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The Armenians of Javakhk, Georgia: An Interview With Haigaz Alvertsian Interview conducted by Jason Sohigian
Jason Sohigian: As you have found during your visits to various Armenian communities, there is not much information here about Javakhk. What is the size of the Javakhk-Armenian community? Haigaz Alvertsian: Javakhk is a historic part of the Armenian nation, and it is actually composed of four regions--Bogdanovka, Akhalkalak, Akhaltsekha, and Asbintza. There are more than 120 Armenian villages in these areas, with an approximate population of 120,000, of which 110,000 are Armenians. After the Sovietization of Armenia, Stalin made Javakhk a part of Georgia, and gave Artsakh and Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan. Since then, the Georgian authorities have always neglected this Armenian-populated region. As a way of reducing the Armenian majority, they attached Javakhk administratively to an eastern and a northern region. This was not logical because these regions are geographically divided from Javakhk by a mountain range in the east, and a river in the north, but it served their political purpose of diminishing the Armenian presence. This artificial region of Georgia, known as Samtskhete-Javakhetia, has a population of 200,000, of which 150,000 are Armenian.
JS: Can you describe the living conditions in Javakhk? HA: During the Soviet era, the Communist Party reported to the Kremlin that Javakhk was one of the least developed regions in the Soviet Union. The economy consisted mainly of light industry in Javakhk, but there was ongoing neglect of the region on the part of the Soviet and Georgian authorities. Now, the population face very difficult living conditions because of electricity shortages and the lack of adequate infrastructure. The roads and communication networks are very poor or non-existent, so it has always been difficult to develop the area. This has created widespread poverty among the people. Georgia controls the supply of energy to Javakhk, but Armenia does try to help. Armenia sells electricity to Georgia at a low rate, so the Armenian community there can enjoy some of the basic necessities of life, but they do not often benefit from this generosity.
JS: Does Javakhk provide Armenia's lifeline through Georgia? As a result of the blockade of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan, does Armenia rely on Javakhk for its northern transport route? HA: Yes, the road and gas pipeline to and from Armenia pass right through Javakhk, so the area has tremendous strategic importance for Armenia. There is some assistance from Armenia to the community there in the form of educational materials and some electricity, and now also from the ARS, as they look after the interests and well-being of this important Armenian community, which is in danger of perishing unless action is taken to reverse these trends.
JS: What about the social and cultural life in Javakhk? Are there Armenian churches and community organizations functioning there? HA: There are more than 100 Armenian churches in the villages throughout Javakhk. Many of the churches are affiliated with Etchmiadzin, and the Catholic Church has a significant presence there as well. Javakhk has always been part of the Armenian nation, so it is full of ancient Armenian monuments. The Georgian government has done nothing to preserve these artifacts, so many of them are in a state of decay or being destroyed by the elements. Georgia is also trying to erase the Armenian presence in the region by allowing this to happen. They have systematically tried to alter the monuments and revise their history to make them seem Georgian instead of Armenian. The authorities have also been caught various times by the local population. The locals have seen them bury Georgian artifacts in Javakhk so archaeologists can come later to find them. The residents dig them up and bury them somewhere else as an act of resistance to their nefarious plans. As far as social or organizational life, there is not much activity in this area because most of the people are struggling for their very existence. If people have no jobs or food for their family, it is difficult for them to think about cultural activity. There have been a few newspapers over the years, but because of the shortage of energy, paper, and distribution problems, it has not been very successful. They do receive newspapers from Armenia, but not on time. Yerkir and a few other papers are delivered to Javakhk, but it is not on a daily basis. There has been some activity there by the ARS, and they have a number of projects planned to assist the local population.
JS: What types of projects is the ARS Javakhk Fund involved with? HA: Of course, it would be better to ask the ARS Chairwoman, Maro Minassian, but I can tell you at least something. The conditions of the schools are very poor, and there are no hospitals in Javakhk, so people have to travel great distances over very poor roads to get medical care, which often they cannot even afford. The ARS is planning to improve the medical and educational situation in Javakhk.
JS: How would you characterize the relations between the Armenians and their neighbors? HA: Historically, the Armenians have always gotten along well with their Georgian neighbors. However, after years of neglect the Armenian population has become much poorer, and is often looked down upon by Georgians. Armenian schoolteachers are paid lower wages than Georgian teachers. This type of economic disparity is creating tensions between the two populations. There is also a new threat to the community. As a condition for joining the Council of Europe, the Georgian authorities have signed an agreement to resettle the more than 40,000 Meskhetian Turkish refugees who were sent to Azerbaijan by Stalin. There is talk that Georgia will settle these refugees in Javakhk, instead of their original homes in Meskhetia, which is now inhabited by Georgians. This would mean that Armenians will have to be removed from the area to accommodate them, and there is a fear that the Armenians will leave because of the poor economic conditions. Already, Armenian families are trying to sell their property for next to nothing so they can start new lives in Russia or elsewhere. If the Meskhetian Turks are settled there, on the border with Turkey, it would certainly be a threat to Armenia. And the Armenians living there must be allowed to remain in their homes and have access to the basic necessities of life.
JS: Is the goal to allow this region to become a part of Turkey, and what about the proposed plans for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline route through southern Georgia? HA: The Armenians should not allow these refugees to be settled in Javakhk if it means the native population will be displaced, and they will never allow their land to become part of Turkey. The proposed pipeline route is actually through Javakhk, which has caused concern. If the plan goes through, the security of the pipeline will have to be guaranteed by NATO or Turkish forces, which will threaten Armenia from the north. Already, Armenia is isolated by Turkey on the west and Azerbaijan on the east, so this will not be a positive development for the country. This proposed pipeline does show the tremendous value and importance of the Javakhk region.
JS: Are there still Russian military bases in Javakhk, or have they been relocated to Armenia? HA: Georgia has been trying to move the Russian bases out of their country, but the Russian bases are still in Javakhk and they will not be relocated. This is good for the local population, because the bases support the local economy. The bases buy products from the local markets every day and provide jobs for the people.
JS: Why are we hearing about Javakhk now, and what do the people of Javakhk want? HA: It was very difficult to speak out during the Soviet era, but the Armenians of Javakhk, managed to maintain their distinct ethnic identity. Since 1988, much of the Armenian community has been focused on the struggle in Artsakh for self-determination. The Armenians of Javakhk are seeking autonomy within Georgia, and not independence or reunification with Armenia. If they achieve the right of self-determination, this will allow them to be more self-sufficient and less of a burden to Georgia. During the 1990s, a constitution for an autonomous region of Javakhk was published in the local press, but there has not been much movement beyond that. The scenario is similar to that of Adjaria, where Georgia would become a federal republic.
JS: How would you respond to Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze's comments last month that he would have a commission establish a plan for the development of Javakhk over the next decade? Was this a response to calls for autonomy from the local population, and increasing attention from Armenia and the Diaspora in the region? HA: I don't know if he was specifically responding to the words of the Armenian community, but it is no secret that the region has been neglected by the authorities for decades. My opinion is that since such promises have been made by the Georgian authorities in the past and nothing has been done, they have not been acted upon, and the living conditions have not improved, it is up to the Armenian community to help these people themselves. President Shevardnadze has said that he understands why Armenians are interested in this region, and why they are expressing concern for its well-being, since it is another part of the Armenian community. In light of all of this, I would encourage the Diaspora to help the Armenians of Javakhk through the ARS Javakhk Fund.
JS: If people do support the Javakhk-Armenian community through the ARS Javakhk Fund, what do you think will be the response of the Georgian authorities? HA: I think the Georgian authorities will be thankful that the Armenian community is willing to help its people living in Javakhk. In essence, they are taking this burden off the shoulders of the Georgian government, and taking it upon themselves to help their own community. For this they will undoubtedly be thankful, appreciative, and supportive of this world-wide ARS initiative.
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