinctive example of the situation is the fact that just before Easter the Filipova sisters, ages 70 and 65 were brutally beaten by three armed young men in Keriaki village. On May 10 and 11, three more violent acts by armed men against Hellenes took place in Trialeti, Besaseni and Hantiki villages near Tsalka. “Our fellow Hellenes in Tsalka have been living under conditions of terror, especially for the last two years, resulting from the activities of gangs that murder them, destroy and trespass their properties. The eight murders of Hellenes, among them this of a 19 year old young man, have not been punished encouraging in this way violence exclusively against Georgian citizens of Hellenic descent in Tsalka”, Mr. Athens mentions in his letter. “Following the successful visit of President Bush in Georgia I believe that such acts blot the picture of a country that wishes to develop further its democratic processes to the benefit of its citizens with the support of the western world.” SAE President also states the given interest of Diaspora Hellenes for Hellenes and their neighbors in Georgia. Through SAE's Medical Program funded by both the US and Greece, more than one million medical services and humanitarian aid have offered to Hellenes and their neighbors regardless of their nationality and/ or religion. “I am hoping for your immediate intervention in order to ensure effective police protection for the citizens of the Hellenic Community in the area of Tsalka and to finalize the procedures for the formation of a committee with the participation of representatives of the Federation of Hellenic Communities of Georgia that will examine the cases of the 2,000 properties that have been illegally occupied. We are at your disposal to contribute to any effort to this direction”, states Mr. Athens. http://www.mpa.gr/article.html?doc_id=526992 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MiG-35 Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Факты изоженные тут соответствуют действительности. А на самом деле положение греков в Цалке даже еще хуже, чем описано тут. Оснотвная часть греков уехали в Грецую за последние годы (это Эрзрумские греки приехавщие туда вместе с армянами 200 еще лет назад). В греческих селах Грузия теперь расселяет мусульман-аджарцев, менгрелов и грузин. Эти переселенцы в свою очередь чувствуют себя “подлинными хозяевами земли” и относяться к грекам как к людям второго сорта. Средь бела дня аджарец может зайти в дом грека и взять что хочет… Я сам встречался с очевидцами – местными армянами. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phrygian Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Факты изоженные тут соответствуют действительности. А на самом деле положение греков в Цалке даже еще хуже, чем описано тут. Оснотвная часть греков уехали в Грецую за последние годы (это Эрзрумские греки приехавщие туда вместе с армянами 200 еще лет назад). В греческих селах Грузия теперь расселяет мусульман-аджарцев, менгрелов и грузин. Эти переселенцы в свою очередь чувствуют себя “подлинными хозяевами земли” и относяться к грекам как к людям второго сорта. Средь бела дня аджарец может зайти в дом грека и взять что хочет… Я сам встречался с очевидцами – местными армянами. ← Why don't the local Armenians help them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rouna Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 How do you imagine this help? I am asking seriously, this help is a big problem wherever in the world people are oppressed. How to defend yourself and not be perpetrated for "attack"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MiG-35 Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 The local Armenians DO help them as much as they can. Probably, you have heard of those “battles” between Georgians (Ajars) and Armenians+Greeks in the Greek village Avralo a few weeks ago: here in Hayastan.com that incident was discussed in a topic. But the problem is that Armenians are in position to help those Greeks only, who live in Greek villages not far from the Armenian villages (= in the western part of Tsalka region). On the other hand in central and eastern parts of Tsalka region there are no Armenian villages, and the Greeks who live there are surrounded by Ajar, Mengrel people only (partially Muslim Georgians). Also, the Georgian government explains this help from the side of local Armenians as a kind of “separatism”… And also, since it is Javakhk, the Georgian government explains this help as “Russian Hand”… Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Artsrun Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 The only thing, i don't understand, is- why are the armenians & greecs so f*in stupid??? This "battles" may be effective to make some respect to these bastards of violent georgians, but everybody should know, that the "bigger fishes" -the man in the administration and "security services" who really give the orders - they will always stay unpained. Even more: the georgian administration uses this incidents against the armenians, always tryin' to show that the armenian minority is a factor of unsecure and danger. Did even anybody tryed, to use some "journalistic" methods? What about the language of pictures? Why does not exist an CENTRAL illustratd catalogue of ALL acts of vandalizm on armenian architecture? Couldn't anybody try to use a hidden camera to film mingrelians & co "in action"? People wish they SEE the accusations, they don't whant to read them! If these accusations are true, they should be shown in the armenian and (more effective) in russian media. The russians have a natural sympathy not to armenians but to greecs. God Allmighty, the armenians and greecs must become smarter. The defence whith the "battles" comes of the helplessness of a stupid creature, not of the armenian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rouna Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Artsrun jan, situation is not that easy. The most difficult thing is to appear in right place just on time. For example, if you are taking pictures of violence that means you do not stop it at least for the length of your recorded tape! And when you defend you are no longer a victim - nothing to make the stupid world cry or show compassion about! Silent about taking actions... I may be wrong but if so please explain me how you see the consequence of events! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phrygian Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 I agree with many of the comments above. I'm very sympathetic towards Hellenes, whom I consider, our extended family with similar history, origins and culture. Artsrun is absolutely right that the media must be used as a weapon against these animals in this case, which can be interpreted in certain circles as direct acts of provocation. I pray and hope that the Armenians and Hellenes stand strong together and united against the hardships they face. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MiG-35 Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Artsrun’s idea is just fine! The more the World understands the situation in Tsalka the better. Can be the official bodies in Armenia or in Greece do not have the right to act in that region (’cause that’s “separatism”), but the "journalistic" methods mentioned by Artsrun will work great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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