The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 18 2004
Georgia finds friends in the far North
On October 12-16 President Mikheil Saakashvili visited Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania. These three Baltic, former Soviet countries are
today members of both the EU and NATO and thus represent models for
Georgia, which wants to integrate into the same Western structures.
The leadership of those three countries all promised Saakashvili that
they would support Georgia in this and would lobby for its
integration. Moreover, they will corporate within the framework of
the 3+3 formula, which means that the three Baltic countries will
introduce the experience of regional cooperation to the three South
Caucasus countries.
During the reconstructive (perestroika) period under Soviet President
Gorbachev, the Baltic countries and Georgia were the first four
Soviet republics fighting for independence. The Baltic republics were
the first to respond to the bloody massacre in Tbilisi on April 9,
1989 committed by the Soviet army, while the attack on the Vilnius
television center in January 1990 caused protest demonstrations in
Georgia. The first Soviet republics to declare independence were
Georgia and Lithuania.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, however, the ways of
the Baltic countries and Georgia have been very different. The Baltic
countries achieved their aim with less loss than Georgia, which even
today has many problems that will take years to solve.
President Saakashvili said that Georgia should look to the Baltic
countries for role models: “Our visit to the Baltic countries is very
important, because these countries are the best models for Georgia’s
progress and advance. In the early 1990s, when we declared
independence, Georgia and Estonia had practically equal development
and economic levels, as well as equal social conditions for people.”
“But today the budget of Estonia per capita is 12-13 times that of
Georgia. The minimum pension in Estonia is nearly GEL 240 (in Georgia
it is only GEL 14-18). This fact can show us what can be done in a
freedom-loving country, which seeks to integrate into Europe, reform
and to fight against corruption,” the president said. He added,
however, that Georgia will soon overtake these countries.
Mikheil Saakashvili called his visit to the Baltic countries both
important and successful. With these countries, Georgia has three
lobbyists in NATO and the EU, 24 Saati reports. The Baltic countries
will share their progressive reform experience with Georgia and at
the same time they will help Georgia integrate into NATO and the EU.
But Georgia is not forgetting its regional neighbors. Saakashvili
said that the main aim of the visit is the international 3+3
initiative, which envisages, the presidents of the Georgia and
Lithuania jointly stated, the creation of a new regional cooperation
between the three Caucasus and the three Baltic countries. The same
draft was created between the Baltic and Central European countries,
and now the Baltic countries are passing on their experience.
This is a little different, however, partly because of the opposition
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which necessarily hinders the
development of South Caucasus regional cooperation, and partly
because only Georgia and Azerbaijan want to enter the EU and NATO. As
for Armenia, it is oriented to Russia and as it does not want to
irritate its main strategic partner.
During his visit to the Baltic countries Saakashvili commented on
recent events in Georgia’s conflict zones. He said that the
restoration of Georgia’s jurisdiction in South Ossetia would be
resolved within three months and that, with regard to Abkhazia,
everything would depend on Georgia’s speed of development. “As soon
as we can develop Georgia’s economy and become more open we will have
more chance of reintegrating Abkhazia into Georgia,” Rezonansi quoted
him as saying.
Saakashvili also made a statement directed at Russia, advising Moscow
not to interfere in Abkhazia after the presidential election.
Russia’s “crawling annexation” policy towards Georgia will
necessarily negatively influence relations between the two countries.
“In the 21st century we will not allow anyone to annex our country;
this is simply impossible,” 24 Saati quoted the president as saying.

The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 18 2004
New Armenia-Russia cargo route bypasses Georgia
By M. Alkhazashvili
The closing of the Larsi checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border
has damaged both Armenia and Georgia, as it has effectively closed
land borders between the two countries and Russia.
The only other land border between Georgia and Russia – the Roki
tunnel which links South and North Ossetia – is currently
inaccessible because Georgia does not allow cargo to enter South
Ossetia.
Larsi was closed on September 3, on the order of Russian President
Putin, following the Beslan tragedy. Although the closure was
explained as a way of preventing further terrorist acts, analysts
believe that it was intended to put pressure on Georgia. Armenia has
been damaged even more, however, and so Moscow is planning to
transport cargo to Armenia via Iran along the Astrakhan-Enzel-Megri
highway.
Larsi checkpoint, which has been reopened twice on a temporary basis,
will now remain permanently closed, except for people who live near
the border.
However, Moscow has decided that the Roki tunnel, which is currently
controlled by the Kokoiti regime, represents no threat and will
remain open. Several days ago, near Ergneti village, Georgian law
enforcers detained two buses coming from Russia to Armenia, which
passed through the Roki tunnel.
According to the newspaper Akhali Taoba, the president’s
representative in Shida Kartli Mikheil Kareli says that the Russian
government’s decision to allow people and cargo to pass through the
Roki tunnel indicates that Russia wants to “enrich” the separatist
government of Tskhinvali.
If the Georgian government permitted it, then the transportation of
both cargo and passengers between Russia and the South Caucasus would
pass through the Roki tunnel, but Kareli says this would allow
Tskhinvali to open new smuggling routes. Akhali Vertsia quotes Kareli
as saying, “the Georgian government will not permit cargo and
passengers to pass through Roki. It is impossible that cargo be
received from territory that is outside Georgia’s control.”
If Russia hoped to open Roki by closing Larsi, this has not worked
out. In the meantime, it was clear that Russia would not blockade its
strategic partner for long, hence the new transportation route.
Russia’s Minister of Telecommunication and Transport Igor Levitin and
Armenia’s Minister of Defense Serzh Raskisian announced the new
Astrakhani (Russia)-Enzeli (Iran)-Megri (Armenia) route after a
meeting held in Yerevan.
Georgian analysts have different opinions about this. Akhali Taoba
cites Sandro Tvalchrelidze as saying that the selection of an
alternative transportation line is connected with Russia’s intention
to bring Iran into its political sphere. In other words Russian,
policy is aimed at securing its geo-strategic interests rather than
being against Georgia.
However, Rezonansi quotes Demur Giorkhelidze as saying that the
alternative transportation line is entirely artificial and is without
doubt against Georgia. He says that the Astrakhan-Enzeli-Megri
transportation line will increase transportation expenses and that
the closing of Larsi will continue to affect Armenia, not least
because this route is very problematic in the winter period because
it crosses mountains in Armenia.

Anadolu Agency
Oct 17 2004
Turkish Associations In United States React To Kerry
NEW YORK – Turkish associations in the United States sent a letter to
Democratic presidential candidate Senator John F. Kerry who confirmed
his support to recognition of so-called Armenian genocide through his
spokesman, to express their reaction and disappointment.
The letter signed by Federation of Turkish-American Associations
(TADF), Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TACCI), and
Association of Turkish American Architects, Engineers & Scientists
(MIM USA), expressed Turkish people’s disappointment with statements
of Kerry over the so-called Armenian genocide.
Stressing that Turkey and the United States had been friends and
allies for years, the letter underlined that the two countries had
been cooperating with each other for peace and security of the world.
”Turkey, a powerful and stable partner of the United States in one
of the most unstable regions of the world, is one of the most
reliable allies of the United States in its fight against terrorism.
We, as American citizens of Turkish origin, have been expending
efforts to further improve the percent relations between our
countries. We are determined to support the presidential candidate
who is aware of importance of the bilateral relations between Turkey
and the United States, in the upcoming elections,” it said.
The letter noted, ”we want to express our disappointment with Mr.
Kerry’s statements for recognition of Armenian allegations saying
that the Ottoman Empire committed genocide against Armenians during
the World War I. These allegations are totally baseless and wrongful.
Any attempt distorting historical facts, will have a negative impact
on the bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States. We
call on Mr. Kerry to review his intention for recognition of such
allegations.”

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Artak Harutyunyan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
2004-10-11
New school in Shosh
On October 10, the inauguration of the new school took place in Shosh
village, NKR. The construction of the new school building started in
2003 by sponsorship of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund’s Toronto
affiliate. The new school designed for 120 students meets all modern
standards.
The President of NKR Arkadi Ghoukasian, the “Hayastan” Fund’s
Executive Director Naira Melkoumian, the Chairman of the Fund’s
affiliate in Toronto Migirdich Migirdichyan, as well as
representatives of Canadian Community and NKR Government participated
in the opening ceremony.

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Artak Harutyunyan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
2004-10-15
A new residential building in Yerankyuni district
On October 15, the inauguration of the residential building 7A took
place in Yerankyuni district, Spitak, with participation of the of the
“Hayastan” Fund’s Executive Director Mrs. Naira Melkoumian, the
Governor of Lori Marz Henrik Kochinyan and the chairperson of the
Fund’s Great Britain affiliate Mrs. Armine Karapeti. Due to the Fund
eight more families will be provided with new apartments. Very soon,
by the efforts of the “Hayastan” Fund’s Great Britain and Germany
affiliates the construction of the whole district will be completed.

Europe – AP
Armenian Arrested With Radioactive Load
Europe – AP
October 18, 2004
YEREVAN, Armenia – Authorities have arrested a man found with
radioactive cesium-137 in the trunk of his car, a state official said
Monday.
The highly toxic material, which could contaminate large areas if used
in a “dirty bomb,” was found Friday and “rendered harmless,” Ashot
Martirosian, chief of the State Atomic Oversight department, said.
Yerevan resident Gagik Tovmasian was arrested on charges of illegal
trade in radioactive materials, Martirosian said.
It was unclear how the man obtained the material, but various sources
for it exist in Armenia, a small former Soviet republic in the
Caucasus Mountains, Martirosian said.
Various industries use cesium-137 in density gauges and for machine
calibration. Authorities in neighboring Georgia have spoken of the
need to create a storage site for gauges in which cesium-137 was used
to measure the level of gasoline in underground tanks at gas stations.
Martirosian did not say how much cesium was found, but he said the
substance is very hazardous to human health.
Devices containing cesium-137 can cause serious radiation exposure if
broken and held. Depending on the amount and form, experts say a dirty
bomb made with cesium-137 could spread intense radioactivity over a
section of a city, making it uninhabitable.
In February, Martirosian said a powerful source of radiation was found
on the Armenian-Iranian border, among scrap metal headed for Iran.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
October 18, 2004 Monday 3:49 AM Eastern Time
Anti-terrorist coop prioritized in Russia-Azerbaijan relations
By Yelena Volkova
MOSCOW
The strengthening of the anti-terrorist cooperation of the countries
is prioritized in the dialogue of Russia and Azerbaijan, spokesman
for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told Itar-Tass
over the Moscow visit of Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev that
began on Monday.
According to Yakovenko, Russia and Azerbaijan “come out for the need
to pool efforts of the world community in the fight against
international terrorism.” As for the political dialogue of the
countries Yakovenko noted that the sides exchange views on granting
the legal status to the Caspian Sea. “The prospects of holding the
second Caspian summit are considered,” he emphasized.
Moscow “welcomes the continued Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue on
various levels.” The Russian side believes that “the parties to the
conflict should settle the conflict on the mutually acceptable
basis.” Russia “is ready to provide active assistance to them in this
issue, on the bilateral basis and as the co-chairman of the Minsk
OSCE group and become a guarantor of the reached agreement.”
Ilkham Aliyev plans to take part in the second meeting of the
all-Russian Azerbaijani Congress on Tuesday, October 19. “Azerbaijan
is Russia’s important partner in the South Caucasus. The Azerbaijani
diaspora in our country plays an important role in strengthening
friendly relations,” Yakovenko pointed out.

EVERYTHING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KARABAKH
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
18 Oct 04
As we have already informed, a new school was built in the village of
Shosh, sponsored by the Armenian community of Canada. At the ceremony
of opening the executive director of the pan-Armenian foundation
`Hayastan’ Naira Melkumian was present. We talked to her on the
activity of the foundation, plans for the near future, as well as the
upcoming marathon of donations. – I want to start with the building of
the school because it is the event of the day. It is very encouraging
indeed that the program of school building is implemented in
villages. In the towns the problem seems to have been solved already,
and it is time now to render Karabakh into a developed area. All the
programs presently implemented in Artsakh are a transition from
humanitarian to new development programs. In the nearest future the
foundation will build more schools in Artsakh, that is to say, the
program of school building has not been completed yet. Besides,
perhaps you know that a medical institution – a complex building of
policlinic – is built in Stepanakert, which is unique not only in
Artsakh but also in Armenia. The medical complex will be supplied with
modern equipmentof European standards. These programs help to solve
economic and social problems in Karabakh. The people of Karabakh are
employed in construction works carried out by the foundation, thereby
solving the problem of unemployment. According to our estimates, about
1000 people work in those building sites, and works of 7 million are
carried out in Artsakh. Hopefully this number will grow every year and
in 2 or 3 years the construction of the highway `North – South’ will
be finished. In parallel we will undertake other projects the
implementation of which will favour the settlement of political
problems as well because developed Karabakh will settle its issue
itself. – What future programs, undertakings are there? – Soon we are
going to solve the problem ofwater supply of Stepanakert after which
water will be supplied by a regular schedule.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide 24 hour running water at present. I
know there are problems of water at many places in Karabakh. In
certain communities the problem will be solved soon. On the whole, the
programs are many: hospitals, schools, water reservoirs – Every year
the marathon of national donations is held. Is it going to be held
this year? – Certainly. The traditional TV marathon will be held on
November 21. We hope it will be successful. Besides, I would like to
use the chance and ask our fellow countrymen to take an active part in
it, more active than last year. At that time about 60-70 thousand
dollars was raised in Artsakh. It would be good to increase the sum up
to 100 thousand dollarsat least. This will encourage our compatriots
in the Diaspora. – As far as I remember, the business circles of
Russia were not active during the previous telethon. What
anticipations do you have for this year? – You know,we must have a
correct attitude towards the participation of the Armenian community
of Russia. All of us know about the great aid provided to Artsakh and
Armenia by the Armenians of Russia. The aid to region counts
millions. This year too, theywill participate by all means.
LAURA GRIGORIAN.
18-10-2004

EU RAPPORTEUR SAYS TURKEY HAS NOT FULLY MET CRITERIA YET
NTV television, Istanbul 18 Oct 04
European Parliament (EP) rapporteur Camille Eurlings has said that
Turkey has not yet fully met the Copenhagen criteria. Speaking on NTV,
he said that he will be critical when drawing up his report, which
will be published before the 17 December EU summit.
For this report, Camille Eurlings, a Christian Democrat from the
Netherlands, is visiting Ankara, Istanbul, Diyarbakir and
Mardin. Discussing his first impressions, Eurlings gave some signals
as to what his report will be like. He said: I will do whatever is
necessary for my report to be constructive. Great changes took place
in Turkey in the past few years. There have been achievements. I think
that in my report I must mention these achievements which I find very
impressive. To be fair, I must also be critical. I will include in my
report the areas in progress is needed. Turkey has not yet fully met
the EU’s political criteria.
Eurlings pointed out that there are problems in implementation,
adding: We see that the new laws are quite good but they have not
impacted daily life yet. In its Progress Report, the EU Commission
stressed the importance of implementation. The Turkish people deserve
to live in a country where there is no torture; they deserve cultural
and religious freedom.
Eurlings said that he thinks it is important for Turkey to recognize
the Cyprus Republic and to improve its relations with
Armenia. Nevertheless, he said, these are not conditions for the start
of negotiations.
Eurlings plans to complete his report in two weeks. After debating the
report, the EP will announce its recommendation on whether accession
talks should begin with Turkey. At the 17 December summit, the EU
leaders will reach a decision by taking into consideration both this
recommendation and that of the EU Commission.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 18, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Author Paulo Coelho
On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Mr. Coelho was accompanied by Levon Ananian,
President of the Union of Writers of the Republic of Armenia; and Lilit
Galsdian director of the Hamazgayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society.
Welcoming Mr. Coelho to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, His
Holiness happily received the first Armenian translation of “The Alchemist”,
one of the renowned author’s most loved novels. His Holiness, noting his
pleasure that the author’s book was now available to the Armenian reader in
the Armenian language, stated: “Individuals such as you, through their
service, work and spirit, contribute to humanity the inspiration and will to
preserve unblemished and pure their image created by God.”
Expressing gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the reception,
Mr. Coelho emphasized that the history of the Armenian people has become a
new and encouraging source of inspiration for him. “This visit to Armenia
and to the spiritual center of every Armenian Christian is very important
and symbolic. My soul is rejoicing on the occasion of the translation of my
novel into Armenian”, noted the author, expressing his willingness to serve
the Armenian Church and asking for the blessing of His Holiness.
Also in attendance for the meeting were the translator and publisher of Mr.
Coelho’s novel. At the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness extended his
appreciation and Pontifical blessings to the delegation.