Month: March 2007

ARMENIAN DIASPORA GROUPS FACE NEW AZERI CHALLENGE
By Fariz Ismailzade

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
March 19 2007

On March 9, the first meeting of a new "Forum of Azerbaijani-Turkish
Diaspora Organizations" convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. But as one
participant described the event, "Lots of talk, but I wonder if all
of this will turn into a real action. Perhaps the real goal of the
event is to send a message to Armenians that ‘we are coming’."

The forum was a significant accomplishment for the Azerbaijan State
Committee on Relations with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad. Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus, attended the forum and delivered rousing speeches
regarding the importance of unity among all Turkic-language-speaking
diaspora organizations around the world. "This forum shows our unity.

We deserve it," said President Aliyev.

Baku hosted 513 delegates from 48 countries who came to Azerbaijan’s
capital city for the event. Approximately 140 delegates came from
Turkey, 14 from Turk-Meskheti groups, 23 from Iraq, and five from
Northern Cyprus. Other participants came from Germany, the United
States, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Romania,
Norway, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Participants adopted three major
resolutions: a "Joint Strategy on the Activities of the Azerbaijani
and Turkish diaspora organizations," an "Appeal to the Turkic-speaking
Peoples," and a broader "Baku Declaration." In addition, the forum
sent protest notes to countries that have adopted resolutions on the
controversial Armenian genocide issue and provided information about
the occupation of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region by Armenia.

Although not openly listed on the agenda of the forum, it was clear
that the strong and effective Armenian lobby was the real target of
the forum. Witnessing the pressure that the powerful Armenian lobby
can bring to bear on the legislative bodies of many countries, the
Azerbaijani and Turkish governments have realized that they should
unite and coordinate the efforts of their diaspora communities to
withstand those pressures.

"There is not much information about us in the world. The strong
Armenian lobby is working against us," noted President Aliyev. "The
representatives of the diaspora organizations should actively take
part in the political processes of their respective countries,
be represented in those legislative bodies, and take an important
place in the political life." He also added that the Azerbaijani and
Turkish diasporas have realized several achievements that need to be
further developed and expanded. "We are ready to provide the needed
assistance and carry out our tasks. But the diaspora organizations
also need to work closely with their motherlands and further act as a
united body. Only in this way we can prevent the work of the Armenian
lobby against us," Aliyev argued.

The presence and participation of a delegation from the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus attracted particular comment. Mehmet
Ali Talat expressed satisfaction with the logistics of the forum,
adding, "For the peoples of Northern Cyprus, it is very important
to participate in this event. This shows that we are not alone in
the world."

The timing of the forum was particularly important. The U.S. Congress
is once again planning to discuss a resolution on the Armenian
genocide issue, and April 24, which Armenians commemorate as the
day of genocide, will be the highlight of heated discussions between
Armenians and Turks on the accuracy of these claims.

"They [Armenians] have committed a genocide against us themselves and
now accuse us with the invented genocide claims," President Aliyev
said during the forum, referring to the Khojali massacre in 1992 by
Armenian military troops, in which 613 people were massacred overnight,
and the 1918 massacre of more than 30,000 Azerbaijanis in Baku by
Armenian Dashnak soldiers. Azerbaijani diaspora groups in Canada,
Japan, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden have commemorated the Khojali
massacre on February 26, and Azerbaijanis living in Washington and New
York usually organize protest rallies in front of Armenian diplomatic
missions on that date.

The Baku forum concluded with a series of small group discussions,
allowing delegates from different countries to discuss various plans
and projects for collaboration. Similar "World Azerbaijani Congresses"
were held in Baku in 2001 and 2006, but analysts have noted little
progress in the effectiveness of the Azerbaijani diasporas abroad. This
year, however, the purpose might be slightly different: to scare before
acting. Azerbaijani political scientist Rovshan Novruzoglu agrees, "The
first forum of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora organizations is the
first serious political storm in the fight against Armenian terrorism."

(Diaspora.Az, Day.az, Khalq Qazeti, Zerkalo, Ekho, Yeni Musavat,
March 7-14)

BELARUSIAN EMBASSY TO ARMENIA LAUNCHES ITS WEB SITE

National Legal Internet Portal, Belarus
March 19 2007

The Belarusian embassy to Armenia has launched its own web site,
BelTA has been informed in the diplomatic mission.

The internet site contains the information about the Republic of
Belarus, its history, culture, natural resources, other interesting
information. In particular, the site’s section "Belarusian Economy"
contains the information about the socio-political development of
the country, investment projects, exhibitions, about free economic
zones in Belarus. The section "Belarusian-Armenian Relations" tells
about the bilateral political cooperation, trade-economic cooperation,
ties in the field of science, education, culture, tourism. The site’s
section "Consular Issues" contains the information about the consular
registration, on staying foreign citizens in the Belarusian territory,
visa issues.

The web-page of the embassy has references to sites of the Belarusian
regions, state bodies and organizations, large companies-exporters,
mass media. The site of the Belarusian embassy to Armenia is available
at

TUSIAD HEADS USA TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN BILL

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
March 19 2007

Senior TUSIAD representatives will also hold talks with officials
from the International Monetary Fund during their visit to the US.

Guncelleme: 14:50 TSÝ 19 Mart 2007 PazartesiWASHINGTON –
Representatives of Turkey’s peak business association are in Washington
to lobby against the US House of Representatives adopting a bill to
recognise the so-called Armenian genocide.

On Tuesday, Arzuhan Yalcýndað, the chairwoman of the Turkish
Businessmen’s and Industrialists Association TUSIAD, and an
accompanying delegation of businessmen, will have talks with the
head of the House of Representative’s foreign affairs committee’s
Europe sub-committee.

They will also have talks with the co-chairman of the Turkish
friendship group and the Democrat Party’s Robert Wexler.

The House of Representatives is to consider adopting legislation
giving formal recognition to Armenian claims that the Ottoman Empire
committed an act of genocide against its Armenian citizens during
the First World War.

Turkey strongly denies such allegations, though acknowledges that
hundreds of thousands of Turkish and Armenian civilians died during
the turmoil of the war.

TUSIAD is also expected to raise the problem over the terrorist group
the PKK in their meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

–Boundary_(ID_EVDic8F5HOcYr4X+4Fzdrg) —

HOLY CIRCUS AT THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
By Evans K. Chama

Pakistan Christian Post, Pakistan
March 19 2007

During Lent, period of 40 days of prayer, penance and fasting observed
in some Christian churches, which is drawing to its climax: the holy
week and finally to Easter; there is a sudden blown up of pilgrims
coming to the Holy Land especially in Jerusalem. More than simple
touristy curiosity, many pilgrims are flocking to the Holy Sepulchre
and to the Calvary in order to enter the mood of the season. Of course,
what else to do you expect? The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the
holiest Christian shrine in Holy Land, therefore, naturally the focal
point of pilgrims. While the sacredness of the place is undisputed and
the devotion of the people evident, however, according to my recent
visit there, it is certainly the last place one can think of for a
quiet place to pray.

The mayhem begins on the constricted Via Dolorosa Street that leads up
to the tomb, from the north-eastern Lion’s gate of the Old Jerusalem
city. It is often too overcrowded to see the Stations of the Cross
along it, hidden between chains of souvenir shops. Only the dimming
candles in those tiny cave-like rooms mark some difference.

Even when you stop at a station to pray a vendor bothers you who takes
you for someone shopping or he simply does not care at all what you
are doing. He is interested in your money.

I zigzagged through the crowds, climbing a stair up in every step I
made. I could feel I was really mounting the hill of the crucifixion.

The buildings that are stuck together, coupled with their air of
antiquity, give the impression of somewhat anthill maze to trail
through.

At the Holy Sepulchre, my first feeling was not a pious one; a legion
of armed Police was the least I had expected. Then a thought came, is
it the continuation of the tradition? There Pilate had put soldiers
to guard the tomb of Jesus to avoid false claim of the resurrection
by the disciples. Anyhow, a lavish police presence is something one
is to get used to on the streets of Jerusalem.

Straight in front, on entering the Basilica, is a slab-like rectangular
stone, stone of anointing, venerated as where Jesus’ body was anointed
before the burial. Here the holy drama began.

People smeared perfumed oil on the rock; some in resigned devoutness
while others more hysterically. Strange enough, at the first instance,
instead of praying or think about Jesus, Judas Iscariot came to mind. I
imagined how he would react at the sight of those rich, expensive
oils. Would he tolerate such waste while millions starved Anyway,
‘the poor will always be with you’ Jesus for once entered the scene
when I remembered his response Judas.

Some other people still queued for their turn to enter the tomb in a
small rectangular building in the middle of the rotunda. Its coarse,
ancient appearance, with visibly different patches, betrays the
fires and the destruction it has suffered over history. Around it
are chapels representing the churches that share its custody.

The Roman Catholic Church is represented by the Franciscans. In their
brown habits, they religiously surveyed around while others heard
confessions. Others are Greek Orthodox and Armenian Churches. The black
robes, black hats, often with long beard, of the Greek Orthodox monks
and the Armenian priests injected another gripping air of solemnity
to the place. The diversity can also be felt in the difference of
their liturgies.

On the right from the stone of anointing is the chapel of The Calvary
situated on a small hill that you climb by steep stairs. At the spot
of the crucifixion is an altar illuminated by lamps hanging above
in golden holders -I mistook it for a palace. Such fancy adornment
not only obscures the truth but also does injustice to the story the
place survives to tell.

Here I joined a queue of people who waited for their turn to kiss at
the hole beneath the altar where the cross is believed to have been
secured to the ground. Such devotions occasionally inevitably end up
in some involuntary theatre. I witnessed one.

Just in front of me, a stout woman who had lowered herself to pay
homage beneath the altar got stuck in there. The frantic efforts
to free herself disturbed, for a moment, not only her own pious
disposition but also that of the rest of us who just could not resist
that unintended scene-in-the-theatre. It is said there often such
stories of the kind that happen. Then I began to understand what, in
his The Holy Land, Jerome Murphy-O’Connor says of the Holy Sepulchre.

One expects the central shrine of Christendom to stand out in majestic
isolation, but anonymous buildings cling to it like barnacles. One
looks for numinous light; it is in fact dark and cramped. One hopes
for peace, but the cacophony of warring chants is punctuated by the
ring of masons’ hammers.

When I see pilgrims pouring in I know it is not the best time to
pray at the shrine unless I just want to go and have a feel of the
rich and diverse Christian piety. Otherwise, it is such competing
variety of expressing devotion, drawn from different traditions,
that turn the Holy Sepulchre more often into something like a holy
circus ground than a sacred place where one can go and pray in quiet.

IRAN-ARMENIA NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT PUT INTO OPERATION

Fars News Agency, Iran
March 19 2007

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The pipeline project for the transfer of
Iran’s natural gas to Armenia was put into operation in the presence
of the Iranian and Armenian presidents.

Iran-Armenia natural gas pipeline project that transfers Iran’s
natural gas to Armenia was put into operation a few minutes ago in
the presence of the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Armenian
president Robert Kocharian.

The Iranian natural gas pipeline is 40 kilometers long from the
Iranian border spot.

The project has cost USD33 million through joint investment by Iran
and Armenia and will go into complete effect when final tests have
been conducted within the next few months.

The project has been commissioned and implemented entirely by the
Iranian experts and contractors.

IRANIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS OPEN GAS PIPELINE

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 19 2007

TEHERAN, March 19 (Itar-Tass) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and Armenian President Robert Kocharian have inaugurated a gas pipeline
on Monday intended to ensure Armenia’s energy security. The ceremony
took place in the Armenian settlement of Agarak on the border between
the two countries.

Robert Kocharian underlined that he regards completion of the gas
pipeline project as the new proof of friendship between Teheran
and Yerevan.

The two presidents have signed a protocol on broadening cooperation
and reaffirmed their intention to broaden bilateral contacts.

It has been reported that bad weather marred the ceremony Monday. It
has been heavily raining on the border between Iran and Armenia,
and air temperatures have dropped below zero point.

The gas pipeline 141 kilometers long (including 40 kilometers on
the Armenian territory) has connected gas transportation systems of
the two countries. The gas pipeline runs from Iranian Tabriz to the
border with Armenia and further on from the Armenian settlement of
Megri to Kadzharan.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD OPENED THE IRAN-ARMENIA GAS-PIPELINE

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
March 19 2007

Yerevan, March 19 /Mediamax/. Today at 14:05 the Armenian and
Iranian President Robert Kocharian and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened the
Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline, special correspondent of Mediamax reports
from Meghri.

The ceremony should have started in the morning, however, because of
bad weather conditions, the helicopter did not manage to convey the
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Meghri in time.

The Leaders of the two countries are expected to speak during a news
conference soon.

The Armenian and Iranian Energy Ministers signed an intergovernmental
agreement today in Meghri on the joint construction and exploitation of
a Hydroelectric Power Station (HPS) on the Araks river. The signing of
the document took place after putting into operation the Iran-Armenia
gas-pipeline, in which the Presidents of Armenia and Iran Robert
Kocharian and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad participated.

Speaking at a news conference, Robert Kocharian stated that
the construction of a joint HPS "will open a new page in the
Armenian-Iranian relations".

He stressed that 15 years ago there was nothing in Meghri, evidencing
the Armenian-Iranian relations, and the two sides were separated by
a barbed wire.

"Today, there are many things here evidencing our growing relations.

By the bridge, on which I met the Iranian President today, 600
thousand tons of cargo was transported last year", the Armenian
President stated.

Robert Kocharian highlighted that the economic cooperation of Armenia
and Iran started touching upon large infrastructure projects.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that he discussed with
Robert Kocharian the issues of cooperation in the sphere of energy,
transport, communication and water industry.

ARMENIANS PLAN TO SPEND $120,000 ON ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI REGION

Today, Azerbaijan
March 19 2007

Armenians plan to spend $120,000 on archeological excavations in
the occupied Azerbaijani region of Aghdam within coming two months,
Armenian archeologist Hamlet Petrosyan.

Petrosyan said that $50,000 was allocated by Switzerland Armenian
Union. Negotiations are being held with the Diasporas for allocation
of the rest sum.

Petrosyan claims that during the excavations carried out in Aghdam by
Armenia Ethnography Institute under this leadership, the expedition
discovered a settlement established by ancient "Armenian tsar Tigran."

Petrosyan said that virtual model of the village Tigranakert has
already been preparedsaid, APA reports quoting Armenian press.

URL:

IRAN, ARMENIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF POWER PLANTS

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
March 19 2007

In a ceremony at Iran-Armenia common borders, the agreement on
establishment of hydroelectric power plants on Aras river was signed
by Iranian and Armenian officials on Monday.

At the ceremony, which was attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan, the document was signed
by the Iranian Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah and Armenian Energy
Minister Armen Movsisyan.

President Ahmadinejad arrived in the Armenian border area today to
officially inaugurate the gas pipeline, through which Iranian gas
will be transferred to Armenia.

The pipelines from both sides are interconnected at Iran-Armenia
common border.

The chief executive is accompanied by Oil Minister Kazem
Vaziri-Hamaneh, Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah as well as a number
of Iranian officials in charge of oil and gas industries.

FIRST STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION OF ENTERPRISE FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM METHANE STARTS AT NUBARASHEN DUMP

Noyan Tapan
Mar 19 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The first stage of constrcution of a
1.7 mln dollar enterprise generating electricity from methane started
in Yerevan with funds of Shimitsu Corporation (Japan). The Deputy
Mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanian said at the March 19 press conference
that the second stage will start by late late 2007, during which 3.3
mln dollar work on installation of generators will be done. The first
and second stages will last for about two years.

According to V. Vardanian, the purpose of the project is to get methane
from nearly 7.5 mln tons of garbage accumulated at the Nubarashen dump
and to generate electricity by burning this methane. The program’s
total cost makes 8 mln USD.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress