Author: admin

ARKADI GHUKASIAN: ARMENIAN PEOPLE CAN REALIZE PAN-NATIONAL ISSUES ONLY
WITH JOINT EFFORTS OF ARMENIA, ARTSAKH AND SPYURK

STEPANAKERT, December 3 (Noyan Tapan). A wide range of issues
concerning the results of the telethon held on November 25 in US for
the purpose of assisting to Nagorno Karabakh was discussed during the
consultation held by NKR President Arkadi Ghukasian in the evening of
December 2. Oleg Yesayan, Chairman of NKR NA, Anushavan Danielian, NKR
Prime Minister, members of Council of Security, as well as heads of
ministries and departments, other responsible officials of NKR
participated in the consultation.

The NKR President again confirmed that the financial resources
received as a result of the telethon will be used for finishing the
construction of the North-South main, which is of strategical
importance for Nagorno Karabakh from point of view of ensurance of its
military, economic and social security. In this connection he
especially mentioned the necessity of strict control over use of
financial resources, as well as organization of proper working process
in all the sectors of construction. It was emphasized that these
measures should contribute to finishing of the construction in the
fixed terms.

Comparing notes about the telethon, Arkadi Ghukasian gave assurance
that more than pleasing results of this pan-Armenian event, during
which about .5m were collected, is the consequence of rise of
confidence of Armenian Diaspora to Karabakh’s course of
democratization of all spheres of life, reformation of the economy of
the republic, building of a civil society in Artsakh.

One of the most important issues for the Armenian Diaspora is the
future of Arstakh, strengthening of its political and economic
independence, the NKR President said. “The Diaspora beleives in
Artsakh and considers its duty to contribute to its all-round
development,” NKR President emphasized. Arkadi Ghukasian gave
instructions to the participants of the consultation to begin
preparing for the next telethon. He said that he considers necessary
to use the resources received during the next telethon first of all
for development of socio-economic sector of Mardakert region in the
north of NKR, which greatly suffered from Azerbaijan’s military
aggression. According to him, in the future the telethons should be
also dedicated to improvement of Shushi and other rural areas of
Nagorno Karabakh.

Touching upon the political results of his visit to US, the NKR
President mentioned that the Diaspora, Armenian political parties
acting abroad expressed readiness to take more active part in lobbying
of Nagorno Karabakh’s position in its conflict with Azerbaijan in
different international structures.

According to the Press Service attached to NKR President, the
participants of the consultation expressed gratitude to their foreign
compatriots, as well as citizens of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh for
their active participation in the telethon.

The Armenian people can realize pan-national issues only with joint
efforts of Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora, the NKR President said in
conclusion.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH SPEAKING ARMENIANS WITH NO OTHER INDICATION OF ARMENIANHOOD BUT
ORIGIN

Azg/arm
4 Dec 04

Armenians in Ankara

“If you want to find Armenians in Ankara you should go to the French
Catholic church of the city. Armenians gather there every
Sunday. There are around 1 thousand Armenians in Ankara, most of them
are Catholics and Turkish speaking” Arsen Avagian, Armenian
representative to the Organization of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) in Istanbul, said.

So, if anyone wants to find Armenians of Ankara he should find the
French church first of all. Though the French embassy is in Ankara’s
downtown, the French and other Christians have to go to the trade
district of Ulus to reach the only church. After circling through all
ins and outs of the city we finely found the so-called French
church. What they called a church was a large room with arched windows
on the first flour of a many-storeyed building. It was early in the
morning when the first members of the flock appeared.

A dark-haired, black-eyed gentleman together with many others entered
and took his seat in front of us. At first sight, he seemed to be
Armenian. He was apparently plunged in his thoughts and didn’t notice
people around him.

People gradually filled the church. No one else seemed to ever have
had Armenian ancestors.

The service began. It was hard to believe that a French church
conducts service in Turkish.

People began leaving the church in an hour. Getting out of the church
we stopped the gentleman that drew our attention. It turned out that
Henry Osterzi is Armenian indeed but knows no word in Armenia. Henry
was 51, Catholic and used to attend the French church since his
childhood “to study the Bible”.

An old man came up to us apparently upon hearing our conversation and
uttered, “Martiros Arat, I am Armenian too”, he said displaying all
his knowledge of Armenian. Then Martiros told that he spent 76 years
in Ankara and that he is not a Catholic at all but an adherent of
Armenian Apostolic Church.

While Martiros was warming up, Henry was silently listening speaking
only when asked. Martiros Arat told that years ago his father moved to
Ankara from the neighboring village of Nallhanl.

“My father spoke Armenian, he had finished an Armenian school. But I
know only few words”, he said. He has 2 children and 4
grandchildren. His son, Daniel, is in Moscow engaged in supplying
food. His children married at the French church and grandchildren were
also baptized there.

Henry also has two children. Armenian tongue has not sounded at their
home for a long time, they have nothing Armenian, they don’t cook
Armenian dishes either.

Martiros’ family still observes the tradition of cooking Armenian
dishes. “Though I don’t speak Armenian I do want my children to learn
it. Armenians don’ t speak Armenian in Ankara but they may need it in
Istanbul. If we had a school here children would attend it. My younger
brother speaks Armenian well enough but he learnt it in Istanbul”,
Martiros explained.

But it was all the same for Henry whether his children speak Armenian
or not. “Nowhere here can we use Armenian, there is even no school
here. Armenian would give my children nothing”, he said.

The two Turkish citizens had no ties with Armenia. They don’t even
relate to the Armenian community in Istanbul. Only occasionally an
Armenian priest is sent from Istanbul to serve a liturgy during
holidays. Speaking of the Turks’ attitude towards Armenians in Ankara
they both assured that they have no problems because of their origin
and said that live a good life.

Henry’s and Martiros’ knowledge of Armenia and Karabakh didnot reach
further than hardly recollected name of Stepanakert.

They both were indifferent as to what is happening in their
neighboring fatherland and in the Diaspora all over the world.

So they live in Ankara, Turkish citizens of Armenian origin, and they
recall their roots only when they are reminded. And Armenian language
is measured by market’s yardstick where national identity may easily
be thrown away if it’s an obstacle in your daily life.

By Aghavni Harutyunian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
State Department
December 2, 2004

International Monetary Funds Approves $13.7 Million for Armenia; IMF
completes final review of economic performance under standby
arrangement

TEXT: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $13.7
million disbursement to Armenia after completing the sixth and final
review of the country’s economic performance under a three-year
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement.

IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chairman Agusten Carstens
said, “[P]rudent monetary and fiscal policies, external financial
support, and progress with structural reforms have contributed to
double-digit economic growth, poverty reduction, low inflation, and a
sustainable debt burden.”

Carstens also suggested additional measures Armenia should take in
its economic reform program.

With the completion of the sixth review, the total allocation of
$105.3 million will be fully disbursed, according to the following
IMF press release:

(begin text)

International Monetary Fund

Washington, D.C. 20431 USA

December 1, 2004

IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPLETES FINAL REVIEW UNDER PRGF ARRANGEMENT FOR
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today
completed the sixth and final review of the Republic of Armenia’s
economic performance under a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility (PRGF) arrangement. The completion of this review enables
Armenia to draw an amount equivalent to SDR 9.0 million (about
US$13.7 million).

In completing the final review, the Executive Board also approved
Armenia’s request for a waiver of two structural performance
criteria.

At the time of the fifth review on May 3, 2004, the period of the
arrangement was extended through December 31, 2004. Armenia’s PRGF
arrangement was initially approved with effect from May 23, 2001, for
an amount equivalent to SDR 69 million (about US$105.3 million). With
the completion of the sixth review, the arrangement will be fully
disbursed. The authorities have also stated their intention to begin
discussions with the IMF on a new three-year PRGF arrangement that
would support an economic program through 2008.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion of Armenia’s performance
under the current PRGF-supported program, Agusten Carstens, Deputy
Managing Director and Acting Chair, said:

“The Armenian authorities should be commended for Armenia’s strong
economic performance in recent years, in the context of satisfactory
implementation of the PRGF-supported program. Prudent monetary and
fiscal policies, external financial support, and progress with
structural reforms have contributed to double-digit economic growth,
poverty reduction, low inflation, and a sustainable debt burden.

“Looking ahead, the authorities should maintain a cautious fiscal
stance and ensure that the expenditure envelope is in line with PRSP
priorities on social and infrastructure spending. Monetary policy
should remain tight while maintaining a flexible exchange rate regime
in order to bring inflation down to the authorities’ objective of 3
percent. To facilitate further financial intermediation, reforms are
needed to enhance corporate governance in banks, streamline
collateral recovery procedures, and improve court processes.

“Notwithstanding the progress made in recent years, the authorities
need to tackle more forcefully the remaining deficiencies and reduce
discretion in tax and customs administration. This will contribute to
an improved business environment and yield higher tax revenues to
finance pro-poor spending. On the expenditure side, a balanced mix
between current and capital spending will be critical to sustain the
high trajectory of growth. This will require higher allocations to
capital expenditures in the transport, agriculture, and water
sectors. At the same time, the envisaged increases in social spending
highlight the importance of ensuring that they will be utilized
efficiently and transparently.

“The authorities should be commended for the improvement in the
energy sector in recent years. Looking ahead, the authorities need to
complete the reform agenda in this sector and step up the
implementation of reforms in the water and irrigation sectors,
including through an increase in tariffs to cost recovery levels.

“Armenia’s medium-term prospects are likely to remain favorable
provided the authorities move ahead with the implementation of the
reform agenda and redouble their efforts to improve governance,” Mr.
Castens stated.

The PRGF is the IMF’s concessional facility for low-income countries.
PRGF-supported programs are based on country-owned poverty reduction
strategies adopted in a participatory process involving civil society
and development partners, and articulated in a Poverty Reduction
Strategy Paper, or PRSP. This is intended to ensure that each
PRGF-supported program is consistent with a comprehensive framework
for macroeconomic, structural, and social policies, to foster growth
and reduction poverty. PRGF loans carry an annual interest rate of
0.5 percent, and are repayable over 10 years with a 5-year grace
period on principal payments.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs,
U.S. Department of State.)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Padania, Italia
venerdì 3 dicembre 2004

Trapelano le condizioni che l’Unione Europea potrebbe porre il 15
dicembre per l’avvio dei negoziati

Ue: Ankara riconosca le minoranze

ANKARA – L’Unione europea chiederà ad Ankara di risolvere «al più
presto possibile» i problemi ancora aperti con le sue minoranze
etniche e religiose, come curdi, ortodossi ed aleviti, e di
normalizzare le sue relazioni con l’Armenia in vista dell’apertura
del suo negoziato di adesione, la cui data di avvio, nel 2005, sarà
decisa al prossimo vertice europeo di Bruxelles del 17 dicembre.
A mano a mano che procede il conto alla rovescia in vista del
vertice, si precisa sempre meglio il ventaglio delle condizioni che i
capi di stato e di governo dell’Ue si accingono a porre ad Ankara fra
15 giorni per dare effettivo avvio al negoziato. Secondo alcune
rivelazioni dei giorni scorsi, i Paesi membri dell’Ue sarebbero
decisi a menzionare esplicitamente la possibilità di un futuro
cambiamento di oggetto del negoziato, riservandosi di poter offrire
in futuro alla Turchia un partenariato speciale in alternativa alla
piena membership, nonchè a chiedere un riconoscimento della
Repubblica di Cipro.
Ma ieri due quotidiani turchi – `Cumhuriyet’ e `Milliyet’ – hanno
sottolineato che tra le condizioni di Bruxelles c’è anche la
soluzione dei problemi delle «minoranze» turche (curdi,
cristiano-ortodossi e aleviti, che la Turchia non riconosce come
tali) e l’avvio di una normalizzazione delle relazioni bilaterali
della Turchia con l’Armenia.
CURDI: L’Ue, secondo i due giornali turchi, sembra orientata a
chiedere ad Ankara «passi più attivi» e «negoziati con le
organizzazioni curde», al fine di mettere definitivamente termine al
conflitto con il Pkk, che oggi attraversa una fase di bassa intensità
dopo quella acuta iniziata nel 1974, costata 36 mila morti e durata
15 anni fino al 1999, quando il leader del Pkk, Abdullah Ocalan fu
catturato in Kenya. Secondo il quotidiano `Cumhuriyet’, l’Ue si
spingerebbe fino a chiedere «un accordo di cessate il fuoco con il
Pkk» (che oggi si chiama Congra-Gel): una cosa che – secondo gli
analisti – difficilmente la Turchia potrà mai accettare in quanto,
tra l’altro, il Pkk è incluso nella stessa `lista nera’ europea delle
organizzazioni terroristiche.
GRECO-ORTODOSSI: Per quanto riguarda i cittadini turchi di religione
ortodossa, che sono circa 2.000, l’Ue chiede ad Ankara di riaprire la
scuola religiosa ortodossa di Hebeliada (un’isola vicino Istanbul)
chiusa dal 1971 e alla cui riapertura si oppongono gli ambienti
islamici ortodossi che hanno influenza sull’attuale governo turco. In
particolare la Turchia non riconosce al patriarca di Costantinopoli,
Bartolomeo II, il titolo di `ecumenico’, cioè di capo di tutte le
chiese cristiano ortodosse.
ALEVITI: Per gli aleviti, che in Turchia, secondo la stessa Ue, sono
«da 12 a 20 milioni» e che si considerano «una religione separata
dall’Islam» ma che lo Stato turco continua a catalogare come
musulmani, l’Ue intende chiedere un «riconoscimento» della loro
identità separata, in quanto «minoranza non musulmana», con le
conseguenze che ciò comporta. Gli aleviti vogliono inoltre
l’abrogazione del Direttorato generale per gli affari religiosi, uno
pseudo-ministero che «basa le sue politiche sulla falsa affermazione
che in Turchia il 99,8% della popolazione sia musulmana» ed è
«egemonizzato perciò dai musulmani sunniti».
ARMENIA: Quanto ai rapporti con l’Armenia, con cui la Turchia non ha
relazioni diplomatiche ed ha solo contatti aerei quattro volte la
settimana, l’Ue chiede, come misura urgente, l’apertura almeno di un
passaggio di confine alla frontiera, oggi chiusa. Chiede inoltre un
avvio di normalizzazione delle relazioni tra i due Paesi, avvelenate
dal rifiuto di Ankara di riconoscere il «genocidio» degli armeni del
1915 ad opera degli ottomani e dalle conseguenze della guerra tra
Armenia ed Azerbaigian (alleata di Ankara anche perchè turcofona) del
1988-1994 per l’enclave conteso del Nagorno Karabakh, oggi passato
alla sovranità di fatto armena. L’Armenia non pone più come
precondizione per un negoziato il riconoscimento turco del
«genocidio» del 1915, ma non rinuncia a porlo sul tavolo negoziale
come vorrebbe Ankara.
IL GOVERNO TURCO REPLICA: Lo Stato turco, sulla base del Trattato di
Losanna del 1923, non riconosce come «minoranze» né i curdi, né gli
aleviti, ma solo ebrei, cristiani e armeni. Inoltre il governo di
Ankara non riconosce all’Ue il diritto di porre «nuove condizioni»
per l’apertura del negoziato, oltre ai cosiddetti criteri di
Copenaghen. «I criteri di Copenaghen sono la sola condizione per dare
avvio al negoziato per la piena membership della Turchia», ha
ribadito ancora ieri a Lubiana (Slovenia) il ministro degli esteri
Abdullah Gul aggiungendo che «Ankara non riconoscerà la Repubblica di
Cipro prima che sia stata trovata una soluzione alla divisione
dell’isola».

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MY DISCHARGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH KARABAKH CONFLIOCT SETTLEMENT: EX
COMMANDER OF NKR DEFENCE ARMY

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3. ARMINFO. The ex commander of the Nagorno Karabakh
defence army, Lieut Gen Samvel Babayan says that his early discharge
from prison has nothing to do with the process of the Karabakh
conflict peaceful settlement.

In an interview to Iravunk he says that his discharge has no political
reasons. Nobody has negotiated with him on the matter. Babayan does
not think that the Karabakh problem is close to its resolution. He
says that the “Nagorny karabakh conflict” is a wrong term – this is a
pan-Armenian problem. “I would refrain to opine on the current talks
for the conflict settlement.” “We should find new ways to settle the
problem.” Stepanakert-Baku dialogue would be the best solution.
Stepanakert’s estrangement from the talks is the very obstacle to the
problem settlement, says Babayan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI GUNMEN, SO-CALLED “KARABAKH PARTISANS” WAITING FOR
AGREEMENT OF AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT TO START MILITARY ACTIONS IN
KARABAKH

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3. ARMINFO. Azerbaijani gunmen, the so-called
“Karabakh partisans” are waiting for an agreement of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev to start military actions to “bring the
occupied territories back,” says a letter of one of the defendants in
the case of Karabakh partisans Rovshan Badalov to Supreme
Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev,
Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov and Chairman of Supreme Court Sudaba
Hasanova, National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov, on behalf of his
like-minders, Zerkalo newspaper reports.

Pointing out the strategic importance of this fight and the tactical
preparedness of the group for partisan war, Badalov writes that
besides them hundreds and thousands of patriots will join this
struggle. He writes that partisan war will prove Armenians, who
“created the so-called NKR that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan.” He
says that in case of a secret intervention into Karabakh lands, the
partisan movement will assume wide scope, which will bring Azerbaijan
international recognition and positive progress of Azerbaijani in
official negotiations.

It should be noted that “Karabakh partisan” attempting to unleash
partisan war in Karabakh were arrested in the summer of 2003 by the
Azerbaijani National Security Ministry for formation of illegal armed
groupings, illegal crossing the state boundary, contraband and other
charges. At present they are waiting for court verdict fixed for Dec
7, 2005. If recognized guilty, they are threatened with 3-8 years of
imprisonment.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Putin’s historic visit to Turkey comes rivals forge closer ties

AP Worldstream
Dec 03, 2004

SUZAN FRASER

ANKARA, Turkey _ Historic rivals Turkey and Russia have spent
centuries vying for influence in central Asia, the Balkans and the
Caucasus. Most recently, they bickered over routes to carry energy
resources to world markets and accused each other of supporting the
other’s militant groups.

But underneath the antagonism, the two have quietly woven a web of
economic ties _ and are eyeing even closer cooperation.

The process will receive an official consecration on Sunday, when
Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Ankara in a visit rich in
symbolism: Putin will be the first Russian leader ever to pay an
official visit Turkey.

Putin is to meet with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and oversee the signing of six
cooperation agreements, including in defense, finance and energy.

The two-day visit, said Sezer spokesman Sermet Atacanli on Friday,
“will bea new boost for Turkish-Russian relations.”

Turkey and Russia have been rivals for centuries.

At their height, the Ottoman empire and Czarist Russia were great
eastern powers locked in a struggle for regional supremacy. Friction
between the two nations precipitated the Crimean War and they were on
opposite sides duringWorld War I. More recently, Turkey was NATO’s
easternmost front during the Cold War.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Turkey and Russia competed for
control in Central Asia and the Caucasus where Turkic states gained
independence. Economically more powerful, Russia has in recent years
maintained its dominance in the region.

But since the end of the Cold War, Turkey and Russia have also been
concentrating on trade. Today, Russia is Turkey’s second largest
trading partner, after Germany. While Turkey is a major consumer of
Russian natural gas, Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is a favorite
destination for Russian tourists.

“It is no longer rivalries, but cooperation which dominates
relations,” said Sinan Ogan, a researcher and expert on Russia.

Putin’s trip, originally scheduled for September, was postponed after
the Beslan school tragedy in which more than 330 people _ mostly
children _ were killed in a siege by Chechen rebels.

The Chechnya conflict is expected to feature high on the agenda during
Putin’s two-day visit. Many Turks trace their ancestry to Chechnya and
other parts of the Caucausus and Turks sympathize with their fellow
Muslims in the war-ravaged Russian region.

Russia has called on Turkey to crack down on Turkish charities that it
claims channel funds and weapons to Chechen rebels. Earlier this
month, Russian officials said their forces in Chechnya killed two
Turkish militants who were fighting alongside Chechen separatists.

On Friday, Turkish authorities apprehended 10 suspected Chechen
militants and two pro-Chechen Turks, in an apparent gesture to Putin.

“Russia’s greatest concern is the support from certain Chechen civil
organizations inside Turkey, to Chechen terrorist movements,” said
Seyfi Tashan, director of the Ankara-based Foreign Policy Institute.

Turkey has in the past accused Russia of supporting Kurdish rebels
that have since 1984 waged a war for autonomy in Turkey’s
southeast. The war has killed some 37,000 people.

Putin and Erdogan are also expected to discuss contentious issues such
as the Caucasus, where Turkey is allied with Azerbaijan and Russia is
friendly with its rival, Armenia.

Bilateral trade is expected to exceed the targeted US$10 billion
(Aâ=82¬7.5 billion) this year_ an amount Turkish officials say no one
would have dreamed of 10 years ago. Turkey’s Trade Minister Kursad
Tuzmen said trade volume would reach $15 billion (Aâ=82¬11 billion) in
the coming years.

A 446-kilometer (278-mile) pipeline which carries the Russian gas
beneath the Black Sea is operational since 2002. Turkish companies are
active in Russia in retail, construction and brewing, and investment
to date totals US$2 billion (Aâ=82¬1.5 billion).

Turkey and Russia “are moving toward cooperation and
welfare… Russian and Turkey are neighbors. We have common
interests,” Putin said in an interview with CNN-Turk television in
September.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO’s involvement in Karabakh settlement “undesirable” – Russian official

Ekspress, Baku
3 Dec 04

The press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Aleksandr
Yakovenko, has said that NATO’s involvement in the Karabakh conflict
settlement is “undesirable”. In his exclusive interview with the
Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress, Yakovenko said that Russia is not
concerned about NATO’s intervention in the issue as it will “have no
impact” on the settlement of the problem. It is naive to think that
the occupied lands of Azerbaijan will be liberated with the support of
NATO, he said. At the same time, he pointed out that the Russian
government recognizes that the Azerbaijani lands are under occupation
and supports Baku’s position on the issue. The following is the text
of Alakbar Raufoglu’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on 3
December headlined “Russia recognizes that Karabakh is under
occupation” and subheaded “The press secretary of the Russian Foreign
Ministry, Aleksandr Yakovenko: ‘It is naive to think that the lands
will be returned with the support of NATO'”. Subheadings as published:

Russia is not concerned about NATO’s intervention in the Karabakh
settlement, but at the same time, it considers that this “will have no
impact on the settlement”, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official
spokesman, Aleksandr Yakovenko, told Ekspress in an exclusive
interview yesterday.

“It would be naive to think that any state will secure its right as a
winner or return its lands with the support of NATO,” Yakovenko said,
commenting on statements by Azerbaijani officials that NATO’s
intervention in the settlement process is necessary.

Moscow thinks that the current peace process “needs no changes that
would prevent the dialogue”. NATO’s involvement in the issue is simply
“undesirable”.

To recap, Azerbaijan called on the alliance to intervene in the
settlement during NATO’s Rose-Roth seminar in Baku last week.

“Russia has repeatedly stated that NATO’s intervention might divert
attention from the settlement of the problem,” Yakovenko said. He
called on Baku “to assess the situation correctly”.

Moscow evaluates Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO as “the country’s
internal affair”. At the same time, Russia cannot be indifferent to
the coming of a third power to the region.

“It is necessary to take only conscious, purposeful and well
thought-out steps and make decisions that will prevent tension.”

Moscow is impartial and upbeat

Yakovenko said that Moscow had always taken an active part in the
Karabakh settlement. “We are impartial and upbeat. The Russian people
and government admit that Azerbaijani lands are under occupation and
support Baku’s position on the settlement of the
problem. Unfortunately, Moscow’s steps have been fruitless so
far. Despite this, we are continuing our efforts,” he said.

Russia is currently “closely investigating” the peace talks and
keeping the discussions between the [Armenian and Azerbaijani] foreign
ministers in focus. The activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen
is coordinated with the Russian Foreign Ministry as well. Yakovenko
said that an agreement to increase Russia’s efforts was reached during
the Astana meeting of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents
this September. Therefore, Russia intends to take steps “at the
highest level” in connection with the issue.

“The point is about preserving and supporting the dialogue between the
countries,” the diplomat stressed.

There is no “Putin formula”

However, the reports that Russia has put forward some proposals on the
resolution of the conflict have not justified themselves. Yakovenko
said that at present, this is simply a version and is not based on any
official source.

To recap, after the Astana meeting, the Russian media circulated
reports that Putin has come up with a specific package of proposals on
the Karabakh problem – the Putin formula.

“There is no such formula. If this was the case, then it would have
been announced long ago,” the diplomat said.

The opinions about Russia’s intention to deploy a foreign [as
published] base on the occupied territories are also rumours.

“This was not discussed at all,” he said. At the same time, Moscow
might think about it if the issue of deploying bases arises during the
peace talks.

The Russian diplomat also commented on reports about the coming of US
and NATO troops to Azerbaijan.

“We know official Baku’s position on this. Azerbaijan has repeatedly
stated that there is no need to deploy any foreign military bases in
the country. That is, there is absolute stability and peace in
Azerbaijan and the state has enough possibilities to ensure internal
security. We think that this policy has brought Azerbaijan success for
years. Moscow approves of this policy, and we think that the
consequences of any step to be taken should be calculated beforehand,”
he said.

Russian bases in Armenia will not increase

Does the stationing and military reinforcement of the Russian bases in
Armenia have an impact on the talks?

Yakovenko said that “it is a completely different issue and has no
impact on the settlement”. That’s to say the Russian bases have
existed in Armenia since Soviet times and are not expected to
increase.

At the same time, the military factor in Russia’s policy on the
Caucasus is at the minimum.

“We are interested in Azerbaijan’s independence and sovereignty, the
resolution of its economic and social problems. We are ready to do our
best in this sphere,” Yakovenko said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Moscow mayor visits Armenian capital to sign cooperation memo

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
2 Dec 04

[Presenter] Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov arrived in Yerevan a few hours
ago. He will sign with his Yerevan counterpart a three-year programme
of cooperation between the Russian and Armenian capitals.

[Correspondent over video of welcome ceremony at airport] The mayor of
Yerevan, Yervand Zakaryan, met his Moscow counterpart at the
airport. Yervand Zakaryan said that Yerevan is cooperating in various
spheres with Moscow companies. The latest example of this is the
construction of the new building of the Yerevan mayor’s office.

[Yervand Zakaryan, captioned] We have old, friendly and economic
relations. This is the result of active cooperation, especially in
the economic sphere, between Moscow and Yerevan.

[Yuriy Luzhkov, captioned in Russian with Armenian voice-over] The
purpose of my visit is of economic and cultural importance. I shall
meet the leadership of the country. We shall discuss serious
cooperation between Moscow and Armenia. After my last visit to your
country the turnover between Moscow and Armenia doubled.

[Correspondent] The two mayors will sign a memorandum of cooperation
between the two capitals for 2005-07 in various spheres, within the
framework of this year’s discussions and agreements.

Ayk Ovanesyan, Vagram Stepanyan, “Aylur”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenians destroying historical monuments – Azeris report to Council of
Europe

Bilik Dunyasi news agency
3 Dec 04

BAKU

The destruction and seizure of over 100,000 pieces of cultural
heritage of national and international importance on the occupied
Azerbaijani territories, including some 500 historical and more than
100 archaeological monuments, are reflected in the report “On the
destruction and seizure of cultural monuments on the Armenian-occupied
Azerbaijani territories” submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe [PACE] committee on science, education and
culture by a member of the Azerbaijani delegation, Rafael Huseynov.

The report also says Armenia has fully or partly destroyed 22 museums,
looted over 1,000 schools, 927 libraries and five music school on
Azerbaijani territory, a source at the international relations
department of the Milli Maclis [parliament] has told Bilik
Dunyasi. Azerbaijan has been trying to table this issue at a PACE
session for two years.

The Azerbaijani delegation has submitted two other documents to the
PACE secretariat, revealing more facts of the destruction of
Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage on the occupied territories – “On the
urgent prevention of the destruction of cultural monuments in the
Azerbaijani town of Susa [Shusha]” and “On the desecration of ancient
cemeteries and historical monuments on the occupied Azerbaijani
territories”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress