Author: Bedik Zaminian

Turkish Daily News
March 27 2005
Nationalism gripping Turks ahead of EU talks
Sunday, March 27, 2005
‘Now, as the United States and the EU are openly critical of the
government for various reasons, it seems that the conservative and
military bureaucracy has found that it is prudent to help bring to
the fore the deep divisions in the country between the Euro and
AKP-skeptics and those in favor of full integration with the Western
world with or without the AKP government,’ says Cizre
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
One can easily make a guess as to the content of a public argument
in Turkey if it starts with the words, “Turkey’s special
circumstances,” a phrase usually employed to explain that governments
should always be authorized to take extraordinary measures against
those who want to “undermine the country’s unity” or against others
who might want to reverse “80 years of secular rule.”
The last two weeks’ perspective — regarding the strong official
and popular reaction to incidents of disrespect to the Turkish flag
in Nevroz demonstrations, a re-visitation of the Armenian issue, a
re-emphasis on national commemorations and, in some cases, a revival
of those long forgotten combined with harsh criticism from the Land
Forces commander about the lack of an official policy on Iraq and his
warning of an increase in the number of militants from the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) entering Turkish territory from Iraq
— raises questions about the timing and driving forces behind them
and also cause one to wonder about the motivations prompting the
nationalist-conservative community to display their sentiments at
this particular point in time.
Despite the 15-year-long terrorist war in predominantly
Kurdish-dominated southeastern Anatolia having virtually ended since
the 1999 capture Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the outlawed PKK, most
Turks are still receptive to the generals’ warnings against
separatism.
An escalating discourse of nationalist-conservative themes in the
country and remarks from generals bring to mind the question of
whether there is a power vacuum and whether the generals have been
using the “nationalism card” at such a time.
Also, the seeming convergence of the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) on this nationalist wave raises the question as to what
has happened to its power-wielding appearance. Has it lost the
momentum it was maintaining with its reforms towards alignment with
the European Union, and is it this weakness, which is being exploited
by anti-EU and anti-AKP military and civilian forces, that has been
lying in wait for this moment?
Change in international support for AKP:
Political scientist Ãœmit Cizre told the Turkish Daily News that in
seeking an answer, one first needs to accept the sociological fact
that Islam-friendly politics in Turkey is, by its nature, not
disposed to absolutely transcending the militarism and nationalism
that pervade the country.
“On the contrary, while passing radical reforms, the AKP has always
come remarkably close, though not completely converging, with many
elements of the secular establishment in accusing the West of
supporting Turkey’s terrorists or harboring intentions of
dismembering the country or employing double standards on the issue
of Turkish entry into the EU,” Cizre said.
Cizre indicated that one answer is the changing international
support for the government’s policies. The AKP government did not
have to try hard to ingratiate itself with the West, and the United
States’ preferential backing of the AKP on the basis that it serves
as a geopolitical “Muslim democratic model” in the region also
undermined the military’s ability to challenge the government, she
added.
“But now, as the United States and the EU are openly critical of
the government for various reasons, it seems that the conservative
and military bureaucracy has found that it is prudent to help bring
to the fore the deep divisions in the country between the Euro and
AKP-skeptics and those in favor of full integration with the Western
world with or without the AKP government.”
Who guards the regime?:
Cizre emphasized that the military and its civilian empathizers
clearly have not renounced their role as the ultimate guardians of
the regime and that the greatest paradox for the military
establishment has been that an Islam-sensitive government has taken
over the military’s “vanguard” role. “After all, EU membership was
supposed to be the intended endpoint of the republic’s vision of
generating sufficient modernization to eliminate the Islamist threat.
This also explains why the party’s appropriation of the military’s
vanguard mission has produced moderation on the part of the high
command on the EU issue, despite initial resistance.”
Yet glancing at what the future could hold for government and
Turkish military relations, especially during the difficult process
of negotiations with the EU, Cizre doesn’t paint a pessimistic
picture. She believes there is a genuine trend towards a more
democratic civilian-military equilibrium.
The changes that have occurred have now gathered a momentum of
their own, in some regards autonomous from the will of the AKP. More
importantly, the seeds of doubt have been sown in the public mind
over whether the real motive behind the military leadership’s
resistance to further political liberalization and EU entry is its
radical doubt about the intentions of the AKP or its concern that
Brussels-imposed reforms would transfer political power to elected
civilians.
–Boundary_(ID_vLd46F00RRJLzCXhsWeX2Q)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

California Courier Online, February 17, 2005
1 – Commentary
Turkish Commentator Admits
Turkey’s Defeat on Genocide
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
2 – Greek-Armenian Classic Guitarist
To Perform in San Francisco, Fresno
3 – AGBU YPGNY Organizes Feb.-March
Series on ‘Armenia, Past, Future’
4 – Pasadena ANC Will Honor Assemblymember
Carol Liu at Community Leadership Banquet
5 – Istanbul Patriarchate Chancellor
Remarks on Melkonian Closure
6 – SOAD Announces
Release of New Album
7 – CSUF Armenian Studies Program
Hosts Fall Program in Armenia
8 – University of Tehran Honors AUA Dean of
Engineering Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian
*************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
Turkish Commentator Admits
Turkey’s Defeat on Genocide
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
At a great personal risk, one of the most prominent Turkish commentators,
Mehmet Ali Birand, openly admitted last week that Turkey has been defeated
in its campaign to deny the facts of the Armenian Genocide.
In a commentary titled “We’ve already missed the train,” published in the
Feb. 5th issue of the Turkish Daily News, Birand quoted Yusuf Halacoglu,
the Chairman of the Turkish Historical Foundation, as saying that the
Turkish government’s efforts on “the publication of documents, books and
movies” to deny the Armenian Genocide have not had the intended result.
Halacoglu described such Turkish efforts as “propaganda.” Birand conceded
that the Genocide is gaining international acceptance.
Birand suggested that the Turks counter-attack by resorting to political
blackmail. He and Halacoglu think that the Turkish government should now
use its extensive political muscle to pressure other countries into denying
the Armenian Genocide. They believe that the best course of action is to
commission “a study” by the United Nations.
Birand and the Chairman of the Turkish historical society do not seem to
realize that Turkey has been unsuccessfully bullying everyone around the
world for almost 90 years on the issue of the Armenian Genocide. They are
also ignoring the fact that a panel of UN experts, after spending more than
a dozen years to study and argue this subject, issued a report in 1985,
classifying the Armenian case as an example of genocide. The UN body
reached this decision despite “the evidence” presented by the Turkish
government, and despite intense political pressure brought to bear on the
UN experts and their governments.
Here are some excerpts from Birand’s eye-opening article:
“It’s time that we accept the fact that Armenian claims alleging that they
suffered a genocide have begun to gain acceptance, especially in the
Western world.
“The Armenians have been diligent with respect to their goal for the last
75 years. They have published thousands of books and articles. They set up
departments at universities and convinced the international front. Yet, in
the long run, they won international recognition in spite of the fact that
their data were insufficient and did not reflect the truth….
“We all know Yusuf Halaçoglu. He has served as chairman of the Turkish
Historical Foundation for the last 11 years. He appeared on ‘Manset’
[Birand’s TV program] last Friday and reiterated the reality of the current
situation, heeding a vital warning. ‘We can no longer overcome this
situation with propaganda via the publication of documents, books and
movies. We should continue our efforts on such fronts; yet, we have to
start taking strides that will generate interest. We should take political
as well as historical strides….’
“His suggestion, just as retired ambassador Yalim Eralp had said, is that
Turkey take hold of the reins and urge that the United Nations set up an
investigative committee….
“It is vital at this juncture that a person who is a leading scholar on the
topic take a stand and shout out: ‘We are strong, but this is the
responsibility of the politicians. Technical research is insufficient.’
“State officials must wake up, develop a strategy and realize that we
cannot get anywhere by ‘leaving the work to the historians.’ It’s time to
get the United Nations in on the action and discover new horizons that will
have an impact on the international arena.”
At the end of his column, Birand quoted Halacoglu’s following thoughts:
“The 1915 Deportation Law and the official Turkish thesis advocating that
the final word on this law be left up to historians and the thesis that has
been a part of various administrations to date don’t seem too plausible….
Letting historians interpret the issue leads to nothing. We have failed as
a society to construct a proper policy towards such a sensitive issue, and
this has led to problems on the international front.”
Using Halacoglu’s words as his cover, Birand dares to point out that
Turkish society may one day see the Armenian Genocide in a completely
different light: “We have made a decision on a certain front and believe
that it will remain the ultimate reality. Yet, sometimes to the contrary,
the translation of certain events also changes. What was known as
‘displacement’ in the past can be viewed as ‘genocide’ in general public
opinion. It’s time we open up such topics to general discussion.”
**************************************************************************
2 – Greek-Armenian Classic Guitarist
To Perform in San Francisco, Fresno
SAN FRANCISCO – Pomegranate Music Events recently released the California
tour dates for Armenian-Greek classical guitarist Iakovos Kolanian in San
Francisco and Fresno in March.
Kolanian will begin his California tour with a March 4 performance at the
San Francisco’s Florence Gould Theater, Legion of Honor, at Lincoln Park,
100 34th Ave., starting at 8 p.m. No children under the age of 6. Ticket
information can be obtained by visiting
The next day, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., Kolanian will perform in Fresno at the
Concert Hall of the California State University, Fresno, Music Building,
5241 N. Maple Ave. All net proceeds will be donated to the Armenian
Community School of Fresno and the Armenian Studies Program at CSUF. For
ticket information, visit
The program for each concert will consist of one half being devoted to the
selected works of J.S Bach (Lute Suite in A Minor BWV), Agustin
Barrios-Mangore (La Catedral), and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (Capriccio
Diabolico). The entire second half of the concert will be devoted to
Kolanian’s arrangement of 13 Armenian folk and traditional songs, including
the famous Komitas Dances.
These rare concerts are in support of the new groundbreaking Pomegranate
Music CD release entitled Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar by
Armenian-Greek classical guitarist Iakovos Kolanian. Mr. Kolanian’s Shoror
is the culmination of a 16-year journey to arrange and transcribe Armenian
folk songs for the classical guitar. As Kolanian explains, “I managed to
collect a considerable number of traditional dances and songs, deciding in
the process that I would transcribe or recompose part of this material for
the guitar. However, such was the emotional impact of this music on me
that, I sometimes found it difficult to hold back my tears as I worked
through a particular piece. It was during this stimulating process that I
came to the realization that this pursuit was not simply a professional
step, but, without a doubt, a journey into the depths of my soul in search
of my Armenian roots.”
Born in Greece in 1960 to an Armenian father and a Greek mother, Kolanian,
influenced by the musical currents of the time (pop, rock, as well as
classical) at the age of 13, started his musical journey that eventually
led him to the National Conservatory of Athens. There, he studied classical
guitar and graduated in 1985 with top awards and a special honor for
exceptional performance.
Throughout the years he has toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America. He
performed as a soloist with the Athens State Orchestra, Thessalonica State
Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Greek Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), The
Camerata Orchestra of Athens, Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as
with numerous ensembles of chamber music.
He has been regularly featured in television and radio programs such as
BBC, ORF, Radio France, ERT, RIK. One of these collaborations, in 1991,
resulted in the recording and release of a CD of Loris Tjeknavorian’s
Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
? with the composer himself as the conductor ? in a production of Austrian
Television (ORF).
In addition to his career as a soloist and recording artist, Kolanian has
been the head of the Classical Guitar Department at the Contemporary Athens
Conservatory since 1992, and is an honorary professor at the Armenian
Academy in Yerevan.
Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar was produced by Kevork Imirzian and
is on sale at e-tailers such as and
Apple’s iTunes will also be carrying Shoror for digital download in 2005.
Pomegranate Music Founder and CEO Raffi Meneshian noted, “Being able to
present Armenian folk music though the medium of guitar is a unique project
for any record label. To have one of Europe’s best classical guitarists be
the proponent of this material is even more special. We are thrilled to be
starting our North American tour in two of America’s most historic and
important Armenian communities, Fresno, and San Francisco.”
In December of 2004, the influential All Music Guide critic Rick Anderson
gave Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar a four-star review and stated,
“…what Kolanian has created here is an admirably lyrical, complex, and
insightful fusion of folk and classical music, the kind of thing that
rarely works well at all. In this case it works beautifully, mainly because
of the combination of Kolanian’s deep feeling for this music and his
equally deep mastery of both his instrument and the principles of classical
guitar style. Note in particular the delicately woven counterpoint he
creates in his arrangement of ‘Yaman Yar,’ and the gently dancing grace he
brings to ‘Zankezouri.’ Very highly recommended.”
***************************************************************************
3 – AGBU YPGNY Organizes Feb.-March
Series on ‘Armenia, Past, Future’
NEW YORK – Starting February 17, AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New
York (YPGNY) presents a three-week series of screenings, panel discussions,
and presentations at AGBU Central Office in New York on Armenia and issues
relevant to its past, present and future.
The Thursday events begin on Feb. 17 with a special screening of “My Son
Shall Be Armenian,” a poignant film that reflects on Armenian identity, as
filmmaker Hagop Goudsouzian follows five Montrealers of Armenian descent as
they return to the land of their forebears in search of survivors.
Goudsouzian weaves the moving accounts of these centenarians and the
touching, at times droll, reactions of the New World travelers about the
need to make peace with the past in order to move into the future. Tickets
are $15.
On Feb. 24, the series continues with a special panel discussion entitled,
“Armenia Present,” that focuses on the state of development in Armenia in
the fields of the education, politics, and civil society. Speakers will
include Aaron Sherinian from the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and former
Fulbright scholar and educator Nicole Vartanian. Tickets are $10.
The final event on March 3 will host Noubar Afeyan from the groundbreaking
Armenia 2020 initiative that looks into future scenarios for the country
projecting possible trajectories for the country and its role in the world.
Tickets are $10.
All events will take place at AGBU Central Office in midtown Manhattan (55
East 59th Street, between Park & Madison Avenues) and tickets can be
reserved by emailing [email protected], or by calling 212.319.6383.
**************************************************************************
4 – Pasadena ANC Will Honor Assemblymember
Carol Liu at Community Leadership Banquet
PASADENA, Calif. – The Armenian National Committee (ANC) Pasadena will host
their 2nd Annual Community Leadership Banquet on Feb. 20, 5 p.m., at the
Pasadena Armenian Center, honoring California State Assemblymember Carol
Liu (D-La Canada- Flintridge) of the 44th Assembly District.
The Pasadena Armenian Center is located at 1725 E. Washington Blvd.
The ANC Pasadena Community Leadership Award is annually awarded to
individuals who have made a positive impact on local policy and development
matters affecting the city of Pasadena. In addition, these awardees have
supported, sponsored, and produced extraordinary programs and achievements
that have advanced the issues and concerns important to the Armenian
community.
Assemblymember Liu is being recognized for her work and efforts to reform
and improve issues related to transportation, higher education, and K-12
education for the State of California. She is the current Chair of the
Highest Education Committee where she has served as an advocate for
affordable college education for California students.
In March of 2004, Liu and the ANC Pasadena hosted the first Teacher
Training Workshop on the Armenian Genocide for history high school teachers
of the Pasadena Unified School District. The workshop provided history
teachers with lesson plans and materials concerning human and civil rights
violations. As an avid supporter for human rights and genocide curriculum,
Assemblymember Liu has proven her commitment to the cause by developing a
forum for teachers to discuss and analyze the California State Department
of Education’s model curriculum for teaching about human rights and
genocide, including the Armenian Genocide.
People interested in learning more about the Feb. 20 banquet should contact
Diane Mangioglu at Assemblymember Liu’s District office, (626) 577-9944.
**************************************************************************
5 – Istanbul Patriarchate Chancellor
Remarks on Melkonian Closure
ISTANBUL – “It is difficult to comprehend how the closure of a prestigious
school in the Middle East, and one of the very few Armenian educational
institutions in the European Union could be in the best interests of the
Armenian nation. We believe that this decision, taken by a few executives,
is a wrong one,” said Rev. Fr. Krikor Damadyan, the Chancellor of the
Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate commenting on the communiqué released by the
AGBU Central Board of Directors, itself a response to the lawsuit filed by
Patriarch Mesrob II against the AGBU for its proposed closing of the
Melkonian Institute in Cyprus this June.
“The AGBU Central Board of Directors claims that it will continue to honor
the vision of its many generous benefactors including the late Garabed
Melkonian, for the benefit of all Armenians worldwide,” Rev. Damadyan
noted, quoting from the AGBU release.
“The only way to honor the vision of the Melkonian Brothers is to keep the
Melkonian Educational Institute in Cyprus open. The AGBU should refrain
from closing down the MEI and selling the property, lest she should declare
herself untrustworthy before all Armenians worldwide,” Damadyan continued.
“Why should people make grants to a charity organization such as the AGBU,
if following their demise a few executives will deal with the grant in a
way that will not do justice to the benefactor’s memory?
“The AGBU should also publish how she has executed the Melkonian Trust
since 1926. Every charity organization should be accountable to the public
and should not take offense when asked for accounts,” Damadyan added. “AGBU
executives who donate their own family wealth on charity are appreciated
dearly by all Armenians worldwide. Nevertheless, that should not allow them
any right to do as they please with the grants made by other benefactors.”
“…Patriarch Mesrob has magnanimously made it known to those Californian
Armenians who would like to act as mediators that
he would be willing to receive a delegation in Istanbul in order to discuss
a meaningful settlement of this critically important
issue to the Armenians of Europe. Great justice will be done if the AGBU
reverses her decision to close down the Melkonian Educational Institute,”
Damadyan suggested, adding, “This is our Patriarchate’s wish and prayer, as
also expressed by numerous Melkonian alumni worldwide.”
**************************************************************************
6 – SOAD Announces
Release of New Album
LOS ANGELES – Blabbermouth.net reports System Of A Down have confirmed an
April 26 release date for “Mezmerize”, the first half of their new double
album set. The second CD, titled “Hypnotize”, will be out sometime this
fall. Meanwhile, the first single from “Mezmerize”, called “B.Y.O.B.”, is
poised to arrive at rock radio on or around March 1, according to Launch
Radio Networks.
The Armenian-American quartet has just wrapped up its headlining stint on
Australia and New Zealand’s Big Day Out festival and is heading home to Los
Angeles to finish work on the new album.
The band is also one of many acts that have donated items to a second eBay
auction sponsored by Waxploitation Records to raise money for genocide
victims in the African nation of Sudan. Other artists that have contributed
signed or rare items include Dave Matthews, Dashboard Confessional, and Bad
Religion. System contributed to Waxploitation’s first such auction last
month, along with Limp Bizkit, Korn, 311, Rob Zombie and others.
**************************************************************************
7 – CSUF Armenian Studies Program
Hosts Fall Program in Armenia
FRESNO – The Armenian Studies Program at California State University,
Fresno has organized a one-semester program designed to introduce students
to Armenian language, history, art, and contemporary events. The semester
schedule is composed of five courses: Armenian language (4 units); Armenian
art and architecture (3 units); Armenia today (3 units); Armenian studies
(3 units); Independent study (2 units).
Courses, based on curriculum used by the Armenian Studies Program at
California State University, Fresno, will be taught by faculty from Yerevan
State University. Semester begins Sept. 5, 2005.
The academic committee in charge of curriculum is composed of Dr. Dickran
Kouymjian, Haig and Isabel Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies and
Director of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, Dr. Tom Samuelian
of Arlex International, and Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies
Program at Fresno State.
Full information on the program is available at the following web site:
Http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/SemesterAbroad/information.htm
Eligibility: The program is open to all high school graduates, ages 18-32,
who have maintained a minimum 2.75 GPA in college.
Fees: Fees for the program are $2,250 per person (for 15 units of courses)
and an additional fee of approximately of $160 for health insurance. Room
and board, air fare, and transportation and any additional costs are the
responsibility of the student. (The Program will assist in finding living
arrangements)
Deadline: Students are required to fill in the following application form
and return it to the Armenian Studies Program by May 1, 2005 for study
abroad in Armenia in the Spring semester 2005.
Minimum class size:
A minimum of 5 students must be successfully admitted to the program for
the Fall 2005 program to take place.
Required information for application: Official college transcript; One page
essay on why you would like to participate in the Armenia Study Abroad
Program, what has prepared you for study in such a Program, and why you are
qualified to participate; One passport sized color photo; Names and
telephone numbers of two references (non-related). In addition please
submit Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Telephone number, Email address,
Date of birth: (Please clearly print all information and make sure that the
telephone number and email address are current). Send the application form,
and all requested material to: Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Armenian Studies
Program, 5245 N Backer Ave. PB4. Fresno, CA 93740-8001
If you have any questions contact: Barlow Der Mugrdechian office telephone:
559-278-4930 o email: [email protected]
Travel fellowship: Travel fellowships are available to qualified applicants
who are accepted into the Fresno State Armenia Semester Abroad Program
through BirthRight Armenia/Depi Hayk (BR/DH). The travel fellowship covers
reimbursement of roundtrip economy class airfare at the average price for
that period upon successful completion of the program and BR/DH
requirements. The application form is posted on the
**************************************************************************
8 – University of Tehran Honors AUA Dean of
Engineering Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian
OAKLAND, CA – Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian was selected as a distinguished
alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering of Tehran University, Iran in
December 2004. In a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Faculty
of Engineering, the University recognized one alumnus from all fields of
engineering per year of the Faculty’s existence for their scholarly and
professional contributions to engineering. It may be of interest to note
that among 70 honorees there were four Armenians. Der Kiureghian received
both his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and his M.Sc. in Structural Engineering
from Tehran University. He holds a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
After the 1988 Spitak earthquake, Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian was instrumental
in establishing the American University of Armenia in Yerevan as an
affiliate of the University of California. Concurrently with his position
as Taisei Professor of Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley, Dr. Der Kiureghian
has served as the founding Dean of Engineering since 1991 and directed the
Engineering Research Center of AUA until 2004. He also serves on the Board
of Trustees of the American University of Armenia Corporation.
Under Der Kiureghian’s leadership, AUA hosted the 8th World Seminar on
Seismic Isolation in October 2003, whereby over 100 academic and field
specialists from 23 countries of the world came to exchange and disseminate
information on new technologies in anti-seismic systems; AUA convened
opening ceremonies of the Solar Photovoltaic Power Station in May 2004,
demonstrating new solar technologies on generating electricity and heating
& cooling power in Armenia; and most recently in Fall 2004 AUA provided a
distance learning course on Software Architecture, from Yerevan via the
Internet, to students at the San Francisco State University.
***************************************************************************
*************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
[email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
–Boundary_(ID_iZ1wPWg6k+N9iGtCcXW0gw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
February 3, 2005
ARMENIAN POLITICIAN IN THEFT CASE
by Bassam Za’za’, Staff Reporter
An Armenian politician who was held on suspicion of theft has been
released, diplomatic sources said yesterday.
Hagop Hagopyan, his son and a third suspect were held for questioning
late last month.
The incident occurred after a shop manager complained to police that
two leather jackets worth Dh60,000 had gone missing after the trio
had visited the store.
Hagopyan was on a visit to Dubai, said Arshag Poladyan, Armenian
Ambassador to the UAE.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

82% OF EXPOSED CASES OF VIOLATION OF AGRARIAN RULES ELIMINATED IN 2004
YEREVAN, January 28 (Noyan Tapan). 185 cases of violation of agrarian
rules were registered as a result of 965 check-ups conducted in 2004
by the State Inspection on Farming of the RA Ministry of Agriculture,
which is less by 7 cases in comparison with last year’s
index. According to the Inspection, 152 cases, or 82%, out of the
indicated violations were eliminated (about 86% – in 2003). 68 cases
of violation of rules of production and import of sapling materials
and seeds, 66 cases of violation of rules of use and preservation of
pesticides, 20 cases of violation of rules of struggle against
diseases and weeds, 21 cases of violation of rules of land cultivation
were registered last year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman, Turkey
Jan 17 2005
Peace Summit for Karabag
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart
Robert Kocharyan will reportedly meet this summer to negotiate the
region of Upper Karabag, which has been under Armenian occupation.
According to Azeri APA news agency, Russia has promised to help the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk
Group with mediation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Jamestown Foundation
Monday, December 13 — Volume 1, Issue 145
EURASIA DAILY MONITOR
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Moscow loses Georgia, Ukraine, who’s next?
*New EU members force reappraisal of Ukraine’s qualifications
*OSCE caves in to Moscow on CFE Treaty
*Saakashvili suggests personnel changes needed
————————————————————————
RUSSIAN ANALYSTS PONDER ORANGE REVOLUTION’S IMPLICATIONS FOR KREMLIN
DOMINANCE IN CIS
With democratic challenger Viktor Yushchenko all but set to win a
repeat presidential runoff in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir
Putin is facing his greatest foreign policy crisis. At stake is the
Kremlin leader’s dream of Russia’s greatness, which he perceives
primarily as Moscow’s ability to dominate the post-Soviet lands. The
Orange Revolution’s display of people power in Ukraine not only
thwarted Russia’s plans to push its favorite into the presidential
suite in Kyiv, but it will likely make it harder for the Kremlin to
influence political processes across the “near abroad,” including the
strategic regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia, Russian political
analysts contend.
Most Russian experts agree that Ukraine’s election crisis is a
watershed for Russia’s policies in post-Soviet Eurasia. The pundits
are divided, however, in their understanding of the nature of the
Orange Revolution and in suggestions as to how Moscow should respond
to the momentous events in Ukraine.
For Russian derzhavniki (champions of Russia’s great-power status), a
victory by Ukrainian democratic forces signifies a clear strategic win
for the West. In a number of articles and policy papers the statist
ideologues assert that since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991,
the presidential race in Ukraine represents “the biggest [geo-]
political war between the United States and European Union on the one
hand, and Russia on the other.” Although some of them concede that the
Ukrainian crisis does have a “democratic dimension,” the general view
is that the massive rallies in Kyiv are basically the result of
skillful manipulation from abroad. As one noted political analyst
argues, the Ukrainian “revolution, as the previous one in Georgia, has
very substantial propagandist, diplomatic, ideological, and
informational support of the Western countries.” In essence, he
continues, “it’s a great geopolitical game” aimed at tearing Ukraine
away from Russia. The alleged strategic objective of the West is to
build some sort of a cordon sanitaire around Russia (Ekspert, December
6).
But this is just one reason why “Russia cannot allow itself to lose in
Ukraine.” The Orange Revolution, the statists say, will likely cause a
dangerous chain reaction. If Moscow fails to reassert its position in
Ukraine, argues the veteran political analyst Vitaly Tretyakov,
“within the next two years velvet revolutions will take place —
according to the Kyiv scenario — in Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, and, possibly, in Armenia.” As a result, Tretyakov warns,
the Kremlin might be completely deprived of “room for maneuver in the
post-Soviet space” (Rossiiskaya gazeta, December 2).
Other like-minded experts share Tretyakov’s strategic
worries. Vyacheslav Nikonov, head of the Politika Foundation think
tank, suggests that the repetition of Ukrainian events could occur in
all the post-Soviet countries, “whose regimes the West doesn’t like.”
Remarkably, “all the CIS countries, except Georgia, appear to fall
into this category,” Nikonov notes (Kreml.org, December 1).
It is no wonder, then, that some Kremlin political gurus urge the need
to elaborate an ideology of “preventive counter-revolution.” In a
wide-ranging interview with Nezavisimaya gazeta, leading spin doctor
Gleb Pavlovsky argues that the “Kyiv [events] are a very serious
signal for Russia,” adding that the political system in Russia and
other post-Soviet states is vulnerable to the “new revolutionary
technologies of the globalization era.” The government authorities in
Russia and allied countries should be prepared to protect themselves
from all sorts of revolutionary manipulations seeking a regime change,
Pavlovsky says. In his opinion, one of the antidotes against a
Western-sponsored velvet revolution is a set of measures aimed at
“developing ‘counter-revolutionary properties’ of our power structures
and our society” (Nezavisimaya gazeta, December 7).
Naturally, liberal political thinkers hold an opposite view of the
Ukrainian crisis, while agreeing with the “conservative
counter-revolutionaries” that it is of utmost importance for Russia
and its foreign policy ambitions. According to one prominent liberal
commentator, in Ukraine we are dealing with a “revolution of a new
type.” While the political conflicts in East Central Europe in the end
of the 1980s were revolutions against totalitarianism, the events in
Ukraine are a “revolution against phony democracy,” argues Lilia
Shevtsova of the Carnegie Moscow Center. It is a revolt of the
disgruntled society against a bureaucratic-authoritarian regime and
corrupt crony capitalism. Last year’s upheaval in Georgia demonstrated
the instability of such a regime, but back then Georgian events were
interpreted as a purely national phenomenon. However, Ukraine’s Orange
Revolution appears to prove that we are witnessing a certain political
trend, Shevtsova contends (Novaya gazeta, December 6).
Symptomatically, Georgia’s leadership was quick to state that events
in Kyiv are tremendously important for Tbilisi. In a recent interview
with Le Monde, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salome
Zourabichvili noted that until now her country was feeling quite
solitary in the post-Soviet space but with the beginning of mass
protests in Kyiv, “there emerged yet another democratic country with a
population of 50 million.” According to Tbilisi’s top diplomat, the
unfolding political process in Ukraine will likely change the entire
situation in the post-Soviet space. Two positive developments stand
out, Zourabichvili noted, “The Black Sea area will become a region of
democracy,” and “Russia will not be able to dominate the post-Soviet
space” (Politcom.ru, December 9).
Confirmation of the Kremlin’s seriously dented prestige in the “near
abroad” came also from Uzbekistan. President Islam Karimov permitted
himself to chastise his Russian counterpart for what he called a
“shortsighted policy” of open support for one candidate in the
Ukrainian election. The Kremlin’s miscalculation was “one of the
reasons that led to the events in Ukraine,” Karimov contended. In the
opinion of the regional analyst Arkady Dubnov, criticism from the wily
Uzbek strongman is yet another bad sign for Moscow’s long-term
ambitions in post-Soviet Eurasia (Vremya novostei, December 8).
–Igor Torbakov
“ORANGE REVOLUTION” EXPOSES EU’s DEFICIENT UKRAINE POLICY
One of the biggest ironies of Ukraine’s democratic “Orange Revolution”
is that it will cause difficulties in the European Union, an
organization that claims to embody “European values.” Had former Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovych won the presidential election, it would
have resolved the EU’s dilemma: Brussels and Strasbourg could still
use the excuse given earlier to Presidential Leonid Kuchma, namely
that Ukraine has shown itself to not be part of “Europe.”
The EU’s dilemma over Ukraine may dominate the EU’s Brussels summit on
December 16-17, less than two weeks before Ukraine repeats the second
round of the disputed presidential election.
Challenger Viktor Yushchenko, who is set to win the new runoff, told
his supporters, “I am convinced that the world will recognize us as a
civilized European nation. I am deeply convinced that after the events
of the last 17 days Ukraine will never be the world’s backwater”
(Channel 5, December 8).
Yushchenko is being too optimistic, as the EU is unable and unwilling
to accept how the Orange Revolution represents a break with the Kuchma
era. Ukraine’s democratic revolution, the likely Yushchenko victory,
and constitutional reforms that will transform Ukraine into a
parliamentary republic all testify to the need for the EU to
re-formulate a clear policy toward Ukraine.
The post-communist states that joined the EU this year are not
accepting the EU’s continued complacency over Ukraine. Poland and
Lithuania encouraged the apathetic EU to host round-table negotiations
between the authorities and Yushchenko to break the political
deadlock. Former Czech President Vaclav Havel sent two statements of
support to Yushchenko and former Solidarity leader and Polish
President Lech Walesa traveled to Kyiv and addressed the orange-clad
crowds.
The crisis has caused post-communist EU members to take a harsher
attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has confirmed
their suspicion that Russian imperialism and neo-Soviet attitudes
remain alive and well. They are also dismayed at the continued
Russophilia expressed by “old Europe,” namely France, Germany,
Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Yet it would be an over-simplification to state that the EU’s
unwillingness to treat Ukraine as a “European” state lies solely with
its “old European” members. Both British Prime Minister Tony Blair and
U.S. President George W. Bush have forged close personal relations
with Putin.
But Ukraine’s future could pose problems for the four “old European”
EU members. French and German leaders have built up personal
relationships with Putin that are now coming under strain. France, in
particular, seeks a closer alliance with Russia against the Bush
administration’s “unilateralism.”
The EU’s decision to dangle membership in front of the western Balkans
— and possibly Turkey — while denying it to Ukraine is now
untenable. Romania is set to join the EU in 2007 and yet its recent
presidential elections were also undemocratic. The difference lies in
the fact that only Ukrainians — not Romanians — launched a popular
revolution to overturn their election fraud.
Yushchenko has challenged the EU to embrace the new Ukraine that he is
set to lead. In Yushchenko’s eyes, the EU should take four concrete
steps. First, it should recognize Ukraine as a “market economy,” a
political step long over due after Russia’s status was upgraded in
2002. Second, the EU should support Ukraine’s membership in the WTO, a
step that would allow Ukraine to create a free trade zone with the
EU. Third, the EU should sign an associate member agreement with
Ukraine. Finally, Brussels should offer Ukraine EU membership sometime
in the future (Financial Times, December 10).
These four steps could be only undertaken if the EU moved towards
NATO’s “open door” position on membership, which depends on fulfilling
criteria. This would be the Copenhagen criteria for the EU and a
Membership Action Plan (MAP) for NATO.
Currently, Ukraine has only an Action Plan with NATO, not a MAP. NATO
refused to consider a MAP for Ukraine due to Kuchma’s poor reputation
after the Kolchuga radar scandal. But the grounds for this refusal
will evaporate under Yushchenko, and the post-communist members of
NATO will again be clamoring for NATO to offer Ukraine a MAP. Such a
step would strain the Bush administration’s delicate attempts to both
criticize Putin for interfering in Ukraine’s elections while
maintaining a cooperative relationship with Russia for the
international struggle against terrorism.
Washington’s attempts to not be too critical of Russia will only grow
after Condoleezza Rice replaces Colin Powell as Secretary of
State. Yet in reality, as Stanford’s Michael McFaul has pointed out,
“The Russian president is not much of an asset in fighting the global
war on terror” (The Weekly Standard, December 13).
The EU continues to only offer Ukraine a three year “Action Plan” as
part of its Neighborhood Policy, a “Plan” that does not depend on the
outcome of the Ukrainian elections. The inadequacy of these steps were
already evident when the policy was unveiled in 2003, as it placed
Ukraine on the same level as northern Africa and Israel, which are not
part of Europe and therefore have no right to join the EU, and Russia,
which has never declared its intention to seek EU membership.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who takes up the EU’s
rotating presidency in January, said, “I can only warn against
offering Ukraine the prospect of full membership” (The Times, December
10). In reality, the EU has been doing its best to avoid the issue,
which will no longer be tenable if the EU allows in Turkey while
refusing to consider a Ukraine led by Yushchenko (Wall Street Journal,
December 8).
As the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza (December 9) pointed out, when Ukraine
is discussed in Paris they state, “And don’t forget about Russia’s
sensitivity.” Yet, ironically Putin is ahead of “old Europe” on this
question. Anticipating a Yushchenko victory as likely to lead to
Ukraine’s westward orientation, Putin has stated his lack of
opposition to Ukraine’s membership in the EU. For Putin the only
“nyet” is to Ukraine’s membership in NATO (Financial Times, December
10).
–Taras Kuzio
RUSSIA OFFICIALLY REPUDIATES TROOP-WITHDRAWAL OBLIGATIONS ON MOLDOVA
AND GEORGIA
At the OSCE’s year-end meeting in Sofia on December 6-7, Russia ruled
out any regional statement on Georgia or Moldova, and vetoed the
political declaration’s text that read: “Some of the commitments made
at the 1999 Istanbul Summit regarding Georgia and Moldova have not yet
been fulfilled. Their fulfillment without further delay would create
the conditions for . . . ratification of the adapted Treaty on
Conventional Forces in Europe.”
That appeasement-minded text had stopped short of mentioning Russia,
or Russian troops and bases; set no timeframe for compliance, and
failed even to recall just what those commitments were. Moreover, it
seemingly overestimates Russia’s actual (as distinct from rhetorical)
interest in Western ratification of the 1999-adapted CFE
Treaty. During the drafting process, Georgia and Moldova had insisted
that mention be made of “withdrawal of Russian forces,” “concern about
the lack of progress in this regard,” and OSCE desire to “achieve this
goal in the earliest possible timeframe.” Influential Western
delegations and the OSCE Chairmanship, however, turned down even this
mild language (itself a retreat from the 1999 Istanbul documents) for
fear of irritating Russia.
The OSCE’s timidity emboldened Russia to add, in its closing
statement: “Regarding the position taken by certain states on linking
the so-called Istanbul commitments to ratification of the adapted CFE
Treaty, the Russian Federation declares that it does not recognize
this [linkage] as legitimate.” It went on to insist that
troop-withdrawal issues are bilateral ones, between Russia and Georgia
and between Russia and Moldova, respectively, not brooking
international intercession. And it portrayed the Istanbul Commitments
as not binding: Russia may choose to fulfill them at some future time,
provided Georgia and Moldova fulfill their “conditions.”
The Istanbul Commitments had not attached any conditions to Russia’s
troop-withdrawal obligations and did set specific deadlines. The
OSCE’s 2002 Porto and 2003 Maastricht year-end conferences rephrased
the withdrawal obligations into intentions, introduced unspecified
“necessary conditions” (which Moscow can interpret at will), and
lifted the deadlines. The organization thus cooperated in the
evisceration of its own decisions.
In Sofia, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, noting that Russia’s
commitments to withdraw its forces from Moldova and Georgia remain
unfulfilled, reaffirmed the linkage between fulfillment of the
Istanbul Commitments and ratification of the CFE Treaty. Recalling, “A
core principle of that treaty is host country agreement with the
stationing of forces,” Powell confirmed the position that “The
U.S. will ratify the CFE Treaty only after all the Istanbul
commitments on Georgia and Moldova have been met.” NATO made a
collective declaration to the conference along these same lines.
For its part, the European Union’s joint statement “exhorted” (an
unusual term) Russia to withdraw its troops from Moldova and Georgia,
but failed to mention a link to CFE Treaty ratification. And, with
regard to Georgia, the EU went on to repeat the now-discredited
formula, according to which Russia and Georgia should agree among
themselves “on the duration and modalities of the functioning of the
Russian military bases.” The German and French ministers of foreign
affairs, Joschka Fischer and Michel Barnier, in their national
statements, failed to mention Russian troops, Moldova, and Georgia,
but did underscore the goal of ratifying the adapted CFE Treaty.
The OSCE’s Joint Consultative Group (JCG) is responsible for
discussing issues related to implementation and ratification of the
CFE Treaty and fulfillment of the Istanbul Commitments. The JCG’s
Chair, which rotates every two weeks among the Group’s 30-plus
members, is expected to send a letter to the OSCE’s Chairmanship at
each year-end meeting, reporting on JCG activities for that year. Last
year at Maastricht, Russia seemed set to veto the sending of that
letter, but did not need to resort to that step because Armenia
happened to chair the JCG that fortnight and it refrained from
initiating the letter.
This year, Luxemburg happened to chair the JCG just before and during
the year-end meeting. Without mentioning Moldova and Georgia, “Russian
troops,” “bases,” “withdrawal,” or lack of progress, the JCG Chair’s
one-page letter simply restated that fulfillment of the Istanbul
Commitments is a prerequisite for ratification of the adapted CFE
Treaty. It also mentioned concerns about unaccounted-for and
uncontrolled CFE Treaty-limited equipment, again without naming any
names. Russia vetoed the draft letter.
(Documents of the OSCE’s 2004 year-end ministerial conference, Vienna
and Sofia, December 1-7, 2004).
–Vladimir Socor
MEDIA SPECULATION RISES ABOUT GEORGIAN MINISTERIAL CHANGES
After two days of media speculation, there are signs that the rumored
imminent reshuffle of Georgia’s power ministries may contain a grain
of truth. On December 8 both Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
and Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania made statements that pointed toward a
forthcoming reorganization. Symptomatically, the media leaks occurred
while Zhvania was in the United Stated and parliamentary chairwoman
Nino Burjanadze was in Germany.
Saakashvili convened a special briefing late in the evening on
December 8 to inform journalists that no immediate government
reshuffle was planned and, furthermore, he would not make any top
personnel changes without consulting with Zhvania and
Burjanadze. Saakashvili, however, clearly spoke about the need to
reorganize the power structures and “reinforce certain directions,”
which could be an oblique indication that some changes in the
government might occur in the near future.
In a telephone interview with Rustavi-2 television on December 8,
right after Saakashvili’s briefing, Prime Minister Zhvania was far
more specific. He said that during the two weeks leading up to his
departure for the United States, he had held discussions with
Saakashvili on issues related to government reorganization that, in
his words, might include some personal changes. Zhvania said that any
personnel changes would be based on many indicators, including
performance evaluations for the past year. Zhvania said he would
discuss details of the changes in the government with Saakashvili
around December 11-12 and then the general public would be informed
about it (TV Rustavi-2, December 8; Civil Georgia, December 9).
Media speculation has focused on the power ministers, although other
top officials might also be sacked. One scenario has Interior Minister
Irakli Okruashvili replacing Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze, while
the latter becomes either Secretary of the National Security Council
or a substitute for Revaz Adamia, Georgian Ambassador to the UN. Gela
Bezhuashvili, currently Secretary of the National Security Council,
would move to the Ministry of Justice, whose current head, Giorgi
Papuashvili, would shift to the Central Electoral Commission. Finally,
Vano Merabishvili, Minister of State Security, would head the newly
merged ministries of security and internal affairs.
Speculation has Russian oligarch Kakha Bendukidze, Minister of
Economic Development, about to lose his job because of his failure to
accomplish mass privatization and bring $1.5 billion to the state
budget, as he promised to do when he took the office. Nick Gilauri,
Minister of Energy, is expected to be replaced by Irakli
Chubinishvili, head of Saakashvili’s administration.
So far, Bezhuashvili is the only official to concede the possibility
of cabinet changes, though he has denied information about his
imminent dismissal.
The first reshuffle in the power agencies took place in June. One
month later the power ministers merely rotated among themselves (see
EDM, June 10; July 1). The first media rumbling about another round
appeared in September, right after the failed military campaign in
South Ossetia this August (see EDM, September 2), and after stories
emerged about illegal arms sales and questionable recycling of used
weaponry (see EDM October 25). The whispers were particularly loud
around Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze.
Local experts argue that the rumored personnel changes might indicate
backstage fighting between the Saakashvili and the Zhvania teams,
which have remained rivals despite their pompously announced
unification into one political party, the United National Movement, on
November 22 (TV-202, TV-Imedi, December 8).
According to parliament member Levan Berdzenishvili, Saakashvili
himself leaked the latest reshuffle story to the press. “The rumor
about changes in the government is coming from the very presidential
service and is distributed through [Security Minister] Merabishvili.”
Berdzenishvili argues that by disseminating this information,
Saakashvili has put the general public on notice that he is
dissatisfied with the performance of Baramidze, Papuashvili, and
Bezhuashvili, but fully relies on Okruashvili and
Merabishvili. Berdzenishvili sees this development as Saakashvili’s
open statement to Zhvania that he no longer trusts “his” defense
minister and other proteges (Resonance, Inter-Press, December
8-9). The personnel shuffle rumor has suspiciously coincided with a
reorganization in the Tbilisi city government, which mainly sacrificed
Zhvania’s followers.
If personnel changes indeed occur as rumored, it would only reaffirm
the belief held by many pundits that Saakashvili is acutely short of
qualified professional cadres and must grant high posts only to his
most trusted underlings.
–Zaal Anjaparidze
————————————————————————
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia’s plans to open tourism outlets in Garabagh to fail
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Dec 9 2004
Armenia’s intention to open tourism outlets in Upper Garabagh,
Azerbaijan’s region currently under Armenian occupation, is nothing
but nonsense, Minister for Youth, Sports and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev
told journalists.
He said that Armenia is trying to complicate the current situation.
Pointing out the low number of tourists visiting Armenia, Garayev
said that “if anyone visits Upper Garabagh, they are most likely
representatives of the Armenian Diaspora”.
The minister didn’t rule out that Armenia receives assistance
from international organizations for the development of tourism in
the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He stressed that the World
Tourism Organization has repeatedly condemned Armenia’s activities
and issued statements recognizing Upper Garabagh as an integral part
of Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Catholicos Aram I replies to Erdogan’s statements
Yerkir/arm
07.12.2004  15:38    
YERE VAN (YERKIR) – The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
recently inaugurated the first museum in Turkey to be dedicated to
the Armenian people. On this occasion he said that the museum would
refute the accusation that Turkey perpetrated a genocide against
the Armenians.
“Instead of looking at facts, people have distorted history through
suppositions and misinformation”, said Erdogan. He promised to protect
the rights of the Armenians living in Turkey. He said: “As the Prime
Minister of this country, it is my duty to protect the rights of
these citizens”.
In response to Mr. Erdogan’s remarks, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, said:
“Mr. Erdogan, before you speak of so called “assumptions” and
“misinformation”, you should visit the “Cilicia Museum” of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in Lebanon. At that museum you would see
irrefutable evidence of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks. The
remains of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Armenian
people rescued from Cilicia speak for themselves. You would see
manuscripts, church vessels, and other articles of spiritual value,
that the Armenians of Adana, Zeytoun, Hajen, Sis, and other places
in Cilicia and Western Armenia saved as they fled the horrors of
massacre. All these precious remains of our spiritual heritage reached
Antelias via Deir Zor. No one who sees these remains would talk of
“assumptions” and “distortion” of facts. They are clear evidence
of Turkish barbarism. Shouldn’t you ask why these are currently in
Antelias? Are they there by coincidence?
Moreover, Mr. Prime Minister, before speaking of “falsification” and
“misinformation”, you should also visit the relics of our martyrs
that lie in a monument not far from the Museum. Perhaps you would
ask yourself, where did these human remains come from..?
History is based on clear facts and not assumptions. As much as you
and others may deny, the Armenian Genocide is a fact of history.
Mr. Erdogan you consider it your duty to protect “the rights of the
Armenians living in Turkey”. However, as Prime Minister, shouldn’t you
admit the guilt of your ancestors, their well-planned and executed
Genocide? You cannot deny your history. Nest year will be the 90th
anniversary of the Genocide. Armenian communities all over the world
will demand with one voice the recognition of the Genocide perpetrated
by Turkey and will ask for their Human Rights thus far denied”,
concluded Catholicos Aram I.
–Boundary_(ID_b2k+9lBr4HVDxRhfBkTdRw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

No tensions in store for Armenia, Azerbaijan this year – research center
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 7 2004
The forecast of the International Crisis Research Center says that
no tensions are in store for Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particular,
the Upper Garabagh region, till the year-end.
The Center’s office in Brussels predicts that the situation in the
Ukraine, Kosovo, Congo and Cote d’Ivoire will become tense this month.
Representatives of the Center visited Armenia and Azerbaijan,
including Upper Garabagh, in November, to hold discussions with
political circles.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSKANIAN AND MAMEDYAROV AGAIN DISCUSS KARABAGH
ArmenPress
Dec 6 2004
SOFIA, DECEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign affairs minister
Vartan Oskanian, who left for Bulgaria’s capital Sofia on December 5 to
participate in the 12th OSCE Ministerial Council on 6 and 7 December,
had a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov during
a working dinner with the OSCE Minsk group cochairmen the same evening.
Armenian foreign affairs ministry said both minister discussed the
current pace of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict resolution and exchanged
ideas on resolution prospects.
Minister Oskanian is scheduled to take floor on December 7. From Sofia
he will fly to Brussels where he will attend a regular ministerial
meeting of NATO’s Euro Atlantic Partnership Council on December 9.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress