Month: June 2005

A1plus
| 20:57:27 | 20-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION |
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM OVERCOMING THE CRISIS
«The inclusion of the issue of the Constitutional Reforms of Armenia into
the PACE session without objections means that both the Armenian delegation
and the other PACE delegates realize clearly that without serious
Constitutional reforms Armenia cannot fully meet the commitments taken upon
in front of the COE», mentioned specialist of Constitutional right Vardan
Pogosyan after the inclusion of the issue into the PACE session.
Mr. Pogosyan who at present is following the process in Strasbourg thinks
that favorable political conditions are created for the Constitutional
reform to overcome the crisis. «Of course much depends on the draft
resolution which will be discussed tomorrow in the PACE Monitoring Committee
session», said Mr. Pogosyan.
According to him, the best variant will be the PACE calling the Armenian
authorities to follow fully and completely the offers of the Venice
Commission. At the same time the authorities and the oppositions may be
urged to start a political to finish successfully the process of the
Constitutional reforms.
Let us remind you that on June 23 and 24 the Venice Commission Armenian
Constitutional Reforms working group will meet the Armenian delegation which
includes Tigran Torosyan, Mher Shahgeldyan, Vostanik Maroukhyan,
representative of the RA President Armen Haroutyunyan, and RA Justice
Minister David Haroutyunyan.

Der Tagesspiegel
Demo gegen Beschluss des Bundestags
…
Bereits am Sonntag hatte eine Gruppe Aserbaidschaner vor der
iranischen Botschaft für die Rechte der Aserbaidschaner im Iran
demonstriert. Zudem waren 50 Aserbaidschaner dem Aufruf der
aserbaidschanisch-deutschen Akademikervereinigung gefolgt – und
protestierten vor der BotschaftArmeniens gegen `armenische
Besatzungstruppen in aserbaidschanischen Gebieten`. kög

005/54116.php
Dritte Kraft
21.06.2005
BERLIN/ERIWAN/NAGORNYI KARABACH
(Eigener Bericht) – Der staatliche Berliner Auslandssender “Deutsche
Welle” verbreitet Forderungen armenischer Separatisten mit
Stoßrichtung gegen das mit der Türkei verbündete Aserbaidschan. Wie es
zugleich in einem Forderungskatalog heißt, den das Berliner Parlament
auf Antrag der CDU/CSU-Opposition an Ankara richtet, muss die Türkei
ihre “zwischenstaatlichen Beziehungen” zuArmenien
“normalisieren”. Armenien ist wegen seiner Brückenfunktion nach
Zentralasien bedeutend und kann gegen deutsche Machtkonkurrenten in
Stellung gebracht werden. Der jetzt vom Bundestag verabschiedete
Forderungskatalog soll Berlin als Schutzmacht des Landes etablieren,
das sowohl mit Ankara als auch mit dem benachbarten Aserbaidschan im
Streit liegt. Aserbaidschan beklagt Übergriffe armenischer
Nationalisten, die seit den 1990er Jahren für die Loslösungdes Gebiets
Nagornyi Karabach kämpfen. Die Berliner Einflussarbeit im südlichen
Kaukasus schwächt Russland, einen Verbündeten Armeniens, und
konkurriert mit US-Aktivitäten, die gleichermaßen auf die
Vorherrschaft in dem strategisch wichtigen Gebiet abzielen.
Der an Ankara gerichtete Forderungskatalog, den das Berliner Parlament
in der vergangenen Woche verabschiedet hat, thematisiert den
Armenier-Genozid des Osmanischen Reichs und enthält ein völlig
folgenloses Bekenntnis zur deutschen Verwicklung in den türkischen
Völkermord. Höhepunkt ist die Behauptung, Deutschland komme “aufgrund
seiner historischen Rolle in den deutsch-türkisch-armenischen
Beziehungen heute eine besondere Verpflichtung im Rahmen der
Nachbarschaftsinitiative der EU zu”.1) Der Hinweis auf die
“historische Rolle” Deutschlands gehört zu den außenpolitischen
Sterotypen, die eine angebliche Veranlassung zum weltweiten Eingreifen
begründen und bei der Expansion in Zentralasien, in Afrika und
Lateinamerika unterschiedslos eingesetzt werden.
Privilegiert
Wie es weiter heißt, müsse Berlin wegen der selbst indizierten
Verpflichtungen eine “Stabilisierung der Kaukasus-Region”
anstreben. Dazu sei eine Öffnung der türkisch-armenischen Grenze durch
Ankara hilfreich. Mit der Grenzöffnung könne die Türkei “die
Isolierung Armeniens aufheben und die Aufnahme diplomatischer
Beziehungen befördern”. Die erneute Stärkung armenischerPositionen
durch den deutschen Bundestag folgt Einflussmaßnahmen des
Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung
(BMZ). Wie das Bonner Ministerium bereits im April mitteilte, sollen
deutsche Spezialisten die Regierung Armeniens bei umfassenden
Rechtsreformen anleiten (Zivil-, Wirtschafts-, Verwaltungs- und
Verfassungsrecht). Die Maßnahmen sind geeignet, Berlin privilegierten
Zugang zu den innerstaatlichen Strukturen des Landes zu verschaffen
und deutsche Unternehmen in konkurrenzlose Vertragsverhältnisse zu
bringen.
Austritt
Die von Berlin kritisierte Regierung in Ankara hat die
türkisch-armenische Grenze im Jahr 1993 infolge des Konflikts um
Nagornyi Karabach geschlossen. Armenischsprachige Sezessionisten
fordern den Austritt des Gebiets aus dem Territorium Aserbaidschans
und ziehen seinen Anschluss an Armenien in Betracht. Seit 1994 ist ein
Waffenstillstand zwischen den verschiedenen Armeen und Milizenin
Kraft, ein amerikanisch-russisch-französisches OSZE-Komitee
(“Minsk-Gruppe”) verhandelt über eine Lösung des Konflikts. Während
Aserbaidschan seine territoriale Integrität und die Unverletzlichkeit
seiner Grenzen zu verteidigen sucht, berufen sich die Sezessionisten
auf ein völkisches Selbstbestimmungsrecht, wie es von Berlin
propagiert wird. Anlässlich der illegalen Parlamentswahlen, die am
vergangenen Sonntag in Nagornyi Karabach abgehalten wurden, nimmt die
staatliche “Deutsche Welle” nun die Sezessionsforderungen der
selbsternannten Gebietsregierung auf. “Berg-Karabach muss von der
internationalen Gemeinschaft als unabhängiger Staat anerkannt werden”,
zitiert der staatsfinanzierte Bonner Sender den angeblichen
“Außenminister” der Separatisten.2)
Faktor Zeit
Deutsche Experten stützen seit Jahren die Sezession Nagornyi
Karabachs. Eine “politische Lösung des Konflikts mit friedlichen
Mitteln” sei “nur unter Gewährung des Selbstbestimmungsrechts
möglich”, hieß es bereits 1995 in einer von der
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung veröffentlichten Studie.3) “Berg-Karabach hat
das Recht, das Selbstbestimmungsrecht in seiner stärksten Form
auszuüben, also das Recht der Konstitutierung eines eigenen souveränen
Staates”, erklärte der Hamburger Staatsrechtler Otto Luchterhandt im
März 1999 in der armenischen Hauptstadt.4) Zwar verhindere
u.a. “Opportunismus” gegenüber dem ölreichen Aserbai dschan und seinem
Verbündeten Türkei die internationale Anerkennung der Sezession. Die
“Entschlossenheit der Armenier”, ihre “errungene Unabhängigkeit von
Baku in ihrer Substanz nicht wieder preiszugeben”, erzwinge allerdings
auf die Dauer (“Faktor ‘Zeit'”) eine staatliche Unabhängigkeit.
Entscheidung
Die Berliner Einmischung in Armenien und in Nagornyi Karabach trifft
auf russische und amerikanische Konkurrenten. Wie das Deutsche
Orient-Institut (DOI) in einer kürzlich veröffentlichten Studie
schreibt, sei “die Beilegung des Karabachkonflikts” für Washington
“ein Etappenziel”, um “die enge Bindungzwischen Russland und Armenien
aufzulösen und damit dem gesamten Südkaukasus eine homogene
prowestliche Grundlage zu verschaffen”.5) In Armenien nehme insgesamt
“unter oppositionellen Kräften eine proamerikanische Stimmung” zu,
heißt es beim DOI, das “vermehrt Stimmen” hört, “die auf eine
Entscheidung Armeniens zwischen Moskau und Washington drängen”. Die
neuen Berliner Armenien-Aktivitäten suchen den deutschen Einfluss
gegenüber den beiden Konkurrenten zu sichern und die eigenen
Positionen in dem strategisch bedeutenden Gebiet als dritte Kraft zu
behaupten.
1) Bundestags-Drucksache 15/5689. S. auch Revolutionäre Wirkungen
2) Berg-Karabach wünscht sich völkerrechtliche Anerkennung; Deutsche Welle
16.06.2005
3) Der Karabach-Konflikt: Moskaus Hand in Transkaukasien, Bonn 1995
4) Republik Armenien, Karabach und Europa – endlose Frustrationen? Von
Prof.Dr. Otto Luchterhandt/Universität Hamburg (in der Amerikanischen
Universität in Jerewan, 24.3.1999)
5) Die Politik der USA im Südkaukasus; DOI-Focus Nr. 21, April 2005
s. auch Trabanten und SPD-Außenpolitiker fordert “Anbindung der
kaukasischen Staaten an Europa”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 20:39:31 | 20-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION |
THE ISSUE OF THE ARMENIAN CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS WAS INCLUDED IN THE PACE
SESSION AGENDA
«We welcome the works of the EU summit in Warsaw and we find that PACE
supported it greatly. After the failure of the United European Constitution
EU faced serious problems», said PACE President Rene van der Linden
announcing the opening of the2005 PACE summer session.
Calling the member countries of Europe to unite, Mr. van der Linden passed
smoothly to the process of the Constitutional reforms in Armenia which was
included in the PACE summer session agenda as an urgent issue. The issue was
included without anybody’s objection, that’s why there was no need of the
2/3 of votes. So, the process of the Constitutional reforms in Armenia will
be discussed in PACE on June 23. As we have already informed, 4 Armenia
deputies will make speech about the issue.

AZG Armenian Daily #113, 21/06/2005
Society
YOUTH RAISES THEIR PROBLEMS
“Youth, Reality, Prospects” youth congress was held in Yerevan on June 17.
Over 50 youth NGOs participated in the congress from Armenia, Nagorno
Karabakh and Javakhk. The representative of the youth NGOs will discuss and
submit to the consideration of the state bodies a number of issues they are
concerned about. In particular, the issues of the role the Armenian Diaspora
young men play in the relations between Armenia and Diaspora, the problems
of the village youth, issues concerning the national and patriotic
education, the role of the youth NGOs were discussed at the congress.
Nelly Simonian, representative from Vayots Dzor, put forward the issue of
village youth. She is sure that they should first of all raise their issues,
and only then they can expect some support from the adult. “If we create at
least various vacancies for the youth, the 50 per cent of the problems will
be discussed. Only after that we can speak of entertainment. The youth
leaves the village and soon the whole republic will be concentrated in
Yerevan only,” Nelly Simonian said.
The Youth Congress was organized at RA Culture and Youth Affairs Ministry.
The participants of the congress are determined to establish relations with
the NGOs in various regions of Armenia, in Artsakh and Javakhk, to elaborate
and carry out projects with them.
Lilit Asatrian, RA culture and youth affairs deputy minister, expressed hope
that by the end of the congress the youth will adopt a formula and deepen
cooperation with the state bodies and international organizations. Mrs.
Asatrian assured that the representatives of the ministry will be with the
participants of the congress during all its arrangements. They will
represent the state’s position concerning the issues put forward by the
youth and will try to find ways for settlement.
Besides, the congress, the youth represent their activities also in the
exhibition pavilions. The authors of the best reports and of the best
exhibition pavilion will be awarded special prizes by the end of the
congress.
By Tamar Minasian

A1plus
| 13:21:30 | 21-06-2005 | Politics |
RECURRENT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST
The Armenian and Azeri Presidents are expected to meet to discuss the
Karabakh problem during the CIS summit to be held in Kazan in August,
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stated, Day.az reports.
He also said that before the presidential negotiations the FMs of two states
are likely to meet one or twice.
Noting the activation of the negotiation process, the Deputy Minister
informed that a 2-day meeting of experts is as well expected.

A1plus
| 22:40:55 | 20-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION |
TIGRAN TOROSYAN NOT AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM BE INCLUDED IN PACE AGENDA
`This morning during the meeting with PACE President René van der Linden I
said that we not against the constitutional reform issue be included into
the PACE Summer Session agenda’, Armenian National Assembly Vice Speaker,
head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Tigran Torosyan stated in
conversation with A1+ reporter.
`Representatives of the CE Monitoring Group have already visited Armenia and
collected data on the process of constitutional reform. During the visit a
joint memorandum was compiled. That time the Armenian authorities intended
to work out proposals for improving the draft in all the directions pointed
out by the Venice Commission. June 17 the proposals were submitted. June
23-24 they will be discussed in PACE. As the next PACE session will be held
in October it would be advisable if upon discussion in Strasbourg a positive
resolution is drawn up on Armenia. The CE actually highlights constitutional
reform in Armenia and wishes the reform corresponded to European standards.
In this view it would be correct if all the political forces in Armenia took
part in the process’, Tigran Torosyan said.
-How do you assess the inclusion of the constitutional reform process in the
PACE agenda?
It couldn’t be other way. I suppose it is important that the issue was not
included in the agenda in April. The inclusion of an issue without
preparation is pregnant with unpredictable consequences. Any incautious
approach or formulation can jeopardize the whole process.
– Is the issue ready for discussion today?
-I have not see the document yet. Presently the monitoring committee members
are working at it. Tomorrow at 11.30 Yerevan time it will be discussed for
the first time. After that the monitoring committee will revert to the
document when the proposals on the resolution will be presented. June 23 the
issue will be discussed at the PACE plenary session. This is the task each
members of the delegation is charged with independently of the political
force they represent.
– Do you think that the constitutional reform process in Armenia proceeds in
an appropriate political atmosphere?
-I hope that after the Strasbourg discussions we will collaborate with the
opposition the way we did last October when considering Armenia’s
commitments to the CoE. I hope that the Assembly’s calls will stimulate the
opposition to cooperation. Two things are essential. First, to have a draft
corresponding to all the standards and to achieve positive outcome during
the referendum. We should show that it is possible to conduct normal
elections in Armenia and do our best to bring our Constitution up to the
modern European standards. Otherwise Armenia will not be able to march in
step with other members of the European family.
– -Do you have such anticipation?
-I think we can do everything. It necessary to realize the complexity of the
problem and do open and fair work. With these preconditions the solution of
any problem is possible.
-Do you think these preconditions are available today?
-I suppose we have a good possibility to create such preconditions within
the shortest terms.
-How do you explain the fact that many of the coalition members refrain from
discussing the draft? Who is the author of the project’
-It is good that some deputies understand that the Constitution is a very
serious and complicated document and not each deputy is obliged to have
appropriate knowledge. The author of the draft is the coalition. Thus the
political leaders of the coalition should be responsible for the draft and
have courage to admit the weak points.

Pan Armenian News
TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER CALLED ELECTION IN KARABAKH `ILLEGAL’
20.06.2005 07:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Press Secretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Namig Tan
made an official statement, which says that the `elections held by Armenians
in occupied Nagorno Karabakh are illegal’. The elections in Nagorno Karabakh
conflict with the norms of jus gentium as well as the UN, OSCE and CE
principles’, the statement says. Namig Tan noted that Turkey is for the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict via dialogue within the frames of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and in accord with the principles of jus
gentium, IA Regnum reported.

Pan Armenian News
DEMOCRATIC PARTY WINS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN KARABAKH
20.06.2005 06:55
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the preliminary results made public by the
Central Election Commission of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), 78
percent or 66,774 voters cast their ballots in the June 19 parliamentary
election, Yerkir Online reported. In the proportional system, constituencies
Artsakh Democratic Party (chaired by Ashot Gulian) received 22, 939 votes,
(5 seats) followed by Azat Hayrenik (Free Homeland) with 15, 931 votes (3
seats) and ARF-Movement 88, with 14, 535 votes (3 seats).

AZG Armenian Daily #113, 21/06/2005
Region
ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN, GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ RAILWAYMEN GATHER IN GALI
Tbilisi Softens Position On Abkhazian Railway Opening
On June 15, Georgian authorities in Tbilisi announced that they are ready to
start talks with Moscow over opening the Abkhazian link of the
Transcaucasian Railway. As it was preliminary estimated, the railway from
Georgian town of Zugdid to the administrative center of Abkhazia Sukhumi
will cost $100 million.
Since the Georgian-Abkhaz war in 1992-93 and Abkhazia’s de facto
independence, the railway has been standing idle, getting partially
dismantled or robbed. The Sochi-Sukhumi section of the railway has been
operating for the second year already.
The Transcaucasian Railway used to connect Armenia with Russia in the Soviet
times, conveying annually 15 million tones of cargo.
It seems that Georgia shifting its former tough position over the railway’s
reopening. “The former Georgian authorities were against opening the railway
but the new authorities show positive attitude”, Georgian Prime Minister
Zurab Noghaideli stated. He noted meanwhile that the reopening will bring
out a number of organizational issues, as well as the issue of ensuring the
security of Gali region’s population.
Formerly, Georgia used to say that the refugees should return to Abkhazia,
particularly the region of Gali, against agreeing to open the railway. If
Eduard Shevardnadze’s Georgia set the priority of Abkhaz conflict
resolution, then today’s authorities think that the railway reopening will
urge conflict resolution.
“In general, the Georgian side is interested in reopening this railway
traffic, because it will boost economy and, in turn, might well foster the
conflict resolution process”, chief of the Georgian Railway Company Davit
Onoprishvili said. He said that the cost of the rehabilitation works will
exceed $100 million. He also noted that apart from Russia and Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan should also participate in implementation of the
project to a certain extent.
Official Yerevan’s response followed immediately. Chief of Armenian
Railways, Ararat Khrimian, stated that if Russia and Georgia take a final
official decision to reopen the railway, then Armenia will fund the project
in part. Khrimian emphasized that the Transcaucasian Railway is important
for all countries of the region.
Once the railway operates, Abkhazia as a transit country, will receive the
major part of profits. The new authorities in Sukhumi, particularly deputy
Prime Minister Leonid Lakerbaya, underscored the importance of the railway.
Tbilisi may expect large sums for transit, too. Undoubtedly, the railway
will become the main route for Armenian goods.
Azerbaijan and Turkey though are not enthusiastic over the idea of railway
opening, as it will bring some relief to blockaded Armenia. Russia is also
looking to opening the railway, as it will help establish comparatively
reliable and cheap communication with its strategic partner – Armenia, and
will enable it to maintain at least its economic influence in the South
Caucasus.
Despite disagreements in Russian-Georgian-Abkhaz talks in Moscow on June 16,
the issue seems to be put in motion. On July 1, Armenian, Russian, Georgian
and Abkhaz railwaymen will gather in Gali to study the technical condition
of the railway.
By Tatoul Hakobian