Author: Emil Lazarian

TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO EU IMPORTANT BOTH FOR ANKARA AND EUROPE’S FUTURE

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.01.2007 14:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish membership to the EU is very important
for Turkey. I consider the EU as a union of states seeking for a
more prosperous and better future, Erkut Emcioglu, International
Relations Coordinator of ARI Movement said in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net. Turkey has been on the track since 1959 and albeit
some ups and downs maintained its target to become a member. It is a
state policy. The process of transformation in which Turkey currently
is turns it into a more democratic modern state. I strongly support
Turkish membership to the EU. It is also important to note that
the future Turkish entry to the Union is also crucial for Europe’s
future. Will Europe become a real global economic and political power,
preventing the clash of civilizations and promoting peace and harmony
and offering wealth to more nations?" he said.

As to amendment or cancellation of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal
Code, the Turkish political scientist said, "I think the use of this
article has been very abusive and authors such as Orhan Pamuk or Elif
Safak have been subject to prosecution. However, the public opinion
leaders see the danger and strongly fight for it to be modified. ARI
Movement is among the NGOs which push in this direction."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KAREN BEKARIAN: ARMENIAN PUBLIC SOMEHOW DISAPPOINTED IN EUROPEAN VALUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.01.2007 17:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presently the system of European values and
interests of the EU states are close to each other but it’s worth
mentioning that they are not equal for all member states, "European
Integration" NGO chairman Karen Bekarian said during a round-table
discussion on the topic of "Leadership as a diving force towards
European integration." In his words, these are trial balloons that
will lead the European community either to consent or cataclysms.

"The future of Europe also depends on the extent nationalistic
movement corresponds to proclaimed European values. 5 states – Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova – are engaged in the European
Neighborhood Policy. To what extent goals and interests of these
states coincide with the common European stance?" Bekarian said. At
that he described the political situation in the South Caucasus as
gradual retreat of Russia and expansion of the United States. "Under
such conditions European integration means nothing for Armenia,"
the Armenian political scientist considers.

Karen Bekarian marked out the challenges Armenia faces on the way
to Eurointegration. "First, it’s the parliamentary election. Second,
some disappointment of the Armenian public in the European values. For
example, the EU welcomes election in Azerbaijan as democratic, but
it’s from being the truth. Prevalence of interests over democratic
values is clearly seen in this state. And last but not least – the
Turkish factor. We must know the real attitude of European community
about the fact of the Armenian Genocide," Bekarian said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON MISSING AND POWS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.01.2007 18:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ PACE rapporteur Leo Platvoet informed that on
January 24, the meeting of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) Migration Committee will take place within the winter session
of the PACE. The meeting is planned to focus on his report regarding
missing people, hostages and POWs in South Caucasus. According to him,
after the recent discussions, the document did not receive proper
changes. The main dissatisfaction was from the Azerbaijani side as
regards the way of naming the Nagorno Karabakh authorities. Necessary
amendments were made.

Leo Platvoet did not exclude that Azerbaijani side might express its
dissatisfaction during the discussions over the report at the meeting
of the Migration Committee. According to him, the Azerbaijan delegation
should support the report because their amendment was introduced to
the report which has already been approved by several ministries of
Azerbaijan, Platvoet said, reports Trend news agency.

DEBATES ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL TO BE LAUNCHED IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEXT WEEK

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.01.2007 19:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A bill providing for official recognition of
the Armenian Genocide will begin to circulate in the US House of
Representatives for approval this week. Democratic Congressmen Adam
Schiff and Frank Pallone, joined by Republican Congressmen George
Radanovich and Joe Knollenberg have prepared the draft bill and are
expecting over 150 members of the House of Representative to sign it,
reports Hurriyet.

In coming weeks, the House Committee of Foreign Relations is expected
to debate the proposed bill.

"The powerful Armenian lobby is pushing to have a vote occur prior
to April 24, the Armenian Genocide Day, the newspaper says.

Nancy Pelosi, the new Democratic Speaker of the House, has in the
past voiced her support for such a bill.

Speaking in Ankara, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said, "I
cannot guess what the outcome will be, but the President does not
have the authority to block this bill."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENTEL TO DISCONNECT INTERNET TELEPHONY COMPANIES

Armenpress
Jan 17 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: The chief manager of Russia-owned
ArmenTel telephone operator Oleg Bliznyuk warned yesterday companies
providing Internet telephony (IP) services that their telephones will
be disconnected on January 25 because their services are illegal.

The Russian executive recalled that under License 60 provision of
Internet telephony services is the exclusive right of ArmenTel. He
said this right was reaffirmed lately by the Public Services Regulatory
Commission.

He said ArmenTel was ready to negotiate with around 300 companies
providing Internet telephony services dealer agreements. He declines
rumors that ArmenTel was going to raise prices of IP services.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERIS REALIZED IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN KARABAKH FORCEFULLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.01.2007 13:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are no positive changes in the Nagorno
Karabakh problem and they are not expected in 2007, stated Azeri
political scientist Hickmed Haji-zadeh. In his words, the solution
of the Nagorno Karabakh issue depends on changes in the world and
region. "There should be less opposition in the world and region,
more cooperation and democracy. I do not expect decrease in opposition
between the West and Russia in 2007. Besides, as I have repeatedly
said, in order to clearly imagine the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, we should remember several realities: Azerbaijan cannot
return Karabakh forcefully. Otherwise we will have to fight against
Armenian-Russian alliance alone. And our oil money is not enough
for that war. In order to solve the Karabakh issue peacefully,
i.e. the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh decided to return under the
authority of Azeri rule willingly, we should fulfill two conditions:
Armenia must become independent of Russia and Azerbaijan must become
a democratic country," underscored Haji-zadeh,

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NUMBER OF VERY GRAVE CRIMES IN SYUNIK RISES 4 TIMES

Armenpress
Jan 18 2007

KAPAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: Some 369 crimes were reported to
law-enforcement bodies in the southernmost province of Syunik last
year, down from 414 crimes reported the previous year.

Local police department told Armenpress that crime detection rate
rose 3.2 percent, meaning that 10 more crimes were resolved. However,
the number of grave crimes rose 20.2 percent or 17 crimes and the
number of very grave crimes rose nearly 4 times.

The grave crimes made 31 percent of all reported crimes and 3.4
percent were very grave crimes. But the number of crimes against
personal property was down 13 percent.

Five murders were reported last year in the province. Three
were resolved, one is being investigated and another one remains
undisclosed yet.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ATTEPMT OF COUP D’ETAT PREVENTED IN AZERBAIJAN

A1+
[12:51 pm] 18 January, 2007

Special services of Azerbaijan rendered harmless 17 people who were
initiating "power seizure", Arif Babayev, the spokesman of the National
Security Ministry (MNS) of Azerbaijan, informed "Itar-Tass".

The grouping was revealed due to the operative-investigative measures
taken by NS representatives.

"All the members of the grouping are arrested and they are currently
in the isolation cells of the National Security", says Babayev. They
are accused of country betrayal, power seizure, formation of criminal
grouping, money forgery and illegal preservation of drugs.

Currently, the Official Azerbaijan doesn’t comment on the arrest. Arif
Babayev claims that it is too early to say anything on this score. "The
investigation is under way and we cannot say anything about the origin
of the grouping". More likely they will spread information on the
latest event via official sources.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASSEMBLY STATEMENT REGARDING THE NOMINATION OF AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOAGLAND

ArmRadio.am
18.01.2007 10:24

It is vitally important that the United States send an ambassador to
Armenia. The close bilateral relations of the two countries depend on
the maintenance of contact and consultation at the highest diplomatic
levels. Armenia and the United States share important security,
economic, and political objectives in the region. These relations
need to grow and improve. That cannot happen without the presence of
an US ambassador in Armenia.

Democracy in Armenia is still a work in progress. With elections
scheduled this year, the U.S. Ambassador can play an important role
in strengthening Armenia’s democratic process and ensuring free and
fair elections.

While no US Ambassador has affirmed the Armenian Genocide during
Senate confirmation hearings, the Armenian-American community rightly
expects that any US ambassadorial nominee to Armenia, or anyone in
the US diplomatic service, properly understands and refers to the
Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Assembly of America salutes former
Ambassador John Evans for speaking the truth and for his efforts in
working to strengthen Armenia’s democratic institutions.

The withdrawal by the American Foreign Service Association of the
Christian A. Herter Award for "Constructive Dissent" with which it
initially honored Ambassador Evans was a cowardly act that was not
consistent with respect for human rights and good governance.

The proper recognition and international affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide is a matter of high priority for the Armenian
people worldwide. Senator Robert Menendez who strongly supports US
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide has sent a clear message to the
Administration about his position. However, US-Armenia relations do
not hinge on this issue alone. The Armenian government has given its
consent with respect to President Bush’s choice of Richard Hoagland
to serve as Ambassador to Armenia, and in a recent Wall Street Journal
article, a senior Armenian government official indicated that Armenia
should set aside the issue of recognition as a precondition in order
to encourage an opening in diplomatic relations between Armenia and
Turkey. The President of Armenia and its Foreign Minister have made
the same point.

Unlike Turkey, Administration officials have made it clear that the
United States does not deny the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian
Assembly does not believe that Richard Hoagland is a genocide
denier. However, it is also evident that the Bush Administration,
while relying on the dictionary definition of the Armenian Genocide
in its annual commemorative statements, remains unwilling to properly
label the crimes as genocide.

Because of this fundamental policy disagreement with the
Administration, the Armenian Assembly believes that forceful and
consistent advocacy by the Armenian-American community toward shaping
a US policy that properly recognizes and characterizes the Armenian
Genocide is the only right strategy in the long run. That is what
the Assembly has been doing all along, and that is what the Assembly
will continue doing when later this month the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues reintroduces legislation which calls upon the
President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States
reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues
related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented
in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian Assembly understands that the Armenian-American community
is not of one mind on this matter, but some of the opposition is
based on inappropriate grounds. The Assembly believes that there
should be an American ambassador in Yerevan, and there should be
clear and positive US affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Until
then ambassadors will articulate the policies of the President since
they serve at his pleasure. The historical fact that it was genocide
will remain; however, US Foreign Service professionals bound to the
policies of their government will only be able to express it as such
once US policy affirms this truth. The Armenian Assembly calls upon
Congress and the President to stand up for the historical truth,
as Ambassador Evans did, and boldly recognize the crimes committed
in 1915 as genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TERMS OF THE MEDIATORS’ VISIT TO BE SET AFTER THE MEETING OF FMS

ArmRadio.am
18.01.2007 14:00

The terms of the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the
Karabakh conflict settlement will be fixed only after the forthcoming
meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, acting
press secretary of RA MFA Vladimir Karapetyan told ArmInfo.

Let us remind that Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Vartan
Oskanian and Elmar Mammadyarov is scheduled January 23 in Moscow. At
the same time, Azeri media report that Foreign Minister reported the
visit will take place at the end of the current month.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress