Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze allotted from the presidental fund 100,000 laras for purchashing homes from Dukhobors who have expressed the desire to move to Russia. According to RIA Novosti news agency, the homes in the village of Gorelovka, Ninotsmind district, which they are leaving, will be granted free of charge, but without the right of resale, to families of Dukhobors who remain in the village and who need better living quarters. This was stated by the advisor to the president of Georgia for interethnic relations, Alexis Gerasimov.

"Unfortunately, an attempt is being made by certain circles in Russia and Georgia to give the departure of the Dukhobors a political coloration," he said, "while this is related to problems in the community itself. I regret that they are leaving Georgia, where their ancestors found refuge more than 150 years ago. In conditions of the severe climate and high mountains they managed to establish a way of live, preserve their traditions and principles, and create rich farms. These are hard working and well behaved people who are sincerely respected in Georgia." Gerasimov noted: "We are ready to receive them back if they want to return."

In their time the Dukhobors were exiled to Georgia by the tsarist government. By the beginning of the 1990s there were about 7,000 Dukhobors living in Ninotsmind district. Their mass departure to Russia began during the time of Zviad Gamsakhurdia. At the present the community numbers around 1900 persons. (tr. by PDS)