Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Book probes Ocalan affair
‘The Kurdish Trap’ offers fascinating insights and lessons to
politicians on both sides of Aegean
Kathimerini, Athens (English Edition)
11-09-2004
By Burak Bekdil
The book is still fresh on bookstore shelves in Turkey, but it’s already a
best seller. “The Kurdish Trap” not only gives the reader the most detailed
insight so far on an episode the Turks recall with quite a lot of pride,
but
also offers an excellent narrative of how the Aegean neighbors wisely
avoided the most recent unpleasant chapter in their history.
“The Kurdish Trap” is the odyssey of Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the
outlawed
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), now in solitary confinement in a military
prison, between Oct. 1, 1998, when his days in his Damascus safe haven were
numbered, and Feb. 15, 1999, when he was delivered by American agents to
Turkish special forces at Nairobi airport – after he was “deported” from
the
Greek Embassy in the Kenyan capital.
The book’s author is Murat Yetkin, one of Turkey’s most prominent
journalists and presently Ankara bureau chief for Radikal, a daily
newspaper
many people view as Turkey’s “Guardian.” For “The Kurdish Trap,” Mr Yetkin
interviewed American diplomats and intelligence officers as well as
Turkey’s
top government, military and intelligence officials who were in office
during the PKK leader’s forced journey across three continents. His
revelations are stunning in many ways.
On Sept. 30, 1998, a day before President Suleyman Demirel was to make his
annual speech in Parliament, his foreign-policy advisers came up with a
speech text that, as the president had ordered them to do, contained a
warning to Syria not to harbor Ocalan any longer. Having read the text, Mr
Demirel looked bitterly at his advisers and said: “Make it tougher.
Threaten
Syria.”
President Demirel’s speech on Oct. 1 was the beginning of a new and very
tense chapter between Ankara and Damascus. In his speech the president
bitterly reminded the Assad regime of the 30,000 dead, and openly said
Syria
should either stop harboring the man responsible for the bloodshed or
suffer
the consequences. Twelve days later, Army Commander General Atilla Ates
echoed the threat in a military tone. Turkey would begin reinforcing its
troops bordering Syria, then launched military exercises in the eastern
Mediterranean, and, eventually, began a hot pursuit after the PKK
terrorists
infiltrating Turkish territory from across the Syrian border. Operational
plans showed the first Turkish troops would set foot in Damascus in 8-12
days. The choice belonged to President Hafez al-Assad.
After increased pressure from Ankara and Washington, and intensive
diplomatic efforts from Egypt and Iran – both of which thought a military
confrontation in the region was against their interests – Assad, much
sooner
than Turkey expected, agreed to stop sheltering Ocalan.
Ocalan was put on a plane en route to Athens. That was the beginning of
trouble for the PASOK government. Prime Minister Costas Simitis, reportedly
despite objections from Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, ordered
Ocalan’s
immediate deportation from Greek territory. After a breathtaking diplomatic
confrontation between Turkey, Italy and Russia, Ocalan ended up in Athens
briefly, and later in Corfu before, once again on orders from Mr
Simitis, he
was packed into a Falcon 900 and, carrying a false Cyprus passport under
the
name of Lazaros Mavros, sent to Kenya until the Americans decided it was
time to deliver him to the Turks. Most of the odyssey is in the public
domain. But “The Kurdish Trap” reveals many details not known before.
New findings
For example, the book tells of contacts between the PKK, which it refers to
as the “unwanted baby of the Kurdish problem” and a bunch of PASOK members
led by Costas Badouvas in the 1990s. A photo in the book shows Mr Badouvas
discussing with Ocalan, over a map, possible energy routes via Turkey. It
cannot be a coincidence, Mr Yetkin argues, that the Armenian killing
machine, ASALA, which murdered dozens of Turkish diplomats in the ’70s and
early ’80s, was dismantled in 1983-84, the same year as the PKK took the
stage.
Mr Yetkin reveals that the Turkish secret services had attempted to
assassinate Ocalan at his Damascus home in the mid-1990s, but the effort
failed when a ton of explosives blew out a whole street when Ocalan was not
at home. Most interestingly, Mr Yetkin claims the Turkish secret services
had also attempted to kill Admiral Adonis Naksakis, a Greek naval
intelligence officer, shortly after his meeting with Ocalan at Lebanon’s
Bika Valley, once home to thousands of PKK gunmen. It’s a funny story:
“Yesil, a code name for a Kurdish hit man often used by the Turkish
services
and now on a wanted list, had been tasked with assassinating Admiral
Naksakis. He went to Athens for the job with a team of his own. When they
ended up driving in the wrong direction on a one-way Athens street, they
were caught by the Greek police, interrogated under detention for a few
days, but then released without revealing their true mission in Athens.” Mr
Yetkin says a Turkish intelligence officer confirmed the story.
According to the book, Turkish intelligence was also behind a series of
explosions on the Greek mainland and islands, in retaliation for the
alleged
Greek support for the PKK’s campaign in the 1990s to set Turkish forests
ablaze.
But throughout the whole episode Prime Minister Simitis was very determined
to stay away from trouble. In his defense in court, Ocalan recalls his
first
landing in Athens: “My arrival in Athens was the product of our contacts
with Badouvas. I had asked (the Greeks) 10 times whether the circumstances
for my arrival were appropriate. The answer was positive each time. At the
airport, I saw (Greek intelligence chief) Haralambos Stavrakakis and
(another intelligence officer) Savvas Kalenderidis. They were in a state of
panic. They threatened me: Unless I left Athens by 5 p.m. the same day I
would be forced to do so. Badouvas never showed up.” Ocalan’s next stop was
Russia, where he stayed at Vladimir Zhrinovsky’s house until Ankara
convinced Moscow that Ocalan had to be deported.
Ocalan further reveals the “Greek connection.”
“…We once bought scores of Russian-made ground-to-air missiles from
Serbia
through funds collected in Greece and under guidance of the Greek secret
services.”
But during those days Turkey’s primary target was Italy, where Ocalan
stayed
for 66 days amid massive Turkish protests. The book claims that the Turkish
secret services were so frustrated by the Italian behavior over Ocalan that
they put together an assassination plot against him in Rome. But instead,
they made a wiser move. The book says the intelligence chiefs in Ankara
told
of their plan to the CIA’s local station chief and “requested the American
service’s assistance in neutralizing the Italians when the attempt was
to be
made.”
That move, according to Mr Yetkin, convinced the Americans that the Turks
had become so crazy and obsessed with Ocalan that they could do anything
insane to get him. Something truly crazy might have caused turmoil in
Turkey’s
ties with the Western world, and that was entirely against American
interests. That was the beginning of the end for Ocalan.
After Italy’s communist prime minister, Massimo D’Alema, could no longer
resist the pressure, Ocalan went to Russia once again on Jan. 16, 1999. A
very hot potato unwanted by every country, even Armenia, due to increased
Turkish-American pressure, Ocalan had to spend nine days in Tadzhikistan,
then went to St Petersburg, and finally to Athens again. At the time, Mr
Simitis’s differences with Mr Pangalos over Ocalan were deepening.
On one occasion, according to unidentified sources referred to by Mr
Yetkin,
when Mr Pangalos discussed with Mr Simitis the issue of possible political
asylum for Ocalan, the Greek prime minister said bluntly: “You are not to
meet with (Ocalan). And that person will leave this country at once.”
These were the conditions Ocalan was put aboard a plane heading first for
Minsk, then back to Athens, and on to Corfu when head of the Turkish
intelligence, Senkal Atasagun sent a fax message to his Greek counterpart,
Mr Stavrakakis, saying: “We know where Ocalan is. This is going to cause a
lot of trouble between Turkey and Greece.” Mr Simitis once again called Mr
Pangalos: Finish off this business.
Ocalan’s days at the residence of the Greek ambassador to Nairobi, Giorgios
Kostoulas, ended in a way that is known to more or less everyone. But the
breakthrough, according to Mr Yetkin, came up on Feb. 4 when the CIA’s
station chief in Ankara called Mr Atasagun and gave him the good news:
President Bill Clinton had endorsed Ocalan’s capture by the American agents
and his delivery to the Turks on condition of a “fair trial and no capital
punishment.” The Kurdish trap was finally beginning to work. Under pressure
from Kenyan authorities, his own government and the Americans, Ambassador
Kostoulas convinced Ocalan that he would be put aboard a plane heading for
The Hague. Hoping to be boarding a Dutch plane, Ocalan instead found
Turkish
agents greeting him: “Welcome to your homeland!”
No doubt, Mr Yetkin’s book will be much debated. But its contents are a
valuable lesson to politicians across the Aegean.
PHOTO CAPTION: Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan (c) is flanked by
masked Turkish agents as he is flown from Kenya to Turkey in February 1999.
From: Baghdasarian

Azeri foreign ministry says visas not to be issued to Armenian MPs
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
8 Nov 04
[Presenter in studio] The names of Armenian MPs who are expected to
attend the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth seminar due in
Baku on 26-28 November have been revealed. However, the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry said today that visas would not be issued to the
representatives of the aggressor-state.
[Correspondent over archive footage] Armenia will be represented
by three deputies at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth
seminar in Baku. The delegation will include the chairman of the
standing parliamentary commission on defence, national security and
internal affairs, Mger Shakhgeldyan, and deputies Aleksan Karapetyan
and Artur Petrosyan.
Mger Shakhgeldyan has said that the Armenian side had already informed
the organizers of its decision. As for the issue of receiving visas to
travel to Azerbaijan, the delegation will receive the visas in Baku,
end of quote.
While the Armenians are making preparations for the visit to Baku,
there seems to be no clarity on the issue in Baku. The Foreign
Ministry has stated that since there are no diplomatic contacts
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Armenian deputies cannot receive
the visas in Baku. The Defence Ministry, in turn, has said that it has
nothing to do with the Armenian MPs’ possible visit to Baku. According
to the head of the ministry’s press service, Ramiz Malikov, since
this seminar is being organized by NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly,
all organizational issues are being dealt with by the Milli Maclis
[parliament], end of quote.
However, the Milli Maclis seems reluctant to comment on the issue. In
fact, the parliament’s press service does not even know the names of
the deputies expected to represent Armenia at the seminar.
Meanwhile, the Karabakh Liberation Organization has accused the Milli
Maclis administration of creating suitable conditions for the Armenian
deputies’ visit to Baku. The organization sees the recent signing
of a document in Paris by speaker Murtuz Alasgarov to form a joint
working group with Armenia as a betrayal of national interests. It
said it would prevent the Armenian MPs from visiting Baku.
Vusala Karimova, “Son Xabar”.
From: Baghdasarian

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
November 7, 2004
AZERBAIGIAN: LEZIONI DI TOLLERANZA DA PAESE SCIITA / ANSA
DIVERSE RELIGIONI MA UNICO OBIETTIVO: LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO
BAKU
(dell’inviato Alberto Zanconato).

(ANSA) – BAKU, 7 NOV – Un insolito Ramadan quello che si
celebra in questi giorni in Azerbaigian. Nonostante sia questo
un Paese musulmano – e l’unico oltre all’Iran quasi totalmente
sciita – l’impressione che si ricava da un giro per il centro di
Baku e’ quella di una citta’ laica. Pochissime le donne velate,
ristoranti e bar frequentati anche nelle ore diurne (quelle del
digiuno), vodka, vini georgiani e azeri serviti generosamente.

Eppure, assicurano molti abitanti della capitale, il digiuno
viene osservato da oltre meta’ della popolazione. Ma cio’ senza
ostentazioni, in un Paese dal governo laico dove i musulmani,
che sono il 93 per cento, i Cristiani ortodossi e gli ebrei,
ridotti a poche migliaia, coabitano senza tensioni reciproche.

Lo conferma l’ambasciatore italiano a Baku, Margherita
Costa. “Sono ottime – sottolinea la diplomatica – le relazioni
tra lo sceicco dei musulmani, Allahshukur Pasmazadeh, il
patriarca ortodosso Aleksandr, la guida spirituale degli ebrei
Semion Isiilov e il capo della comunita’ cattolica, il salesiano
Ian Kaplan”.

“E’ vero – dice Nargis, 25 anni, che lavora per l’ufficio
relazioni estere del Museo della Citta’ vecchia della capitale,
un gioiello di architettura medievale – molti giovani oggi si
rivolgono all’Islam, studiando con attenzione le fonti, alla
ricerca di radici che sembravano dimenticate. E forse a
digiunare per il Ramadan sono fino al 65 per cento degli azeri.
Ma questa e’ una libera scelta, non un’imposizione”.

La voglia di riscoprire queste radici sembra giustificata, se
si pensa che proprio dalle regioni azere, nel sedicesimo secolo,
nacque la dinastia dei Safavidi, fondata dallo Shah Ismail,
destinata a convertire alla religione sciita lo stesso Iran.

Ma anziche l’ ‘hejab’ l’abbigliamento islamico obbligatorio
per legge in Iran, alle donne di Baku piace di piu’ sfoggiare
nelle strade vestiti di marche italiane. Intanto la vodka scorre
nei bar del centro, nei negozi i salumi sono esposti in vetrina
con le sole avvertenze di ‘halal’ (permesso dall’Islam, cioe
non di carne suina) o ‘haram’ (proibito) e sulle bancarelle per
i turisti i cimeli dell’era sovietica fanno mostra di se
accanto ai ‘taspi’, rosari musulmani per la preghiera.

L’Azerbaigian e’ terra di antiche tradizioni religiose.
Queste lande, gia’ considerate il sito del biblico Giardino
dell’Eden, sono state meta di parte della diaspora ebraica,
hanno visto il passaggio del profeta Zarathustra e poi la
cristianizzazione, prima appunto dell’affermazione della Shia
islamica. Ma con il regime sovietico hanno anche testimoniato
una tra le piu’ crude repressioni anti-religiose. Negli anni ’30
furono abbattuti alcuni dei monumenti sciiti piu’ sacri, il
mausoleo di Bibi, sorella dell’ottavo Imam, e la cattedrale
Alexander Nevsky di Baku.

La moschea di Bibi e’ stata la prima ad essere ricostruita
nell’intera ex Unione Sovietica, negli anni ’90, e l’allora
presidente Gheidar Aliyev, padre dell’indipendenza e difensore
della laicita’ dello Stato, decise personalmente di finanziare
uno dei minareti.

L’Azerbaigian di oggi, ammesso dal 2001 nel Consiglio
d’Europa con l’obiettivo di entrare un giorno nell’Unione
europea e nella Nato, si presenta come un Paese non toccato
dalle tensioni religiose che si fanno drammaticamente sentire ai
confini caucasici e, a sud, in Iraq e Medio oriente. Anche la
guerra con la cristiana Armenia dei primi anni ’90 per il
Nagorno Karabakh ebbe poco a che fare con la religione. Una
prova ne e’ il fatto che il grande vicino sciita, l’Iran, fu
accusato da Baku di sostenere proprio le truppe di Erevan.
Nonostante le rassicurazioni del presidente iraniano Mohammad
Khatami, il quale visitando quest’anno Baku ha detto che Teheran
considera “la sicurezza dell’Azerbaigian importante tanto
quanto la propria”, le relazioni non sono migliorate di molto.
A renderle ostili e’ la disputa ancora aperta per la spartizione
delle acque del Caspio (e il petrolio sotto il fondo di questo
mare) a 13 anni dalla caduta dell’Urss, oltre ai timori di
Teheran – condivisi dalla Russia – per un possibile arrivo di
truppe americane nel vicino Paese.

Tra le prime preoccupazioni del presidente Ilham Aliyev –
succeduto al padre Gheidar nelle elezioni dell’ottobre 2003 – e
quella di prevenire attriti religiosi che possano mettere a
rischio il rilancio dell’economia resa possibile dal petrolio. E
finora c’e riuscito. Tensioni politiche vi sono. Lo dimostrano
le condanne fino a cinque anni di reclusione inflitte nei giorni
scorsi a sette leader dell’opposizione per la loro
partecipazione, lo scorso anno, a manifestazioni di protesta per
l’elezione del nuovo presidente, che provocarono un morto e
quasi 200 feriti. E cio’ dopo che osservatori occidentali
avevano messo in dubbio la regolarita’ della consultazione.
Ma la religione, almeno per ora, resta fuori da tutto questo.
(ANSA).
From: Baghdasarian

A1 Plus | 19:00:17 | 05-11-2004 | Official |
KARLOS PETROSYAN DISMISSED
President Kocharyan signed an order relieving the government-affiliated
National Security Service Chief Karlos Petrosyan from duty. Kocharyan
gave the order grounding on Petrossyan’s request.
From: Baghdasarian

NEWS Press
26 octobre 2004
La Conférence des Eglises européennes, 125 Eglises se prononcent pour
l’entrée de la Turquie dans l’Union européenne…
Fédération Protestante de France
Commission Eglise et Société de la Conférence des Eglises européennes
Relations entre l’Union européenne et la Turquie
Déclaration publique
La question des relations entre l’Union européenne et la Turquie est
d’une importance capitale pour l’Union. L’éventuelle adhésion de la
Turquie à l’UE influencera non seulement la configuration politique
de l’Union et de l’Europe dans son ensemble, mais aussi les
conditions de vie de nombreux citoyens de l’UE et d’autres personnes
vivant sur le continent européen. C’est pourquoi la Conférence des
Eglises européennes (KEK), qui rassemble des Eglises des traditions
anglicane, orthodoxe et protestante de toute l’Europe, a estimé
nécessaire d’exprimer, via sa Commission Eglise et Société, sa
position par rapport à cette évolution.
Après avoir mené une large consultation au sein des Eglises membres
de la KEK, nous déclarons que, pour les Eglises européennes, la
question des différences religieuses ne constitue pas un obstacle à
la poursuite de l’amélioration des relations entre la Turquie et
l’UE, ni à l’éventuelle adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union. En d’autres
termes, pour les Eglises, l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’UE n’est pas
une question de différences religieuses. A terme, l’entrée de la
Turquie dans l’Union pourrait même avoir des répercussions positives
sur la bonne évolution des relations entre les diverses religions et
cultures en Europe, et pourrait constituer la pierre d’angle d’un
pont entre les mondes chrétien et musulman.
Il faut considérer l’UE dans sa propre acception, qui correspond à la
vision des Eglises, comme un espace d’unité et de diversité à
différents niveaux. Aux yeux des Eglises, l’UE représente une zone où
se rencontrent des personnes de différentes nations, races et
religions. L’UE est une communauté multiculturelle de personnes et de
sociétés, dans laquelle Chrétiens, Musulmans, Juifs et représentants
d’autres confessions coexistent et se tolèrent. Les Eglises apportent
ici une contribution majeure. Dans la Charta Oecumenica, document
signé en 2001 par les Présidents de la KEK et de la CCEE (Conseil des
Conférences Episcopales en Europe), les Chrétiens d’Europe s’engagent
à approfondir les relations avec les autres religions, à faire preuve
de respect envers ces religions et à oeuvrer ensemble sur les
questions d’intérêt commun (Charta Oecumenica III/10,11). Le dialogue
inter-religieux revêt par conséquent une importance cruciale pour les
Eglises.
Les Eglises et religions en Europe sont reconnues par les Etats
membres respectifs de l’UE, ainsi que par l’Union elle-même, comme
une composante spécifique et distincte de la société civile. Les
dispositions juridiques constituent un aspect de cette
reconnaissance. Les Eglises et religions contribuent au développement
de la société par le biais de leurs diverses activités, comme par
exemple les services diaconaux et les oeuvres caritatives, le travail
pour la paix et la réconciliation, et bien d’autres encore (cf.,
entre autres, le Traité constitutionnel de l’UE et les conclusions de
la Présidence de l’UE en décembre 2003). Les Eglises et religions en
Europe font partie intégrante de la vie publique. Les Etats membres
de l’Union ainsi que les Eglises et communautés religieuses au sein
de l’UE partagent la même conception d’une attitude de tolérance
entre les Eglises et religions.
Nous espérons que tout futur Etat membre de l’UE partagera cette
vision et la manifestera dans son attitude envers les Eglises et
toutes les communautés religieuses résidant sur son territoire. Les
relations entre les communautés ethniques et religieuses constituent
le témoin principal de la situation interne, de la stabilité et de la
cohésion sociale dans tous les Etats membres de l’UE et dans les pays
candidats. Bien que nous prenions bonne note des changements
fondamentaux intervenus en Turquie ces dernières années, nous
constatons malheureusement que de nombreux problèmes subsistent
encore dans ce domaine.
L’UE est une communauté d’Etats et de nations dans laquelle les
valeurs de justice et de paix, de solidarité et de pluralisme, de
réconciliation et de tolérance, de liberté d’expression et de respect
mutuel sont stipulées dans les documents sur lesquels l’UE s’est
engagée, valeurs qu’elle s’efforce d’intégrer dans la vie
quotidienne. Au stade actuel, nous ne voyons pas la même expression
de ces valeurs en Turquie.
Des rapports mentionnent toujours des tortures dans les prisons, des
problèmes en matière de liberté d’expression ainsi que d’oppression
des minorités. Une transcription honnête de l’histoire, notamment en
ce qui concerne les relations de la Turquie avec les Etats voisins et
qui inclut la reconnaissance des blessures et des offenses infligées,
est une condition préalable à la guérison des mémoires et à une
véritable réconciliation au sein de la société. Cet objectif n’a pas
encore été atteint. A cet égard, les relations avec la minorité
arménienne revêtent une importance toute particulière.
A l’heure actuelle, on relève encore des disparités entre les règles
acceptées et leur mise en oeuvre. Les normes adoptées doivent être
transposées et maintenues dans la réalité de la vie quotidienne. La
stabilité est l’un des critères de base qu’il ne faut pas
sous-estimer. Pour juger de l’opportunité d’entamer des négociations
d’adhésion avec les pays candidats, l’UE a fixé des conditions de
base préalables. Si l’UE veut rester cohérente avec ses propres
critères, elle doit éviter, dans son évaluation de chaque pays
candidat, toute dérive vers des normes à deux vitesses.
A cet égard, les Eglises en Europe soulèvent la question très
préoccupante de la situation des minorités chrétiennes. Malgré les
promesses des autorités turques, les communautés chrétiennes dans ce
pays sont toujours confrontées à de nombreux problèmes en matière de
reconnaissance légale, de droits de propriété et de développement de
programmes d’enseignement. A notre avis, les problèmes ne sont pas
seulement d’ordre juridique. Au-delà de ça, cela témoigne du manque
d’ouverture et d’équité envers les religions traditionnelles et les
minorités ethniques.
Nous reconnaissons que la conception turque actuelle du rôle de
l’Etat en tant que garant du système laïque implique de perpétuer le
système d’une religion organisée par l’Etat, et ce afin de constituer
un garde-fou par rapport aux groupes extrémistes islamiques. D’un
autre côté, un tel système entrave l’existence des autres groupes
religieux, y compris des communautés chrétiennes. A notre avis, cela
est révélateur d’une instabilité intrinsèque et des limites de la
liberté religieuse dans ce pays.
L’Union elle-même doit faire face à de nombreux défis internes. Après
l’adhésion de dix nouveaux Etats membres et la perspective d’un
nouvel élargissement dans deux ans, la stabilité de l’Union doit
constituer une priorité absolue. Il est nécessaire de bien percevoir
et de maîtriser pleinement cette situation nouvelle. Un débat de fond
sur la finalité de l’Union et sa vision est une exigence essentielle
pour l’avenir de l’Union.
Une tche d’égale importance pour l’Union consiste tout d’abord à
réaliser de manière satisfaisante la mise en oeuvre concrète d’un
modèle acceptable pour la cohésion de la société vivant actuellement
sur le territoire de l’Union. L’intégration sociale, politique et
culturelle des communautés migrantes résidant sur le territoire de
l’Union est, à cet égard, d’une importance cruciale et croissante. La
vie réelle a révélé qu’une amélioration de la situation matérielle
des migrants ne peut résoudre à elle seule le problème de leur
adaptation culturelle et sociale.
La décision d’entamer avec la Turquie les négociations d’adhésion à
l’Union aura des répercussions considérables sur l’existence future
de l’Union. Prendre une décision politique aussi essentielle sans un
soutien suffisant de la part des citoyens de l’Union risquerait
d’accroître la distance entre l’UE et ses citoyens. Nous exhortons
donc l’UE à approfondir et à intensifier le vaste débat à propos de
l’identité européenne. Les facteurs ethniques, culturels et religieux
qui sous-tendent les rapports humains en sont les composantes
essentielles. L’engagement de la société civile, des citoyens et des
peuples d’Europe s’avèrera donc crucial pour sa réussite. Les Eglises
européennes sont prêtes à jouer leur rôle dans ce débat.
Les Eglises en Europe souhaitent que les valeurs de réconciliation,
de paix et de solidarité entre les nations et les peuples, ainsi
qu’au sein des sociétés européennes, constituent le moteur principal
pour le développement futur du continent. A cet égard,
l’approfondissement des relations entre l’UE et la Turquie est un
processus auquel tous doivent coopérer.
From: Baghdasarian

Russian Railway Chief Proposes Alternative Transportation Routes for Armenia
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi 2004-11-04 11:52:20
Chief of the state-run Russian Railway Company Gennady Fadeev said while
visiting Armenia’s capital, Yerevan on October 3, that the railway route
linking Russia with Armenia via Georgia can be put into operation within a
year.
“In terms of financial and technical possibilities, the transport corridor
Sochi-Sokhumi-Tbilisi-Yerevan may be resumed within a year,” RIA Novosti
news agency quoted Fadeev as saying.
However, he added that “questions prevail over answers in this regard.”
He stressed the prospect of increasing the volume of Armenian-Russian
freight transportation through railway ferries.
“The fact that Russian freights are moving to Armenia through the Ukrainian
and Georgian ports of Ilichevsk and Poti, respectively, is nonsense,” Fadeev
said.
He said it is quite possible to open a ferry route between the Russian port
of Kavkaz and the Georgian port of Poti, which will be three times cheaper
than the current route via the Ukrainian port. Fadeev also added that “the
opinion of the Georgian side is very important in this regard.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeris in Moscow protest occupation of Zangilan District
Assa Irada, Azerbaijan
28 Oct. 2004
The Movement for Azerbaijan held a rally in Moscow on Thursday on the
11th year-anniversary of occupation of Azerbaijan’s Zangilan District
by Armenia.
About 500 Azerbaijanis took part in the protest action, demanding
that the Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia be liberated and the
international community end a double standard in its position on
the issue.
The participants of the rally also protested against the international
youth forum scheduled in Upper Garabagh for November.
Earlier, the Movement for Azerbaijan held rallies on central squares
of Moscow and outside the Armenian embassy protesting occupation of
Azerbaijani lands.*
From: Baghdasarian

RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND KARABAGH NEED TO BE FORMALIZED, PRESIDENT SAYS
ArmenPress
29 Oct. 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian had today
a working meeting with members of the Armenian and Nagorno Karabagh
governments. Kocharian was quoted by his press office as saying that
” relations between the two governments need to be formalized and
coordinated.
According to Kocharian, “some problems must be solved so as to
ensure more coordinated meetings not only between the presidents,
prime ministers, but also between other government members and heads
of departments.”
Kocharian also noted that Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh are in the same
economic field, “therefore all reforms carried out in both must be
reconciled and harmonized to avoid controversies.” The parties have
agreed to set up a joint team to make cooperation more purposeful
and effective.
From: Baghdasarian

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 28, 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED DELEGATION LED BY SPECIAL
ENVOY OF THE EU TO THE SOUTH CAUCASUS, AMBASSADOR HEIKI TALVITIE
[October 28, 2004, 21:00:22]
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received delegation led by Special
Envoy of the EU to the South Caucasus, Ambassador Heiki Talvitie, 28
October.
Warmly greeting the guests and expressing pleasure with meeting Mr.
Talvitie, Head of Azerbaijan State underlined that the relations
between Azerbaijan and the European Union constantly develop and
strengthen, and the Country especially takes active part in the “New
Neighborhood Policy” of European Union. All these processes are
important for both European Union and Azerbaijan, he stressed.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
President Ilham Aliyev said that the visit would set good conditions
for discussion of the conflict and other regional questions. Head of
Azerbaijan State noted that though ceasefire regime has been reached
many years ago, the negotiations have remained unsuccessful.
Head of State underlined that occupation by Armenia 20 percent of our
territories, existence of over one million refugees cause tension in
the region, seriously impede ensuring peace and stability. President
Ilham Aliyev noted that this conflict should be settled only in the
frame of international legal principles – in the frame territorial
integrity of the country and inviolability of borders. Head of State
expressed hope the conflict would soon find its peaceful solution.
Mr. Talvitie expressed gratitude for reception, updating the Head of
Azerbaijan State on his visits to Yerevan and Tbilisi, as well as on
his meetings he held in Baku. He marked development of links between
European Union and Azerbaijan, as well as active participation of
Azerbaijan in the “New Neighborhood Policy”.
Underlining that recently the report on the country will be ready, the
guest expressed confidence for its constructive preparation.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Mr.
Talvitie stated that the conflict would soon find its fair solution.
Settlement of the conflict could serve normalization of situation in
the region.
Also were focused other questions of mutual interest.
Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, ambassador of France Roland Blatman attended the
reception.
–Boundary_(ID_erA/wn9Cr3I+7dZNsJvVQg)–
From: Baghdasarian

ARKA News Agency
28 Oct. 2004
Nagorno Karabakh strictly goes along the way of democracy – Arkady
Gukasian
RA NA Speaker and WB Regional Director to South Caucasus discuss
cooperation issues
Delegation of Vitebsk department of Belarus trade-industrial chamber
visits Armenia
In Q3 2004 international organizations provided Armenia $4 million 229
thousand for realization of programs of Social Investments Fund
RA Foreign Minister leaves for Tbilisi for participation in the sitting
of BSEC Foreign Ministers Council
***********************************************************************
NAGORNO KARABAKH STRICTLY GOES ALONG THE WAY OF DEMOCRACY – ARKADY
GUKASIAN
STEPANAKERT, October 28. /ARKA/. Nagorno Karabakh strictly goes along
the way of democracy, NKR President Arkady Gukasian stated during the
meeting with the delegation of political figures and experts from USA
and Europe. Delegation is headed with the President of German Fund of
US Marshall Craig Kennedy and the Head of Project of Transition
Democracies, Chairman of NATO Committee to US Senate Bruce Jackson. The
President once again confirmed the readiness of Karabakh party to
discuss existing problems with Azeri party and the same time stressed
that official Baku should demonstrate constructive position.
Talking about NKR goals Gukasian said “despite of serious damage caused
by war, lasting blockage and absence of assistance of international
community, we managed to achieve serious progress in the issue of
creation of civil society”, he said. L.D. –0–
***********************************************************************
RA NA SPEAKER AND WB REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO SOUTH CAUCASUS DISCUSS
COOPERATION ISSUES
YEREVAN, October 28. /ARKA/. RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian and WB
Regional Director to South Caucasus Donna Dowsett-Coirolo discussed
cooperation issues, RA NA told ARKA. The parties discussed process and
development of WB-NA cooperation. Dowsett-Coirolo noted that WB has
good cooperation with RA Parliament, which assists productivity and
effectiveness of their works.
Baghdasarian expressed satisfaction with realized programs in the
sphere of education, healthcare and social sphere and stressed the
importance of control over their realization.
Talking about future realization of WB programs in Armenia the Speaker
stressed the importance of making an accent on regional programs,
assistance to creation of middle class. L.D. –0–
***********************************************************************
DELEGATION OF VITEBSK DEPARTMENT OF BELARUS TRADE-INDUSTRIAL CHAMBER
VISITS ARMENIA
YEREVAN, October 28. /ARKA/. Delegation of Vitebsk department of
Belarus trade-industrial chamber visits Armenia on the invitation of
trade-industrial chamber of Kotayk region. Belarus Embassy to Armenia
told ARKA that the base for give visit was establishment of contacts
and signing of the agreement on cooperation between TICs of Vitebsk
region and Kotayk region. The goal of the visit is provision of
products of Vitebsk companies, conduction of negotiations with
administration of Armenian companies. During the meetings the parties
considered issues of organization of supplies of Armenian products in
Belarus and other possible variants of Armenian-Belarus trade-economic
cooperation. L.D. –0–
***********************************************************************
IN Q3 2004 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDED ARMENIA $4 MILLION 229
THOUSAND FOR REALIZATION OF PROGRAMS OF SOCIAL INVESTMENTS FUND
YEREVAN, October 28. /ARKA/. In Q3 2004 international organizations
provided Armenia $4 million 229 thousand for realization of programs of
social investments fund, RA Government press office told ARKA that it
was stated by SIF Director Executive Ashot Kirakosian at the regular
sitting of the Fund. According to him, the works envisaged in the
frames of the Fund’s programs are fulfilled by 114%, including at the
line of construction – by 111%. Kirakosian said that for realization of
construction works 30 agreements were conducted totaling $1 million
785.7 thousand. L.D. –0–
***********************************************************************
RA FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR TBILISI FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SITTING
OF BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL
YEREVAN, October 28. /ARKA/. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian left
for Tbilisi for participation in the sitting of BSEC Foreign Ministers
Council, RA MFA told ARKA. L.D. –0–
***********************************************************************
From: Baghdasarian