Armenian president appoints new “economic competition” boss
A1+ web site
19 Oct 04
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan yesterday signed a decree
terminating early the powers of Feliks Pirumyan, chairman of the
Armenian state commission for the protection of economic competition,
at his own request.
Under another presidential decree, Ashot Shahnazaryan was appointed as
chairman of the Armenian state commission for the protection of
economic competition, for a five-year term.
RUSSIAN AIR UNIT IN TAJIKISTAN SAID TO COMPRISE 20 AIRCRAFT
Interfax-AVN military news agency web site
20 Oct 04
MOSCOW
The Russian air force unit to be stationed in Tajikistan will include
up to 20 warplanes and helicopters, the Russian Defence Ministry told
Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday (20 October).
“Russian attack planes and fighters, and also fire-support helicopter
gunships Mi-24 Hind and Mi-8 Hip should be deployed at the Ayni
airfield 20 km from Dushanbe in 2005,” the Interfax-AVN source said.
The deployment of the Russian air unit at the Ayni airfield is
stipulated by agreements on setting up a Russian military base in
Tajikistan that were recently signed between Moscow and Dushanbe, he
said.
Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov told reporters on Monday (18
October) that the Russian base “will definitely have an aviation
component”, which will include fighters.
Russia already maintains two air bases outside its territory, the
source said. “A Russian air team comprising up to 20 MiG-29 Fulcrum
fighters and Mi-8 helicopters is stationed at the Erebuni airfield in
Armenia. A Russian air base comprising up to 20 aircraft too, namely
Su-24 Fencer frontline bombers, Su-25 attack planes, Su-27 Flanker
fighters, L-29 planes, and Mi-8 helicopters, is deployed at the Kant
airfield in Kyrgyzstan,” he noted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2004
Russia Ready To Assist In Solving Nagorno Karabakh Conflict
AssA-Irada 20/10/2004 19:07
President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday that the political dialogue
between the two countries is on a high level.
Aliyev expressed a hope that Russia, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, will step up its efforts to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
The two presidents discussed implementation of agreements signed
during Aliyev’s official visit to Moscow in February 2004,
fulfillment of tasks set for doubling the turnover of goods between
the two countries and prospects for strengthening the joint combat
against terrorism.
The parties also stressed the need for stepping up the international
community’s efforts to fight international terrorism.
Aliyev and Putin exchanged views on the present-day situation in the
Caucasus region as well. The Russian President welcomed the
continuation of talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
over the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Russia is ready
to assist the sides in settling the conflict, Putin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Turkish Press review
Oct 20 2004
ARMENIANS BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on Turkish-Armenian relations. A
summary of his column is as follows:
`Our efforts to become a member of the European Union have caused
some confusion. For example, everybody knows that the concept of
`minority’ comes from the Treaty of Lausanne. This is true not only
for us, but also for Greece, which signed the treaty as well.
Meanwhile, those who think it’s time to benefit from Turkey while
hindering our EU bid are hard at work. The most important such
initiative is the push to make Turkey recognize the so-called
Armenian genocide. Former Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen wrote
yesterday in Hurriyet, `Of course it’s out of the question for Turkey
to accept the claims of Armenian genocide.’ However, he also
suggested that we should normalize our relations with Armenia so we
can solve the problem. Actually Armenia’s deputy foreign minister
said a few days ago that it was ready to meet unconditionally with
Ankara in order to normalize relations. We’re against neither
Turkmen’s view nor efforts to improve relations with Armenia. We also
support the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) push to
normalize our relations with neighboring countries. However, this
can’t happen with the efforts and good will coming from one side
only. For example, Armenia wants to normalize relations but it also
supports cruel and unfair campaigns by the Armenian diaspora. In
addition, hostility against Turkey is still enshrined in Armenia’s
founding state papers, and Armenian President Robert Kocaryan doesn’t
seem to have given up his promise to US Armenian lobbying groups that
it would work hard for recognition of the genocide.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
The Evening Standard (London)
October 20, 2004
THE DEFINITIVE 100 CLASSICAL CDS
NORMAN LEBRECHT
8 MAGNIFICATHY
CATHY BERBERIAN
The most versatile voice of the 20th century has left scarcely a
recorded trace. Cathy Berberian (1925-83) could sing anything from
Monteverdi to post-modernism. Armenian-American by origin, she was
the means by which her husband, Luciano Berio, found his path as a
composer. She inspired works by Cage, Milhaud, Maderna and
Stravinsky, who composed Elegy for JFK for her to perform. She was
also an inventive composer, the hilarious Stripsody being her
best-known score.
This passionate pathbreaker for performance art hardly ever set foot
in a recording studio. Her fans fall back on rare reissues of radio
broadcasts such as this. Beg, borrow or download this 1970 Milan
recital with Bruno Canino at the piano.
Here Berberian performs, in addition to Stripsody and
straight-recitative Monteverdi, a Gershwin Summertime to outweep
Ella’s and a Surabaya-Jonny that is a woman’s world apart from Lotte
Lenya’s abandoned wimp: Cathy is no victim, but a sexual predator
contemplating vengeance.
The summit of this collection is a baroque setting of Ticket to Ride
which, apart from being funny, recontextualises The Beatles as
post-medieval troubadours, peddling a musical narrative that echoes
down the ages.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Agence France Presse — English
October 20, 2004 Wednesday 8:31 AM GMT
Bangladesh, Haiti at bottom in global corruption chart
BERLIN Oct 20
A global corruption index released Wednesday by graft watchdog
Transparency International highlights countries perceived by business
leaders, academics and risk analysts to be the least and most
corrupt.
The index lists countries in terms of the degree to which corruption
is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.
Following are the top 101 countries and the bottom 18, ranked
according to their score out of a possible perfect 10.
Top
1: Finland, 9.7
2: New Zealand, 9.6
3: Denmark, Iceland, 9.5
5: Singapore, 9.3
6: Sweden, 9.2
7: Switzerland, 9.1
8: Norway, 8.9
9: Australia, 8.8
10: Netherlands, 8.7
11: United Kingdom, 8.6
12: Canada, 8.5
13: Austria, Luxembourg 8.4
15: Germany, 8.2
16: Hong Kong, 8.0
17: Belgium, Ireland, USA, 7.5
20: Chile, 7.4
21: Barbados, 7.3
22: France, Spain, 7.1
24: Japan, 6.9
25: Malta, 6.8
26: Israel, 6.4
27: Portugal, 6.3
28: Uruguay 6.2
29: Oman, United Arab Emirates 6.1
31: Botswana, Estonia, Slovenia, 6.0
34: Bahrain, 5.8
35: Taiwan, 5.6
36: Cyprus, 5.4
37: Jordan, 5.3
38: Qatar, 5.2
39: Malaysia, Tunisia, 5.0
41: Costa Rica, 4.9
42: Hungary, Italy, 4.8
44: Kuwait, Lithuania, South Africa, 4.6
47: South Korea, 4.5
48: Seychelles, 4.4
49: Greece, Suriname, 4.3
51: Czech Republic, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, 4.2
54: Bulgaria, Mauritius, Namibia, 4.1
57: Latvia, Slovakia, 4.0
59: Brazil, 3.9
60: Belize, Colombia, 3.8
62: Cuba, Panama, 3.7
64: Ghana, Mexico, Thailand, 3.6
67: Croatia, Peru, Poland, Sri Lanka, 3.5
71: China, Saudia Arabia, Syria, 3.4
74: Belarus, Gabon, Jamaica, 3.3
77: Benin, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Turkey, 3.2
82: Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Madagascar, 3.1
85: Mongolia, Senegal, 3.0
87: Dominican Republic, Iran, Romania, 2.9
90: Gambia, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Russia, Tanzania, 2.8
97: Algeria, Lebanon, Macedonia (FYR), Nicaragua, Serbia and
Montenegro 2.7
———————
Bottom
129: Cameroon, Iraq, Kenya, Pakistan, 2.1
133: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Georgia,
Indonesia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, 2.0
140: Azerbaijan, Paraguay, 1.9
142: Chad, Myanmar, 1.7
144: Nigeria 1.6
145: Haiti, Bangladesh 1.5
End of list
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2004
FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH CIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
[October 20, 2004, 22:42:48]
Minister of Foreign Affair s of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met on
October 20 with Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Executive
Secretary Vladimir Rushaylo.
Updating the Minister on his visit to Belarus in connection with the
nationwide referenda in this country, Vladimir Rushaylo called the
fact that elections monitoring within the Commonwealth became
traditional. He also pointed out the importance of strengthening
member states cooperation in fighting terror, migration problems,
ecology and other spheres including resolution of conflicts.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov also noted the need to widen the
cooperation with international organizations and observers to acquire
more experience and knowledge in holding elections.
Touching upon the issue concerning conflicts resolution, the Minister
noted that economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not
possible until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled. He also
called on the CIS member state to express their resolute stance with
respect to settling people in Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent
territories of Azerbaijan.
The parties have also discussed a number of other issues of mutual
interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/20/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://
1) Armenian Political Parties Issue Joint Statement on Presidential Elections
2) Unprecedented European Armenian Convention Ends, Issues Declaration
3) European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid
4) Western Prelacy Board of Regents for Prelacy Armenian School Appointed
5) Armenian, Georgian Presidents to Meet in Georgia
6) Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in Italy
1) Armenian Political Parties Issue Joint Statement on Presidential Elections
On October 19, The Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian
Democratic-Liberal Party, and the Social-Democratic Hunchak Party issued the
following appeal to the Armenian community in the United States to cast their
vote for Presidential candidate John Kerry:
An Appeal to American-Armenians
The US presidential elections will take place on November 2. The two main
candidates, President George W. Bush and US Senator John Kerry, are waging a
vigorous campaign for the people’s votes. So far, according to observers, the
ratings of the two candidates are extremely close; each vote will, therefore,
carry significance.
On November 2, the American people will have their decisive say–including
American-Armenians, who will go to the polls conscious of their civic duty.
Accordingly, we appeal to our people to vote for Senator John Kerry, because
he has espoused pro-Armenian positions on issues that American-Armenians
consider vital.
As a Senator, John Kerry has been constant in adopting positions in favor of
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, increases in US aid to Armenia,
and a
just resolution to the Mountainous Karabagh problem. Moreover, he has always
had an open-door policy toward American-Armenians and has been responsive to
our needs and requests. John Kerry’s efforts within the Senate are proof
positive of his pro-Armenian and pro-Armenia policies.
Under the current circumstances, American-Armenians will play a crucial role
in the upcoming presidential elections, because every vote counts. On November
2, let us go to the polls, en masse, to cast our votes in favor of Senator
John
Kerry.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Central Committees of the Western and Eastern United States
Armenian Democratic-Liberal Party
Regional Executives of the Western and Eastern United States
Social-Democratic Hunchak Party
2) Unprecedented European Armenian Convention Ends, Issues Declaration
BRUSSELS–The first Convention of European Armenians closed on Tuesday with
the
adoption of a final declaration affirming its support for fundamental European
values, the need for the increased promotion of Armenian identity within
Europe, further integration of Armenia into the European family of nations,
and
strong opposition to Turkey’s candidacy for membership in the European Union.
The more than two hundred and fifty delegates to the European Armenian
Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) Convention unanimously affirmed
these points. The declaration will be sent to the twenty-five member states of
the European Union.
Tuesday’s program opened with a panel on The challenges of the enlargement
process, moderated by Phillipe Kalfayan, the Deputy Secretary General of the
International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH). In a sweeping introduction to
this topic, Kalfayan touched on the security, religious, and cultural
dimensions to Turkey’s candidacy, as well as the impact of internal Turkish
policy on its relations with European institutions.
The first speaker, noted historian and the Rector of the Catholic University
of Louvain, Prof. Bernard Coulie, alluding to the reservoir of historical
understanding of Armenia’s longstanding relations with Europe, discussed the
prospects for Armenia and Armenian diaspora drawing closer to the European
Union.
He noted with certainty that Armenia–as a member or close neighbor, will
either be in or on the border with the European Union. The Armenian community
of Europe, he explained, will become a vital catalyst in bringing Armenia and
Europe closer together.
The second speaker, Chairman of the Armenian Liberal Democratic (Ramgavar)
Party Jean Varoujan Sirapian, point by point spelled out why Turkey’s
acceptance into the European Union would contradict the spirit of the Union’s
founding, and would ultimately undermine the interests and values of the vital
institution. He sharply criticized recent reports pointing out Turkey’s many
failures, nonetheless still recommending opening talks on membership. He
announced the publication of a report by the Chobanian Institute that makes
the
case against Turkey’s acceptance into the EU.
The next speaker, the Vice-President of the Socialist Group in the European
Parliament Harlem Desir, stressed the that though Turkey must be held
accountable for meeting EU criteria, once these have been met, Turkey could,
nevertheless, rightfully be considered for membership. He stressed his efforts
and the work of his Party in pressing Turkey to recognize the Armenian
genocide
and noted his regret that the EU did not formally set Armenian genocide
recognition as a precondition for membership.
Turkey must do what Germany and France have done, Desir stressed, and come to
terms with their history. The EU, he noted, should use Turkey’s interest in
membership as leverage to secure continued reforms.
In a spirited and compelling presentation, the next speaker, Frank Biancheri,
analyzed the practical prospects for Turkey’s acceptance into the EU.
Biancheri, the Chairman of the think tank TIESweb, argued that for a myriad of
domestic and international reasons, Turkey’s membership is highly unrealistic
during the next twenty years. “The fact is,” he said, “that the forces against
Turkey’s membership have set forth arguments that have resonance across
Europe,
while pro-Turkey elements have been limited to parts of ruling European elite.
Given the likelihood of referendums on Turkey’s acceptance, the chances for
approval are very low.” He argued, instead, for a Privileged Partnership
relationship as a realistic alternative.
The final speaker on the panel, Charles Papazian, representing the Western
Europe branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, argued that acceptance
into the EU would run counter to European values and public opinion across the
continent.
He outlined the basis for this opposition, on issues ranging from genocide
denial, blockades, human rights, treatment of minorities, the continued
occupation of Cyprus, and the role of religion in Turkish society. He stressed
the growing gap on this issue between governing European elites and the broad
cross section of popular opinion. In closing, he discussed ARF’s advocacy and
grassroots efforts in Brussels and throughout Europe in opposing Turkey’s
membership to culminate in a demonstration outside of the European Commission
building on December 17.
The especially spirited question and answer period, which lasted nearly two
hours, raised issues on the lowering of EU standards for Turkey, the role of
public opinion on Turkey’s candidacy, and the sincerity of pronouncements by
elements of Turkey’s governing elite concerning the EU. Charles Tannock, MEP,
(Christian Democrat, UK), criticized the moral double standard being
applied to
Turkey, and warned of the large costs of taking Turkey into the Union and
stressed that serious attention should be devoted to the issues of fundamental
cultural differences, and the role of Islam in Turkey. He predicted that the
top-driven agenda of getting Turkey into the EU will come to a halt as
national
referendums are held on this issue.
Following the question and answer session, Hilda Tchoboian, the
Chairperson of
the EAFJD, read the Declaration of the Convention, which was approved
unanimously by acclamation.
In his closing remarks, ARF Bureau member and the Chairman of the Armenian
National Committee international coordinating body Garo Armenian, praised this
historic beginning and noted the progress made by Europe’s Armenian community
in emerging as a political force on the European stage. He stressed the
success
of the EAFJD in developing a Europe-wide consensus, and organizing focused and
effective advocacy in the key European capitals. He closed his comments by
noting for all in attendance that the real work for Europe’s increasingly
vibrant Armenian community lies ahead.
Following the formal program, Hilda Tchoboian and EAFJD Executive Director
Laurent Leylekian held a press conference for the several dozen print and
broadcast journalists at the Convention.
3) European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid
(AFP/DW)–During a three-day parliamentary group meeting in Istanbul, Europe’s
Greens have come out in support for Turkey’s EU bid and criticized proposed
national referendums on its membership.
Europe’s Greens, once Turkey’s most vocal critics and now the staunchest
supporters of its EU membership, began a three-day parliamentary group meeting
in Istanbul on Tuesday by airing strong criticism against any plans to hold
national referendums on whether Ankara should join the bloc.
“We are against holding referendums in one country about another country,”
Greens group president Daniel Cohn-Bendit said. “There are seven million Turks
living in Europe, so the real question in the referendum will be, ‘Do you like
Turks–do you like Muslims?'”
He singled out President Jacques Chirac, criticizing his proposal to amend
the
French constitution to allow referendums on future EU members as “foolish” and
“ridiculous.”
“How can a democratic president, even Chirac, say what will happen ‘in 10
years’ time?” Cohn-Bendit asked at a press conference at the opening of the
meeting. “Are they going to have referendums on the memberships of Romania,
Bulgaria, Bosnia? The French will go crazy,” he said. “This is ridiculous.
Don’t waste our time with what will happen in 10 years.”
Cohn-Bendit was flanked at the press conference by co-chair Monica
Frassoni of
Italy, Dutchman Joost Logendijk, and Germany’s Cem Özdemir, both of the
EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee.
SPECIAL NEGOTIATIONS
Cohn-Bendit urged Turkey to accept the fact that it is different from other
candidate countries and that a special negotiating process is needed to allow
it into the EU. A generally favorable European Commission report on Oct. 6
advises EU leaders to agree at a Dec. 17 summit in Brussels to launch
membership talks with Turkey.
“When you say, ‘We want equal treatment,’ you do not mean it,” Cohn-Bendit
said. “Turkey is not Malta, it is not Romania, it is not Bulgaria. It is a big
country, it is a proud country, and its entry into the EU will be an important
event.”
‘CRITICAL FRIENDS’
He said the Greens had arrived in Turkey as “critical friends” in hopes that
many issues that remain to be ironed out–the situation of the Kurds and other
minorities, women’s rights, the Armenian massacres–could be “openly discussed
among friends.”
“We must have uncomfortable discussions on, for example, Cyprus and the role
of the army,” Frassoni said, adding: “The process of building a European
democracy is not finished.”
The Greens support Turkey’s EU membership, the Italian MEP said, but so does
Italy’s conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi–“his reasons are not
the
same as ours,” she added.
“What is the Greens’ message to Turkey?” asked Özdemir, who is of Turkish
origin. “The message is that we are here and not somewhere else. If Turkey is
today at another point than where it was several years ago, it is also because
of civil society, not only because of politicians,” he said.
ISSUES ON CONTENTION
Another message from the Greens to Turkey’s politicians is “don’t panic,”
Logendijk said. He added the Commission report contained elements Turkey and
the Greens both disagree with, such as the open-ended nature of the talks and
mention of permanent derogations concerning this country, such as barring its
citizens from free circulation in Europe.
“But,” he said, “don’t lose your focus; don’t lose sight of the main point:
[membership] negotiations should begin next year.”
The meeting of the joint Greens/European Free Alliance group next goes into a
series of panel conferences covering aspects of Turkey-EU ties. Panelists
include German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, his Turkish counterpart,
Abdullah Gül, Kurdish activist Leyla Zana, and Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk.
4) Western Prelacy Board of Regents for Prelacy Armenian School Appointed
His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and the Executive Council
announced on October 18, appointments to the Board of Regents of Western
Prelacy Armenian Schools.
The Prelate and the Executive Council met with newly appointed members Dr.
Roubina Peroomian, Dr. Armine Hacopian, Dr. Ida Karayan, Dr. Vartkes
Tomassian,
Avo Keshishian, Mher Der Ohanessian, Vahe Hovaguimian and Chris Keossian, JD,
to discuss the affairs and plans for Prelacy schools. At the end of
discussions, the Board of Regents held its first working session and formed
its
executive body: Dr. Roubina Peroomian, Chairperson; Dr. Armine Hacopian,
Vice-chairperson; Vahe Hovaguimian, Secretary; Avo Keshishian, Treasurer.
5) Armenian, Georgian Presidents to Meet in Georgia
YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian will visit Georgia on October
22 for an official three-day visit. The welcoming ceremony will be held at
Bagratashen village on the Armenian-Georgian border, after which Kocharian
will
meet with his counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili in the capital city Tbilisi.
Kocharian’s visit also includes meetings with parliament chairwoman Nino
Burjanadze, prime minister Zurab Zhvania, as well as the head of the Georgian
Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. He will conclude his trip by
meeting with members of the local Armenian community.
6) Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in Italy
ROME (Armenpress)–Foreign Minister Oskanian arrived in Italy on October
18, to
mark the third official visit of an Armenian Foreign Minister to Italy since
1998.
In a meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, the ministers
discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues, taking into
consideration the prospects of developing relations. They specifically
addressed Armenia’s economic development, and Italy’s knowledge of small and
medium enterprises, as well as the tourism industry.
They also spoke of expanding cultural relations as well as those concerning
health care, and education.
In the course of their political discussions, they addressed Armenia’s
integration into Europe within the framework of EU’s New Neighborhood Policy,
as well as Armenia’s and Italy’s cooperation within international
organizations.
They also thoroughly covered urgent international policy issues, developments
in the South Caucasus, the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, and
Armenian-Turkish
relations.
Oskanian also visited The Vatican and met with Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo,
the
Vatican secretary for relations with states.
In 1998, the two countries signed documents to encourage mutual protection of
capital investments, and consultation between their foreign services. During
his second visit to Italy in June 2002, Oskanian signed an inter-governmental
treaty on taxation.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUSSELS
Tel. +32 (0)2 732 70 26
Tel. /Fax. +32 (0)2 732 70 27
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel. +32 (0)2 732 70 26
October 19th, 2004
FIRST EUROPEAN ARMENIAN CONVENTION ISSUES DECLARATION AFFIRMING ITS
VALUES, VIEWS, AND ADVOCACY AGENDA
BRUSSELS. BELGIUM (October 19th, 2004) – The first Convention of
European Armenians, convened at the European Parliament, closed today
with the adoption of a final declaration affirming its support for
fundamental European values, the need for the increased promotion of
Armenian identity within Europe, the further integration of Armenia into
the European family of nations, and strong opposition to
Turkey’s candidacy for membership in the European Union.
These points were agreed to by acclamation by the more than two hundred
and fifty delegates to the European Armenian Federation for Justice and
Democracy (EAFJD) Convention, the first of its kind on the European
continent. The declaration will be sent to the twenty-five member
states of the European Union.
The challenges of the EU enlargement process
Today’s progam opened with a panel on `The challenges of
the EU enlargement process,’ moderated by Phillipe Kalfayan, the
Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation of Human Rights
(FIDH). In a sweeping introduction to this topic, Kalfayan touched on
the security, religious and cultural dimensions to Turkey’s
candidacy for membership in the European Union, as well as the impact of
internal Turkish policy on its relations with European institutions.
The first speaker was Prof. Bernard Coulie, a noted historian and the
Rector of the Catholic University of Louvain. Drawing on a reservoir of
historical understanding of Armenia’s longstanding relations
with Europe, Prof. Coulie discussed the prospects for Armenia –
and, with it, the Armenian Diaspora, – drawing closer to the
European Union. He noted with certainty that Armenia will either be in
or on the border with the European Union, as a member or close neighbor.
The Armenian communtiy of Europe, he explained, will play an
increasingly vital catalyst role in bringing Armenia and Europe closer
together.
The second speaker of the day was Jean Varoujan Sirapian, the Chairman
of the Armenian Liberal Democratic (Ramgavar) Party in France. He
spelled out, in a point by point analysis, why Turkey’s
acceptance into the European Union would contradict the spirit of the
Union’s founding and, ultimately, undermine the interests and
values of this vital institution. He sharply criticized the recent
reports issued by the European Commission about Turkey which point out
its many failures, but nonetheless still recommended opening talks on
membership. He announced the publication of a report by the Chobanian
Institute that makes the case against Turkey’s acceptance into
the EU.
The next speaker, Harlem Desir, was the Vice-President of the Socialist
Group in the European Parliament. He stressed the twin points that
Turkey must be held accountable for meeting the EU criteria, but that,
once these points have been met, Turkey could rightfully be considered
for membership. He stressed his efforts and the work of his Party in
pressing Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide and noted his regret
that the EU did not formally set Armenian Genocide recognition as a
precondition for membership. Desir made the point that Turkey must do
what Germany and France have done, namely come to terms with their
history. Doing so will not be a setback for Turkey, but rather a
victory for truth. The EU, he noted, should use Turkey’s
interest in membership as leverage to secure continued reforms.
In a spirited and compelling presentation, the next speaker, Frank
Biancheri, analyzed the practical prospects for Turkey’s
acceptance into the EU. Biancheri, the Chairman of the think tank
TIESweb, argued that – for a myriad of domestic and
international reasons – Turkey’s membership was highly
unrealistic during the next twenty years. The fact is, he said, that
the forces against Turkey’s membership have set forth arguments
that have resonance across Europe, while pro-Turkey elements have been
limited to parts of ruling European elites. Given the likelihood of
referendums on Turkey’s acceptance, the chances for approval are
very low. He argued, instead, for a Priviledged Partnership
relationship as a realistic alternative.
The final speaker on the panel was Charles Papazian, representing the
Western Europe branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. His
remarks on Turkey’s EU candidacy argued that its acceptance
would run counter to European values and public opinion across the
continent. He outlined the basis for this opposition, on issues ranging
from genocide denial, blockades, human rights, treatment of minorities,
the continued occupation of Cyprus, and the role of religion in Turkish
society. He stressed the growing gap on this issue between governing
European elites and the broad cross section of popular opinion. He
closed by discussing the ARF’s advocacy and grassroots efforts
in Brussels and throughout Europe in opposing Turkey’s
membership, culmintating in a December 17th demonstration outside of the
European Commission building.
The question and answer period was especially spirited and lasted nearly
two hours. Among the issues raised were the lowering of EU standards
for Turkey, the role of public opinion on Turkey’s candidacy,
and the sincerity of pronouncements by members of Turkey’s
governing elites concerning the EU. During this discussion, remarks
were offered by Charles Tannock, MEP (Christian Democrat, UK), who
criticized the moral double standard being applied to Turkey. He warned
of the large costs of bringing Turkey into the Union and stressed that
serious attention should be devoted to the issues of fundamental
cultural differences, and the role of Islam in Turkey. He predicted
that the top-driven agenda of getting Turkey in the EU will come to a
halt as national referendums are held on this issue.
Declaration
Following the question and answer session, Hilda Tchoboian, the
Chairperson of the EAFJD, read the Charter of the Convention of
European-Armenians and the Declaration of the Convention, which were
approved unanimously by acclamation. Her comments were followed by
closing remarks by Garo Armenian, member of the ARF Bureau and the
Chairman of the Armenian National Committee international coordinating
body. In his comments, Armenian praised this historic beginning and
noted the progress made by Europe’s Armenian community in
emerging as a political force on the European stage. He stressed the
success of the EAFJD in developing a Europe-wide consensus, and
organizing focused and effective advocacy in the key European capitals.
He closed his comments by noting for all in attendance that the real
work for Europe’s increasingly vibrant Armenian community lies
ahead.
Press Conference
Following the formal program, Hilda Tchoboian and EAFJD Executive
Director Laurent Leylekian held a press conference for the several dozen
print and broadcast journalists at the Convention.
######
Enclosures:
– Charter of the Convention of European-Armenians (in Armenian)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ENVOY TO TURKEY: US UNEASY ABOUT KURDISH EFFORTS TO CHANGE KIRKUK DEMOGRAPHY
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
20 Oct 04
Kayseri, 20 October: US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman said on
Wednesday (20 October) that also the United States felt uneasy about
Kurdish groups’ attempts to change demographic structure in Kirkuk,
Iraq, by settling their families in the city.
Speaking at a conference held in the Erciyes University in central
city of Kayseri on “2004 Presidential Elections in the United States”,
Edelman said that there would not be serious changes in Turkey-US
relations following the presidential elections in the United
States. Stressing that the United States had been supporting Turkey’s
EU process since 1963, Edelman said that there could be a difference
between the two candidates (President George W. Bush and John Kerry)
about a resolution like the draft on so-called Armenian genocide. He
said that the candidates, sometimes, could not fulfil their promises
when they came to the power. He highlighted strategic importance of
Turkey-US relations.
Edelman said he believed that the Turkish government, the Iraqi heads
of state and government and the United States were in favour of
preserving Iraqi’s political unity and territorial integrity.
When asked, “who will be bombed next?” Edelman said that there had
been very sound relations between Turkey and the United States, and
any attack on Turkey would be out of question. Referring to the
relations between the Turkish prime minister and the US president,
Edelman said that those relations were further consolidated during
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington DC and
President George W. Bush’s visit to Turkey for NATO summit.
He said that Turkey and the United States had been working together to
find a solution to the Cyprus issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress