Author: Chmshkian Vicken

PORTERFIELD MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR REACHES ARMENIA
by Tony Halpin
The Times (London)
October 7, 2006, Saturday
Tony Halpin on the latest posting for a man who knows a bit about
miracles
LOCATED within sight of biblical Mount Ararat, where Noah landed
his ark, the tiny former Soviet republic of Armenia knows a thing
or two about miracles. So it seems an appropriate place to find Ian
Porterfield, who earned football immortality with his winning goal for
unfancied Sunderland in the 1973 FA Cup Final against Billy Bremner’s
mighty Leeds United.
Porterfield, 60, was appointed Armenia head coach in August, the
latest stop on a foreign management career that has taken him to
Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
His mission is to qualify for the 2008 European Championship finals
and, as miracles go, this is a tall order.
Armenia, who are bottom of group A, face Finland, the leaders, at
home in Yerevan today in a group that includes Portugal, Poland,
Serbia and Belgium. Armenia are not without hope, however, because
Porterfield has made a specialty of improving unheralded teams.
Dismissed by Chelsea in 1993 after eight years at the club, the Scot
was recruited to coach Zambia. Most of the first-choice players had
been killed in a plane crash and Porterfield agreed to stay for six
months to complete Zambia’s qualifying matches for the 1994 World
Cup. His makeshift young team came within a whisker of reaching the
finals in the United States.
“We lost 1-0 in Morocco when one point would have taken us to the
USA,” Porterfield said from his Yerevan hotel after training with
Armenia’s squad. “I was really sad for the players but after that game
in Morocco, I was going to go home because I had sacrificed a big part
of my life being there. I didn’t realise that I was going to sacrifice
a lot of my life over the next 12 years to work outside (abroad).”
The Zambian authorities persuaded him to return and Porterfield led
his young team to the African Cup of Nations, going all the way to
the final before losing 2 1 to Nigeria.
Spells in Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe followed, before a brief and
unsuccessful return to the Premiership in 1996 as assistant manager
with Bolton Wanderers.
Porterfield moved abroad again, first to Oman and then to Trinidad &
Tobago to seek qualification for the 2002 World Cup. “When I went
to Trinidad, I won the Caribbean Cup of Nations and I was so near
qualifying for the World Cup, but just missed it,” Porterfield said.
“That team went to 25th in the world.”
Porterfield moved again in 2003, to South Korea and the club side,
Busan I’Park.
“I won the league and cup and went to the semi-finals of the Asian
Champions League,” he said.
He left Korea in May but soon after his return to Britain he was
offered another national team’s coaching job. “Not many of my friends
knew much about Armenia,” Porterfield said. “But I went to have a
look and I was surprised by the friendliness of the people.”
He signed a 16-month contract and Armenia played their first match
under Porterfield on September 6, losing 1-0 to Belgium. On their
Euro 2008 challenge, Porterfield said: “This is a very difficult
group and no one is expecting us to win it, but what I would love to
see is that the football improves and develops here.
“When I look back over being on four different continents, it has
made me a better human being, more patient and understanding.”

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN: ANKARA CHERCHE L’APPUI DES MILIEUX D’AFFAIRES FRANCAIS
Agence France Presse
7 octobre 2006 samedi 4:42 PM GMT
Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a rencontre samedi a
Istanbul les representants de societes francaises faisant des affaires
en Turquie afin d’obtenir leur appui face a une proposition de loi
francaise qui menace d’empoisonner les relations entre les deux pays.
Ce projet de loi controverse, qui doit etre debattu jeudi au Parlement
francais, rend passible de prison la negation du genocide armenien
pendant la Première guerre mondiale.
“Erdogan a demande aux societes francaises de faire pression sur les
legislateurs francais pour essayer d’empecher que cette proposition de
loi voie le jour”, a declare a l’AFP a l’issue de la reunion Mustafa
Abdullahoglu, cadre d’une societe qu’il n’a pas souhaite nommer.
“Il (le Premier ministre) a dit que la proposition de loi endommagerait
les relations bilaterales si elle etait adoptee”, a indique ce cadre.
M. Abdullahoglu a dit craindre un boycott des produits francais en
Turquie si le texte venait a etre adopte.
Les representants des constructeurs automobiles Peugeot et Renault,
du geant de l’alimentation Danone, du producteur de materiaux de
construction Lafarge et de la chaîne de supermarches Carrefour
participaient a la reunion.
Un groupe d’hommes d’affaires franco-turc devait s’envoler dimanche
pour Paris dans le but de faire pression contre la proposition de
loi qui fait de la negation du genocide armenien, en 1915, un delit
punissable d’un an d’emprisonnement et de 45.000 euros d’amende.
Vendredi, le ministère turc des Affaires etrangères a averti que
l’adoption du texte pourrait mettre en peril “des investissements,
fruit d’annees de travail”, et que “la France pourrait, pour ainsi
dire, perdre la Turquie”.
Le texte legislatif avait commence a etre discute en mai. Mais son
examen avait ete interrompu faute de temps et le vote n’avait pu
avoir lieu.
Omer Sabanci, qui dirige le plus important groupe d’affaires turc,
Tusiad, a egalement condamne le texte, estimant qu’il refletait “les
craintes que le projet de la Turquie d’adherer a l’Union europeenne ne
se materialise” et qu’il constituait une tentative pour “faire echouer
les efforts visant a un dialogue constructif et a un debat rationnel”.
“J’en appelle aux politiciens francais: ne voyez-vous pas que vous
mettez en danger les relations politiques, economiques et sociales
entretenues par la France et la Turquie pendant des siècles et ce
pour servir vos propres interets politiques?”, a declare M. Sabanci
dans un communique diffuse par l’agence de presse turque Anatolie.
Les Armeniens estiment que jusqu’a 1,5 million des leurs ont peri
dans un genocide orchestre pendant les dernières annees de l’Empire
ottoman entre 1915 et 1917. Ankara affirme que des massacres ont ete
commis de part et d’autre et recuse les accusations de genocide.
–Boundary_(ID_L8ZIPwFGEq/ur1XIA8pQgA)- –

French politician regrets new vote on Armenian “genocide”
Agence France Presse — English
October 6, 2006 Friday 3:55 PM GMT
The head of the ruling UMP party bloc in France’s National Assembly,
Bernard Accoyer, said Friday he regretted a new attempt by the
opposition socialists to vote through a bill making it a punishable
offence to deny the Armenian “genocide”.
Debate on the bill — which was originally tabled in May — is due
to take place on Thursday, despite protests from Ankara that it will
have a damaging effect on Franco-Turkish relations.
“The president of the Republic already reminded everyone when he was
in Armenia that France recognises officially the Armenian genocide and
is working for a better understanding between states in the region,”
Accoyer told AFP.
“As president of the UMP group, I regret that the Socialist party
(PS) bloc thought it useful to try once again to get parliament to
legislate on history,” he said.
The Socialist bill would make it punishable by up to five years in
prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (57,000 dollars) to deny that Turkish
troops committed genocide against the Armenians between 1915 and 1917.
A 2001 French law officially recognises the massacres of Armenians
as genocide.
Armenians claim up to 1.5 million were slaughtered in orchestrated
killings between 1915 and 1917 by Turks, as the Ottoman Empire was
falling apart.
Turkey rejects the claims, saying 300,000 Armenians and at least as
many Turks died in civil strife when the Armenians took up arms for
independence in eastern Anatolia and sided with invading Russian
troops.
The Socialist party controls fewer than a third of seats in the
National Assembly. However the ruling Union for a Popular Movement has
promised a free vote, and some if its members also support the bill.
Last week in Yerevan, President Jacques Chirac said Turkey should
recognise the Armenian genocide as a condition for joining the EU.
However, he also said the opposition bill was “deliberately
controversial.”
May’s debate on the bill followed stern warnings from Ankara on the
repercussions for bilateral relations, and broke up in uproar when
it ran out of parliamentary time.
On Friday Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Namik Tan warned again
that a positive vote could jeopardise “investments, the fruit of
years of work, and France will — so to speak — lose Turkey.”

Le Figaro, France
06 octobre 2006
Blocher conteste la loi sur le negationnisme SUISSE…;
EN BREF
Blocher conteste la loi sur le negationnisme SUISSE. En visite
officielle en Turquie, le ministre suisse de la Justice et de la
Police, Christoph Blocher, a conteste une loi permettant de
poursuivre toute personne niant, minimisant ou justifiant un
geno­cide.
Les propos de l’homme fort du parti populiste Union demo­cratique du
centre ont provoque de vives reactions dans les ­medias suisses et
chez les intellectuels. L’annee dernière, l’historien turc Youssuf
Halacoglu et le leader du Parti des travailleurs Dogu Perincek
avaient ete condamnes pour avoir nie le caractère genocidaire des
massacres d’Armeniens perpetres entre 1915 et 1917 dans l’Empire
ottoman. Pour les nombreux adversaires politiques de ­Christoph
­Blocher, c’est une petite revanche a peine quinze jours après
l’approbation a une majorite ecrasante par voie de referendum de
res­trictions du droit d’asile et de l’immigration dont il s’est fait
le ­champion. Nouvelle entorse a la liberte d’expression TURQUIE. Le
procès de la journaliste turque Ipek Calislar, accusee d’avoir
insulte le fondateur de la Turquie moderne Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a
debute hier a Istanbul. L’auteur d’une biographie de Latife Ussaki,
la femme d’Ataturk, risque jusqu’a quatre ans et demi de ­prison en
vertu d’une loi speciale protegeant la memoire de l’homme d’Etat. La
première audience s’est tenue au dernier jour d’une visite en Turquie
du commissaire europeen a l’elargissement Olli Rehn, qui a prevenu
Ankara que le statu quo sur la question de la liberte ­d’expression
pourrait nuire au processus d’adhesion du pays a l’UE.
–Boundary_(ID_gCSoBqW9hQg5xcTbEljnkQ)–

Turkse Nederlanders ontgoocheld omdat “andere mening” niet mag
De Standaard, Netherland
October 6, 2006
Turkse Nederlanders begrijpen niet waarom drie van “hun” politici van
de kieslijsten zijn gehaald.
BRUSSEL. Turkse studentenverenigingen trokken gisteren naar het
partijbureau van de PvdA met een petitie. Ze vinden het
onaanvaardbaar dat de sociaal-democraten van de Partij van de Arbeid
en het christen-democratische CDA eind vorige maand drie
kandidaat-Kamerleden van Turkse origine van de lijst hebben geschrapt
omdat ze weigeren de Armeense genocide te erkennen.
Hoe de heisa precies begonnen is, blijft onduidelijk, zegt voorzitter
Ahmet Azdural van het Inspraakorgaan Turken in Nederland: “Vlak voor
het vastleggen van de lijsten is door delen van de publieke opinie of
misschien lobbygroepen in de krant de vraag gesteld of de drie
politici van Turkse origine de Armeense genocide erkenden.”
De Nederlandse Tweede Kamer had in december 2004 een motie
goedgekeurd waarin ze de genocide erkende en erop aandrong de zaak te
berde te brengen tijdens de onderhandelingen die de EU met Turkije
voert over toetreding.
Vooral de kranten Trouw en de Volkskrant hielden het potje warm.
Erdinc Sacan (PvdA), Ayhan Tonca en Osman Elmaci (beiden CDA) lieten
weten dat ze niet erkennen dat het Ottomaanse rijk zich in 1915
schuldig maakte aan genocide op de Armeniers. De partijleiding van
PvdA en CDA besloten daarop hun namen van de kieslijsten te halen.
“Dit gaat over integratie”, zegt Azdural. “We praten over jonge
politici van Turkse komaf die in Nederland geboren zijn en die geen
specialisten zijn in Turkse geschiedenis. Toch worden ze voor zo’n
keuze gesteld in een kwestie die een geschilpunt vormt tussen Turkije
en de EU. Ik vind dat opmerkelijk.”
Tegenover de Volkskrant zei de 63-jarige Talip Demirhan, die acht
jaar lid was van het hoofdbestuur van het CDA: “Ons wordt gevraagd of
onze overgrootvader een massamoordenaar is geweest. Als hij dat zou
zijn geweest, mag hij van mij de hel in. Maar waarom moet ik daarover
verantwoording afleggen aan tante Truus en ome Jan? Omdat het aan hun
normen en waarden voldoet? Dan zeg ik: sodemieter op met je normen en
waarden.”
Volgens de Nederlandse krant overwegen de Turken zelfs de komende
parlementsverkiezingen op 22 november te boycotten. Dat zou vooral de
PvdA zuur kunnen opbreken: van de 235.000 Nederlanders van Turkse
origine die mogen gaan stemmen en samen goed zijn voor drie zetels,
heeft volgens het peilingbureau NIPO iets minder dan de helft een
boontje voor de sociaal-democraten.
“Van een massale boycot is geen sprake”, sust Azdural. “We ontvangen
wel signalen van vooral Turkse jongeren dat ze het gevoel hebben dat
er in Nederland geen ruimte is voor een andere mening. Veel mensen
zijn teleurgesteld en hebben de indruk dat ze niet welkom zijn. Wij
willen alle Turkse organisaties bij elkaar roepen om een
gemeenschappelijke gedragslijn af te spreken.” (bar)

EUROPEAN ACADEMY WAS OUT OF CONTROL
A1+
[06:39 pm] 04 October, 2006
The RA Ministry of Education and Science did not have its official
representative in the council of trustees of the “European Regional
Academy”, press secretary of the Ministry Lilit Galstyan informed
“A1+”. This gives us ground to suppose that the Academy managed to
remain out of state control, although it had a state license.
According to the decision of the RA Government, the Ministry
of Science and Education is supposed to have an official
representative. Nevertheless, the academy managed to avoid the law,
as well as the decision of the Ministry about limiting the number of
students who may postpone their military service. Let us remind you
that the Academy organized entrance examinations without letting the
students know about the restriction. And when the students complained,
the rector of the Academy, Sergey Bichakhchyan resigned from his post.
According to Albert Qeshishyan, the administrative head of the
Academy, the council of trustees has not yet accepted the resignation
of the rector. The issue is being discussed. As for the Ministry of
Education, they are investigating the situation. “The presence of
the official representative of the Ministry will be our first step
to get acquainted to the situation.
After that the Ministry will decide what to do”, Lilit Galstyan said.
The Ministry will decide soon who will be the official representative
in the Academy.

EU SHOULD NOT INTERFERE IN ARMENIA AND TURKEY, SENER
Turkish Press
Oct 4 2006
BRUSSELS – Turkish State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif
Sener warned the EU and some other countries not to interfere in
Turkish-Armenian relations.
Sener is in Belgian capital of Brussels to participate in events
organized by the Turkish Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association
(TUSIAD) and European Policy Center to mark the first anniversary of
the start of Turkey-EU negotiations.
In an exclusive interview with the A.A correspondent, Sener referred
to French President Jacques Chirac`s remarks about the so-called
Armenian genocide allegations, and said, “Chirac said that recognition
of so-called Armenian genocide should be a pre-condition before
Turkey`s EU membership. A resolution is being discussed in France,
and it foresees fine and imprisonment for those who deny Armenian
genocide. It is not possible to accept such an attitude. This is
against the cultural atmosphere the EU is trying to create.”
“Armenia is not a European country, it is an Asian country. So, it is
a third country for the EU. So, it is meaningless to bring this matter
up within the scope of Turkey`s EU membership process,” he stated.
Sener added, “whether it is an EU member or another country, everybody
who is affecting the Armenian policy from outside should give up
his endeavors.
Chirac`s remarks are not sincere, they aim to affect the domestic
policy.”
-CYPRUS PROBLEM-
On Cyprus problem, Sener said that the plan which was prepared by EU
Acting President Finland and envisions opening of Maras and Magosa
port, is being examined and assessed.
“Let`s see Cyprus as a whole, let`s review ports issue together with
the embargoes on TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). Let`s make
a positive progress in both of these matters. These are proposals made
by Turkey. And, it is the Greek Cypriot administration who resists. If
the EU gives up standing behind every demand of the Greek Cypriot
administration, they may have to reach compromise and try to resolve
the problem,” he added.

CAUCASUS REELS FROM MOSCOW-TBILISI FIGHT
By Mikhail Vignansky in Tbilisi
Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
Oct 4 2006
As Russian-Georgian relations hit a new low, the whole region is
nervous.
“I have a ticket to fly to Moscow tomorrow. Will I be able to
fly?” enquires a caller to Tbilisi airport’s information bureau. “There
are no flights to Russia right now. Could you call later? Things may
change,” comes the response.
Over the past few days, operators at the bureau have had to deal with
a flood of such calls.
With Russia and Georgia experiencing probably their stormiest row since
the collapse of the Soviet Union 15 years ago, Moscow has effectively
declared a blockade of Georgia, cancelling all transport and postal
links with its southern neighbour. The shutdown is also hurting
ordinary people and businesses in Armenia and the North Caucasus.
The tough measures followed the very public arrest on September 27 of
four Russian military officers whom the Georgian authorities accused
of spying – and continued to do so even after their release.
Initially, Georgia refused to return the arrested, later changing
its mind.
But even the nature of the handover of the four was insulting for
Moscow.
Lieutenant colonels Dmitry Kazantsev, Alexander Savva, Alexander
Baranov and Captain Alexander Zavgorodny listened to the accusations
of espionage against them outside the Georgian general prosecutor’s
office on October 2 and were then told they were being deported.
Georgian foreign minister Gela Bezhuashvili and current OSCE chairman
in office and Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht, who had come
to Georgia specially to resolve the crisis, were present for this
rather theatrical ceremony.
Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov who met the officers at the
airport in Moscow stressed that the men who were “spies” in Georgia
were heroes in Russia.
President Mikheil Saakashvili said “there are no threats that can
intimidate Georgia”, but also pointed out that he wanted a good
relationship with Russia. “We do not need Russian military officers
but we need Russian tourists. We do not need Russian spies but we
need Russian business. Russia and Georgia are historic partners. Our
countries are linked by cultures and national traditions and have
always lived side by side,” said the Georgian leader.
In a conciliatory gesture, Georgia has also agreed to allow Russian
peacekeepers in Abkhazia to monitor the Kodori Gorge region alongside
UN peacekeepers, something it had previously opposed.
Karel De Gucht urged Moscow to cancel its blockade and “defuse the
situation”.
Russian president Vladimir Putin had earlier accused “foreign
sponsors” of being behind an attempt to “pinch” his country “as hard
as possible.” And he reportedly told US president George Bush that
“any actions by third countries that could be interpreted by Georgia
as encouragement of its destructive policy are unacceptable”.
Political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze said it was significant that
the men had been handed over to an intermediary, not directly to
Russia. “So even if this was a concession on Georgia’s part, it was
made to the international community. The international community wanted
to regulate the crisis and we decided not to cause them problems. It
means that Georgia needs a mediator to speak with Russia,” he said.
Georgian politicians dismiss the charge that they are being encouraged
in Washington. Georgian parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze
told IWPR, “Russian political circles seem to be running short of
imagination…. Even if we presume that all this is being dictated
from overseas, which is absolutely untrue, it nevertheless becomes
clear how weak Russia’s position is. This means that Russia cannot
dictate to Georgia what is advantageous for it but the United States,
which is thousands of kilometres away can do this.”
Flights between the two countries were halted at midnight Moscow time
on October 3 and Russia has also severed maritime, road, and railway
links as well as postal communications with Georgia.
Russian parliamentary speaker Boris Gryzlov said, “The sanctions that
Russia is imposing are directed against the Saakashvili authorities,
not against the Georgian people.”
However, it is ordinary Georgian citizens who are suffering the
most. “I couldn’t go to my brother’s funeral to Moscow. My heart is
breaking with grief,” said Shota who had not left Tbilisi airport
for three days, waiting for a flight to Moscow.
Citizens of landlocked Armenia are also desperately worried about
the blockade on Georgia, as Georgia provides them with their main
land route to Russia. Businessmen are complaining of halted cargos
and potentially huge losses.
“In the long-term this could do serious damage to the economy of
Armenia as our route not only to Georgia itself but to the countries
of the CIS and Europe lies via Georgia,” said Tatul Manaserian,
economist and member of the Armenian parliament.
Vahan Hovhannesian, deputy speaker of parliament, said, “I think it is
not the first time that Russia is defining its relations with Georgia
and not taking into account the interests of Armenia. Maybe they expect
understanding from us, but I for one don’t have any. Because Russia,
which is our strategic ally, whether it wants it or not, is taking
part in the blockade of Armenia.”
Many in the Russian North Caucasus are also unhappy. The main border
crossing between North Ossetia and Georgia at Verkhny Lars has been
closed since July for “repair work”. A demonstration was held in
Vladikavkaz in September calling for the crossing to be reopened. “Not
just Georgians living in North Ossetia but also Ossetians took part
in it,” said Alexander Rekhviashvili of Vladikavkaz University. “Both
are losing a great deal because the border is closed.”
In Georgia, people are afraid above all of a cold winter without the
electricity and gas that Georgia mainly receives from Russia.
Although the Georgia’s energy ministry frequently reassures people
with statements about alternative energy resources in the event of
an energy blockade by Russia, on the very first day of the downturn
in Russian-Georgian relations, pensioner Nelly Kakabadze found time
to go to the marketplace and buy a kerosene heater.
“I should also stock up on kerosene and flour. Warmth and bread are
the only things that I need,” she told IWPR.
The Russian Duma is also considering banning money transfers to –
and other banking operations – with Georgia. This information was
especially painful news in Georgia. According to information here,
during the first eight months of this year, 324 million dollars in
transfers was sent to Georgia from foreign countries. By far the
largest amount – 219 million dollars – was transferred from Russia
and 61 million dollars was sent from Georgia to Russia during the same
period. According to Russian data broadcast by the Russian television
channel NTV, the remittances to Georgia from Russia are worth 330
million dollars, which is equal to US assistance for Georgia over
the last three years.
Georgians living in Russia say that restrictions are already being
imposed on them. “Yesterday (October 3), there were long lines
of Georgians in almost all banks in Moscow, as we knew that money
transfers would soon be stopped,” Nani Baramidze who lives in Moscow,
told IWPR. “However, by four o’clock yesterday, we were told that it is
already impossible to transfer money to Georgia. I have parents there
and I send them a small sum every month. I do not know what to do.”
There are also expectations in Tbilisi of a rise in the price of
energy resources and food products, including bread.
Economic expert Niko Orvelashvili said it was quite possible
Russia would move to raise the price of the energy it supplies to
Georgia or suspend supplies altogether. “If Russia uses the lever
of energy resources for political purposes, it will show the entire
international community that it cannot be a reliable partner in this
field,” he said. “Anyway, our authorities should already be thinking
about creating stocks of oil products and people about how to survive
one more ‘dark’ winter.”
The crisis has also changed the domestic political climate in
Georgia. Ahead of the October 5 local elections, almost all political
movements, including the opposition, stated that, despite internal
divisions, they had no differences from the government on policy
towards Russia. Opposition Conservative Party leader Koba Davitashvili
called for a “human chain” to be made round the Russian embassy on
October 4 as a demonstration of Georgian unity.
“Russian politicians should not harbour any illusions that any pressure
not only on the government but also Georgia and the Georgian nation
will achieve results, and forces that will agree to succumb to Russia’s
will can emerge in this country,” he said.
Mikhail Vignansky is a correspondent for Spanish news agency EFE and
the Moscow newspaper Vremya Novostei. Armenian journalists Tatul
Hakobian and Diana Markosian and IWPR North Caucasus coordinator
Valery Dzutsev also contributed to this report.

PASHAYEVA: “SEPARATISTS AND TERRORISTS PRETEND NATIONAL MINORITIES IF THE PACE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT IMPROVED”
Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 4 2006
Azerbaijan Parliamentary delegation members Genire Pashayeva and Aydin
Mirzezadeh addressed PACE session during the discussion of document
10 961 on Frame Convention for National Minorities’ Rights Defense
signed by COE member states.
Aydin Mirzazadeh said there is no problem with national minorities
in the country. They are represented in all spheres and Azerbaijan
President officially congratulates their national holidays He
said the government plans to build Catholic Church though there
140 Catholics in the country. At the end of his speech Mirzazadeh
mentioned that unlike Azerbaijan Armenia is mono ethnic country. “300
000 Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia and one million from occupied
by Armenians territories. Armenian Environment Minister insulted
Jewish people. These are ordinary cases in Armenia,” he said
Then Genire Pashayeva made speech and said that every state should
defend the rights of national minorities and the latter should assume
some responsibilities. “Armenians’ rights were defended in all spheres
in Nagorno Karabakh, but they disrespected Azerbaijani language,
symbol and flag. They tried to include Nagorno Karabakh in Armenian
territories or to create second Armenian state there by the support
of Armenian lobby,” she said.
At the end of her speech Pashayeva called on PACE members to improve
the documents and conventions on this matter, otherwise terrorists
and separatists will pretend national minorities, APA correspondent
to COE reports.
URL:

ARMENIA SEEKS TO WORK HARD TOWARDS RAPPROCHEMENT WITH EU
ITAR-TASS, Russia
Oct 3 2006
YEREVAN, October 2 (Itar-Tass) – Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
emphasized on Monday his country’s bid to work hard towards
rapprochement with the European Union.
At talks with the foreign minister of Finland, the country, which
currently holds the chairmanship of the EU, the president stressed
that Armenia “considers a plan of actions on the rapprochement with
the EU as a new possibility to carry out task-oriented and coordinated
reforms”.
Focusing on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
Kocharyan said he believed such conflicts could be solved only through
negotiations, tete-a-tete discussions and never through a voting
and passing of resolutions. He referred to an offer by GUAM states
(Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) to introduce into the agenda
of a U.N. General Assembly session an issue of “frozen” conflicts.
The European Union puts much emphasis on progress and democratic
development in the Caucasian region, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki
Tuomioja said, for his part. He particularly emphasized the importance
of holding free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections
in Armenia.