Georgia prepared to accept Meskhetian Turks

Georgia is prepared to accept the population deported from Meskhetia in 1944. The law on rehabilitation of Meskhetians is going to be adopted in the course of the Georgian Parliament spring session. This has been announced at today's press-conference in Baku by Georgiy Khaindrava, Georgian State Minister.

According to Khaindrava, at present 70,000 Meskhetians reside in Azerbaijan, 160,000 in Kazakhstan, 35,000 in Turkey, 70,000 in Uzbekistan, 9,000-12,000 in Ukraine, 40,000 in Kyrgyzstan, and 50,000 in Russia.

Answering the question, how many people Georgia is able to accept, Khaindrava said that it is hard to say in advance since the return process is going to be voluntary. Khaindrava also states that Meskhetians are "ethnic Georgians," and Meskhetia is a "centre of Georgian civilization." The Meskhetians returning to Georgia will be granted an opportunity to independently determine their national identity. At the same time, their Georgian citizens' rights will be restored.

Commenting on the protests of the Armenian population against the return of Meskhetians to Samtskhe-Dzhavakhetiya, Khaindrava said that the Georgian Government will act according to its own plan rather than upon any requests "from outside." The initial residence places of Meskhetians are partially occupied now. However, the authorities will undertake maximum effort to accommodate them in the former residence places. "But the entire Georgia is Motherland of Meskhetians, and they may form compact settlements in other suitable regions as well," he said.

Note that the purpose of Georgiy Khaindrava's visit to Azerbaijan is to discuss the issues connected with repatriation of Meskhetians. Today, Khaindrava will meet Octai Asadov, parliament leader, and representatives of Meskhetin Turks. Tomorrow Khaindrava is going to visit places of their compact settlement in Saatlinsk district.