Month: November 2006

NATO SUPPORTS EFFORTS FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.11.2006 18:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NATO member states regret the persistence
of regional conflicts in the South Caucasus and the Republic of
Moldova. "Our nations support the territorial integrity, independence,
and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Republic of
Moldova. We support continued efforts to achieve peaceful settlements
to the conflicts involving these countries.

We welcome the commencement of an Intensified Dialogue with Georgia
as well as Georgia’s contribution to international peacekeeping and
security operations. We will continue to engage actively with Georgia
in support of its reform process. We encourage Georgia to continue
progress on political, economic and military reforms, including
strengthening judicial reform, as well as the peaceful resolution
of outstanding conflicts on its territory. We reaffirm that it is
of great importance that all parties in the region should engage
constructively to promote regional peace and stability," says the
Riga Summit Declaration.

POPE ‘SURPRISED WHOLE WORLD’

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.11.2006 18:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Attention in mainly Muslim Turkey, though, was
focussed on surprise moves by Benedict on arrival on Tuesday: his
support for Ankara’s bid to join the European Union and praise for
the faith Muslims feel he had insulted in the past. His speech in
September that seemed to link Islam and violence – a link he denied
making – turned it into a symbolic visit to the Muslim world crucial
for the future of Vatican relations with Islam.

Some Turkish newspapers met with excitement the statements of the Pope
who encouraged Ankara’s aspiration to the EU. "This trip is important
for Turkey’s EU membership. This is a big warning for conservative
politicians who think the EU is a Christian club," reported Milliyet
daily. "It started beautifully: the Pope told the world from Ankara
that Islam was a religion of peace," said Hurriyet newspaper.

However, information agencies say there were no people in the streets
meeting the Pontiff, what proves the absence of interest of the
population to the Pope’s visit, reports the BBC Russian branch.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CAN FOREIGNERS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CAUSE INCONVENIENCE FOR THE NATIVE POPULATION?

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.11.2006 GMT+04:00

Can Russia maintain its relations with the few allies, or to be more
exact, with the few partners he has in CIS?

The murders based on national and racial discriminations, committed
during the last year in Russia, raised a very serious problem; will
Russia be able to maintain its relations with its few allies, or to be
more exact its few partners in CIS. First of all the matter concerns
Armenia, which, regardless the lofty words about "the centuries’
friendship", suffers the most from the Russian nationalism and
chauvinism.

And in spite of the soothing words from the Russian side, the situation
still becomes worse.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ With some unknown reasons, the 15 years old
Armenian boy was killed on the threshold of the international day of
tolerance. Does it mean, that killing a foreigner is still considered
a normal phenomenon, or if not a heroic act in Russia? After all,
it didn’t start only yesterday, but before the revolution of 1917,
when the slogan "Kill the Jews, save Russia" didn’t give rise to any
doubts. Today only the nationality can be changed in this slogan,
and it can be used without raising any indignation.

Separate opinions of writers or publicists, of course, do not count,
as the ideologists of "Russia for Russians" hardly ever read them.

If the Russian Federation doesn’t need allies in the Caucasus,
then this matter can at least be fixed without killing innocent
people. Or else Russia has got into the habit of spreading fear all
around, so that even today, in the XXI Century it hasn’t given up
its old methods. Organizing cultural events within the frames of the
Armenian Year in Russia is hardly timely in such conditions. Thereupon,
another question rises; how can a conscript, feeling hatred to the
representative of another nationality, be sent to serve in the 102
Russian Military Conscript Base? Who can guarantee, that none of the
soldiers will decide to open fire on the local population? Maybe, this
is a little exaggerated, but the Armenians have many times believed
in the "brotherhood with other nations", but today we must be ready
to everything.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RA has appealed to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, with
the request of carrying out most operative investigation of the case
of the 15 years old Armenian citizen, murdered in Russia. According
to the acting press-secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs RA,
Vladimir Karapetyan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RA is keeping
the eye on the situation and hopes that the murderers will be arrested
in the nearest future.

The RF Ministry of Internal Affairs, to our delight, responded at
once. "The RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly condemns this
and other crimes, committed out of nationalism. We will press for a
detailed investigation and will do our best to bring the offenders to
account. Xenophobia is far uncharacteristic of our nation, and of the
basis of Orthodoxy and is widely condemned by Russia", the official
representative of the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs Michael Kaminin
announced.

In contrast to the statement made by the RF Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Deputy Director of the Federal Migration Service
Vyachislav Postavnin announced that his country mustn’t tolerate
"ethnic enclaves" in its territory, where the foreigners "may cause
inconvenience for the native population". He thinks that the number
of the foreigners living in any part of Russia must not exceed the
17-20% of the population. "In case the number of the migrants exceeds
this limit, it may arise discomfort or dissatisfaction of the local
population", stated Postavnin in an interview with the Russian Office
of BBC.

Earlier, on the occasion of unprecedented political conflicts between
Moscow and Tbilisi and inter-ethnic disorders in different parts of the
country, President Vladimir Putin spoke about the need of "protecting
the native population". Only the whole trouble is that, it is hard to
define who is considered native population in a country, where there
are about 100 nations and national roots. We like to cite the USA as
an example regarding its attitude to the national minorities. In the
States they do not have this notion. They are all citizens of the
United States, and for calling somebody "Niger" or "Latino" one can
be seriously penalized. It is obvious that Russia is not America, but
in this case, one should not speak about democracy and human rights.

"PanARMENIAN.Net" analytical department

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POPE ARRIVES IN ANKARA
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
30/11/2006

After public insinuations as well as violent protest demonstrations
in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other towns of Turkey, Pope Benedict
XVI at last arrived in Ankara. Meanwhile Turkish public explains the
unrest by the Pope’s defamatory words addressed to the Islamic world,
"The Guardian" newspaper focused attention on a demonstration organized
by the "Happiness" Islamic party in Istanbul, November 26.

The British newspaper pointed out an expression by the party leader
Reja Kutan that the Pope is "the assignee of Satan on earth". "The
Daily Telegraph" reports about a banner saying that "Christ is not
the son of God but a prophet of Islam".

The Pope, who arrived in Turkey by the invitation of Presient Ahmed
Nejdet Sezeri, was met in the airport by Prime Minister Rejep Tayip
Erdogan, who has postponed his departure for Riga, where he is to
take part in a NATO summit. Mr. Erdogan expressed his contentment
to Benedictus XVI and emphasized his meeting in the context of the
dialogue of civilizations. On his way from the Ankara airport the
Pope visited the tomb of Ataturk. The Pope was officially received
at President Sezeri’s residence.

On his meeting with the Turkish president the Supreme Pontiff discussed
the relations between Vatican and Turkey and regional development
issues. Benedict XVI was also received by Minister of State Mehmed
Ali Sahin and the head of the Governmantal Department for Religion
Issues Ali Bardaqoglu. On November 29 the Pope is to visit Izmir,
Ephesus and at last Istanbul.

The Turkish authorities expect that in spite of all anxiety about
the Pope’s visit to the Constantinople Orthodox Patriarchy and the
Aya Sofia temple, he will give the Turkish public a positive message
and thus assist the establishment of contact between the Western and
Islamic civilizations.

OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE AND ALIYEV DISCUSS MASS MEDIA
By G. Karapetian

AZG Armenian Daily
30/11/2006

On November 28, OSCE chairman-in-office and Belgian Foreign Minister,
Karel de Gucht, took part in Aliyev-Kocharian enlarged negotiations
in Minsk His participation was a coincidence as Gucht had a
separate meeting with Ilham Aliyev to discuss mass media situation
in Azerbaijan. Conversation between Aliyev and Gucht perhaps will
remain secret, but after the meeting Aliyev voiced his opinion on
suspension of some mass media representatives’ activity. In Aliyev’s
words, everything has been done in accordance with legislature.

CIS NEEDS MODERNIZATION AND REFORMS
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
30/11/2006

Summit Makes No Changes in Situation

The CIS Summit on November 28 testified that in the course of fifteen
years a number of various issues occurred between the CIS member
states. At present, a necessity to hold bilateral relations between
the CIS leaders is shaped.

Aleksander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, opened the CIS Summit in
Minsk. In his opening speech, he called for the CIS leaders to carry
out more active work for fruitful cooperation and deeper integration.

In the course of the meeting, Lukashenko emphasized the importance
of developing cooperation in economic spheres, and secure protection
of basic rights of the CIS citizens. Emphasizing that the issues of
ecological, cultural, scientific and educational character are quite
actual for the CIS countries, Lukashenko stated the importance of
preserving the current level of cooperation between the CIS states.

He added that there are some issues left unsettled in the CIS and
emphasized that they are still very actual. According to him, the
CIS authorities managed to keep back the former Soviet republic from
clashes in the post-Soviet space. Norsultan Nazarbaev, President
of Kazakhstan, CIS Chairman, also held a short speech, stating the
importance of carrying out reforms in the CIS.

The first issue on the agenda of the Summit was the results of the
fifteen years of the CIS functioning.

As it was expected, the main issue was directed to increasing the
efficiency of the CIS. The report dwelt on the modernization of the
CIS structures, the current situation and new balanced approached
for settlement of actual issues. It also pointed out the positive
achievements attained in the course of the fifteen years of the
CIS existence.

It’s worth mentioning that only President of Turkmenistan failed to
participate in the CIS Summit.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Health Care and Medical industry Minister
of Turkmenistan participated in the summated instead of him.

It’s worth noting that the Georgian Sources state that Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili and Russian president Vladimir Putin
may meet within the framework of the summit. While the Russian
sources, stated from the very beginning that such a meeting isn’t
envisaged. They informed that Vladimir Putin is going to meet with
President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin and Aleksander Lukashenko,
President of Byelorussia. After the enlarged sitting of the CIS Summit
a press conference was held with the participation of CIS Chairman,
Kazakhstan’s President Norsultan Nazarbaev and CIS Executive Secretary
Vladimir Rushaylo.

Nazarbaev stated that the Summit was aimed to sum up the results of the
CIS fifteen years of existence. He said that On December 21, 15 years
ago, it was decided to establish CIS. Nazarbaev said that at present,
they can state with confidence that the decision was a success and the
agreement approved itself. According to him, the current state of CIS
was no result of integration processes. At the same time, he said that
many documents adopted 15 years ago and later were not implemented.

Nazarbaev said that the future developments and CIS prospects were
discussed in the course of the summit.

He added that Kazakhstan suggested including the issue of reforming
the CIS in the agenda of the summit.

The participants of the summit agreed that the CIS structure should
be modernized. As a result of the sittings, the participants decided
to give relevant instructions of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council for
elaboration of the CIS improvement system till June 1, 2007. Nazarbaev
said that the meetings were held in constructive atmosphere.

It’s worth pointing out some issues concerning the relations between
Russia and Georgia. In response to the question what part may CIS play
in the Rusian-Georgian relations, Nazarbaev said that the Russian
and Georgian presidents had effectively exchanged views within the
framework of the Summit, but nothing less.

A package of documents was adopted at the summit, as well as economic;
security and stability issues were discussed. In particular, the issue
on agreeing about the bill on state-legal definition of the state
borders between the CIS states was not agreed by the presidents. The
Ukrainian side put forward the abovementioned issue, but one of the
CIS member states voted against its discussion which was enough for
excluding that from the agenda.

The next CIS Summit is envisaged in Dushanbe. In general, it’s worth
mentioning that Nazarbaev has stated for many times that number
of decisions are being adopted within the CIS framework, but 70%
of them remain unimplemented.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO ALLOCATE 30 MILLION DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS OF ARMENIAN RURAL ROADS

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The Asian Developemnt Bank will
allocate a 30 million dollar-credit for repairs of rural roads
in Armenia. A mutual understanding memorandum on this was signed
between the bank and the RA Ministry of Transport and Communication
on November 29. According to the minister Andranik Manukian, rural
roads of the total length of 260 km will repaired with this credit,
and roads of 940 km – by the Millennium Challenge Program.

In the words of A. Manukian, the list of roads to be repaired will be
made up by May 2007, while the program will be implemented from 2008.

According to the information provided by the ministry, Armenia’s road
network has the total lenghth of 7,700 lm, 1,560 km of which are
roads connecting the country’s marzes (provinces) with each other,
1,800 km are secondary roads connecting the regions to the main
highways, and 4,320 km – local roads of the rural communities. By an
expert assessment, 61% of the local road network has been assessed
to be in bad condition, 28% – in satisfactory condition, and 11% –
in good state. 84% of rural roads become impassbale in winter.

IN WORDS OF JAVAKHK COMPATRIOTIC UNION CHAIRMAN, GEORGIA CONSTANTLY USES OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The policy carried on by Georgia
towards Armenia for many centuries went and now goes under the
slogan "if you can smother do it." Shirak Torosian, Chairman of
the Javakhk Compatriotic Union, expressed such an opinion at the
November 29 press conference. He said that the evidence of his words
is the fact of Georgia’s never involving Armenia in discussion in
connection with construction of the Kars-Akhalkalak railway. So,
in Sh.Torosian’s words, "our only argument of shaking our finger at
Georgia is Javakhk." In his words, Javakhk can be either a link of
Armenian-Georgian friendship "or if there is no Javakhk, we can state
that the rope tightens on our neck."

As Sh.Torosian affirmed, the importance of Javakhk problems is
conditioned first of all by the circumstance that currently the
only way connecting Armenia with the world is Georgia. In his words,
Iran has many problems with the outer world and cannot be a bridge
between Armenia and the outer world and Armenia’s blockade by Turkey
and Azerbaijan goes on.

The Chairman of the Javakhk Compatriotic Union said that Armenia
should carry on foreign policy proceeding from its own interests
"fitting these interests into the interests of superpowers so that
Armenians have only gain." In his words, Armenia should not announce
itself as an emphasized pro-Western or pro-Russian country.

MUSICIAN MANUK HAROUTIUNIAN MAKES ANCIENT NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CALLED "JUTH"

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Musician Manuk Haroutiunian made
musical instrument called "juth" from maple and pear-tree wood. Juth
is one of ancient Armenian national instruments. As M.Haroutiunian
said in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent, various types of
juth were discovered as early as during excavations of Dvin. He gave
assurance that violin and cello origin from Armenia. M.Haroutiunian
is also convinced that in the future juth will become one of the most
important instruments of our folk orchestras.

M.Haroutiunian has been engaged in collecting national instruments
since 1984. He has rather a big collection that includes unique samples
of Armenian national instruments, including Baghdasar Dpir’s saz
(Eastern, as well as Armenian national stringed musical instrument),
pipes brought from Van, Kars, Mush, Levon Madoyan’s duduk, Makar
Yekmalian’s duduk made in 1895, zournas (Armenian national wood-wind
musical instrument, type of flute), zarbs, tars, mandolines, etc. In
his words, his collection was mainly replenished in the 1990-s when
people had to sell instruments having historic value in consequence
of hard socio-economic conditions. In those years the musician
managed to purchase many instruments with great difficulty for them
not to be taken away from Armenia. "I was anxious about preventing
these instruments from appearing in the hands of our too well-bred
neighbors. I am convinced that if our neighbors bought them after
some period of time they would announce that these were not Armenian,
but Azerbaijani instruments," M.Haroutiunian emphasized.

ARMENIANS AND AZERIS ARE NOT PROPERLY REPRESENTED IN PUBLIC LIFE OF GEORGIA, IS SAID IN ICG REPORT

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Georgian
government must take significant steps to avoid conflict in the
country’s ethnic Armenian and Azeri areas. Georgia’s Armenian and
Azeri Minorities, the latest report from the International Crisis
Group, examines the grievances of these two communities.

In words of the report authors, while there is no risk of the situation
becoming Ossetian- or Abkhaz-like threats to Georgia’s territorial
integrity, tensions are evident in the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti
and Kvemo-Kartli, where the two predominantly live. There have been
demonstrations, alleged police brutality and killings during the past
two years.

Georgia has made little progress towards integrating these minorities,
who constitute over 12 per cent of the population.

According the ICG report, Armenians and Azeris are underrepresented
in all spheres of public life, especially government, and a lack of
dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination
and alienation. This is aggravated by economic problems, including
high unemployment l and decaying infrastructure.

"While the government denies there is any inequality, many minorities
claim they are treated as second-class citizens. Feeling betrayed
by the Abkhaz and Ossetians, who declared independent states on
Georgian territory, Tbilisi has a deeply rooted, if unfounded, fear
that othersmay do the same," is said in the report.

According to the ICG, some steps have been taken to improve the
lives of minorities. With donor support, Georgia has invested in road
and infrastructure rehabilitation in minority regions and created a
ministry for civic integration, established a public administration
institute to train minorities and ratified the Framework Convention
for the Protection of National Minorities.

None of this is likely to appease minorities’ political grievances
without policies that increase inclusion and participation.

According to the report, the government needs to establish a
comprehensive education system to teach Georgian as a second language
to minorities, but while a new generation is educated, minorities
should not be discriminated against, especially in hiring for state
jobs. The state should also implement its international commitments,
particularly allowing use of minority languages for state affairs in
municipalities with large numbers of minority citizens, as is standard
throughout Europe.