Author: Antonian Lara

Dutch police close Kurdish PKK training centre, make 38 arrests
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
November 12, 2004, Friday
The Hague
Dutch police shut down a suspected training centre for the banned
Kurdish separatist organization the PKK near the southern city of
Eindhoven Friday, making 29 arrests.
The authorities said a further nine arrests had been made in other
parts of the country. All those arrested gave their nationality as
“Kurdish” but are being regarded as probably Turkish.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union.
In the raid on the centre, a campsite on a farm in the village of
Liempde, police found night-sight devices, training material and
passports.
Those detained were said to have undergone training for armed struggle
with the PKK.
“There are indications that the participants in the training would
have been sent to Armenia after their training to take part in fighting
for the PKK,” justice authorities said.
Two weeks ago, three men and a woman on their way to the Middle East
were arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. At least one of this
group had been trained at Liempde, a police spokesman said. dpa dt
rpm pmc

2005 budget expenses to exceed $2bn
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Nov 11 2004
The 2005 state budget expenses will constitute $2.030 billion,
representing an increase of $456 million from 2004, Minister for
Finance Avaz Alakbarov has told journalists.
Alakbarov said that as a result of reforms conducted in the country,
per capita budget expenses have increased 2.4 times over the last 5
years to make up 1.2 million manats, or $244.
The minister emphasized that per capita budget expenses make up $72
in Moldova, $69 in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, $179 in Armenia, $153
in Georgia and $129 in Ukraine.

Armenians consider Jerusalem as integral part of ‘Great Armenia’
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2004
A two-day conference entitled “Armenians and Jerusalem” at the US
California University drew to an end on Monday.
The event, held on the initiative of the University Professor Richard
Hovanisian discussed manuscripts from Hagopiants monastery in
Jerusalem, establishment of relations between the monastery and other
Christian churches and social welfare of Armenians living in
Jerusalem.
Addressing the conference, Professor of the Yerevan Institute of
History Albert Haradian spoke about the settlement of the Armenians
considered by him as ‘first residents of Jerusalem, which is the
integral part of the Great Armenia’ and their present-day living
standards, a well-informed source told AssA-Irada.
Discussions on villages and cities of Upper Garabagh were held in an
event entitled “Villages and provinces of historical Armenia” that
was organized at the California University in 2003.*

Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska)
November 6, 2004, Saturday
Educators here to learn, teach
by Emily Gersema
LINCOLN — A group of Eurasian educators is here for a month to learn
about civics education, but they’re teaching Nebraska students,
professors and administrators a lesson about the freedoms that many
Americans take for granted.
“I think it probably improves our outlook on the world,” said Larry
Dlugosh, professor and chairman of educational administration at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The group of 21 educators from the former Soviet countries of
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are visiting schools in Nebraska,
including some in Omaha and Lincoln, to study how Americans teach
children about civic rights and responsibilities.
The UNL program is funded by an $ 83,450 grant from the U.S.
Department of State. The countries have been getting support from the
United States to make the transition into independent states since
the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991.
The foreign educators’ situation is especially unique because Armenia
and Azerbaijan have been in conflict for nearly two decades. Although
the countries declared a cease-fire in 1994, their relationship
remains tense.
But the educators said their countries have worked side by side for
several years to improve education for children in their nations.
“There have been conferences in Georgia,” said Tatev Margaryan, who
works for an educational policy organization in Armenia.
Programs like this “are a rich experience for us,” said Liana
Ayvazyan, a vice principal for an Armenian school.
Already, Rasmiya Badirov said she intends to connect her students in
Azerbaijan with some of the students she’s met in Nebraska.
“We are going to do cross-cultural projects,” Badirov said. “I think
it would be beneficial for our students to learn U.S. culture.”
Joe McNulty, a UNL professor of education administration who applied
for the grant project, said some Nebraska educators will visit the
countries in the spring.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Nov. 3, 2004
HOME-MADE VINEGAR PROVES EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING WEEDS
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The Marketing Assistant Project
(MAP), administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Yerevan
office, said two groups of fresh herb growers recently participated in
an experiment that has profound implications for improving crop
management.
They sprayed their own commonly made household vinegar (acidic acid)
on weeds in their plots of tarragon and within one hour saw dramatic
results: the weeds that they normally must remove by hand hoeing every
10 days were rapidly dying.
“The results are simply dramatic” was the reaction of Alvard
Tovmasyan and the 10 women of Nalbandian Village who witnessed the
demonstration. The participants in Mrgashat Village echoed the same
reaction. Four concentrations of vinegar were demonstrated: 6%, 10 %,
15%, and 20%.
Dr. Sergey Yeritsyan of the Armenian Agricultural Academy (AAA)
carefully prepared them. Growers under the supervision of Dr. Hrant
Terlemezyan did the actual spraying. Nuneh Sarukhanyan of Agrogitaspir
served as extension leader for the project.
According to Sarukhanyan, the random plot findings showed that
vinegar concentrations of 15% and 20% had the most immediate effect on
weeds. However, spray drift caused slight damage to the tarragon. The
10% and homemade 6% concentrated vinegar worked slower and also proved
effective, however they caused no damage to the tarragon crop.
The idea for the demonstration came from Paul Sommers and Felix
Vardarian of USDA/MAP. “The idea was to validate research conducted by
the USDA National Research Center at Beltsville under Armenian
conditions,” said Mr. Sommers.” Vinegar is bio-safe, low cost, and is
traditionally made by farm families. This successful exercise has great
implications for reducing one of the most labor demanding and costly
aspects of growing quality crops-weeds.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS TO UN COMMITTEE’S DECISION
ArmenPress
29 Oct. 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Hamlet Gasparian, a spokesman for
Armenian foreign affairs ministry was asked by Armenpress News Agency
to comment on the UN General Committee’s decision to recommend the
inclusion of an item on the situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan on the General Assembly’s session.
Gasparian said: “Indeed, this issue has been raised at the UN General
Committee. While it has not enjoyed any significant support, it has
received 9 pro and 14 abstained votes from 28 member states. The
countries that voted in support of the issue included mostly members
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Ukraine.
We view Azerbaijan’s move as yet another attempt to divert the
attention of the international community from the core issue of the
conflict, i.e. the status of Nagorno Karabagh.
We should also note that in a statement made on behalf of OSCE Minsk
Group, France’s representative stated that the UN General Assembly is
not an appropriate forum for discussing this issue. He further noted
that Azerbaijan’s move to introduce a new item on the negotiations
agenda might have a detrimental impact on the peaceful regulation
process.”

Presidents hail reopening of Larsi checkpoint
By Anna Arzanova
The Messenger, Georgia
25 Oct. 2004
Shortly after meeting at the Georgian-Armenian border crossing of
Sadakhlo on Friday, the presidents of Armenia and Georgia, turned their
attention to the Larsi crossing to Russia, where Russian officials had
just resumed traffic after a halt of over 7 weeks.
“This is fortuitous and a pleasant coincidence. I think that the fact
that this road will be opened, already points to the fact that the
tension in North Ossetia is being alleviated,” Armenian President
Robert Kocharian said at the briefing Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the Georgian Border Service announced that it had
received appropriate letters from Russian colleagues indicating the
border would be returned to full operation.
Since September 1, as a result of the Beslan hostage siege, Russian
official have blocked traffic at the Larsi crossing.
On four brief occasions, traffic was allowed to cross. Meanwhile, the
Roki crossing going into South Ossetia was kept open, although Georgian
officials refused to allow cargo to enter on this route.
According to Kocharian, the blocking of the Larsi checkpoint was very
harmful for both Armenia and Georgia, and even Russia itself. Without
saying how much of an affect the closure had on Armenia, Kocharian said
the move brought nothing favorable for their countries.
Saakashvili, for his part said that the “recent lesson” at Larsi would
be taken to heart.
“We have to understand that in case such problems are created, all of
Georgia’s business entities and exporters must be ready to look for
other alternative consumer markets in order to avoid the impact of such
acts on Armenia and Georgia,” the Georgian president said, adding, they
all should “try to remain in the Russian market as well.”
The Larsi crossing is the only land-route to Russia controlled by
Georgian authorities. A similar crossing between Russia and Azerbaijan
was also closed after the Beslan siege. According to reports, Russian
officials allowed both crossings to reopen on Friday.

TURKS OF USA ARE NOT DETERMINED. SOME OF THEM DEFEND KERRY
Azg/am
26 Oct 04
The Armenian community of America will not give its vote George W. Bush
as that will mean to boost him in his anti-Genocide acknowledgment
stance and to justify his broken promise. It doesnâ~@~Yt seem strange,
from this point of view, that the traditional Armenian parties, mainly
Liberal Democratic Party, defend John Kerry and call on voting for him.
It seemed that this fact and John Kerryâ~@~Ys years-old activity for
Armenian Genocide acknowledgment will make the Turkish community of
America decide for Bush. Though Kerry is not popular among Turk voters
for his determination as regards Genocide acknowledgment, Bushâ~@~Ys
administration is also seen as destructive for the ongoing Iraqi war
and problems within the US economy.
To put it simply, the Turks are not yet determined, contrary to the
suppositions. Some of them defend Kerry saying that all previous
candidates gave suchlike promises to Armenians but none of them kept
his promise because Turkey is Americaâ~@~Ys key ally. The other part
of Turkish community thinks that Bush has already learnt on his own
mistakes and is going to vote for him.
Having informed about all these, Turkish Sabah notes that the Turkish
community of America is not united as to whom to vote for.
By Hakob Chakrian
–Boundary_(ID_HHCjjUpM3KNLKnhEOFBCsw)–

The News International, Pakistan
Oct 22 2004
Caspian and Caucasian regions
Dr Maqsudul Hasan Nuri
The 12th International Conference on “Central Asia and the Caucasus:
Looking into the future of energy systems” was organised by The
Institute for Political and International Studies, Tehran, from
October 12-13, 2004. Inaugurated by the Foreign Minister of Iran Mr
Kamal Karrazi, the moot was attended by 23 countries, including
Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Iran,
Italy, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, UK and
USA. A number of journalists from Germany, Sweden and other countries
were invited to cover the event.
Albeit no consensus emerged from the conference as divergent
viewpoints were aired by countries, problems related to Caspian Sea
resources, geopolitics, energy transportation, regional integration,
trade in electrical energy, and energy systems were some of the major
themes on which opinions were expressed.
Caspian Sea, as the “biggest lake” and an “inland sea,” is endowed
with vast hydrocarbon and marine resources. Oil was discovered as far
back as the 1870s. Under the Bolshevik regime in then Soviet Union
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan was the main source of oil. In the
Cold war, other players such as US oil company Chevron came into the
Caspian basin to exploit its resources. Hence the so- called “closed
sea” has turned into an “open sea.”
Problems bedevilling the Caspian and Caucasian region range from
radicalised Islam, lack of sustained development, issues of pipeline
routing, Western attempts to divide the regional powers, menace if
political corruption, ethnic divisions, US monopolistic and
self-centred role as sole superpower, drug trafficking,
militarisation of the region, ownership and jurisdictional disputes
over the continental and sea bed resources, and not the least,
pollution and environmental problems.
The question was raised by some Central Asian scholars that if Iran
was already sufficient in energy resources – the third largest
supplier of gas – why it was so serious in seeking nuclear energy. To
this the Iranians responded that in view of energy shortages and
non-renewable nature of oil and gas, diversification had become
necessary. Since it does not have “base load” of enough hydropower
like other CARs, it was added, so acquiring nuclear energy had become
a pressing necessity for future economic development. Hence Iran had
started a programme of alternative energy diversification by
developing coal, thermal and solar energy systems.
US branding of Iran as an “axis of evil” that is “raring to go for
nuclear weaponry,” ignore Iran’s cooperation in dispute-resolution
attempts in Chechnya, Tajikistan. Also, present pragmatic streaks in
its foreign policy are often overlooked.
Regarding questions about fecklessness of ECO and its dismal
performance, it was observed that other organisations in the region
such as GUUAM, Black Sea Cooperation Council, CICA and SCO are
equally slow in producing results. Hence ECO, a 10-member
organisation needs to be bolstered, given its area, population and
size of resources.
Chinese interests in the region were highlighted because of its
“elephant economy” nature like that of India. Since 1997, Xinjiang-
Kazakhistan pipeline project had faced difficulties in finances,
workers, transportation problems and the project was on and off for
quite sometime. After Russo-Japanese agreed to cooperate China got
disillusioned with Russian cooperation. And hence in August 2004 made
major Chinese investment in Kros Neka project – one such instance of
close Chinese-Iranian cooperation.
Landlocked countries such as Armenia, Afghanistan Kazakhstan and
others highlighted their concerns of being left out and had visions
of “corridor states” for transhipment of oil through pipelines. But
for this it was conceded that internal order for safe passage of oil
both in the Caucasus and in Afghanistan must improve.
Azerbaijan is a major supply of oil to the West through the
Baku-Ceyhan pipeline – a portion of which has lately become
operational. It was reasoned that globalisation per se was not a
negative phenomenon but it is its form and nature that is
questionable. Under the US it was taking a form of “take-all” and
“me-only” approach. Suggestions were offered on promoting tendencies
for benign globalisation. There was a need to stop crime syndicates,
oil lobbies, and other non-or anti national groups to mitigate
negative syndromes of globalisation.
Some concerns were raised about militarisation of the region,
notably, military cooperation between US and Azerbaijan. Also, US
forces were getting entrenched in some of the CARs, especially
Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan. This is being countered by
Russia in Tajikistan. It was asserted that the Caspian Sea belonged
to the littoral states and Iran is not too pleased with outsider’s
intrusions. The security of the region is the primary responsibility
of the littoral states that need to forge collective security.
Georgia emphasised the need for hydroelectric, thermal and other
alternative forms of energies. There were 20 foreign countries
working on different schemes on energy in the country. Georgia could
act as safe corridor for passage of oil between north and south.
Security situation could be helped with the help of Russia and Iran –
former maritime owners of the Caspian Sea before the demise of the
Soviet Union. Problems of landlocked states, lack of connectivity to
the outside, US as main interloper and contender also came under
review. But then it was reasoned that a superpower has to be
dependent on its partners and allies such as Turkey, Georgia,
Uzbekistan and Pakistan in the realisation of its global objectives.
While for pipeline systems, the western route is preferred by the US
and the West, the northern route by Russia, southern by Iran, and the
southern-eastern by Kazakhstan and China. The southeastern route is
the shortest and cheapest but is nagged by unstable Afghanistan.
However a redeeming aspect is that if it matures at some stage and
transits through Afghanistan (conditional on return of normalcy) it
could reach highly populated South Asia – both Pakistan and India. It
would be a “win-win” game for all actors- producers and consumers.
Many scholars in the moot held the opinion that the US wants to
design a “regional order” on the pretext of democracy and development
but instead to ensure its lead and hegemony in the region. As a
superpower, it needs compliant allies: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan
and others. After the 9/11 events, anti-proliferation, anti-terrorism
and search for alternative sources of oil other than the Persian Gulf
have come out in the open. It wants to induce competition amongst
regional actors and thwart attempts at regional collaboration. Under
the mask of democracy and development, Central Asia and Caucasus, it
is employing ruthless exploitation of their resources in what is
described as the “New Great Game.” Albeit Russia and others are major
stakeholders in the region, they are hampered by requisite managerial
skills, funds and technical expertise. Caspian basin is not expected
to attract the kind of investment as the Persian Gulf did because of
its intrinsic limitations.
Today, the global economy is being increasingly affected by prospects
of energy and menace of violence and terrorism. Countries are either
exporters or importers of oil, a commodity that is going to remain
crucial for the foreseeable future in the absence of any other
alternative energy resource. Iran and Russia are main exporters of
energy but the new CARs pipeline structures are not reliable. The
present rise in oil prices is damaging the economies of many
countries like Japan.
Does the search for energy lead to cooperation or conflict: it is egg
and chicken question dilemma. Generally, conflicts abound where oil
is present – be it in the Caspian, Gulf, West Africa or Sudan. Will
this induce cooperation or conflict in the year’s ahead remains to be
seen?
Will hegemonic policies of the US help or hinder integration amongst
the regional actors? A lot depends upon Europe for it can make a dent
in the uni polar nature of the international system. Heretofore, its
policies towards the Caucasus and Caspian basin are not coherent.
The main suggestions that emerged out of the seminar area were a need
for greater harmonisation of legal and technical systems within the
Caspian basin countries. The Europeans could contribute to gas
supplying and undertaking major investments; besides, power stations
and supply stations need to be built up soon. Also, it is timely to
explore alternative sources of energy to reduce dependence on oil.
Databases have to be updated. Even Caspian Sea data is sometimes
confusing and exaggerated.
Protection of environment must go in tandem with economic
development, keeping in view the experiences of other developing
countries. Also, mismanagement, wastage, and corruption are some
lessons as faced by some oil producing countries need to be avoided.
Joint navigation, security of pipelines, establishing proper
database, and military and technical cooperation are required. There
was a common stance on linking the region through a uniform energy
grid.
Demilitarisation of the region should be done; jurisdictional
conflicts in the Caspian Sea have to be sorted out; safety related
conventions on shipping and fishing need to be legislated and
implemented in unison.
Only then Central Asia and Caucasian regions could realise their true
potential. Contrarily, failure could invite further outside
manipulation and interference that could lead to future intra and
inter- state conflicts and wars.
The writer is Senior Research Fellow IPRI. He recently participated
in the 12th International Conference on Central Asia and the
Caucasus, Tehran, Iran

Crain’s Chicago Business
October 11, 2004, Monday
Dine a world away: Veer off Michigan; Head east of the avenue for
Armenian kebabs, Italian spinach salad
by Anne Moore
There are many reasons to be on North Michigan Avenue, and plenty of
reasons to detour off it, too: fewer pedestrians, tree-lined streets
and scads of restaurants that typically don’t have a line of tourists
spilling from their doors. We tried a few around Streeterville, just
east of Michigan Avenue.
Bice Ristorante
158 E. Ontario St., (312) 664-1474
We’d planned to eat at the very casual Bice Grill but walked next
door to the more formal side, wanting to be pampered. What a wise
choice: Our meal was unusual and excellent and our waiters very
attentive.
I’d brought a friend who lives part of every year in Italy; she
zeroed in on a spinach salad. Theirs, rustica con spinaci ($6.50), is
astonishingly good: delicate spinach leaves dressed with cream,
tossed with beets, potatoes, carrots, fried pancetta and lentils. We
split one serving: I could have stopped right there and been full and
happy.
My friend’s penne all’arrabiata ($11.75) was red-gold and flavorful,
neither too heavy nor too spicy. ”Like a dish you’d get in
Tuscany,” she said. ”Really authentic.” I wavered between lobster
and crabmeat soup ($7.25) and risottino ai frutti di mare ($17.95),
but went for the rice dish and its pleasing variety of seafood
(shrimp, tiny scallops, calamari, clams, mussels).
Ricotta cheesecake ($7.95) tasted more of egg than cheese; we liked
hazelnut and vanilla gelati ($6.95) far more. Finish with a cafe
macchiato ($2.25), espresso with a dollop of steamed-milk foam.
Sayat-Nova 157 E. Ohio St., (312) 644-9159
A friend of Armenian descent heads here when she’s in Chicago because
the food is authentic and consistently good. Take a half-circle
leather booths in the back for a seemingly private meal. The lighting
is dim and fractured; I always feel a world away.
Don’t miss the creamy hummus ($4) or tabbouleh salad ($4.50), and
keep the hummus on the table for slathering on just about anything.
We tried the jajik ($4), chunks of cucumber in yogurt, with garlic
and mint, and found it refreshing.
Lula kebab ($11.95) is more like a hamburger-ground beef and
lamb-tucked into a pita. Chicken kebabs ($12.95) are big, broiled
squares, flavorful and moist. Rice pilaf is fluffy and nicely
seasoned.
Cream-filled knafi ($3.50) was attractive, seemingly topped with spun
gold, but we preferred pistachio baklava ($3.50), a flaky pastry
shell cupping honey and crunchy nuts.
West Egg Cafe
620 N. Fairbanks Court, (312) 280-8366; 66 W. Washington St., (312)
236-3322
Freed from an overly long appointment on Michigan Avenue, I ran into
a friend I hadn’t seen in months. I needed lunch; she needed to pick
up her kids in an hour. We headed to West Egg, knowing we could get
breakfast or lunch without a wait.
Nothing on the vast menu-pancakes, French toast, salads, sandwiches,
roast chicken-is more than $10. Sensing we were overwhelmed, our
patient waitress steered us to ”healthful” offerings-egg-white
omelets, yogurt and granola-which we glanced at, then guffawed. We
wanted to eat.
My friend needed guidance: eggs Benedict ($7.50) or Bleu Bayou
($6.95), a scramble of eggs, blue cheese, spinach, bacon and
tomatoes. She went for the Bleu Bayou, and it was a hit, disappearing
nearly as quickly as it arrived. I needed some kick to my eggs, so I
chose the breakfast burrito with spicy green chilies and cooling sour
cream ($6.95). Fresh fruit and paprika-dusted potatoes made for tasty
sides; orange juice ($1.50) was freshly squeezed.
We both liked the airy room and whimsical paintings of gigantic
coffee cups. Plates clatter-it’s a diner, after all-but noise was
never a problem.
GRAPHIC: “Like a dish you’d get in Tuscany,” my friend said of Bice’s
penne all’arrabiata.