ASBAREZ Online [01-25-2005]

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01/25/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) PACE Adopts Controversial Resolution Mountainous Karabagh Presented by Atkinson 2) $100,000 Raised in Support of Youth Centers in Armenia 3) Tension between Turkey and Vatican on Inclusion of Armenian Genocide 4) Khatami, Aliyev Optimistic about Enhancing Cooperation 5) PACE Sets Firm Deadline for Georgian Reforms of Minority Rights 1) PACE Adopts Controversial Resolution Mountainous Karabagh Presented by Atkinson BRUSSELS (EAFJD/RFE-RL)--The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved on Tuesday a controversial resolution on Mountainous Karabagh, amid protests from the Armenian delegation, which described the draft resolution and its appending report biased in Azerbaijan's favor. Prepared by David Atkinson (Democrat) from the United Kingdom, the resolution notes that "considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces" and that "separatist forces are still in control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region." The resolution also describes Mountainous Karabagh Republic as a mono-ethnic area "which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic cleansing." "The Atkinson report is the report of Azerbaijan. This country believes that shifting the institutional framework will turn its crimes into virtues. Attempts of ethnic cleansing actually occurred but, contrary to Mr. Atkinson insinuations, it was the policy led by Baku," the executive director of the European Armenian Federation (EAFJD) Laurent Leylekian explained prior to the vote. "Without the fight for self-determination led by the people of Karabagh, theses historically Armenian territories would no longer house Armenians, as is the case today in the region of Nakhichevan or throughout the areas of Eastern Turkey," he added. The majority of PACE delegates on Tuesday supported a demand made by Bulgarian parliamentarian Evgeni Kirilov that Azerbaijan be free of any occupying troops. "There cannot be territories occupied by force, or there cannot be any prospect of joining any territories by force to [any] country," he said. The resolution calls on Azeri authorities to establish contacts with Karabagh's leaders--which they have persistently refused to do--and to refrain from any attempts to retake lost territory by force. Pointing to the biased nature of the report, the deputy chair of the Armenian delegation to PACE, and a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Armen Rustamian, said he believes Atkinson's resolution will not only hinder the peace process, but will also serve as an incentive for Azerbaijan to forcefully restore its territorial integrity. "Azerbaijan is expecting to use this document as a justification to issue an ultimatum it has been preparing for a long time. Azerbaijan wants to solve the [Karabagh] issue according to its own scenario--that is, through war," he said, addressing the Assembly in French. French parliamentarian Francois Rochebloine publicly questioned the impartiality of Atkinson's report: "It seems to me that, for the sake of objectivity, this report should have given a more balanced view of the position of the Armenian side and its readiness to negotiate." The Armenian government has so far not reacted to the Atkinson report. 2) $100,000 Raised in Support of Youth Centers in Armenia LOS ANGELES--Over $100,000 was raised in support of ARF youth centers in Armenia during a banquet held at the Alcazar restaurant on Thursday, January 20 in the San Fernando Valley. Organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western Region, the banquet featured guest speaker Hrant Margarian of the ARF Bureau, who was on an official visit to the region. Following the opening remarks of ARF Western-Region Central Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Margarian spoke to the group of ARF supporters and representatives present at the event about the importance of properly educating youth in Armenia and the significance of youth centers within the endeavor. On the night of the event, a notable contribution of $10,000 was made by Mr. and Mrs. Khachig and Elo Mouradian, who only a few days before had already donated $10,000. The couple added another $10,000 on Saturday night during the ARF anniversary celebration in Glendale, California, raising the total amount to $30,000. 3) Tension between Turkey and Vatican on Inclusion of Armenian Genocide ANKARA (Sabah)--Turkey's Sabah daily newspaper reports that the inclusion of the Armenian genocide in the book, "The Church's Guidelines on Social Education," distributed by the Vatican, has caused friction between the Turkish government and the papal authority. Sabah reports that Turkey's foreign ministry has approached and warned the Vatican on the issue, insisting that the section on the Armenian genocide be removed. The Genocide is included in the book's "Seeking Worldwide Peace and Justice" section, along with the genocides of Ukrainians, Cambodians, and the African people. 4) Khatami, Aliyev Optimistic about Enhancing Cooperation LONDON (IranMania)--Immediately after the formal welcoming ceremony for Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to Iran, the presidents of both countries expressed their desire to expand Tehran-Baku relations. President Mohammad Khatami, accompanied by Aliyev, told reporters at Sadabad Complex that Iran is keen on furthering relations with Azerbaijan. Responding to an Azeri reporter's inquiry about what Iran will do to help resolve the Karabagh crisis, President Khatami said that his country is among the few which support Azerbaijan's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Iran believes that the Karabagh crisis could be resolved through logic and understanding between the two parties without resorting to force. I believe that the Karabagh conflict will be resolved if the two sides seriously decide to do so," he said. Khatami noted that Iran has friendly relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia and is ready to serve as a mediator between the two countries. Asked whether he sees a similarity between the occupation of Arab lands by Israel and the situation in Karabagh, Khatami said Iran condemns occupation and use of force by any country. "Of course, there is a difference. I believe Israel has occupied all of Palestine and established an illegitimate existence, but Armenia is a country itself. But at the same time, occupation and seizure of an inch of territory is condemned and the international community should help end the occupation," Khatami said. President Aliyev told reporters that his visit to Iran is aimed at developing relations in all fields, including the economy. He pointed to the accords President Khatami signed during his visit to Baku and said Azerbaijan looks forward to implementation of the agreements. Aliyev further said Tehran-Baku relations are developing rapidly and political and economic cooperation is excellent. "The exchange of visits by presidents of the two countries indicates the extent of relations enjoyed between the two," he said. 5) PACE Sets Firm Deadline for Georgian Reforms of Minority Rights BRUSSELS (Combined Sources)--The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a report on Tuesday, setting the final deadlines for Georgia to honor its obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe. While acknowledging that Georgian authorities "continue to demonstrate an unyielding resolve to carry out far-reaching political, legal, social, and economic reforms," the adopted text of that report seeks full compliance with membership obligations, including challenges Georgia faces in protecting human rights and rights of minorities. While not mentioning Georgia's mostly Armenian population of Javakhk, these requirements are expected to directly impact Javakhk's Armenians whose social and human rights are effectively neglected by the Government of Georgia. The report stipulates that, prior to September 2005, Georgia must sign and ratify the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation, and must ratify the Revised European Social Charter and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. In October 2004, the Council of Armenian Non-governmental Organization of Javakhk appealed to the OSCE, seeking adoption and implementation of the these points, saying they would "contribute greatly to the improvement of the grave situation" in Javakhk. The report also stipulates that no subsequent negotiations will take place, and deadlines to fulfill obligations will not be extended. "The Assembly expects the Georgian Government to honor their promises fully and in time," it stresses. 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) 2005 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.