Author: Aram Torosian

American Congressman Highly Estimates Adherence Of Artsakh Principles Of Democracy
NEW YORK, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). The meetings of NKR President
Arkady Ghoukassian with the influential representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora of the US are continuing. The meetings are dated
for the telethon on fundraising in support to Nagorno Karabakh.
According to observers, it is expected that this telethon, as against
the previous telethons, will become record on donations for Artsakh
made by the citizens of Armenian origin living in the US. According
to the press release of the Head Information Department attached to
the NKR President, the results of Arkady Ghoukassian’s talks with
representatives of the various circles of the Armenian Diaspora are
also the evidence of this fact.
So, during the November 15 meeting of the NKR President with
famous philanthropist Luis Simon Manukian, the latter expressed
willingness to contribute (the same way as in the previous years)
to the socio-economic development of Artsakh and, first of all, to
the construction of the North-South highway being of great strategic
importance to Nagorno Karabakh. It is notable that Mrs. Manukian is
also the sponsor of the construction of a school in the NKR capital
Stepanakert.
The same day, the NKR President visited the Head Office of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), where he talked to
Endrew Torigian, the head of this organization. The President thanked
AMAA for the implementation of a number of humanitarian programs in
Artsakh, in particular, for rendering material support to orphans
and the maintainance of a nunber of pre-school establishments. He
called on members of the missionary organization to take an active
part in the telethon. E. Torigian spoke out for the further widening
of cooperation between AMAA and Nagorno Karabakh.
A reception and dinner in honor of NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
were organized upon the initiative of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union and the “Hayastan” (“Armenia”) Pan-Armenian Fund in New York the
day before. Perch Sedrakian, the President of the AGBU, who spoke at
the reception stressed the necessity of more active participation of
the Armenian Diaspora in the development of Artsakh. In this connection
the NKR President drew the participants’ attention to the fact that
Artsakh needs the assistance of the Diaspora in the issues of the
implementation of programs on the construction of highways, as well
as hospitals, schools, other entities of social importance. Readiness
of participants to take an active part in the upcoming telethon was
expressed at the meeting held with the participation of Resident
Representative of Armenia to the UN Armen Martirosian.
Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with Frank Pallown, the Co-Chairman of
the Group on Armenian Issues of the US Congress, was held the same
day. Issues regarding the ways of the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh problem were touched upon during the conversation. The
American congressmen, in particular, gave high assessment to the NKR’s
adherence to the principles of democracy, expressing satisfaction
with the successes of the republic in the socio-economic and cultural
development. At the same time, he expressed serious concern on the
occasion of the bistructural position of Azerbaijan on the settlement
of the Karabakh problem, especially in connection with the military
statements made in this country quite often. Pallown confirmed his
readiness to support the right of the NKR people to freedom and
independence.
Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to the American congressman
for support to Artsakh. He also thanked the American people for
humanitarian aid rendered to the NKR population that suffered from
the military aggression od Azerbaijan.
The NKR President’s visit to the United States continues.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iran surrounded by countries with `high-risk terrorism`: Report
IRNA, Iran
Nov 19 2004
London, Nov 19, IRNA – Iran is completely surrounded by neighbouring
countries with far higher security problems than itself, according to
the latest annual report by the UK-based Control Risks Group.
Its RiskMap for 2005 identifies Iraq as an `Extreme Security Risk,`
saying that insecurity had reached “unprecedented levels towards the
end of 2004 and looks set to continue.”
Iran was classed as a `Low Security Risk,` but Afghanistan, Saudi
Arabia and the bordering areas of Armenia and Azerbaijan were rated as
`High Security Risk.`
Other neighbouring countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar,
Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as well as the remainder
of Armenia and Azerbaijan were identified as a `Medium Security Risk.`
Control Risks specializes in forecasting opportunities and trouble
spots for businesses, working with more than 5,300 clients in over
130 countries.
Its definition of Extreme Security Risk is where the severity of
security risks to assets or personnel is likely to make business
operations untenable.
The high level is when there is a probability that foreign companies
will face security problems and requires special measures as state
protection is very limited.
Medium risk is for countries where there is a reasonable possibility of
security problems affecting companies as against low risk, when assets
are deemed to be secure and authorities provide adequate protection.
In judging Iran, Control Risks suggested that the country`s nuclear
programme would continue to dominate international relations in 2005.
It also believed that effective UN sanctions remained unlikely, but
said that this “may force the US or Israel to take decisive action,
possibly involving air strikes against nuclear sites. It ruled out
any full-scale military action, saying this was “not in prospect.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Nov. 3, 2004
Comment: In Search of a Solution
It is in the interests of both Russia and the European Union to solve a
problem knocking at both their doors.
By Nicholas Whyte in Brussels (BCR No 524, 03-Nov-04)
Moldova is soon to become one of the European Union’s newest
neighbours. With the expected entry of Romania in 2007, the EU will
share a long frontier with the poorest country in Europe, which suffers
from an uneasy sense of identity and uncertain borders.
The unrecognised separatist region of Transdniester has been out of the
control of Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, since 1992 and is essentially a
mafia-run fiefdom which survives thanks only to criminal profits and
support from certain circles in Russia and Ukraine – and the security
presence of the 14th Russian Army.
The region is a prime location for money laundering and the production
and illegal export of weapons. Firearms produced in and trafficked from
Transdniester are said to lack serial numbers, making them untraceable
and therefore ideal for organised crime.
In the current situation, such activities can be conducted in and from
Transdniester very easily and with impunity, as international law
enforcement bodies are not allowed there, and international
governmental and non-governmental organisations are unable to operate
normally within its borders.
As a result, it is difficult to provide training for officials or
provide expertise on legislation, awareness-raising campaigns and
witness protection programmes relating to trafficking issues when the
authorities are not recognised internationally and are resistant to
international pressure and intervention.
The civil war in Moldova was relatively mild by post-Soviet standards
when you consider the Georgian civil war, the Armenian-Azerbaijani war
over Nagorny Karabakh, or the decade of implosion in Chechnya. But this
does not make a long-term solution any easier to find.
A Russian attempt to break the deadlock, the so-called Kozak Memorandum
of November 2003, foundered on two issues: the constitutional set-up of
a reunited Moldovan state, and Russia’s continued military presence in
Transdniester.
Russian officials admitted afterwards that their negotiator Dmitry
Kozak – an adviser to President Vladimir Putin – failed to get the
necessary buy-in to the plan from Washington and the EU via the
existing OSCE negotiating mechanism.
However, the EU’s new European Neighbourhood Policy – which is designed
to improve stability and security in areas soon to border on the EU
following its expansion – has raised expectations in Moldova.
The European Commission will shortly be publishing an Action Plan for
the country, which should contain clear benchmarks for the country for
development of democracy, rule of law and human rights. After an
initial period when Chisinau got a relatively good bill of health on
this score, the 2003 local elections and continuing state harassment of
journalists and media indicate a worrying trend.
A regime of visa sanctions against the Transdniestrian leadership,
imposed in early 2003 in frustration with their failure to move the
peace process forward, was intensified in July 2004 in reaction to
Tiraspol’s harassment of Moldovan-language schools.
Tensions also rose in the divided town of Tighina/Bendery in autumn
2004, when Transdniestrian militia seized control of a vital railway
station.
The EU has a clear interest in helping to clean up the serious problems
caused by poverty and endemic crime in Moldova, as both threaten to
bring even greater problems with Romania’s succession in perhaps fewer
than three years’ time.
And whether or not one believes Chisinau’s claims that Transdniestrian
arms are flowing to Caucasian rebels, it surely cannot be in Russia’s
long-term interests to allow the dispute to continue to fester.
At present, international actors are unwilling to invest resources in
Moldova; the painful memory of last year’s botched Kozak plan lingers.
What is needed is a joint EU-Russia effort to find a solution, in the
context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and also of Russian’s 1999
commitment to withdraw its troops and equipment from Moldova, and
specifically from Transdniestria.
The EU’s designated new external relations commissioner, Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, has had some experience of the issue from her time as
Chair-in-office of the OSCE in 2000.
Perhaps Brussels and Moscow will find the necessary time and energy to
resolve this comparatively minor problem soon.
Nicholas Whyte is Europe Programme Director of the International Crisis
Group in Brussels.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HOMELESS PEOPLE GATHERED IN ANGRY PROTEST OUTSIDE YEREVAN CITY HALL
A1 Plus | 16:31:20 | 12-10-2004 | Social |
Yerevan mayor Yervand Zakaryan promised the people driven from their
homes because of construction of Northern Avenue in Armenia’s capital
to think over the problem and make compromising decisions by Monday.
Monday passed with no sign of imminent progress. On Tuesday, homeless
citizens once again gathered outside City Hall, demanding bigger
compensation. They said 50 families evicted from their homes had
signed a contract on a paltry compensation. The demonstrators say
they signed the contract under “red berets” pressure and were forced
to leave their homes.
The protesters are now waiting to be received by the municipality. No
response is got so far.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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

ARKA News Agency
Sept 16 2004
The Head of Ra Parliament and Newly Appointed SAR Ambassador to
Armenia discuss perspectives of economic cooperation
RA Deputy Foreign Minister meets with representatives of Latvian
Defense Ministry
First meeting of Armenians of Europe to take place on Oct 18-19 in
Brussels
Political boycott cannot be considered a not valid reason by the
political structures
Armenia and Finland plan to activate cooperation in military and
economic spheres
The acknowledgement of Conversebank as the best bank in armenia by
The Banker is a serious event for the bank
*********************************************************************
THE HEAD OF RA PARLIAMENT AND NEWLY APPOINTED SAR AMBASSADOR TO
ARMENIA DISCUSS PERSPECTIVES OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION
YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. The Head of RA Parliament Arthur
Baghdasarian and Newly Appointed SAR Ambassador to Armenia Ashraf
Sentso discussed perspectives of economic cooperation, RA NA told
ARKA. Special accent was made on cooperation in jewellery and tourism
spheres. Besides, the parties discussed establishment and
strengthening of bilateral political and trade relations. They
emphasized the conclusion of base agreement on friendship and
cooperation that will contribute to multilateral cooperation between
Armenia and SAR.
The Ambassador invited Baghdasarian to visit SAR. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LATVIAN
DEFENSE MINISTRY
YEREVAN, September, 16. /ARKA/. The RA Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul
Margaryan met today with Edgar Rinkevitchs, Secretary of State of the
Ministry of Defense of Latvia and Angey Wiloumsons, Director of
Defense Policy and Planning Department of Latvian Defense Ministry.
According to the Press Service and Public Relations Department of the
RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, Margaryan
presented the approaches of Armenia to regional policy, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement and measures undertaken by the republic
on ensuring regional security and strengthening of mutual confidence
between its neighbors. Besides, he also acquaint the guests with
Armenia-NATO relations current stage and further cooperation
perspective
In his turn, Rinkevichs noted the opportunity of cooperation
expansion between the defense authorities of the two countries in a
number of areas. L.V..–0–
*********************************************************************
FIRST MEETING OF ARMENIANS OF EUROPE TO TAKE PLACE ON OCT 18-19 IN
BRUSSELS
YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. First meeting of Armenians of Europe
will take place on Oct 18-19 in Brussels, Federation Euro-Armenienne
told ARKA. For this goal, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian will
arrive in Brussels. The meeting will create an opportunity of
dialogue between different Armenian communities, organizations and
institutes of Europe that will lead to create of joint position on
such an important issues as for example culture and language of
Armenians of Europe, the issue of Turkey joining Europe. European
experts, Europarliament deputies and representatives of
Eurocommission will also take part in the work of the meeting.
Today, more than two million Armenians live in EU countries. L.D.
–0–
*********************************************************************
POLITICAL BOYCOTT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A NOT VALID REASON BY THE
POLITICAL STRUCTURES
YEREVAN, September, 16. /ARKA/. Political boycott cannot be
considered a not valid reason by the political structures, as stated
Gourgen Arsenyan, the leader of Unified labor Party at today’s press
conference. He added that political boycott is a common event and
occupies its special and important place in political field.
It should be reminded that on September 10, 2004, the Parliamentary
Commission on State-legal Issues of the RA NA decided to include the
issue of unacceptable absence of 26 deputies in the agenda of the RA
Parliament autumn session. The opposition deputies have been
boycotting the session of the Parliament since February 2, 2004.
L.V.–0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIA AND FINLAND PLAN TO ACTIVATE COOPERATION IN MILITARY AND
ECONOMIC SPHERES
YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. Armenia and Finland plan to activate
cooperation in military and economic spheres. It was stated during
the meeting of the Secretary of National Security Council at RA
President, RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsian with newly appointed
Ambassador of Finland to Armenia Terji Hakkala. The parties discussed
perspectives of cooperation in the frames of NATO “Partnership for
Peace” program and peacemaking activity. Sargsian expressed
confidence that experience of Finnish military men will be useful to
Armenia. The Ambassador noted that first steps for the beginning of
military cooperation are already being made. It was noted that
Finnish specialists participated in the inspection of RA Armed Forces
with OSCE. The parties also stressed that Armenian and Finnish
peacemakers are successfully cooperating in Balcanas. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CONVERSEBANK AS THE BEST BANK IN ARMENIA BY
THE BANKER IS A SERIOUS EVENT FOR THE BANK
YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. The acknowledgement of Conversebank as
the best bank in Armenia by The Banker is a serious event for the
bank, according to the Director in Chief of the bank Smbat Nasibyan.
According to him, “it is a high appraisal of the activities of the
bank made on the base of the analysis of the speed of the development
of the bank and the implementation of technological innovations by
it”.
On September 9, 2004, The Banker, included into a group of Financial
Times, acknowledged Conversebank as the best bank in Armenia in 2004.
The bank was awarded a diploma and a prize “BRACKEN”, which was the
statuette of Drenden Bracken, the founder of the journal. British
HSBC was recognized as the best bank of 2004 in the world. Among the
Russian nominees the winner became the largest bank of the country –
Savingsbank.
All prize-winners are elected by The Banker on the basis of the
answers of the banks to the questions relating to the growth of their
capital, assets and profitability. In addition to that, they should
demonstrate the way the implementation of technologies assists them
in advancement in the market, as well as the structure and the
strategy they use to prepare for the further developments in the
market.
To remind, in 2003, HSBC Bank Armenia was acknowledged the best bank
in Armenia by The Banker. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FINANCE MINISTRY RECEIVES 209 PROPOSALS SEEKING FUNDS FROM
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES ACCOUNT
ArmenPress
Sept 9 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian finance and economy
ministry has received some 209 proposals for presentation to the
Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a new US government assistance
scheme representing a fresh approach to helping low-income countries
overcome economic backwardness. According to Armen Hayrapetian,
chief of the ministry’s macroeconomic department, the overall cost
of all presented proposals amount to $2 billion.
Thirteen of these proposals, costing $430.3 million seek assistance
for reconstruction of water reservoirs, another 36, worth $372.4
million refer to road-building and other infrastructures, 11 proposals
worth $367.4 million seek funds for restoration of irrigation systems
and another 11, worth $209.9 million seek assistance for industry
development.
Proposals seeking funds for agriculture are worth $184 million and
proposals for improvement of water supplies and modernization of
sewage systems cost $87.1 million. Also $86.8 million are asked for
health system improvement, $50.6 million for education and $41.4
million for social security sector. Some other proposals refer to
housing problems, nature protection, high technology and other areas.
Department chief said a meeting of the Board of Trustees, to be
called soon, is expected to discuss the priority directions, which
then will be sent to the Millennium Challenges Account before the
end of September.
According to Paul Applegarth, a veteran of the World Bank and
Wall Street, who runs the government agency that administers the
Millennium Challenge Account, the successful reform in poor countries
will attract not only the fund’s money but also foreign investors,
which he describes as the key to long-term prosperity.
Of 70 countries that meet administration eligibility requirements
based on need, 16 made the cut for receiving aid: Armenia, Benin,
Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar,
Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka and the
Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. They will get to share in the $1
billion Congress has appropriated for the first year, assuming that
Washington approves the projects they design. If Congress goes along,
Millennium Challenge Account funding will rise from the current
$1 billion for this year to $2.5 billion in 2005 and then go to $5
billion annually by 2006.
The overall cost of Armenian proposals for three years will make some
$700-800 million. Other problems, faced by the government of Armenia,
will be resolved, as prime minister Andranik Margarian said, within
the frameworks of other programs. The MCA assistance is supplemented
to the traditional assistance vehicle, the US Agency for International
Development (USAID) that has released $94 million aide to Armenia
for 2004.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian premier pleased with results of Iranian leader’s visit
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
9 Sep 04
[Correspondent over video of meeting] Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II received the Iranian president [Mohammad Khatami] at the
Holy See of Echmiadzin today. The visit to this holy place lends a
meaning to our official visit to Armenia, Khatami said.
The Armenian catholicos expressed gratitude to the Iranian authorities
for their attention to and care about the Armenian community and
outlined that relations between Armenia and Iran are developing
and progressing.
The Iranian president’s first official visit to Armenia has ended. As
the Armenian side stressed, the two-day visit was very useful and
important in the political, as well as in the economic spheres.
[Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, seeing off Mohammad
Khatami at the airport] The agreements signed during the visit showed
once again how serious our relations are. The documents signed not only
in the political, but also in the economic spheres laid the foundations
for the implementation of these programmes in the near future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TRIAL OF ARMENIAN PILOTS IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA TO RESUME IN EARLY OCTOBER
ArmenPress
Sept 7 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: In an exclusive interview with
Armenpress Armenian ambassador to Egypt, Sergey Manaserian, recently
back from Equatorial Guinea where he attended the trial of six
Armenian pilots, arrested on charges of involvement in an alleged
coup to oust that country’s president Teodoro Obiang Nguema, said
the trial, started on August 23, was suspended for one month.
He said Equatorial Guinea’s chief prosecutor, national security
minister and high officials of the foreign ministry used to say
that the trial would not run for more than 3-4 days, an opinion
that was also shared by lawyers and locally deployed diplomats and
representatives from the South African Republic.
Manaserian said the South African Nick du Toit, accused of attempting
to oust the president, was the only one of 19 arrested people for
whom prosecutors demanded death punishment. He was also the sole
who admitted to plotting the coup, saying he was to meet the team
of mercenaries and direct their further moves. He at the same time
insisted that other arrested 7 South Africans had no connection with
the plot and were just fulfilling his instructions.
Manaserian said Armenian pilots were questioned on the third day of
the trial and the prosecutors’ questions referred to their February
17 flight to Zambia. Their answers made obvious that they had no
relations to the implicated charges. Nick du Toit in his turn said
he had no relations with Armenian pilots (one of the charges was
that Armenians received money from South Africans). Their answers
were clear and definite despite the prosecutors’ attempts to find
any discrepancy in their testimonies.
Manaserian said that despite expectations that the presiding judge
will issue his ruling on August 30, he announced about adjourning the
trial for one month, as was requested by prosecutors, for collection
of additional evidence. The ruling was protested by lawyers, who cited
several international conventions, but without any effect. The trial
is most likely to resume between October 1 and 7.
The ambassador also criticized some Armenian mass media for distorted
coverage of the case, which he said was sometimes jeopardizing the
pilots’ fate. He also expressed his bewilderment that not a single
Armenian mass media sent a journalist to follow the trial in Malabo,
the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
According to the ambassador, no evidence was unveiled at the trial to
implicate Armenian pilots’ involvement in the plot, which he said was
a serious basis for optimism, but added that “we have to wait until
the end of the trial.”
On Monday Armenia’s foreign ministry denied a report by Agence France
Presse that a team of investigators from Equatorial Guinea arrived in
Yerevan to gather more information about six Armenian pilots accused
of involvement in the alleged plot. Agence France Presse quoted an
unnamed `legal official’ in the country’s capital Malabo as saying
that the investigators flew to Armenia to probe links between the
suspected coup plotters and an Armenian airline whose pilots have
been kept in Equato-Guinean custody since March.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri campaigner slams Iran for ties with separatist Karabakh
Ekspress, Baku
27 Aug 04

Text of Alakbar Raufoglu’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on
27 August headlined “Iran regards Karabakh as its own province” and
subheaded “Cahandar Bayoglu: A document signed between Ardabil
Province and Karabakh separatists describes Nagornyy Karabakh as the
‘Artsakh state'”
Tehran’s interest in increasing investment in Nagornyy Karabakh stands
behind Iranian-Armenian talks, the chairman of the committee to
protect the rights of the [NRMSA] National Revival Movement of
Southern Azerbaijan [northwestern Iran], Cahandar Bayoglu, told
Ekspress yesterday commenting on Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s
scheduled visit to Armenia in September.
He said that official Tehran suggested that Armenian businessmen
expand activities in Southern Azerbaijan in exchange for assistance by
Persian businessmen to Nagornyy Karabakh.
The chairman of the committee said that an “economic cooperation
accord” consisting of 30 points had been signed between the so-called
Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR] and Ardabil governor-general’s office
during the visit by so-called NKR economists to Ardabil a short time
ago. The document describes Karabakh as the “Artsakh state”. This
shows that Tehran is insincere in its statements that it supports
Azerbaijan in the Karabakh settlement, the chairman of the committee
said.
Iran obviously regards Karabakh as its province and continues to cast
doubt on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Therefore, the committee
to protect the rights of the NRMSA calls on the Azerbaijani government
to demand an explanation of this from official Tehran in the run-up to
the Iranian president’s visit to Armenia.
To recap, the visit of “Karabakh economists” to Ardabil last month was
accompanied by mass protest actions in Southern Azerbaijan. In an
interview with Ekspress during his visit to Baku, the governor of
Western Azerbaijan, Nariman Sobhan-Elahi, described his country’s
cooperation with Karabakh Armenians as a normal issue that caused no
problems.
The Iranian embassy in Baku has no information about the signing of
any agreement between Ardabil Province and the Karabakh separatists.
“We know nothing about this,” the embassy told Ekspress.
Incidentally, Azerbaijanis living in Sweden are concerned about
Iranian President Khatami’s unexpected visit to Armenia.
“We condemn this visit. A total of 30m Turks living in Southern
Azerbaijan see this step by Khatami as a gesture of disrespect,” a
statement by the Azerbaijani Federation – Swedish Committee sent to
Ekspress says.
The organization has sent a letter to the Iranian president protesting
against the visit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress