Author: admin

Interfax, Russia
Oct 1 2004

OSCE rejects observers proposed by CIS Executive Committee

MINSK. Oct 1 (Interfax-West) – The OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has rejected the candidate
observers proposed by the CIC Executive Committee to work in the
upcoming parliamentary elections and referendum in Belarus.

“The OSCE ODIHR asked the CIS Executive Committee to send its
representatives as OSCE observers to the parliamentary elections in
Belarus. We offered them two candidates, representatives of Russia
and Armenia, top officials of the Executive Committee’s department,”
Tatyana Yegorova, spokesman for the CIS Executive Committee, told a
news conference on Friday.

However, the OSCE ODIHR headquarters in Warsaw responded that “our
proposal was not accepted because the proposed candidates are
accredited in Belarus and are allegedly dependent on the Belarussian
government,” she said.

“We were surprised and saddened by this decision. We have always been
ready for contact and sought contacts. We are hoping that they
[contacts] will continue,” Yegorova said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Council of Europe urges Azerbaijan to honour commitments

Assa-Irada
6 Oct 04

Baku, 5 October: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
today discussed a resolution on Azerbaijan’s commitments to the
Council of Europe. The resolution says that serious reforms have been
conducted in the country following Ilham Aliyev’s election as
Azerbaijani president in 2003, and this was important from the
viewpoint of honouring Azerbaijan’s commitments as a member of the
Council of Europe. As far as foreign policy is concerned, the
resolution points out that Azerbaijan has been conducting a
pro-European independent foreign policy. At the same time, the
resolution stresses the possibility of tension within the government
which could lead to slowing down the pace of the current reforms in
the face of the president’s wish to have them speedily implemented.

In addition, the resolution demands that the government and parliament
resolve a number of issues. These demands include clearing up cases of
human rights violations during and after the presidential elections,
pardoning seven opposition activists arrested after the elections,
resolving the issue of political prisoners in full, eliminating
problems with regard to freedom of the press, publishing the
presidential election results in every polling station and punishing
those guilty of election fraud.

There was a discussion on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as
well. Rapporteur Mevlut Cavusoglu [Turkish MP] said that while being a
Council of Europe member, Armenia occupies one-fifth of the territory
of another Council of Europe member country, Azerbaijan. The Council
of Europe should take serious measures to address this issue, he
added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

–Boundary_(ID_Y/RVwc+1BcSe9PEJgqn2GQ)
Content-typ e: message/rfc822

From: ACNIS Info <[email protected]>
Subject: ACNIS Marks Tenth Anniversary
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

October 5, 2004

ACNIS MARKS TENTH ANNIVERSARY

Raffi Hovannisian and Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja Keynote Gala

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS),
an institutional pioneer of independent policy research and analysis in the
post-Soviet space, celebrated its tenth birthday today with an official
banquet at the Armenia Marriott Hotel.

The gala event brought together public figures, ambassadors, heads of
diplomatic missions and international organizations, scholars and
intellectuals, businessmen, media and NGO representatives, the Center’s
former and current employees, and contributors, associates, friends and
supporters from Armenia and the Diaspora.

A complete exhibit of the Center’s publications from 1994 to 2004, including
occasional papers, monographs, yearbooks and special publications, was on
display in the foyer of the “Tigran the Great” ballroom, where the
festivities took place. The participants were presented with complimentary
copies of the Center’s newly-released jubilee volume entitled “Accounting
for the Decade,” encompassing a survey of its first decade of public service
and featuring Center activities, analytical articles, congratulatory
messages, public opinion polls, and an interview with founder Raffi K.
Hovannisian.

Raffi Hovannisian, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the new Republic
of Armenia, welcomed the invited guests. Recalling that the fifth
anniversary of the Center, scheduled for October 29, 1999, did not take
place because of the national tragedy in parliament, Hovannisian invited a
moment of silence to remember the victims of October 27, the national heroes
and unknown soldiers who fell on Armenia’s road to freedom and independence,
as well as departed Center employees Tigran Hairapetian, Bagrat Sadoyan,
Valeri Aidinian, and Ashot Khalatian.

After the invocation and blessing of the table by Bishop Navasard Kjoyan,
Prelate of the Araratian Diocese, Raffi Hovannisian remarked: “The Armenian
Center for National and International Studies and its first ten years have
been committed to the cause of institution-building and, often against the
odds, to the forging of an infrastructure for a new political culture in
which the free competition of ideas reigns within a national framework, and
where rational and national policy options are sought in the domestic and
international arenas through the creation of a comprehensive policymaking
system for the Republic of Armenia and the nation entire.”

At the end of his opening presentation, Hovannisian expressed words of
gratitude to the Center’s supporters in Armenia and around the world, its
past and present employees, its colleagues and critics, and all those owing
to whom the Center at ten is sound, solid, self-confident and at once
self-renewing. On behalf of all ACNIS stakeholders, Noune Aidinian, a
long-time Center executive, was noted for her decade of professional
dedication.

Armenian duduk melodies, performed by distinguished artist Gevorg Dabaghian,
complemented the supper service with nourishment for the soul.

Raffi Hovannisian then introduced His Excellency Erkki Tuomioja, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Finland, who delivered the keynote address on
“Security in the Globalizing World.” In his vision, modern nations can
profit from globalization through mutual integration and simultaneous
maintenance of national identity, whereas isolated countries or marginal
groups might themselves come to constitute the cause for security dilemmas.

“In a globalizing world, we all are more and more dependent on each other,
which leads to closer cooperation between states than ever before,” the
Minister asserted. “The European Union is developing and responding to new
challenges and how we in Finland see security in today’s world. The newly
independent states in the Western Balkans and in the former Soviet Union
have unfortunately not developed without difficulties. We have witnessed
many armed conflicts and even war both inside and between countries, with
great losses and human suffering. Both old and new threats have escalated,
especially terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
but also issues such as ethnic intolerance, environmental threats,
pandemics, drugs, cross-border organized crime and uncontrolled migration.
According to the Security Strategy, the EU needs to be more active in
pursuing its strategic objectives. It also needs to be more capable, more
coherent and work in close cooperation with partners. These principles apply
to the full spectrum of instruments for crisis management and conflict
prevention at the EU’s disposal, including political, diplomatic, military
and civilian, trade and development activities. The Union is not and will
not become a military great power, but it can become an effective actor in
conflict prevention and crisis management.”

In a musical interlude, the guests then enjoyed Shoghakn folk ensemble
soloist Hasmik Harutiunian’s vocal offering of “Lullabye Medley,” “Love
Ballad of Van,” and “Homeland.”

The evening concluded with a moving public rendition of the Armenian
National Anthem, and evening enjoyment provided by folk-jazz pianist Vahagn
Hairapetian and his friends.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2004, the Center focuses
primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.

For further information on the celebration and a related photo display, call
(3741) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or
[email protected]; or visit

–Boundary_(ID_Y/RVwc+1BcSe9PEJgqn2GQ)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/06/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) European Armenian Federation Delivers Its Report on Turkey to The European
Commission
2) Turkey Comes A Step Closer to Fulfilling European Dream
3) Celebration of Nigol Touman in His Native Village
4) Support Growing Among Congressional Candidates For Expanded US-Armenia
Trade

1) European Armenian Federation Delivers Its Report on Turkey to The European
Commission

BRUSSELS–On September 29, the European Armenian Federation provided the
European Commission with detailed information about the Turkish Government’s
strategy in dealing with Armenian concerns.
The extensive 32 page report, titled “Turkey and the Armenian Genocide,”
covers
policies adopted and enacted in 2003 with a special 2004 addendum, focusing on
Turkey’s domestic policies in dealing with its Armenian minority and relations
with foreign countries in regard to the Armenian genocide. The document
excludes coverage on Turkey’s relations with Armenia, as well as its ongoing
blockade of the country.
The report provides examples of alleged scientific research, administrative
measures, manipulation tools, intimidation tactics, and diplomatic measures
used by the Turkish government.
It outlines Turkey’s efforts to destabilize Armenian institutions in Turkey,
providing information on so-called reconciliation attempts and threats against
other countries. 
“European policy-makers often have an incomplete view of Turkey’s aggressive
policies toward their Armenian minority and Armenian issues in general. Often,
only the most egregious tactics are taken into account. With this report, we
aim to disclose the actual scale of this strategy, which serves as a
fundamental pillar of Turkey’s State policy” said Laurent Leylekian, Executive
Director of the European Armenian Federation.
“We updated this report with the most recent measures undertaken by Ankara,
with special focus on the recent adoption of article 306, which criminalizes
the affirmation of the Armenian genocide. This attack on liberty clearly
contradicts accepted international laws dealing with freedom of speech,
specifically articles 10, 11, and 14 of the European Charter of Fundamental
Rights, which will serve as an integral part of the forthcoming European
Constitution” added Leylekian.
“Based on our findings, we hope that the European Commission’s annual
report on
Turkey will give a more complete account of Turkey’s denialist and
anti-Armenian policies than previous years–policies which consistently
violate
the Copenhagen criteria. The absence of these findings would signal the
Commission’s endorsement of Turkey’s racist and discriminatory policies,”
concluded Leylekian.
The report is available on the Federation’s website–

2) Turkey Comes A Step Closer to Fulfilling European Dream

BRUSSELS (AFP)–Turkey came a step closer to fulfilling a 40-year-old dream
when the European Commission recommended that the EU should begin membership
talks with Ankara.
But the Commission set a series of tough conditions and warned there was no
guarantee of a successful outcome.
It set no start date for the talks, leaving it up to EU leaders who must
decide
at a December summit whether to accept its recommendations and, if so, when to
begin negotiations expected to last at least a decade.
“The Commission’s answer is yes…it is a conditional yes,” European
Commission
President Romano Prodi told the European Parliament, adding that Europe had
nothing to fear from Turkish EU membership.
The EU executive’s proposals–widely leaked over the past week–were approved
at a meeting Wednesday despite concerns from some that Turkey is simply too
big
and too different to join the European club.
“A Europe that is sure of itself, has a constitution and strong institutions
and policies, is returning to economic growth and is based on a strong
model of
peace, prosperity, and solidarity has nothing to fear from the integration of
Turkey,” said Prodi.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul hailed the decision as a “historic step”
for both Turkey and the 25-nation EU. Ankara wants the talks to start in the
first half of next year.
Turkey, an official candidate since 1999, has been waiting to join the
European
club for four decades but its efforts have stumbled over its civil rights
record.
Germany, home to Europe’s largest Turkish immigrant community, welcomed the
report and said Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder would vote in favor of starting
membership negotiations at the Brussels summit.
A German government spokesman called it a “very balanced report,” while
Schroeder, speaking during a visit to New Delhi, was confident Turkey would
receive the support of most EU leaders.
But many Europeans are alarmed at the prospect of the EU taking in a poor,
populous, and mostly Muslim state that has 90 percent of its territory in Asia
and which borders Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
Turkey’s population of 71 million is greater than the 10 countries that joined
the EU earlier this year combined.
The Commission on Wednesday said it “considers that Turkey sufficiently
fulfills the political criteria” for membership talks but warned that these
could be suspended, or even broken off.
“The Commission will recommend the suspension of the negotiations in the case
of a serious and persistent breach of the principles of liberty, democracy,
respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law on
which
the Union is founded,” said the report.
It praised the Turkish government for “far-reaching” reforms already carried
out to bring the country up to European political and social norms.
But more must be done to fight corruption, stamp out torture, improve freedom
of expression and of religion, and to boost women’s and minority rights, it
said.
No specific timeline is given for the talks, but the Commission said that “the
necessary preparations for accession will last well into the next decade.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara hopes to start EU
negotiations in the first half of next year, leading to membership in a
“reasonable period of time.”
“We hope to bring a long-travelled road to its final lap with the
initiation of
accession negotiations in the first half of 2005,” he said in Strasbourg,
France, shortly before the commission signed off on its report.
The Commission has also said that Turkish membership could cost the EU, which
is currently home to nearly four million Turkish immigrants, between 16.5 and
27.5 billion euros a year by 2025.
But although it has an array of caveats, the core message was good news for
Ankara.
One cloud hanging over the whole project is a pledge by French President
Jacques Chirac to hold a referendum on Ankara’s EU hopes. In theory, such a
vote could simply reject Turkish EU entry, regardless of what happens in the
negotiations.
The next head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, said
Monday he welcomed the idea of referendums in EU member countries.
The commission meanwhile confirmed Wednesday that Romania and Bulgaria are on
track to join the EU in 2007.

3) Celebration of Nigol Touman in His Native Village

STEPANAKERT (ARF Press Office)–In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of
Nigol Touman’s death, the ARF Aram Manoogian Student Organization held a
cultural evening in his native village of Ghshlagh.
As a part of the remembrance, middle school students participated in a writing
contest to honor Touman, who was a leading revolutionary figure in the
Armenian
national-liberation movement of the late 19th/early 20th century. The contest
theme was “The Revolutionary Leader, My Fellow Villager.”
Students also performed a dramatic piece depicting activities of one of
Touman’s groups that fought for liberation, followed by a performance of
patriotic songs.
The remembrance ended with a dinner and bonfire in the courtyard of the Nigol
Touman museum-home located in the Askeran region of the Mountainous Karabagh
Republic, on the road to the Gandzasar monastery. Organized by the group
National Treasures, the dinner attracted several guests, including the
benefactor of the museum-home Jhasik Bouynatian.
Touman’s home was discovered only about a year-and-a half ago by the ARF
Student Organization of Artsakh (Karabagh), and converted into a museum
about a
year ago.
During renovations, workers uncovered caches of swords, Mosin rifles, and
various weapons parts hidden in the walls of the home.

4) Support Growing Among Congressional Candidates For Expanded US-Armenia
Trade

–Responses to 2004 Candidate Questionnaires Reveal Strong Support for PNTR
for
Armenia

WASHINGTON, DC–Congressional candidates from around the nation strongly
support legislation aimed at expanding US-Armenia trade relations,
according to
responses to multi-issue candidate questionnaires circulated this election
season by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Challengers and incumbents from both parties have stressed their support for
legislation that would grant Armenia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR)
status. This measure, which is being spearheaded in the Senate by Senator
Mitch
McConnell and in the House by Congressman Joe Knollenberg, may win final
approval before the Congress goes out of session this year.
“Armenian Americans have been tremendously encouraged by the growing support
for PNTR legislation for Armenia and remain hopeful that it will be enacted
prior to the end of the Congressional session,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA.
A sample of response on US-Armenia trade is provided below to offer a sense of
the strong bipartisan support for this issue:

–Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, representing the southern part of the
State, noted in his response to the ANCA Candidate Questionnaire: “I support
extending permanent normal trade relations between the United States and
Armenia as a means of strengthening the bonds and the commitment between our
nations.”

–Congressman Eric Cantor, the Chief Deputy Majority Whip and a long-time
friend of the Richmond Armenian community, explained: “The ascension of
Armenia
to the World Trade Organization will begin to stabilize trade relations with
the United States. It is a step in the right direction because free trade with
Armenia will have a positive effect on not only the economy of that country
but
that of the United States as well. All free trade promotes job creation and
economic growth throughout the world; by helping Armenia we are helping the
American economy prosper.”

–First-term Congressman from Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter, who has already
emerged as a leading member of the Armenian Caucus, stated: “Our two great
nations will only grow stronger by trading together. I signed a letter
supporting Armenian PNTR in the House and will continue to work to see it
signed into law.”

–Candidate Robert Neeld, from the Gulf Coast of Florida, who is seeking to
fill the seat vacated by new Director of Central Intelligence Porter Goss,
wrote: “Favorable trading agreements benefit both countries and would continue
to stimulate Armenia’s economy.”

The ANCA Congressional Candidate Questionnaire includes nine different
questions on the topics of the Armenian genocide; US support for Armenia and
Karabagh; US-Armenia economic relations; self-determination for Karabagh;
conditions on US aid to Azerbaijan; the Turkish blockade of Armenia; and
the US
subsidy of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline bypass of Armenia.
“As in past years, we are pleased that candidates for Congress have taken such
full advantage of our questionnaires to speak directly to Armenian American
voters on issues of special concern to our community,” noted Hamparian.

For an Adobe PDF version of the ANCA Questionnaire, visit:

or

All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROBLEMS ON THE AGENDA

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
06 Oct 04

The questions discussed at the meeting of the regional council of
Hadrout mainly referred to the preparation works for winter
tillage. The chairman of the meeting was the head of the regional
administration V. Gevorgian. In 2003 the harvest was good in the
region, allowing to increase the area under crop next year from 4902
to 8495 hectares. However, the estimates of the farmers for 2004 did
not come true because of unfavourable weather and pests. The average
yield per hectare totaled 1.4 tons, the overall yield was 11 262 tons
decreasing by 2000 tons against the previous year. These rates were
presented by the head of the department of agriculture of the regional
administration L. Abrahamian, who added that this year they expect to
do 7000-8000 hectares of winter tillage. By September 30 only 5600
hectares has been tilled which means that less area will be used for
arable crops this year. During the meeting the department of
agriculture, the heads of the communities were charged with taking
corresponding measures for completing the tillage, holding a
laboratory test of the seeds, providing the use of chemicals. The
members of the regional council made the decision of addressing the
NKR government with the request of providing aid to the farmers whose
fields were damaged by natural disasters. At the same time it was
mentioned that it would be convenient to provide the aid in the form
of loans. Also the question was raised to implement the sales of
chemicals through a specialized company and forbid the activities of
individuals in this sphere. One of the questions discussed was the
activities and the future plans of the official newspaper `Dizak’ on
which the editor-in-chief Y. Madounts made a report. Evaluating the
work of the newspaper staff as satisfactory, the heads of the
departments of the regional administration and the communities were
tasked to deal with subscription to the newspaper, and the attention
of the staff was drawn to the improvement of the quality and urgency
of the materials, as well as cooperation with freelance
reporters. Then the head of the territorial agency of social service
S. Hakobian reported on the activitiesof the agency directed by
him. The activities of the mentioned organization are various: family
allowances, aid to the families of the disabled of the war and the
killed soldiers, providing sums for the tombstones of the killed
azatamartiks, opening of bank accounts for each third and more child
in thefamily, social cards, unemployment benefits. In the past 9
months the amount of family allowances totaled 31 million 316 AM
drams. 1 million 469 thousand drams of insurance benefit was paid to
the disabled of the Artsakh war. According tothe NKR government
decision N 146, the construction of houses for 4 of the 6 families of
the region having 6 and more children under 18 has already begun.

E. DAVTIAN.
06-10-2004

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kopple to Direct Kevorkian Pic

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Tuesday, October 5, 2004

By Gregg Kilday

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the advocate of
doctor-assisted suicide who is serving a 10- to 25-year prison term,
will be the subject of a feature film.

The project marks the first time that the doctor, who was convicted of
second-degree murder in 1999 and is serving his sentence in a
maximum-security prison in Michigan, has authorized any media-based
project surrounding his life and efforts in assisted suicide.

Barbara Kopple will direct the film for producer Steve Jones, whose Bee
Holder Prods. has acquired rights to an unpublished biography. Kevorkian
is cooperating with Neal Nicol, his assistant of 25 years, and Harry
Wylie, a longtime friend, on the book. The filmmakers are seeking a
screenwriter for the project.

Kevorkian assisted in more than 150 cases of suicide and had beaten the
state court system in Michigan numerous times, but he was convicted
after he willingly sent a videotape of himself euthanizing a terminally
ill man to “60 Minutes.”

Kopple, an Oscar winner for her documentaries “Harlan County, U.S.A.”
and “American Dream,” recently completed filming her narrative feature
debut, “Havoc,” starring Anne Hathaway and Bijou Phillips.

;u=/nm/20041005/film_nm/film_kevorkian_dc

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh plans to double population

Yerkir web site, Yerevan
5 Oct 04

October

Since 2000, 5,300 families have moved to Nagornyy Karabakh, Anushavan
Daniyelyan, prime minister of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic, has told
a correspondent of Armenpress news agency. He added that immigration
is an important issue as Artsakh’s [Karabakh’s] human resources do not
correspond to its natural resources.

The Karabakh prime minister said that the issue was of both
demographic, economic and strategic importance.

Immigration has intensified since 2000. Under a decision of the
Nagornyy Karabakh government, it is planned to double the number of
the population, i.e. to bring it from 150,000 to 300,000 within a
short time. The immigration programme will be implemented in all
districts [of Karabakh], and in border districts in the first
place. The programme is being financed from the budget of the Nagornyy
Karabakh government. Various organizations are also funding this
programme, Daniyelyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/05/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Armenia, Bulgaria Discuss Closer Ties Amid Growing Trade
2) Exxon Abandons Flagship Azeri Well
3) Rare Arshile Gorky Paintings at Paris Auction
4) Resettlement in Karabagh on the Rise

1) Armenia, Bulgaria Discuss Closer Ties Amid Growing Trade

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–President Robert Kocharian and his visiting Bulgarian
counterpart, Georgi Parvanov, pledged on Tuesday to step up cooperation
between
their nations “in all spheres,” singling out bilateral trade that has grown
dramatically over the past year.
Parvanov arrived in Yerevan late on Monday on a two-day official visit, which
is part of his tour of the three South Caucasus states.
“The presidents express their determination to promote the deepening of
political dialogue and bilateral cooperation in all spheres,” the two leaders
said in a statement. It said Bulgaria, which is expected to join the European
Union by 2007, welcomes Armenia’s integration into European structures and in
particular its inclusion in the EU’s New Neighborhood program.
“Our commercial exchange has tripled over the past year,” Parvanov announced
at a joint news conference with Kocharian. Economic issues dominated his talks
with Kocharian.
“Both sides noted that since my visit to Bulgaria last, there has been a
fairly serious upswing in our bilateral economic relations,” Kocharian
said. “I
believe that the Bulgarian president’s visit will also give a serious impetus
to that process.”
He added that the Armenian and Bulgarian governments can build on that
progress by doubling or even tripling the current volume of trade. That,
according to Parvanov, requires the facilitation of the existing ferry link
between Bulgarian and Georgian Black Sea ports. Armenia uses it for trading
with Bulgaria and other European countries.
The presence of businessmen in the Bulgarian delegation led by Parvanov
underscored the economic emphasis of the visit. A special Armenian-Bulgarian
business forum was held on that occasion.
The two sides discussed regional issues including the unresolved Karabagh
conflict, with Kocharian saying that Sofia is contributing to its peaceful
resolution in its current capacity as the rotating president of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Bulgarian government
has a special envoy tasked with facilitating the peace process.

2) Exxon Abandons Flagship Azeri Well

BAKU (Reuters)–US oil major ExxonMobil’s hopes of a big oil strike on its
flagship Azeri offshore field faded on Monday after it said it had shut down
the first ultradeep well there after failing to find commercial deposits.
“We discovered that the first well on Zafar-Mashal does not contain
commercial
hydrocarbon reserves and we decided to shut it down,” Exxon’s spokeswoman
Leila
Rzakuliyeva told Reuters.
“It’s premature to talk about drilling new wells on the field,” she added.
At 7,087 meters, the well was the deepest in the Caspian and Azeri geologists
have said it was the most expensive too, costing Exxon more than $100
million.
The results of drilling on the Zafar-Mashal field had been expected to give a
big clue as to whether the Caspian country’s shelf contained more significant
reserves or whether its potential has been overestimated.
Exxon’s block is currently the only active new exploration project on the
Azeri shelf, despite the existence of over 20 production-sharing agreements
between Baku and multinationals.
The Azeri oil boom was fueled by the “contract of the century,” when a BP-led
group agreed 10 years ago to develop three mammoth offshore fields, known as
Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG), set to become a major source of crude for a
pipeline to Turkey.
Oil will start flowing next year with shipments gradually rising to over one
million barrels per day.
The confirmation of ACG’s reserves prompted many experts and Azeri officials
to forecast further multi-billion barrel discoveries. But investors have found
only one big offshore gas field in the past decade, Shakh-Deniz, while a
number
of projects were shut down after having failed to strike oil.
Many investors have postponed tapping their blocks, partly due to the
scarcity
of drilling equipment on the land-locked sea. Further gas discoveries will
also
raise questions about the import capacity of the only potentially attractive
neighboring market, Turkey.
Exxon leads the $3 billion Zafar-Mashal (Victory Torch) project with a 30
percent interest. State Azeri firm SOCAR holds 50 percent and US
ConocoPhillips
owns the remaining 20 percent. The block is 100 km (62.114 miles) offshore
from
Baku.
Exxon is involved in four Azeri projects and has already invested around $1.5
billion.
One of the projects is a 50/50 PSA with SOCAR on the neighboring Nakhichevan
field, where the first well discovered only gas several years ago.
Zafar-Mashal is the only Azeri block which was supposed to produce major
exploration news this year.
After having completed drilling on Zafar-Mashal, Exxon will send a
$250-million newly-built Lider platform to Russian oil major LUKOIL, which
will
operate it closer to the Russian border, with exploration expected to last at
least six months.

3) Rare Arshile Gorky Paintings at Paris Auction

PARIS (International Press Service)–A major three-day auction sale by
François
Tajan, who is among the most famous of Paris auctioneers, began in Paris on
October 5-7. On sale will be part of the massive private collection of New
York
art dealer Julien Levy, in whose gallery Arshile Gorky had a number of
shows in
the 1940s.
Among the more than 800 paintings and drawings to be placed on the block are
four paintings and eleven drawings by Gorky, a few of which are barely
known to
the public.
The scores of artists whose works are in the sale are: Hans Arp, Dali,
Toulouse-Lautrec, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernest, Fini, Lichtenstein, Magritte,
Man
Ray, Matta, Naguchi, and Tanguy.
The highest estimated price for any single item in the sale is a painting by
Gorky titled Pirate 1 of 1942, with a suggested price of 1,300,000-1,600,000
euros (close to two million dollars). Pirate II of 1943 is estimated at
1,100,000-1,300,000 euros.
Articles in the French press on this major sale have featured Gorky’s
paintings, emphasizing the rarity of his works on the art market.
Marcel Fliess and his son David organized the sale and prepared the massive
515 page large format catalogue, “Hommage à Julien Levy.” A couple of years
ago, Fliess also had an exhibit and sale in his own Galerie in Paris of
Gorky’s
works from the collection of famous surrealist and a friend of Gorky, André
Breton.
The auction will take place at the Espace Tajan, 37 rue des Mathurins, 75008
Paris. Information is available by phone (33) 1 53 30 30 30, fax (33) 1 53 30
30 31, or at <;

4) Resettlement in Karabagh on the Rise

STEPANAKERT (A1plus)–An estimated 23,000 people have moved to the Mountainous
Karabagh Republic (MKR) since 1994, with 150 reconstructed settlements,
according to chief of MKR department for refugees, migration, and resettlement
Serge Amirkhanyan.
He said that 623 people (120 families) moved to MKR in January and February
2004, more than in the same period of 2003.
Legislative reforms are also being drafted to resolve the problems of
Armenian
refugees deported from Azerbaijan in 1988-1992, Amirkhanyan said.

All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
October 5, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SUPPORT GROWING AMONG CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES
FOR EXPANDED U.S.-ARMENIA TRADE

— Responses to 2004 Candidate Questionnaires
Reveal Strong Support for PNTR for Armenia

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional candidates from around the nation
strongly support legislation aimed at expanding U.S.-Armenia trade
relations, according to responses to multi-issue candidate
questionnaires circulated this election season by the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

Challengers and incumbents from both parties have stressed their
support for legislation that would grant Armenia Permanent Normal
Trade Relations (PNTR) status. This measure, which is being
spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Mitch McConnell and in the
House by Congressman Joe Knollenberg, may win final approval before
the Congress goes out of session this year.

“Armenian Americans have been tremendously encouraged by the
growing support for PNTR legislation for Armenia and remain hopeful
that it will be enacted prior to the end of the Congressional
session,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

A sample of response on U.S.-Armenia trade is provided below to
offer a sense of the strong bipartisan support for this issue:

* Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, representing the southern
part of the State, noted in his response to the ANCA Candidate
Questionnaire: “I support extending permanent normal trade
relations between the United States and Armenia as a means of
strengthening the bonds and the commitment between our nations.”

* Congressman Eric Cantor, the Chief Deputy Majority Whip and a
long-time friend of the Richmond Armenian community, explained
that: “The ascension of Armenia to the World Trade Organization
will begin to stabilize trade relations with the United States. It
is a step in the right direction because free trade with Armenia
will have a positive effect on not only the economy of that country
but that of the United States as well. All free trade promotes job
creation and economic growth throughout the world; by helping
Armenia we are helping the American economy prosper.”

* First-term Congressman from Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter, who has
already emerged as a leading member of the Armenian Caucus, stated
that: “Our two great nations will only grow stronger by trading
together. I signed a letter supporting Armenian PNTR in the House
and will continue to work to see it signed into law.”

* Candidate Robert Neeld, from the Gulf Coast of Florida, is
seeking to fill the seat vacated by new Director of Central
Intelligence Porter Goss, wrote that: “Favorable trading agreements
benefit both countries and would continue to stimulate Armenia’s
economy.”

The ANCA Congressional Candidate Questionnaire includes nine
different questions on the topics of the Armenian Genocide; U.S.
support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh; U.S.-Armenia economic
relations; Self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh; Conditions on
U.S. aid to Azerbaijan; the Turkish blockade of Armenia, and; the
U.S. subsidy of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline bypass of Armenia.

“As in past years, we are pleased that candidates for Congress have
taken such full advantage of our questionnaires to speak directly
to Armenian American voters on issues of special concern to our
community,” noted Hamparian.

For an Adobe PDF version of the ANCA Questionnaire, visit:

or

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh integral part of Azerbaijan – Finnish foreign minister

Bilik Dunyasi news agency
4 Oct 04

BAKU

Finland supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Finnish Foreign
Minister Erkki Tuomioja said at a meeting with the speaker of the
Milli Maclis [Azerbaijan’s parliament], Murtuz Alasgarov.

“We want the conflict to be resolved as soon as possible. We know that
Nagornyy Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan,” Tuomioja said.

Alasgarov noted the inaction of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. In
his view, the leading countries of the world are applying “a policy of
double standards” regarding the problem.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress