Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 25 2004
Armenians impeding BTC construction prosecuted

The Georgian government has taken steps to crack down on the
Armenian residents impeding construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
(BTC) pipeline. The Borzhomi district prosecutor’s office started
criminal cases against a group of Armenian residents in the Tabaskuri
village who tried to suspend the construction operations last week.
Residents of the village have conducted three protest actions over
the last month. The first one was held peacefully, while the second
action and the one held last weekend resulted in a clash with the
police.
The protesters threw stones at the equipment owned by BP. Several
police officers were injured during the confrontation.*

ArmenPress
Aug 25 2004
ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN PLANNED EXERCISES STARTED
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS: Joint Armenian-Russian planned
exercises started yesterday in Armenian Marshal Baghramian training
ground which will last until Aug 27, Seiran Shahsuvarian, Armenian
defense ministry press secretary told Armenpress. Servicemen from the
102nd Russian military base stationed in Gyumri are taking part in
the exercises from the Russian side. Different branches of heavy
armed forces including fighting and assault aircraft and artillery
will be involved in the exercises. Armenia will come up with enhanced
motorized rifle regiment. Reporters accredited at the ministry of
defense will also participate in summing up of results.
Armenian-Russian planned military games were held in September,
last year. President and chief of armed forces Robert Kocharian,
prime minister Andranik Margarian, government officials, Armenian
chief of staff of armed forces, General-Colonel Michael Harutunian,
military attaches accredited in Armenian embassies participated in
the closing ceremony. Last year the games were described as
“successful and positive.”

ArmenPress
Aug 25 2004
FOREIGN MINISTER OF DENMARK TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON AUG 26
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS: A Dutch delegation, headed by
foreign minister Per Stig Moellere will arrive in Armenia on Aug 26.
The head of foreign agency of Denmark will hold meetings with prime
minister Andranik Margarian and foreign minister Vardan Oskanian. He
will visit Tsitsernakaberd and put a wreath at the monument to the
victims of 1915 Genocide. On the second day of his visit the minister
will meet reporters. Per Stig Moellere will meet with Catholicos of
All Armenian His Holiness Karekin II. He will leave Armenia on Aug
27.
It should be mentioned that during his meeting with reporters in
Baku the foreign minister voiced an opinion that OSCE Minsk Group
will soon come up with a resolution on Karabakh conflict resolution
which will please both sides.

ArmenPress
Aug 25 2004
MUSIC AND POLITICS COMBINE IN SUPPORT OF KERRY/EDWARDS VICTORY
BOSTON, MA, 25 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS: Armenian musicians from around
the world are teaming up with the New England chapter of Armenians
for Kerry and Pomegranate Music Events for an unprecedented music
festival in honor of Democratic party Presidential nominee John
Kerry. “Armenstock 2004” will take place on August 28th, from 11:00am
– 8:00pm at AYF Camp Haiastan, in Franklin MA and promises to be a
celebration with Armenian food, music and dance dedicated to Sen.
Kerry’s twenty years of support on issues of concern to the Armenian
American community. The day-long festival – a veritable “Kef for
Kerry” – boasts the participation of five bands with a full range of
Armenian musical styles from progressive kef to Armenian jazz, pop
and traditional and alternative folk. The bands include the: **
Vardan Ovsepian Jazz Group (Armenian Jazz) ** Gor Mkhitarian Band
(Alternative Folk) ** Arev Folk Ensemble (Traditional Folk) **
Cascade Folk Trio (Traditional Folk and Armenian Pop) ** John
Berberian Ensemble (Progressive Kef). In addition to the band
performances, there will be two solo oud performances by John
Bilezikjian and John Berberian, the latter accompanied by Ara
Dinkjian (guitar), and, finally, a solo performance by world-renowned
percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan. The musicians will be collaborating
together throughout the day, with John Bilezikjian joining the John
Berberian Ensemble, John Berberian sitting in with the Gor Mkhitarian
Band and the Ara Dinkjian-John Berberian duet and a number of
additional impromptu collaborations. Extensive biographical notes on
all the bands and performers are available on the Armenstock 2004
website – .
In the tradition of Woodstock, Armenstock 2004 combines a
celebration of Armenian music with American political activism. The
festival will kick-off a nationwide Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) postcard campaign encouraging Armenian Americans in
swing states to support the Kerry/Edwards ticket in November. Voter
registration will be a key focus, as part of the ANCA “Hye Voter
Turnout” campaign, working to increase the Armenian American voice at
the polls in November through an extensive registration and “get out
the vote” effort. More than a dozen speakers and activists will
address the audience between musical sets, including a prominent
figure close to the Kerry campaign yet to be announced. Each will be
outlining the importance of greater community-wide participation
within the American political process during election season and
beyond. Speakers will also outline the clear differences between the
Kerry/Edwards and Bush/Cheney teams on issues from Armenian Genocide
recognition to efforts to build a stronger U.S. / Armenia
relationship. Response from Armenian Americans and music lovers from
throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic states has been
overwhelming, with groups planning road trips from as far as Racine,
Wisconsin and flying in for the day-long concert at Camp Haiastan.
Tickets for the concert are available on the Armenstock 2004 website
– .

“TURKEY HAS TO RECONSIDER ITS ARMENIAN POLICY” ILTER TURKMEN CLAIMS
Armenian-Turkish Relations
Azg Daily
August 24, 2004
By Hakob Chakrian
In one of Azg Daily’s last issues we voiced an opinion that the role of the
Turkish army will weaken as a result of changes in the National Security
Council. We mentioned that the executive power of the country will not have
the backing of the army any more. The fact that the Turkish army is deprived
of the opportunity to influence the country’s policy is beneficial for
Armenia.
It is interesting that the Turkish Hurriyet [August 7, 2004] quotes Ilter
Turkmen who said that it’s better for Turkey to improve relations with
Armenia. It is not an opinion of an ordinary citizen. He was the minister
foreign affairs of Turkey after the 1980 coup d’etat, then was ambassador to
Russia and France.
It gains more importance when we consider that Hurriyet has over 1 million
circulation and is published both in Europe and the USA. In the beginning of
his article, Turkmen mentions the pro-Armenian verdict of the lawsuit filed
by the offspring of the Genocide survivors against the American insurance
company New York Life for not compensating 20 million dollars for
insurances. He thinks it possible that the American insurance company will
force Turkey to pay the compensation and points out that it is going to be a
“compensation for the victims of the Genocide”.
Ilter Turkmen doesn’t exclude the chance that the offspring of the Genocide
survivors, including American citizens, turn to the European Court of Human
Rights and distinct countries turning to the International Court.
Considering the nature of these courts he underscores that they will barely
be able to call Turkey to account or demand compensation or even lands from
Turkey.
In other words Turkey is more interested in the fact that the court decision
may have negative political outcomes for Turkey. He writes on this point:
“Definitely the law and the politics differ. Perhaps that’s the reason why
34 American states have recognized the genocide. The same thing happened in
the parliaments of Canada and of some European countries, as well as the
European Parliament. We managed to put an end to the activity of the
Armenian lobby in the House of Representatives only by the involvement of
the US presidents. We don’t think that John Kerry, known for his sympathy
for the Armenians, will be as decisive in carrying on the same formulae
regarding the genocide.”
Ilter Turkmen goes on considering the means used by Turkey against the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide insufficient. He
expresses his worry regarding Turkey’s membership to the EU, which might fan
the fires of the Armenians in the issue of the Genocide. Turkmen adds at the
end: “The Anti-lobby steps cannot be sufficient as Armenians have great
possibilities in the West. The Russian Diaspora of 2 million is also there.
The only preferable policy for us is delaying the solution of this issue by
means of measured but positive steps. It’s a pity that none of the Turkish
governments ever followed this policy.”
;num04082402

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 25, 2004, Wednesday
RUSSIA WILL ARM ARMENIA WITH SPECIALISTS
Last Friday the president of Russia Vladimir Putin met with the
president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan in his Sochy residence
“Bocharov Ruchey”. (…) The leaders discussed the cooperation in the
military area. “I am pleased with your application for the training
of the military specialists”, – mentioned Putin. He meant the annual
training program for 140-150 Armenian officers in Russian
institutions of higher education. Kocharyan, in his turn, asked
Armenian officers to be trained according to the Russian program not
to the “foreign”. (…) Kocharyan was assured that Russia, acting in
the framework of the Collective organization Treaty, will sell to
Armenia Russian arms for Russia prices.
Source: Gazeta, August 23, 2004, p. 2
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Germany
August 25, 2004, Wednesday
Aliyev warns of dangers posed by Armenian secessionism
Berlin
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said Wednesday the breakaway ethnic
Armenian province Nargorno Karabach would have to remain a part of
his country and warned against the dangers of secessionism.
Pointing to millions of Armenians who live in communities around the
world, Aliyev asked what other countries would do if faced with
similar threats of Armenians voting to secede.
“Just imagine if Armenians, everywhere they live in the world would
start to think about self-determination and just imagine how many
Armenian states that would turn up on the world map,” said Aliyev
speaking through a translator after talks with German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder.
Nargorno Karabach is an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan’s
internationally recognized borders which broke away from Baku’s
control in the early 1990s.
Armenia backs secessionists in Nagorno Karabach and militarily
occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan. The Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate disputes.
Chancellor Schroeder insisted Azerbaijan’s old borders remained
recognised by Berlin and said Germany would continue to back OSCE
moves aimed at a political resolution of the disputed territory.
Aliyev said he wanted Armenians to live in Azerbaijan and in Nargorno
Karabach – but under Baku’s control.
“This policy of the Armenians has had no success and I hope the
Armenians will soon understand this and withdraw their armed forces
from the occupied territories,” said Aliyev, adding: “Then we can
live in peace.” dpa lm sr

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 25, 2004 Wednesday 12:48 PM Eastern Time
Tehran to grant loan to Armenia for gas pipeline construction
By Tigran Liloyan
METSAMOR /Armavir region in Armenia/, August 25 – Yerevan will
receive a loan from Tehran for building part of the Armenian stretch
of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsesyan said here on Wednesday.
The 30-million dollars loan will be extended for 7.5 years, at a 5
percent interest, the minister said, saying these terms were
acceptable.
The money will be used for building a pipeline from Agarak to
Kadzharan in southeastern Armenia to connect the country’s gas
pipeline network to Iran’s.
Armenia will pay for Iranian gas with electricity it will produce,
Mosesyan said.
He said he was hoping that the construction of the gas pipeline will
begin as early as this year. The pipeline is expected to be
commissioned by January 2007.
The agreement on building the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was signed in
Yerevan on May 13. The whole project is estimated to cost 220 million
dollars. This sum includes the 100-million-dollar Armenian part of
the pipeline.
Iran’s Oil and Gas Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said, Iran’s gas
supplies to Armenia will make up 36 billion cubic meters.
The construction of a gas pipeline from Iran has a very important
significance in the context of ensuring Armenia’s energy
independence, the republic’s President Robert Kocharyan said.
Despite certain reports, this pipeline is intended solely for meeting
the demand for energy on the domestic market, the president said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 25, 2004 Wednesday 8:34 AM Eastern Time
Fresh nuclear fuel delivered to Armenian plant
By Tigran Liloyan
METSAMOR /Armavir region in Armenia/, August 25 -Armenia’s Energy
Minister Armen Movsesyan said fresh nuclear fuel had been delivered
to the Armenian plant in advance for the first time, before the
beginning of repair works.
Movsesyan, who arrived at the plant to inspect the progress of
repairs, praised the Russian financial management which had made it
possible.
“Improvement of the nuclear plant’s safety remains our priority,” he
said, adding that the republic had spent on this purpose some 40
million dollars after de-mothballing the facility.
Safety measures are financed by international donor organizations,
the European Union and the U.S. energy ministry.
According to the minister, repair works are carried out according to
schedule. Half of all planned repairs have already been completed.
The nuclear plant will go on line on October 4, he said at a meeting
with the plant’s officials.
“We won’t talk about shutting down the plant until Armenia creates
alternative power generating capacities,” Movsesyan said.
The construction of a new nuclear power plant is under discussion.
The main problem is a lack of funding, as the project requires some
one billion dollars, he said.
The Armenian nuclear power plant, located 40 kilometers west of
Yerevan, was commissioned in 1979. It was shut down after a
devastating earthquake of 1989.
In 1996, Russian specialists helped Armenia de-mothball the plant and
launch its second reactor. The facility accounts for some 40 percent
of all electricity generated in Armenia.
However, the European Union is anxious to see the plant closed. Last
year, the financial management of the plant was handed over to a
daughter company of Russia’s RAO Unified Energy Systems.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 25, 2004 Wednesday 7:28 AM Eastern Time
Georgian policemen said to commit outrages in South Ossetia
By Sergei Ostanin, Alexander Kharchenko
TSKHINVALI
The command of collective peacekeeping forces has sent to the Joint
Control Commission a letter about “outrages of policemen of Georgia’s
units in the area of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict”
A member of the command’s staff told Itar-Tass on Wednesday that
“Georgian policemen engage in money extortion on the road
Kekhvi-Tskhinvali in residential areas Kurta and Eredvi, unlawfully
detain citizens of Russia, Armenia and other CIS countries travelling
on the territory of South Ossetia and beat taxi drivers”.
Fifteen people have sent complaints to the command of the
peacekeepers.
In particular, Georgian police stopped two residents of Tskhinvali at
the Kekhvi checkpost last night.
Seizing their documents, the policemen demanded 1,000 roubles from
each.
The detained people had no money, and the policemen began to beat
them.
Russian peacekeepers who were staying not far interfered and stopped
the beating.