Author: Chmshkian Vicken

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Sept 30 2005

Saakashvili Gives Promises in Adjara on Eve of Poll
President Saakashvili called on local residents in the Adjara
Autonomous Republic on September 30 for a support in order to enable
the government to continue more vigorously infrastructure development
in the region.
Saakashvili was speaking at an opening ceremony of a new tunnel,
which cuts the distance between Adjara’s two resort towns of Kobuleti
and Batumi almost in half. He was accompanied by the ruling National
Movement party’s two MP nominations – Koba Khabazi and Jemal
Inaishvili, who will run for the MP by-elections in Kobuleti and
Batumi single mandate constituencies, respectively, on October 1.
`I promise that roads will be reconstructed, infrastructure for water
supply will be completely rehabilitated and schools will be
reconstructed in Adjara in the period of my first presidential term
[before 2009]… You will have 24-hour electricity supply… and these
are not just empty promises. I love most of all when I keep my
promises. I have promised to opened this tunnel by the end of
September… We’ve done it,’ Saakashvili said.
`Some people [referring to opponents] say that we are doing this just
for the elections. But we were working a year before the elections,
three months before the elections, the day before the elections, we
will work on the election day and we will continue to work after the
elections as well, only if there will be your support,’ he added.
He also said that attracting more tourists in Adjara should be a
priority. `We are refurnishing the facades of the buildings, opening
beautiful fountains in Batumi and this is done to turn it into a more
beautiful place… Next year a direct railway connection between
Yerevan [Armenia] and Batumi will be launched; also a new direct
flight between Yerevan and Batumi will start to operate next year…
This is all done to attract more tourists,’ the President said.

Pan Armenian News
KOCHARIAN: OUR AIM TO MAKE CONSTITUTION LIVE REALITY
30.09.2005 03:29
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During recent 10 years Yerevan has become the place for
conduction of international forums on constitutional justice, says the
welcoming address of Armenian President Robert Kocharian to the participants
of the international conference dedicated to the 10-th anniversary of the
adoption of the RA Constitution and formation of the Constitutional Court
that started in Yerevan today. `This conference is a jubilee one. With its
composition and urgency of the issues to be discussed it will make
considerable contribution to the theoretical and practical settlement of the
problems available. Armenia is getting ready for serious constitutional
reforms. The experience of many countries testifies of the danger of
constitutional standstill. You, the professionals, are well aware that the
constitutional decisions should concord with the public development and
should by all means promote them. The operating Constitution played a
significant role in the development of democracy and its inevitability. It
helped Armenia to become a member of the Council of Europe. However,
practical implementation of the Constitution has revealed serious conceptual
faults that impeded development of democracy in the republic. Today it is
essential to create constitutional guarantees for the formation of a legal
state. Efficient collaboration with international structures including the
Venice Commission and long-term discussions are coming to an end. In the
near future a draft keeping with the modern developments will be submitted
to the nation. This draft guarantees appreciable progress for the protection
of human rights and division of power. The level of independence of the
juridical power and local self-government has been considerable raised. Our
purpose is to make the Constitution a live reality. It should become popular
for each citizen of our republic. Right and law should become the fundament
for public life built upon liberal values. This is the dictate of our times.
I believe that the discussions held during the conference will accord with
the reality and will help the society to comprehend the significance of
constitutional developments. I would like to thank all of you for visiting
Armenia and participating in this jubilee event. I do not doubt in
efficiency of the conference and wish our guests pleasant stay in the
Republic of Armenia,’ the message says.

CYPRUS BLOCKS BAKU PARTICIPATION IN EU WIDER EUROPE: NEW NEIGHBORS PROGRAM
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 06:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Republic of Cyprus has vetoed Azerbaijan’s
candidacy and blocked participation of Baku in EUWider Europe: New
Neighbors program.
Thus, the Azerbaijan-EU talks are delayed for an indefinite period
of time.
As reported by Day.az Azeri agency, the suspension of the program is
due to the Cyprus attitude towards Azerbaijan over direct air flights
between Baku and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Greek Cyprus
has officially posed the question of suspension of EU assistance to
Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, as reported the Zerkalo Baku newspaper, head
of the Department of Information of the Azeri MFA Tahir Tagizade
stated the delays in question are due to technical causes. The
Azeri party has provided documents to Brussels and is waiting for
the EU response. In particular, the date of arrival of a special EU
delegation to Azerbaijan is to be determined. “There are no other
motives,” T. Tagizade stated. In his words, there is no ground for
attribution to the Cyprus issue, as “the policy of Azeri authorities
lies in lifting the international humanitarian isolation of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus. The latter is welcomed by international
organizations, specifically the UN and EU.” The flights to the Turkish
Cyprus are organized by private Azeri companies and are not part of
Azeri Government’s official policy, T. Tagizade stated.

KOCHARIAN: THERE ARE CERTAIN HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 04:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Since 1994 we hold continuous talks with Azerbaijan
within the framework of the OSCE MG. There were moments, when we were
close to solution of the problem, but something went wrong and it had a
negative impact on the negotiation process,” Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated in the course of a joint news conference with Finnish
leader Tarja Halonen. He noted activation of the negotiation process
and added there are certain hopes for attaining peaceful settlement of
the issue. In her turn the Finnish President said if the parties come
to agreement, there is an opportunity of deployment of international
peacekeeping forces in the Karabakh conflict region. Tarja Halonen
also noted the amount of work the international community has to carry
out for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Speaking
of the Armenian-Finnish relations, R.
Kocharian said he hoped for the visit of the Finnish leader encourage
further development of the bilateral cooperation. “Our relations
may develop within the EU context and I hope Finland will promote
EU-Armenia cooperation, especially taking into account that Finland
will assume EU presidency next year,” he said.

MULTI-PLATINUM ROCK BAND SYSTEM OF A DOWN ASK HOUSE SPEAKER DENNIS HASTERT TO ‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ IN SUPPORT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
American/Columbia Records
09/26/2005 13:02 ET
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ — System of a Down, one of rock’s
most daring and innovative bands, have just announced that they – along
with their fans, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA;
), Axis of Justice ()
and the Armenian Youth Federation – will visit the Batavia office of
Rep. Dennis Hastert on Tuesday, September 27 (Noon) to ask Speaker
Hastert to ‘do the right thing’ and keep his commitment to hold a
vote on the pending Armenian Genocide legislation. If passed, the
legislation will officially recognize Turkey’s destruction of 1.5
million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. The band have invited their
fans to join with them in this effort by attending the rally and have
set up a system by which fans can directly email Speaker Hastert on
the issue.*
System of a Down’s four band members – Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian,
Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan – are of Armenian descent and
have made awareness of the genocide, and genocide around the world,
a central message of the band. All have lost family members to the
Armenian Genocide.
On September 15, the House International Relations Committee
overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, despite objections from both Turkey and the Bush
Administration. Despite his previous public support for the measure
in 2000, Speaker Hastert has twice prevented the Armenian Genocide
legislation from coming to a full vote in the House. Today the fate
of this human rights issue rests in the Speaker’s hands. He has two
choices: either allow a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
giving the 435 Members of the U.S. House a chance to cast their ballots
on this human rights measure or, delay, defer, and ultimately defeat
the Armenian Genocide Resolution by refusing to bring the measure to
a vote of the full U.S. House. The rally is in support of a fair and
full vote in the House of Representatives, ending U.S.
denial of this crime and opening the doors to justice – to the
restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of
genocide.
“Dennis, do the right thing” stated Serj Tankian, “I just visited my
97- year-old grandfather, my only link to the far past, and promised
him that I would go and try to talk to Dennis Hastert, Speaker of
the House, and make sure that he takes this opportunity to bring
up the Armenian Genocide Resolution to the floor of the House of
Representatives. This is a personal issue to me and System.”
The System of a Down/ANCA rally will take place at the offices
of Rep. Dennis Hastert – 27 North River Street, Batavia, Illinois
(about an hour from downtown Chicago). The rally is scheduled for
12 Noon-2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27. The Armenian community,
activists, and the band’s fans from across the greater Chicago area
are expected to attend the rally.
Members of System of a Down and Aram Suren Hamparian, Executive
Director of ANCA, are available to discuss the rally and pending
legislation on Tuesday, 9/27 and Friday, 9/30, the day of their
concert at Chicago’s Allstate Arena.
*System Of A Down have asked their fans to take action and send a
free WebFax urging Hastert to hold a vote on the Armenian Genocide
Resolution.
About System Of A Down: Six months after their album Mesmerize
debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top 200 album charts, the
quartet returns with Hypnotize on November 22, part two of a promised
two-album set. The American/Columbia recording artists are nominated
for an American Music Award in the “Favorite Artist” in Alternative
category and are currently on a North American headlining tour
through October 12. For more information, visit the band’s website:
Background on the issue:
On September 15th of this year, the International Relations Committee
overwhelmingly approved legislation properly recognizing this crime
against humanity. During the course of a three-hour meeting, 21
Representatives on this 50-member panel spoke in favor of H.Res.316
and H.Con.Res195, which were adopted by bipartisan majorities of 40 to
7 and 35 to 11, respectively. Clearly, just as in 2000, legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide enjoys the support of a large
Congressional majority.
The full video of the 9/15/05 webcast can be viewed at:
In October of 2000, Speaker Hastert withdrew the Armenian Genocide
Resolution from consideration only moments before it was to reach to
House floor.
Following his withdrawal of this measure, he issued a statement
affirming his personal support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
stressing that the Resolution enjoyed the support of a bi-partisan
Congressional majority, and pledging to bring this legislation back
to the House floor.
The Speaker has, in the past, taken positive actions on the Armenian
Genocide issue:
1) Remarks on the House floor, on April 19, 1994, marking the 79th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: “Over a million Armenians were
exiled and eventually murdered by the Ottoman Turks beginning on April
24, 1915. As a result of this genocide, the Armenian population of
the Ottoman Empire was effectively eliminated through a carefully
executed government plan.”
2) His vote, on June 5th of 1996, for the Radanovich Amendment, to cut
U.S. aid to Turkey until it ceases denying the Armenian Genocide. This
measure was adopted on the House floor by a bipartisan majority of
268 to 153.

ARMENIAN CONFERENCE PROTESTERS TARGET INONU
source: Hurriyet
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 26 2005
The controversial conference on the “Armenians during the Collapse
of the Ottoman Empire” began on Saturday at Istanbul Bilgi University
instead of the original host, Bogazici University.
The conference had been postponed once before and finally, a court
decision was passed to stop Bogazici, a state university, from hosting
the event. Former PM Prof. Erdal Ýnonu, who was among the audience,
was booed by nationalist and conservative left-wing groups while trying
to enter the conference hall. Protesters tried to block Inonu’s way
and shouted at him, “Do not join these traitors!”
On his leaving the building, Inonu rejected security guards and
police forces offered to him and turned down taxis that were hailed
for him. “I will be walking to the Taksim Square, and then go home,”
said Ýnonu, “This is my country and I am walking home.”
Eggs and tomatoes were thrown at nonu, and one egg hit his shoulder.
–Boundary_(ID_Y0pUirDa81KTNoXTtTw/4Q)–

IRAQI SOLDIERS HOLD AN ARMENIAN FOR $1 MILLION RANSOM
Pan Armenian News
26.09.2005 03:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Iraqi soldiers, who captured 40-year old
citizen of Cyprus and LebanonKarapet Jean Jekerjian, Armenian in
origin, claim $1 million as ransom and the term expires today. They
threaten to kill the businessman, who by request of Jetko Company
was distributing drinks and food in Iraq. Meeting the demands of the
kidnappers the company suspended activities in Iraq. Last week the
soldiers demanded $2 million, however later the sum was lowered to
$500 thousand. According to the latest data, the ransom was set at
$1 million, ITAR-TASS reported.

FINNISH PRESIDENT ARRIVING IN ARMENIA TODAY
Pan Armenian News
26.09.2005 02:29
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from the RA
President’s press office, by invitation of Armenian leader Robert
Kocharian President of Finland Tarja Halonen and her husband
Dr. Pentti Arajarvi will pay a formal visit to Armenia September
26-28. The purpose of the visit is the development of bilateral ties
and economic cooperation. The state leaders will also touch upon the
EU-Armenia cooperation and some regional problems.
On September 27 Robert Kocharian and Tarja Halonen will hold
a tete-a-tete meeting followed by negotiations in expanded
composition. During the visit the Mrs. Halonen will also meet with
RA National Assembly Chairman Artur Baghdassyan and Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan. In Holy Echmiadzin she will meet with Catholicos of
All Armenians Garegin II. Besides, the Finn delegation will attend the
Memorial complex of Tsitsernakaberd and lay a wreath to the Armenian
Genocide victims. Tarja Halonen is also expected to meet with the
students and teaching staff of the Yerevan State University.
To note, the delegation is scheduled to visit Georgia and Azerbaijan
as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish press hail Armenia congress amid protests
By Gareth Jones
ANKARA, Sept 25 (Reuters) – Turkey’s press hailed as a victory for
democracy a controversial conference on the massacres of Armenians 90
years ago but nationalists protesting outside Sunday’s gathering
called it a betrayal of the nation.
The conference, twice cancelled due to the acute sensitivity of the
Armenian question, has been billed as a litmus test for freedom of
expression in Turkey just days before it begins long-delayed European
Union membership talks.
Nationalist demonstrators hurled eggs and tomatoes at participants as
they arrived at Istanbul’s private Bilgi University to discuss claims
that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians during and
after World War One.
Protesters waved Turkish flags and chanted slogans accusing the
conference participants of betraying the nation.
But the mere fact that the conference had gone ahead prompted strong
praise from local media.
“Another taboo is destroyed. The conference began but the day of
judgement did not come,” said the Milliyet daily.
The liberal Radikal newspaper took a similar line.
“Even the word ‘genocide’ was uttered at the conference, but the world
is still turning and Turkey is still in its place,” its front-page
headline said.
“Free discussion, free protest,” said Turkey’s top-selling Hurriyet
newspaper, noting that both conference participants and demonstrators
were freely expressing their opinions.
Armenia and its supporters around the world say some 1.5 million
Armenians perished in a systematic genocide committed by Ottoman
Turkish forces between 1915 and 1923.
Ankara accepts many Armenians were killed on Turkish soil, but says
they were victims of a partisan conflict that claimed even more
Turkish Muslim lives as the Ottoman Empire was collapsing. It denies
any genocide.
PEACE WITH HISTORY
In a message to the conference, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
expressed Turkey’s official view that many citizens of the Ottoman
Empire suffered terribly during the war but that claims of an Armenian
genocide were false and politically motivated.
“The Turkish people are at peace with themselves and with their
history,” Gul said.
Deniz Baykal, leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s
Party, said on Sunday he thought the conference was too one-sided in
its approach to the Armenian issue, but he defended the right of
academics to debate freely.
The conference had originally been scheduled for May but was cancelled
after a government minister accused those backing Armenian genocide
claims of “stabbing Turkey in the back.”
After a storm of criticism from the EU and elsewhere, the government
agreed to let the conference go ahead, but a last-minute court order
prevented it from opening on Friday, to Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan’s acute embarrassment.
The organisers then circumvented the court ban by moving the two-day
conference to a third venue, Bilgi University. It opened on Saturday
to noisy nationalist protests.
Despite a flurry of EU-inspired liberal reforms in recent years,
promoting certain interpretations of Turkish history can still be
deemed a criminal offence under the revised penal code.
Turkey is due to begin EU entry talks on Oct. 3, though it is not seen
joining the bloc before 2015 at the earliest.
09/25/05 06:46 ET

The Independent (London)
September 24, 2005, Saturday
48 HOURS IN TEHRAN;
IT MIGHT NOT BE AN OBVIOUS DESTINATION, BUT THE IRANIAN CAPITAL IS
BY ANDREW BURKE
Night market: vibrant red pomegranates in a bazaar (above); workers
on the Imam Khomeini grand mosque EPA; Reuters
WHY GO NOW?
Tehran is the big, buzzing, beating heart of one of the world’s
friendliest, most beautiful and misunderstood nations. Autumn weather
is ideal for exploring Iran’s dynamic capital.
TOUCH DOWN
British Mediterranean flies daily from Heathrow to Tehran on behalf
of British Airways (0870 850 9850; ). Iran Air (020-7409
0971; ) also offers non-stop flights three times a
week from Heathrow. From Birmingham, you can fly twice a week on
Mahan Air (0121 554 1555; ). Connections are
available in a wide range of cities, including Amsterdam, Istanbul
and Dubai. Emirates (0870 243 2222; ) flies via the
latter from Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Flights coming from or via the Gulf states land at the new Imam
Khomeini International Airport (Ikia), 35km south of Tehran; a taxi
into town costs about IR90,000 (£5.50). Flights from Europe arrive at
Mehrabad Airport and taxis from here cost about IR40,000 (£2.50).
>From October 2 all international flights are supposed to land at
Ikia, but you should check with your airline before you leave. Recent
liberalisation of immigration means that many travellers can get a
seven-day visa on arrival ” but unfortunately this does not include
British passport holders, who should check www.iran- embassy.org.uk
for details of red tape. Women are required to wear a headscarf in
any public place, including the airport.
GET YOUR BEARINGS
Tehran sprawls across the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains and
follows a loose north-south grid. Southern Tehran is older and
poorer, but is also home to many of the sights and hotels. Valiasr
Avenue runs 17km from the train station in the south to the clearer
air of Tajrish in the north. It’s lined by shops virtually the whole
way, with brand- laden boutiques more prevalent the further north you
go. The slowly expanding Tehran Metro () is
useful, though taxis are cheap and easier. Incredibly for a city of
14 million, there is no tourist information office.
CHECK IN
The Laleh International Hotel (1) on Dr Hossein Fatemi Avenue (00 98
21 8896 5021; www.lalehhotel. com) overlooks central Laleh Park and
has doubles for $ 152 (£85). More fun is the Hotel Naderi (2) on
Jomhuri-ye Eslami Avenue (00 98 21 6670 1872), where for $ 30 (£18) a
large double room comes complete with bakelite telephones and
1950s-era furniture. Light sleepers should get a room at the back,
however. Downstairs, the Cafe Naderi is a meeting place of artists
and intellectuals. For budget travellers, the welcoming Firouzeh
Hotel (3) on Dolat Abadi Alley, just off Amir Kabir Street (00 98 21
311 3508; www.firouzeh hotel.com), is the best choice with spotless
doubles for IR120,000 (£7).
TAKE A HIKE
Begin at Tajrish Square (4) and walk up to Darband, a village on the
side of the mountain that has in recent years been swallowed by the
spread of the city. Tehranis love the teahouses and trails that
spread out from Darband, and hiking for a couple of hours on a Friday
afternoon before stopping for tea and qalyan (water pipe) is the
quintessential Tehran experience.
TAKE A RIDE
Take the Tehran Metro to Behesht-e Zahra (5), the vast cemetery where
tens of thousands of soldiers ‘martyred’ in the Iran-Iraq War are
buried. Wandering through the graves, each topped with a glass box
containing photos and mementoes, is quite sobering. From here, walk
over to the gargantuan Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini (6), which is
still under construction 16 years after the ayatollah died.
WINDOW SHOPPING
Tehran Bazaar is the largest market in Iran and while there aren’t
many windows, the 10km of covered alleys are home to just about every
consumer item you can imagine. The various commodities are grouped
together, with alleys dedicated to spices, goldsmiths, cobblers,
tailors, tobacconists and, of course, Persian carpet merchants.
Forget about navigating, just walk through the main entrance (7) at
15 Khordad Avenue and wander. If it’s carpets you seek, never fear ”
the vendors will find you.
LUNCH ON THE RUN
For a quick meal it’s hard to beat dizi, a delicious soup-stew
combination of lamb, chickpeas and flat bread cooked and served in a
stone jar. You’ll find it in any chaykhuneh (teahouse), though the
Azari Traditional Restaurant (8) on Valiasr Avenue (00 98 21 5537
6702) and Agha Bozorg (9) at 28 Keshavarz Blvd (00 98 21 8890 0522)
are good options.
CULTURAL AFTERNOON
Start at the National Museum of Iran (10) on Si Tir Street (00 98 21
6670 2061) where remarkable exhibits from the ancient Persian capital
of Persepolis include a bull-headed stone capital, a cuneiform
inscription immodestly describing Xerxes closeness to the gods, and a
magnificent frieze of glazed tiles from the Apadana Palace. It’s open
9am-4.45pm daily except Monday, admission IR10,000 (60p). From the
museum, head south a couple of blocks to the Golestan Palace (11),
just off Ark Square. The numerous palaces were built by the Qajar
shahs (1779-1926), who helped pay for these and other excesses by
selling state assets. The palace (00 98 21 3311 3335;
) opens 9am-3pm daily except Sunday and
Thursday, admission IR4,000 (25p) per building.
AN APERITIF
Alcohol is not entirely banned in Iran. If you must have a drink,
then head to the Armenian Club (12) at 68 Khark Street (00 98 21 6670
0521). In this somewhat surreal place, Tehran’s Armenian Christian
community and non-Muslim visitors are permitted to drink (in
moderation, of course) with their meals ” and, if you are a woman,
you may take off your headscarf.
DINING WITH THE LOCALS
Khayyam Traditional Restaurant (13) on Khayyam Street (00 98 21 5580
0760) in southern Tehran serves a good range of Persian classics in a
wonderfully restored, 300-year-old building. More local is Khoshbin
Restaurant (14) on Sa’di Street (00 98 21 3390 2194), which
specialises in mouthwatering Caspian cuisine and the heavenly mirza
ghasemi. There’s no sign in English; look for fish in the window.
SUNDAY MORNING: GO TO CHURCH
The Armenian Christian community attends mass at Sarkis Cathedral
(15) on Karim Khan-e Zand Street. The 1960s cathedral is no Notre
Dame, but worshippers are welcome on Sundays.
OUT TO BRUNCH
Jaam-e Jam Food Court (16) on the corner of Valiasr Avenue and Taheri
Street doesn’t sound that exciting, but Iran’s first food court is
ideal for people-watching. Sit with coffee and pastry and watch
heavily made- up women make eyes at eligible young men.
A WALK IN THE PARK
With no pubs, Tehranis love hanging out in parks in the afternoons
and evenings. One of the busiest is Mellat Park (17), off Valiasr
Avenue, where young couples hone their flirting skills over tea,
ice-cream and, for the more energetic, paddleboats.
ICING ON THE CAKE
If you like the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, you’re going to
love the National Jewels Museum (18) on Ferdosi Street (00 98 21 6446
3785). Here in an underground vault are displayed the pick of the
diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and gold amassed by various
dynasties of Persian rulers. Highlights include the 182-carat Sea of
Light diamond; the 34kg Globe of Jewels, with its 51,366 precious
stones; and the Peacock Throne (though it’s not the one stolen from
India). The museum keeps short hours ” 2-4.30pm Saturday to Tuesday,
admission IR30,000 (£2) ” so time your run.