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Ibrahim Burhanov: It is unserious to demand Ahiska Turks to learn Georgian language

23 June 2007 12:00 (UTC +04:00)

Commenting on the bill adopted in Georgian parliament Ibrahim Burhanov said that such unserious demands will be expelled from the law at the next debates.
â€œThey can demand Ahiska Turksâ€™ taking tests, after they return to their native lands, settle there and study in Georgian schools. It is unserious to demand the Turks, eager to return to their native lands, to take tests on Georgian language,â€ he said.
Burhanov said that there are some drafts on repatriation of Ahiska Turks. Commenting on the bill providing no financial assistance for resettlement, just allowing the exiled to buy home and land in Georgia to settle Burhanov said that this is the proposal of the Council of Europe.
â€œCouncil of Europe offered to give freedom to the repatriates so that they can return to the places they want. Various foundations will be set up for the solution of their problems, we will ourselves set up one of these foundations,â€ he said.
Burhanov said that Ahiska Turks will be allowed to return to any part of Georgia, but the members of Ahiska Turksâ€™ Motherland society does not intend to move to other places of Georgia.
â€œWe wish to return to our ancestral homelands. Georgia has to legally ensure our returning and the law is to determine who has the right to return. We will organize returning of Ahiska Turks,â€ he said. /APA/