Government of Ardzinba starts persecuting Georgian – minding people
Batumi News
May 14 2004
On the statement of Tamaz Nadareishvili, ex Chairman of the Abkhazian
Supreme Council, the power wielding structures of the de facto
government of Sokhumi started with the search operations, to identify
the individuals who appeared in the streets of Sokhumi with the five
cross Georgian national flags.
He said it should be a very significant rally, as the government
structures got involved in the searches. Nadareishvili said the
rally was not a spontaneous one, on the reports, the contacts and
consultations are being kept with certain individuals, however,
for the security measures, their identity is kept in secrecy.
Nadareishvili rules out the Inal Kazan, a US citizen has his hand in
the processes. Regarding Armenians, living in Sokhumi, Nadareishvili
said their stance will depend on the official stance of Armenia. “In
the past, Armenians got a hint to back Abkhazians, and now, like
soberly thinking Abkhazians, they do see that Abkhazia is at the
verge of a disaster and they are confused.
Thereby, Georgian government should provide active works with the
Armenian government, to ensure their, if not supporting, than at
least neutral stance”, – Nadareishvili thinks.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 14th, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
LEADING EUROPEAN ELECTORAL CANDIDATES MEET WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
Lyon, France – On May 9th, the leading candidates for the European
Parliament elections from the southeast region of France addressed
the topic of Turkey’s accession to the European Union during a Europe
Day event organized by the Armenian National Committee of France and
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Speaking at the event held at the Bourse du Travail in Lyon were
Thierry Cornillet (Union of French Democrats), Gérard Benhamias
(Greens), and Patrick Louis (Union for France). The debate was
moderated by France Inter Radio journalist Frederic Bourgade, with
participation of Franck Bianchieri from Think Tank Europe 2002 and
Hilda Tchoboian from the European Armenian Federation. Absent due
to the launching of their parties’ electoral campaigns, Françoise
Grossetête (Union for the Presidential Majority) and Michel Rocard
(Socialist Party) issued filmed statements.
Franck Bianchieri commented on the growing concern and opposition to
Turkey’ s accession that he noticed during the debates he moderated
in 100 European cities. Before an attentive audience of more than
a thousand attendees, Thierry Cornillet and Patrick Louis declared
their official opposition to Turkey’s accession for geographical,
cultural and demographic reasons, promising to uphold this position
when they are elected to the European Parliament. Likewise, Françoise
Grossetête, whose party recently made a dramatic shift in position on
the issue, favored a privileged partnership status for Turkey. From
the left, Gérard Benhamias from the Greens party stated that in his
opinion we should quickly integrate Turkey and that we should trust
the Turkish democrats to improve the Human Rights situation as well
as recognize the Armenian Genocide, which should result from the
country’s democratisation.
Expressing his viewpoint, Michel Rocard discussed the strategic
importance of Turkish accession because of Turkey’s ethnic and
cultural links with Turkish-speaking countries of central Asia that
have oil reserves from which Europe could benefit; according to him,
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide would naturally come when
Turkey would feel “ridicule” for its denial.
Hilda Tchoboian recalled that it is since the European Parliament
began the examination of Turkey’s candidacy in 2000 that it started
to consider the genocide and blockade issues, at the urging of the
European Armenian Federation. Recalling the Morillon and Lamassoure
reports, she denounced the inconsistencies between the declaration of
parties opposed to Turkish accession and their refusal to speak firmly
and truthfully to Turkey in the European Parliament annual reports.
Regarding the positions of the Left, Tchoboian refuted the exemplary
nature of Turkey’s accession for the Muslim world, because of Turkey’s
poor relations with its Arab neighbours. She also denounced the
argument of secularism, which in Turkey is not based on plurality and
on the separation of religion and State, but on the Turkish State’s
protection of the Muslim religion, which became the majority religion
after the extermination of Turkey’s non-Muslim citizens.
“If Europe does not require Turkey to adhere to its values as a
pre-condition to its accession, Europe will be forced to integrate
Turkey’s denialist values, and to give free rein to the denial of
other genocides,” affirmed the Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation.
She emphasized that beyond a formal recognition, Europe must bring
about Genocide reparations, requiring in particular that Turkey give to
Armenia and to Armenian people guarantees of security. “Turkey must
promise to abolish its aggressive policy towards Armenia; this policy
is not the act of a regime, but rather follows from a State doctrine
that has continued under military, civil and Islamist regimes,”
concluded Tchoboian.
Concluding the first portion of the event, Georges Kepenekian declared
that Armenians would remain watchful, and would not give parties carte
blanche regarding matters that remain at the centre of attention
for European citizens. The second portion of the event included a
concert by the band Bratsch.
#####

Recognizing Karabakh independence is optimal solution – CIS assembly official
Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
11 May 04
Stepanakert, 11 May: “The recognition of Nagornyy Karabakh’s
independence is an optimal model of the settlement of the conflict,”
deputy of the secretary general of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly,
Feliks Khushchyan announced to journalists.
He expressed regret that after the signing of the Bishkek agreement
10 years ago the Interparliamentary Assembly was left within the
framework of the settlement process.
In connection with the new Azerbaijani leadership’s proposal on
starting the negotiations from the scratch, in particular, he stressed
that “they will be forced to reckon with the realities of modern life”.
Regarding the possibilities of including Karabakh parliamentarians
in the process of settlement of the conflict, Feliks Khushchyan noted
that he is not supportive of that, for the parliamentarians are always
pushing the process forward, but there are cases when this potential
must be used. “In a word, any option to reach the problem’s solution
must be taken into consideration,” deputy of the secretary general
of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Aliyev Backs Both Peace And War
Baku Today
May 13 2004
Azerbaijani government will continue increasing spending on the
maintenance of Azerbaijani armed forces, said Azerbaijani president
Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with soldiers of Azerbaijani army in
Nakhchivan.
Aliyev, who arrived in the Azeri autonomous republic yesterday, said it
is important for Azerbaijan to strengthen its military power potential.
Although Azerbaijan supports peaceful settlement for Karabakh conflict,
he said,”we will free our lands by military means if the peaceful
efforts turn in vain for the conflict.
Aliyev’s statements came at the opening ceremony of a building for
military unit in Nakhchivan.

Strengthened army capable of liberating Karabakh – Azeri leader
Lider TV, Baku,
13 May 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is continuing his
visit to the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic. At an opening ceremony of
a new corps at military unit N yesterday, the head of state said that
Azerbaijan is ready to liberate its land from the enemy at any minute.
[Correspondent over video of the ceremony, soldiers marching,
Aliyev addressing servicemen] President Ilham Aliyev, who attended
the ceremony to open the corps at military unit N, presented the new
corps with a combat flag.
Delivering a speech, the head of state spoke about the work done in
Azerbaijan over the past several years to develop the army. He said
that the army is one of the attributes of independence.
[Passage omitted: Aliyev criticized the authorities who were in power
before 1993 for shortcomings in the army development]
[Correspondent] But the time is different now and an Azerbaijani
soldier is very different. He said that the Azerbaijani army is capable
of liberating Karabakh and as a commander-in-chief, he believed in
the strength of the army.
[Aliyev] The Azerbaijani people will never put up with the loss of
the land. If we see that the negotiations do not yield any results,
we will use all our means to liberate our land. For this, a strong
army, patriotism, the unity and the will of the people are needed. We
have all this.
[Servicemen are clapping]
[Correspondent] The head of state familiarized himself with the unit’s
canteen. Interested in the conditions servicemen were living in,
the president decided to have his supper with them.
President Ilham Aliyev also attended a ceremony to open an electronic
library at the Naxcivan State University.
[Passage omitted: video shows Aliyev asking a student how he uses
the library; Aliyev attended the branch of the Academy of Sciences’
in Naxcivan where he delivered another speech; no details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US National Security Advisor to visit Moscow
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 14 2004
RBC, 14.05.2004, Moscow 09:29:37.US National Security Advisor
Condoleezza Rice will arrive in Moscow today. Among other issues,
Rice is planning to discuss prospects of settling the Nagorny Karabakh
(Azerbaijan) conflict. In the course of her visit to Russia, Rice is
also planning to discuss political processes that are taking place in
the Caucuses in general. Rice is also expected to discuss the situation
in Iraq and the Middle East with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Azerbaijan to increase military spending – president
Trend news agency
12 May 04
Baku, 12 May: Azerbaijan intends to continue its policy of increasing
budget expenditure on the build-up of the national army, Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev said during a visit to a military unit in the
city of Naxcivan on 12 May.
Azerbaijan should increase its military potential, Aliyev said. The
Azerbaijani leadership is in favour of a peaceful settlement to the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and believes that the occupied territories
will be liberated peacefully, he said. But if peace is not possible,
we will do this in a military way, Aliyev went on to say, adding that
this requires an efficient army and strong will.
He voiced his satisfaction with the conditions in military units in
Azerbaijan and with the defence capacity of the Naxcivan Autonomous
Republic. He also stressed that strong military units should be
created since Naxcivan is blockaded.
The president said that Azerbaijan’s economy was getting stronger
thanks to large-scale regional projects. An economically weak country
cannot have a strong army, he said.
Aliyev also expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of the
Naxcivan leadership in the sphere of the population’s social and
economic development.

JUDICIAL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO COALITION
A1 Plus | 15:59:16 | 14-05-2004 | Politics |
Robert Grigoryan, Advocate of Suren Surenyantc, member of “Republic”
Party political board, had appealed in the Review Court against
2-month-long preliminary detention for Surenyantc made by the First
Instance Court. Court had rejected the claim.
Robert Grigoryan had applied to the Appeal Court, too. The case
consideration has been postponed for unknown reasons.
This morning Robert Grigoryan has been phoned by the Appeal Court
and asked to appear before Court 15 minutes later since the appeal
would be heard. The appeal was reviewed and rejected in a hurry.
Thus, Authorities once more refused to meet PACE demand to quickly
release all the political prisoners.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FM OSKANIAN ATTENDS COUNCIL OF EUROPE MINISTERIAL SESSION,
HOLDS TALKS ON KARABAKH
Minister Oskanian attended the 114th Ministerial Session of the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg on May 12 and 13.
Over two days the Minister met with the Council of Europe leadership, held
several bilateral meetings, and delivered a statement at the Session.
In the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister met Azerbaijan¹s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamadyarov, under the aegis of the Minsk Group co-Chairmen,
to continue the consultations which had begun in Prague a month ago on
looking for common ground based on which the sides can resume negotiations.
They agreed to meet again in June.
The Minister¹s meetings within the Council of Europe structures included
extensive talks with Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, Peter Schieder, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly, Bruno Haller, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the members of the Council of Europe¹s
Monitoring Group which follows Armenia¹s completion of its membership
commitments, known as the Ago Group.
With the Council of Europe officials, the Minister discussed the recent
resolution passed by PACE on Armenia¹s domestic situation. He thanked the
leadership for reaffirming that the opposition must leave the streets and
enter into a dialog in Parliament. He also reaffirmed Armenia¹s willingness
to address the issues raised by the Resolution. Finally, he indicated the
importance of receiving reliable, comprehensive information from Yerevan in
order for accurate conclusions and perceptions to be formed in Strasbourg.
In the margins of the Ministerial Session, the Minister met with the foreign
ministers of Georgia and Norway. Norway has just assumed the chairmanship of
the Council of Europe.
The Minister also met with Ireland¹s Deputy Foreign Minister, who informed
the Minister of the decision taken the previous day by the Irish EU
Presidency to recommend to the European Union Council of Ministers to
consider inclusion of Armenia and the other two Caucasus republics in the
EU¹s Wider Europe, New Neighborhood Initiative.
Minister Oskanian also met with members of the Council of Europe¹s Ago
Group, now headed by Ambassador Mats Aberg of Sweden. He responded to their
questions regarding the domestic situation in Armenia and provided other
information on Armenia¹s completion of Council of Europe commitments.
Minister Oskanian, in his statement delivered to the Committee of Ministers,
spoke about the need to convene the third Council of Europe Summit so that
heads of state can address the changing role of the Council of Europe in
light of an enlarged Europe, an expanding NATO and other European and global
challenges. He reiterated Armenia¹s support of reforms to the European Court
of Human Rights convention. During the session, the Minister signed Protocol
14 of the European Convention on Human Rights which reforms the Court¹s
ability to deal with repeat cases, with unmeritorious applications and
provides new admissibility criteria.
The entire text of the Minister¹s statement appears below.
STATEMENT BY
H.E. VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AT THE 114TH SESSION OF THE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
May 12, 2004
Strasbourg
Secretary General,
Dear Colleagues,
Each year, the focus of this organization and its member states remains the
same: to enhance democratization and rule of law so that governments can
nurture healthy societies and healthy economies.
Together with the OSCE and the European Union, the Council has worked hard
to institute programs which protect human rights, promote environmental and
economic progress, and advance democratization agendas. Armenia supports
deeper cooperation among these three European institutions, and advocates
the creation of mechanisms to increase effectiveness and minimize
duplication especially in light of the new definitions and relationships
that are appearing with an enlarged and widening Europe.
Unfortunately, some of what has emerged presents a quandary for mankind. We
thought human slavery was behind us. But Europe of the 21st century has been
stained by the scourge of human trafficking. With the dangers of terrorism,
too, and its threat to break up the international order as we¹ve known it,
we recognize even more that the only real defense against these mass
challenges to the principles and precepts that guide us is the deepening of
the rules of democracy and civil society, so that each individual gains from
that system and thus becomes more willing to defend and propagate that
system. We welcome, therefore, the reform of the European Court on Human
Rights. We will sign the protocol 14 tomorrow as one step forward for the
protection of human rights in Armenia and in Europe.
In order to provide the necessary attention and focus these issues require,
we would hope for a third Council of Europe Summit, where at the core of the
agenda would be the new menaces and new challenges which occupy our
attention and demand our resources. An enlarged European Union, an enlarging
NATO, evolving transatlantic interactions, this is the context against which
our heads of state should meet and carve out a new vision for a Council of
Europe that was born in one era, and now must lead in another.
Our search for deeper relations with Europe has, for us in the Caucasus,
become both cause and effect. This process is a continuum that began when we
targeted Council of Europe membership as a goal. We benefited from that
process, as we continue to benefit from membership itself which jumpstarted
and quickened legislative, judicial and other reforms. Today, we are looking
forward to becoming part of Europe¹s New Neighborhood and creating our own
cooperative and integrated neighborhood.
It is the same with democratization. The decision to transition to a
democratic, rule of law system of governance was a significant step. The
process of accomplishing that goal is an ongoing one, for all countries.
Mr. Chairman, I recall my first statement here, immediately after Armenia¹s
membership. I said then that we have become members not so that we would
bring our problems to this Council, but to use the Council to address our
problems. This is the first time that my Azerbaijani colleague and I are
both using this forum to meet in the sidelines and seek common ground, from
which I hope we can defend the rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination, while resolving the other consequences of the conflict
which continue to cause pain and suffering to both Armenians and
Azerbaijanis.
Exactly 10 years ago today, the leaders of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and
Azerbaijan demonstrated the necessary political will to put a stop to years
of fighting, and to institute what is today the longest, and the only,
self-monitored ceasefire in the world. Today, as we meet under the aegis of
the Minsk Group co-Chairs, we have a chance to exhibit political will yet
again, and in this second decade, take our peoples forward toward a lasting
resolution.
I will use the opportunity today of meeting here with my new Azerbaijani
colleague to call for a de-escalation of the rhetoric of war, and the war of
rhetoric. Both sides stand to benefit from the suspension of charges and
accusations. The Europe of which we are a part is a Europe without borders
and barriers. This Europe presents us the opportunity to take advantage of
the mechanisms and institutions that have been developed and have proven
themselves in defending, promoting, implementing European ideals and
European norms.
Mr. Chairman, we hope to return to this forum, proud of our accomplishments
not just in establishing a vibrant democracy, but also in making possible
prosperity and cooperation in our region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Youth to Hold Armenian Independence Day Picnic – Festival
The Armenian Youth Federation Garo Madenlian Public Affairs Office
announced Friday that the AYF will celebrate the first Armenian
independence with a large-scale picnic-festival on Monday May 31.
The picnic-festival will feature well-known singers and performers
including Nersik Ispirian, Joseph Krikorian, Paul Baghdadlian,
Armenchik, Artash Assadrian, Hovhanes Shahbazian, Sako, Ara Sahagian,
and Harout Hagopian.
“May 28, 1918 represents one of the most significant turning points
in our history,” said Vicken Sosikian, chairman of the AYF Western
Region. “As a free public event in celebration of such a great turning
point in our history, we view the picnic-festival as a service to
the Armenian community.”
The picnic, to begin at 10am, will also offer attendees food, music,
and games. Local businesses and organizations will also have booths
through which they will make their products and information available
to the public. The picnic will be held at the Holy Martyrs Armenian
School located at 16617 Parthenia St. North Hills, CA 91343.
For more information or details please call (818) 507-1933.
The AYF will also commemorate Memorial Day the same morning, with a
wreathe laying at the Glendale City Hall Veterans Memorial.
The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States serves Armenian
American communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social
settings. To learn more about the AYF please log on to
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