Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti
Information about the possible resettlement of ethnic Avars residing in Georgia was announced a short time ago by the news Agency “Daghestani”. Avars residing in the Kvareli District in Kakheti Region and Dagestan Branch of the Department for IDPs and Refugees within the Russian Federal Service for Immigration confirm the shared information. It is claimed that mass resettlement will commence in May of 2008.
Avars have lived in the villages of Tivi, Saruso and Chantsliskuri in Kvareli District since the XVII century. Historical accounts how one part of Dagestan population had served in Georgian army and later settled in Kvareli district at this time. There are nearly 400 Avar families now living in the three villages. Many of them have both Georgian and Russian citizenships. Avar children who were born in Georgia entered the school with birth certificates issued in Dagestan. For example, Aslan Akhitaev was born in 1998 and his birth certificate was registered in Beshta District in Dagestan Republic, which is part of the Russian Federation.
Magamed Aliev, a resident of Chantliskure, said that after finishing school young Avars continue their education in Dagestan. “I cannot see anything wrong with this situation. Dagestan supports us and this allows our youth to obtain a higher education. As for birth certificates and IDs issued in Dagestan Republic, we received similar documents with the support of Omar Davudov. This person was sent to Kvareli district from Makhachkala District Government in Dagestan to support us in various ways,” said Magamed Aliev.
Avars do not deny that the government of Dagestan Republic (a federal subject of the Russian federation) had offered them to repatriate to their territory. “We were actually offered the opportunity to resettle to Dagestan. It initially happened in September of 2007. Corresponding governmental bodies of Makhachkala District sent official petitions about our repatriation to Moscow and the Central Authority did not refuse their request. We also wanted to resettle to Dagestan because conditions are better there. In fact, here we live under the poorest and most unbearable conditions. Nobody pays any attention to us and our problems. As far as we know, the process of repatriation will start in May,” said Sanata Magamedova.
Alik Khaibulaev said that it is difficult for them to live in Georgia, particularly in winter when the shortest way to get to Dagestan is blocked.
Alik Khaibulaev: “We often travel to Makhachkala in the summer. Many of us work there. People with good trade skills are able to earn much money. We have relatives in Dagestan and they support us. The difficult social conditions facing them last year motivated several families to resettle in Dagestan. In May we are also going to leave as well and we never plan a return to Georgia.”
Koba Burkiashvili, Kvareli District Governor, stated that the local authority does not have information about possible repatriation of Avars.
Russian Immigration Department has not sent the letter to the Georgian Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation about the situation. Irakli Kokaia, the head of the Refugee and Repatriation Department of the Ministry, said that the ministry has been informed about possible repatriation of Avars. “We just know the information that was spread by a News Agency within the Russian Immigration Department. The news reported that Avars intend to resettle from three villages in Kvareli District. Our Ministry has not received any official notification about the situation. I doubt the process will actually start in May because the time is too short. A process of resettlement process needs several months to be completed. If the Dagestan Republic accepts the Avars residing in Georgia, and the impacted people also want it, it is their right and we cannot hinder them from doing what they want to do,” said Kokaia.
Neither Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor Ministry of Justice has information about the up-coming resettlement of Avars residing in Kvareli District.
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