Author: Emil Lazarian

PREFECT OF THE PARIS DISTRICT AGAINST TURKEY TO JOIN EUROPEAN UNION
ARMINFO News Agency
October 3, 2006 Tuesday
Jacques Braveau, Prefect of Paris 9th district, will visit the Memorial
for the Victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire of
1915 /Tsitsernakaberd/. The press service of the Government of the
Republic of Armenia reported that J. Braveau is to visit the Museum –
Institute of Genocide of Armenians.
Jacques Braveau arrived in Armenia on Sept 30 as a representative of
Bertrand Delanoe, the Major of Paris. In the course of the official
visit he met with Yervand Zakharyan, the Major of Yerevan, and Vahan
Hovhannisyan, Vice-speaker of the National Assembly. He also visited
Yerevan State University of Armenia, where he delivered a speech
against Turkey to join the EU, as Turkey does not meet a number of
criteria necessary to join the European community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FASSIER: PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO ACHIEVE A PROGRESS WITHOUT THE CO-CHAIRS
ARMINFO News Agency
October 3, 2006 Tuesday
After the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Bucharest,
the Co-chairs made a statement wherein they said they exhausted their
creativity. Factually, we have faced a fact when we should hint the
parties that they must think over the proposals on the table better,
said OSCE MG Co-chairman Bernard Fassier (France) at a press conference
in Yerevan.
B. Fassier said that he stated yesterday in Baku that the co-chairs
have exhausted not only their creativity but also themselves after
the two-year intensive work. Nevertheless, he said that the parties
are unable to achieve a progress without the Co-chairs. He said that
the new Co-chair joining the two old ones is an additional factor
for continuation of the process, which refreshed and increased the
creative approach. The advanced key principles are the best version the
mediators could propose. They must be a basis for a future agreement
on the settlement, he said. Bernard Fassier added that there were
cases in past when a draft document was prepared before the agreement
on the key principles by the parties. Of course, they were doomed to
failure. Now, the Co- chairs try to prepare the foundation and then
erect a building on it, B. Fassier said. We encourage the parties
to search ways for establishment of durable peace, he said. By their
statement, the Co-chairs did not violate the principle of confidential
negotiations and that the approaches and the steps of the parties to
these principles remain unknown. It is not, it was not and will not
be a public information so far, B. Fassier said.
He said that G8 Summit in St. Petersburg supported the key principles
proposed by OSCE MG. However, it is not enough if the parties fail to
arrive at an agreement as their peoples are not ready for co-residence,
no one can help. The future of the country and its people depends
on the ability to arrive at an agreement, he said for conclusion. In
his turn, Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) said that the Co-chairs proposed
additional elements to one of the principles.
However, he did not specified them.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU COMMISSIONER SAYS TURKEY’S PACE OF REFORMS SLOWED DOWN
Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
3 Oct 06
Ankara, 3 October: “As a friend of Turkey, I want to be frank and
open with you, as friends always should be: the pace of reforms
has slowed down in the past 12 months. We expect Turkey to fulfil
its commitments as regards to the additional protocol,” European
Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn said on Tuesday [3 October].
Rehn took the floor at a meeting in Ankara on “European Social Model
and Syndicated Rights in EU Negotiation Process” arranged by Turk-Is
(Confederation of Turkish Employees’ Trade Unions).
Rehn said nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were very important
for the steps that would be taken in Turkey’s EU process.
“The role of social partners is central in any modern society. Social
dialogue has been a cornerstone of the European project since its
very beginning.
For Turkey it is also important since one of the premises for a
successful accession is a broad societal consensus on European goals.
The same goes for meeting the challenges of globalisation. Needless to
say, trade unions play a particularly valuable role in this respect,”
Rehn stated.
Rehn said: “I am glad to be today in Ankara for the first anniversary
of the EU’s accession negotiations with Turkey. The 3rd of October
2005 was a historic day. The decision opened up the process towards
Turkey’s accession to the EU and it implied a qualitative change
in our relations, as your country has since then no longer been a
candidate but a negotiating country.”
“It should not be surprise to any that there is an ongoing debate on
enlargement in the EU as well as in Turkey. Such a debate is normal
and healthy.
And you should not expect it to stop: it will accompany the process
until the very end, and even beyond,” Rehn said.
He said: “In the EU, this debate is wide. Voices have been raised
requesting a pause to enlargement. There are those who have concerns
about issues such as the effect on the labour market or the costs
for the present member states. There are some who wonder how EU
will function with Turkey as a member. But this debate is not
Turkey-specific, it has to do with the Union itself.”
“However, it is also perfectly normal that, every time we welcome a new
member to our family, we want to ensure that the house is comfortable
and functional for everybody. In other words, the EU must be able to
effectively continue to deliver its policies. This is nothing new,
but has been the challenge of all previous enlargements,” he stated.
Rehn indicated: “EU is a complex organization. We have our
institutional framework, within which the European Parliament, the
council and the commission play their distinctive roles. We are a
union of 25 member states, each of them with their democratically
elected government, its elections, its politicians who express their
views in the context of their national debate.”
He said: “We should welcome this debate and meet arguments with
counterarguments, myths with facts, and, inertia with action.
Turkey’s best response is a rock-solid, resolute commitment to reforms
that would allow the country to meet the conditions for accession.”
Rehn said: “Let there be no misunderstanding on the strategic value of
our common project. Europe needs Turkey as a key player, as a bridge
and as a proactive moderator. Turkish accession should set a powerful
counter-example to the alleged ‘clash of civilisations’.
Turkey is, also, essential for the stability and security of one of the
most unstable and insecure regions in the world. Turkey’s strategic
significance was once again illustrated by its decision to take part
in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.”
Rehn said: “The adoption of the ninth reform package is necessary. It
concerns a number of issues that Turkey needs to address as a matter
of urgency, even if it does not address the critical issue of free
speech. I am convinced that Turkey’s progress in resolutely pursuing
the reform agenda will have a most positive impact on the European
public opinion.”
Rehn said: “Freedom of expression must be brought fully in line with
European standards. There have been altogether some 70 cases against
journalists, authors, publishers and citizen activists for supposedly
“insulting Turkishness”, but in reality expressing non-violent
opinions. The prosecutions have been done on the basis of Article
301 of the penal code. We pointed out the loophole already when the
new penal code was prepared, but our advice was not taken into account.
The recent ruling of the Court of Cassation on the [ethnic Armenian
writer] Hrant Dink case set a jurisprudence which keeps freedom of
expression under threat in this country. The judicial proceedings
have a chilling effect and damage the important work carried out
by journalists, intellectuals and activists. It is high time that
Turkey brings the penal code into line with the European Convention
on Human Rights.”
He said: “As regards women’s rights, the implementation of legal
provisions, for example as regards punishment of crimes supposedly
committed in the name of honour, needs to be improved.”
“The terrorist activity of PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] has been
condemned by the EU without any ambiguity. But the problems of
the Southeast cannot be addressed through an exclusively security
approach. Turkey needs to develop a strategy for the region that
addresses its political and socio-economic problems together with
the cultural rights of the Kurdish population,” Rehn added.
“Turkey needs to ensure that full trade union rights are respected in
line with EU standards and ILO Conventions, in particular as regards
the right to organize, the right to strike and the right to bargain
collectively. To this effect, Turkey needs to eliminate existing
restrictions and adopt a fully revised legislation in this area for
both private and public sectors,” Rehn noted.
“Unfortunately, no progress has been made by Turkey on the trade union
rights recently. Therefore, one of my main messages to my Turkish
interlocutors today and tomorrow will be that we expect the government
to redress this and present a legislative initiative shortly, once the
ongoing consultation with social partners has been duly completed,”
he stated.
Rehn noted: “We appreciate the reforms Turkey has carried out in the
recent years. But as a friend of Turkey, I want to be frank and open
with you, as friends always should be: the pace of reforms has slowed
down in the past 12 months.”
He stated: “The expectations have risen since Turkey became a
negotiating country on 3 October last year. It is therefore all the
more important that new initiatives are taken and tangible progress
is still achieved before the Commission will present its report on
8 November.”
“Since signing the Additional Protocol of the Association Agreement
in July 2005 as a condition to open the accession negotiations,
Turkey has not moved towards its implementation. It has not removed
obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions
on transport links with Cyprus. Y et, this is a legal, contractual
obligation Turkey has made,” he noted.
Rehn said: “Our common endeavour of the EU accession process with
Turkey is not only about reforms and chapters. It is as much about
communication and mutual understanding.”
Stating that many Europeans ask questions which concern geography,
culture, religion, civilization, history, Rehn indicated: “They ponder
what will be the impact of Turkey’s EU accession on the philosophy
of the European integration and on the effective functioning of the
EU. Many concerns are understandable and must be addressed in the
course of the negotiations. Others result from ignorance of what
Turkey is today.”
“Concerns of the Turkish public opinion seem to be of a different
nature. The main challenge is the perceived uncertainty of the EU’s
true intentions towards Turkey. As I said, we mean business, and
you can rest assured that the EU is committed to pursue Turkey’s EU
accession, on the condition it meets our criteria fully,” he stated.
“Be that as it may, we must get to know each other better. This is the
aim of the Commission’s programme to enable a civil society dialogue
between Turkey and the EU. Some 70m euros will be committed to this
programme in 2006,” Rehn stressed.
“If Turkey succeeds in its reforms and meets the criteria of accession,
it will become an ever stronger bridge of civilizations.
This is a great opportunity for both Europe and Turkey, especially for
their younger generations. I want to make sure that this opportunity
is not missed,” he added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU OFFICIAL RESPONDS TO TURKISH ARMY CHIEF ON MILITARY’S ROLE; VIEWS FREEDOMS
Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
3 Oct 06
Ankara, 3 October: Freedom of expression, religious freedoms and
civilian-military relations are political criteria that Turkey
should fulfil, as all other member states have done, said Hansjoerg
Kretschmer, the head of the delegation of the European Commission
to Turkey.
Appearing on a live broadcast on Turkish private NTV channel,
Kretschmer underlined importance of progress in political criteria,
and said that Turkey has to do more.
Kretschmer noted that EU’s stance towards civilian-military relations
is obvious, and he expressed his views about this matter in a meeting
held by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV),
when commenting on yesterday’s remarks of Chief of General Staff Gen
Yasar Buyukanit at the War Academies.
Recalling Buyukanit’s words that “the army has a different role in
Turkey”, Kretschmer said: “There are two different positions and
views. And the commanders said that the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) is
different from the armies in the EU. We will see if it changes within
the negotiation process. Civilian-military relations are important in
the EU process, and it should be solved. I think that it is possible.”
Kretschmer expressed belief that Turkey will fulfil all required
criteria, adding: “I am hopeful and optimistic. I think that Turkey
will be successful at the end of the process.”
On the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, Kretschmer said that
it is not one of the accession criteria but it can be effective within
the general framework of the accession process.
Kretschmer noted that Turkish government is determined and willing
to make more reforms.
Commenting on the views that the EU is trying to divide Turkey,
Kretschmer said: “It is even impossible to talk about Turkey’s
division. Political criteria are for the best interest of Turkey and
Turkish people.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU OFFICIAL PRAISES ARMENIA’S DEVELOPMENT
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
2 Oct 06
[Presenter] The window of possibilities for the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict remains open and the European Union entirely backs
the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki
Tuomioja, who heads the delegation of the EU Troika, said at a joint
news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in
Yerevan today.
[Correspondent] The EU-Armenia Action Plan within the framework of
the [EU’s] Neighbourhood Policy has been signed [as heard]. This is
a historic event, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said.
[Oskanyan] This is a very important document for us. By means of this
document, Armenia is invited to enter into intensified political,
security and economic relations with the EU.
[Correspondent] The plan will be officially signed at an annual session
of the Armenia-EU cooperation commission in Brussels. The document
sets a five-year term during which each event [in the Action Plan]
will take place. Vardan Oskanyan said that this is a document of
intentions and specific actions to bring Armenia’s socio-economic
and political systems into line with those in Europe.
[Tuomioja, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over] Armenia
has accepted and is developing according to European values of human
rights and democracy. We hail Armenia for continuing to go along the
path they have chosen and urge greater democratization. We hope that
the forthcoming elections in 2007 and 2008 will be fair and honest.
In this way, they will prove that Armenia is a democratic country.
[Correspondent] After the successful implementation of the first stage
of the programme, the EU will be open to Armenia, the EU president
said. He said that the deepening of Armenia-EU relations depends
on Armenia.
The Armenian foreign minister said that Armenia is at present not ready
to speak of full EU membership. Vardan Oskanyan said that Armenia is
ready to expand regional cooperation, which is the main part of the
Action Plan.
[Vardan Oskanyan] There are obstacles in cooperation between the
three Caucasus countries. These are obstacles created by Azerbaijan.
As you may know, Armenia has no problem and we consider that regional
cooperation will contribute to the resolution of the conflict. The
Karabakh conflict settlement and regional cooperation should take place
at the same time. However, Azerbaijan does not agree to cooperate.
We are ready to cooperate with Georgia, as well as Turkey if it opens
the borders.
[Correspondent] The EU supports the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and backs the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. The EU officials said
that the conflict still can be resolved.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA SQUAD FOR EURO QUALIFIERS
Agence France Presse — English
October 3, 2006 Tuesday
Armenia national coach Ian Porterfield on Tuesday named the following
24-man squad for Euro 2008 Group A qualifiers against Finland on
October 7 in Yerevan and Serbia on October 11 at Belgrade.
Goalkeepers: Gevorg Kasparov, Felix Akopyan, Edel Apula Bete (all
Pyunik Yerevan), Armando Ambartsumyan (Slavia/BUL)
Defenders: Sarkis Ovsepyan Robert Arzumanyan, Alexander Tatevosyan,
Valery Aleksanyan, Armen Tigranyan, Jose Bilibio (all Pyunik Yerevan),
Egishe Melikyan (Alchevsk/UKR), Karen Dokhoyan (Samara/RUS)
Midfielders: Agvan Mkrtchan, Levon Pachadzan (both Pyunik Yerevan),
Karen Aleksanyan (Zimbru Chisinau/MOL), Arman Karamyan (Ceahlaul/ROM),
David Grigoryan (Mika Ashtarak), Artur Minasyan (Ararat Yerevan),
Samvel Melkonyan (Banants Yerevan)
Strikers: Armen Shakhgeldyan (Mika Ashtarak), Ara Akopyan
(Alchevsk/UKR), Aram Akopyan (Banants Yerevan), Edgar Manucharyan
(Ajax/NED), Nshan Erzrumyan (Ararat Yerevan).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA AND SWITZERLAND ACTIVATE BILATERAL COOPERATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.10.2006 18:09 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today newly appointed Swiss Ambassador to Armenia
Lorenzo Amberg (residence in Tbilisi) presented credentials to
President Robert Kocharian, reports the Press Office of the Armenian
leader. During the meeting Kocharian was content with the current level
of Armenian-Swiss relations and appreciated Swiss assistance to reform
implementation in Armenia. In his words, impressive economic growth
in Armenia, stable political situation form favorable conditions for
progress and development. The diplomat said he will do his best to
strengthen relations between the two countries, especially for closer
economic cooperation.
Today Lorenzo Amberg presented credentials to FM Vartan
Oskanian. According to Armenian MFA Press Office, during the meeting
Oskanian wished success to the diplomat and expressed readiness to
deepen friendly relations. In his turn, Lorenzo Amberg underscored
that implementation of agreements, made during the visit of Swiss FM
Micheline Calmy-Ray to Armenia, is an important stimulus for boosting
bilateral relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEMORIAL TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.10.2006 18:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Governor Schwarzenegger Monday announced the
signing of AB 1210 by Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) that authorizes
the construction of a memorial for California’s Armenian Genocide
survivors in Capitol Park. “We should never forget the inhumanity and
brutality of the Armenian Genocide,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The
construction of this memorial will help all Californians remember
the unimaginable suffering genocide survivors endured,” reports
Asbarez.com.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO BAKU FOR CONTINUING KARABAKH TALKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.10.2006 18:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Talks over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict should not stop, thus the work of the co-chairs is an
inseparable part of the Minsk process. They will travel to the regions
and only after that the results may be summed up. I am sure the talks
should continue,” Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasily Istratov
said. He remarked that the OSCE MG co-chairs presented a document for
consideration by the parties and they now await for the responses of
Baku and Yerevan, Day.az reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE HAS TO BE SETTLED WITHIN MINSK GROUP AND TURKEY HAS TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
04/10/2006
President of the French Republic Is Sure
The official visit to Armenia of president Jacques Chirac of France
ended on Sunday. During the 3-day stay the French delegation headed
by Mr. Chirac met RA president Robert Kocharian, visited the Memorial
of Armenian Genocide and Genocide Museum. The French delegation also
was received by the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Right after the meeting of presidents a joint press conference
was held. In president Kocharian’s words, the volume and content
of bilateral relations are on a rather high level. He particularly
highlighted economic cooperation saying that more than 100 companies
operate in Armenia by the French capital.
Both countries have more than 20 sister-cities and that, the president
said, adds to the level of bilateral relations.
Robert Kocharian informed that he discussed with Mr. Chirac the present
stage of Nagorno Karabakh regulation process. “I would particularly
like to emphasize that the French president has an experts awareness
on this issue,” Mr. Kocharian said. Both presidents touched upon
the proposal to transfer Karabakh regulation process from the OSCE
Minsk Group to UN. Mr. Chirac said: “This is a misplaced proposal
and will sooner complicate settlement process than make it easier,”
as the Minsk Group experts are working superbly for the
solution of this complicated issue and they have made very serious
proposals. Mr. Kocharian added that shifting the format will not bring
solution, and if one of the sides strive for that we are suspicious
that it wants to see the conflict settled.
Touching upon the Socialist party proposal to criminalize denial of
the Armenian Genocide, Jacques Chirac said that France recognized the
Genocide by a law in 2001 and as in a lawful state “every manifestation
of racism” is punishable. “I want to remind again that France has
recognized the Armenian Genocide and the rest is a dispute rather
than legal issue.”
Asked by Le Monde correspondent whether Turkey’s membership to EU
is stipulated by recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Chirac
answered: “If the question is whether Turkey has to recognize the
Armenian Genocide to get access to the EU, then I sincerely believe
that a country will become more mature by recognizing its past. Has
Germany, which recognizes the Holocaust, lost its greatness and
trustworthiness? Just the contrary, a country, a nation always becomes
mature by recognizing the mistakes of its past. I believe that Turkey
should think thoroughly and it would be good if it recognizes and
discusses its past.”
Asked by a representative of Turkish Hurriyet newspaper why he did not
answer Turkish prime minister’s proposal to set a joint commission of
Armenian and Turkish historians, Robert Kocharian said that it pains
him that the journalist does not know about his reply and added that
he believes that leaders of neighboring states should communicate
not via mass media but diplomatic relations that unfortunately lack
between Armenia and Turkey. Mr. Kocharian said that in his reply he
suggested creating an intergovernmental commission for discussion of
all issues but there was no reply from Mr. Erdogan.
At the meeting with Catholicos Karekin II, French president expressed
satisfaction with the economic and political relations between the two
countries. His Holiness told the president that an Armenian diocese
that the Armenia Church and the Armenian community has long cherished
will be opened in France soon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress