Month: June 2005

Former Russian forces commander in Georgia unhappy about pullout
14:31
RIA Novosti, Russia
June 2 2005
MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) – Withdrawing its military bases from
Georgia is a major geopolitical loss for Russia, says Lieutenant
General Yuri Netkachev, who once served as deputy commander of
Russia’s Task Force in the Transcaucasia, Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer,
a weekly, reported.
“They will sweep off our bases, and the Turks, or Americans, or
whoever will come after us. The niche will be filled,” he told the
Russian defense weekly.
Netkachev complained about the lack of a consistent state policy in
the post-Soviet territories for the last decade. Georgian President
Mikhail Saakashvili offends Russia and its citizens, imposes various
restrictions on the Russian military in Georgia, while Moscow just
says it will fire back with sanctions and never does, he said.
“At first we said it will take us 11 years to go, now we have agreed to
four years,” he said, adding the pullout from Batumi and Akhalkalaki,
where the two Russian bases are deployed, will be far from smooth.
“The locals will just not let us go. Akhalkalaki is a mostly
Armenian-populated place, and they would rather separate from Georgia
than let the people and equipment return to Russia. The same thing
can be said for Batumi. Our bases there mean jobs for people, a factor
of stability.”
Netkachev predicts that Saakashvili will wage war on Georgia’s
breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia before the ink
dries on the pullout agreement.
“With his hands untied, Saakashvili will begin war first against
South Ossetia, then with Abkhazia,” he said. “Is this not why he
has tripled his military budget? They are buying tanks, warplanes,
helicopters, which all promise a big war in the future. The Ossetians
and the Abkhaz will never let go of their land in Georgia.”
Netkachev said most people living in these provinces have Russian
citizenship.
The 3,000-man Russian task force deployed in Georgia has 150 battle
tanks, 240 armored vehicles and 140 artillery systems.

Azeri political expert speak on unreality of Armenia’s joining to GUAM
Today, Azerbaijan
June 2 2005
01 June 2005 [13:43] – Today.Az
Eldar Namazov, the Director of the Public Forum “In the name of
Azerbaijan”, ex-head of the President’s Secretariat, thinks it too
immature a statement by the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan Oskanian,
on possible consideration of membership at the GUAM by Armenia.
“I’d advise Armenia don’t bustle, but think thoroughly on principles
of relationships with the neighbours, in particular with Azerbaijan,”
Namazov said.
In Match 2005 Oskanian stated Armenia was not going to set up active
relationships with GUAM, or consider the issue on observer status in
the organization. Earlier in 2000 the Armenian Minister criticized
the GUAM, stating that this alliance had a negative impact on the
integration process in CIS.
Rasim Musabayov, a political scientist, said that Armenia in fact is
not willing to enter the GUAM.
“The statement by Oskanian is nothing else than hypocrisy,” he
underlined. Armenia is country developing its relationships with
other countries with blocs. It enters the Collective Security Treaty
and its participation in GUAM will be inappropriate. “In addition,
GUAM unites the countries which suffer from separatism, whereas
Armenian is source of separatism,” he underlined. GUAM selected the
way of integration into NATO and the European Union, while Armenia
approaches the cooperation with the EU calmly, and demonstrates full
rejection in regard to NATO.
Musabayov guesses such statements target political maneuvers. Armenia
would like to develop relationships with the member-countries of
the alliance.
One more political expert, who desired not to be revealed, also
regarded the statement by Oskanian as unreal. The basic document of
the GUAM envisages adoption of resolutions under the organization on
the base of consensus. So, Armenia cannot enter the organization,
as Azerbaijan will come against it. The expert is sure that the
statement was of propagandistic.
“If interests make Armenia to enter the GUAM, it will take such
step,” Zardust Alizada, a political scientist said. He noted the
role of the tool for painless and peaceable disband of former Soviet
republics. “Understanding the U.S. adherence to GUAM, Armenia wants
to see itself in the organization” he underlined. Azerbaijan will
certainly oppose it, while the GUAM will become neither stronger,
nor weaker from the entrance. Simply, the member-countries will more
and more estranged from the Soviet past,” Alizada underlined.
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HEGEL: WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN BASES FROM GEORGIA WILL PROMOTE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 02:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US is for the peaceful and diplomatic resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stated member of the US Senate
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, as well as Senate
Intelligence and Rules Committee, Senator Charles Hagel. In his words,
“the US along with Russia is ready to provide any assistance for
the peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the conflict.” Mr. Hagel
said in his opinion the meeting of the Presidents in Warsaw is a
positive move on the way of settlement of the conflict. “However,
a long way lies ahead. It is necessary to reach a common stand in
order to solve the problem,” he added. Speaking of the withdrawal
of Russian military bases from the territory of Georgia the Senator
noted, “I positively evaluate Russia withdrawing its equipment from
Georgia and I think it will assist to realize more things, including
the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.”

US SENATOR: TRANSFER OF RUSSIAN ARMS TO ARMENIA WILL FORM TENSION IN REGION
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 02:38
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The transfer of the arms of Russian military bases
from Georgia to Armenia will form tension in the region, US Senator
Charles Hagel supposes. “It is pleasant that Russia agreed to withdraw
its troops from Georgia. However in case the arms and ammunition
are transferred to Armenia, tension will undoubtedly appear in the
region,” he said at a press conference in Baku. “Being independent
states Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia should avoid stationing of
foreign bases in their territories, as it will result in tension in
the region,” said Charles Hagel, reported Interfax.

AZG Armenian Daily #100, 02/06/2005
Region
PART OF HEAVY ARTILLERY IN AKHALKALAKI WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO GYUMRI
Russia and Georgia Decide, Armenia Plays an ‘Outpost’
Georgian foreign minister did not exclude that part of military equipment in
Russian 62d base of Akhalkalaki will be transported to Armenia. “We did
everything possible to convey the major part of the equipment to Russia. But
we do not exclude that part of the equipment will be distributed in the
territory of Armenia where necessary infrastructures exist”, Novosti agency
quoted minister Salome Zurabishvili as saying. Earlier the foreign minister
told BBC about the possibility of ammunition transportation to Armenia
adding that Armenia is no threat for Georgia.
On May 30, Russian and Georgian foreign ministers signed a joint statement
of withdrawing the 12th base of Batumi and the 62d of Akhalkalaki by the
year 2008. The sides agreed on starting the removal this year. The base of
Akhalkalaki is first to be removed. 40 unites of armored vehicles, including
20 tanks, will get out of Akhalkalaki by September of the current year. By
the end of 2006 there will remain no heavy artillery in Akhalkalaki, and the
base will eventually close in October 1 of 2007.
Russian-Georgian agreement came for many as a surprised. Georgian President
hailed the event as “historic”. The joint statement points out that “the
bases will stop functioning to their purpose” from May 30.
Russian Commersant wrote that the equipment of Batumi base will head for its
new destination via sea and the ammunition of Akhalkalaki base will be
transported to Gyumri on “trailers”. On May 23 President Vladimir Putin
said, according to Interfax, “We have to create necessary conditions for the
withdrawal of our forces be it to Russia or any other place”.
Under “other place” Putin obviously meant Armenia. Earlier on May 19 head of
Russia’s armed forces Yuri Baluyevski said that part of the heavy artillery
of Georgia’s Russian bases will settle in Armenia. While in Yerevan Dmitri
Medvedev, chief of Russian President’s administration, answered a question
concerning the transportation of Russian military equipment to Armenia,
“That’s a complex issue, one that needs first to be discussed by Russia and
Georgia. But there are aspects that we would like to discuss with other
neighbors as well”.
This statement by Medvedev cannot but be viewed as offensive for a sovereign
state as Armenia. It turns out that Russia, preparing to convey its military
equipment, precisely rusty weapons of Soviet times, considers it first of
all an issue for Moscow and Tbilisi to discuss. Medvedev’s “other neighbors”
is undoubtedly a hint at Azerbaijan, which raises an alarm that Moscow keeps
on arming aggressor Armenia.
Meanwhile official Yerevan keeps silent about the issue of conveying Russian
equipment from Georgia to Gyumri. In this situation either Russia follows
its own wishes while using Armenia’s territory for its military aims, or
Armenia greets stationing of old Russian equipment in its territory. The
first variant seems more possible. Cooperation with Russia is certainly one
of the primary elements of Armenia’s safety. But Moscow visibly misuses the
reality called Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation.
By Tatoul Hakobian

ARMENIA SILENT ON TRANSFER OF RUSSIAN ARMS TO ITS TERRITORY
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 03:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ None of Armenian officials confirms or refutes
reports the first echelon with Russian arms arrived in Armenia from
Batumi yesterday. The only person, who commented on it was Armenian
FM V. Oskanian, who did “not rule out the opportunity of transfer
of part of Russian military bases from Georgia to Armenia in the
future.” “There are no discussions or talks over the issue at the
moment. But if such a decision is taken, it will be a prerogative
of Russia and Armenia,” Oskanian said last Wednesday, RFE/RL
reported. It should be noted that yesterday Russian media referring
to representatives of the military contingent in Transcaucasia spread
reports that a rail echelon with military equipment and arms is sent to
Armenia from Batumi. Meanwhile, today Azeri Ambassador to Georgia Ramiz
Hasanov said the withdrawal of the Russian equipment and ammunition
from the Russian base in Batumi to Armenia has not started yet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA SUITABLE MARKET FOR EASTERN AZERBAIJAN PRODUCE
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 05:01
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Curator of Customs Bodies of the province
of Eastern Azerbaijan Reza Kaviani said that the province has a
share of 75% of the Iranian export to Armenia. E.g. last year the
Iranian export totaled $156 million, while the province share made
some $117.6 million and import from Armenia was $23.3 million. The
nomenclature of Eastern Azerbaijan export to Armenia includes fruit,
food oils, clothes, glass crockery and plastic ware, while second
hand machinery equipment, scrap metal, cast iron and aluminum are
imported. Kaviani noted that Armenia is a suitable market for selling
the Eastern Azerbaijan produce. At that insufficient attention is
pain to export of engineering services, though it may be important
and beneficial item of Iranian export to Armenia, Irna reported.

VENICE COMMISSION MEMBERS ARRIVING IN ARMENIA TODAY
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 02:47
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On occasion of constitutional amendments to be
introduced to the RA Constitution the representatives of the PACE
Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio, Aivars Endzins and Simona
Granata-Menghini are arriving in Armenia, RA NA press service
reported. During the visit the guests will meet with Parliament
Speaker Artur Baghdasarian and Vice Speaker, head of the Armenian
delegation in the PACE Tigran Torosian. Discussions with the ruling
coalition on the further cooperation on constitutional reforms will
be held. Armenian President Robert Kocharian is as well expected to
meet with the Commission members.

Keine Milde bei Ehrenmorden
Wiesbadener Kurier – 02.06.05 01:36 Uhr
In der Türkei ist gestern ein neues Strafgesetzbuch in Kraft getreten, mit dem das Land die Forderung der Europäischen Union nach einer Reform seiner Rechtsordnung erfüllen will. Diese erste grundlegende Neufassung der Strafvorschriften seit Gründung der türkischen … … So könne die Forderung nach Abschaffung der Wehrpflicht oder eine Erwähnung des “Völkermordes” an den Armeniern zu einer strafrechtlichen …
Presserat widerspricht Reform
Frankfurter Rundschau – 01.06.05 22:31 Uhr
Türkische Journalisten fürchten Eingriff in die Meinungsfreiheit … … wer sich etwa für das Recht auf Kriegsdienstverweigerung einsetzt oder die Verfolgung von Armeniern im Osmanischen Reich als “Völkermord …
Türkei stärkt die Rechte von Frauen
Süddeutsche – 01.06.05 22:12 Uhr
Neues Strafgesetzbuch Türkei stärkt die Rechte von Frauen,Vergewaltigung in der Ehe ist erstmals strafbar und Jungfräulichkeitstests sind nur noch bedingt zulässig. Auch sogenannte ”Ehrenmorde” … … wobei als Beispiele die offizielle Armenien- und Zypern-Politik genannt wurden. Dieser Artikel, der als Zugeständnis an nationale Kreise gilt …
Neues türkisches Strafrecht in Kraft getreten
TAZ – 01.06.05 22:06 Uhr
Trotz massiver Proteste der türkischen Journalistenvereinigung ist gestern nach zweimonatiger Verzögerung die große Strafrechtsreform in der Türkei in Kraft getreten. Das Reformwerk, welches das alte Strafrecht von 1923 komplett ersetzt, war von der EU 2004 als eine der wesentlichen Voraussetzungen für den Beginn von Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Türkei angemahnt worden. … bei dem in der Begründung des Gesetzes als Beispiel der Völkermord an den Armeniern genannt worden war. Angesichts der schwammigen Formulierung …
Umstrittenes neues Strafrecht in der Türkei in Kraft
Welt – 01.06.05 21:33 Uhr
Istanbul – Das neue türkische Strafrecht, das dem Land den Weg in die Europäische Union ebnen soll, ist am Mittwoch in Kraft getreten. Unklar war noch, ob auch die in der letzten Woche verabschiedeten Änderungen wirksam werden, da Staatspräsident Ahmet Necdet … … aus Zypern und nach Anerkennung des Völkermordes an den Armeniern genannt. Oktay Eksi, Chef des türkischen Presserates, macht der Regierung von …
Türkei reformiert Strafrecht Journalisten fürchten um die Meinungsfreiheit
Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten – 01.06.05 20:09 Uhr
Istanbul – Erfolgreiche Demokratisierung sieht anders aus. Trauriger Beginn einer neuen Ära , lautete am Mittwoch die Schlagzeile einer türkischen Zeitung. Ein anderes Blatt warnte seine Leser: Ab sofort sind Sie weniger frei. Dabei hätte der 1. Juni in … … oder nach einer Anerkennung des Völkermordes an den Armeniern bestraft werden. Die Sorgen der Journalisten sind vor allem wegen der …
Kickboxer schlug zu: Drei Zähne kaputt!
WAZ – 01.06.05 16:45 Uhr
Mit zwei blauen Augen ist ein 20-jähriger Kickboxer gestern im Gericht davon gekommen. Der Armenier hatte zwei Jugendliche übel zusammen geschlagen, die Strafe fiel mit 120 Arbeitsstunden milde aus auch, weil er zum Schluss ein Geständnis ablegte und sich … … Bei einer Schulabschlussfeier im Juni 2004 hatte der Armenier einem 17-Jährigen aus nichtigem Anlass Faustschläge ins Gesicht verpasst und ihm …
Personalia
Neue Musikzeitung – 01.06.05 12:28 Uhr
Die neue musikzeitung hat ihre interaktiven Tätigkeiten ausgeweitet. Mit dem Kulturinformationszentrum stellen wir die engagierte Diskussion in das Zentrum der Aktivitäten im Netz. An dieser Stelle können Fragen gestellt, Informationen verbreitet und die Arbeiten … … Für ihn engagierte Irvine Arditti den Armenier Ashot Sarkissjan, der unter anderem als Solist beim Ensemble Intercontemporain mitgewirkt hat und …
Medienfreiheit im neuen Strafrecht in der Türkei eingeschränkt
Tagesanzeiger – 01.06.05 12:27 Uhr
ISTANBUL – In der Türkei ist ein neues Strafgesetz in Kraft getreten. Das Gesetz war vergangene Woche vom Parlament verabschiedet worden und löst das 80 Jahre alte Strafrecht ab. Trotz einiger rechtsstaatlicher Verbesserungen nach den Vorgaben der EU ist das … … Zypern und nach einer Anerkennung des Völkermordes an den Armeniern genannt. Der Chef des türkischen Presserates, Oktay Eksi, macht der
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IRAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DISSUADES IRANIAN YOUTH FROM STUDYING IN ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 04:05
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Speaking at inaugural ceremony of a conference
held by Iranian and Armenian tradesmen, Iran’s Ambassador to Yerevan
Ali-Reza Haqiqian said that the number of Iranian students in Armenian
education institutions recently increased from 200 to 1400. During
the study period Iranian students encounter many social problems. The
Iranian Embassy in Armenia tries to support them, organizing cultural
programs, however it does not solve all their problems. Besides,
when graduated they have the problem of low evaluations of Armenian
diplomas. Thereupon Haqiqian stated, “Iranian families should not
send their children to continue studies in Armenia if possible.” He
reported that the commercial and economic relations between Iran and
Armenia are at a high level and these continue developing. The Iranian
Embassy in Armenia is ready to provide the necessary information about
the economy, legislation, culture and politics in Armenia to Iranian
businessmen. At that he noted that cases of not ailing competition were
registered among Iranian entrepreneurs in Armenia, which has a negative
impact upon the bilateral trade and economic relations, Irna reported.