KRASNODAR (Armenpress)–The governor of southern Russian Krasnodar Kray province Alexander Tkachov reconfirmed April 28 his decision to pursue a tough policy against illegal immigran’s.
Addressing a parade of local Cossacks last Sunday in Krasnodar–Tkachov said the authorities would be consistent in preventing the influx of illegal immigran’s. The Cossacks Chieftain Vladimir Gromov reminded his fellows that "a Union of Russian Armenia’s wants to sue our governor."
The Union of Russian Armenia’s had earlier issued a statement condemning anti-Armenian actions of local authorities–accusing Governor Alexander Tkachov of inciting ethnic tension–which the statement said was shaking the foundation of inter-ethnic peace and accord in a multinational region of Russia–jeopardizing Russia’s integrity and future existence.
The statement also said that Krasnodar authorities not only damage the image of Russia as of a civilized country–but also harm Russia’s relations with its strategic ally in the Caucasus: Armenia.
The statement also said that the Union was demanding that legal proceedings be started against the governor and his henchmen in line with Russian and international laws.
A delegation of Armenian lawmakers will visit the southern Russian city of Krasnodar May 15–the scene of recent inter-ethnic tension. In Krasnodar–Armenian parliamentarians will be joined by counterparts from Russian State Duma (parliament)–elected from Krasnodar–to have an in-depth-look into the reasons of the tension that shows little signs of subsiding.
Chairman of Armenian parliament committee on foreign relations Hovanes Hovanesian said he had a telephone conversation with the head of local legislative body in Krasnodar who requested that the visit by Armenian lawmakers be put off–as they were going to address this issue by their own efforts.
He also told Hovanesian that a special commission had been set up by Krasnodar Governor Alexander Tkachov–who many believe is behind all the tension–to make an inquiry into the reported cases of violation of rights of ethnic Armenia’s and also vandalization and damaging of two dozens of Armenian tombstones in an Armenian cemetery in Krasnodar.
In an interview with the Armenian daily Azg–a Moscow-based social anthropologist of Armenian descent Sergey Harutyunyan claimed that the drive by Krasnodar Governor Alexander Tkachov against the non-Slavs of the region could be explained by the latter’s desire to win in the next elections on the wave of chauvinistic and anti-Caucasian feelings.