Double Aliens
Samtske-Javakheti region – a mountain plateau in the south of Georgia, which borders with Armenia and Turkey. There are many Georgians, who have never been there, even living right next to it. Just a few years ago it took nine hours to drive from the capital city Tbilisi to Akhalkalaki – region’s economic and administrative center – despite the fact, that it is just 200 km away. Mostly because of terrible road conditions. Being disconnected from the rest of the country, this region has had to struggle continuously with high unemployment, lack of industry and,
most importantly, low self-esteem of its inhabitants. Physical isolation only adds to the fact that historically Samtske-Javakheti has Armenian ethnic majority. There are very few villages that you will find Georgians and Armenians living together and even there they live separate lives. On the other hand, Georgian minority is looking for a greater influence in the region, because they fear the repetition of a
historical pattern when two other minorities, dwelling in the territory of Georgia – Abkhazs and Ossetians – declared their own autonomous states by armed force with backing from Russia. Georgians of Samtske-Javakheti are willing to take their stand
causing the Armenians to claim that they are treated as second-class citizens and heavily oppressed.
most importantly, low self-esteem of its inhabitants. Physical isolation only adds to the fact that historically Samtske-Javakheti has Armenian ethnic majority. There are very few villages that you will find Georgians and Armenians living together and even there they live separate lives. On the other hand, Georgian minority is looking for a greater influence in the region, because they fear the repetition of a
historical pattern when two other minorities, dwelling in the territory of Georgia – Abkhazs and Ossetians – declared their own autonomous states by armed force with backing from Russia. Georgians of Samtske-Javakheti are willing to take their stand
causing the Armenians to claim that they are treated as second-class citizens and heavily oppressed.