ASBAREZ Online [10-21-2004]

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10/21/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) British Delegation Visits Karabagh, Azeris Unhappy 2) Turkish Tabloid Goes on Rant about Minister's Remarks 3) ESP Focuses on International Justice, AYF Discusses Genocide with Turkish Counterparts 4) University of Michigan to Bring Together South Caucasus Diplomats and Scholars 5) Chess Olympiad Update 1) British Delegation Visits Karabagh, Azeris Unhappy STEPANAKERT (Combined Sources)--Azerbaijan's foreign affairs ministry sent a letter to the British government protesting a visit by a British parliamentary delegation to Karabagh, headed by member of the House of Commons Gordon Marsden, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Caroline Cox. The letter of protest assesses the visit as a "violation of Azerbaijan's rights." Denouncing the visit as "illegal," the letter asks that the members of British parliament be more sensitive to the feelings of the Azeri people. The British delegation arrived in Karabagh on October 20 and met with Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghukasian and National Assembly Chairman Oleg Yesayan. President Ghukasian, expressing gratitude for the visit, said it was another opportunity for the people of Karabagh to make their position heard in Europe. Ghukasian briefed the delegation members on Karabagh's recent achievements in such areas as human rights protection and building a democratic state based on rule of law. He also spoke about the favorable conditions for non-governmental organizations to carry out their work. The delegation is scheduled to meet representatives of Karabagh's NGOs. Ghukasian then spoke about the conflict regulation process, affirming that Karabagh's leadership deems the maintenance of the ceasefire as a key point for its population's security. Gordon Marsden said the visit allowed for them to learn first-hand information about Karabagh and its people, as their purpose was to determine the volume of humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the Azeri Organization for Karabagh Liberation held a protest near the British Embassy in Baku on Wednesday and placed a black wreath in front of the embassy. Also, unidentified assailants wrote the name of Baroness Cox on the memorial to British soldiers killed in Baku in 1918 using black paint. Police arrived at the scene and removed paint off the memorial. 2) Turkish Tabloid Goes on Rant about Minister's Remarks (Marmara)--The Turkish tabloid Takvim has been blasting People's Republican Party parliament minister Kamal Darwish, a former government minister for telling the French Le Monde paper that he is deeply saddened by the massacre of Armenians, and that it is necessary to recognize and express sorrow in connection with that tragedy. Takvim reported about the interview on Wednesday, and on Thursday published reaction from People's Republican Party (CHP), and Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliament members who categorically condemned Darwish and demanded he apologize to the Turkish people. AKP minister Suleyman Turgut went as far as to say that in light of his parliamentary oath, he can no longer work with such an individual. Another AKP minister Aziz Akgul noted that anyone familiar with Turkey's history knows that no such atrocity took place, though Armenians did try to provoke the Turks. Yet another AKP minister Selahadin Beyribeh from Gars, reported that coming from that territory, he knows that the main atrocity was against the Turks, and carried out by Armenians. "The concept of systematic massacres is nonexistent in the Islamic faith. On the battlefield, people from both sides die, but that is not a massacre," he said. "Is it imaginable that the Turks would set Armenians on fire in a Mosque?" "But hundreds of Turks were set afire in Gars. Darwish is contemptible, and I'm saddened that we conduct politics under the same roof." Others condemned Darwish, saying that the enemy has been given the upper hand as a result of his stance. CHP parliamentary group's vice chair Kamal Anadol revealed that his party would review Darwish's statement, and if necessary, will issue a clarification. Speaking as a historian, Anadol said that the Armenian issue was one of deportation--a mandatory emigration, practiced my numerous countries against its minorities. "But, massacre is something different," he said, rehashing the fact that both sides experience losses in battle. "And that is left in the pages of history; we have no right to utilize them as a chip in current political affairs." Takvim adds that the general public is also outraged by Darwish. One citizen remarked, "Kamal Darwish has buttered on the bread of Armenia, who is already preparing to demand territory from Turkey." 3) ESP Focuses on International Justice, AYF Discusses Genocide with Turkish Counterparts LONDON (Combined Sources)--The third European Social Forum (ESF), which convened in London on October 15, came to a successful end on October 17. At a giant gathering for groups and organizations opposed to war, racism, and economic injustice, the ESF attracted over 30,000 participants from all regions of the world. The ESF, which emerged during the 2001 World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, attracted a number of world renowned activists including, Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara; president of Ireland's Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams; former Labour MP, George Galloway; president of ATTAC, Bernard Cassen; and others. Culminating in a 15,000 person strong anti-war protest, the forum addressed issues dealing with war and peace, democracy and fundamental rights, social justice and workers rights , corporate globalization, and the environment. Six delegates from Armenia, France, and England represented the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) during the three-day forum. The delegates participated in discussions concerning the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the condition of Kurds living in Turkey, and Turkey's aspiration to enter the European Union. The AYF delegation had the opportunity to meet with several groups from Turkey, whose members acknowledged the 1915 genocide of Ottoman Armenians and the need for the government of Turkey to formally recognize the event as such. The delegation also met with representatives of French Socialist Party and the leaders of ECOSY--the youth organization of the Party of European Socialists--which, like the AYF, is a member of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). 4) University of Michigan to Bring Together South Caucasus Diplomats and Scholars International Conference will consider foreign policies and conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia (UMich)--During four days in October, the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan will become the gathering point for diplomats and scholars who, for the past 15 years, have been involved in the shaping or study of the foreign policies and conflict resolution processes of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia . The international conference, titled "Armenia/the South Caucasus and Foreign Policy Challenges," is being organized by the Armenian Studies Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and will be held at the main campus of the University on October 21-24. The conference is co-sponsored by the International Institute, the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, the Center for Russian and East European Studies, The Department of History, the Near Eastern Studies Department, and the Political Science Department. This unique gathering will bring together some thirty-five scholars, past and present diplomats, and conflict negotiators from over ten countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Iran, the European Union, Canada, and the US to discuss the challenges faced by these republics in developing policies in a fast changing world, the path traveled in resolving outstanding conflicts, with special emphasis on the Mountainous Karabagh problem. The goals of the conference are: to acquaint the University and larger community in the country with the specific issues and challenges that relate to a part of the world that has acquired increased significance in the last decade; to place in historical and international perspectives the path traveled by Armenia and the South Caucasus since the break up of the USSR; to reflect on the perceptions and policies adopted in the 1990s by the South Caucasus republics, their neighbors, and international actors; to assist the academic and policy making communities--in the region and in the international community--in redefining and refining their approaches to the region; and, possibly develop ideas and approaches that might enhance conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and long term integration of the region in the international community to the benefit the peoples of the region. The South Caucasus region has acquired increased strategic significance since the collapse of the USSR. It has as immediate neighbors Russia, Turkey and Iran, each with its own interests and concerns. The US has projected its own strategic view on the region, while Europe considers it part of its extended neighborhood. Caspian Sea hydrocarbon resources and their export routes have added another dimension to regional politics, complicating further the challenges faced by the three republics in balancing the sometimes conflicting interests of bigger neighbors and the West. The conference will be open to the general public. All sessions will provide ample opportunity for the attending public to participate in the question and answer and discussion segments. Details on the program and speakers of the conference can be found on the website of the University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program at Inquiries can be made by writing to Sara Sarkisian ([email protected]). All sessions will take place at the Alumni Center, main campus. 5) Chess Olympiad Update In the 6th round of the 36th Chess Olympiad taking place in Calvia, Spain, Armenia's men beat the Canadian team 3,5-0,5. Rafael Vahanyan, Smbat Lputyan, and Gabriel Sargssyan all won their matches, while Levon Aronyan drew to hold sixth place in the competition. Ukraine, who holds first place so far, beat Azerbaijan 2,5-1,5. Russia follows in second place after defeating Israel. Armenia's Women team beat Vietnam in the sixth round of competitions, with Lilit Lazarian and Nelly Aghinyan winning their matches, and Elina Danielyan drawing. Armenia's women now hold eighth place, putting them in a good position to place third overall. The Russian women's team holds first place. 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. 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