ASBAREZ Online [06-30-2004]

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06/30/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. EU's Talvitie Strives for Mutual Trust in Resolving Karabagh Conflict 2. Karabagh Foreign Ministry Brushes off Azeri Assertions 3. Turkey 'Sincere' in Seeking Rapprochement with Armenia, According to FM 4. Saddam Handed over to Iraqis 5. Navasartian Ball 1. EU's Talvitie Strives for Mutual Trust in Resolving Karabagh Conflict STEPANAKERT (Armenpress/ArmInfo)--Speaking from the capital of Mountainous Karabagh Republic on Wednesday, European Union (EU) special representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie said that in order to reach a peaceful settlement, the sides to the Karabagh conflict must establish an atmosphere of mutual trust. "I have no illusions regarding a speedy regulation of the conflict, but the peace talks continue within the framework of OSCE Minsk group, and there is a hope that some possibilities for regulation will appear," Talvitie told a press conference, summing-up the results of his two-day visit to MKR. He said that the EU is pushing for a peaceful regulation and is ready to support a political arrangement, considering the outcome will affect the stability of the region. European structures, he stressed, have taken a new interest in the South Caucasus, and want to extend equal opportunities for their [each country's] development. Asked whether the EU plans to implement economic development programs in MKR, Talvitie said interest lies in developing the entire region, and the implementation of programs is directly dependent on the progress in regulating the conflict. Talvitie noted MKR's progress in various sectors, saying "[progress] meets the interests of the European Union and conflicting sides, because it speaks about stability in the region." In an earlier meeting with Talvitie, Karabagh president Arkady Ghoukassian stressed that MKR has proposed to Azerbaijan, on more than one occasion, the need to implement joint measures, but that Baku has rejected the offers. Ghoukassian said that the democratization of Karabagh's public and political sectors is irreversible in nature. "Mountainous Karabagh aspires to become an integral part of the European family." Talvitie also met with speaker of MKR parliament Oleg Yessayan, prime minister Anushavan Danielian, foreign minister Ashot Ghulian, defense minister Seiran Ohanian, National Security council secretary Karen Baburian and refugees residing in Shushi and Lachin. Talvitie and his delegation were to also meet with MKR Security Council secretary Karen Baburian 2. Karabagh Foreign Ministry Brushes off Azeri Assertions STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)--A statement released on Wednesday by Karabagh's Foreign Affairs Ministry, stressed that the upcoming August 8 elections is another step in building a civil society in Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR). "We proceed from the fact that only legally elected representatives of authority are empowered with necessary power and bear responsibility for the fate of people of Mountainous Karabagh," read the statement. Azerbaijan has undertaken international efforts to stop the elections saying they run counter to international law as well as Azerbaijan's legislation. "Mountainous Karabagh has been living independently for 16 years and has nothing to do with Azerbaijan's laws; citing them, therefore, is absolutely groundless," the statement says, describing Azerbaijan's assertions as "cut off from current realities." The statement scoffs at another assertion by the Azeri foreign ministry that the elections are invalid because the Azeri population of Mountainous Karabagh cannot participate. "If we follow this kind of logic then all national elections in Azerbaijan are invalid, as almost half a million of ethnic Armenians had to flee it as a result of ethnic cleansing," the statement says. 3. Turkey 'Sincere' in Seeking Rapprochement with Armenia, According to FM YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian was upbeat on Wednesday, after his talks with Turkish leaders in Istanbul this week, saying that he found a "sincere desire" to improve the historically strained relations with Armenia. But he indicated that the long-awaited opening of the Turkish-Armenian border is still not up for discussion. Oskanian met with Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and had an impromptu 10-minute encounter with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit which finished its work on Tuesday. He described his brief conversation with Erdogan as "quite interesting." "It confirmed my impression...that the Turkish government really has a sincere desire to achieve progress in relations with Armenia," Oskanian told a news conference in Yerevan. Erdogan's Islamist-leaning cabinet, Oskanian continued, is more willing to soften Turkish policy on Armenia than its more pro-Western predecessors were. "There is really a difference. This government does have a desire [to normalize ties], it's just that conditions are not yet ripe," he said, referring to the possibility of Turkey lifting its economic embargo imposed on Armenia in 1993. Ankara signaled throughout last year its intention to stop linking bilateral ties to the resolution of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict and reopen the border only to reaffirm its traditional policy under Azerbaijani pressure earlier this year. President Robert Kocharian decided to steer clear of the NATO summit in Istanbul, indicating his administration's frustration with Turkish intransigence. The Erdogan government now appears anxious to find a solution acceptable to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Political observers view Monday's separate trilateral meeting between Oskanian, Gul, and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov as part of that effort. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Erdogan welcomed such talks. "We hope that this process will continue and pick up speed and that we will reach a solution here as well based on the concept of win-win," he said. "We saw the sides had a positive approach," the Turkish premier added. "Hope, however, is not sufficient. What is sufficient is to get results. At the moment we are in the phase of wishes. We see that they are determined to achieve results. We are saying that one should continue on this path." Oskanian confirmed that both Karabagh and the border issue were high on the agenda of the trilateral meeting. But he made it clear Turkey can not become a full-fledged mediator in the Karabagh peace talks because of its staunchly pro-Azerbaijani line. "Turkey understands very well that it can not act as a mediator because its policy is one-sided and tilted towards Azerbaijan," he said. In a related development, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev launched renewed verbal attacks against the Armenian side, in his address to the NATO summit on Tuesday. "Azerbaijan will not compromise on its territorial integrity and sovereignty," he said, describing the Armenian-populated territory as a "constant threat to security and stability in the South Caucasus." 4. Saddam Handed over to Iraqis BAGHDAD (Reuters)--Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge as Iraq's newly sovereign government took the first step towards bringing him to justice--and a possible death penalty--for 35 years of killing and torture. "Today at 10:15 a.m. the Republic of Iraq assumed legal custody of Saddam Hussein," said a terse statement from interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's office on Wednesday. The deposed dictator and 11 of his lieutenants were turned over to face Iraqi justice nearly 15 months after US-led forces overthrew him. They will stay under US military guard. "Saddam said 'Good morning' and asked if he could ask some questions," said Salem Chalabi, the US-trained lawyer leading the work of a tribunal set up to try the former president. "He was told he should wait until tomorrow," Chalabi told Reuters after attending the formalities in which Saddam and 11 of his former lieutenants were turned over to Iraqi justice. Chalabi, who has received death threats since he began work on the tribunal, said the 67-year-old Saddam looked in good health and had sat in a chair during the closed proceedings. Saddam's former aides appeared nervous or hostile and one of them, Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as Chemical Ali for his role in using chemical weapons, was shaking. Saddam, accused by Iraqis of ordering the killing and torture of thousands of people during 35 years of Baathist rule, had been held as a prisoner of war since US forces found him hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit on December 13. He will now be subject to Iraqi criminal law, rather than a POW protected by the Geneva Conventions. His trial is likely to be several months away. Iraq's national security adviser said it would be broadcast live on television. Iraq's president was quoted as saying the death penalty, suspended during the US-led occupation, would be reinstated and the national security adviser said it could apply to Saddam. The fallen leader will be charged with crimes against humanity for a 1988 gas massacre of Kurds, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, according to Chalabi. "Tomorrow's proceedings will mark the start of his trial," said an official in Allawi's office. French lawyer Emmanuel Ludot, one of a 20-strong team appointed by Saddam's wife to represent him, said the former president would refuse to acknowledge any court or any judge. "It will be a court of vengeance, a settling of scores," Ludot told France Info radio, saying any judge sitting in the court would be under pressure to find Saddam guilty. Among others to be handed over were Former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz and three of Saddam's half-brothers. Those former officials and others among the 55 most wanted Iraqis on a US list are seen as witnesses who could help prove a chain of command linking Saddam to crimes against humanity. Government offices were shut on Wednesday for a new national holiday declared to mark Monday's transfer of sovereignty to the interim government from US-British occupation authorities. 5. Navasartian Ball The 29th Navasartian Ball took place on June 26 at the elegant Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, where over 600 gathered to celebrate and congratulate Honorary Presidents of the 29th games Charles and Julie Ghailian. Master of Ceremonies Shant Haytaian invited guests to stand in a moment of silence for longtime Homenetmen member Haig Hovsepian who recently passed away. Honored guests included, US Congressman Frank Pallone, US Federal Judge Dickran Tevrizian, ARF Western Region Central Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Homenetmen Central Executive Council members Karnig Megerdichian, Meher Tavitian and Manuel Marselian, representative of Armenian Consul General Haroutiun Kojayan, Los Angeles City Commissioner Peklar Pilavjian, 2004 "Exemplary Homenetmen Members" Kapriel and Asdghig Panosian, and Navasartian Games past presidents Andy and Aleen Andonian, George and Alice Adamian, Albert Shahinian, Ashkhen Pilavjian, Jirair and Serpoog Sarkissian and Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian. In a symbolic act, 2003 Honorary Presidents Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian transferred the responsibilities and duties of the Navasartian Presidency to Charles and Julie Ghailian. Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian, after addressing the ball, presented the organization's medal of merit to Jirair Sarkissian and Koko Balian. 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