Author: Chakrian Hovsep

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 22 2004

Canada incurs Turkey’s ire

Though the vote of the Canadian parliament was non-binding, it has
angered Ankara.

April 22 – Turkey has slammed a decision of Canada’s parliament to
recognise the so-called Armenian genocide of 1915 to 1923, saying it
could only inspire hatred.

A statement issued by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry Thursday, a day
after the Canadian parliament voted to condemn the alleged killing of
Armenians by forces of the Ottoman Empire, said those who had backed
the motion were narrow minded.
Canadian legislators had blindly followed those with marginal
views, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
`Some narrow minded Canadian politicians were not able to
understand that such decisions based on … prejudiced information,
will awaken feelings of hatred among people of different [ethnic]
roots and disturb social harmony,’ the statement said.
Turkey maintained its position that it was not up to
parliaments to reach conclusions over controversial periods in
history, the Ministry said, adding that the vote would not benefit
Armenians in Canada or Armenia.

South Wales Evening Post, UK
April 20, 2004

Centre date for drama

The play Two Questions of Intelligence is set to be staged at the
Dylan Thomas Centre, in Swansea. Real Time Theatre will be presenting
the political drama, written by Mike Joseph, suggesting links between
the Armenian genocide in the early 20th Century and the Holocaust.

It will be performed on Friday at 7.30pm.

VLADIMIR PUTIN CONFIDENT ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP WILL MANAGE TO SUSTAIN
STABILITY AND LAW

15.04.2004 12:06

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian and Russian Presidents Robert Kocharian and
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation April 14 in the evening. As the
press service of the Russian leader told Mediamax news agency, at the
instance of V. Putin R. Kocharian presented “evaluation of the events, taken
place in Yerevan due to domestic political tension.” “The Russian president
expressed confidence that the leadership of friendly Armenia will manage to
use the considerable potential of democratic reforms, accumulated in the
country, to sustain stability and law,” reported the press service of the
Russian leader.

A1 Plus | 13:29:00 | 15-04-2004 | Politics |

OSCE PRESS RELEASE

On Wednesday the OSCE Office expressed concern about violence in Armenia.

“The OSCE Office in Yerevan is alarmed at recent developments in Armenia and
calls on all the parties involved to resolve their differences through a
political dialogue to ease tensions in the country.

“The police action in the very early morning of 13 April aimed to forcefully
disperse the citizens and journalists gathered in front of the National
Assembly is of serious concern to us,” said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin,
Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, in a statement he gave to Radio Liberty
and Armenian newspaper Golos Armenii.

The OSCE Office is paying particular attention to the fate of those detained
and the condition of those who suffered injuries during the police
operation, and to the question of the searches of the headquarters of the
main opposition parties, conducted by the police during the same night.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan welcomes the release of three members of the
Armenian Parliament — Mr. Shavarsh Kocharian, Mr. Arshak Sadoyan and Mr.
Alexan Karapetyan — who were also detained during the police operation. At
the same time, it expresses concern with regard to the alleged use of force
during their detention and reports on difficulties they experienced in
receiving legal assistance, while in detention.

The OSCE Office will continue to monitor the implementation by Armenia of
human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in OSCE principles and
commitments accepted by Armenia as a participant in the Organization, said
Ambassador Pryakhin.

CENN – APRIL 15, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline is Under Way
2. Work in $130 mln Realized in Azerbaijan Section of BTC
3. Fate of City Water
4. Number of Tourists Visiting Azerbaijan Dramatically Increases
5. Earth Day Website Honors Planet with Free
6. Iran Views Construction of Gas Pipeline Through Armenia and Ukraine
to Europe as Important
7. International Treaty on Planet Genetic Resources to Enter into Force
in June
8. Call for Papers; Submission Deadline June 1 for Wetlands 2004
9. Training Courses for Development Practitioners in Central Asia and
the former Soviet Union

1. CONSTRUCTION OF THE BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN (BTC) PIPELINE IS UNDER WAY

Source: International News Agency Batuminews, April 7, 2004

Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline is under way in
two sectors: on the 248-193 km. at the border with Turkey, and 0-193 km.
at the Georgian border with Azerbaijan.

A source at BTC project operator British Petroleum (BP) informs of the
involvement of `Punch Lloyd’, an Indian company, used to carry out more
extensive pipeline construction works.

The same source provides information that a 170-km stretch in the
Akhaltsikhe region of the pipeline corridor was cleaned. Pipes have been
installed at a length of 158 km. BP reports that the work is ongoing, on
schedule, and should be completely finished by the end of the year.

2. WORK IN $130 MLN REALIZED IN AZERBAIJAN SECTION OF BTC

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AzerTag,
April 13, 2004

$130 mln has been already spent for Azerbaijan section of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline up to now.

The sum approximately makes up 40% of the funds envisaged for
implementation of these works. These expenses connected with lying of
pipeline and construction of two pumping stations in Sangachal and
Yevlakh region.

It should be reminded that about 200 local companies and organizations
were attracted to construction of Azerbaijan pipe run.

3. FATE OF CITY WATER

Source: The Messenger, April 15, 2004

Sakrebulo to announce decision on water management

After considering the issue for over one year, Tbilisi Sakrebulo is
scheduled to make a decision in the coming days regarding the management
of Tbiltskalkanali (Tbilisi Water Management) by the French company
Generale des Eaux (CGE) that has already won the World Bank tender to
manage the utility for ten years. In addition, the World Bank has
allotted a USD 25 million grant on renewal of the water infrastructure
in the capital. If approved by the Georgian government, the French
company will monitor how the grant is spent.

A delegation from the Tbilisi Sakrebulo visited France in early April to
familiarize itself with the activities of this company. The delegation
reported on Tuesday that it was satisfied with the company’s expertise,
adding that it is confident that Generale des Eaux will do its best to
mage the project.

According to Sakrebulo Head Zaza Begashvili, who was a member of the
delegation, the “French company does not plan to raise the tariff on
water consumption.” He also claims that if the French company receives
management rights the Tbilisi budget has the potential to save the GEL
15 million annually which it spends on Tbiltskalkanali.

Mr. Begashvili said the government demands that the French company meet
a number of conditions after assuming management. Specifically it should
supply the capital’s population with 24-hour water and maintain the
minimal tariff on water consumption. If the Sakrebulo approves the
tender awarded to CGE in Georgia, the company will be obligated to
repait the capital’s water infrastructure, including, first of all,
changing the water pipes.

Now Begashvili and other officials explain that the French company will
not privatize Tbiltskalkanali and the company will remain the property
of the government. The Labor Party has repeatedly protested the
management Tbiltskalkanali by the French company. “We have nothing
against The French company but our position is that the country’s
strategic entities should not be in the hands of foreigners,” stated the
Labor party spokesperson Gela Danelia. He adds Tbiltskalkanali “will
face the same fate as the companies in the energy sector.’ He is
confident that there are Georgian companies capable of successfully
managing Tbiltskanali and have the professional experience to do it. The
party plans to step up its protest if the city government gives the
French the green light.

CGE was officially selected in September 2002 as the winning bidder by
the tender commission after an international tender organized by the
government of Tbilisi with the support of the World Bank, informs
Jean-Patrice Poirier Director for South East Europe, Caucasus, and
Central Asia Veolia Water. However, on July 27, 2003 of this year, the
Sakrebulo halted all measures aimed at transferring Tbiltskalkanali and
announced moratorium on the issue until it could be thoroughly studied.

As Mr. Poirier explained to the Messenger by e-mail last fall, the
`contract is a partnership in which no once can force anything on anyone
but each party must agree. The first decision maker is clearly the
government of Tbilisi and one the representative body of Sakrebulo has
decided then the World Bank must agree.’

The French company clarifies that the tender did not foresee
privatization rather a public private partnership in which CGE would own
nearly nothing the public assets remaining the property of Tbilisi
government. `The present managers and employees are good but they lack
means and experience. We shall operate the local water company
transferring our know-how, technology and modern management procedures,’
says the regional director.

On the contrary CGE management explains that they have proposed an
operator tariff to the Tbilisi government to compensate the water
company for the new operation, the investments and improvements
forecasted. The Tbilisi government should decide on the consumer’s
tariff and then pay or receive the difference.’ We understand that they
are forecasting very progressive increases of domestic tariffs,’ adds
Poirier.

CGE explained last fall that they would invest USD 8 million directly
with the local company and an additional USD 25 million would be
supplied by the World Bank to the city government.

“No matter who manages the water company tomorrow, a lot of must be done
as the system as suffered due to alack of maintenance and lack of
investments over a long time,’ notes Mr. Poirier, `and if we are
invited, we shall first of all improve the efficiency of the Water
System as currently there are huge amounts of water lost. Quality and
quantity of service shall be also improved for the benefit of the
population. Then we shall organize the investments on equipment and
infrastructure so as to achieve real results in improvements of the
system, in accordance with the contract.’

Aside from the discussion over French management of Tbiltskalkanali the
company recently signed a contract with Telasi on bill unification and
already from April 400, 000 Tbilisi citizens received a new format of
bills combining both Telasi electricity bills and municipal water bills.

According to Iusa Tsartsidze, the head of Tbiltskalkanali Supervisory
Board, this gives the company a chance to improve collections on water
consumption and save money previously spent on bill collectors. The
company will pay Telasi two tetri for each dual invoice. Tsartsidze
thinks, ‘This deal is profitable for his company.’

4. NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING AZERBAIJAN DRAMATICALLY INCREASES

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AzerTag,
April 15, 2004

The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan increased 10-fold over passed
two years, representative of the head department of the Ministry of
Youth, Sports and Tourism of Azerbaijan Khanoglan Gulaliyev said.

According to the State Stats Committee, the number of foreign citizens
who visited Azerbaijan in 2003 totaled 1 million 66 thousand 299 people.
Of them, 25 thousand 543 came on a traveler’s visa against officially
registered 2294 in 2002 of total 793 thousand 345.

However, these stats are based on travel agencies’ information. The
figure would massively increase if calculations were made in accordance
with World Tourism Organization’s standards.

`Entrepreneurs arriving in Azerbaijan on a business mission must be
registered in the section `business tourism’ as well as athletes must be
included into the `sport tourism”, added Khanoglan Gulaliyev.

5. EARTH DAY WEBSITE HONORS PLANET WITH FREE

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AzerTag,
April 13, 2004

A free gift to honor Mother Earth on Earth Day 2004 entitles any person
to receive an exceptional email every few days that contains short,
inspiring, earth-connecting quotes and comments from people in our
society’s past and present. To help people more fully celebrate this
Earth Day. People improve the nature-detached environmental and
psychological mentality we have used for the past century because it has
shown that it is not able to do the job we need to do.

“The nature-connected quotes show that people and their mentality are
part of Earth and nature,’ says Dr. Mike Cohen, director of Project
NatureConnect. When nature and its renewing powers are absent in the
environment of the human mind, even our best thinking leads us to behave
in ways that abuse Earth’s natural systems in our body and psyche as
well as in the environment. With nature’s absence, we lose its ability
to help our thinking produce the social and environmental balance we
seek, a balance common to healthy natural systems and nature-connected
people.

“Over 99% of our thinking is disconnected from and out of tune with
nature and its regenerative ways,” states the proclamation. That, it
says, is the point source of personal dysfunctions such as stress,
depression and cancer as well environmental dysfunctions such as global
warming, oceanic dead zones and war.

The proclamation urges the counseling, education and environmental
communities to become more effective by using readily available sensory
tools that emotionally reattach our mentality to nature for we do not
fight for what we don’t love.

To honor Earth Day 2004, Project NatureConnect has contributed
nature-reconnecting tools to leaders and students. Their use enables
people to think using the same organic communication process that we
share, as part of nature, with the animal, plant and mineral kingdoms.
As with them, without creating pollution or garbage, the process helps
our thinking sustain optimums of life, diversity and peace in natural
systems around and within us.

6. IRAN VIEWS CONSTRUCTION OF GAS PIPELINE THROUGH ARMENIA AND UKRAINE
TO EUROPE AS IMPORTANT

Source: PanARMENIAN.Net, April 14, 2004

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi stated the project of
construction of a gas pipeline through Armenia and Ukraine in direction
of Europe as important. He expressed the opinion during the meeting with
RA FM Vardan Oskanian, who is on a formal visit in Iran at present. The
Iranian minister positively assessed the development of the regional
cooperation stating that its bilateral nature consolidates the community
of interests and gives rise to regional and international relationships,
Iran.ru reports.

7. COLD REALITY: NATURE (AGAIN) TURNS A BRUTAL BREATH TO VILLAGE FARMERS

Source: ArmeniaNow

The Ministry of Agriculture plans to release a damage report next week,
but already it is expected that this will be another poor year
especially for Armenian apricots. Apricot crops were below average the
past three years due to a harsh winter and floods.

Grapes, nuts, tomatoes and most fruits are expected to suffer from the
April frostbite that came after a late-March tease of unusually warm
temperatures.

The head of Plants Cultivation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture
Garnik Petrosyan, says that in addition to damage in the fertile Ararat
valley, trees have also suffered in Vayots Dzor, Kotayk, Aragatsotn and
Lori regions.

Vardan Aghajanyan has a 170-square meter greenhouse, where nothing is
green now. He took a $3,500 bank loan to finance his tomato crop.

`I would have had tomatoes in the beginning of May and I could have sold
them for 250-500 drams (about 45-90 cents per kilogram) and that was to
be my income,’ Aghajanyan says. `Each plant would have provided me with
a one-dollar profit, but nothing is left.’ Petrosyan says the government
should find a way to compensate.

`Taking into account the fact that apricot crops have been damaged for
three years and the fact that people who grow apricots could be using
lands for other purposes, we think the government must free them from
paying land tax,’ says Petrosyan.

But farmers such as Hayk Barseghyan of the Dasht village of Armavir
region are not thinking about tax, so much as lost crops.

We ran out of firewood. We burnt everything we had,’ he says, referring
to efforts to warm the trees with smoke. `We covered our greenhouses
with cellophane two times. We used all clothes and rags we had:
blankets, carpets. We covered greenhouses with everything we could find
but everything was in vain as we couldn’t save them.’

Hayk’s mother, 65-year-old Nunufar Barseghyan sits, crying, under a
flowered apricot tree, which has been frostbitten.

`I’ve been living in this village for 46 years but I never saw something
like this. How could temperature fall from +27, +30 to – 11 in April?
This was God’s punishment,’ she says.

With difficulty she opens the door of a greenhouse, where she planted
seedlings of cucumber and gord. Plants are dead with their tops hung
down onto gray ground. One candle is placed next to every cultured
plant.

`During the whole night we were lighting candles,’ Nunufur says. `Can
you imagine how many boxes of candles we lit? We wanted to keep warmth
in such a way but everything was in vain.’

They lost about $350. Hayk says they took money from the bank and left
gold as a deposit. The land is their only source of income.

And their fate is shared by most of the 800-900 villagers of Dasht.
About 60 percent of the 153-hectare area is given to gardening.

8. INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES TO ENTER INTO FORCE
IN JUNE

Source: IUCN, April 14, 2004

The conservation and sustainable use of `plant genetic resources for
food and agriculture’ (or `PGRFA’) has long been recognized to be a very
critical part of our global heritage – the key to the future of human
life on earth. Efforts to ensure the continued vitality of PGRFA were
enormously strengthened on 31 March by the announcement that eleven
European countries, as well as Egypt and the EU (as a member
organization) have all ratified the International Treaty on PGRFA. This
brings the total ratifications to 48, which is more than enough to
trigger the 90 day process leading to the Treaty’s entry into force on
29 June 2004. IUCN’s Environmental Law Program, through its
Environmental Policy and Law series, is finalizing a Guide to the
Treaty, which will provide assistance to country parties in implementing
their obligations under this instrument

9. CALL FOR PAPERS; SUBMISSION DEADLINE JUNE 1 FOR WETLANDS 2004

Invitation to Submit an Abstract or Attend: Staff of federal, state,
local governments, not for profit organizations, birders, watershed
councils, land trusts, landowners, all others welcome.

NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM WETLANDS 2004:
PROTECTING WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
October 19-20, 2004. Hilton Kansas City Airport, Kansas City, Missouri

And

Field Seminar in the Central Flyway:
Wetlands in Living Landscapes
October 21-22, 2004, Great Bend, Kansas (Quivera National Wildlife
Refuge, Cheyenne Bottoms)

The Association of State Wetland Managers invites you to submit a paper
to present at the National Symposium: Wetlands 2004: Protecting Wetlands
of International Significance to be held on October 19-20, 2004 at the
Hilton Kansas City Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. An optional field
seminar will also be held to Great Bend Kansas on October 21 and 22. The
deadline to submit abstracts is June 1, 2004.

National Symposium Goals: This symposium and field seminar (optional)
will be held along the Central Flyway to help build the capacity of
states, local governments, federal agencies, and others to help monitor,
assess, protect and restore wetlands of international significance.
These wetlands include some of the nation’s most vulnerable wetlands
including Prairie Potholes, playas, bogs, and coastal salt marshes. They
include Ramsar sites, wetland-related national wildlife refuges,
wetlands in national parks, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve sites,
North American Waterfowl Management Plan sites, National Estuarine
Research Reserves, and other wetlands.

The symposium will primarily focus on the protection and restoration of
wetlands of international significance in the U.S. However, a portion of
the program will be devoted to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. A
major emphasis of the symposium will be to develop improved cooperation
between wetland and bird protection groups. A broad host of other issues
will be addressed as well.

Call for Paper Topics: Please see call for papers announcement at the
ASWM web site at
for a
compressive list of topics and abstract submission guidance.

Abstract Submission:
Please e-mail abstracts in Word, Word Perfect, ASCII, or rich text
format to Sharon at [email protected] by June 1, 2004. Please include
the abstract title, author name(s), affiliation, street and e-mail
address, and phone number with your abstract. If more than one author
is listed, please indicate the person who will be presenting the paper.
Please be sure to include a contact person with address, phone, and
e-mail information. Also, please clearly indicate which “topic” listed
above, your abstract best fits. You will be notified by June 15 if your
abstract is accepted.

Please visit the ASWM conference web site for updates and registration
information at

If you have any questions, please e-mail [email protected] or
contact:
Sharon Weaver at 518-872-1804.

10. TRAINING COURSES FOR DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND
THE FORMER SOVIET UNION

Developing Partnerships, 15-17 June 2004, (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

Participatory M & E, September 2004, (Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan)

INTRAC’s open training program has been running for more than 10 years
at locations in the UK, Europe and Africa, and now is becoming available
at venues in Central Asia, building on our experience of running a
Central Asian civil society strengthening program.

INTRAC Training Offers: A dynamic arena for reflection on issues faced
by practitioners; a rich cross-cultural exchange of experiences; focus
on regional-specific needs; an introduction to models and practical
tools for use in the workplace

Who Are The Courses For? These are primarily aimed at those based in
Central Asia and the FSU.

Participants comprise of staff from international and national NGOs,
donor organizations, support organizations and civil society umbrella
bodies

Method of Learning: Our training is participatory and uses a variety of
methods based on action learning principles such as case studies, role
play and peer support. This is complemented by presentations on
relevant theoretical frameworks and emergent thinking and trends,
delivered by a range of international consultants, providing
participants with the opportunity to locate their experiences within the
wider body of thought.

Course Fees, Language & Duration: These courses are run as either 3-day
or 5-day workshops. Fees for participants range from $490 to $700,
excluding the cost of travel and accommodation. Training is delivered
in both English and Russian.

To apply for these courses or to find out more about Intrac’s Open
Training Program in Central Asia, please contact:

Lola Umatalieva, Program Assistant, INTRAC Central Asia Program,
Regional Office, 107 Kievskaya (3rd Floor)
Bishkek 720001, Kyrgyz Republic
Tel: + 996 312 611402
Fax: + 996 312 611277
Email: [email protected]

—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/13/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Police Break up Opposition Demonstrations in Armenia
2) OSCE Concerned over High Political Tension in Armenia
3) Authorities Firm in Resolution to Preserve Stability
4) President Meets with Leaders of Parliament Parties, Welcomes Dialogue
5) Oskanian, Kharrazi Focus on Karabagh and Economic Cooperation
6) Juharian Wins Wrestling Championship in Europe

1) Police Break up Opposition Demonstrations in Armenia

YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Yerkir)–Political confrontation between Armenian President
Robert Kocharian and his rivals took a violent twist on Tuesday when special
police forces broke up an opposition rally in the center of Yerevan, at
2:00 AM
local time, a few dozen meters away from parliament and the US embassy.
“People are panicking and are running down Marshal Baghramian Avenue. Police
are using water cannons. They have taken away the barbed wire that was in
front
of the parliament building and started charging the demonstrators,” said
RFE/RL
Yerevan bureau correspondent Hrach Melkumian, speaking live from the scene.
“We saw these water cannons coming toward us and they starting drenching us.
Then special police forces started throwing [blank] grenades at the crowd. We
heard explosions and ran away in panic.”
Yesterday, some 10,000 protesters were stopped by police on Marshal
Baghramian
Avenue while marching toward Kocharian’s office. No violence was reported
then.
Approximately one-third of the demonstrators decided to camp there for the
night, turning the protest into an improvised open-air music festival.
As soon as the security raid started, opposition supporters spread out in
various directions and attempted to break through the police cordon. Some
found
refuge in smaller streets, others in private houses nearby.
Police today confirmed the operation, saying only that several people were
injured and others detained during the night raid.
Armenia’s Noyan Tapan news agency quoted Yerevan city health officials as
saying 16 demonstrators were hospitalized. Armenian state television showed
pictures of policemen being assaulted by people identified as protesters and
security officers receiving medical treatment. It gave no details of civilian
injuries.
In comments broadcast on state-run television today, Interior Ministry
spokesman Sayat Shirinian said protesters provoked the security forces.
“Police repeatedly warned demonstrators that their unlawful actions would be
met with adequate reaction if they were to continue. But, despite this, the
transgressors went on for quite a long time with their antisocial actions. On
top of this, in response to [our] warnings, they started moving menacingly
toward police forces,” Shirinian said.
Shirinian said protesters assaulted security officers with stones and petrol
bombs while shouting antigovernment slogans and calling for the violent
overthrow of the existing regime.
The opposition denies these claims.
One female demonstrator said the streetlights went out suddenly and that the
police moved in without prior warning.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) gave a mixed
assessment of the overnight unrest. In comments made to RFE/RL’s Armenian
Service, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin suggested that both protesters and
police
forces were to blame for the violence.
“We don’t share the opinion that the demonstration was purely peaceful,
because all sorts of provocative statements were being made and stones were
being thrown [at police forces]. But that’s not the point. We are against any
kind of violence, and we conveyed our concerns with this regard personally to
[President Kocharian],” Pryakhin said.
RFE/RL’s Yerevan Bureau reports that the offices of Armenia’s main opposition
parties were raided during the night and several activists detained. Some,
such
as lawmaker Shavarsh Kocharian of the Justice (Artarutyun) alliance, were
released shortly after.
None of the main opposition leaders were detained.
National Unity Party Chairman Ardashes Geghamian said he was among the
protesters on Marshal Baghramian Avenue and that he escaped with only slight
injuries.
Yesterday’s march marked the culmination of four days of anti-Kocharian
protests led by the Justice alliance and the National Unity Party.
In a bid to defuse the mounting political tension, the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF)–one of the three partners in the ruling coalition–last week
proposed that Justice and its allies have a say in domestic affairs through
the
National Security Council, warning that “either we shall all win, ensuring the
rapid and stable development of the country, or we shall all lose, reaping the
devastating consequences of confrontation and civil conflict.”
The ARF’s statement called for real and guaranteed reforms in the life of the
country and its people, as the substance of the agreement, that it proposed
would include: The formation of an electoral system that entirely meets
international standards; Constitutional reforms that strengthen democratic
mechanisms; A comprehensive fight against corruption, the shadow economy, and
the system of clans.
However, the opposition rejected the offer.
Lawmakers of the ARF and the two other coalition partners–the Republican
Party and Rule of Law (Orinats Yerkir)–unexpectedly walked out of yesterday’s
parliamentary session.
ARF parliamentarian Vahan Hovhanissian said the boycott by the coalition
partners sought to avoid possible violence between their supporters and
anti-Kocharian street protesters.
Whether the opposition will be able to stage further antigovernment
rallies in
the coming days remains unclear.

2) OSCE Concerned over High Political Tension in Armenia

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian met with the head of The
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Yerevan,
Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, to discuss practical implementation of programs
to tackle corruption and the necessity to improve Armenia’s election law; he
also attached importance to carrying out Armenia’s poverty reduction program.
Pryakhin expressed concern about political tensions in Armenia, stressing
that
the use of force against peaceful demonstrators is “unacceptable;” he
nevertheless endorsed police claims that they behaved aggressively.
He also denounced various political forces for exploiting the names of
international organizations, including the OSCE, which he said seeks to
promote
“establishment of civil society,” and stands for maintenance of constitutional
order and legality in Armenia.

3) Authorities Firm in Resolution to Preserve Stability

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–A presidential spokesman said on Tuesday that the
opposition’s calls for a change of power and violence, along with its
unsanctioned rallies and marches, have developed into political extremism that
stands to jeopardize Armenia’s stability and tarnishes the international image
of a country that has chosen the path of democracy and radical reform of its
economy.
Spokesman Ashot Kocharian argued that law-enforcement bodies were forced to
intervene to maintain public order, and that their actions did not go beyond
the framework set by law. “The police interfered after the anti-government
rally had disrupted the work of the president and the parliament, endangering
the county’s constitutional order,” he said.
He said police stepped in after demonstrators refused to obey their orders.
“The capital is under the full control of the authorities and all government
agencies are functioning normally. The authorities are firm in their
resolution
to apply all measures, according to law, to preserve stability and stave off
manifestations of extremism,” he said.

4) President Meets with Leaders of Parliament Parties, Welcomes Dialogue

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–President Robert Kocharian welcomed the ruling
coalition’s initiative to begin dialogue with the opposition without any
preliminary conditions on both sides.
Kocharian met with the leaders of the ruling coalition and representatives of
the United Labor Party (ULP), and People’s Deputy parliamentary factions to
discuss the situation in the country.
The Republican party was represented by Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and
National Assembly Vice-speaker Tigran Torosian; the Orinats Yerkir by
Parliament Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian and Mher Shahgeldian; the ARF by Levon
Mkrtchian and Armen Rustamian; the People’s Deputy by Karen Karapetian; and
the
ULP by Gurgen Arsenian.
Vice Speaker Tigran Torosian, said the having assessed the domestic political
situation in the country, the president proposes a range of measures to ease
the tension. The participants agreed that the possibility of dialogue had not
yet been ruled out.
Torosian reiterated the ruling coalition’s willingness for dialogue with the
opposition, adding that initiating the meeting should serve as concrete
evidence. He expressed confidence that the opinions on both sides would
coincide on vital issues as long as it occurs at a negotiation table. Torosian
added that the opposition’s all-or-nothing position calling for the
president’s
resignation, is already not constructive.

5) Oskanian, Kharrazi Focus on Karabagh and Economic Cooperation

Tehran (IRNA)–Iran and Armenia discussed the expansion of already increasing
bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues, including
Mountainous Karabagh Republic.
Visiting Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, told his Iranian
counterpart Kamal Kharrazi, that developments in Karabagh, as well as upcoming
negotiations with Azeri officials, are important and stressed the need to
maintain regional consultations, particularly with Iran, for the sake of
regional stability.
“What is of crucial importance to us,” said Oskanian, is that Iran has
managed
to implement a balanced policy toward Armenia since its independence, and
displayed neutrality on the Mountainous Karabagh issue.”
Kharrazi proposed the continuation of ministerial level talks between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran supports dialogue in
settling the Karabagh issue.”
Oskanian voiced readiness to hold negotiations with Azerbaijan on any level.
“This is why we are going to Prague and we expect Azerbaijan to specify its
position regarding to the process,” but was quick to criticize Azerbaijan’s
newly appointed foreign minister for announcing that Baku would neither
tolerate Karabagh’s independence, nor its joining Armenia.
“Such statements will create serious political problems for them. It would be
preferable if the newly appointed minister refrained from such statements and
got involved in the negotiations instead,” Oskanian said, stressing that
sooner
or later Azerbaijan will have to review its approaches.
Considering the high-level political relations already established between
the
two countries, the sides focused on economic cooperation–the Kajaran tunnel,
construction of the Arax hydro-electric power station, and specifically, the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
Both Iran and Armenia expect the project to boost cooperation between them,
and play an important regional role. Construction on the pipeline is expected
to begin soon after finalizing the agreement between the two countries.
Oskanian and Kharrazi signed a Memorandum on Understanding that provides a $1
million permanent loan to Armenia, and also discussed cooperation in the
health
care, education, and culture sectors.
Oskanian also met with the secretary of Iranian National Security Council
Yasan Rohani, first vice-president of Iran Mohammad Reza Arif, Iran’s minister
of information Ali Yunesi, as well as representatives of Iran’s Armenian
community.

6) Juharian Wins Wrestling Championship in Europe

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Greco-Roman style wrestler Vahan Juharian (60 kg weight
category) from Gyumri snatched the gold at the European championship in
Aparanda, Sweden. Juharian was the only one among six Armenians to win a
medal,
beating his Turkish rival in the final 4-1.

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RIA Novosti, Russia
April 7 2004

RUSSIAN AND IRANIAN RAILROADS MAY BECOME PART OF A SINGLE
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT NETWORK

MOSCOW, April 7, 2004. (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Iran share a common
view on a strategy of developing of international transport
corridors, Gennady Fadeyev, the president of Russian Railways, said
after talks in Tehran with Iranian Minister of Roads and Transport
Ahmad Khoram and the head of the Iranian Railways, Mohammad Saeid
Nejad.

Mr. Fadeyev’s statement was included in a Russian Railways press
release.

“The sides agreed on a common development strategy for organizing
international transport corridors for both countries’ railroads. The
north-south corridor plays a key role here,” the press release notes.

During the talks, Mr. Fadeyev and his Iranian counterparts discussed
the possibility of transporting cargo by a Europe-Russia-Iran route
and which would eventually end in Madras, India.

The $177 million project to build a railroad from Astara (on the
Azerbaijan-Iran border) to Qazvin (200 kilometers northwest of
Tehran) was also discussed.

According to Mr. Fadeyev, Russian Railways can participate in
designing and building the railroad. There is also a proposal to set
up an Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia consortium to operate this section
of the railroad.

If this railroad is built and the border-crossing point at Julfa (in
the Nakhichevan autonomy of Azerbaijan) is restored the north-south
transport corridor will have three high-capacity outlets – a Caspian
Sea port, a railroad across Azerbaijan, and a railroad through
Armenia.

Iran displayed interest in cooperating with the Russians in
purchasing accessories: wheels, railroad car casting, rails and
sleeper cars. The press release says that the issues concerning the
delivering of safety systems was also discussed.

The Russian Railways president and Iran’s minister of roads and
transport discussed the prospect of setting up a direct, non-stop
Moscow-Tehran line. They hope that Azerbaijan, the line will pass
through its territory, will support the idea.

The economic advantages of the north-south transport corridor to
transport goods to and from Europe and Asia compared with the sea
route via the Suez canal were emphasized at the meeting, the press
release notes.

The cost of transporting cargo from Frankfurt by sea is estimated at
$5,670 for a 40-foot container, while transporting it through the
north-south corridor will only cost $3,670. The transportation time
will also be cut from five days to three, the press release says.

RosBusinessConsulting Database
April 6, 2004 Tuesday 1:54 am, EST

World Bank to finance restoration of water supply in Armenia

The Armenian government and the World Bank (WB) will sign a program
envisaging the provision of $20m for the restoration of water supply
systems in different regions of Armenia soon, Finance and Economy
Minister Vardan Khachatrian declared at a news briefing in Yerevan.
According to him, this will be the second WB loan for this industry.
The first loan of $35m has already been received. “In fact, the water
supply in the north of Armenia is financed by the German government,
and in the south (of Armenia) it is financed by the WB,” Khachatrian
pointed out. He added that the German government had already
allocated $35m to Armenia, the ARKA news agency reported.

According to preliminary estimates, in total, the restoration of
power supply in different regions of Armenia will cost EUR80m.

Ottawa Citizen, Canada
April 1 2004

The relevant facts

The arrest this week of Ottawa resident Mohammad Momin Khawaja on
charges of aiding a terrorist group and facilitating a terrorist
activity brought the war on terror a little closer to Canada. It also
prompted considerable debate about whether it was right for the
media, including the Citizen, to identify Mr. Khawaja as a Muslim. We
believe it was.

Mr. Khawaja, 24, who lives in Orleans, is a Canadian by birth, a
software developer by profession and a Muslim by faith. All of those
facts were reported by the Citizen, but only the reference to his
religion has caused controversy. Of particular concern was the
Citizen’s front-page headline Tuesday: “Ottawa Muslims held in global
terror sweep,” which prompted several complaints to the paper and a
letter to the editor from Ed Broadbent and Warren Allmand, two former
presidents of the International Centre for Human Rights and
Democratic Development, calling the reference “the most offensive we
can recall.”

In normal circumstances, identifiers such as a person’s race,
religion, nationality, marital status or sexual orientation would not
be included in a news article unless it was, or could be, relevant to
the story. When diplomats from Turkey were attacked in Canada, the
nationality of their attackers was relevant, given a series of
similar attacks by groups seeking to avenge the mass killing of
Armenians in 1916. When terrorists blew up an Air India jet over the
Atlantic Ocean in 1985, the fact that the principal suspects were
Sikh was also relevant.

Today, in an era of Islamist terrorism that has killed thousands of
people in such diverse places as New York, Washington, Istanbul, Bali
and Madrid, it is legitimate for a news story on a police raid linked
to the global war on terror to indicate the religion of the person or
persons detained. Spaniards know this only too well after the March
11 attacks on three Madrid trains: Initially, suspicion fell on
Basque terrorists, but it quickly became clear that Osama bin Laden’s
al-Qaeda network was to blame.

Identifying a terrorism suspect’s religion is not to brand every
adherent of that religion a potential terrorist. Just as the majority
of Roman Catholics opposed the murderous ways of the Irish Republican
Army, so too the majority of the world’s Muslims reject and condemn
the violent intolerance preached in the name of Islam by such people
as Mr. bin Laden.

When a terrorist suspect is arrested, whether in Ottawa or elsewhere
in Canada, our readers have a right to know all of the relevant facts
to help them understand what has happened. In this case, Mr.
Khawaja’s background, where he worked, lived and travelled, and, yes,
his religious affiliation, are important elements of the story that
we have a duty to report.

As an editorial on this page explained yesterday, we understand and
empathize with the sensitivity and feelings of vulnerability
experienced by some members of Ottawa’s Muslim community. These
concerns are real and must be taken into account, not only by the
news media in reporting this story, but also by police and
prosecutors as the case moves through the justice system.

ArmenPress
April 1 2004

ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN EAGER TO WIN MARKETS IN INDIA, CHINA

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Development Agency
(ADA, a body set up to facilitate investment flows into the Armenian
Economy, export of Armenian goods and services to international
markets and development of Armenian enterprises, considered by the
government as the main national intermediary for bridging gaps
between policy development and implementation and the public and
private sectors, announced about plans to step up economic contacts
with world’s biggest markets in China and India.
ADA chairman Vahagn Movsisian claimed that “It is inadmissible to
overlook these two countries which have one third of world’s
population.” The first step, according to him, was last year’s visit
to India by Armenian president, when a business conference attended
by representatives of 35 Armenian companies was held. Movsisian said
a delegation of Indian businessmen from 20 companies, expected in
Armenia in June will explore cooperation prospects, four of them, he
said, have decided to start business in Armenia.
Movsisian said ADA is trying also to establish business contacts
in China, planning to participate an exhibition in Shanghai slated
for autumn and convene also a joint business conference.