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11/16/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF Reps Attend Socialist International Council, Women's Bureau 2) Paris Rally to Demand Vote on Turkey's EU Accession 3) Kocharian Inspects Armenian Frontline Troops 4) No Armenian Electricity to Nakhichevan 1) ARF Reps Attend Socialist International Council, Women's Bureau YEREVAN (ARF press office)--Representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) participated in Socialist International's (SI) Council meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by the African National Congress (ANC). On November 15 and 16, leaders and delegates from 100 member parties and organizations from 70 countries, gathered to discuss the Council's main theme, "The Progressive Agenda: priorities for our movement today." The gathering of the Council, SI's highest decision-making body during the inter-Congress period, underlined the commitment of SI to address the concerns of the African people and SI's strong presence in the continent. Representing the sole party from the South Caucasus, ARF Bureau member and the organization's representative in Socialist International Mario Nalbandian, and ARF Armenia member Maria Titizian, also participated in the three panel debates. Titizian partook in Socialist International Women's Bureau meeting: "Women Speak out on The UN Millennium Development Goals," which took place November 12 and 13. The Women's Bureau addressed UN development goals, its effects on the eradication of poverty and hunger, and examined means to developing global partnerships. At the heart of discussions was the dire need to promote gender equality and empower women to occupy center stage in the development of the human race. The meeting also reviewed increases in gender-based violence--from sexual abuse to systematic rape, forced pregnancies, and continuous violation of women's rights. Titizian had the opportunity to present ARF Armenia's political and social undertakings to empower the women of that country. On the eve of the Council, SI's leadership conducted a working meeting with the President of the Republic of South Africa and of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, to discuss SI's Africa priorities, evaluate the outcome of US elections, and review current Mid East developments. The plenary session of the Council opened with SI President António Guterres's address that defined certain tasks and priorities for social democracy. On Monday, November 15, in the afternoon and on Tuesday, November 16, in the morning, the panel discussions took place with a broad representation of participants. On each subject addressed by the panels, the Council agreed on specific resolutions reflecting the outcome of the debates. The Council also addressed the urgent and critical developments in the Middle East and the serious situation in Côte d'Ivoire. The SI Secretary General gave a report on the activities of Socialist International and presented an outline of the organization's work for the forthcoming months. "Our task, as we adjourn here today, is to return to our towns and cities, to our countries, and to our regions--to pursue with ever greater vigor and confidence the program of progressive action we have deliberated on," stressed ANC Secretary General of the Kgalema Motlanthe in closing the meeting. On the sidelines of the Council, the ARF representatives were both able to hold numerous meetings with members of various organizations to review issues of concern to Armenia and Armenians. 2) Paris Rally to Demand Vote on Turkey's EU Accession PARIS--French-Armenians will hold a rally Wednesday at the Palais Bourbon, home to the French National Assembly, to demand that the country's Parliament vote on Turkey's accession to the European Union. The rally has the support of the French-Armenian Coordinating Council and is being organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian Democratic League (Ramgavar party), and the Hai Tahd Committee of France. The National Assembly on October 14 had discussed the issue of Turkish accession--but did not hold a vote, despite the demand of a large number of political parties and parliamentarians to do so. The French government, particularly President Jacques Chirac, opposed such a vote, fearing that a majority of the Assembly, including Chirac's own party members, might reject Turkish accession. That result would have undermined Chirac's authority and likely isolated France within Europe. The French-Armenian rally on Wednesday is scheduled for exactly a month before the European Union's December 17 summit, which will set the date on when the EU would begin formal accession talks with Turkey. At the rally, scores of French parliamentarians are expected to cast symbolic votes as a sign of protest against the denial of their right to vote in the National Assembly regarding Turkish accession. They will also demand that in the next month a formal vote actually be held in the Assembly. The vast majority of French voters are opposed to Turkey's accession to the European Union, and rally organizers hope to put pressure on President Chirac to heed public opinion. They are also seeking to make Turkey's recognition of the Armenian genocide a precondition for Turkish entry into the EU. 3) Kocharian Inspects Armenian Frontline Troops YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Robert Kocharian conducted a four-day inspection of Armenian troops stationed along the volatile frontline with Azerbaijan, ordering their commanders to further boost their combat-readiness, his office revealed on Tuesday. A statement by the presidential press service said Kocharian, accompanied by Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian, visited "a number of frontier army bases" from November 9-12. "The purpose of the visit was to take a close look at the combat and technical readiness of the units, the implementation of training programs and social conditions of the personnel," the statement said. It added that Kocharian inspected Armenian defense fortifications and inaugurated a new "army barracks complex." There was no word on the precise location of the Armenian army positions visited. The statement did say that while Kocharian was largely satisfied with what he saw, he urged top army commanders "not to content themselves with the achieved results" and to continue to strengthen their troops. 4) No Armenian Electricity to Nakhichevan BAKU (Combined Sources)Armenia's proposal to provide electricity to the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan was skimmed over during a ministerial conference on energy cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the Caspian region, held in Baku on November 13. Energy and fuel ministers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine, joined representatives of the European Commission, international financial structures, and the TRACECA program to examine potential for cooperation. Pointing to the importance of expanding collaboration utilizing the Caspian's hydrocarbon resources, Hugues Mingarelli of the EU Directorate General for External Relations noted that with the addition of 10 new states to the union, the organization's borders have moved much closer to the countries of the Caspian and Black Sea regions. In presenting Armenia's energy potential, energy ministry official Levon Vartanian offered to supply electricity to the historically Armenian region of Nakhichevan, which was forcibly attached to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921, and subsequently cleansed of its entire Armenian population. An exclave of Azerbaijan, Nakhichevan borders Iran and Turkey on the south and Armenia on the north. 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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