ASBAREZ Online [11-17-2004]

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11/17/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) France's Sarkozy Calls for EU 'Partnership' with Turkey 2) Abkhaz Government Undermined, as Interior Ministry Defies 3) Karabagh Parties Discuss Election Code 4) Construction of Armenia, Iran Pipeline Set for November 5) Armenia Rattles Romania 1) France's Sarkozy Calls for EU 'Partnership' with Turkey BRUSSELS (AFP)--French finance minister and future ruling party chief Nicolas Sarkozy, has repeated his opposition to Turkish membership to the EU, saying a decision next month from heads of government should focus instead on 'partnership.' Sarkozy, who steps down as minister later this month to head French president Jacques Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), said he opposes Turkish entry, 'not because it is a Muslim country, but because Europe must concentrate on the enlargement which has already taken place.' "On December 17, the perspective of partnership must feature in the decision of the council of ministers," he told French journalists in Brussels. Sarkozy's opposition to Turkish EU membership has put him at odds with Chirac, who has said the country's eventual accession is inevitable. 2) Abkhaz Government Undermined, as Interior Ministry Defies (Civil Georgia)--Reports say 2,000 employees of the Abkhaz Interior Minister announced its defiance to Prime Minister of breakaway region Nodar Khashba following the statement of the Chairman of the Abkhaz Parliamentary Chairman Nugzar Ashuba, who recognized opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as the President-elect. Vice-President of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia Valery Arshba, said on November 17 that employees of the Interior Ministry announced their defiance to the Prime Minister, accusing the Abkhaz government of destabilizing the situation in the breakaway region. "Over 2000 employees of the Interior Ministry, [everyone] except the Minister and one deputy announced their defiance to the present government, claiming that it pursues an anti-constitutional policy," both Georgian and Russian media reported quoting Valeri Arshba. While speaking to reporters in Sokhumi, head of the Abkhazian Parliament Nugzar Ashuba commented over the recent crisis in the region by saying that the Abkhazian people "have already decided who will be the next President--Sergey Bagapsh," reported the Regnum News agency. "It is widely known," continued Ashuba, "that the elections passed without any serious disturbances." He also said that Russia is a major guarantor of Abkhazia's security, "but Russia can not decide who has to be Abkhazia's President." The Abkhaz opposition movements Amtsakhara, Aitaira, and United Abkhazia accused Prime Minister Nodar Khashba in urging Russia to send troops to Abkhazia "for restoring order in the region." But in an interview with Russian news agency Itar-Tass Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Nodar Khashba denied these accusations. 3) Karabagh Parties Discuss Election Code YEREVAN (Yerkir)--A roundtable discussion in Karabagh on Tuesday detailed the agreement between the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Artsakh and the Democratic Artsakh party concerning the republic's election code. On November 8, the two majority parties in Mountainous Karabagh Republic's parliament agreed that two-thirds of parliament members be elected under a party-list system, and one-third from single-mandate constituencies. Most of the participants of the ARF-sponsored talks accepted the concept. Other issues, including the method of forming constituencies, were also discussed. 4) Construction of Armenia, Iran Pipeline Set for November YEREVAN (RIA Novosti)--The construction of the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will start in late November 2004, the head of the Armenian Energy Ministry's technical development and foreign relations department Levon Vardanyan revealed to journalists on Wednesday. The construction of the 42-km section of that pipeline will begin at the Meghri-Kajaran site. In compliance with existing agreements, the Iranian side will finance the construction of this section; the remaining portion between Yerevan and Ararat will be completed later. In May of this year, Armenia and Iran agreed to construct the pipeline which will provide 36 billion cubic meters of gas from Iran to Armenia over 20 years. Armenia will receive 1.1 billion cubic meters of Iran's natural gas annually and pay for these supplies with its electric energy. The construction of the 141-km long pipeline (41 km on Armenian territory and 100 km in Iran) will be completed at the end of 2006. According to preliminary calculations, Armenian and Iranian investments in the project will total $90 and $120 million correspondingly. The gas pipeline will link Tehran and Yerevan via the Meghri section of the Armenian-Iranian border. 5) Armenia Rattles Romania By Khachik Chakhoyan A depleted Romanian side kept up their challenge in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 but were denied victory in Armenia after Karen Dokhoyan's second-half equalizer earned his nation their first point in the pool. With 16 players missing from Anghel Iordanescu's visiting squad, Romania nevertheless began brightly, with hopes pinned on speedy forward Ciprian Marica, who scored twice in this stadium for FC Shakhtar Donetsk in their 3-1 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round win against FC Pyunik. And the 19-year-old duly found the net, running on to Sorin Paraschiv's incisive pass and coolly converting a one-on-one past goalkeeper Edel Bete. Marica continued to threaten, especially down the flanks, and after one of his crosses Bete did well to save from Adrian Neaga. But at the other end Aram Voskanyan, making his first competitive appearance for Armenia, was also proving dangerous and on 33 minutes captain Harutyun Vardanyan found Edgar Manucharyan, who fed the striker, but his shot was blocked by defender Cristian Dancia. Seven minutes before the break Voskanyan went close again, sent free by Armen Shahgeldyan but shooting straight at Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea. But after the interval, Armenia--who had lost their opening four fixtures--continued to press and on 62 minutes leveled the scores when defender Dokhoyan eluded his markers at a corner. The final stages proved open, but Armenia had the better chances as Rafael Nazaryan shot wide, as did Edgar Manucharyan in added time. But a draw nevertheless gives them increased confidence for their next fixture on 26 March when they welcome Andorra. Romania play the Netherlands the same day. 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) 2004 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.