Month: June 2005

IRANIAN TRADE CENTER IN YEREVAN AND ARMENIAN CENTER IN TEBRIZ TO BE OPENED
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 03:55
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan Iranian province
Doctor Mohammad Ali Sobhanollah received and held talks with the
commercial and economic delegation of Armenia. He noted the high
level of the industrial, transport, scientific, technical and travel
potential of the province. He said the province administration is ready
to open a Trade Center of Armenia in Tebriz and suggested to establish
a direct air line between Tebriz and Yerevan in the prospect. A
memorandum on an agreement over Armenian-Iranian commercial and
economic, scientific and technical, as well as cultural cooperation was
signed. When addressing the conference Chairman of the Joint Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Iran and Armenia Akharunian said a Trade
Center of Iran will open in Yerevan in the near future, Irna reported.

COOPERATION WITH NATO CONSTITUENT OF ARMENIA SECURITY
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 04:53
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary of the National Security Council at
the Armenian President, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with
US Senator Norm Coleman, reported Defense Ministry Press Secretary,
colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan. In the course of the meeting S. Sargsyan
remarked that the US-Armenia relations develop pretty rapidly. Within
the context of military cooperation he noted that it started three
years ago and documents that form favorable conditions for promotion
of the relations were signed within that period. “I am sure that the
final returns of the assessment of the Armed Forces of Armenia will be
satisfying, as oral opinions are rather positive,” the Minister said.
Touching upon Armenia-NATO cooperation, he accentuated that the volume
of cooperation with the NATO has increased several times. Adding
that Armenia’s foreign policy agenda does not include accession to
the NATO, he said Armenia considers cooperation with the NATO and
the US a national security constituent. At the same time Armenia
develops cooperation with European countries, NATO member and
non-member states, has military cooperation with Russia and CSTO
countries. “The most important thing is that we have no differences
in this respect,” the Minister stated. In his turn N. Coleman noted,
“I know the level of the Armed Forces of Armenia is rather high and
we establish close ties both in the defense and other spheres.” In
his words, he had conversations with defense evaluation specialists,
who held a positive opinion of the Armenian Armed Forces. “I have
come intending to get to know what exactly is necessary for further
development of the US-Armenian relations,” Coleman said.

IMF APPROVED OF $35 MILLION CREDIT TO ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 04:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The IMF Executive Council has approved of a credit
of SDR 23 million (some $35 million) to Armenia, reported Regnum news
agency. The credit will be provided by 7 tranches in 2006-2008, the
first one making SDR 3.28 million (some $5 million) will be provided
upon the approval of the PRGF new program. In the future the IMF will
make a decision on provision of the following tranches based on the
course of economic reforms. The program will focus on assisting the
Armenian Government in tax, customs and financial reforms, as well as
providing for a macroeconomic stability, development of the private
sector and stabilization of prices.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROSECUTORS ARREST JOURNALIST ON CHARGES OF EXTORTION
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prosecutors opened a criminal
case against a journalist on charges of extortion. Tereza Asatrian,
a journalist who worked for several Armenian editions with her last
job at the Union of Writer’s press office is incriminated in forcing
a notary officer in Vanadzor to part with $3,000 in return for not
publishing a newspaper article which she claimed was based on materials
against her collected by the National Security Service. Avetisian
also promised that no criminal proceedings would be opened against
the notary officer. Prosecutors accused Tereza Asatrian also of an
attempt to steal $3,500 from the notary officer. The prosecutor’s
office said an investigation into the case is underway.

ANDRANIK MARGARYAN AND ZURAB NOGAIDELI TO HOLD WORKING MEETING IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 05:23
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian governmental delegation headed by Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan has arrived in the Georgian capital of
Tbilisi to take part in the CIS Summit of Government Heads. Upon
the arrival the Armenian PM met with his Georgian counterpart Zurab
Nogaideli. The parties concerned problems of the Armenian community
of Georgia, specifically the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The Georgian
PM confirmed the intention of the Georgian authorities to implement a
social and economic program in the region. The PMs decided to hold a
working meeting in Samtskhe-Javakheti in July-August. Mr. Margaryan
said he was sure the Georgian authorities would make efforts to
preserve Armenian historical monuments in Georgian territory. It should
be noted that the Armenian Premier will hold a meeting with Georgian
Speaker Nino Burjanadze, after which the program will continue within
the CIS Summit of Government Heads.

New Turkish penal code prompts controversy
By Elitsa Vucheva
European Observer
02.06.2005
The new Turkish penal code, one of the reforms requested by the EU to
start membership talks with Turkey, entered into force on Wednesday
(1 June), but is already being criticised by opposition and media in
the country.
Journalists, in particular, believe that the new code is a menace
for them, as they feel it imposes rules threatening press freedom
and leaves the door open to arbitrary decisions, international
media report.
For example, if a journalist publishes a story on an on-going police
investigation, he or she can face imprisonment, according to the code.
Furthermore, criticism of a political figure can also lead to
imprisonment of journalists, as it may be interpreted as a personal
insult, AKI agency writes.
The minimum sentence for committing a crime “against a state official
because of his or her post” is one year of imprisonment.
And one of the articles of the code states that those who use the
media to spread propaganda against “fundamental national interests”
in exchange of material benefits from foreigners, risk up to 15 years
in prison.
According to Forbes agency, explanatory notes in the draft make it
clear that the article particularly threatens those who would raise
their voices in favour of the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus,
or those who would support the recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The penal code is part of key reforms Turkey has to undertake in order
to improve democratic and human rights in the country – a key demand
to start EU accession talks as planned, on 3 October.
In the beginning, the law was welcomed for introducing a more liberal
criminal justice system and improving the rights of women and children.
But some parts, such as those concerning the media, had forced
Ankara to delay the entry into force of the code, which was initially
planned for 1 April, in order to allow the parliament to make several
amendments.
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had then to approve the amendments
by midnight on Tuesday (31 May), which he did not do.
However, the code still took effect in its original form, despite
the president’s veto.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul argued that the code could enter into
force even without the president’s approval, as the main reforms
demanded by the EU were part of the code’s original version anyway.
“The issues of concern to the EU – in other words, provisions related
to the [EU] political criteria – have already been amended”, Mr Gul
was quoted as saying by Forbes agency.
Abdullah Gul argues that the code can enter into force despite the
president’s veto, as the main reforms demanded by the EU were part
of the code’s original version anyway.

KARABAKH HOLDS MORE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS THAN AZERBAIJAN
Armenpress
BAKU, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS; Azerbaijani defense minister Safar Abiyev
urged Thursday a delegation of top US officials to place pressure on
Armenia and force it to give back several Armenian-controlled regions
around Nagorno-Karabakh.
“We want a peaceful resolution of the conflict … For this to
happen Armenia must first of all pull out its troops from Azerbaijani
territories..
Let them not force us to take other measures,” he was quoting as
telling to Charles Wald, deputy commander of US forces in Europe,
Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and James McDougal, a senior official
of the Department of Defense. Charles Wald said that the US is for
a negotiated settlement of the conflict. Wald was the first US top
official who announced two years ago during a visit to Azerbaijan about
US plans to deploy “movable military bases” in Azerbaijan. Experts
say he may have discussed this issue in Baku Thursday.
In a related development chairman of Nagorno-Karabakh central election
commission, Sergey Nasibian, tossed aside statements in Baku that
the June 19 parliamentary elections are not valid. Nasibian said the
people of Karabakh had settled the issue of their political status
back in 1991 declaring its independence from Azerbaijan.
“Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto established sovereign state that holds
legitimate presidential, parliamentary and local government elections,”
he said, adding also that preparations for transparent and democratic
June 19 elections go ahead. He also cited international observers’
assessments of previous polls in Karabakh, who described them as
more transparent and fair than polls in Azerbaijan. He then shrugged
off Azerbaijani allegations that polls in Karabakh would jeopardize
efforts for peaceful regulation of the conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN VISITS ARMENIA
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS; The US Embassy in Armenia told Armenpress
that on June 1, 2005, Ambassador John Evans welcomed Senator Norm
Coleman of Minnesota during his visit to the new U.S. Embassy compound
in Yerevan, Armenia.
Senator Coleman was in Armenia at the invitation of Armenian-American
philanthropist Gerald Cafesjian and the Armenian Assembly of
America. As part of his visit to the Embassy, Senator Coleman discussed
issues including U.S.-Armenia relations, the status of U.S. Government
Assistance programs in Armenia and ways to help the Government of
Armenia further its economic and democratic reform agenda.
Senator Coleman, a member of the prestigious Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, is the first U.S. Senator to visit the new Embassy compound
since its completion and inauguration last month. Commenting on
the visit, one Embassy official said, “The Senator’s visit offers a
perfect occasion to look at how much the U.S.-Armenia partnership has
accomplished. Armenia has made notable progress, but much more must
be done to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the Armenian
people. Senator Coleman has reiterated this commitment during his
visit.” The U.S. Government has given over 1.6 billion dollars to
Armenia since independence through assistance programs concentrating on
regional stability, economic prosperity and democratic strengthening.
Norm Coleman was sworn in as United States Senator from Minnesota
on January 7, 2003. Senator Coleman is a member of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Small Business
and Entrepreneurship Committee, and Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs. He serves as the Chairman of the
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations and is the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee’s
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs

The Messenger, Georgia
June 2 2005
On eve of CIS summit, Tbilisi calls for reforms
Prime Minister says Georgia will participate in minority of meetings
By Christina Tashkevich
PM Zurab Noghaideli
Delegations from 11 countries will convene in Tbilisi on June 3 to
discuss a variety of issues concerning the Commonwealth of
Independent States.
Already on Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik
Margarian arrived in Tbilisi ahead of the conference to hold meetings
with Georgian officials.
The Executive Secretary of CIS Vladimir Rushailo arrived in Tbilisi
on Tuesday to monitor the preparations for the meeting. Rushailo met
with the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, the Prime Minister
Zurab Noghaideli, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Salome
Zourabichvili to discuss the agenda for the meeting and the future
CIS summit in Kazan on August 27.
According to Rushailo, 26 agreements would be signed at the meeting.
“These documents are prepared by experts and their signing will
happen without preliminary discussion,” he said.
However the Georgian PM is questioning the alliance’s structure.
During the government session Wednesday, Noghaideli said, “The CIS is
in need of reform.”
According to him, Georgia will have “many important bilateral
meetings” during the summit and he adds Georgia expects important
results from them. However, the prime minister also added that out of
34 issues to be discussed at the summit, Georgia will participate in
a mere eight of them. “This fact points to the necessity of CIS
reformation,” Noghaideli said on Wednesday. “Each country-the CIS
member must see the possibility to realize its main interests within
the functions of the organization.” He then added that the main
interest for Georgia is the settlement of conflicts.
Although conflict settlement in CIS countries is not on the agenda at
the meeting, Rushailo does not exclude that this issue will be
discussed.
In the meantime, the Russian news agency Itar Tass reports the
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salome Zourabichvili does not
exclude the possibility that the presidents of Russia and Georgia
will sign a framework agreement, which will outline the two country’s
relations, in Kazan, Russia, on August 27 at the CIS summit.
“The work on the frame agreement continues. We think that this
document will open new possibilities in bilateral relations,”
Zourabichvili said.
However she added before the agreement is signed both sides should
see progress in existing problems, like the withdrawal of Russian
bases.
Zourabichvili also said that Georgia expects Vladimir Putin to visit
Tbilisi after the agreement is signed.

An overdue agreement with major work ahead
The Messenger, Georgia
June 2 2005
Vestiges of a dead empire, the Russian military bases in Akhalkalaki
and Batumi will finally be withdrawn from Georgia over the next
two-and-a-half years. Hailed as an “historical event” by numerous
officials, the agreement signed on May 30 in Moscow between foreign
ministers Sergei Lavrov and Salome Zourabichvili was the product of
laborious talks that whittled down Russia’s timeline for the withdrawal
from the over 11 years to the more reasonable schedule of 30 months.
President Mikheil Saakashvili cheered the news in a special briefing
held only hours after the decision was announced in Moscow saying
that President Putin made a “brave political step” and that a new era
of relations between the two countries can now begin. However, for
these new relations to bear fruit, serious attention must be paid to
the fulfillment of the agreement- bearing in mind past disappointments.
The timeline for the withdraw is well detailed. On June 1 the
first facility, a tank repair base near Tbilisi, was handed over
to Georgian officials. By September of this year, the withdrawal of
forces from Akhalkalaki will begin with the removal of 40 pieces of
heavy equipment, including at least 20 tanks. By the end of 2006 all
of the heavy equipment will be removed from Akhalkalaki and the base
itself will be finally closed on October 1, 2007. According to the
agreement, the military base in Batumi will be liquidated sometime
in 2008 and at the same time the Trans-Caucasian Russian Military
Headquarters will leave Georgia.
President Saakashvili credited a phone conversation with President
Putin on May 26 for contributing to the agreement. “I believe that
President Putin has shown courage, great political instinct, common
sense and made a brave political step, and I cannot but appreciate it,”
he said Monday night. Indicating that Moscow has finally accepted his
“open hand,” which he offered at his inauguration, Saakashvili said
that today one of the “two main painful issues” between the countries
has been eliminated; the other remaining point is separatist conflicts.
The agreement on the bases represents a major triumph for President
Saakashvili and his government, but with this major thorn out of
the way, his administration must focus its attention now on smaller
details. In his speech on Monday, Saakashvili promised that concurrent
with the liquidation of Batumi and Akhalkalaki military bases, the
Georgian government will ensure the economic welfare of the local
communities. He added that the government would provide housing and
possibly a military position for any current employees of the base
who hope to stay in Georgia.
Georgia’s past experience with base withdrawals also gives us
lessons for today. Senseless mine-laying and cavalier maintenance
of explosives means that today former Russian bases in Sagarejo,
Vaziani, and elsewhere are deadly scrap heaps. While the government
has neither the funds nor interest in making the area around these
bases safe, local residents are pushed by poverty to explore the
bases for scrap metals, grazing land and timber. Both Georgian and
U.S. officials are also aware that as Russian withdrew from bases in
the past, they left another trail of destruction sabotaging facilities,
pouring cement into sewer systems, and generally damaging as much of
the infrastructure as possible.
Today’s ‘new relations’ with Russia will hopefully find solutions
so that none of this is repeated again. A litmus test will be the
ability of Moscow and Tbilisi to reach a working agreement on what the
anti-terrorist center in Batumi, called for in the May 30 agreement,
actually does and what it consists of.
Georgia must also deal with concerns from Azerbaijan that the transfer
of Russian military equipment into Armenia does little to strengthen
the overall stability of the region. Baku has already sent letters of
protest to Russian officials while Yerevan has already expressed its
approval that more Russian military equipment is on the way. Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanian is quoted in the
newspaper Akhali Versia as defending the transfer of some forces to
Armenia. “Russia and Armenia operate according to a mutual agreement
on military base transfers and military collaboration,” he said,
“If Russian-Armenian decisions satisfy all the conditions of the draft
[agreement], then nobody has the right to interfere in our and Russia’s
internal issues.”
The agreement on the bases is another central feather in Saakashvili’s
political cap, next to the Batumi revolution, the Patrol Police and
the strengthening of the Georgian army. It is a cap that is often
waved around on public service announcements and in speeches. What
deserves just as much attention, however, is the fact that all of
these require much more than rhetoric in order to be successful.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress