Author: Adrine Hakobian

A GHUKASIAN: OSCE MG NOT EXPECTED TO MAKE NEW PROPOSALS
Pan Armenian News
30.05.2005 03:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are not expected to
make any new proposals during their recurrent regional visit, President
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghukasian stated, RFE/RL
reported. “All the possible variants are already on the bargaining
table. The process is under way. The parties should mature. It first
of all refers to Azerbaijan”, A. Ghukasian noted. He also refuted
the possibility of negotiating on the return of 7 regions adjacent
to Nagorno Karabakh. “This approach is not serious, since the issue
of territories cannot be viewed apart of the common context. We
highlight the status of Karabakh while Azerbaijan accentuates the
issue of territories. The edges do not come together and I can’t
say when it will happen”, the NKR President noted adding that “the
problem should be settled a the bargaining table.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
BASE FOR ARMENIA-LUXEMBOURG INTERPARLIMENTARY RELATIONS ESTABLISHED
28.05.2005 04:46
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Parliament Speaker Artur Baghdasarian met
with President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg Lucien Weiler
to discuss the Armenia-Luxembourg parliamentary cooperation within
international structures. The parties pointed out to the necessity of
appointing Armenia’s Consul in Luxembourg for stimulating the
cooperation between the two states. Artur Baghdasarian invited
Mr. Weiler to Armenia. The invitation was accepted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish universities postpone Armenian conference under government pressure
AP Worldstream
May 25, 2005
SUZAN FRASER

Three Turkish universities postponed a conference to discuss last
century’s mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks after the
justice minister accused organizers of “treachery,” officials said
Wednesday.
In the three-day conference, which was scheduled to start Wednesday at
Istanbul’s Bosporus University, academics were going to debate
Turkey’s official position on the deaths that occurred as the Ottoman
Empire forced Armenians from eastern Turkey between 1915 and 1923.
The postponement _ a sign that Turkey may not be ready to tolerate
dissenting voices on sensitive subjects _ could be a further setback
to Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union, which is pressuring
the country to adopt greater freedoms. The country is scheduled to
start membership talks on Oct. 3.
In a speech in parliament Tuesday, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek
severely criticized the conference, saying it went against government
efforts to counter an Armenian campaign to have the killings
recognized as genocide.
Some “say there is no freedom, well there is the freedom of stabbing
the people in the back and of telling lies … We have to put an end
to this period of propaganda … of treachery,” Cicek said.
Armenians say Ottoman Turks killed some 1.5 million of their people in
a deliberate campaign of genocide. Turkey says the death count is
inflated and insists that Armenians were killed or displaced in civil
unrest during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
The issue, a dark chapter in Turkish history, is rarely discussed or
taught in schools, and it would have been the first time a conference
questioning the official line was held.
Organizers issued a statement hours after Cicek’s speech saying the
conference was postponed. Hundreds of people were scheduled to take
part in the conference, organized by Bosporus, Bilgi and Sabanci
universities.
Muge Gocek, a professor of sociology at Michigan University who
traveled to Istanbul for the conference, said she was disillusioned.
“I am very sad and disappointed,” Gocek said Wednesday. “It would have
been a forum that showed that democracy worked in Turkey and that
different voices can be heard.”
“How can anyone judge me without hearing what I have to say?” she
asked.
On Wednesday, the umbrella group, the Union of Turkish Civil Society
Organizations, staged a brief protest in front of Bosporus University,
condemning what they said was an “effort by treacherous groups to
declare the Turkish nation guilty.”
A human rights organization was critical of Cicek.
“We strongly condemn politicians, and especially the Justice Minister
…, who prevented the Armenian conference from taking place through
pressure, threats and statements that make (organizers) targets” for
attacks, the Ankara-based Human Rights Association said.
Turkey is eager to counter Armenian diaspora groups that are pushing
European governments and the United States to declare the killings
genocide. The issue has gained new urgency as Turkey seeks EU
membership. French President Jacques Chirac has said Turkey must
acknowledge the killings before it can join.
Several countries, including Argentina, Canada, France and Russia,
have declared the killings a genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian groups in Georgia call for understanding for Russian pullout
Arminfo
24 May 05
YEREVAN
The council of the Armenian public organizations of
Samtskhe-Dzhavakheti discussed the withdrawal of Russia’s military
bases from Georgia at a meeting today.
The council urged the residents of the Dzhavakheti region to show
understanding for the issue, which has already been decided, of
withdrawing Russian troops from Akhalkalaki, as it is up to the
governments of Russia and Georgia to resolve the problem, A-info
reported.
The source says that the military base in Akhalkalaki is helping
people resolve some of their economic problems and ensures their
security at the same time.
“If the Georgian government cannot fully ensure the security of
Dzhavakheti residents, they will have to pin their hopes on the
international community and seek assistance from international law,”
the source said.
The talks on defining the date for the withdrawal of the Russian bases
from Georgia will end in Tbilisi today.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEVOTED TO THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF
TALLISH AND TALLISH PEOPLE TO TAKE PLACE IN TSAGHKADSOR (ARMENIA) ON
MAY 20-22
YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. An international conference devoted to the
culture and history of Tallish and Tallish people will take place
in Tsaghkadsor (Armenia) on May 20-22. According to the Caucasus
Center for Iranian Studies, the speeches of a representative of the
Tallish National Movement (TNM) Fakhraddin Abboszod, rector of Yerevan
State University Razmik Martirosyan, Deputy Head of the Department
for Iranian Studies of Yerevan State University, Professor Garnik
Asatryan will be introduced at the conference. Besides scientists
from various countries of the world also representatives of Tallish
national movement of Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of Tallish
from Iran will participate in the conference.
Tallish are Iranian language speaking people living in Azerbaijan and
Iran. The real population of Tallish makes abut a million of people
in Azerbaijan and a million in Iran. Currently, Tallish live in the
territory of South-West regions of Azerbaiojan, namely Lencoran,
(in Tallish – Lankon), Lerik, Masalin, Asarin and Yardamlin regions.
On June 21, 1993 a group of servicemen under the leadership of Colonel
Alikram Gummatov declared of establishment of Tallish Mughan Republic
on the territory of seven south -eastern regions of Azerbaijan. On
August 24, 1993 TMR was abolished and all the leaders, namely the
President, Minister of Defense and over 20 people were arrested.
The approaching conference already had impetuous feedback in the
Azerbaijani Mass Media.
The organizers of the conference are the Department of Iranian Studies
of Yerevan State University and Caucasus Center for Iranian Studies
(Yerevan). A.H. –0-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenpress
HAYRUSGAZARD TO SUSPEND ELECTRICITY SALE TO GEORGIA
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS: Hayrusgazard joint Russian-Armenian venture
that is the sole supplier of Russian gas to Armenia, has confirmed today its
plans to suspend electricity supplies to neighboring Georgia. A press
release by the company said it has agreed with Georgian United Distributor
Company (UDC) to stop electricity delivery in a week time.
Hayrysgazard said the main reason behind stopping sale of Armenian
electricity to Georgia was the rise of Armenian national currency’s value
against US Dollar, making electricity export unprofitable.
Hayrusgazard also said it is ready to consider a new request by UDC to
resume electricity supplies

African press 12 May
BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
May 12, 2005

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and other
material published in the 12 May editions of the African press. Unless
otherwise stated, the newspapers are published in English.
Take over of South African bank by UK’s Barclays “should raise some
eyebrows”
Zimbabwe’s Herald [govt daily]: “Barclays PlC’s proposed take over of
Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA), which has the largest
shareholding in the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe [CBZ], should raise
some eyebrows in as far as the future of CBZ is concerned… Of
interest to Zimbabwe is that ABSA has the largest shareholding in CBZ
with a 25.75 per cent stake… The questions now are: Should the deal
succeed, will Barclays PLC want to keep the Zimbabwean integrity of
CBZ despite the change of control of ABSA?” (Editorial – “ABSA
takeover needs scrutiny”)
2. “We believe the government should not watch from a distance but
must take close interest and scrutiny on the latest developments that
will certainly have an impact in our banking industry. Foreign
investment is most welcome, but we must at the same time ensure that
our interests are protected.” (From the above editorial)
USA “closing its eyes and pockets on Darfur”
Kenya’s Times [published by former ruling KANU party]: “We contend
that only international action may be able to protect the people of
Darfur. We also believe that the United States, as the only super
power, has a unique capacity and obligation to make this
happen. However, we also strongly believe that Washington has
completely abandoned this civilized path and has embarked on playing
politics on a crisis of this magnitude.” (Commentary by Aabdillahi
Alawy – “Can’t mighty US end this Darfur crisis?”)
2. “Scary signs all over Washington clearly point to the fact that the
White House has developed cold feet on Darfur. Whether it is
government officials openly avoiding questions on Darfur during press
interviews, or backtracking on defining the Darfur crisis as genocide,
Washington is closing its eyes and pockets on Darfur.” (From the above
commentary)
3. “The situation in Darfur is bad… We must stop the
genocide… This is a combination of Rwanda, the Holocaust, and
Armenia… The whole world knows that ‘Darfur butchery’ is a
calculated campaign of slaughter, rape, starvation and
displacement… sponsored by an Islamic government with indirect
support of the mighty United States of America.” (From the above
commentary)
Ties between Algeria, France “threatened”
Algeria’s L’Expression [French-language, daily independent]: “Without
any apparent reason, the commemoration of the 8 May 1945 (killing of
45,000 Algerians) are threatening ties between Algeria and France and,
maybe, even brings back to question the signing of a treaty of
cooperation between Algeria and France. Yet a similar treaty between
France and Germany had actually taken into consideration German
recognition of the nationalist-socialist crimes.” (Editorial – “Winter
clouds”)
2. “Everyone knows it: Colonialism was not a simple walk in the park
nor a great activity of civilization. There were crimes, massacres,
smoky chambers, during the whole occupation period. In the entire
country, there was a society of two calibres in a system that cannot
be differentiated from Apartheid. There were Europeans on the one
hand, who enjoyed all the rights, and on the other, Algerians,
subjugated under an indigenous code, which France cannot be proud of
today nor see anything positive in.” (From the above editorial)
3. “It is therefore, hard to understand exasperation on the part of
French officials when Algerians want to jog their memory and recall
their history. There is no place for acrimony between Algiers and
Paris on the evils of colonization and the colonial army’s repression
in Algeria.” (From the above editorial)
France not pleased by Algerian president’s speech on colonial
atrocities
Algeria’s Liberte [French-language, daily liberal independent]:
“Relations between Algeria and France had never been better in the
last few years… However, the past is casting its dark shadow over
these good times with threatening clouds threatening a storm. Indeed,
the president’s speech, to mark the 60th anniversary of the 8 May 1945
massacres, in which he urged France to honourably atone for the acts
committed during the colonial period did not apparently please Paris,
which has its own views concerning colonialism.” (Commentary by N.
Sebti – “Cloud”)
2. “French response is simply tantamount to a denial of reality
because that past is there and it we are just leaking our wounds,
soothing our pain, our resentments by jogging our memory… memory has
its rationale that politics knows not.” (From the above editorial)
Nigerians “do not want any more of Obasanjo’s tyrannical misrule”
Nigeria’s Vanguard [Lagos-based, widely-read independent]: “Any
attempt by President Obasanjo to succeed himself in 2007 will surely
fail. It will not augur well for the unity, peace, stability and
security of the nation… The rest of the world is bound to mount a
clamorous campaign of resistance against it. And when at the same
time Nigerians who do not want any more of Obasanjo’s tyrannical
misrule begin to rise up against him, the entire third term project
will come to a very shameful end.” (Commentary by Peter Elenwo – “No
way for third term”)
2. “Obasanjo ought to be grateful to Nigerians that despite his
semi-illiterate status, he would have ruled them for 12 good
years… Let him then go in peace. If he engages in any act of mass
provocation, he will have only himself to blame. Then he will come to
realize that he is as nothing where the whole of this nation is
concerned.” (From above commentary)
Nigerian paper says political reform can rid country of corruption
Nigeria’s Daily Champion [Lagos-based, pro-Igbo]: “Corruption has
assumed the frightening dimension of a bubonic plague… [The]
government’s swift swoop on all the guilty officials must elicit
applause. Part of what we envisage from the political reform is a
situation where no-one will be a sacred cow in this country… We
envisage, with the political reforms, a corruption-free society,
beginning from the top to bottom.” (Commentary by Joseph Ohiaba
Suleiman – “Reforms for sustainable democracy”)
Nigerian leaders “visionless”
Nigeria’s Daily Champion [Lagos-based, pro-Igbo]: “There is no hope
for Nigerian renaissance with the present crop of selfish, greedy,
corrupt, and visionless political leaders… If each one of them could
be courageous enough to search their conscience and reflect on the
pertinent issues, they would create a society that is truly beneficial
to everyone… With good leadership, Nigeria could resolve most of its
problems (corruption, unemployment, crime, social injustice).”
(Commentary by Victor E. Dike – “Is Nigeria a cruel society?”)
Kenya’s food deficits a “national shame”
Kenya’s Times [published by former ruling KANU party]: “We revisit the
issue of food situation in the country, not because it is our pet
topic but simply because, for many years, this nation has suffered
food deficits too frequently. It is, however, saddening to note that
the government has never shown serious resolve to put an end to this
tragic scenario.” (Editorial – “Government should spare us the shame
of begging for food”)
2. “Since independence, this country has suffered humiliating bouts of
famine. Regrettably, the government has displayed utter ineptitude in
resolving this intermittent national shame… It is inexcusable on the
part of the Government that after 42 years of freedom, we are unable
to feed ourselves – both under good and bad weather conditions.” (From
the above editorial)
Shortage of HIV testing kits in Kenya “disturbing news”
Kenya’s Nation [top selling daily – independent]: “The National AIDS
Control Council has disturbing news. They claim some voluntary
counselling and testing centres are closing for lack of [HIV] testing
kits, whose importation has been temporarily blocked by a court
case. Without delving into the details of the litigation, the
bottlenecks that may exist should be removed speedily to ease the
kits’ importation procedures.” (Editorial – “Resolve AIDS test-kit
snag”)
Kenyan civil servants, government urged to avert pay strike
Kenya’s Standard [independent]: “For close to a month now, talk of a
strike by the country’s civil servants has been in the air. They have
threatened that should the government not award them a 600 per cent
pay rise, they will down their tools beginning next month… A strike
involving over 25,000 government workers would have grave
repercussions on the economy and the delivery of services…”
(Editorial – “Intended strike by civil servants is ill advised”)
2. “Court ruling or no, of more importance is an effective dialogue
between the union and the government that would yield a solution to
this looming crisis. The country cannot afford the loss of man-hours
that would result from a strike of that nature.” (From the above
editorial)
Ugandan first lady says ex-US envoy’s comment on president “an insult”
Uganda’s New Vision [govt]: “As a member of the president’s family, I
feel obliged to say something about [ex-US ambassador to Uganda
Johnnie] Carson’s recent article in the press about threats to
Africa’s success story… I believe this attempt to bring bad light to
the president’s reputation is not only wrong, but also a real insult
to our family…” (Commentary by Janet Museveni – “Museveni protecting
Uganda, not family”)
2. “We live in a world where the media rises up in the morning to feed
the world with lies but the truth always gets home long before the
lies do… I, therefore, choose to forgive you Mr Carson because
precisely I believe you accepted the lies you probably learned from
the media which has really been on a crusade to demonize our family.”
(From the above commentary)
3. “President Museveni ignores the innuendos and insults of people
like Mr Carson, now, the same way he ignored them from the
unforesighted in his young resistance days… Can Mr Carson now
convince us that he knows better what Uganda needs?” (From the above
commentary)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russia shows second highest inflation rate in CIS
RosBusinessConsulting Database
May 6, 2005 Friday
The inflation rate in Russia in Q1, 2005 against Q1, 2004, reaching
13.1 percent, was the second highest in the CIS countries, the CIS
statistics committee has reported. The highest inflation in the CIS in
Q1, 2005 against Q1, 2004 was registered in Ukraine (13.5 percent),
and the lowest inflation was reported in Kyrgyzstan (3 percent). The
corresponding figures for Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Armenia were 13.1 percent, 13 percent,
12.4 percent, 9.4 percent, 6.9 percent, 5.7 percent and 4.4 percent
respectively. The CIS statistics committee has not provided inflation
data for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COMMODITY TURNOVER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND BELARUS CONTINUES GROWING
Pan Armenian News
03.05.2005 06:39
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «In spite of the fact that the commodity turnover
between Armenia and Belarus is not to large, it continues growing,»
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko stated at a meeting with
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian in Minsk. The Belarus
President said he was satisfied with both countries being able to find
ways to realize mutual trade in rather hard conditions. Lukashenko said
he was sure that the visit of the Armenian parliamentary delegation
to Belarus will pass successfully. «Other officials and I at least
will do our best to meet the desires and realize the arrangements
that will be made during the visit,» Lukashenko noted. In his turn,
Andranik Margarian noted that there is unused potential available in
the bilateral relations and in this respect the parties should work
much. «The recurrent meeting of the Armenian-Belarus Intergovernmental
Commercial Commission will be held in Yerevan this year, at which
ways of activation of bilateral cooperation will be determined,»
the Armenian PM noted. He also noted that after his latest visit to
Belarus five years ago many positive changes took place in the country,
as well as in relations with Armenia.
–Boundary_(ID_LFeqe2NMqWY5gzgekO6Ceg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY WILL NOT AVOID PRESSURE
A1plus
| 17:20:16 | 02-05-2005 | Politics |
Today RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan received, mayor of the
French town Bourg de Valance, member of the French Senate and head of
the Armenian friendship Committee Bernard Piras and his first deputy
Jacques Collette.
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan thanked the French Senate for
recognizing the Armenian Genocide mentioning that Armenia highly
appreciates Mr. Piras’s investment in this matter. Finding the
establishment of relations between Bourg de Valance and Talin as sister
towns important the Prime Minister mentioned that the majority of the
residents of Talin are Armenians from Western Armenia who migrated
as a result of the Genocide.
Bourg de Valance mayor Bernard Piras in his turn mentioned that if
today the Armenian Nation thanks France and the French, the French
in their turn thank the Armenians for becoming the citizens of their
country and taking active participation in the economic and cultural
life of France.
He underlined that now they must work jointly so that other European
countries will recognize the Genocide and Turkey to recognize it too
under the pressure of the European countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress