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Javakheti (Georgia)

Javakhk

Presentation of Javakheti
Flag proposals for Javakheti

See also:

Georgia

Presentation of Javakheti

Samtshke-Javakheti region was a home of the Meshketian Turks too, but c. 100,000 of them were removed by Stalin and exiled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the Second World War and their homes taken over by the Armenian and Georgian settlers. Their return to the homeland is considered now as impractical.
As the Armenians form the clear majority there at present, and claim the discrimination at the hands of the Georgian regime, especially after the Russians withdrew from the giant military base at Alkhaltsikhe (the Russian presence was considered by the local Armenians as their protection against the abuses by the Georgian authorities), some political parties in Armenia and in diaspora advocate an outright annexation of Javakhk by Armenia.
It has to be noted that the Armenian government does not make any claims on that territory, at least not officially, and the local organizations postulate only demands for the increased autonomy.

Quoting Wikipedia (entry "United Javakhk Democratic Alliance"):

Javakheti (Javakhk) is a historical region of Georgia in the southeastern part of the country's Samtskhe-Javakheti province. Armenians form the ethnic majority in the region.
Armenians feel underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially government, and a lack of dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination and alienation. There have been demonstrations, alleged police brutality and killings in this region. Many Armenians claim they are treated as second-class citizens. The local Armenian civic organization, United Javakhk Democratic Alliance calls for local autonomy, comparable with the one promised to Abkhazians and Ossetians.

Chrystian Kretowicz, 10 November 2009

Flag proposals for Javakheti

Prpoposal of Javakh flag - Image by Victor Lomantsov, 10 November 2009

Flag proposals for Javakheti were reported from Internet forums by Ilmars Bite in March 2008 and November 2009. Ia m afraid, the flag shown above is still the proposal, as the photos of the current rallies and demonstrations there indicate the use of national Armenian flags by the crowds.

Chrystian Kretowicz, 10 November 2009