Author: Boris Nahapetian

UNION OF ARMENIAN VOLUNTEERS WILL CONTINUE ITS ACTIVITY DESPITE
EVERYTHING: ACTING COORDINATOR OF UNION

Yerevan, December 16. ArmInfo. "The Union of Armenian Volunteers will
continue its activity despite the arrest of its coordinator and
resistance of the authorities," said Armen Aghayan, Acting Coordinator
of the Union of Armenian Volunteers public and patriotic movement,
Political Secretary of the organization "For protection of liberated
territories," at the Club "Azdak," Saturday.

He believes that the arrest of the Karabakh war hero Zhirayr Sefilyan
is connected with the desire of a group of persons, who have seized
the power, in Armenia to settle definite problems. "The regime is
afraid of any process of consolidation of the Armenian public," he
said.

A. Aghayan said the Union has definite political tasks to fulfill. The
key one is an overall control over the upcoming parliamentary and
presidential elections. However, he refused to specify any political
force which the Union will develop cooperation with.

As regards his previous statements on the efficiency of the attempts
by the Armenian opposition to prevent mass election rigging,
A. Aghayan said he had no intention to state anything insulting about
the opposition, he just presented the real state of affairs.

Georgia, Azerbaijan Agree on 30-kilometer Border Portion
Civil Georgia, Georgia
Aug 5, 2006
The Georgian and Azerbaijani officials have agreed on demarcation of a
30-kilometer border line as a result of talks in Tbilisi on August 3-4.
As a result, a total of 300-kilometer section of the Georgian-Azeri
border is now agreed, but about 35% of border line still remains
disputed, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Manjgaladze, who
led the Georgian delegation at the talks, said on August 4.
Disputed areas involve Tsiteli Khidi (the Red Bridge) and Davit Gareji
sections of the border.
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalap Khalapov told reporters
after talks on August 4 that disputed issues will be discussed at
the next round of talks, which are scheduled for September in Baku.
Georgia also has to demarcate its borders with Russia and Armenia.
Disputed border line with Russia involves Larsi, Pichvebi and
Chero-Intsokhi sections of the border.
A 110-kilometer section has already been agreed with Armenia, while
the rest 110-kilometer remains disputed.

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN: RICHARD MALLIE “PROFONDEMENT DECU”
Agence France Presse
19 mai 2006 vendredi
Le depute des Bouches-du-Rhône Richard Mallie (UMP) s’est declare
vendredi “profondement decu” de ne pas avoir pu voter la proposition
de loi socialiste reprimant la negation du genocide armenien.
Co-auteur d’une proposition de loi identique, le depute “pensait
arriver a la fin d’un long combat en faveur de la communaute
armenienne”.
Il s’en prend au president du groupe socialiste qui “en inscrivant
trois textes a l’ordre du jour, savait qu’il compromettait fortement
les chances de la proposition de loi d’etre votee, car le temps
imparti a la seance se deroulait de 9h30 a 13h00”.
Le sarkozyste Patrick Devedjian (UMP) a accuse de son côte vendredi le
gouvernement et le president de l’Assemblee Jean-Louis Debre d’avoir
“deliberement” empeche le vote sur ce texte, qui selon lui, aurait
ete adopte.
La proposition de loi socialiste fait de la negation du genocide
un delit punissable d’un an d’emprisonnement et de 45.000 euros
d’amende. Son vote eventuel ne pourra pas desormais intervenir avant
la prochaine session parlementaire a l’automne.
–Boundary_(ID_JJ+kq+BNHDIqSeP7JL3CVg) —

TED MUM ON PLAN FOR GREENWAY
By Jay Fitzgerald
Boston Herald General Economics Reporter
Boston Herald, MA
May 16 2006
The future design of a post-Big Dig park was thrown into question
yesterday after Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and a key conservancy executive
refused to endorse a planned memorial for victims of the Armenian
genocide.
Local politicians yesterday officially broke ground on the $3.7
million Chinatown park that will anchor the southern end of the Rose
Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
Kennedy, whose late mother’s name will adorn the entire park system
stretching for more than a mile through the heart of downtown Boston,
hailed the Chinatown park as a major milestone toward creating a
“marvelous Greenway.”
But after a Chinatown event yesterday, the Massachusetts Democrat
refused to endorse or reject a proposal to build a memorial in another
section of the Greenway near Faneuil Hall that would honor Armenian
heritage – and possibly honor the Armenian victims of genocide.
“I certainly can’t make” a decision on it, he said, noting a
conservancy board will have to judge the merits of the park plan.
Edwin Schlossberg, a member of the Greenway Conservancy Board and
husband of Kennedy’s niece, Caroline, has expressed reservations
about singling out one ethnic group within the Greenway.
Nancy Brennan, the board’s executive director, said the Armenian
heritage park is “still in discussion.”

THE MOST TOUCHY APPARATUS: THE STATE
Erol ONDEROGLU
14/02/2006
BIA, Turkey
March 8 2006
In 2005 157 cases were opened against for expressions of ideas, 29
people stood trial on grounds of article 301, 17 for “influencing the
court decision,” 15 on grounds of article 216; the media was fined 1,
491, 594 new Turkish liras in damages.
The seven months that passed after the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK)
went into effect, have proved that the human rights activists who fight
for freedom of expression in Turkey were right in criticizing this law.
In the second half of the year, the government’s and state’s
intolerance became obvious in the events of criticism against the
Turkish identity, state institutions such as the Security Forces or
Armed Forces, or discussions of human rights issues such as torture
or extra-judicial killings or historic issues.
157 people before courts in freedom of expression cases
“The Network for Monitoring and Covering Media Freedom and Independent
Journalism” – BIA² Media Monitoring Desk released three separate
Three-Monthly Media Monitoring Reports in 2005 and drew attention to
the cases brought against journalists, intellectuals, publishers and
human rights activists. According to these reports, all of the 157
journalists, publishers, and human rights activists called attention
to the juridical practices in cases opened against them and said
everyone who states and opinion or makes a criticism, may face a
prison sentence.
The 39-page report covers 200 cases and the situations of 319
journalists, writers and human rights activists under the titles of,
“attacks and threats,” “detentions and arrests,” “cases and attempts,”
“European Court of Human Rights,” “RTUK practices,” “regulations and
seeking rights,” and “Reactions to censorship.”
29 people charged under article 301
A total of 29 journalists, writers and publishers have been taken to
court on grounds of article 301 of the TCK on “insulting the Turkish
identity, Republic, and the institutions of the State.” Some trials
are still continuing. Local courts have convicted eight people in
these cases.
Journalist Rahmi Yildirim, who was acquitted by a local court has
appealed the decision of acquittal and thus has not yet been absolved.
Within the year 2005, local courts have handed out a total fine of
12,900 new Turkish liras (USD 9,700), 900 new Turkish liras (USD 677)
of which was deferred, and a total prison term of 4 years, 1.5 years
of which was deferred to radio employee Sabri Ejder Ozic, writer Emin
Karaca, journalist Hrant Dink, writer Zulkuf Kisanak, publisher Fatih
Tas, Cagri magazine owner Aziz Ozer and magazine reader Erkan Akay.
New charges against 17 journalists: Interfering with the court
decisions
17 journalists, who discussed current human rights issues, such as the
Kiziltepe case, the cancellation of the Ottoman Armenians Conference,
and Torture case, through their reports or articles, are being charged
with “Influencing the court decision,” and “Attempting to Influence
Fair Trial,” based on the Press Law and the Penal Code.
Ender Can Cevahir, Fehmi Koru, Mehmet Sucu, Ilhan Selcuk, Ibrahim
Yildiz, Ilhan Tasci, Alper Turgut, Hrant Dink, Aydin Engin, Serkis
Seropyan, Arat Dink, Hasan Cemal, Murat Belge, Haluk Sahin, Erol
Katircioglu and Ismet Berkan face fines or prison sentences if found
guilty in these trials.
15 people taken to court based on article 216
15 journalists and/or human rights activists have been taken to court
in 2005 based on article 312 of the old TCK on “hidden incitement of
crime,” or article 216 of the new TCK on “inciting hatred and enmity
or humiliation.” Some of these cases will continue through 2006.
Professor Doctor Ibrahim Kabaoglu, the former head of the Prime
Ministry Human Rights Advisory Board, and Board member Professor
Doctor Baskin Oran face five years in prison for the Minority Rights
and Cultural Rights Working Group Report released in October 2004.
Kabaoglu and Oran are charged based on both article 216/1 and 301/2.
A Bagcilar court has rejected the Supreme Court of Appeals’ decision
to overturn a penalty handed to writer Cemil Tokpinar of the ‘Yeni
Asya’ (New Asia) newspaper for writing “Earthquake is a Godly
Warning.” Writer Tokpinar, who had been charged based on article
312, was found guilty based on article 216 too. The one-year prison
sentence handed out to the writer has been commuted to a fine of
7,300 new Turkish liras (USD 5,490).
12 journalists stand ‘terrorism’ trials, four stand ‘Ataturk’ trials
and five stand ‘Mafia’ trials
12 journalist-writers are being charged with ‘disseminating terrorist
propaganda’ based on TCK or the anti-Terrorism Law. Among these
journalists are Radikal reporter Nese Duzel, Hurriyet reporter Sebati
Karakurt, journalist Ertugrul Mavioglu and ATV producer Ali Kirca.
Four people are being charged with violating the Law On Crimes
Committed Against Ataturk No: 5816, while five people are standing
trial for reports on the Mafia.
Journalists sued for a total of 1,491,592 new Turkish liras in
compensation
Journalists are facing a total of 1,491,594 new Turkish liras (USD
1,120,000) in more than 30 compensation cases, generally brought by
individuals working in public posts and by politicians.
The 40,000 new Turkish lira (USD 30,080) compensation case opened by
Prime Minister Erdogan against the “Penguen” magazine for violating
his personal rights is still continuing. The 20,000 new Turkish lira
(USD 15,000) compensation case brought against the magazine by Culture
and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc is also continuing in an Ankara court.
The Supreme Court of Appeals has overturned the decision of an Ankara
court, which had ruled Sefer Selvi, the caricaturist for the “Gunluk
Evrensel” (Daily Evrensel) newspaper has to pay 10,000 new Turkish
liras (USD 7,500) in compensation for a caricature which went along
with an article titled, “AKP’s deep head.”
Prime Minister Erdogan had sued “Cumhuriyet” (Republic) newspaper
caricaturist Musa Kart for a drawing, and Gaziantep “Zaman” (Time)
newspaper columnist Halil Eyupoglu for an article on Cyprus, saying his
personal rights had been violated and asking for damages. The prime
minister had won those cases. In a separate damages suit Erdogan
brought against the “Sakarya” newspaper for the same Musa Kart
caricature, an Eskisehir court ruled: “the said caricature, which
makes irony through humor and photomontage, is within the limits of
criticism and thus is found to be in line with law. Mr.
President, who has served in prison for a long time because of a poem,
should be more tolerant towards such criticism.” The court refused
the suit.
A local court is hearing the witnesses in the damages case the MOPAK
Company brought against the “Guney Ege” (Southern Aegean) newspaper
in Mugla. The company has asked for 300,000 new Turkish liras (USD
226,000) in damages. The newspaper had claimed that the company
pollutes the environment and disregards the rights of its employees.
Memik Horuz still in prison
Less number of journalists were arrested in 2005, compared to the
previous year: A total of six media employees were imprisoned. Among
them was DIHA reporter Birol Duru, who was released after spending
4.5 months in prison. The rest were released along with three other
media employees who had been arrested the previous year. In 2004,
15 journalists had been sent to prison, and a total of eight had
been released. Three of the eight had been arrested during the
previous years.
According to the report, only Memik Horuz, the general manager of the
“Isci-Koylu” (Laborer-Villager) magazine is in prison at the moment
for journalistic activities. Cengiz Dogan, the head of the “Mavi”
(Blue) and “Kent” (Town) newspapers published in Nusaybin, is at the
Mardin E-type prison for “disseminating terrorist propaganda” and
“praising the crime and the criminal” by publishing PKK statements.
Suleyman Tekin, the general manager of the same magazine, had been
arrested on August 31, for attending a demonstration staged when
the body of a killed Syrian PKK militant was being sent back to his
country. Tekin was released in the beginning of November.
Less detentions, more violence against journalists
Only seven reporters were detained in 2005, compared with a total
of 53 in 2004. DIHA reporter Kadir Ozbek, and Tunceli reporter Rustu
Demirkaya were detained while covering the return of private Coskun
Kirandi, who had been kidnapped by PKK. DHA reporter Ferit Demir,
and Anatolia Agency reporter Haydar Toprakci were detained on August 4.
The journalists were also sued for “disseminating terrorist
propaganda.”
However, the decrease in the number of detentions was not followed
by a decrease in violence against journalists and media organizations:
In 2004, a total of 20 journalists, covering demonstrations and two
media companies were attacked. In 2005, a total of 22 journalists
and 16 media companies were attacked.
A group of Karsiyaka Sport Club fans raided the “Ege TV” (Aegean
TV) studios in Izmir. The group, chanting slogans, injured four
people and caused damage. Also, guns were fired at the offices of
the “Cagdas Kars Haber” (Contemporary Kars News) newspaper on the
night of December 1. The printing office of the local “Odak” (Focus)
newspaper in Afyonkarahisar was bombed.
At least five Internet sites were also attacked: internethaber.com,
the Web sites of the “Soz” (Word) newspaper in Diyarbakir, the
“Ulkede Ozgur Gundem” (Free Agenda in the Country) newspaper, the
monthly online magazine “Iktidarsiz” (Impotent) and the weekly “Agos”
newspaper were hacked.
Another thing revealed by the report was the fact that the cases
brought by journalists who were attacked, detained or threatened,
against the police, paramilitary police or other security forces,
do not lead to a positive result.
ECHR fined Turkey 757, 955 new Turkish liras in damages in 2005
The fines the European Court of Human Rights handed Turkey in 2004 in
cases about journalist murder, freedom of expression and free trial,
increased when compared with the fines handed in 2004: while in 2004,
Turkey paid 224,000 new Turkish liras (USD 168,000) in damages,
in 2005, it was fined to pay 757,955 new Turkish liras (570,000)
in cases opened by 46 individuals, 12 of whom were journalists.
The ECHR, through its rulings, penalized implementations of the former
State of Emergency Law, the State Security Courts, the Assembly and
Demonstration Law No: 2911, and the Anti-Terrorism Law.
The three Conditional Amnesty Laws passed up until the year 2000 was
regarded as placing ipotek on the freedom of expression.
RTUK delays Kurdish broadcasts; Kurdish remembered only during EU
negotiations
Zahid Akman, the head of the Radio and Television Higher Board (RTUK),
had stated during the year-end meeting that local and regional media
companies, that have been waiting for permissions to broadcast
Kurdish programs, would be able to initiate those broadcasts in
January 2006. However, 12 media organizations have still not received
the go-ahead.
Cemal Dogan, the general manager of the Gun TV in Diyarbakir, who has
been waiting for permission for the Kurdish broadcasts since January
25, 2004, when the related regulation went into effect, believes they
are being put off.
Less censorship by RTUK
RTUK had ordered Adana Radyo Dunya (Radio World) off the air for 30
days for “disseminating separatist propaganda” and “inciting hatred
and enmity” by promoting a book. RTUK reevaluated on November 23,
2005 the broadcast monitoring reports of August 2004, and ordered
Ankara Radyo Imaj (Radio Image) off the air for the same reason.
RTUK, has suspended a total of 25 programs for violating broadcasting
principles outlined in article 4 of Law No: 3984. 17 programs were
suspended once, two programs twice and six programs for three times.
RTUK, which suspended programs for 44 times, handed out 242 warnings
to local and national media and asked for defense 69 times, applied
less censorship in 2005: According to the RTUK Web site, except the
program penalties, defense was required in 67 cases, and 186 warnings
were handed out. Four television channels were fined.
RTUK, which handed out most penalties for programs that “negatively
affect children,” in 2004, did not change its attitude in 2005: 20
national television channels gave defense statements, 33 received
warnings, programs in nine television channels were suspended, and
four were fined.
In 2004, a total of 27 television channels had given defense
statements, 15 had their programs suspended, and a total of 48 media
companies, five of which were local, received warnings for the same
reason.
–Boundary_(ID_hXH8sZHFsi/ATH7/dkPqi A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Association
October 14, 2005, Friday
TRAINEE PILOT JAILED FOR PASSPORT FRAUD
by Melvyn Howe, PA
A trainee pilot at the heart of a US terror alert was jailed for a
year today for obtaining a bogus passport.
Zayead Hajaig, 36, used it to pursue his “dream” to get round visa
restrictions and fly commercial planes in America.
But earlier this year, he aroused suspicion when he tried to persuade
instructors to falsify qualifications that could have put him at the
controls of passenger jets.
The FBI was alerted, but an attempt to catch him failed when he
learned they were on his trail.
He promptly used the false passport to flee to Britain, “terrified”
that if he was caught he would end up in Guantanamo Bay.
London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that, once back here, he
eventually contacted Scotland Yard anti-terrorist branch officers and
was finally arrested in connection with the passport matter.
In the meantime, a US grand jury indicted him on three counts of
being “an illegal alien” in possession of a small armoury of hunting
rifles.
American authorities also placed him on an international “no fly”
list – effectively making him a “prisoner” in Britain for the rest of
his life – scrapped his light aircraft pilot’s licence and rescinded
all his qualifications.
Although no moves are currently being made to extradite him, the
possibility of such a development remained like a “sword of Damocles”
hanging over his head.
Hajaig, of Howard Road, Ilford, Essex, admitted one count of
dishonestly obtaining a UK passport by deception between January 29
and February 6, 1997.
The charge stated he “falsely represented” that the details of the
passport photograph were a true description of Barry Felton – a
former colleague at a record shop he once worked at in Essex.
A second allegation claiming he stole the man’s driving licence to
provide identification for the passport application was ordered to
lay on file and not be proceeded with.
“You did this in order to gain entry into the United States, where,
previously, you had overstayed on a tourist visa.
“You knew you would have difficulty obtaining a further visa
yourself, so you used deception to get another passport in a
different identity. Your deception worked and you stayed in the US
until earlier this year.
“But it is true to say that, while there, you did not use that
passport again except to return to this country.”
The judge said that, following his return to the States, Hajaig
resumed the pilot’s training he began in the early ’90s and gained
further qualifications.
“But your deception caught up with you,” said the judge.
“After the atrocity of September 11, someone in your position was
bound to fall under suspicion and, eventually, you did. That prompted
you to return to this country.”
He went on: “I make it clear there is no evidence whatever before the
court to suggest for a moment that you have had any terrorist
connections.
“I accept that you were genuinely training to be a pilot. I also make
it clear that I am sentencing you today only for obtaining a passport
by deception.
“You were charged with the theft of the driving licence, which you
used for identification in 1997, but the Crown has asked for that to
lie on the file and I don’t sentence you for it.
“Nevertheless, to obtain a passport by deception in circumstances
like this is a very serious matter and to commit such an offence now,
when proper immigration control is one line in the defence against
terrorism, is highly culpable and would call for a long sentence.
“In 1997, when you committed this offence, the world was a different
place. The terrorist threat did not exist in the same way and your
sentence will reflect the date when you committed the offence.
“But, even then in 1997, to obtain a passport by deception in
circumstances such as these is so serious that a custodial sentence
is inevitable.”
Bearing in mind his guilty plea, his previous good character and his
poor health, the minimum term he could impose was one of 12 months.
Hajaig, who had remained impassive throughout the hearing, gave the
tiniest of bows in the judge’s direction, muttered a barely audible
“Thank you” and was then led from the dock.
The court heard Hajaig had been born in Nigeria to Armenian parents.
Because his father had a British passport, that allowed him to have
one too and he eventually settled in Britain.
As the years passed, he developed a “dream and ambition” to fly
commercial aircraft in America.
Finally, in the early ’90s, he travelled to the States as a
holidaymaker and immediately began taking lessons.
He later returned briefly to Britain, only to realise he would almost
certainly not be able to go back to America.
At the time, he was working in a record shop in Barking, Essex, as a
security guard, and decided the only way to resume his training was
to get a new identity.
After using Mr Felton’s identity to get the passport, he flew to the
US and enrolled once more in flight school.
He chose Atlanta in Georgia – where two of the September 11 suicide
hijackers also trained – to continue his lessons.
Leo Pilkington, prosecuting, told the court that in March this year
Hajaig came to the attention of the FBI.
“That followed allegations that during his pilot training – and he is
a qualified pilot – he tried to persuade and convince the instructors
to overstate his qualifications and falsify his pilot records.
“As a result, the flight school in question was contacted by
officers. They ascertained that the defendant would be there the
following day and decided to meet him.
“Unfortunately, there was a mistake by the flight school and he was
informed about this in advance and as a result failed to appear,
flying instead to the United Kingdom.”
The barrister said inquiries into his background continued, leading,
amongst other things, to the discovery that he had three rifles.
Stephen Requena, defending, said his client had felt he had no option
but to flee America.
“He was absolutely terrified about the treatment he might receive at
the hands of the US authorities.
“Whatever the rights and wrongs of Guantanamo Bay, one can perfectly
understand that such a hard-working man would be terrified.”
He said Hajaig had not obtained the passport for any “nefarious
reason”, but simply to “resume his training and pursue his dream”.
His decision to do so had resulted in all that he had achieved and
the hopes he still had and the hopes he had had being destroyed.
In addition, the publicity his case had attracted had resulted in him
being spat at in the street, his car being damaged, and his children
being bullied and abused at school.
Furthermore, he now found himself in an “extraordinary, nightmarish
situation” as a virtual prisoner in his home country because of the
no-fly list.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hetq On Line
Being Village Mayor is a Matter of Principle
October 10, 2005
“All those members of the community who wish to visit the mobile medical
groups must register beforehand with the village nurse.”
This announcement has represented medical treatment to ailing residents of
Ditavan for several years now. They say it helps to read it several times,
with a glass of water. Sadly, that’s the only option they have.
The village of Ditavan, 15 km from Ijevan and set deep in the forest, has a
history that spans 165 years. It was founded by seven families who had come
from Karabakh and settled in the Aghstev valley. The villagers mainly deal
in animal husbandry, although tobacco growing has also recently been
undertaken. According to Sevan Sargsyan, the mayor of the village, it is a
labor-intensive, but not very lucrative, occupation,
“The village has problems with irrigation. The people of Ditavan cannot
irrigate their fields. The only water they get is from rain. Villagers have
to fight nature to survive. Plowing or harvesting, villagers face a serious
dilemma – they have no money to rent machinery, but without it they won’t be
finished in time,” Sargsyan explained.
There are 490 residents, or 120 families, registered in the village, but
only a few families live there now. The village is drowning in troubles.
Sargsyan believes that all small villages face these problems, “Only the
relatives of the villagers know where it is located, so how would a
foreigner know? Ditavan has never been part of any international charity
program, because each such project requires local investment as well, which
is beyond our reach.”
Sevan Sargsyan has been mayor of Ditavan for three years now. Despite
numerous problems, he plans to run again this year. “There are unfinished
programs, I have to complete them. It’s a hard to be village mayor these
days, because everyone criticizes you – both those above you, and the
villagers as well. I think it’s easier to hold office in the city; as they
say, ‘the village priest is not blessed.’ I try to do so much, but they say
‘Of course you have do it, what did you think?’ When you realize that you
are not appreciated, it’s difficult to stay motivated. I’m sick of it, to be
honest.”
When asked why he was putting his candidature forward again, Sargsyan
replied, “It’s a matter of principle. I believe that if the villagers stand
united, then we can achieve a lot.”
Sargsyan proposes a few different plans to get Ditavan out of the difficult
situation it is currently in – either by encouraging foreigners to invest in
the village, or by using Ditavan’s own potential to attract interest. He
believes that young people have an important role to play in this process.
Sargsyan has three children. Asked whether he sees their future in the
village, he replied, “Not for my daughters, because you can never tell what
kind of men they will marry. But my son should definitely stay in the
village. Although I might be doing him harm, that’s my decision.”
Though not a campaign slogan, this is another reflection of Mayor Sargsyan’s
principles, perhaps pointing to his secret wish to pass his power on to his
son, just like fathers did in the times of the Arshakuni dynasty.
Lusine Balyan, Anahit Vardanyan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN HEALTH AUTHORITIES BRACING UP FOR POTENTIAL BIRD FLU OUTBREAK
Armenpress
Oct 10 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenian health authorities have
developed a national program of measures to withstand a potential
outbreak of bird flu and will send it to government approval. Cases
of bird flu reported last week by Romania and Turkey have increased
fears that it may reach Armenia.
Lilit Asatrian, head of a health ministry department, said experts
fear the H5N1 virus could mutate into one which spreads easily among
humans, creating a pandemic that might kill millions. Last week Turk
television quoted Turkish farm minister Mehdi Eker as saying bird
flu had been discovered in Turkey for the first time. The television
station said turkeys had died of the disease on a farm in Balikesir
province near the Aegean Sea in western Turkey.
According to Lilit Asatrian, examinations were conducted in all large
poultry farms in Armenia to identify their readiness in case of an
outbreak of the disease. She said agricultural ministry has promised
to report about any case of birds deaths.
Asatrian said there is a lot has be done to be prepared for the
disease’s possible spread into Armenia-to set up laboratories and
prepare personnel.
She said Armenian health authorities expect WHO’s assistance to
implement the anti-bird flu program.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FM MET CIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Pan Armenian News
28.09.2005 06:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met
with Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Executive Secretary
Vladimir Rushaylo, RA MFA press center reported. The interlocutors
highly assessed the outcomes of the Kazan CIS Summit and the commitment
of the states to the CIS reformation. Vladimir Rushaylo presented
the current situation within the CIS and also touched upon the issues
referring to the budget and reformation system. Noting the importance
of the humanitarian cooperation the parties discussed the programs
to be implemented in the arena.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA ARMED US WELL, I WON’T HIDE IT
Kommersant, Russia
Sept 26 2005
Speaker of the Parliament of South Ossetia Znaur Gassiev talks with
Kommersant special correspondent Olga Allenova about the possibility
of uniting the two Ossetias.
What was the gist of the agreement you signed with Taimuraz Mamsurov
before the celebration of the North Ossetian Independence Day?
Politically, it is a very important document. Intentions to unite
the two Ossetias have been codified for the first time. That means
that preparations for unification will continue. The agreement covers
economic and cultural cooperation, with the goal of leading us to the
“X moment” when unification will take place. A similar agreement
was signed at the same time with Abkhazia, although the political
import there is different. There it is a matter of standing up foir
the interests of unrecognized states.
Why hadn’t such an agreement been signed with North Ossetia before?
We had similar agreements under [former North Ossetian presidents]
Galazov and Dzasokhov, but there was practically no political element
in them.
Are you placing hope on Taimuraz Mamsurov?
I don’t know Taimuraz well. I don’t know how the Kremlin is oriented
toward him in this issue, whether they are in consultations, and so
on. That is to say that the Kremlin did not say, Ossetians, sits down
and agree on unification. So far that is only an intention. But the
desire of the people to return to their roots is so strong that they
won’t want to change course. The people are ready to go all the way.
All the way to Russia?
Yes, of course. Let’s work it out. The situation would be the same
without Russia, or Tatarstan or Mongolia. We want in where the other
half of our people already are. That’s all. Of course, we want into
a strong state that will protect us. So there is a pull toward Russia.
We all speak Russian. I can’t say in Ossetian the things I am saying to
you in Russian. All Ossetians are like that. Take a Georgian village
and an Ossetian village. In the Georgian village, they can’t put two
words together in Russian, but in the Ossetian village they speak
it not badly. That is, they have no pull to the Russian language,
and we do.
Do you think that unification is realistic?
You can say a lot about the legal aspects of our situation, but the
real situation is that Russia and America are butting heads, and we
are stuck in the middle. America is defending Georgia’s interests,
and we are defending Russia’s interests and our own. We are a divided
people that wants to be united.
But Georgia won’t let you.
Georgia has no choice. Georgia made a lot of mistakes and didn’t
learn anything from them. Gamsakhurdia did a lot of harm to Georgia’s
image. It would be easier for them to solve the problems with us
without force. Generations of Ossetians had grown up in Georgia before
Gamsakhurdia started the war. It is wrong to say that Georgian and
Ossetians are incompatible. I know that for myself. I grew up and
reached old age in Soviet times and lived among Georgians, studying
and working in Tbilisi. We have no ethnic prejudice. The Abkhazians
and Georgians have it very strongly. But it is not in our nature.
Those two relapses, in the 1920s and 1990s, that School No. 5 [in
1991 and 1992, victims of the Ossetian-Georgian conflict were buried
in the courtyard of School No. 5 in Tskhinvali, because the city’s
cemetery was held by Georgian forces], those orphaned children that
everyone knows, it all resounds deeply in the people. And the pull
in us is not specifically to Russia because everything is good there,
but to unification of the people.
Under Yeltsin, things in Russian were undefined. The first years
under Putin too were not noteworthy for us. He had his own problems.
But now Russia is showing some interest in us. You understand that
Georgia won’t gain anything from a war here. Because the people
won’t allow it. Yes, the sides are unequal. Georgia is a state of
five million, and there aren’t even 100,000 of us. But still they
won’t get anything out of it.
Will Russia help you?
Not only will it help, it is helping now. Why pretend otherwise? In
1991, we faced the Georgians with sticks and slingshots, because we
didn’t have any weapons. A year ago, things were different. They had
to withdraw. Now even more. Were you at the parade? Did you see the
equipment? Yes, their army is also better than it was 15 years ago.
Then, it was a semi-criminal band made up of people Gamsakhurdia let
out of prison. They weren’t ready for a real war either. Now they have
a real army. America saw to that. If they go against us one on one
here, they will get nothing but bitterness. But we will see nothing
but bitterness too. We have a different spirit. We convinced ourselves
of that in last year’s war. They withdrew last summer because the
guys here are fighting on their own ground. And Russia armed us well,
I won’t hide it.
But you admit it yourself, that Russia is on one side, and America
on the other.
Americans are pragmatic. They armed Georgia, but stipulated in a
separate document with an article 3 that that army is not to take
part in the solution of the conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia
with weapons. America doesn’t need accusations that people there are
being killed with its weapons. In August a year ago, Georgia broke
that agreement, and America ordered Georgia to withdraw those forces
within two hours. The U.S. ambassador to the OSCE told me that when
he was here.
And, finally, as soon as they attack us, all of the North Caucasus will
rise to our aid. Chechens went to Abkhazia then, but everyone will
come to us. So they can’t solve the problem militarily. All that’s
left is the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 on the rights of nations
to self-determination. A nation should be united. In today’s world,
if it’s not a single state, it is hard for it to survive.
I didn’t see a single official representative of the Russian
authorities or any deputies in the Independence Day parade. At least
Fatherland Party leader Rogozin used to come. Russia is helping you,
but that help is somehow underground, not in the open. Will Russia
support unification?
I wouldn’t stake my life on it, but it is possible, very possible. It
all depends on how Russia and America divide their spheres of
influence. But look, world events are pushing Russia and America
into each other’s arms. Yes, America is stronger, it is the only
superpower left, but it still can’t butt heads with Russia. It
is forced to take Russia into account. There are many indications
behind the scenes in recent times that Russia is interested in the
unification of the two republics at the very highest level. The fact
that we don’t see anyone here with Rogozin’s rank… I’ll tell you a
secret, just without mentioning any names. People with status a lot
higher than Rogozin’s have been here.
Did they decide about unification?
No. That was not in their competency, they had other functions. But
Russia isn’t hiding to that it has taken guardianship of us. Its goals
are clear. Russia is being crowded out of the Transcaucasus, and it
doesn’t want to be. Russia only has two tiny bits of the Transcaucasus
left – Abkhazia and us. Anyone can see what is happening in Armenia. It
is coming under Western influence. But here, in these two spots,
there is clear orientation toward Russia. I won’t be surprised if
Ossetia will be united in a year or two. But everything depends, I
say again, on how the two superpowers reach an agreement. It is hard
to tell. Both of them, Putin and Bush, are in their last terms. Who
will go farther and how events unfold is still unknown.
If Russia reached an agreement with Georgia and they make you go back
to Georgia, then what?
Everything will depend on what they agree on and what guarantees
they give us. Saakashvili stated in the Parliamentary Assembly of
the European Council that he gives us more autonomy than they have
in North Ossetia… if only anyone believed it. They promised so much
in Ajaria too, and what was the result? Well, I’ll say it again.
Everything is in God’s power, everything is possible. Here it is
still 50/50. Russia or Georgia.
Do you think the Ossetians can forget the war?
If there won’t be any agitation on the state level from both sides
that you can’t forget the war, then everything can be forgotten. Time
heals. Algeria boiled over once. You remember the Algerian people’s
freedom movement against France. Thousands of people died. And wise
de Gaulle didn’t get too wise. He let Algeria go. The French radicals
rose up against him, there were assassination attempts. Algeria went
its own way. Now it is asking to come back. Five million Algerians live
in France. Because that wise decision showed the Algerians that they
had it better with France. And they all remained French-speaking. The
battles died down, generations changed, and life took its own course.
Listening to you, I am reminded of a Georgian politician who said
that, when Georgia joins Europe, South Ossetia and Abkhazia will ask
to join it on their own.
Yes, maybe, but that is 50/50 too. Any one of those possibilities
is realistic. Dissension never leads to a constructive life. We
have to give up dissension and come into each other’s arms, without
extremity. You have to be a little bit of a de Gaulle.
Politicians in Georgia say that a strong, united Ossetia is not in
Russia’s best interests. Especially after Beslan, when part of the
Ossetians understood that Russia cannot protect them.
No. That’s not true. Ossetia never was a strong community and it
never will be. They tell that horror tale for nothing. Who are we?
There aren’t even 600,000 of us. Chechnya – that’s really a special
people, a warrior people. Hell broke loose there. Ossetia, no. There
is no danger to Russia here. Then the North Caucasus is mainly
Muslim. Ossetia is the only Orthodox Christian republic here. It is
dangerous for Ossetia to be part of Russia. But where else is there?
If the world were suddenly made perfect, it would matter to Ossetia
where it lived.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress