PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN RECEIVES AGBU CONGRESS DELEGATES
A1plus
6 Oct 04
President Kocharyan received overseas delegates of 83rd congress of
AGBU, Armenian benevolent organisation, held in recent days in
Yerevan.
He welcomed the congress participants and stressed the importance of
such a kind of events.
The union chair Perch Sedrakyan, in turn, said positive changes are
visible in Armenia though there are many obstacles that are
successfully being overcome.
TERI DAVIS ANSWERING QUESTIONS
A1Plus
04-10-2004
Azeri journalists asked the CE Secretary General Teri Davis about
CE-Azeri relations after Azeri president Ilkham Aliev’s visit to CE.
Davis said some changes are visible in Azerbaijan – a part of
political prisoners are released. Works need to be continued.
What for including Karabakhi issue in the PACE winter session agenda,
Davis said he had completed his report on Karabakh.
`New reporter is already appointed. I can’t predict his steps: he can
use some parts of my report or can not to do that’, said Davis without
clarifying whether Karabakh will be put in the winter session agenda
or not.
Asked about Abkhazia, Davis said it goes without question that
Abkhazia is a part of Georgia like Chechnya is Russia’s and
Pridnestrovie Moldova’s. He didn ‘t mention Karabakh.
Azeri pressure group vows to thwart Armenian presence at NATO seminar
ANS TV, Baku
5 Oct 04
[Presenter Ceyhun Aliyev] The Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO]
is planning to stage protest actions against Armenian MPs’ visit to
Baku [to attend the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth seminar on
26-28 November].
[Correspondent over video of news conference] The Armenian MPs’ visit
to Baku should be thwarted, the KLO chairman, Akif Nagi, told a news
conference today. He said that opinions on the issue varied.
[Nagi] As long as Azerbaijan and Armenia are at war, as long as our
lands are under occupation, establishing any relations between
Azerbaijan and Armenia both at the official or unofficial levels is
beneficial to Armenia. Today Armenia has an interest in establishing
relations with Azerbaijan to demonstrate to the world that allegedly
nothing is happening between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
[Correspondent] Nagi said that this position was inadmissible. He
added that the KLO would do its best to thwart the Armenian MPs’ visit
to Baku. But he did not speak about details of the planned actions.
Afat Telmanqizi, Baxtiyar Salimov, Zeynal Zeynalov for ANS.
“ARMENIA DECIDED TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAQ? WHY?”
Azg/am
5 Oct 04
Arab Newspaper Gives Some Advices
“Urgent news coming from Armenia don’t predict a good outcome and it
becomes certain that this honest state, which has unsolved territorial
problems with neighboring Azerbaijan, has decided to campaign against
its seventh neighbor. Why?”, the Azzaman, an Arab newspaper published
in London, writes in its September 12 article titled “Advices for
Armenia”.
“Armenia decided to send a squad of 50 soldiers to become victims of
kidnappers – We are not ready to protect Armenian soldiers and advise
that they bring bodyguards with them to stay as long as they will be
in this land burnt under the feet of our friends and enemies”, Azzaman
writes.
This article would not be of much importance if not the fact that it
expresses the position of the Iraqi society about the Armenian group
of deminers, drivers and doctors to be sent to Iraq. The author of the
article uses suchwords as “squad” and “campaign against Iraq”.
A retired Iraqi official was reporting lately. He was certainly aware
of Armenia’s decision to send 50 unarmed people. “‘Armenia Sends
Troops, Joins American Coalition’, this was the headline of all Iraq
newspapers today”, he said.
Iraqi Armenians (a considerable part of whom are survivors of the
Armenian Genocide) pointed at different occasions that Armenian
presence may endanger the future of Iraqi Armenians as (no matter that
the group will join Americans only for humanitarian purposes) Armenia
is still joining the Americans, Iraq’s occupants and murderers of
Arabs.
Armenian authorities promised the US (probably under pressure) to
contribute to the war on terror. Therefore it will be wrong to break
the promise because the US may, the least, condemn Armenia of dropping
out of the anti-terror fight. President Bush warned after 9/11 saying:
“You are either with us or against us”.
Armenian media’s critical coverage of the group sending obviously
makes the authorities frustrated. So, the defense minister Serge
Sargisian stated during his televised appearance: “Why fall behind
Georgia and Azerbaijan?” But why did Armenia fall behind the two
neighbors in the case of Afghanistan? Why didn’t we send deminers,
doctors and drivers to Afghanistan? The fact that the Afghan
mojahedins fought against the Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh could
bevalid grounds for joining the anti-Afghani campaign.
Is Armenia sincere in claiming that it joins the US anti-terror war?
If yes (that is, if Saddam Hussein was somehow connected with Al Qaeda
and Iraq was a threat for the world community) then why did only 30
states out of 191 UN support America?
Vartan Oskanian, foreign minister, notes that Armenia is ready to
contribute to Iraq in the humanitarian sphere. Again a question comes
up: isn’t it possible that Armenia support Iraq without joining the US
coalition? Why doTurkey, US’s close ally, and Jordan succeed in this?
There may also be other questions addressed to the Armenian
government. For instance, why did Yerevan refer to the UN’s
legislation in case of Yugoslavia’ s bombing and didn’t in case of
Iraq?
The Azzaman goes on with advices: “Armenia’s calculations are obsolete
as there is no time to sign treaties now, when America faces
elections. Neither the 50 soldiers will save Bush, nor will they
influence social researches in favour of Kerry”.
“Armenia has dropped its mask. If it tends to be part of the
multinational forces then we are ready to provide a place in `red’s
knick-knack market’ adding a ration card, certificate of death and a
videotape of being kidnapped”, newspaper writes.
By Tatoul Hakobian
Referendum Surprise for Turkey
Zaman
10.01.2004 Friday
After the approval of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) in the parliament
put Turkey-European Union (EU) relations back on track, the French
referendum demand inflamed the discussions about Turkey in Europe.
First Nicolas Sarkozy, who is expected to lead the ruling Union for a
Popular Movement (UMP) party come November, and now French President
Jacques Chirac, who strongly supported Turkey so far, entertains the
idea of holding a referendum on Turkey.
Political parties other than Radical Left and the Greens, both of
which have no impact on political life in France, view Turkey’s
membership either negatively or as conditional.
Gathering the rightist parties under one umbrella, UMP defended from
the beginning that Turkey has no place in Europe. Meanwhile, the main
opposition Social Democrat Party wanted Turkey to recognize the
So-Called Armenian Genocide as a prerequisite to starting
discussions. Despite his party’s negative attitude, Chirac, who sends
warm messages to Turkey, announced that he would make his decision
according to the results of the Progress report. In addition, polls in
France indicate that more than half of the French do not want Turkey
in the EU.
Political parties did not hold back from using Turkey as a political
tool in recent local and European elections. After it became
increasingly obvious that the progress report will most likely be
positive, the referendum issue was thrown into the mix. It has reached
a point that the rightist parties seem likely to turn the EU
Constitution referendum, which is planned for 2005, into a “yes” or
“no” referendum on Turkey.
French Parliament EU Delegation Vice President Christian Philip
comments that the end of this process amounts to the “EU running into
a brick wall.” Phillip, in order to emphasize the importance of
France’s attitude, reminded that Charles de Gaulle vetoed Great
Britain. The EU parliamentarian suggests that other countries are
likely to take the issue to referendum as well.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time that a referendum has been
required for a candidate country’s EU membership. In 1972, then
President Georges Pompidou had sent the British membership, which De
Gaulle had vetoed twice, to referendum. Only 68 percent of the public
said “yes”.
The referendum demand in France could be interpreted as the first
concrete confrontation between a Europe that has so far regarded
Turkey’s accession to EU as “distant” and a Turkey that sees Europe as
a reality.
10.01.2004
ALI IHSAN AYDIN
Paris
ARMENIAN CULTURAL DAYS HELD IN BELGIAN ANTWERP
ArmenPress
Sept 29 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: On the initiation of Armenian
cultural center Nuart, Armenian cultural days were held in Belgian
Antwerp from Sept 16 to 22 dedicated to the day of independence in
Armenia, Armenian culture and youth affairs ministry publishing agency
head Eduard Militonian told Armenpress.
In his words, singers from Armenia performed for Belgian public as
well as Armenian, Belgian and Check groups from Antwerp came up with
their national dances. A newly established non-profit organization
in Antwerp, Kenats Tun, presented samples of carpets and applied
art in their building. Recently published books in Armenia were
exhibited in Antwerp university. Some 150 exhibited books together
with Militonian’s personal contribution of 200 books were donated
to the library of Nuart cultural center library. Near a cross-stone
symbolizing Armenian-Belgian friendship, a singer Sofi performed
Armenian medieval songs.
In E. Militonian terms, organization of such evens is imported for
poorly organized Armenian community in Belgium for preservation of
Armenian identity and national self-consciousness. He also noted that
it was the first ever such big event organized in that community and
the organizers try to make it annual.
Armenian leader, Chinese premier discuss economic cooperation
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Sep 04
[Presenter] The strengthening of Armenian-Chinese business
relations was discussed in Beijing this morning at a meeting between
representatives of the two countries’ trade and industrial spheres.
President Robert Kocharyan today visited one of China’s historical
and cultural sites, the Forbidden City. He also visited the Kung
Fu centre where the centre’s sportsmen demonstrated their national
sports exercises to the Armenian delegation.
[Correspondent Lilit Setrakyan] Robert Kocharyan’s state visit to
China is continuing. The official part of the visit is scheduled to
take place in the Chinese capital of Beijing. After the meeting with
the Chinese president yesterday, the Armenian president will meet
representatives of China’s business and legislative circles today.
Robert Kocharyan and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao discussed
issues of economic cooperation. Wen Jiabao said that China is ready to
invest in the Armenian economy and establish contact with its South
Caucasus partner. Robert Kocharyan also stressed that the Armenian
side is interested in speeding up Armenian-Chinese economic relations.
The Armenian delegation led by the president will leave for Shanghai
this evening.
33 PERCENT OF ARMENIANS BELIEVE THEIR COUNTRY WOULD BENEFIT FROM JOHN KERRY’S ELECTION
ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: The November 2 presidential
election in the US is in the limelight of other nations too. A Vox
Populi center for studying public opinion conducted a survey to learn
what Armenians think about the US polls.
According to 33 percent of respondents, Armenia would benefit from
John Kerry’s election, and only 17 percent believe that George W.
Bush’s reelection would be beneficial to Armenia, while 19 percent
said they could not answer that question.
Forty-three percent do not believe that if elected John Kerry’s
administration would officially recognize the 1915 Armenian genocide,
while 23 said it might be possible.
Some 23 percent said they could not say whether the US policy towards
Armenia would change if Kerry were elected president, while another
23 percent said it would hardly change and only 12 percent believe
that the policy would change.
The survey was conducted among 645 residents of Yerevan aged 18 and
more between September 19-14.
RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 26 2004
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT STOPS IN DUSHANBE ON HIS WAY TO CHINA
DUSHANBE, September 26 (RIA Novosti) – The Presidents of Tajikistan
and Armenia Emomali Rakhmonov and Robert Kocharyan discussed on
Sunday in Dushanbe the issues of bilateral cooperation, said the
press secretary of the Tajik president, Abdufattokh Sharipov.
Mr. Kocharyan made a short stop in the Tajik capital on his way to
China, where he is going on a state visit.
In Mr. Sharipov’s words, at the meeting Mr. Rakhmonov and Mr.
Kocharyan voiced the necessity to continue work over the improvement
of the contractual-legal base of bilateral relations in different
spheres (both countries along with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and
Kyrgyzstan are members of the Organization of the Collective Security
Treaty. Armenia along with Ukraine and Moldova have the status of
observers under the Eurasian Economic Community, whose members are
Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan).
The Tajik president, in the words of the press secretary, noted the
necessity to accelerate work on the adoption of a regular package of
bilateral documents, which are now under consideration.
“Tajikistan is ready to continue political dialogue at different
levels, encourage the ties of business, scientific, cultural circles,
contacts between citizens,” the press secretary quoted Mr. Rakhmonov
as saying.
Mr. Kocharyan in his turn said that after the visit of the Tajik
president to Yerevan, the first session of the intergovernmental
commission on economic cooperation and a business forum took place,
said Mr. Sharipov.
“This is a good tendency, which is to provide a result. As the sides
are getting ready, Tajikistan organizes a second session of the
commission so that it could start implementing mutually beneficial
specific projects,” said Mr. Rakhmonov.
After the meeting with Mr. Rakhmonov, Mr. Kocharyan flew to Beijing.
PanArmenian News
Sept 25 2004
CEREMONY IN MEMORY OF ARMENIAN OFFICER KILLED DURING NATO COURSE IN
BUDAPEST TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN PANTHEON TOMORROW
25.09.2004 13:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 26 – on the birthday of Gurgen Margarian
– the ceremony in commemoration of the Armenian officer will take
place in Yerablur Pantheon in Yerevan. To remind, lieutenant Gurgen
Margarian, born in 1978, who was attending English courses organized
within the frames of Partnership for Peace NATO Program in Budapest,
was brutally killed with an axe on February 19. The murderer, Azeri
senior lieutenant Ramil Safarov, who was also participating in the
course, had been arrested by Hungarian Police.