Author: Dabaghian Diana

VISITING OSCE HEAD, AZERI OPPOSITION DISCUSS POLLS, KARABAKH
Aytan Feyzullayeva, Ceyhun Asgarov, Samara Quliyeva, ANS.
ANS TV, Baku
5 Sep 05
[Presenter] Visiting OSCE chairman-in-office [Slovenian Foreign
Minister] Dimitrij Rupel has shown more interest in the [6 November
parliamentary] election rather than in the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem. The guest met opposition members and human rights activists
to discuss the polls.
[Correspondent over video of Azeri and OSCE flags] During the talks
in Baku, the OSCE chairman-in-office and Slovenian Foreign Minister
Dimitrij Rupel discussed preparations for the 6 November parliamentary
election and the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. At
his meeting with members of political parties, Rupel talked about
the situation in the run-up to the election.
[Ali Karimli, chairman of the People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party]
We discussed the failure to carry out the proposals put forward by
the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organizations
in order to ensure a free and fair election. The discussions also
focused on changes to the composition of electoral commissions and
the electoral code. Rupel said that the Council of Europe Venice
Commission and the OSCE’s bureau in Warsaw had again come up with
joint proposals. They will again insist that changes be made to the
electoral code.
[Eldar Namazov, co-founder of the Yeni Siyasat electoral bloc] I
think that the meeting will yield results. In any case, the other
side [members of the authorities] will convey to the authorities his
opinions about the issues we raised.
[Human rights activist Novella Cafaroglu] Elections to the Azerbaijani
parliament and to the parliament of Naxcivan [exclave] will be
held at the same time. This runs counter to our electoral code,
he [Rupel] noted. Many spoke about the distribution of voters’
cards. For instance, officers are given voters’ cards both at home
and at work. The most important issue today is the need to use ink
to mark voters’ fingers in order to get rid of election rigging and
all other anti-democratic methods.
[Correspondent] The OSCE chairman-in-office also held official
meetings. The meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov,
held behind closed doors, mainly focused on the situation in the
run-up to the election, preparations for the voting and the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem. They also exchanged views on the results of the
meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian
counterpart Robert Kocharyan in [Russia’s] Kazan.
Following the meeting, Rupel said that he would disclose details of
the talks at a news conference.

The Washington Daybook
September 1, 2005
ORGANIZATION: Armenian Youth Foundation holds a rally to expose and
counter Azerbaijan’s plan to intimidate Karabagh’s Armenian
inhabitants into relinquishing their right to self-rule, while the
most senior officials in Baku repeatedly threaten to take Karabagh by
military force.
TIME: 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Azerbaijan Embassy, 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: 617-923-1933, [email protected];
TYPE: Rally
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNITED LABOUR PARTY OF ARMENIA TO SUPPORT DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS AT THE REFERENDUM
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31. ARMINFO, United Labour party of Armenia will
support the draft constitutional reforms at the November referendum,
as the document positively differs from the acting Constitution,
meets international standards and is able to ensure small, but a
progress in the development of Armenia. ULP leader Gourgen Arsenian
stated during the extraordinary session of the parliament, Wednesday.
He stressed that the extent of the participation of the ULP in the
agitation campaign of the draft will depend on that how much are the
proposals of his party will be acceptable for the authors of the
document. Arsenian pointed out that the draft of the constitutional
amendments is considerably revised and practically meets the draft of
the reforms elaborated by the ULP, which was earlier rejected by the
parliament. “The ULP respects the opinion of the CE Venice Commission
regarding the draft constitutional amendments of Armenia and think if
the draft fails at the referendum, then the situation will change in
Armenia, and the degree of the participation in the EU program “Wider
Europe: New Neighborhood Policy” will be reduced”, Arsenian said. He
stressed that the future of Armenia will depend on the results of the
referendum, and all the political forces must realize it. He called
on all the political forces not to try to split the society of the
country at this moment.
Arsenian said that the representatives of all the political forces
must try to make clear to every citizen of Armenia how important
decision they are to make at the referendum. At the same time the ULP
leader said that his party will not permit distortion of the results
of the referendum, as possible falsifications at the referendum will
have more negative consequences for Armenia than the failure of the
draft.

THERE ARE MISTAKES IN ARMENIA’s LAW ON MASS MEDIA, AND PRESS IS UNDER PRESSURE IN AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30. ARMINFO. Not all the Johannesburg principles
regarding both national security and mass media freedom are
being fulfilled in Armenia. Nevertheless, it is too much closer to
harmonious combination of security and information availability than
its nearest neighbors, stated chairman of the Yerevan press-club Boris
Navasardyan at today’s seminar at the Armenian Center for National
and International Studies.
He noted that the profession of a journalist in Armenia has not been
included in the list of specialties having a right on official secrecy
(doctors, lawyers, etc.). Besides, in a Law on fight against terrorism
adopted by Armenia’s parliament, in Navasardyan’s opinion, should be
registered not only constraints of mass media freedom when covering
acts of terrorism but also their rights. However, he noted with
satisfaction that the Armenian law on mass media allows journalists
to disclose information source at a close court examination only if
a grave crime is being investigated. Besides, there is no control in
Armenia over covering regional conflicts. “There was a possibility of
various approaches even during the Karabakh war in Armenia, and both
A. Bleyan’s visit to Baku and his publications in press prove it”,
Navasardyan stressed.
He considers exemplary the Estonian model proposing the necessity of
adopting a separate law for classifying any information.

RA PRIME-MINISTER RECEIVES ARGENTINEAN FOREIGN MINISTER
ARKA News Agency
Aug 30 2005
YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. RA Prime-Minister Andranik Margaryan
received Minister of Foreign Affairs and International relations of
Argentine Rafael Antonio Bielsa, press-service of the RA Government
reports. They discussed the issues of Armenian-Argentinean relations
and pointed out that the absence of political problems between the two
countries will undoubtedly promote bilateral cooperation. The sides
also expressed their satisfaction with bilateral cooperation within
the UN and various international organizations. Margaryan expressed his
gratitude to the Argentinean FM for support in adopting the resolution
“On Prevention and Punishment of Genocide” Armenia submitted to the
57th meeting of the UN Committee on Human Rights. He also expressed
his gratitude to the Senate of Argentine for adopting a resolution,
which condemns the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
Margaryan and Bielsa expressed their satisfaction with development of
trade and economic relations between Armenia and Argentine. Bielsa
pointed out that trade turnover between the two countries can be
doubled in the near future, taking into account implementation of
the large-scale program of the “Zvartnots” Airport modernization,
which will promote expansion of Argentine’s economic interests in
Armenia and in the region as well. As the first step in this direction
the sides pointed to the signed agreement on joint management of the
“Zvartnots” Airport between the “Corporasion America” consortium in
the person of Company’s Director Eduard Ernekyan and the RA Government.
On December 18, 2001 the RA Government signed an agreement with
“Corporasion America” Company belonged to E. Ernekyan on managing the
“Zvartnots” Airport for 30 years. A.A.

“BELLA DARBINIAN SYMBOLIZES WHOLE EPOCH BY HER LIFE AND WORK”
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The art lover society took the last
leave of Bella Darbinian, the USSR People’s Artist, Movses Khorenatsi
medalist. The singer graduated from the R.Melikian College, Komitas
Conservatory and courses of a studio attached to the Moscow Bolshoy
Theater. In 1966, she entered as soloist the Symphonic Orchestra of
the TV and Radio State Committee of Armenia where she worked for about
30 years. B.Darbinian captivated the Armenian music lover society with
her performances, gained native and foreing numerous stages. It is not
accidental that many famous composers, Arno Babajanian, Alexander
Achemian, Konstantin Orbelian, Aleksey Hekimian and others, assigned
to her first performances of their songs. The Armenian art of singing
lost one of its eminent individuals, as, the art lovers who came to
pay the last tribute of respect to their colleague, said: “Bella
Darbinian was a great figure, a strong individuality with her activity
and the life she lived.” According to composer Martin Vardazarian,
the singer can express herself perfectly in all genres: “She was one
of singers the specific timbre of whose voice and whose mastery
captivate everybody.” The composer mentioned with sorrow that today’s
generation is not acquainted with B.Darbinian’s art, while she was the
idol of lovers of the art of singing in 60-70s. “B.Darbinian was one
of those artists who symbolize a whole epoch with their life and
works,” M.Vardazarian mentioned. “I was present at Bella Darbinian’s
almost all concerts. She had great successes not only in the countries
of the former Soviet Union but abroad as well. She was loved, she was
respected as she was single in her type,” singer Raisa Mkrtchian
mentioned. According to her, Armenian national, popular songs, Russian
romances in B.Darbinian’s performance were different from others’
performances owing to her wonderful voice and specific
performance. “The Armenian people had a great lose. We fell pain and
sorrow for losing her as B.Darbianian was one of the eminent figures
of the Armenian popular music. Let’s bend down before all she did and
realize that people like Bella pass away but leave a rich tradition of
the art of acting,” People’s Artist Ruben Matevosian
emphasized. B.Darbinian’s funeral was held at the City Pantheon.

OBASANJO OFFERS RUSSIA PRISONERS SWAP
This Day (Lagos)
August 24, 2005
Adeyeye Joseph With Agency Reports
Lagos
President Olusegun Oba-sanjo has offered to swap thirteen Russians
currently facing trial in the country for illegal bunkering with
Nigerian prisoners held in Russian jails.
The one and half year old trial of the Russians has caused a big stir
in their home country. TASS, the official news agency, reported that
legislators, at a time, called on the government of President Vladmir
Putin to break relations with Nigeria over the issue.
Russian newspapers reported, yesterday, that President Obasanjo made
the offer in a letter he wrote to UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Ara
Abramyan recently.
Abramyan who is also head of the Union of Russian Armenians is at the
forefront of the political negotiations to get the Russians back home.
In the letter, Obasanjo reportedly told Abramyan that as soon the court
proceedings are finished and the verdict is announced he may “make
political steps or consider a possibility of exchanging detainees”.
Obasanjo said his offer was based on the importance attached to the
matter by the Russians. “I take your concern and intention to solve
the issue as soon as possible into an account,” the Russian media
reported the President as writing.
The President according to the UNESCO ambassador also promised “to
take care” of the sailors.
In Russia, it is believed that the sailors are victims of a sort. The
Russian media claimed that the detained sailors were only “charged
additionally” with the owner of the ship signifying that the sailors
knew nothing of the illegal bunkering activities.
The Russian Foreign ministry said its country has fulfilled the bail
demands and is waiting for Nigeria to expedite action on the bail.
“The formalities that the Nigerian court demanded from the Russian
side are fulfilled. At present, the point is that these documents
should pass through relevant Nigerian institutions,” the Russian
foreign ministry said.
The Russian sailors were arrested in October 2003 while they were
crew members of the MT African Pride, a ship that was arrested with
thousands of tonnes of illegally siphoned oil.
The hearing of the case began in March 2004. The youngest of the
suspects, who the Russian media reported to have just recovered from
malaria and to be presently sick with gastroenteritis, is 25 years
old while the oldest is 65 years.
The 10 Russians were arrested alongside one Romanian and two Georgians
by Nigerian Naval officers in October 2003 for allegedly using the
MT African Pride for illegal oil bunkering.
The ship with its oil contents later disappeared from where it was
detained. A probe of the curious disappearance of the ship by a
committee of the House of Representatives opened a can of worms on
the activities of the navy.
Three naval admirals were later tried for their roles in the ship
disappearance with two of them indicted. The other one was freed.
As part of efforts to secure the release of the detained expatriates,
the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Roseline Ukeje had on
August 4 admitted them to bail.
Part of the conditions included that the ambassadors of the respective
countries world write undertakings that the accused were known to
them and that they would produce them (accused) whenever they were
needed for trial.
But following the inability of the accused to meet this condition,
they brought an application on August 17 through their counsel, Chief
Emeto Etudo, seeking an order to vary the August 4 order of the court
admitting the accused to bail by the substitution of Ambassador of
Russian Federation and Ambassador of Republic of Georgia with Charge
‘d’ Affairs of the Russian Federation.
The expatriates also wanted an order granting leave to the Charge
‘d’ affairs to make any undertaking required from the Ambassadors of
Russia and Georgia in the said order for bail.
The counsel said the Russia ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Igor Meikhov
is presently on vacation and was unable to write the undertaking as
directed by the court.
Justice Ukeje granted the bail condition variation request.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Krasnodar Skinheads Kill One Of The Their Own
Union Of Councils For Jews In The Former Soviet Union, DC
Aug 24 2005
Two neo-Nazi students at the Krasnodar Agro-University have been
charged with murdering one of their comrades for insufficient zeal,
according to an August 16, 2005 article in the local newspaper
“Krasnodarskie Izvestiya” and an August 17, 2005 article in the local
paper “Kuban Segodnya.” The 19 year old student was accused by his
comrades of losing interest in the local neo-Nazi movement because he
stopped attending neo-Nazi concerts and meetings of the local chapter
of Russian National Unity. When he dismissed these accusations with a
laugh, the two neo-Nazis beat him severely. The victim, identified in
the reports only as Andrey, then went home to his village outside the
city, where he began to feel ill and later died of internal injuries.
One of the attackers reportedly has a criminal record-he received a
two year suspended sentence for his participation in an act of mass
vandalism directed at Armenian tombstones in 2002.

Xinhua, China
Aug 24 2005
No plans to allow US military base in Azerbaijan: president

MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhuanet) — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
said on Wednesday that his government has no plans to allow the
United States to establish military bases in his country.
Reports that foreign military bases will be set up on
Azerbaijan’s territory are groundless, Aliyev told the media.
Azerbaijan and the United states have not held any talks on the
establishment of a US military presence in the Caucasus country,
Interfax news agency quoted Aliyev as saying.
No countries will be allowed to set up military bases in
Azerbaijan, as the presence of foreign military bases will do no good
for the stability of the country,” Aliyev said.
Aliyev also said his government’s top priority now is to resolve
the territorial dispute with neighboring Armenia.
In late July, Uzbekistan announced that it was giving the United
States 180 days to close an air base in the southwest of the Central
Asian country.
After that, unconfirmed media reports have said the United States
might redeploy part of its forces in the air base to Azerbaijan.
Enditem

AZG Armenian Daily #149, 24/08/2005
Diaspora
‘ISSUE OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IS AN INNER ISSUE’
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople States
Mesrop II Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, participated in
the 20th celebration of Youth International Day in Cologne, Germany, Turkish
Hurriyet newspaper informed in its August 21 issue.
He said that some people trouble them by touching upon the issue of national
minorities every time. “We are Turkish citizens. If we have any problems, we
will turn to the Turkish authorities. Those issues should be settled in
Turkey. The Turkish community of Germany also has problems. The Turks living
in Germany have problems with carrying out their religious ceremonies; they
have no clergymen and teachers to pass their native language and the culture
to the next generations. The Armenians dwelling in Turkey have the same
problems. The EU is a certain means, in this respect. But the most important
issues for Turkey are its Education and economy and not the national
minorities,” he added.
By Hakob Chakrian