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10/20/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenian Political Parties Issue Joint Statement on Presidential Elections 2) Unprecedented European Armenian Convention Ends, Issues Declaration 3) European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid 4) Western Prelacy Board of Regents for Prelacy Armenian School Appointed 5) Armenian, Georgian Presidents to Meet in Georgia 6) Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in Italy 1) Armenian Political Parties Issue Joint Statement on Presidential Elections On October 19, The Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Democratic-Liberal Party, and the Social-Democratic Hunchak Party issued the following appeal to the Armenian community in the United States to cast their vote for Presidential candidate John Kerry: An Appeal to American-Armenians The US presidential elections will take place on November 2. The two main candidates, President George W. Bush and US Senator John Kerry, are waging a vigorous campaign for the people's votes. So far, according to observers, the ratings of the two candidates are extremely close; each vote will, therefore, carry significance. On November 2, the American people will have their decisive say--including American-Armenians, who will go to the polls conscious of their civic duty. Accordingly, we appeal to our people to vote for Senator John Kerry, because he has espoused pro-Armenian positions on issues that American-Armenians consider vital. As a Senator, John Kerry has been constant in adopting positions in favor of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, increases in US aid to Armenia, and a just resolution to the Mountainous Karabagh problem. Moreover, he has always had an open-door policy toward American-Armenians and has been responsive to our needs and requests. John Kerry's efforts within the Senate are proof positive of his pro-Armenian and pro-Armenia policies. Under the current circumstances, American-Armenians will play a crucial role in the upcoming presidential elections, because every vote counts. On November 2, let us go to the polls, en masse, to cast our votes in favor of Senator John Kerry. Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committees of the Western and Eastern United States Armenian Democratic-Liberal Party Regional Executives of the Western and Eastern United States Social-Democratic Hunchak Party 2) Unprecedented European Armenian Convention Ends, Issues Declaration BRUSSELS--The first Convention of European Armenians closed on Tuesday with the adoption of a final declaration affirming its support for fundamental European values, the need for the increased promotion of Armenian identity within Europe, further integration of Armenia into the European family of nations, and strong opposition to Turkey's candidacy for membership in the European Union. The more than two hundred and fifty delegates to the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) Convention unanimously affirmed these points. The declaration will be sent to the twenty-five member states of the European Union. Tuesday's program opened with a panel on The challenges of the enlargement process, moderated by Phillipe Kalfayan, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH). In a sweeping introduction to this topic, Kalfayan touched on the security, religious, and cultural dimensions to Turkey's candidacy, as well as the impact of internal Turkish policy on its relations with European institutions. The first speaker, noted historian and the Rector of the Catholic University of Louvain, Prof. Bernard Coulie, alluding to the reservoir of historical understanding of Armenia's longstanding relations with Europe, discussed the prospects for Armenia and Armenian diaspora drawing closer to the European Union. He noted with certainty that Armenia--as a member or close neighbor, will either be in or on the border with the European Union. The Armenian community of Europe, he explained, will become a vital catalyst in bringing Armenia and Europe closer together. The second speaker, Chairman of the Armenian Liberal Democratic (Ramgavar) Party Jean Varoujan Sirapian, point by point spelled out why Turkey's acceptance into the European Union would contradict the spirit of the Union's founding, and would ultimately undermine the interests and values of the vital institution. He sharply criticized recent reports pointing out Turkey's many failures, nonetheless still recommending opening talks on membership. He announced the publication of a report by the Chobanian Institute that makes the case against Turkey's acceptance into the EU. The next speaker, the Vice-President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament Harlem Desir, stressed the that though Turkey must be held accountable for meeting EU criteria, once these have been met, Turkey could, nevertheless, rightfully be considered for membership. He stressed his efforts and the work of his Party in pressing Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide and noted his regret that the EU did not formally set Armenian genocide recognition as a precondition for membership. Turkey must do what Germany and France have done, Desir stressed, and come to terms with their history. The EU, he noted, should use Turkey's interest in membership as leverage to secure continued reforms. In a spirited and compelling presentation, the next speaker, Frank Biancheri, analyzed the practical prospects for Turkey's acceptance into the EU. Biancheri, the Chairman of the think tank TIESweb, argued that for a myriad of domestic and international reasons, Turkey's membership is highly unrealistic during the next twenty years. "The fact is," he said, "that the forces against Turkey's membership have set forth arguments that have resonance across Europe, while pro-Turkey elements have been limited to parts of ruling European elite. Given the likelihood of referendums on Turkey's acceptance, the chances for approval are very low." He argued, instead, for a Privileged Partnership relationship as a realistic alternative. The final speaker on the panel, Charles Papazian, representing the Western Europe branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, argued that acceptance into the EU would run counter to European values and public opinion across the continent. He outlined the basis for this opposition, on issues ranging from genocide denial, blockades, human rights, treatment of minorities, the continued occupation of Cyprus, and the role of religion in Turkish society. He stressed the growing gap on this issue between governing European elites and the broad cross section of popular opinion. In closing, he discussed ARF's advocacy and grassroots efforts in Brussels and throughout Europe in opposing Turkey's membership to culminate in a demonstration outside of the European Commission building on December 17. The especially spirited question and answer period, which lasted nearly two hours, raised issues on the lowering of EU standards for Turkey, the role of public opinion on Turkey's candidacy, and the sincerity of pronouncements by elements of Turkey's governing elite concerning the EU. Charles Tannock, MEP, (Christian Democrat, UK), criticized the moral double standard being applied to Turkey, and warned of the large costs of taking Turkey into the Union and stressed that serious attention should be devoted to the issues of fundamental cultural differences, and the role of Islam in Turkey. He predicted that the top-driven agenda of getting Turkey into the EU will come to a halt as national referendums are held on this issue. Following the question and answer session, Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the EAFJD, read the Declaration of the Convention, which was approved unanimously by acclamation. In his closing remarks, ARF Bureau member and the Chairman of the Armenian National Committee international coordinating body Garo Armenian, praised this historic beginning and noted the progress made by Europe's Armenian community in emerging as a political force on the European stage. He stressed the success of the EAFJD in developing a Europe-wide consensus, and organizing focused and effective advocacy in the key European capitals. He closed his comments by noting for all in attendance that the real work for Europe's increasingly vibrant Armenian community lies ahead. Following the formal program, Hilda Tchoboian and EAFJD Executive Director Laurent Leylekian held a press conference for the several dozen print and broadcast journalists at the Convention. 3) European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid (AFP/DW)--During a three-day parliamentary group meeting in Istanbul, Europe's Greens have come out in support for Turkey's EU bid and criticized proposed national referendums on its membership. Europe's Greens, once Turkey's most vocal critics and now the staunchest supporters of its EU membership, began a three-day parliamentary group meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday by airing strong criticism against any plans to hold national referendums on whether Ankara should join the bloc. "We are against holding referendums in one country about another country," Greens group president Daniel Cohn-Bendit said. "There are seven million Turks living in Europe, so the real question in the referendum will be, 'Do you like Turks--do you like Muslims?'" He singled out President Jacques Chirac, criticizing his proposal to amend the French constitution to allow referendums on future EU members as "foolish" and "ridiculous." "How can a democratic president, even Chirac, say what will happen 'in 10 years' time?" Cohn-Bendit asked at a press conference at the opening of the meeting. "Are they going to have referendums on the memberships of Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia? The French will go crazy," he said. "This is ridiculous. Don't waste our time with what will happen in 10 years." Cohn-Bendit was flanked at the press conference by co-chair Monica Frassoni of Italy, Dutchman Joost Logendijk, and Germany's Cem Özdemir, both of the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee. SPECIAL NEGOTIATIONS Cohn-Bendit urged Turkey to accept the fact that it is different from other candidate countries and that a special negotiating process is needed to allow it into the EU. A generally favorable European Commission report on Oct. 6 advises EU leaders to agree at a Dec. 17 summit in Brussels to launch membership talks with Turkey. "When you say, 'We want equal treatment,' you do not mean it," Cohn-Bendit said. "Turkey is not Malta, it is not Romania, it is not Bulgaria. It is a big country, it is a proud country, and its entry into the EU will be an important event." 'CRITICAL FRIENDS' He said the Greens had arrived in Turkey as "critical friends" in hopes that many issues that remain to be ironed out--the situation of the Kurds and other minorities, women's rights, the Armenian massacres--could be "openly discussed among friends." "We must have uncomfortable discussions on, for example, Cyprus and the role of the army," Frassoni said, adding: "The process of building a European democracy is not finished." The Greens support Turkey's EU membership, the Italian MEP said, but so does Italy's conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi--"his reasons are not the same as ours," she added. "What is the Greens' message to Turkey?" asked Özdemir, who is of Turkish origin. "The message is that we are here and not somewhere else. If Turkey is today at another point than where it was several years ago, it is also because of civil society, not only because of politicians," he said. ISSUES ON CONTENTION Another message from the Greens to Turkey's politicians is "don't panic," Logendijk said. He added the Commission report contained elements Turkey and the Greens both disagree with, such as the open-ended nature of the talks and mention of permanent derogations concerning this country, such as barring its citizens from free circulation in Europe. "But," he said, "don't lose your focus; don't lose sight of the main point: [membership] negotiations should begin next year." The meeting of the joint Greens/European Free Alliance group next goes into a series of panel conferences covering aspects of Turkey-EU ties. Panelists include German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül, Kurdish activist Leyla Zana, and Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. 4) Western Prelacy Board of Regents for Prelacy Armenian School Appointed His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and the Executive Council announced on October 18, appointments to the Board of Regents of Western Prelacy Armenian Schools. The Prelate and the Executive Council met with newly appointed members Dr. Roubina Peroomian, Dr. Armine Hacopian, Dr. Ida Karayan, Dr. Vartkes Tomassian, Avo Keshishian, Mher Der Ohanessian, Vahe Hovaguimian and Chris Keossian, JD, to discuss the affairs and plans for Prelacy schools. At the end of discussions, the Board of Regents held its first working session and formed its executive body: Dr. Roubina Peroomian, Chairperson; Dr. Armine Hacopian, Vice-chairperson; Vahe Hovaguimian, Secretary; Avo Keshishian, Treasurer. 5) Armenian, Georgian Presidents to Meet in Georgia YEREVAN (Armenpress)--President Robert Kocharian will visit Georgia on October 22 for an official three-day visit. The welcoming ceremony will be held at Bagratashen village on the Armenian-Georgian border, after which Kocharian will meet with his counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili in the capital city Tbilisi. Kocharian's visit also includes meetings with parliament chairwoman Nino Burjanadze, prime minister Zurab Zhvania, as well as the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. He will conclude his trip by meeting with members of the local Armenian community. 6) Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in Italy ROME (Armenpress)--Foreign Minister Oskanian arrived in Italy on October 18, to mark the third official visit of an Armenian Foreign Minister to Italy since 1998. In a meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, the ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues, taking into consideration the prospects of developing relations. They specifically addressed Armenia's economic development, and Italy's knowledge of small and medium enterprises, as well as the tourism industry. They also spoke of expanding cultural relations as well as those concerning health care, and education. In the course of their political discussions, they addressed Armenia's integration into Europe within the framework of EU's New Neighborhood Policy, as well as Armenia's and Italy's cooperation within international organizations. They also thoroughly covered urgent international policy issues, developments in the South Caucasus, the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, and Armenian-Turkish relations. Oskanian also visited The Vatican and met with Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican secretary for relations with states. In 1998, the two countries signed documents to encourage mutual protection of capital investments, and consultation between their foreign services. During his second visit to Italy in June 2002, Oskanian signed an inter-governmental treaty on taxation. 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. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress