Author: Emil Lazarian

TRIAL OF SOLDIER COOPERATED WITH ARMENIAN INTELLIGENCE STARTED
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
BAKU, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. Preparatory hearing on the soldier Zaur
Veisov, who served in the military unit in Tovuz garrison located on
the Armenian border, started yesterday at the Court for War Crimes
under chairmanship of judge Mamedbagir Zeynalov. He is charged with
Article 274 (high treason) and 338.1 (violation of the rule military
duty).
“In the summer 2004 he was recruited by the Armenian intelligence.
Armenians were holding him during one hour and forced him to work
for Armenian intelligence and supply them with military information
using violence and blackmail. They also gave him $1,000. Later on the
soldier provided military information to Armenians while on duty. One
of the soldiers noticed that and informed commander. Veisov confessed
to the commander, but the commander took away $1,000 from him and asked
him to keep silence. The soldier continued providing information to
Armenian intelligence. After a certain period the soldiers informed
higher command about this fact. The soldier has again confessed to the
high command, but they failed to inform higher instances. After several
months security services arrested Zaur Veisov and instituted a criminal
case against him in June 2005. Trial will be closed and about 20
people will be interrogated as witnesses,” the 252th newspaper reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
October 13, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO MOUNT AGAINST
CAUCASUS RAILROAD PROPOSAL THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA
— European Commission Rules Out Support for Turkish
Railroad Proposal that would Institutionalize
Turkey’s Closed Border with Armenia
WASHINGTON, DC – The European Commission has added its voice to the
growing international opposition to a Caucasus railroad proposal by
the Turkish government that would, if built, institutionalize
Turkey’s border closure with Armenia, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Commission’s position was articulated this week by the
Directorate General for Transport and Energy. In explaining why
the European Union would not support the creation of this rail
line, the Directorate noted that its construction was both
unnecessary and inefficient in light of the existing railroad
connecting Kars, Gyumri, and Tbilisi. This line, which passes
through Armenia, was effectively shut down more than a decade ago
by Turkey’s imposition of its blockade of Armenia, which continues
to this day.
The Commission’s adoption of this position comes in response to a
May 21st letter from Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian to
Jacques Barrot, Deputy Chairman of the European Commission. In
this letter, the Foreign Minister outlined the destabilizing
implications of the proposed route bypassing Armenia, and stressed
the willingness of the government of Armenia to cooperate in the
reactivation of the existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway, which
remains fully functional but unused due to the unilateral Turkish
blockade.
“We welcome the wise position taken by the European Commission
against Turkey’s most recent effort to effectively institutionalize
its border closure with Armenia. The well founded concerns raised
by the Commission reflect and reinforce those being addressed in
the U.S. Congress by the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In
pressing forward so recklessly with this politically motivated
proposal, Turkey openly disregards the Administration’s repeated
calls to end its decade-long border closure with Armenia. Clearly,
this disregard must be recognized and reckoned with by the U.S.
Congress, which should, in the coming weeks, act in an urgent and
decisive manner to check Turkey’s growing indifference to U.S.
priorities in the region.”
On July 21st, Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA),
introduced legislation addressing this issue by barring U.S.
financing for such rail projects circumventing Armenia. The ANCA
welcomed this bipartisan effort, noting that it would protect U.S.
taxpayers from subsidizing a totally unnecessary and regionally
destabilizing proposal by Turkey aimed at isolating Armenia. The
measure, known as the “South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005” (H.R.3361), currently has 39 House
cosponsors and is gaining support from both sides of the aisle.
The text of the legislation notes “the exclusion of Armenia from
regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus
undermines the United States policy goal of promoting a stable and
cooperative environment in the region.” In its operative section,
the legislation prohibits U.S. assistance “to develop or promote
any rail connections or railway-related connections that do not
traverse or connect with Armenia, but do traverse or connect Baku,
Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey.” Specific forms of
U.S. assistance prohibited would include: foreign economic and
development aid, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Trade and
Development Agency, and the Export-Import Bank.
The ANCA raised this issue publicly as early as June 10th of this
year in a question to Foreign Minister Oskanian, during a briefing
at the National Press Club. Minister Oskanian expressed concern
that this would be a wasteful undertaking for the international
community. He said that they [Turkey] are “planning on spending
something from $600 million to $1 billion to put that railroad in
place.”
The Minister closed his comments, by stressing that, “This is in no
one’s interest – not the U.S. or European Union or the countries
involved. I have raised this issue with the Administration and
they understand, they promised to follow this, and to try to talk
them [the Turkish government] out of engaging in this type of
senseless, useless activity.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MEDIATORS TO VISIT THE REGION BY DECEMBER
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2005
Baku, October 12, AssA-Irada
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Upper Garabagh conflict are due to visit the region before December
after holding their own meetings, deputy foreign minister and the
President’s special envoy on the Upper Garabagh conflict Araz Azimov
said Wednesday.
He said the mediators will meet with Azeri and Armenian foreign
ministers separately within the summit of OSCE member states’ foreign
ministers in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana early in December.
“The meeting of the two ministers is not planned yet and it may
take place only if necessary.” said Azimov. He did not rule out that
the co-chairs will come up with new proposals during their visit to
the region.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A. AZIMOV: INDIVIDUAL APPROACH TO SOUTH CAUCASIAN STATES NOT TO SERVE EU INTERESTS
Pan Armenian
12.10.2005 23:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When commenting on the EU-South Caucasus relations
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stated that
“theoretically the EU can demonstrate individual approach towards
the South Caucasian states, however it will not serve the interests
of the organization in the region, since the role, location, weight
and possibilities of Azerbaijan should be taken into account.” In
his words, the Azerbaijan-EU relations base first of all upon the
Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation.
Besides, Azimov noted, Azerbaijan is included in the EU New
Neighborhood Program and is an essential part of it. “Presently
EU members express various opinions on some issues, which can
result in postponement of the negotiations. In my opinion, these are
temporary political difficulties and the EU like Azerbaijan should be
interested in overcoming them within the shortest terms. This political
misunderstanding will be cleared up in the near future, for Azerbaijan
has always cooperated and will continue cooperation with the European
Union basing on the norm of jus gentium”, Araz Azimov stated. When
touching upon the relations between Baku and the Northern Cyprus,
the Azeri diplomat reminded that Azerbaijan has many times stated
that these relations are bound with “the humanitarian approach of
Azerbaijan towards the Cypriot problem. “A humanitarian element is
present here, however one should keep in mind that these ties are
exercised at an informal level and no conclusions should be made,”
Azimov resumed, Mediamax reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE “ARMAVIA” COMPANY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RUSSIAN “AIR UNION” LTD
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 12 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMINFO. “The “ArmAvia” company signed an
agreement of partnership with the Russian “Air Union” LTD,” reported
the commercial manager of the air company.
According to the report, the partnership of the two companies will
permit to implement joint commercial policy and create integrate
route networks. The companies also signed an interline agreement. The
commercial manager noted that the “Air Union” LTD has got three
transit points in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk and Samara. Through those
points ArmAvia will be connected with the whole route network of the
Russian Federation. On the other hand the Russian company will have
the opportunity of communicating with the Middle East through the
route network of ArmAvia. The representatives of the two companies
also discussed the opportunities of Trans- Atlantic flights as well
as further cooperation on the Yerevan-Krasnoyarsk route and transiting
to the Middle East.

USA EXPRESSES INTEREST IN IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE
Regnum News Agency, Russia
Oct 12 2005
On Wednesday, Energy Minister of Armenia Armen Movsisyan met U.S.
Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman in Washington. As MFA of Armenia
press office informs, Armen Movsisyan expressed his high assessment
of the US assistance to Armenian power engineering. Concerning the
upcoming deactivation of Armenia’s only nuclear power plant, Movsisyan
said it could be shut down only if there were other energy-generating
facilities available to replace it.
He also noted that Armenia hopes to keep the US assistance in the
process of the power plant deactivation and development of other
energy-generating facilities.
In his part, Samuel W. Bodman expressed his readiness for negotiations
over the ways of development of Armenian power engineering and interest
in construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN OMBUDSPERSON BACKS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenialiberty.org, Armenia
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 12 2005
Armenia’s state human rights defender, Larisa Alaverdian, expressed
on Wednesday her support for draft constitutional amendments that
will be put to the referendum next month.
“I am not in a position to campaign for or against the amendments,”
she told RFE/RL. “But if you ask me whether the amendments contain
provisions which broaden a person’s capability to protect their rights,
I will say yes.”
The most contentious of constitutional changes sought by President
Robert Kocharian and his governing coalition concern a shift of powers
from the Armenian president to the government and parliament.
The Armenian authorities, backed by the Council of Europe, say they
would put in place a more effective system of checks and balances.
But their political opponents dismiss the proposed changes as cosmetic.
Alaverdian said she is only concerned with those provisions of
Kocharian’s draft that deal with human rights. She singled out a
provision empowering the human rights ombudsperson and ordinary
citizens to appeal to Armenia’s Constitutional Court. Under the
existing constitution, only the president of the republic, at least
one third of parliament members as well as election candidates have
such a right.
Alaverdian also pointed to another draft amendment that would restrict
the president’s controversial authority to appoint and sack virtually
all judges. The head of state would supposedly have no control over
Armenia’s Justice Council which has the exclusive right to make
judicial nominations.
The ombudsperson admitted that the proposed change can only
“theoretically” make Armenian courts independent of the executive
branch of government. “In practice, it will probably take a generation
to end their dependence,” she said. “Having said that, this is at
least half a step forward.”
Alaverdian also endorsed another amendment which would affect her
directly. She was appointed by Kocharian in accordance with the
current constitution. The amendment would transfer that prerogative
to the National Assembly. Its enactment would require the legislature
to either re-appoint her or name a new ombudsperson.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey hands over Ottoman land records to Palestinians
Haaretz
11/10/2005
By Danny Rubinstein
The Turkish government on Sunday gave the Palestinian Authority a copy
of the Ottoman archive containing all documents pertaining to land
ownership in pre-state Israel through 1916.
The PA requested the records to support Palestinian land claims. The
Palestinians say that these documents reflect the “true” ownership of
the land. One year later, in 1917, Britain drove the Ottomans out of the
country and issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the
establishment of a Jewish state in what was then called Palestine. The
Palestinians say these evens represented the start of “a Zionist
takeover of their land, under the auspices of British imperialism.”
Even before 1917, Jewish and Zionist institutions had purchased large
tracts of land in Palestine from absentee landlords, who lived mainly in
Syria and Lebanon. These landlords had previously leased their property
to local farmers, but were happy to sell it for the right price, without
giving a thought to their tenant farmers. Nevertheless, Palestinians
view these sales as more legitimate than those that took place during
the British occupation that began in 1917.
Under Ottoman rule, a substantial portion of the land in Palestine was
registered as state land. Some of this land was later sold or
transferred to pre-state Jewish institutions. Other portions belonged to
the Muslim waqf (religious trust), and these, according to Islamic law,
cannot be sold. However, there was no orderly registration process;
ownership was determined primarily using records such as tax payments.
Ever since 1948, Palestinian institutions dealing with the refugee issue
have been trying to obtain accurate records on the land and property
that were lost when Israel was established. This effort has gained steam
in recent years, but no Palestinian institution has come close to
collecting all the relevant data. One reason for the lackadaisical
effort may be the Palestinians’ understanding that the data has little
practical value other than for public relations. At most, it will be
used in the bargaining over compensation for refugees, if and when such
negotiations take place.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN CD “ARAM KHACHATRYAN: LIFE AND WORK” BEST IN WORLD IN 2005
YEREVAN, October 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian multimedia CD “Aram
Khachatryan: Life and Work” has been recognized the best CD on culture
in the world in 2005, Chairman of the Information Technologies
Foundation, Executive Director of the Information Technologies in
Education Company Garegin Chukaszyan told a press conference. Three
other Armenian products were recognized the best at a contest held on
the threshold of the Tunisian Summit of information community.
Specifically, the multimedia CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” was
among the ten best education projects and won a special diploma, and
the and sites were among the ten best sites
in the categories e-business and e-healthcare.According to Chukaszyan
it is an unprecedented result for such a small country as Armenia,
especially so as it is the winner in one of the categories of the
contest of the World Summit for the second time. He said that it is a
special honor as Armenia is among such winners and IBM with its CD
“Historical heritage of Egypt”, US Smithson Museum, “Virtual Paris” of
the Ministry of Culture of France and the Russian web-site on World
War II. “We consider it a great success for Armenia. Although we rank
last in communication systems, we can compete with the world’s leaders
in programming and design,” Chukazszyan said.
The multimedia CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, designed by the
“Bazmaweb” studio of the Information Technologies in Education
Company, is dedicated to the 100th birthday anniversary of the great
composer. The CB contains the composer’s biography and compositions,
tells about the atmosphere he lived and worked in, his letters,
pictures, archives, contemporaries’ memories and a film on his life.
The CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” is dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. It
contains documents on the life in Western Armenia from 1877 to
1965. The CD contains the information that has never been published
before, photo-archives, articles in the leading newspapers of the
world, evidence of witnesses, the most frequently asked questions,
process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, maps and over 100
names of books and publications, recommendations, etc..
The Armenian winners are to receive their prizes and diplomas at the
World Summit of information community in Tunis on November 16-18,
2005. Armenia presented eight winner-works of the national contest
“Mashtots 1600”. Specifically, the CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923”,
CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, (Byurtakan
observatory), (RA Economic Court), medical site
, , (a payment system), (RA
public TV), (Armenian Agency for Tourism
Development). P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN BUSINESS IS IMPORTANT
A1+
| 14:04:10 | 12-10-2005 | Official |
Today Robert Kocharyan received governor of the Krasnodar region
Alexander Tkachov. The latter mentioned that he is impressed by the
volume of construction carried out in Yerevan.
Robert Kocharyan found cooperation with the regions of Russia important
and said that it is good ground for developing the relations between
the two countries.
The sides have also referred to the course of Armenian-Russian economic
relations. Robert Kocharyan mentioned that thanks to the enhancing
of business links now Russian business has a more important place in
the Armenian economy.