Controversial Monument Poses Diplomatic Challenge to Tbilisi

Plans to erect a monument to Armenian General Gurgen Dalibaltyan in the predominately ethnic Armenian-populated Georgian city of Akhalkalaki have triggered an angry reaction in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The statue of Gen. Dalibaltyan, who is currently 80 years old and a native of the Akhalkalaki district in southern Georgia, is reportedly being erected to honor his contribution in the fight against Azerbaijan?s troops in Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 90s.

Local officials in Akhalkalaki say that funding to erect the monument comes from ?Armenian sources,? Imedi television station reports.

Elkhan Polukhanov, a spokesman from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tbilisi, said on September 23 that the move will be perceived as ?non-friendly? by Azerbaijani authorities.

?At first we want to know whether there is relevant authorization from Georgian state agencies on the creation of this monument? The monument will definitely bring negative elements in the relationship between the two states ? Georgia and Azerbaijan, which is in a state of war with Armenia,? Polukhanov told Imedi television.

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