Saakashvili Pledges Jobs to Locals in Akhalkalaki after Base Pullout

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on April 28 while meeting with visiting Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Artur Bagdasarian that Tbilisi plans to implement new social rehabilitation program for those ethnic Armenians, who face unemployment after the pullout of Russian military base from Akhalkalaki, a town in Georgia?s south-western region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. 
 
?We do not intend to open a new military unit there [instead of Russian military base]; though those [residents of Akhalkalaki, who are currently employed in the Russian military base] who wish can be employed at other Georgian military bases. For others, who do not wish to stay in the army, we will develop a separate employment programs, business-oriented projects,? Saakashvili said.
 
In March, residents of Akhalkalaki, which is predominately populated by ethnic Armenians, held a protest rally twice and spoke against withdrawal of Russian military base stationed there.

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