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07/21/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Thousands Participate in ARF/ADL-Organized Demonstration 2. ARF-ADL Joint Press Conference 3. Turkish PM in Paris, Peppered With Probes on Genocide 4. Political Representatives Meet with Journalists on Karabagh Issue 5. Regional Stability Focus of Georgia FM Visit to Armenia 6. NEWS BRIEFS 1. Thousands Participate in ARF/ADL-Organized Demonstration PARIS (AYFFM1/Aztagdaily.com)--Thousands of demonstrators on Tuesday converged on the spot where Prime Minister Erdogan was expected to give his press conference. ARF and ADL representatives as well as representatives of the Cypriot and Kurdish communities of France addressed the demonstrators. Also participating was the ARF representative of Holland. That country will assume the Presidency of the European Union in the coming months. ARF's Papazian stated that representative of Armenian communities would be visiting the European leaders with whom Prime Minister Erdogan met during his tour. Papazian also reported that on Monday Erdogan had addressed a gathering of 3,000 Turks in France in an attempt to reorganize the Turkish community there. 2. ARF-ADL Joint Press Conference At the very moment that French President Jacques Chirac and the Turkish Prime Minister were meeting in France on Tuesday, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Armenian Democratic League (the Ramgavar party) held a joint press conference. Also participating in the conference was Michel Tubiana, President of the French League for Human Rights and Vice-President of FIDHthe International Federation of Human Rights (La Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l'Homme). First to address reporters was Mourad Papazian, Representative of the Western Europe ARF Central Committee. Referencing reports by FIDH and other human rights organizations, he pointed out the dismal state of the human rights situation in Turkey. Papazian referred to Turkey's policy of genocide denial and the conditions set forth by the 18 June 1987 decision of the European Parliament. He also discussed the Copenhagen Criteria, saying that the reforms being carried out in Turkey are entirely insufficient and superficial, and the newly adopted laws have simply remained dead letters. The ARF representative concluded that Turkey is not ready for entry into the European Union. He explained that the decision to open accession talks are given only for those countries that have met the conditions set by Europe, whereas Turkey ignores European courts, which every year issue numerous condemnations of and verdicts against Turkey. Varoujan Sirabian spoke on behalf of the ADL, presenting the numerous reasons why Turkey is ineligible for entry into the European Union. He spoke of the threats to human rights and democracy in Turkeyand the dangers of the Turkish regime, in particular the Islamist ideology of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) and his ideological orientation and statements. Michel Tubiana spoke about the current situation in Turkey. He criticized Turkey's delays in implementing its recently adopted laws and considered its continual denial of the Armenian Genocide unacceptable. 3. Turkish PM in Paris, Peppered With Probes on Genocide PARIS (AYFFM1 )--Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his official visit to France, held a press conference in Paris on Monday, July 19, in the course of which he attempted to alleviate widespread concerns in French public opinion regarding Turkey's candidacy for accession to the European Union. Erdogan said there is no need for concern in France, because December 17, 2004 is not the date by which Turkey would be joining the European Union. Rather, that is when a date would be set for starting negotiations, he stressed. Erdogan was in France July 19-20, after having visited Germany and Holland, in an attempt to secure support. Turkey has recently undertaken a massive public relations campaign in an attempt to show that it is making significant progress toward meeting the European Council's Copenhagen Criteria for Turkey's accession to the Union and should therefore receive a date for beginning accession talks. Five of the approximately 15 questions put to Erdogan during the press conference were on Armenian topics, including the Armenian Genocide. In his responses, Erdogan did not attempt to term the Genocide "alleged" or "so called" or otherwise refute the fact of its occurrence. He did say, however, that the Armenian Genocide is a matter of the past and should be left up to historians. He stressed that it is necessary to focus on the part of the glass that is full and to look toward the future. Erdogan was asked about what assurance he could give that Turkey would adhere to the decisions of the European Parliament if Turkey were to become a member of it, when in fact it has not complied with the 18 June 1987 decision of the Parliament, which set forth the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the resolution of the Cyprus and Kurdish problems as preconditions for Turkey's entry into the European Union. Erdogan replied, "We respect and implement [only] those decisions that are binding." An Azerbaijani television reporter asked the Prime Minister, "Previously you used to say that to normalize relations with Armenia it is necessary to resolve the Karabagh question, but now you talk about the Genocide issue and final recognition by Armenia of Turkey's borders. Which is the more fundamental issue?" Erdogan replied that regarding both sets of issues all sides must work hand-in-hand to reach just resolutions and live in a peaceful environment. He added that in any event the populations of the Armenia-Turkey border area wish to see the Armenia-Turkey border opened. The reporter of the Turkish Zaman paper asked what Turkey would do if the French Parliament passes a law criminalizing denial of the Genocide, and whether that issue had been a subject of discussions with the French President and Premier. Erdogan replied that no such discussions have taken placeand, in any event, he does not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of another country. The Turkish Prime Minister also referred to France-Turkey relation, economic matters, the Middle East crisis, and Iraq... always attempting to present himself as a peace-loving and democratic leader. 4. Political Representatives Meet with Journalists on Karabagh Issue YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Representatives of various political forces and several journalists met in Yerevan on July 21 to discuss the official position along with public perception about the Mountainous Karabagh conflict resolution process. Organized by the Armenian Press Club, the event attracted Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Republican party representatives, and members of the Constitutional Rights Union. The most outspoken critic of returning liberated territories under some sort of mutual agreement was ARF's Giro Manoyan who categorically ruled out the option, saying those territories serve as a protective zone around the Mountainous Karabagh Republic. He instead proposed that the liberated territories be defined, and MKR declare sovereignty over the liberated territories. "We shouldn't forget that blood was shed there," he declared Manoyan explained that if the status of liberated territories remains unclear, not only will speculation about its surrender to Azerbaijan persist, but its population will also face constant threat. "We should do our best to establish a situation, in which those living within the liberated territories cannot be exiled," he emphasized, saying negotiations need to become more active. 5. Regional Stability Focus of Georgia FM Visit to Armenia YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Georgia's Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili, arrived in Armenia on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues with Armenia's leadership. Zurabishvili and Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian spoke about the advantages of forging and strengthening existing partnerships with European and Euroatlantic structures, namely, the European Union and NATO. The two bodies have recently shifted their focus to the stability of the South Caucuses, and have stepped up activity there. Addressing regional economic development, Oskanian targeted the development of road and transport corridors extending east-west, and north-south in order to make the South Caucasus a lively trade route. In this context, the full reopening of regional railroads--specifically the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi, and the Abkhazian section of the Russia-Georgia-Armenia railroads--were emphasized. Regional energy safety was reviewed, along with possible approaches to resolving issues in Mountainous Karabagh, Ossetia, and Abkhazia. Later in the day, Zurabishvili met with Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdassarian and Prime Minister Andranik Margarian who stressed that healthy bilateral relations between their two countries is key to regional stability. Margarian, who co-chairs the Armenian-Georgian Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation with his Georgian counterpart Zurab Zhvania, is due to visit Georgia for a regular meeting of the commission to review cooperation in the economic, energy, and transportation sectors. Margarian offered Armenia's assistance in implementing socio-economic development programs in Georgia's impoverished region of Javakhk, and expressed confidence that Georgia would pay due attention to the economic, cultural, and education problems that Javakh's majority Armenian population faces. Zurabishvili also met with representatives of the Georgian community in Armenia at the Georgian Embassy, and visited the Parajanov house-museum, and the Armenian Genocide memorial. She will also be meeting with President Robert Kocharian. 6. NEWS BRIEFS 7,000 Urban Residents in Lori to Receive Food Aid VANADZOR (ARMENPRESS)Some 7,000 urban residents in the province of Lori will be the recipients of food aid from the UN World Food Program. The aid distribution is set to begin later on this month. Each individual will receive 29 kg of flour, vegetable oil and lentil. Under an agreement with the Armenian government, the World Food Program will continue its assistance into 2006. Ambassador to Italy Gives Talk on Karabagh Conflict YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Armenian Ambassador to Italy Gagik Baghdasarian, made an hour long presentation about the Mountainous Karabagh conflict during the `Identity and Memory: Europe and the Management of Conflicts' seminar, organized by the Italian San Marino Summer University. The seminar, which was held between July 16 and 18, was attended by students, young researchers and professors from across Italy. Armenian Youth Particpate in Italian Soccer Competition YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)The Italian embassy in Yerevan said on Tuesday that it has issued visas to a group of young Futbol Federation of Armenia players. The Armenian soccer players, who are between the ages of 9-14, have invited to participate in a competition in Italy organized by the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio (FIGC). The competition is scheduled to take place in the Summer Center of the FIGC in Norcia, Italy from July 25 to 31. The FIGC has also invited a delegation from Azerbaijan. It is likely that the two teams may face each other in a friendly match. All trip-related expenses will be covered by the FIGC. Javakhk Artists Display their Work In Yerevan YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)An exhibition featuring the work of artists from Javakhk opened in Yerevan on July 20. Approximately 100 paintings are on display. A similar event was last held about ten years ago. Armenian Wrestler Wins Silver Medal YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Greco-Roman wrestler Khosrov Melikian snatched the silver medal at a Europe youth championship in Slovenia. Melikian, who is a resident of Gyumri, defeated all four of his rivals in the 50 kg weight class. Writers Union Condemns Review Court Decision YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)In a move that is likely to further exacerbate relations between Armenian writers and judicial authorities, the Union of Armenia's Writers issued a statement on July 20 `to express the deep indignation about the rude violation of the Union's rights by a court of review.' The statement followed a court of review verdict that cancelled a lower court decision in favor of the Union concerning a hospital that was run by the Union for decades. The hospital was sold by the Arabkir community to a businessmen through an agreement, which the writers say is non-existent and that the community had no right to regulate the fate of the hospital. In a letter addressed to the president, the Union asked Robert Kocharian to interfere. On Monday, the chairman of the Union stated that they were not going to surrender and will take the case to the Court of Appeals. Reporters Demands Investigation into Azeri Case BAKU (ARMENPRESS)On Tuesday, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders called upon Azerbaijan's law enforcement bodies to find out and punish the perpetrators of last Saturday's assault of Aydin Guliyev, who serves as the chief editor of opposition daily Baki-Khabar (Baku-News). Guliyev was abducted and beaten by four unidentified assailants in Baku on July 17. Guliyev said on Monday that the four masked men accused him of dispersing anti-Islamic propaganda through his publication and being disrespectful to Azerbaijan's `statehood.' He emphasized that his newspaper never published articles against Islam and that the accusations were intended to cover the real reason for the attack, which he believes could have been ordered by the government. Guliyev added that he had been receiving phone threats for around ten days prior to his abduction. The editor has since appealed to the various embassies in Baku in search of asylum. Baki-Khabar serves as the publication of the opposition Azerbaijan Democrat Party, which is currently chaired by Rasul Guliyevan ex-parliamentary speaker who now lives in exile in the United States. A former ally of the late President Heydar Aliyev, Aydin Guliyev split with the leader in 1996 and founded the opposition party. He is accused of appropriating large amounts of state funds while working as the head of an oil refinery plant in Baku during the early 1990s. PM Meets with Outgoing American Ambassador YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Tuesday, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian received the outgoing United States Ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway. `During our first meeting three years ago I was sure that we were going to cooperate successfully. Today it is a reality,' the ambassador stated during his farewell meeting with the prime minister. He thanked the Armenian government, and the prime minister personally, for the work the two sides were able to accomplish during his tenure. In turn, Margarian commended the ambassador's efforts in deepening the ties between the two countries and noted that visible political and economic relations and cooperation within international organizations has emerged. Margarian specifically referred to Armenia's eligibility in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program, and assured the ambassador that Armenia will comply with the deadline and submit its suggestions and approved program to the US government. Agency to Ask Court To Dissolve 58 Political Parties YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)According to State Registration Agency of the Justice Ministry, only 63 of the 121 formerly registered political parties, have submitted the proper paperwork required for formal registration. Agency head Gurgen Sarkisian stated that they will ask the courts to dissolve the 58 parties that have not fulfilled the required criteria under the country's legal code. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.