Adelkhanov: boycott of the Russian language will ruin Georgian-Russian relations

The action of Georgian radio stations, which have refused to broadcast Russian-language songs during the whole day today, can seriously aggravate already tense relation between Tbilisi and Moscow, asserts Emil Adelkhanov, a human rights activist and a member of the Board of the "Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development".

"Today, also from the morning, two Russian-language TV Channels - "Culture" and RTVi - don't work," Mr Adelkhanov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Should the Kremlin pays attention to this action; certainly, it won't contribute to improvement of the relations, which are already far from being friendly, between Georgia and Russia."

It was reported earlier that Georgian radio stations decided not to broadcast songs in Russian for the whole day today. "This action is dated to February 25 - the occupation day," Eka Ekadze, information director of the "Imedi" radio station, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

We remind you that on February 25, 1921, Red Army units invaded Tbilisi; then, "sovietization" of Georgia followed.

"The action will last one day only," said Ms Ekadze. "It was initiated by Giga Nasaridze, leader of the Georgian Internet forum named "Reaction". Some people think that it will poison the interethnic relations. But we've decided to support the action. The ban covers only Russian pop songs, and not the classical repertoire."

In its turn, the "Imedi" radio station has reported that it had refused to broadcast Russian-language songs back in August 2008 as a protest against deployment of Russian troops in Georgian territory.

Not all ordinary residents of the country are supporting this one-day boycott of the Russian language. "I am a Russian and I've lived all my life in Tbilisi," said Inna, 60, "and I can tell you that people here are very fond of Russian pop songs. I myself and many of my friends, ethnic Georgians, have nothing against Russian songs. It's better that we live in peace and friendship."