Author: admin

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND CROWN PRINCE EMIR ABDULLAH BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL SAUD
TALK IN AN ENLARGED FORMAT

Azertag
[March 08, 2005, 21:15:54]

On March 8, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and
Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, Commander of The National
Guard of Saudi Arabia, Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud held
talks in an enlarged format.

President Ilham Aliyev presented the Azerbaijanâ~@~Ys highest award
Order Istiglal (Independence) to Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

Having thanked the President for the award, Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul
Aziz Al Saud greeted him on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the
people of the country, and wished the visit to be successful becoming
a new stage of development of relations between the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the hospitality,
and said he was pleased to visit this beautiful country. Cooperation
between our two countries rests on deep historical, religious and
cultural roots, he said. The President stressed that Saudi Arabia
had supported Azerbaijan since the country gained its independence,
and expressed confidence that this visit would foster development of
Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations.

After that the parties exchanged views on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Azerbaijani leader told in detail
of the roots, current situation and state of the peace talks in the
framework of the OSCE Minsk group.

In response, Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud noted that his
country would continue to support fair stance of Azerbaijan in this
regard. Government officials will be given concrete instructions on
the issue, he said.

President Ilham Aliyev and Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud have
also discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.

–Boundary_(ID_0ZvTsWPliy7xUCRmwsVPNg)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia probe

Kathimerini
Wednesday March 9, 2005

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan called yesterday for an impartial
study of Armenian claims that their people suffered genocide at
the hands of Ottoman Turkish troops during and after WWI. Turkey has
always denied the genocide claims but has been irked by growing calls,
especially from within the EU, that it recognize a genocide occurred
as an historic fact. “We have opened our archives to those people who
claim there was genocide. If they are sincere, they should also open
their archives,” Erdogan said. (Reuters)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine
[email protected]

http:/ /gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com

The largest circulation Armenian
online  e-magazine on the WWW

ARAM I IN CYPRUS
Gibrahayer March 7, 2005, Nicosia – Hundreds of Armenian Cypriots
participated in the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the Cilician
Seminary
and the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos Aram I of
the
Holy See of Cilicia over the weekend, in Nicosia.
       The main event took place on Saturday March 5, 2005 at
8:00 pm at the
Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia, where the Shnorhali Choir from
Beirut
under Der Bartev Vartabed Guelimian performed.
       Speakers at the event were Sebouh Tavitian, Vartan
Tashdjian and
Archbishop Nourhan of Jerusalem.
       At the end of the event Catholicos Aram I addressed and
thanked the
Armenian community of Cyprus and Archbishop Hergelian for organising
the
two-day celebrations.
       The Holy Mass on Sunday March 6, 2005 and the Karoz by His
Holiness
Catholicos Aram I was followed by a Luncheon at Makedonitissa Palace
at 1:00
pm organised by the Temagan and Varchakan Joghov to which more than
200
community members attended.
       It is important to note that during the Luncheon, Scout
master Artin
Anmahouni presented a Pendant to His Holiness and pledged the amount
of
$5,000 dollars. He also announced that he will donate his home to the
Catholicosate of Cilicia upon his passing away.

OSCE TELLS TURKEY TO LIFT CYPRUS & ARMENIAN BANS
Ankara. Turkish Daily News Friday, March 4, 2005. The Organisation
for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called on Turkish
authorities to
eliminate all references in official documents suggesting that calls
for
troop withdrawal from Cyprus or claims that Armenians were subject to
a
so-called genocide should be treated as crimes.
       References to Cyprus and Armenian issues are found in an
explanatory
document accompanying Article 305 of the Turkish Penal Code, which
regulates
offences against national interests.
     Officially removing these subjects ca n help eliminate the
impression
that Article 305 allows for the punishment of free speech, the OSCE’s
representative on freedom of the media, Miklos Haraszti, said in a
letter to
Justice Minister Cemil Chickek.
Haraszti also said that reforms in the penal code were generally
welcomed
but complained that there were still some worrying provisions in it,
calling
for the removal of two articles in order to further expand freedom of
speech.

SAVEMELKONIAN.ORG LAUNCH FIERCE ATTACK
Gibrahayer Nicosian March 7, 2005: SaveMelkonian.org launched a
fierce
attack on AGBU veterans and Ramgavar leaders accusing them of the
current
fate of the Melkonian and its imminent closure.
     They accused the Ramgavar Party for using the AGBU as a party
leverage,
mismanaging and squandering funds for decades.
     The website stated, that with the Melkonian case in the
courts, the
Ramgavar leaders are now scared that it is their dirty washing that
will be
hung out in public. The webiste accused them of launching an attack
in the
Armenian press to discredit Archbishop Mutafian of Constantinople.
     Getting more personal and perhaps punching below the belt,
  also revealed that AGBU veterans were seen
gambling
in the casinos of Turkish-occupied north, and gave their own
interpretation
of the visit of Catholicos Karekin II of all Armenians to the United
States.

, in a newsletter to its subscribers on
06/03.05
invited them to read the following Letters and Articles
Letters and Articles
– Harach Editorial
– Give an account of thy stewardship (Luke 16:2)
– Mirror Spectator attacks Mutafian on Behalf of ADL
– From RAGs to riches?
Diary Section
– AGBU stalwarts gambling in Turkish Casinos
– ADL attacks Moutafian
– Catholicos visiting Lou Lou
– Other Catholicos visits Cyprus

JACQUES TOUBON ASKS THE TURKISH DEPUTIES TO RECOGNISE THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
* On raising the question of genocide in the framework of the
EU-Turkey
inter-parliamentary delegation, the European deputy provoked a
violent
reaction form the Turkish officials.
* His remarks were outrageously deformed by the Turkish press
Click here for the complete story

EDITORIAL
THE NEW WORLD
By Jean Ipdjian

     It was my intention to continue building the image of our
communityâ~@~Ys â~@~S
the Armenian Community of Cyprus â~@~S Representative in the House of
Representatives, the Parliament, which I had started a few weeks ago.
However, the recently published report of the US State Department for
Human
Rights derailed me and I had to write my thoughts about it.
     Among a host of countries whose Human Rights record was
reviewed in the
report, there was Cyprus too. And, what the US State Department had
to say
about Cyprus was so full of a total disregard of the sensitivities of
the
majority of the population of this island, that even the traditional
friends
of the US policies in the island found it difficult to accept. All
they
could come up with was to urge the islandâ~@~Ys leadership to seek
some positive
aspects of the report, allegedly hidden between the linesâ~@¦
     One would have thought, that a great defender of democracy,
with the
stated aim to work for the establishment of democracy in all
countries and
with the stated aim to work for the rule of law and respect to the
voice of
the voting polls, would at least have the self respect to uphold
those
principles and apply them in its judgement of others.
     One would have thought, that the actions of a president, Mr.
T.
Papadopoulos, who was elected by the majority of the people in fair
and
valid elections such as are held in Cyprus would at least be
respected, in
these days of American â~@~Xcrusader-shipâ~@~Y for democracy.
     One would have expected, that the will of the people of a
country
expressed by a free, fair and valid referendum would at least be
respected,
in these days of American â~@~Xcrusader-shipâ~@~Y for democracy.
     One would expect that a country like the US would not act
like a spoilt
child who is used to having all its wishes granted, and would accept
the
realities and work accordingly.
     It is amazing how a country like the United States of America
with so
much ease can twist and turn facts, understandings and conceptions to
suit
its strategic aims. It is amazing, and disappointing, that the
self-appointed champion of democracy, human rights and common decency
can,
by the stroke of a pen, distort things so much. It is amazing, that a
country whose very birth was the immediate result of people who had
left
homes, countries, relatives, friends and a life to escape social
injustices
and perceptions, can be so unjust. It is amazing, that decent people,
who
constitute the majority of Americans, can so easily be manipulated
into
backing leaders and governments, who by playing on their basic fears
and
insecurities get away with, practically, almost anything.
     The â~@~XOld Worldâ~@~Y- Europe – with its new set of rules
and behaviours, as
contemplated and applied in the European Union, seem like a breath of
fresh
air compared to the present â~@~XNew Worldâ~@~Y â~@~S the US â~@~S
and its leaders.
     Moreover, it is frightening to think that the only superpower
left in
this world of the 21st century is the United States of America with
its
present leadership. How can countries and peoples, who had put their
trust
in institutions like the United Nations, expect to see their
grievances and
problems fairly addressed when all of these institutions act like the
well
paid and loyal employees of the State Department and Republican Party
of the
US?
Being both an Armenian and a Cypriot, I have the misfortune of
belonging to
peoples who are neighbours to Turkey, of belonging to peoples who
have the
misfortune of having to live with Turks. And it is a misfortune,
because
Turks, as a nation, are excellent examples of people with an
incorrigible
taste for their neighboursâ~@~Y belongings, utter disregard to the
rule of law.
     It is a bigger misfortune yet, since Turkey and by
extensions, Turks,
are one of the â~@~Xchosen friendsâ~@~Y of the modern great empire of
the United
States of America.
     For us, the small nations and peoples of the world, all that
we are
left with is our will to survive, our resolve to persevere and our
unshakable belief in our historical and natural rights.
     We can only hope that the European Union will be able to go
beyond
cosmetic and elected applications of its principles.
     We can only hope that the European Union will prove itself to
be
bastion of fairness and respect of the peopleâ~@~Ys will.
     We can only hope that the European Union will not disappoint
us, but
will work with us to find adequate solutions to the different
problems
facing this country until a final, workable, sustainable and
acceptable
solution is found.
We can only hope that the rejuvenated â~@~XOld worldâ~@~Y will have
the wisdom of
age and rise to the occasions as per its declared principles.

BENON SEVAN ASKS FOR EXTENSION
The New York Times, February 25, 2005. The former head of the
oil-for-food
program, Benon Sevan, has asked the United Nations for more time to
respond
to charges filed
against him two weeks ago, and the request is being considered, said
Fred
Eckhard, the spokesman for Secretary General Kofi Annan. A second
official,
Joseph J. Stephanides, has filed his response, which “will now be
reviewed
according to normal procedures before any action is taken,” Mr.
Eckhard
said.
     The charges arise out of the preliminary report of the
commission
headed by Paul A.  Volcker, which said that Mr. Sevan had tried to
help a
friend’s company obtain contracts under the program and that Mr.
Stephanides
had favoured some companies by improperly furnishing them with
bidding
information.

FIVE STAR ARARAT
After an excellent performance in the Cyprus Futsal Championships
AGBU
Ararat won rivals Parnasos 2-4 away from home and sealed the
championship
title for the fifth time in a row. Goal scorers for AGBU ARARAT were
Raffi
Yazmadjian (1) Alik Sarkissian (2) and Iakovos Papadopoulos (1)
The Table:
1.ARARAT                   59 pts.
2.PARNASOS              50 pts.
3.CYPRUS COLLEGE 38 pts.
4.OMONIA                  35 pts.
Athos Evripidou, the goalkeeper of ARARAT was voted at

as the most popular goalkeeper in Cyprus.
All the news of Ararat’s impressive run at
;PHPSESSID=6b931dc1fb33d6abecee357e793

0499c

RECOMMENDED SITE
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REMEMBERING A LEGEND
by Vartkes Sinanian
     As the founder of ANCHA (American National Committee To Aid
Armenians )
George Mardikian had won the gratitude and the love of the Armenian
people.
He was a great philanthropist and a benefactor who had a passion and
unwavering commitment in the mission he had undertaken for his
people.  When
he wanted to make a point  you could feel his voice reverberating in
the
room.
     My fondest memory of him was the day when he arrived in
Cyprus in April
l959 accompanied by Archbishop Khoren Paroyan, the prelate of
Lebanon, who
later became the Catholicos of Cilicia,  Dickran Tosbath, member of
Lebanon’s parliament and editor of “Le Soir” French daily and “Ayk”
Armenian
Daily and his wife Naz.   Mardikian was in Cyprus as the last stop
of his
tour of the Middle East  meeting almost all the political leaders of
the
region including Egypt’s Gamal Abdul Nasser. more: click here

Mihran Keheyian from London sends this two interesting sites.

TATIANA’S CORNER
This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic
strips
which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries,
painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage
awareness
and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.

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NEWS IN BRIEF
One Azeri soldier was killed and one wounded along the tense line
dividing
Azerbaijan and Artsakh after a machine gun fire exchange with
Armenian
border patrols of Artsakh forces. Last year six people lost their
lives in
separate incidents and an additional 13 people were killed and 21
injured on
land mines around Artsakh.

UN experts forecast 500,000 drop in Armenia’s population by 2050.
Population decline will be observed in almost all the CIS countries.
Russia’s will decline from 143 mln to 112 mln while a population 
growth
will be registered in Azerbaijan by 1.2 mln.

Frank Pallone welcomed public statements made by US Ambassador to
Armenia
John Marshall Evans, in which he properly described Ottoman Turkey’s
systematic massacres of the Armenians between 1915-1923 as
“genocide.”

Next round of Armenian-Azeri peace talks have been postponed by at
least
one week because of Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s continuing
illness.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) were joined by Representatives Rush Holt (D-NJ),
Carolyn
Maloney (D-NY), and Michael McNulty (D-NY), last week, in
commemorating the
17th anniversary of the Artsakh liberation movement.

The editor of a magazine critical of Azerbaijan’s government was shot
and
killed Wednesday in the lobby of his apartment building.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that 40,000 Armenians from
Armenia live and works in Constantinople mostly for technical
companies.

Armenian officials have detained seven Russian servicemen stationed
at
Russia’s military base in Gyumri on suspicion of theft and robbery.

In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
40,000
stamps and 700 first day envelopes, will be issued by April in
Armenia.

The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun faction will propose legislation declaring
the
Sumgait massacres a day commemorating the forced deportation of
Armenians
from Azerbaijan.

   g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r

  Lecture series dedicated to clergymen that were killed in the
Armenian
Genocide of 1915 will continue every Wednesday after Hsgoum
throughout Medz
Bak with the following schedule.
* Wednesday 9 March 2005 – Nerses Yebisgobos Tanielian (1868 – 1915)
is
presented
by Anahid Eskidjian
* Wednesday 16 March 2005 – Shavarsh Dz.Vart.Sahagian (1881 – 1915)
is
presented by Elsy Utudjian

Carnival Party organised by the Parent’s Association of Nareg
Schools.
March 9, 2005 at The Hall of Nareg School in Nicosia, from 4:00 –
6:00 pm.
Entrance: £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for children.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of martyrdom of ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun founder Christapor Mikaelian the following
commemorative
events have been planned: Symposium at 10 & 11 March, with the
participation
of various political figures and academics in Sofia. Pilgrimage to
Christapor Mikaelian’s grave at Sophia Cemetery on March 11. All
wishing to
take part in the pilgrimage, should contact ARF Dashnaktsoutiun
Cyprus.

Armenian Cultural Event â~@~S Dance & Poetry April 8, 2005 at 7:30
p.m., MEI
Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â~@~S Melkonian Educational
Institute with the
participation of Melkonian Students.

The “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association
of Cyprus will be presenting the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
“Famous
Children’s Stories” on Sunday April 10, 2005 at 8:30 pm at PASIDY
Auditorium.

Armenian Cypriot artist Nanor Tashdjian will be exhibiting her works
in
Cardiff from April 12 – April 21, 2005 at the Temple of Peace,
Cathays Park.
The exhibi tion, entitled “The Battle Field” is partly a reflection
by Nanor
on her background. She was born during the Turkish invasion of
Cyprus. The
exhibition will be held in the foyer of the entrance to the Temple of
Peace,
from April 12 -21 from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00p.m.(not the weekend).The
exhibition will culminate in a Commemorative meeting at The Temple of
Peace
(upstairs Council Committee room) at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 20th
April.
Taking part will Caerphilly Labour Councillor and Human Rights
campaigner
Ray Davies, and the well-known poet Mike Jenkins of Merthyr. He will
read
his poem “Komitas”.

The “Timag” Theatre Company of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association of Cyprus is getting ready for its annual performance
which will
take place on Saturday May 7, 2005 at 8:30 pm

Armenian musical duo of Jean Davidian and Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian
perform
at Champs every Friday at 9:30 pm. Reservations on 22 873888. They
will also
be performing at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca twice a week
starting from
April 2005.

Arevakal and Hsgoum ceremonies begin from Wednesday 9 February, 2005
as
follows: Every Wednesday and Friday – Arevakal 7:40 am and Hsgoum at
6:00 pm

Opening of a Painting Exhibition of Armenian Cypriot Artists,
organised by
The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter at
The
Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature, on Friday 18 March, 2005 at
7:30
pm. The Exhibition will remain open until the 20th of March, 2005.

Easter Sunday Ma rch 27, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church
followed by Easter Lunch at Laiki Sporting Club organised by The
Armenian
Relief Society Cyprus Sosse Chapter. Details to follow.

Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide â~@~S 90th Anniversary April
20, 2005 at
7:30 p.m., MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â~@~S Melkonian
Educational
Institute with the participation of Melkonian Students.

Lecture by Peter Balakian on Friday May 20, 2005 organised by The
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter.
Details to
follow.

Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA/HMEM is participating in the Cyprus
Dart
League with home matches being played every other Thursday at AYMA.

AYF Badanegan Mioutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 3:30
pm at
AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.

Practises of the “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and
Educational
Association of Cyprus for the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
“Famous
Children’s Stories” take place as follows: Every Friday and Sunday at
5:30
pm and every Saturday at 4:30 pm

AYMA/HMEM Chicco Football practises take place every Friday from 7:00
–
8:30 pm for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor
Mahdessian
on 99650897.

AYMA/HMEM Table Tennis practises take place every Saturday from 5:30
pm
under the guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes
for all
ages.

AYF meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 pm at AYMA. This week’s meeting
is
postponed because of three community events on March 2.

AYMA/HMEM Football team practises take place every Th ursday at 7:30
pm.
For more details of the next Bible Study Class organised by the
Armenian
Prelature at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature call
Father
Momik Habeshian direct on 99 307966 or at the Prelature Office on 22
493560
email [email protected]

Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation via real
audio
on . Broadcast 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00
GMT)

The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the
Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on
Sunday March
13, 2005

Every Wednesday from 7-8 pm (Cyprus time + 2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito,
Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blue”. Internet edition on

HAIRENIK RADIO ON THE INTERNET LAUNCH HAIRENIK IN YOUR LIFE

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–Boundary_(ID_NzBdFfVQdwzAxYI9m+vkpw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED WOMEN WITH MARCH 8

07.03.2005 05:43

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the occasion of the International Womenâ~@~Ys Day
celebrated on March 8 Armenian President Robert Kocharian addressed the
women with a message of congratulation, which says in part, â~@~Dear
women! I congratulate you with the International Womenâ~@~Ys Day. The
8-th of March is a wonderful occasion to express our warmest attitude,
gratitude and love towards our mothers, sisters and wives. Armenian
women have made a great contribution to the formation of our
country. Presently the frames of their public and state activities
are expanding. Equally with this, you, dear women, keep the family
hearth and remain attractive. I congratulate you with this beautiful
holiday and wish you family warmth, charm and high spirits.â~@~]

–Boundary_(ID_khQ0HzyXMLbaCMj+l+uEmA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgian paper comments on premier’s visit to Baku

24 Saati, Tbilisi
5 Mar 05

Text of report by Georgian newspaper 24 Saati on 5 March “Georgian PM
Obtains Guarantees in Baku as Karabakh War ‘Increasingly Inevitable'”
by Malkhaz Lanchava: “Prime Minister’s First Battle”

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli has paid a one-day working
visit to Baku. Both Tbilisi and Baku were anticipating this visit
with interest. It is well known that, at the end of last year, the
Azerbaijani government took a none too friendly step and detained
Georgian carriages on its territory. The allegation that those
carriages were en route to Armenia was used as an excuse.

There is no doubt that in the past the Azerbaijani, Georgian, and
Armenian mafia structures had indeed used the following scheme:
With Russia’s support, the alleged transit cargo from this country
[Russia] (and from fraternal Central Asia countries) was in fact sent
to Armenia.

This could not have happened without the tacit consent of Moscow,
Asgabat, Tashkent, and Astana, but it is also clear that Azerbaijani
clans profited considerably from this business. The Armenians were
silently smiling when they said that one should not think that they
were in isolation because, aside from the well-known routes, there
were other routes to break through Azerbaijan’s blockade, that is to
say, the territory of Azerbaijan itself.

Obviously, Baku could not have tolerated this for long, especially
because the Azerbaijani special services had complete information
about the true destination of the cargo not only from Georgia but
from Armenia itself. Azerbaijan, however, chose a very strange
way of resolving the problem: It did not detain the cargo on the
Russian-Azerbaijani border or at Caspian ports; for some reason it
only happened on the Georgian border. Considering us “easy prey”,
it decided to avoid border scandals with the other countries.

However, according to our information, Zurab Noghaideli said in quite
a harsh tone during negotiations in Baku, including during a meeting
with the president, that Georgia will no longer tolerate harm done
to the Georgian business.

The fact that something was indeed on its way to Armenia does not mean
that anyone can detain the cargo that belongs to Georgia. Once again,
it has to be noted that the Georgian role in the entire saga was
naturally quite significant and it has to be added that the corrupt
legacy of the past era would keep coming back many times.

Nonetheless, there is also no doubt that it was not by chance that
Azerbaijan took such a radical step. Both in Yerevan and Moscow, they
talk about [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev preparing for war.
Many observers even believe that the decisive battle for Nagornyy
Karabakh is absolutely inevitable. In this situation, Azerbaijan is
trying to ensure the economic blockade of Armenia.

Zurab Noghaideli let the hosts know that Georgia holds a traditionally
neutral position on the Karabakh war but will not allow any
unilateral Azerbaijni actions against the Georgian transit. Given
the aforementioned, Zurab Noghaideli’s visit becomes even more
significant. The prime minister received guarantees not only from
the government but also from President Ilham Aliyev that Azerbaijan
will be content itself with the exchange of information, will cease
unilateral actions, and respect Georgia’s right to distance itself
from both warring sides in the new phase of the war for Karabakh,
which, unfortunately, is becoming increasingly inevitable.

No one mentioned the word “war” in Baku. Of course, there was no
talk about Armenia during those negotiations either but the context
itself defined things quite objectively despite declarations and
statements for the press. The Georgian prime minister expressed
concern only about the Georgian issue and this is how it should be
in a normal situation. Thus, Noghaideli’s mission to Baku was much
more important than just the issue of freeing several trains or even
restoring the transit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA THIS WEEK
Monday, March 7, 2005

In this issue:

U.S. Ambassador Evans: Armenia is on the right track

Leading critic of Azeri government’s anti-Armenian mongering killed

Turkish Ministry renames wild animals bearing “separatist” names

U.S. ENVOY: ARMENIA ON RIGHT TRACK

The United States Ambassador to Armenia John Evans described Armenia
as “on the right track along several important vectors.” Evans made
the remark last month during a speaking tour of universities and
Armenian-American communities in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San
Francisco and Washington, DC. Evans said that while progress was
often uneven and there were problematic areas, there have already
been significant accomplishments.

Speaking at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC Evans said that
U.S.-Armenia relations were good when he took his post in Yerevan
last August and that they continue to strengthen. He particularly
noted Armenia’s deployment with the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Evans
said that he fully realized that this decision was complicated by
concerns over the safety of the Armenian community in Iraq and came
after much internal debate. Evans also noted that the overall
U.S.-Armenia security partnership, including cooperation on
counter-proliferation, was developing quite rapidly.

Evans along with Robin Phillips, the Armenia Director for the Agency
for International Development (USAID), spoke of significant economic
progress made by Armenia. The Armenian economy has now recovered from
its post-independence crisis. Unlike the past, when much of the
production was geared for the Soviet military-industrial complex, 80
percent of Armenia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) today is generated
by the private sector. With double-digit economic growth in the past
four years, poverty levels have fallen from close to 50 percent in
2002 to about 40 percent last year. Evans identified corruption as an
issue that is widely perceived as a significant problem. He added
that he was encouraged by President Robert Kocharian’s pledge to
fight unfair revenue collection and tax evasion.

Evans also touched on Armenia’s foreign policy challenges. On the
Karabakh conflict, Evans said he was “very slightly encouraged” with
continued talks between Armenian and Azeri officials, but that the
overall outlook for settlement was not very promising because of the
lack of mutual trust and continued bellicose rhetoric. While speaking
at the University of California, Berkeley, Evans noted that while
U.S. policy was to recognize the territorial integrity of other
states “everybody realizes that Karabakh can’t be given back to
Azerbaijan.”

Evans further noted that the United States continues to hope for
“evolution in Turkey” that would lead to a change in its policy
towards Armenia. He further stressed that the murders and
deportations of over one million Armenians from Ottoman Turkey should
be properly characterized as Genocide. (Sources: ANC-San Francisco
2-19; R&I Report 2-23; RFE/RL Armenia Report 2-25)

LEADING DOMESTIC CRITIC OF AZERBAIJAN’S ANTI-ARMENIAN POLICIES
MURDERED

Azerbaijan’s leading opposition journalist known for his harsh
criticism of the Azeri government’s domestic and foreign policies was
murdered last week. Elmar Huseinov, 38, was shot four times,
including once in his mouth in what appeared to be a contract killing
just outside his apartment door. Reports from Huseinov’s family and
friends, who were first on the scene, said that electricity in the
building went out and that his cell phone was switched off by a
government-controlled company shortly before the murder.

The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan called Huseinov’s death a “great loss”
and urged that “everything possible” be done to locate the
perpetrators. U.S. Ambassador Reno Harnish called Huseinov a true
patriot, who wanted to see his country free and democratic. A leading
opposition figure Ali Kerimov accused the government of orchestrating
the murder, calling it an “act of state terror.” Both Harnish and
Kerimov made their remarks at Huseinov’s funeral attended by
thousands of mourners. The government, meanwhile, claimed the murder
was a “provocation” by unnamed forces and promised a thorough
investigation. Past murders of Azeri government critics were either
left unsolved or resulted in dubious prosecutions of government
opponents.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted in a
statement that the murder comes amid a broad government crackdown on
the media and opposition activists. Observers believe that following
recent government changes in Georgia and Ukraine, the Azeri
government is nervous that domestic opposition groups may restart
protests with Western support. Pro-Aliyev politicians have accused
Western democracy organizations and even BP, a leading Western
investor in Caspian oil, of helping the Azeri opposition foment
unrest.

Huseinov was the founder and chief editor of the Monitor, a weekly
publication that, in addition to investigative reporting of the Azeri
government’s domestic corruption, was virtually the sole Azeri
publication to publish articles that opposed the government’s
anti-Armenian actions and rhetoric. The magazine accused the
government of instigating the anti-Armenian hysteria and its articles
repeatedly called the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s threats to
launch a new war in Karabakh a “bluff,” the Azeri army not ready for
war and the government’s entire approach to the conflict as
counterproductive to its resolution. As a result, the government
repeatedly fined and periodically shut down the Monitor, with
Husseinov and other authors accused of treason and “insulting Azeri
national dignity,” imprisoned and assaulted.

The Monitor countered the dominant trends in Azeri media, by
repeatedly condemning anti-Armenian violence in Azerbaijan since the
late 1980s and exposing government complicity, including that by the
late President Heydar Aliyev and his associates. In its recent
issues, the magazine criticized anti-Armenian vandalism in Azerbaijan
and linked senior Azeri officials to terrorism and narcotics
trafficking. Last week’s issue was due to feature a report on a
Monitor correspondent’s trip to Karabakh. The correspondent, Eynullah
Fatullayev, who was himself a target of an assassination attempt last
summer, said in his interview after returning from Karabakh that he
was pleasantly surprised with democratic and economic progress made
there. He noted that Armenians were tolerant towards Azeris, and that
Azerbaijan should focus on settlement of the conflict now.

Azeri President Aliyev said last year that he was “not in a hurry” to
settle the conflict, but would instead use oil revenues to build-up
the military and intensify an anti-Armenian public relations campaign
to coerce Armenians into concessions. (Sources: Armenia This Week
1-24-03, 1-23-04, 11-15-04, 2-7; Zerkalo 2-23, 3-5; Ekho 3-1;
Associated Press (AP) 3-2, 3; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
3-2, 3, 5; CPJ.org 3-2; Day.az 3-3; R&I Report 3-7)

A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

122 C Street, N.W., Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 393-3434
FAX (202) 638-4904

E-Mail [email protected] WEB

Monday, March 7, 2005

Separatist animals curbed

Environment and Forest Ministry acts on animal names considered a
threat to Turkey’s unitary state

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

The Environment and Forest Ministry has announced that it has changed
animal names that contain the words “Kurdistan” and “Armenia,” which
they considered threatened Turkey’s unitary state. Meanwhile, a
United Nations Development Program official objected, noting that the
change needed to be cited in relevant literature to come into effect.

Some animals, whose Latin names included “separatist” words, have
become a source of concern.

The names of red fox, wild sheep and roe deer were officially changed
by the ministry on Friday.

>From now on, the Latin name of red fox will be Vulpes Vulpes, instead
of Vulpes Vulpes Kurdistanicum, wild sheep will be known as Ovis
Orien Anatolicus, instead of Ovis Armeniana and Roe deer will be
called Capreolus Caprelus Capreolus, instead of Capreolus Capreolus
Armenius.

In a ministry statement, it was said that the changes were made,
because the names were selected intentionally to pose a threat to the
unitary state, and the foreign academics had acted very prejudicial.

UNDP rejects the change:

A UNDP official, who was asked about the changes by daily Hürriyet,
said the ministry had to make a valid case for the changes and make
sure the changes were cited in literature, before they could be
considered official. The official said that it was up to the
scientist who made the discovery to name the animal.

Environment and Forest Ministry Nature Preservation Department chief
Professor Mustafa Kemal Yalinkiliç admitted that scientific names
could not be chosen by anyone, but claimed that certain games were
being played over Turkey. He said these academics were using such
names to argue that Armenians or Kurds used to live in these regions.

–Boundary_(ID_1otu+CS65/17tRNYS8ENOw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lebanon has a right to sovereignty, says Patriarch Sfeir

7 March, 2005

On the eve of his departure to Washington Patriarch Sfeir demands
respect for United Nations resolutions. Armenian bishops call for a
government of national unity to implement agreements.

Beirut (AsiaNews) â~@~S For Maronite Patriarch Card Nassrallah Sfeir
Syria has an obligation to implement the Taef Agreement and respect
United Nations Resolution 1559, which is based on it. At the same
time, the countryâ~@~Ys Armenian bishops call for the formation of a
government of national unity.

The Patriarch spoke to AsiaNews on the eve of his departure for
Washington. He refused to give an opinion on the speech delivered by
Syrian President Bachar al-Asad, in which a redeployment of Syrian
troops was announced, but reiterated the principle that Lebanon has
the right to â~@~independence, sovereignty and freedom so that its
people might live like other peoplesâ~@~].

Cardinal Sfeir denied having said that his country might reach a
bilateral agreement with Israel. Instead, â~@~Lebanon,â~@~] he said,
â~@~will be last Arab country to sign [a deal] with Israelâ~@~].

Speaking about his coming meeting with US President George W. Bush,
the Patriarch noted that it was at the Presidentâ~@~Ys invitation.

And as for Hezbollah disarming, he insisted that it was not up to him
but to those involved.

Yesterday, Patriarch Sfeir received a delegation from the OPDS
charitable organisation at the Bkerke shrine. The delegation was
headed by Fr Elie Madi, who was accompanied by its general director
Ms Faten Nseir.

They illustrated the results of their organisationâ~@~Ys campaign in
favour of tsunami victims in Asia and told the Patriarch that they
were devolving â~B¬ 20,000 (US$ 27,000) to the cause through the
United Nations.

Armenian bishops, but also Catholic and Orthodox bishops, appealed to
political leaders to form a government of national unity capable of
restarting economic development and respecting agreements, especially
the Taef Agreement.

At the end of their meeting on Saturday at the Orthodox eparchy
(diocese) in Zkak el-Blat (Beirut), the bishops released a statement
on the Lebanese situation. They reiterated that only peace, concord
and dialogue can lead the county out of the current crisis. They
urged all Lebanese and all people of good will to join together to
reach the much desired peace.

Former Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz, who is a member of the
opposition, told AsiaNews that Patriarch Nassrallah Sfeirâ~@~Ys visit
to the United States was an historic event, similar to that of
Patriarch Elias Houeik to France in 1920, which founded Lebanon. He
is convinced that the Patriarchâ~@~Ys visit to Washington will lead
to the birth of a new Lebanon, one that is sovereign, independent and
free from foreign interference. (Y.H)

–Boundary_(ID_5eqsoRVi4TP3WFnxlQxI8w)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN-AZERI CONFLICT CAN BE SETTLED ONLY WITH NAGORNY
KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
can be settled by peaceful talks only with the participation of
Nagorny Karabakh, says former Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
Vladimir Kazimirov.

If anybody knew how this can be done he would have to be asked,
says azimirov noting that he has repeatedly proposed his alternative
solution to the conflict. He says that the conflicting parties should
first of all proclaim that Nagorny Karabakh is the gist (subject
and object) of the problem and that they are ready for historical
reconciliation.

Then they should start trilateral talks on all aspects of the
problem. There should be neither winners or losers in this century
long conflict. The parties need a draw to free their decedents from
revenge complex. What has already happened in Azerbaijan and Armenia
in Nakhichevan and Karabakh cannot be replayed without blood. But quick
settlement should include withdrawal of troops from the territories
outside Karabakh. The smell of oil is irremovable but it should not
be allowed to determine the fate of the whole region.

It is for the parties to decide if Nagorny Karabakh should be part
of Azerbaijan or Armenia or be independent. If they fail this should
be determined by the people in a democratic way. The non recognition
of the referendum held in Nagorny Karabakh in 1991 according to the
Soviet law because of non participation of the Azeri community is
is a weak argument considering the fact that it was Baku who ordered
this non participation.

It is a difficult question if a new referendum can be held without
the participation of several tens of thousands of Azeri voters.
Nakhichevan regularly holds elections despite the lack of big percent
of former Armenian voters, notes Kazimirov.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: APPLICATION OF EXPERIENCE OF COOPERATION OF THREE
BALTIC STATES IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS CAN BECOME A GOOD PLEDGE OF
STABILITY AND PEACEFUL INTERACTION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
received Chairwoman of the Latvian Parliament Ingrid Udre Monday.

The presidential press-service informs ARMINFO that Ingrid Udre
presented political and economic processes in Latvia after joining
the EU. She said that despite numerous reforms carried out in Latvia
before its admission to the EU, there was still much to do for full
conformity with European standards. She noted that Latvia was due to
pay more attention to the relations with the South Caucasian states
entering the way towards integration into Europe, in particular, with
Armenia. In his turn, Robert Kocharyan noted that Armenia’s intention
to integrate into the European family was very serious and the
reforms in the country were carried out just to meet European
standards. The president said that in that aspect the way passed by
Latvia would further remain in the focus of attention of Armenia.
President Kocharyan also called the cooperation of the three Baltic
states a good example for imitation and its application in the South
Caucasus could become a good pledge of stability and peaceful
interaction.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Parliament refuses to ratify Convention signed with Canada

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 7 2005

Baku, March 4, AssA-Irada

The Milli Majlis (parliament) refused on Friday to ratify the
Convention ~SOn eliminating double taxation on revenues and property
taxes and prevention of tax evasion~T signed between the governments
of Azerbaijan and Canada, as well as a protocol of the Convention.

The refusal came as protest against attempts by Canadian companies to
develop the disputed ~SKapaz~T field in the Caspian Sea jointly with
Turkmenistan and tap gold deposits in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

Samad Seyidov, chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on
international relations, said that the Foreign Ministry is scrutinizing
the issue.

Parliament speaker Murtuz Alasgarov withdrew the issue from the agenda,
saying ~Slet the Foreign Ministry notify us of its final decision~T.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress