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10/25/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Javakhk Armenians Deliver Strong Message to Council of Europe 2) Turkey Must Recognize Cyprus before Joining EU, Says British Minister 3) Presidents Discuss Economic and Political Cooperation; Weapons Scare at Local Music Hall 4) Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches Sign Common Declaration in Cairo 5) Zoo Cries Foul after Armenia Bound Elephant Dies 1) Javakhk Armenians Deliver Strong Message to Council of Europe Just as the Council of Europe's Monitoring Committee was to convene on October 24 to review Georgia's fulfillment of obligations and commitments before the European body, Javakhk's Council of Armenian Non-Governmental Organizations submitted a powerful memorandum to that committee outlining commitments that Georgia, on becoming a Council of Europe member in April 1999, has failed to fulfill--namely those dealing with national minorities, local self governance, and autonomy. Pointing to the resulting social and economic decay, they ask that Javakhk be fully integrated into the social, political, socioeconomic, and cultural lives of the country. The stress, however, that integration is not synonymous with assimilation, and that autonomy is a must for the struggling region. The following is the full text of that Memorandum titled, "The Situation in The Samtskhe-Javakheti Region in Georgia And Georgia's Obligations And Commitments before The Council of Europe." As you prepare to hold your next meeting in Georgia, we, the leaders of the Armenian nongovernmental organizations of the Samtskhe-Javakheti territory in Georgia, attaching great importance to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, wish to bring to your attention the critical situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti, which if left unresolved, could have dire consequences for the population of the territory and for Georgia as a whole. When joining the Council of Europe in 1999, the following were among the obligations and commitments Georgia undertook: a) to sign and ratify, within a year after its accession, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; b) to sign and ratify, within three years after its accession, the European Charter of Local Self-Government, [...] and in the meantime to apply the fundamental principles of [this] instrument; c) to enact, within two years after its accession, a legal framework determining the status of the autonomous territories and guaranteeing them broad autonomy, the exact terms of which are to be negotiated with the representatives of the territories concerned; d) to amend, within three years after its accession, the law on autonomy and local government to enable all the heads of councils to be elected instead of being appointed; e) to adopt, within two years after its accession, a law on minorities based on the principles of Assembly Recommendation 1201 (1993). Five years after accession, Georgia has yet to take steps towards fulfilling the above mentioned commitments and obligations. In fact, the process of fulfilling these commitments before the Council of Europe has failed, and, inter alia, has made the situation in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region critical. The 1995 Georgian constitution does not define the administrative structure of the country and in practice the district-level self-government does not match democratic standards. In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, discriminatory laws and practices have left the Armenian population far less represented in the district administration. There are no elective bodies on the regional level and there is no legislative base for the institution of state commissioners appointed by presidential decrees. The present administrative structure and the method of governance do not take into account the specifics of the region and do not correspond to the needs of the population. The system has long demonstrated that it is bankrupt and unfruitful. The Samtskhe-Javakheti region has actually been pushed out of the governing processes of the country. The administrative governance of the region has been frustrated. At the local level, flagrant discrimination is practiced against the local Armenian population; in contrast to the rest of the country, in the Armenian populated areas of Samtskhe-Javakheti most sakrebulos (locally elected bodies) incorporate several villages, whereas each Georgian populated village has a separate sakrebulo, thus artificially increasing the Georgian presence on the district level. These measures, policies and practices are in direct contradiction to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which Georgia had undertaken to sign and ratify within three years after its accession and in the meantime to apply the fundamental principles of this instrument. No short or long-term socio-economic programs to serve the interests of the population are implemented. The poverty and desperation have reached threatening levels. Educational and cultural conditions are unsatisfactory. In the last ten months, we have conveyed our concerns and recommendations to the highest authorities in Georgia and to the (now former) Secretary General of the Council of Europe, but to no avail. All of them have failed to even acknowledge receipt of our written communications. It is crucial to have the Samtskhe-Javakheti region fully integrated in the state, political, socioeconomic and cultural lives of the country. But integration is not synonymous to assimilation, neither is autonomy to secession. In a democratic society, integration can only be achieved through participation. Policies and practices pursuing assimilation or artificial and forceful change of demographic realities can only result in the opposite. Integration requires that both the majority and the minority have the desire for it and the willingness to take mutual steps towards each other. Under the guise of integration, the Georgian authorities have enacted laws which are contrary to the spirit and letter of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which Georgia had undertaken to sign and ratify within a year after its accession, but has failed to do so after over five years following its accession. Furthermore, and in direct contradiction of the above-mentioned Framework Convention and European Charter, the Georgian authorities have recently introduced a draft law on education, which, if enacted, would effectively prevent Georgia's national minorities, including the Armenians, from education at all levels in their relevant regional or minority languages. There is no broad social-political consensus in the country on political issues connected with ethnic diversity of Georgia and its internal political and administrative systems. The reported Armenian ancestry of politicians and public figures is often regarded to be derogatory. Whereas the existence of a large number of Armenian cultural and religious monuments, as well as historical records speak of the fact that in Southern Georgia, including in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the Armenians are natives, Georgian society regards the Armenians in those regions as newcomers. There is recorded evidence of attempts to "Georgianize" these monuments. The Georgian authorities are sending contradictory messages on how national minorities can protect and promote their linguistic and cultural rights: whereas, on the one hand, the Georgian authorities are undermining the linguistic and cultural rights of the law-abiding national minorities, on the other hand, in order to appease those who have declared their independence from Georgia, the same authorities promise them to protect and promote their language and culture in return for restoring Georgian sovereignty on those territories. We are convinced that if Georgia completely and sincerely honors its accession obligations and commitments, especially those mentioned at the beginning of this Memorandum, it would greatly help alleviate the serious situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti. Hence we appeal to you, the Committee on the Honoring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe, to ensure that Georgia honors its commitments entered into on its accession to the Council of Europe. We are at the disposal of your Committee for further elaboration and discussion. Council of Armenian Non-Governmental Organizations of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region in Georgia October 21, 2004 Akhalkalaki The Council attaches its December 30, 2003 appeal to then acting President of Georgia Nino Burjanadze; appeal to President Saakashvili to grant autonomy to Javakhk; and letter to Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer 2) Turkey Must Recognize Cyprus before Joining EU, Says British Minister NICOSIA (Combined Sources)--The United Kingdom's minister to Europe Denis MacShane appeared to raise the bar for Turkish membership to the European Union, saying, "It is not possible for Turkey to become a member of the European Union while it does not recognize a member of the Union. This is legally impossible." MacShane was in Northern Cyprus for a fact-finding visit that included meetings with a number of Turkish Cypriot politicians. MacShane also stressed there is no justification for Turkey to retain thousands of troops on the soil of an EU member state. In a strongly-worded message to Ankara, MacShane also called on the Turkish government to withdraw its troops from the divided island of Cyprus. "This money could be spent on social projects that would benefit both communities," he said. He added his belief that once normal relations between Nicosia and Ankara had begun, negotiations over the demilitarization of the island would begin under the auspices of the UN. MacShane called on the Cypriots of both sides of the Green Line to put the "problems of the last century" behind them and work together to face new challenges. But while pushing for Turkey's recognition of Cyprus, the minister asked that a date to begin the Turkish accession talks be set. He added that it would be wrong to insist that Turkey removes all its troops from the island as a precondition for a starting date. 3) Presidents Discuss Economic and Political Cooperation; Weapons Scare at Local Music Hall TBILISI (Combined Sources)On Sunday, President Robert Kocharian ended a three-day official visit to Georgia, which he and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili said will help the two neighboring nations strengthen their relations. The two leaders held a series of talks that focused on bilateral trade, transport, and other economic issues. The economic focus of the visit was underscored by an Armenian-Georgian economic forum that began its work in Tbilisi during the weekend. Saakashvili and Kocharian presided over its opening session. Twenty-nine businessmen accompanied Kocharian to the forum, and discussed the privatization of the Poti Port and the energy sector. The situation in the Armenian-populated Javakhk region in southern Georgia was also on the agenda of the talks. The Armenian and Georgian leaders discussed economic development programs for the impoverished region, with Kocharian indicating that Armenia is ready to assist in rebuilding local roads leading to the Armenian border. Kocharian also held a separate meeting with leaders of the Armenian community in Tbilisi. At a joint briefing to journalists, Kocharian stressed the need to reconstruct the railway through Abkhazia that would link Armenia with Russia. The Armenian president went on to say, however, that this issue could be resolved only by Georgia. "More frequent railway movement is better for all of us. The absence of railway communications is neither favorable to Armenians or Georgians. I think that a pragmatic approach to this issue would be very useful, although I understand that it is a very difficult issue, and Georgia has to decide what to do," the Armenian president said. Saakashvili chose not to comment on the issue, speaking instead of regional cooperation. "The Baltic countries could push for this idea to take shape as part of the [EU] new neighbors policy. We are ready to cooperate with them," said Kocharian. On Saturday, Kocharian met with Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who praised the Armenian president, saying, "I want to say that Kocharian always pays great attention to eliminate even small defects in relations with Georgia," Zhvania told reporters, and said the talks addressed Georgia's import of electricity from Armenia. Kocharian also met with Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze, and said afterwards that close cooperation between the parliaments is one of the main components of bilateral relations. "We agreed to strengthen the relations between our parliaments, and, I will also invite the Speaker of the Armenian parliament to Georgia. We have cooperated in the past, and now we only need to refresh it," he told journalists in the parliament after the meeting. Burjanadze welcomed the idea of bilateral cooperation between the two parliaments, saying that "this is in the interests of both countries and the region as a whole." Kocharian also met with Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, and visited the Heroes Square where he laid a wreath on the memorial to soldiers who died fighting to preserve Georgia's territorial integrity. Later, Saakashvili and Kocharian expressed their condolence to former Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze in connection with his wife's death. They paid their respects by going to the presidential Krtsanisi residence late at night. Afterwards, Kocharian and Saakashvili visited the Adjaria Music Hall, where a show in honor of the Armenian president was being held. The joyous atmosphere of the evening was marred when weapons were discovered in the building. Investigators have not yet determined if the weapons were linked to a possible dual assassination attempt. The two presidents spent that night at the presidential residence in Likani, near Borjomi. On the third and last day of the official visit, Kocharian met with the Armenian diaspora of Georgia, during which complaints about unemployment were the focus of talks. Also on Sunday, Minister of Internal Affairs of Armenia Haik Harutunian, and Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Okruashvili signed an agreement to create a joint board that will work to eradicate the trafficking of drugs and stolen cars. Their first session will be held on December 20. "This board will have to meet once every two-three months in order to develop this idea," stated Okruashvili at the briefing, after the signing of the agreement. 4) Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches Sign Common Declaration in Cairo ANTELIAS--The seventh meeting of the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Middle EastCoptic, Syrian, and Armeniantook place in Cairo, Egypt on October 21, following the meeting between the standing committees of the three churches. In their Common Declaration, which thanked God for the centuries' long unity that has existed between the churches, His Holiness Pope Shnouda III, His Holiness Mar Ignatius Zakka I, and His Holiness Aram I emphasized the importance of bilateral theological dialogue, and the need to resume such dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches. Within the declaration, the three church heads expressed their deep concern for the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate's use of the word "Catholicosate" in describing itself, and noted that if Roman Catholic Church fails to solve the matter, "our churches will not participate in the official theological dialogue with the Catholic church." Referring to dialogue with the Anglican World communion that was suspended by these churches after the ordination of an Anglican gay bishop in the United States, the heads of the churches reiterated their concern and the position of their churches that "all practice and behavior related to marriage and sexual orientation must be in accord with the biblical and moral teachings of our Churches. We hope that in the near future the Anglican Communion will solve this matter which will enable us to resume our theological dialogue with the Anglican Communion." The Church heads renewed "the commitment of their churches to peace with justice," and condemned "all forms and expression of violence and urged all to engage in processes and actions aimed at conflict resolution through mutual love, respect and trust." In referring to the current situation in the Middle East, the declaration stated: "The escalation of violence and confusion in Iraq worries us. Due to this situation, the country is losing its people either through deaths or immigration. We urge all Iraqi citizens, regardless of their religious and cultural backgrounds, to work for the wellbeing of their country and their fellow citizens. We call on all nations to assist the people of Iraq in helping to restore independence and sovereignty with the full participation of all Muslim and Christian communities in Iraq. We renew our call for a renewed peace process that will focus on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the right to return for the Palestinians. True and lasting peace will only be realized when justice and dignity is upheld and maintained, and when Israel, according to UN Security Council Resolutions, withdraws from Arab and Palestinian territories." 5) Zoo Cries Foul after Armenia Bound Elephant Dies (BBC)--The seven-year-old elephant calf Komala, due to have flown to Armenia as a gift from Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, died in agony after what officials at the Msyore zoo in southern India are calling a conspiracy by insiders. Komala--the darling of one of India's oldest zoos, was described as attractive and playful, and had been hand-picked for Armenia because of her pleasing features, officials say. Doctors battled for hours to save her on Friday, but in vain. "It is really unfortunate. The elephant was to fly out on October 14, but we could not get a confirmed cargo booking," said the zoo's director Manoj Kaman." The next date fixed was October 30, but destiny had other plans." Officials suspect she could be the latest victim of poisoning by disgruntled employees, and, perhaps, a persistent campaign to discredit the zoo for reasons unknown. Two elephants and an endangered lion-tailed macaque died in similar circumstances in August. An official inquiry began on Monday. It is suspected that all the deaths could be due to poisoning. Komala had died despite tight security arrangements following the deaths of the two other elephants, Ganesha and Roopa, and the lion-tailed macaque in August. Ganesha and Roopa had acute hemorrhage enteritis and respiratory distress caused by zinc phosphide, normally used as poison for rodents. This is not the first time animals have died mysteriously in captivity in Measure, leading some to believe there is a plot to damage the state-run zoo's reputation--although it is not clear why anyone would want to do so. Last year, a chimp, and two EMU's from Australia also died under suspicious circumstances. 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