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AZG Armenian Daily #065, 14/04/2005

Diaspora

IN HONOR OF HENRIK IGITIAN

The Congress of the friends of the UCLA Chair of the Armenian Studies after
Narekatsi was created to assist the activities of the chair by Peter Caw,
the head of the chair. Famous representatives of intelligentsia,
public-national figures were invited to the annual dinner. On April 10,
Henrik Igitian became the honorable guest of the second annual dinner at the
UCLA Faculty Center. The Los Angeles-based Nor Or weekly informed about
that, touching upon Igitian’s activities. He is the establisher of the first
Children’s Aesthetic Center in the territory of the former Soviet Union and
the unique Modern Art Museum. Henrik Igitian became the author of many books
on art and albums. Shoghak Hovhannisian from Chicago represented the
activities of Henrik Igitian. Mr. Igitian was awarded Narekatsi medal by
Parouyr Hakobian and Peter Cawe.

By the assistance of Henrik Igitian the exhibition of 50 Armenian children’s
paintings was opened at the AGBU Manukian center on April 7.

By Melania Badalian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News

VARDAN OSKANIAN NOT GOING TO MEET WITH ELMAR MAMEDYAROV IN LONDON

13.04.2005 05:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During today’s press conference Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian stated that he is not going to meet with Azeri FM Elmar
Mamedyarov in London on April 15. In his words, he is scheduled to meet with
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, who in their turn will hold separate
meetings with FMs of the two states. `Though I and Elmar Mamedyarov will
stay in the same city and in the same hotel our private meeting is not
scheduled’, the Armenian FM stressed. Besides the Minister refuted the
information that the mediators have a package of proposals on the Karabakh
conflict settlement. He also noted that there is no concrete agreement on
the meeting of Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian. According to him, the
leaders might meet in Moscow May 8-9 or later in Warsaw. When commenting on
the conflict settlement Vardan Oskanian noted that the parties are far from
final resolution as they disagree on a number of issues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VARDAN OSKANYAN: TURKEY NOT ONLY TRIES TO REWRITE SHAMELESSLY ITS OWN
HISTORY BUT ALSO CALLS OTHER PEOPLES TO DO THE SAME

YEREVAN, APRIL 13. ARMINFO. “90 yeas have passed after perpetration
of Genocide, however there are no a single-valued recognition of this
crime by international community, stated Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan at a press-conference, Apr 13.

Furthermore, Turkey not only does not recognize Armenian Genocide,
but, quite the contrary, denies this crime day by day. “It is the most
important for us not to forget dark pages of the own history, to pay
homage to victims, and to keep a living memory as long as even a
minimal justice towards Armenian people triumphs”, Oskanyan stressed.

“Without recognizing the fact of Genocide by Turkey, we cannot be sure
in a neighbor, being a powerful state today and having an
unambiguously pro-Azeri position in Karabakh issue”, he noted and
added the necessity of consistent work and demand on recognizing
Armenian Genocide. Oskanyan reminded that the UN considered Genocide
to challenges to the mankind.

Speaking about Turkey’s efforts to become a member of the EU, Oskanyan
noted that the issue of Genocide is outside the scope of Armenian and
becomes European and common to all mankind. “On the threshold of the
90th anniversary of the tragedy Turkey passes to the offensive,
instead of taking more passive position. It tries not only rewrite
shamelessly its own history but also calls other peoples to “revise”
it. However, such actions as boomerang return to it and deal a serious
blow to the authority of Turkey itself”, minister noted.

At the same time, Oskanyan drew a differentiation between Turkish
authorities and people. In his words, some discussions on Genocide
issue are conducted there as far as possible, as well as there are a
number of intelligentsia which realize that Genocide had taken place
but do not dare to state it.

Oskanyan also noted that before starting negotiations on Turkey’s
entry to the EU, issue on Armenian Genocide will be put on the agenda.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VISIT OF PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA TO PARIS TO TAKE PLACE IN NEAREST
FUTURE, VARTAN OSKANIAN STATES

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Working visit of Robert Kocharian,
the RA President to Paris will take place, Vartan Oskanian, the RA
Foreign Minister stated at the April 13 press-conference. According to
him, discussion of possible terms of the visit is already going on,
and it is rather possible that the visit will to take place
soon. Concerning some statements about today’s closeness of the
positions of the conflicting parties on the issue of settlement of the
Karabakh conflict, the Minister stated: “Approaches of choice and
discussion of themes are common among the parties, there are no
contradictions here but proposed ways are different.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UZBEKISTAN GOV’T SELLING INTEREST IN FOUR POWER PLANTS

Asia Pulse
Apr 13, 2005

TASHKENT, April 13 Asia Pulse – The government is selling blocking-off
interest in four power plants. The authorities want over US$150
million while experts doubt that foreign investors will be interested.

The Syrdarja Thermoelectric Power Plant is the largest in Central Asia
(3,000 megawatt). It produces almost one third of all electricity
generated in Uzbekistan. The Mubarak Thermoelectric Power Plant
generates 420 million kilowatt-hours a year, Tashkent 155.8 million,
Ferghana 560 million. All four power plants belong to the state.

A spokesman for FINAM (financial consultant of the government of
Uzbekistan) says that the authorities put up 39.23 per cent in
Mubarak, 38 per cent in Tashkent, 39 per cent in Ferghana, and 39 per
cent in Syrdarja plant for sale. The initial price was set at
$123.581 million, $11.144 million, $6.156 million, and $14.197
million.

Applicants have until May 15 to buy the documents concerning the
future contest and submit applications until June 15. This information
was confirmed by Mokhor Valiyev, assistant to the general director of
the Bureau of Individual Privatization.

According to Valiyev, the authorities do not intend to sell their
interest in the power plants in the next two years. Still, should some
strategic investor come up offering a fair price, the Bureau will
certainly consider the offer. Valiyev and Nikolai Fomintsev, Director
of the Department of Strategies and Business Development of FINAM, did
not say exactly whom the authorities of Uzbekistan expected to attract
as potential buyers. Fomintsev merely said that the circle of
claimants “is pretty clear” – a number of major Russian and foreign
companies. Fomintsev even said that some of them had already
approached FINAM.

Andrei Zubkov, an analyst with Trust Bank, assumes that the future
contest is oriented toward Russian companies first and foremost since
the authorities of Uzbekistan made FINAM their financial
consultant. The Russian Joint Energy Systems is already present in
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan where construction of a hydroelectric power
plant is about to be completed. Practically all of the energy industry
of Armenia belongs to the Russian Joint Energy Systems too.

Sources at its PR Department admit that the developments in Uzbekistan
are being viewed with interest indeed but decline comment on the
possibility of the holding’s participation in the contest.

Christian Drepper of E.ON PR Department claims that the company has
concentrated on development in Central Asia and Italy. “I’m afraid
that Uzbekistan is not exactly in the focus of our attention,” he
said. Spokesmen for Enel and AES declined comment.

Experts say that Uzbekistan wants a fair and reasonable price for the
power plants. “The cost of the power plants is roughly equal to the
cost of Russian assets,” to quote Aleksei Minayev, an analyst with
Rye, Man & Gor Securities.

All the same, Uzbekistan may encounter difficulties finding investors.
Alexander Yakubov of CenterInvest says that the assets are pretty old,
and the solvent demand for electricity in Uzbekistan is fairly
low. “That’s a difficult market. Order should be restored there
first,” Yakubov said. “I do not think that many investors will be
interested.” Zubkov added that export of electricity from Uzbekistan
is impossible and that too is a factor disheartening potential
investors.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PILGRIMAGE TO NORAVANK

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
13 April 05

On the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of invention of the Armenian
alphabet the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth organized a pilgrimage
to Saint Noravank which is located on a picturesque hill near the
tributary of the river Arpa, Gnishkajur. For centuries Noravank has
been a center of Armenian culture, learning and especially
architecture. The monastery always stood up for national unity and
liberation struggle; it was a pillar of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Supported by the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport
30 representatives of 8 youth organizations of Artsakh participated in
the pilgrimage too. The head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church Parghev Martirossian Archbishop Parghev Martirossian
also participated in the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was aimed at
bringing together the youth, drawing their attention to spiritual,
cultural and national values. There was a great number of young people
from Armenia and Javakhq. The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II
gave his blessing to the pilgrims. A solemn mass was held, thousands
of candles were lit, Armenian songs and music sounded around the
monastery till late in the evening.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
13-04-2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE mission monitors Karabakh front line – Armenian agency

Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
12 Apr 05

STEPANAKERT

An OSCE mission held regular monitoring yesterday in the village of
Verin Chaylu of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR] on the contact
line between the Nagornyy Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces, the
press service of the NKR Foreign Ministry has reported.

Monitoring was carried out by the field assistants of the personal
representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Miroslav Vymetal (Czech
Republic) and Olexandr Samarski (Ukraine), from the positions of the
NKR Defence Army.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring group was headed by the
personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzej
Kasprzyk.

Representatives of the NKR defence and foreign ministries accompanying
the OSCE mission registered shooting from the Azerbaijani side north
of Verin Chaylu. Monitoring continued after the sides had once again
received security guarantees. Monitoring went ahead as planned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish official against German parliament’s Armenia bill

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
13 Apr 05

Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia; suheadings
inserted editorially

Berlin, 13 April: Yasar Yakis, the chairman of the Parliamentary
Commission for EU Adjustment, said on Wednesday [13 April] that the
Armenian bill which was brought to the agenda of the German federal
parliament by the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) would not be
beneficial.

Yakis and the members of the Turkish parliamentary commission who are
in Berlin met with the representatives of Turkish nongovernmental
organizations the same day.

Speaking in the meeting about the bill prepared by CDU defending
Armenian claims of genocide, Yakis said that “certainly we can’t
interfere with the things wanted to be done by the political parties
in Germany. But we try to explain the fact that the Armenian bill will
not be useful either for Turkish-German/Turkish-Armenian relations or
CDU party.”

“I read the bill which is full of misinformation. In my opinion
historians should come together to discuss the issue and Turkey is
ready to share its documents… [news agency ellipsis] If this bill is
not withdrawn, there will be difficulties in Turkey’s adjustment to
EU,” Yakis said.

Noting that the flights between Yerevan and Istanbul started and there
were also plans to start flights between Antalya and Yerevan, Yakis
said that Turkey couldn’t see such positive steps from Armenia.

“Armenia should give up its claims on Turkish territory”

“Now Armenia asks us to open our borders unilaterally; we are not also
against it, but they describe eastern cities of Van, Kars and Erzurum
as ‘Western Armenia’. First of all, Armenia should give up its claims
on Turkish territory,” said Yakis.

Stressing that the incidents that took place in 1915 could not be
described as genocide, Yakis said that “if this was true, the
Armenians living in Istanbul would have been killed. We are ready to
face our history, but we can’t accept baseless claims.”

Yakis remarked that the Turkish parliamentary commission both aimed to
improve cooperation with German parties and institutions and also
overcome the worries of the CDU politicians who were against Turkey’s
EU membership. “We all see German politicians as friends of Turkey,”
he said.

Ocalan retrial

When asked what he thought about retrial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head
of the terrorist organization PKK, Yakis commented that “we are not
against his retrial, he has such a right, but as the evidence has not
changed, he will get the same punishment again.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse via Kurdish Media
April 13 2005

Turkey proposes joint study of genocide claims to Armenia

13/04/2005 AFP
ANKARA, April 13 (AFP) – 15h28 – Turkey has formally proposed to
Armenia the creation of a joint commission to study allegations of
genocide against the Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as a first
step towards normalizing relations, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
said here Wednesday.

The proposal was outlined in a recent letter by Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Armenian President Robert Kocharian,
Gul told parliament during a special session on a damaging Armenian
campaign for the recognition of the controversial World War I
massacres as genocide.

“We informed them that if our proposal is accepted, we are ready to
negotiate with Armenia on how the commission will be established and
how it will work and that such an initiative will serve to normalize
relations between the two countries.

“I repeat this appeal once again… Turkey is ready to face its
history, Turkey has no problem with its history,” Gul said.

Ankara has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan
since the former Soviet republic gained independence in 1991 because
of Armenian efforts to secure international condemnation of the
massacres as genocide.

In 1993, Turkey shut its border with Armenia in a show of solidarity
with its close ally Azerbaijan, which was at war with Armenia over
the Nagorny-Karabakh enclave, dealing a heavy economic blow on the
impoverished nation.

Gul urged the international community to press Yerevan to accept
Turkey’s proposal for a joint study of the genocide allegations.

The Armenian massacres of World War I are one of the most
controversial episodes in Turkish history.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen died in orchestrated
killings nine decades ago during the final years of the Ottoman
Empire, the predecessor of modern Turkey.

Turkey, on the other hand, argues that 300,000 Armenians and
thousands of Turks were killed in what was civil strife during World
War I when the Armenians, backed by Russia, rose against their
Ottoman rulers.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey upset with German bill on Armenian Genocide

13.04.2005 15:26

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Speaking at a press conference following his
meeting with Fritz Kuhn, the foreign policy spokesperson of the Greens
in Germany, Turkish Parliament’s European Union Harmonization
Commission head Yasar Yakis said that a draft bill prepared by the
Greens on the Armenian genocide was rife with falsehoods, adding that
the measure could harm relations between Germany and Turkey as well as
the Armenian-Turkish relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress