YEREVAN.-  At the moment autonomy for Armenian-populated region of Georgia is out of the question, head of Javakhk union, MP Shirak Torosyan told reporters on Thursday.

“Autonomy for Javakhk is out of the question. Speculation appeared during the last years of Saakashvili’s rule when pressure on the region increased,” he said.

Despite Mikheil Saakashvili’s assurances, the people of Javakhk were not full citizens of Georgia, Torosyan added. MP is hopeful that Bidzina Ivanishvili will fulfill his promise and citizens of Javakhk will in fact become full citizens of the neighboring state.  

He pointed out positive movement in Javakhk, noting that there is no violence. “Atmosphere of fear has disappeared. Political prisoners, first of all Vahagn Chakhalyan, were freed. Georgian authorities abolished ban on entry of a group of activists, including me,” Torosyan said.