Month: June 2005

INTERVIEW-Georgia says Russia has woken up to regional change
By Margarita Antidze
TBILISI, June 1 (Reuters) – Russia’s compromise after a long and
bitter dispute over military bases in Georgia shows that Moscow at
last realises it no longer decides the affairs of ex-Soviet states,
Georgia’s Foreign Minister said on Wednesday.
On Monday, the two countries announced that by 2008 Moscow would
close its two military bases in Georgia, whose pro-Western government
likens the presence of Russian troops in the Soviet-era bases to an
“occupation”.
“Probably the Ukrainian revolution played an important role in the fact
that Russian leaders finally realised that the time had come to accept
new realities in their neighbourhood, to accept the fact that these
countries are independent and that military bases belong to the past,”
Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili told Reuters in an interview.
President Vladimir Putin openly backed the loser in last year’s
disputed Ukrainian presidential polls. The eventual winner, the
West-leaning Viktor Yushchenko, came to power on the back of the
people power “Orange Revolution”.
That in turn was barely a year after Georgia’s “Rose Revolution” when
thousands took to the streets of the capital, also after a disputed
election, to force long-serving Presdient Eduard Shevardnadze to
step down.
Zurabishvili said Monday’s agreement with her Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov was a high point for her.
“It was the pinnacle of my negotiating career to be able to negotiate
such an agreement,” said the former French diplomat, enticed back
by President Mikhail Saakashvili to the country her grandparents fled
almost a century ago.
“It was also very important for me personally as my family left when
the Russian army entered Georgia and I signed the document by which
it is going to leave.”
NO SECRET DEAL
“There is no secret deal. There was more compromise from the Russian
side than from the Georgian,” she said.
All Russian military hardware will be taken out and allowed to be
taken into neighbouring Armenia, a close Russian ally, if Moscow so
wishes. Any of the 2,500 troops deployed in the bases can remain in
Georgia if they want.
Georgia also agreed to allow in Russian technical experts to help
the withdrawal.
Zurabishvili said the main compromise by Georgia was to agree to set
up a joint anti-terrorist centre in the country.
Russia has long expressed concern that Georgia’s mountainous Pankisi
Gorge was being used as a safe haven by rebels fighting Moscow rule
in neighbouring Chechnya.
“It’s linked … keeping some form of Russian influence in this region
and the feeling that they are not completely excluded from the region,”
she said.
The bases issue is one of several to have strained relations
between Russia and its small southern neighbour since Georgia gained
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Georgia accuses Moscow of backing separatists in its two breakaway
provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia suspects Georgia of
turning blind eye on Chechen guerrillas.
Zurabishvili said the deal over bases would create a new atmosphere
in bilateral relations and would help solve other problems such as
the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
“It has to be resolved between the parties in these conflicts and not
with Russia. But it’s very important that Russia … becomes neutral,
which has not been the case.”
06/01/05 14:45 ET

INTERVIEW-Germany’s Cronimet plans UK titanium expansion
HAMBURG, June 1 (Reuters) – German metals trader and processor
Cronimet has purchased British ferro-titanium producer Metals &
Alloys International Ltd and plans to expand the company, Cronimet
joint chief executive officer Juergen Pilarsky said on Wednesday.
It was planned to expand production at Welshpool-based Metals & Alloys
from 3,000 tonnes a year to 4,000 tonnes this year and 5,000 in 2006,
he told Reuters.
Ferro-titanium is used in steel production.
The purchase price was not being revealed.
“We are still examining what form the investment could take but it is
possible than an additional furnace will be installed at Welshpool,”
he said.
Privately owned Cronimet, based in Karlsruhe, is involved in trading
and processing secondary raw materials for the steel industry such
as ferro-alloys, primary metals and scrap.
“We are expanding along the value-addition chain,” he said. “We have
long traded and purchased titanium scrap.
“We have marketed this to producers of ferro-titanium who in turn sold
to the steel works. Now we are processing and marketing more ourselves.
“We have our network of scrap trading companies in Europe which
enables us to generate the volumes of titanium scrap required to
increase production.”
The group trades around one million tonnes of metals and scrap
annually in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa including
ferro-alloys, non-ferrous metals and minor metals.
The British deal is its second major international expansion project
in around six months. In January it paid around $132 million for a
controlling shareholding in Armenian molybdenum and copper mine ZMMK.
Molybdenum is largely used in stainless steel production.
The British and Armenian investments were a reaction to opportunities
rather than a specific international expansion drive, he said.
“On both occasions suitable opportunities came forward,” he said.
“We have had a joint venture in Armenia for many years which processes
concentrates from the mine into ferro molybdenum and which in turn
markets the finished product to steel works.
“As the privatisation of the mine was announced we decided to secure
our raw materials supplies.”
06/01/05 11:22 ET

Soccer-Armenia squad for World Cup matches v Macedonia, Romania
YEREVAN, June 1 (Reuters) – Armenia’s newly-appointed Dutch coach Henk
Wisman has named the following 20-man squad for his team’s World Cup,
European zone group one qualifier at home to Macedonia on Saturday
June 4 and away to Romania four days later:
Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovsky (Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Edela Bete
(Pyunik Yerevan)
Defenders: Sarkis Hovsepyan, Alexander Tadevosyan and Robert Arzumanyan
(all Pyunik Yerevan), Karen Dokhoyan (Krylya Sovietov Samara, Russia),
Egishe Melikyan (Metalurg Donetsk, Ukraine)
Midfielders: Romeo Djenebyan (Banants Yerevan), Agvan Mkrtychyan
(Pyunik Yerevan), Albert Sarkisyan (Amkar Perm, Russia), Romik
Khachatryan (OFI Crete, Greece), Aram Voskanyan and David Grigoryan
(both Esil-Bogatyr Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan), Hamlet Mkhitaryan
(MTZ-RIPO Minsk, Belarus), Karen Aleksanyan (Zimbru Chisinau, Moldova)
Forwards: Arman Karamyan (Brasov, Romania), Galust Petrosyan (Zimbru
Chisinau, Moldova), Edgar Manucharyan (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands),
Ara Akopyan (Stal Alchevsk, Ukraine), Armen Shakhgeldyan (Beirut,
Lebanon).
06/01/05 13:47 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Dignity Bloc surprised by poll boycott
By Philip Abi akl
The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 2 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A member of the Dignity Bloc stated that the results of the elections
in the capital were positive and expressed the loyalty of the Beirutis
to late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
He also rejected claims that the Future Movement and the opposition
have failed to encourage the enthusiasm of the Lebanese.
The Dignity Bloc member was surprised by the Armenian and Christian
boycott of the elections and by the negative reactions to the decision
of the widow of former President-elect Bashir Gemayel, Solange,
to run as a candidate.
Sources said the electoral results in Beirut would have an impact on
the outcome in different areas of Lebanon. It is possible that some
political figures, who have announced their boycott to the elections,
will rethink their decisions.
Sources close to Saad Hariri said the alliance between Hizbullah, Amal
Movement, the Democratic Gathering and the Future Movement, which was
criticized by some political parties for being a sectarian coalition
aiming to oust President Emile Lahoud, is a political alliance free
of sectarianism, as it includes the Lebanese Forces and the Qornet
Shehwan Gathering.
Accordingly, sources were surprised by the reaction of FPM leader
Michel Aoun and could not understand the reasons behind the attacks
carried out against the Future Movement.
The coalition of the opposition forces will be asked to set up
a program for the three-month period following the parliamentary
elections in order to show the international community that it can
deal with the challenges ahead and in order to gain the support of
foreign countries, in particular the United States.
The coming period might bring with it international pressure for the
full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, as its
implementation paves the way for the liberation of the Shebaa Farms.
Consequently, the issue of disarming Hizbullah and the Palestinian
factions represents the major concern for the local forces and the
international community.
Members in the coalition believe that Najib Mikati will be reappointed
as prime minister and Nabih Berri will be re-elected as Parliament
speaker, particularly since Berri is considered to be a strong, Shiite
leader capable of productive dialogue regarding Hizbullah’s arms.
Berri’s return is supported by the coalition as well as by the
United States.
As for Lahoud, the coalition said it will call for his resignation
following the elections, in view of his incapacity to contribute to
the reform program and the march toward change.
However, sources close to Lahoud said the president cannot be forced
to resign according to the Constitution and that American and French
officials, who had in the past boycotted the Presidential Palace,
have resumed their visits with the head of state.
Sources said foreign countries insisted on holding the parliamentary
polls within the constitutional deadlines and on the basis of the
2000 electoral law (called for by Berri) to facilitate negotiations
with the Shiite community regarding the disarming of Hizbullah.
This issue may become a primary national concern in the near future
with a possible lending of support by Lebanese factions to Hizbullah
as a resistance movement and not as a militia. The group’s legitimacy
lies in its opposition to Israel and defense of Lebanese territories.
The words of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Liberation
Day symbolize a clear message to Israel, which is counting on the UN
to disarm the group.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UPI INtelligence Watch…
United Press International
June 1 2005
On May 3 Uzbekistan announced it was withdrawing from the
Georgia-Ukraine-Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan-Moldova pact, known informally
as GUUAM. Now Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian says Armenia
may consider joining GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova)
if it receives an official invitation proposal. Oskanian made his
observation in response to a comment by Ukrainian parliamentary
Speaker Vladimir Litvin that other countries, including Armenia,
may join GUAM. Oskanian sounded a cautious note, remarking, “Before
joining any organization one should study its goals and principles
of activity” even as he noted “GUAM is currently reconsidering its
goals and principles.” Only two months ago Oskanian ruled out Armenia
facilitating its ties with GUUAM or seeking observer status in the
organization. In late 2000 Oskanian harshly criticized GUUAM, stating
that the grouping “negatively affects the integration processes in
the CIS,” noting then that all GUUAM member states were represented
in the CIS and that “nothing hinders them from solving problems
of economic integration within the framework the Commonwealth of
Independent States.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/01/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence 2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000 3) Armenia Savors Famous First 4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial 1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence LOS ANGELES--Last Sunday, the Southern California Armenian community celebrated the May 28, 1918 independence of Armenia, at a gathering organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Region. Joining the public to honor the unbending spirit of Armenians which led to that independence, were Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Haroutioun Kojoian of the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, Bishop Dajad Yardemian representing Prelate Hovnan Derderian, representatives of the ARF Central Committee, and affiliate organizations. Held at Ferrahian School~Rs Avedissian Hall, the event opened with a video presentation on events leading to and after Armenia~Rs first independence. After delivering opening remarks, Myrna Douzjian of the La Crescenta ~SZartonk~T AYF chapter invited Haroutioun Kojoian to convey Consul General Gagik Kirakossian~Rs message. In his message, the Consul General wrote: ~SFor Armenians, the Republic~Rs holiday is especially significant and precious because it embodies hundreds of years of struggle, and ultimate victory. The last century has taught us that in order to have an independent Republic, [a people] must not only carry out a struggle that is political in nature, but also economic and cultural.~T Kojoian added that our national struggle remains a free, independent, and united Armenia. ~SMay 28 is the exemplary model of national unity... some criticize the ARF for that short-lived independence; they forget, however, that these were historically very difficult times--and that first independence brought with it a flag, laws, as well as a coat of arms.~T Conveying the Armenian Youth Federation~Rs message, Shant Baboujian assured that the youth organization would preserve the Armenian language and culture. ~SI congratulate [our people] and guarantee that our future will be bright.~T Delivering his remarks in English, Keynote speaker Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, spoke about the one unchanging fact in Armenia~Rs history. ~SEach generation has had to sacrifice to survive,~T he said. Recalling milestone battles of the past--including the Battle of Avarayr in 451, the war in Karabagh fifteen years ago, and the battle at Sardarabad 87 years ago--Hamparian affirmed, ~SWe all look back with pride~Emore importantly, we look back with the awareness that their struggle, their sacrifice was the difference between our survival and our destruction.~T Quoting the great American writer William Faulkner, who once wrote, ~SThe past is not dead, it~Rs not even in the past,~T Hamparian said, ~SHe may have well been Armenian, because his words speak to the heart of our struggle.~T Pointing to the critical transition on the Genocide question, he articulated the necessity for careful and clear thinking on the issue. Hamparian also noted the importance of continuous effort--from Armenian worldwide--to break the back of Turkey~Rs campaign of denial. ~SWe do not seek an apology, although we are owed one. We do not seek recognition, we already know our history. We seek justice, not simply for the sake of justice. But justice for the protection of Armenia and the survival of the Armenian nation,~T he stressed. ~SArmenia cannot be safe bordered by Turkey, an unrepentant perpetrator of genocide.~T ~SWe will do what we must to maintain Armenia~Rs viability,~T expressed Hamparian. ~SOver the short-term by supporting the strengthening of Armenia and Karabagh~Eand over the long-term by restoring to Armenia what is rightfully ours.~T The second keynote speaker, Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, principal of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, speaking in Armenian, noted two approaches to celebrating May 28 independence. ~SThe first is the traditional, which highlights the victories of the people and heroic chapters in history. The second is a critical examination that assumes the transfer of the spirit of May 28 to generations so as to persevere.~T Pointing to the unacceptable conviction of some who believe that the Genocide was somehow brought about due to the disobedience of the Armenian people, Dr. Yacoubian described this as giving birth to a ghetto mentality. He instead characterized the 1918 independence as a ~Srejection of enslavement.~T ~SIt was also the rejection, once and for all, of the orders of the slayer, of a submissive march toward death~Rs clutches,~T Yacoubian said, stressing that 1918 independence liberated the free will of the Armenian people. ~SWe were liberated for a few short years from the ghettos; for a few years, we rejected succumbing to conditions void of all norms for self-respect... Yes, for a few years, it was the spirit of the Armenian people that was liberated.~T Explaining the significance of May 28, Yacoubian said, ~SThe message of that independence resounds today, whether in Yerevan, Mountainous Karabagh, or elsewhere. Only those who refuse to hand their fate to others--even to God~Rs will--are worthy of liberation.~T Liberation, he explained, comes from struggle for greater justice and from rejection of a mentality that assumes the struggles of the small and the weak are in vain in the face of greater forces. ~SPerhaps we are small, even surrounded by great enemies. We, however, are neither powerless nor incapable of defiance.~T Several musicians joined in the celebrations, including Rouben Hakhverdian, singers Alexander and Arax Garabedian, and Hovig Krikorian accompanied by Mourad Jambazian. The Hamazkayin Valley chapter~Rs ~SNayiri~T dance group, directed by Katherine Hairabedian, also performed. 2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000 LOS ANGELES--The Armenian community of Southern California concluded its Armenian Independence Day celebrations with a picnic-festival held at Glendale High School on May 30. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, the event celebrated the significance of Armenia's victories in establishing an independent Armenia on May 28, 1918. Featuring well-known singers and performers including Nersik Ispirian, Joseph Krikorian, Paul Baghdadlian, Armenchik, Ara Shahbazian, Ararat, Vatche Hagopian, Sako, and Antoine Bezjian--all accompanied by the Knar Band--the mixed crowd of over 3,000 enjoyed cultural and patriotic songs. "We are honored to provide our community a vibrant venue through which they can celebrate our first independence," said Garo Kiledjian, director of the organizing committee. "While celebrating the victories of 1918, we must always continue our work to overcome the many challenges our nation faces today," he said. Community organizations including the Armenian Relief Society, Shant Student Association, Homenetmen, and the ANCA, were on hand to distribute organizational information to the crowd. The picnic concluded at 6pm with "Aryunod Trosh," performed by Nersig Ispirian. 3) Armenia Savors Famous First (UEFA)--Armenia reached the finals of an international tournament for the first time in devastating fashion as four goals from Edgar Manucharyan earned a 5-1 success against Elite round Group 4 hosts and a place in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final round in Northern Ireland. Coach Samvel Petrosyan's side went into the final round of matches level with Italy on four points and needing to better the Italians' result on Tuesday, May 31, to progress to this summer's tournament in Northern Ireland. In the event, Belgium's 2-0 victory against the Italians gave Armenia the chance to progress, and they duly seized the opportunity at the ZTE stadium in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. AFC Ajax striker Manucharyan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and doubled his side's lead with a second goal midway through the first half. Although Péter Nemeth halved the deficit in the 29th minute, Manucharyan restored Armenia's two-goal advantage two minutes later, completing his hat-trick in the process. Despite the advantage, Armenian nerves were not truly settled until 19 minutes from time, when Manucharyan scored his and Armenia's fourth, and Artak Oseyan's fifth six minutes from time added gloss to an already memorable day for his country. 4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Though Armenia has not confirmed reports that Russia has begun relocating equipment from one of its two military bases in Georgia to Armenia, Russian news agencies reported that a trainload of Russian military hardware and equipment left the Georgian city of Batumi late on Tuesday and was due to arrive in Armenia the next morning. The bases are scheduled to close within the next four years. "The train was composed of 15 carriages and platforms carrying ammunition and vehicles," Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander of Russian troops in the South Caucasus, was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. Armenian officials refused to comment on the information. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told Reuters news agency on May 25, that there has been no discussion on the issue. "At this moment there is no such decision. At this moment nothing is moving from Georgia to Armenia." "But if such a decision is taken, it will be a prerogative of Russia and Armenia," he added. The reported relocation began the day after the announcement of a Russian-Georgian agreement on a timetable for the closure of the Russian bases stationed in Batumi and the Armenian-populated town of Akhalkalak in southern Georgia. Under that agreement, the Russians will start withdrawing from them next year and complete the process in the course of 2008. Russia's armed forces chief of staff General Yuri Baluyevsky said earlier that Moscow might have to move some of their armor to its military base in Armenia. Baluyevsky's statement drew strong protests from Azerbaijan, which claims that the military hardware will end up in the hands of the Armenian military and disrupt the balance of forces in the Karabagh conflict. The Azeri Foreign Ministry sent a protest note to Moscow late last month. "We are awaiting a response," the Baku daily "Zerkalo" quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov as saying on Wednesday. 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. --Boundary_(ID_vCbTYynHLOQJ572tk0lQBg)--

SOME IN GEORGIA WORRY THAT THE RUSSIAN BASE WITHDRAWAL DEAL COMES WITH A CATCH
EurasiaNet Organization
June 1 2005
Molly Corso 6/01/05
Georgian leaders have hailed a deal on the withdrawal of Russian troops
from two military bases in Georgia as an “historic event” that clears
the way for the normalization of bilateral relations. Some political
analysts and opposition politicians in Tbilisi are concerned, however,
that President Mikheil Saakashvili’s administration paid too high a
price to secure Moscow’s commitment to take its troops out of Georgia.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili and her Russian
counterpart Sergei Lavrov signed the base accord on May 31, committing
Russia to complete the withdrawal process by the end of 2008. According
to the agreement text posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s web
site, Moscow will begin closing its base at Akhalkalaki immediately,
with at least 40 armored vehicles and 20 tanks to be withdrawn by
September 1. Russia is also expected to transfer a tank repair facility
to Georgia by September 1. The withdrawal from the Akhalkalaki base
is to be completed by the end of 2007. The closure of Russia’s other
base, in Batumi, will occur at an unspecified point in 2008. Russia’s
command and control personnel in Georgia will also cease operations in
2008. Both bases are to be delivered to Georgia in “as is” condition.
In addition, the document calls for both Georgia and Russia to seek
“additional external sources of financing for the transportation costs”
connected with the Russian withdrawal. The accord also contains vague
language concerning the creation of a Georgian-Russian Anti-Terrorist
Center, to be “formalized by a separate document,” as well as a
bilateral commitment to conclude a pact regulating joint border issues
“as soon as possible.”
Tbilisi and Moscow had haggled over the Russian troop withdrawal
since the 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive]. At a May 30 news conference, Saakashvili
said the bilateral accord will end “the 200-year presence of Russian
troops in Georgia.” He went on to say that one of the most “painful”
issues hampering Tbilisi’s ties with Moscow – Russia’s two remaining
bases in Georgia — had now been cleared away, raising hopes for
“close, friendly relations.” Saakashvili also sought to reassure the
ethnic Armenian community concentrated near the Akhalkalaki base,
which has been the main source of employment for area residents. [For
additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. “We have
already launched the rehabilitation of roads, schools and launched
social programs,” Saakashvili said. “We are also ready to recruit
[local] personnel … for the Georgian army.”
It was what Saakashvili didn’t mention about the pact — specifically
the creation of the joint anti-terrorism center — that had some
observers and politicians in Georgia feeling uneasy. Before the text of
the accord had been made public, Tina Gogueliani, a political analyst
with the International Center for Conflict and Negotiations, said that
some people worried that the accord contained loopholes potentially
enabling Russia to maintain a military presence in Georgia. “[You
can’t] exclude the possibility that there is something the public
will not like in this document,” Gogueliani said.
The English language daily, The Georgian Messenger, published an
article June 1 in which seven of the nine people interviewed said
they were suspicious about the center’s intentions. “There is no
difference whether the bases will be withdrawn from the country
or not if there will be an anti-terrorist center,” said Tea Todua,
a lawyer who was quoted in the Messenger story.
The text of the agreement states that an “agreed upon portion of
[Russian] military personnel and material-technical facilities and
infrastructure from [the Batumi base] would be used in the interest”
of the joint anti-terrorism center. Tiko Mzhavanadze, a press secretary
for the New Right opposition group, voiced concern that the status quo
could end up being preserved. “If the [anti-terrorism] center will be
Russian, we have traded the old bases for new [military] equipment,”
she said in a phone interview with EurasiaNet. “And that will be
even worse.”
Irakli Menagarishvili, a former foreign minister who now is the
director of the Strategic Research Center, cautioned that it is too
soon to jump to any conclusions. “It is hard to say anything concrete
at this time,” he said in a phone interview. “There is nothing
decided, or we don’t know anything yet, about the center except for
the title.” He added that the center could assume a variety of forms,
ranging from an analytical-research think tank to an armed unit.
“Those are two different things-and actually any number of variations
could exist between them,” he said. “If it is the first version,
it could be acceptable for Georgia. But the second is completely
unacceptable. That is like exchanging the bases for the same thing
with a different name.”
Zourabichvili, speaking at a May 31 news conference, sought to dispel
fears that the deal would allow Russian to retain a significant
military presence in Georgia. “The anti-terrorist center will not
represent a new base. It will be a joint center, which will accept
all decisions jointly, with the participation of the Georgian side,”
Zourabichvili said, adding that “the existence of this anti-terrorism
center is in Georgia’s interests as well.”
The opposition party spokeswoman, Mzhavanadze, said that to ensure
Russia does not wield undue influence in the planned anti-terrorism
center, participation should be expanded. “If there is going to
be an anti-terrorism center in Georgia, [it] should be three-,
or four-sided; not just Georgian and Russian [members], but also
American and possibly European.”
Zourabichvili said on May 31 that substantive negotiations concerning
the anti-terrorism center have not commenced. “As far as I know,
Russia adopted one document that we have not received yet,” she said.
“We have enough time for negotiations and there is no reason to
hurry. We should think together about what we want and how we want
[to receive it].”
Georgia’s National Security Council will be the lead agency
responsible for guiding Georgian negotiators on the creation of the
anti-terrorism center. Davit Gunashvili, the press officer for the
NSC, said very little has been decided to date. “I can only tell you
that the Georgian side will only support an analytical-information
gathering [center],” he said. “As we know no weapons or large armies
can defeat terrorism.” He added that while there is no date set for
the negotiations, both the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
will be involved.
Editor’s Note: Molly Corso is a freelance journalist and photographer
based in Tbilisi.

Zaman, Turkey
June 1 2005
Armenian Bill Postponed in Belgium
By Selcuk Gultasli, Vedat Denizli
Published: Wednesday 01, 2005
zaman.com
The Belgium Senate Justice Commission has once again postponed the
voting of an amendment that envisions monetary fines and jail terms
for those who deny the so-called Armenian genocide.
During Commission’s May 31 session, heat debates took place for
the motion. Emir Kir of Turkish origin was targeted as the “one
who denied”. A proposal to invite experts to the Commission to
discuss the Armenian claims was also rejected. The conclusion for
the discussions at the Commission is expected on Tuesday, June 7.
Observers indicating supporters of the Armenian thesis have lost
ground during the May 31 discussions, claim that the likelihood of
the draft’s approval according to the demands of the Armenian lobby
has diminished. A Senate member of Turkish origin, Fatma Pehlivan
also took the floor on May 31 and highlighted the drawbacks of the
amendment motion. The May 31 session became the stage for a battle
of words between Belgian Minister of Justice Laurette Onkelix and
Senator Alain Destexhe. When Destexhe asked: “Kir denies. Why don’t
you condemn him?” by targeting Kir as an example, Onkelinx accused
Destexhe of running after petty calculations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Outside view: Defusing a clash on Belarus
By Alexei Arbatov
Outside View Commentator
United Press International
June 1 2005
Moscow, Russia, May. 31 (UPI) — The West clearly demands that Belarus
should be freed of what it calls the last dictatorship in Europe.
I am afraid that Russia-West confrontation in this area could end in
a head-on clash.
The president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is not former Ukrainian
leader Leonid Kuchma: He will suppress the slightest sign of protest,
especially by young people. The West may intervene by providing help to
the protesters, forcing Lukashenko to seek assistance from Russia, and
the Kremlin will be hard put to deny it. After the defeat in Ukraine,
Belarus has become doubly important to it for communications, defense
and access to the Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad. Belarus is very
nearly the last ally of Russia in the former Soviet Union.
I do not think that Russia will send in troops. But there are
special operations units and internal troops. Moscow may intervene
if Lukashenko appeals for help and it is clear that his downfall will
send Belarus in Ukraine’s footsteps toward NATO without Russia.
This will mean NATO will be along the entire Russian border,
complicating the Kaliningrad situation and putting enormous pressure on
Vladimir Putin. He will have to think about how to maintain political
stability. Losing Belarus after Ukraine would be a new, serious blow
to his authority at home.
If Belarus falls, or if developments there provoke a Russia-West
confrontation, the domestic situation in Russia will be affected
immediately. The country will be unable to develop a market economy
and democracy if it is involved in a confrontation with the West.
The West will most probably not intervene in Belarus and the republic
will remain allied to Russia. In this case, the West will take its
“revenge” in Ukraine, the Baltic states and Georgia, and try to win
over Azerbaijan and Armenia. Russia and Belarus will be completely
surrounded by NATO countries.
NATO is neither an adversary nor a friend for Russia; it is a partner
and, though the two sides disagree on some points, they also have
many areas of interaction. But they will have to forget about it if
Belarus is hit by a “color revolution.”
If Russia develops relations with the opposition leaders of Belarus in
good time (and some of them are living overseas), a choice between
“Belarus with Lukashenko and with Russia” and “Belarus without
Lukashenko and without Russia” will not figure on the agenda. But this
would mean skating on very thin ice, because Lukashenko has actually
outlawed the opposition. To develop contacts with it would mean acting
against Lukashenko as the incumbent president. This would be difficult.
Revolutions, even such bloodless ones as recent color revolutions in
former Soviet republics, cannot develop without a breeding ground.
They need an ineffective and unpopular regime that is not supported
by the vast majority of the people. For example, Ukraine was almost
split by the time of its “orange revolution.”
When half of the population does not support the regime, this is
an alarming sign. It is a dangerous moment when external forces can
influence the situation. Opinion polls show that the majority of the
population and the political elite in Russia are more pro-etatist
than the president. And no liberal revolution can happen here. On the
contrary, nationalists and the radical Left might take to the streets,
but not the rightwing forces.
Besides, we must not forget history: In the 1990s the right-wing
liberals, who held ranking posts in the Russian power structure,
if not directly ruled it, failed to carry through the reforms. This
left people disillusioned. There was nothing of the kind in Ukraine
or Belarus.
Russia must decide with whom it will work. In my opinion, it should
work with the West and above all Greater Europe. Its relations with
NATO should be promoted to a stage where Russia will not fear the
accession of its close neighbors to the bloc. In other words, NATO
should cease to become a hostile organization for Russia, but this
depends both on NATO and Russia.
Their relations are crawling rather than moving, largely because
of Russian ministries, including defense ministry, but also because
of the West’s unclear approach to Russia. The West does not want to
outline unambiguous and lasting relations for NATO and the EU with
Russia. Better and deeper relations may be not a goal but a process.
Yet every process should have a goal, otherwise current policy will
be reduced to tactical steps that completely overshadow strategy.
—
(Alexei Arbatov is a non-voting member of the Russian Academy of
Sciences, and head of the International Security Center at the IMEMO
Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the RAS.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may
not necessarily represent the opinions of the RIA Novosti editorial
board. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti.)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
MEDIA ALERT
June 1, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
RE: Turkish Scholars Protest Postponement of Armenian Genocide Conference
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with President
Bush on June 8 in Washington to again brand his country as a mature
and democratic nation ready for EU membership. In the last week,
however, Turkey has again shown that its actions run contrary to
the rosy image it tries to portray. The forced postponement of an
unprecedented Armenian Genocide conference at Bosphrous University
had led hundreds of Turkish academics to protest the government’s
latest assault on free speech.
Below are the latest news release by the International Association of
Genocide Scholars and a letter from a representative of the Middle
East Studies Association to Prime Minister Erdogan condemning the
Turkish government’s interference with academic freedom.
The Armenian Assembly will continue to monitor this official assault on
academic freedom and will report any developments as they happen. On
the eve of Prime Minister Erdogan’s official visit to the U.S.,
we urge ongoing coverage and commentary.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2005-057
***********************************************************************
ISSUED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GENOCIDE SCHOLARS
Affiliated with the Institute for the Study of Genocide
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
899 Tenth Avenue, Room 325
New York, NY 10019
Contact: Robert Melson, President
[email protected]
Tel: (765) 494-4187
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 29, 2005
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GENOCIDE SCHOLARS
– NEWS RELEASE –
We who serve as the Executive Committee of the International
Association of Genocide Scholars protest and condemn the cancellation
of the historians conference on the Armenian question in Turkey by
the Turkish government as a major violation of basic standards of
academic freedom in the free world.
At long last, Turkish academics and intellectuals, sponsored by
three honorable universities, were scheduled to conduct a conference
in which the historical reality of the Armenian genocide was to be
examined by many of the participating lecturers.
The government of Turkey is understandably struggling to win its
possible acceptance as a member of the European Union, and it is in
this climate that many Turkish intellectuals have moved courageously
to address the Armenian genocide, a truth which is still punishable
by Turkish law.
For the Turkish government to cancel the conference is a shameful
step and a setback to Turkey joining the free world in its growing
standards of historical truth and responsibility.
The Executive Committee of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars calls on the Republic of Turkey to allow full and free debate
and academic scholarship on the fate of the Armenian people in Ottoman
Turkey in 1915-1923.
ROBERT MELSON, President, International Association of Genocide
Scholars, Professor of Political Science, Purdue University
ISRAEL W. CHARNY, Vice-President, International Association of Genocide
Scholars, Professor of Psychology and Family Therapy, Hebrew University
of Jerusalem
STEVEN L. JACOBS, Secretary-Treasurer, International Association
of Genocide Scholars, Associate Professor of Religious Studies,
University of Alabama
####
*********************************************************************
May 27, 2005
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara, Turkey
Via facsimile +90 312 417 0476
Dear Prime Minister Erdogan:
I write to you on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association
of North America, and its Committee on Academic Freedom, in order
to express our grave concern over actions taken by members of
your government which precipitated the decision of the rector of
Bosphorus University to cancel an academic conference entitled,
“Ottoman Armenians in the Period of the Empire’s Collapse.” These
actions violate the academic freedom and human rights of Turkish
scholars, a number of whom are members of our association.
The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) comprises
2600 academics worldwide who teach and conduct research on the Middle
East and North Africa. It is the preeminent professional association
in the field and publishes the International Journal of Middle East
Studies. MESA is committed to ensuring respect for the principles
of academic freedom and freedom of expression in the region and in
connection with the study of the Middle East and North Africa. The
organization also counts among its membership many of the world’s
leading experts on the history of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic
of Turkey.
The conference was to have been held May 25-27, 2005 at Bosphorus
University in Istanbul. Organized by members of the history, sociology
and comparative literature faculties of both Bosphorus and Sabanci
universities, the conference sought to address in a scholarly, open and
critical manner issues surrounding the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Aided
by an international advisory committee of academics from Turkey and
abroad, the conference’s organizers adhered in their preparations to
all Turkish laws regarding public assemblies and academic gatherings.
However, according to published press reports, following
intense criticism by Turkish government officials and
parliamentarians-including Minister of Justice, Cemil Cicek, who
accused those organizing the conference of being guilty of “treason
and insult”-the university officials cancelled the meetings just hours
before they were to begin. Citing “prejudicial statements [which]
have been advanced [by government officials] regarding the contents
of a conference that is yet to be held,” the university officials
noted that these statements give “cause for concern that [they]
will result in undermining the academic freedom of state universities.”
As a member state of the Council of Europe and a signatory of
the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms, Turkey is required to protect freedom of
thought, expression and assembly. These rights are also enshrined in
the Turkish Constitution of 1982.
Therefore we urge your government to take all necessary steps to
ensure that this conference may be held as planned and as soon as
possible. Just as important, and particularly given Justice Minister
Cicek’s use of the word “treason,” a charge that conjures up memories
of some of worst forms of persecution of scholars and intellectuals
through history, we ask that you assure conference participants
and organizers that they will face no official criminal charges or
other sanctions following the presentation of their research in this
gathering. We ask that you ensure there will be no attempts to censor
their work prior to its presentation and further, that all measures
required will be taken to secure the personal safety of conference
participants and allow open and free academic exchange. Finally, we
encourage you to preclude the implementation of any of the provisions
of Article 305 of the new Turkish Penal Code, which could be used to
arrest academics who express unpopular ideas or revisionist views of
the past.
I would appreciate the honor of discussing the work of the Middle
East Studies Association with you during your visit to Washington,
DC in June if your schedule permits.
Sincerely,
Ali Banuazizi
President, Middle East Studies Association
Professor, Boston College
CC: H.E. Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu,
Turkish Ambassador to the United States