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09/23/2004
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1) Turkey’s EU Hopes Leap as Brussels Sees ‘No More Obstacles’
2) Dimitrov Discusses Karabagh with Armenian Government Officials
3) Breakaway Regions Reject ‘Stage-by-Stage’ Conflict Settlement Plan
4) Hamazkayin Holds Tri-regional Meeting
5) Armenia Fund Kicks-off Thanksgiving Day Telethon
1) Turkey’s EU Hopes Leap as Brussels Sees ‘No More Obstacles’
BRUSSELS (AFP)–The European Commission gave Turkey’s hopes of joining the
EU a
huge boost, saying it saw “no more obstacles” in its way towards a “clear
recommendation” on starting EU entry talks with Ankara.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, who is to publish an October 6
report on Turkey’s progress, said his concerns, notably over a disputed penal
reform bill, had been allayed in talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
Erdogan, meanwhile, pledged to push through the delayed legislation “as soon
as possible,” with efforts focusing on an extraordinary session of the Turkish
parliament called on Sunday to rush the reforms through.
“We have been able to find solutions for the remaining outstanding problems,”
Verheugen said at a joint press conference with Erdogan after talks at a
Brussels hotel.
He recalled that during a visit to Turkey this month to assess its progress
towards meeting EU membership criteria, he expressed concerns about two key
issues: reform to the penal code and charges of systematic torture in Turkey.
“My conclusion is that there are no more obstacles now,” he said, adding:
“From my point of view there are no further conditions which Turkey must
fulfill in order to allow the commission to make a recommendation.”
Verheugen’s long-awaited October 6 report will form the basis for EU leaders
to decide at a mid-December summit whether or not to start EU membership
negotiations with Ankara.
He has long been widely expected to deliver a positive assessment. But a row
over the penal reform–and specifically proposals to make adultery a criminal
offense–has raised serious question marks in Brussels in the last few weeks.
“The assurance I got today from my friend Mr. Erdogan will allow me to make a
very clear recommendation,” Verheugen said.
The Turkish leader, smiling as he shook hands with Verheugen for the cameras,
also expressed satisfaction after the talks.
“I’m very happy with the result of this meeting, which has been very
productive,” said Erdogan. “I believe that this meeting is going to prepare a
very positive foundation for the progress report of Turkey,” he said.
Erdogan recalled the reform legislation already passed, and underlined
Ankara’s determination to implement it.
“We have taken important steps on reforms, and now we are following with
important steps in implementing them,” he said. “We are very determined to do
this … to implement all the reforms seriously.”
EU officials said that Erdogan had promised Verheugen that the bill would be
adopted without a controversial amendment aimed at making adultery a criminal
offense–a move the European Union said would seriously compromise Turkey’s
hopes.
European Commission head Romano Prodi, whom Erdogan met shortly after his
talks with Verheugen, promised that the October report will be “fair and
objective.”
Almost simultaneously with Erdogan’s talks in Brussels, officials in Ankara
said the parliament will meet in extraordinary session on Sunday to debate the
disputed penal code.
Parliamentary sources in Ankara said the decision to convene parliament at
the
weekend was made in Brussels as part of assurances Erdogan gave Verheugen in
their talks.
Erdogan said Sunday’s session will discuss three key issues, including the
penal code. “The executionary articles will be discussed and passed in the
parliament on Sunday,” he said.
Turkey’s main opposition party hailed the government move. “We are happy with
the result, this is what we wanted,” Kemal Anadol of social-democratic
Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Later Thursday Erdogan met leaders of the European Parliament, where he was
due to hold a press conference at the end of the afternoon.
2) Dimitrov Discusses Karabagh with Armenian Government Officials
YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian received special
representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office for the Mountainous Karabagh
conflict Philip Dimitrov, on September 22 to discuss Armenia-OSCE relations
and
the settlement of the Karabagh conflict. Dimitrov, a former Bulgarian prime
minister, arrived in Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan.
Dimitrov also met with Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, as well as Defense
Minister Serge Sarksian. In light of recent meetings between Armenian and
Azeri
presidents, as well as the foreign ministers of both countries, Oskanian
briefed Dimitrov on the negotiation process and provided clarification on
certain issues. Dimitrov reportedly expressed to both Armenian and Azeri
leaders that the OSCE’S constant focus is the quickest resolution of the
Karabagh conflict.
3) Breakaway Regions Reject ‘Stage-by-Stage’ Conflict Settlement Plan
TBILISI (Civil Georgia)–Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia rejected President Mikhail Saakashvili’s “stage-by-stage” conflict
settlement plan, offered by the Georgian leader while addressing the UN
General
Assembly Session on September 21.
Astamur Tania, a political aide to the Abkhaz de facto President, told
Itar-Tass news agency that Abkhazia has already “determined its status as an
independent country” and the region’s “autonomous status in the Georgian
state”
cannot be put on the agenda.
South Ossetian de facto Foreign Minister Murat Jioyev told Itar-Tass that
“South Ossetia’s integration into the Georgian state is unacceptable” for
Tskhinvali. He added, however, that South Ossetia agrees that the conflict
“should be solved solely through peaceful means.”
President Saakashvili proposed to launch measures aimed at confidence
building
between the conflicting sides; demilitarization and decriminalization of the
conflict areas; internationalization of the peace process; and offering the
broadest form of autonomy for the separatist regions.
4) Hamazkayin Holds Tri-regional Meeting
A tri-regional meeting of Hamazkayin Eastern and Western United States
representatives, along with Hamazkayin Canada, was held on September 18 in New
Jersey. The executive chairmen from all three regions were present, as well as
the organization’s Central Executive chairman from Lebanon, Dr. Megerdich
Megerdichian, who briefed participants about the Hamazkayin Educational
institutions (Jemarans) in Antelias, Lebanon and Marseille, France, its
printing and publishing houses, quarterly literary journal Pakine, as well as
the general activities of Hamazkayin’s executive body.
Each region also presented an update of activities, along with present
obstacles. Discussions focused, however, on attracting youth to participate in
cultural activities, and generally embody culture. Undertakings that require
joint development were reviewed, such as establishing a Central Executive
office in North America, the status of updating the Hamazkayin website,
reemergence of Hamazkayin forums, among other issues.
Participants decided to organize large-scale celebrations in 2005 to mark
Jemaran’s 75th anniversary, as well as the 1600 anniversary of the Armenian
alphabet.
Participants agreed to boost literary publications and to increase Pakin
subscriptions in respective regions.
The meeting commended the organization’s increasing presence in Armenia and
Mountainous Karabagh, including the Central Executive’s support in organizing
soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian’s first-ever performance in Armenia.
Dr. Megerdichian closed the meeting by stressing that there exists vast
opportunities for Hamazkayin in North America. He emphasized that the
organization remains greatly different from others who work in the cultural
field, because it will persist as one created with the ideal of serving the
Armenian people.
5) Armenia Fund Kicks-off Thanksgiving Day Telethon
Telethon 2004–Make It Happen
GLENDALE–Armenia Fund, Inc. (AFI) officially launched activities for its
annual fundraising event–Telethon 2004 Make It Happen–at a kick-off
celebration on Thursday, September 16, at Glendale Studios in Glendale,
California.
Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, November 25 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (PST),
Telethon 2004, airing live from Glendale, CA, is a 12-hour event that will be
broadcast throughout the United States, Europe, South America, the CIS, and
the
Middle East.
The goal is to raise $12.5 million to complete the remaining 56 miles of the
North-South “Backbone” Highway in Mountainous Karabagh. When completed, the
$25
million, 105-mile highway will link 150 towns and villages and provide crucial
economic, trade and development opportunities for Karabagh.
Telethon 2004 will also provide continued assistance in health care,
education, and infrastructure development in the Republic of Armenia.
The kick-off brought together prominent members of the Armenian-American
diaspora, as well as elected officials including California State
Assemblywoman
Carol Liu (D-Pasadena), Glendale City Mayor Bob Yousefian, Glendale City
Councilman Frank Quintero, and Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik
Kirakossian. “The Diaspora has played a vital and integral role in building a
bright future for Armenia and Karabagh. The community’s enthusiasm for
Telethon
2004 is unprecedented. We are committed to producing an innovative, quality
program that symbolizes the collaborative efforts, dedication and spirit of
our
communities,” said Maria Mehranian, chairperson of AFI, during the kick-off
ceremony.
The event also marked the unveiling of Telethon 2004’s Make It Happen
logo/theme created by renowned Los Angeles artist Vahé Fattal. “I wanted the
tone of the campaign to be inspirational and embody a sense of empowerment.
It’s a cumulative process…each of us can make a difference,” said Fattal.
The
Make It Happen theme will be incorporated in an international public
relations/community outreach campaign designed to create awareness and
generated increased support for Telethon 2004.
The broadcast will feature live entertainment by various Armenian performers,
interviews with numerous celebrities and political leaders, development and
construction footage from Armenia and Karabagh, stories of individuals
impacted
by AFI projects, as well as a phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers. To
provide increased opportunity for international viewing and participation,
Telethon 2004 will also be available in full-motion webcast on
Internet users will be able to view and make secure
contributions online.
For more information on Armenia Fund and Telethon 2004, 818-243-6222 or visit
the website.
Armenia Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, is the US
West coast affiliate of the “Hayastan” All-Armenia Fund (HAAF). It was
established in 1994 to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Armenia and
Karabagh; HAAF has administered over $100 million in humanitarian,
rehabilitation. and construction aid through the united efforts of Armenian
communities internationally.
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