Author: Emil Lazarian

THE IRAQ MESS: KURDISH SEPARATISTS ARE ADDING TO THE WITCH’S BREW
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
April 9, 2006 Sunday
Region Edition
Last week another Iraq war-related problem turned up. In southeast
Turkey, near its border with Iraq, ethnic Kurd separatists encouraged
by the growing independence of Kurdistan in northern Iraq battled
with Turkish security forces, leaving 15 dead.
The United States has leaned on Iraq’s Kurds for support since the
beginning of the Iraq war. In the beginning it was because the Kurds
were opposed to Saddam Hussein’s Arab regime. Later, it was because
the Kurds were the only important Iraqi group that appeared to like
the United States.
The Sunnis, who with Saddam Hussein had ruled Iraq for decades, hated
the United States for its invasion and overthrow of their rule. The
Sunnis now form the core of insurgent resistance to U.S. rule. The
Shiites always were lukewarm on the Americans, even though they
advocated the democracy and majority rule that would put them in
power during the occupation.
That left the Kurds. Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani became president.
As Iraq has failed to put together a central government, three years
after the U.S. invasion, nearly four months after the elections,
the Kurdish north of the country has become increasingly autonomous.
Ethnic Kurds in neighboring Turkey, Iran, Syria and Armenia have
remarked on the growing strength and independence of Iraqi Kurdistan,
and have become heartened in their desire for their own country by
developments there.
In U.S. NATO ally Turkey, where an estimated 25 percent of the
population are ethnic Kurds, and where an estimated 30,000 were killed
in previous conflict in the 1980s, the issue blew up recently.
The United States told Turkey in early 2005 that it wouldn’t do
anything about Kurdish separatists acting against Turkey from Iraq.
Given other U.S. preoccupations in Iraq at this time and continued
U.S. reliance on the Kurds, it is unlikely to change that position now.
In the meantime, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made
it clear that he will put up with no nonsense from Kurdish separatists
in Turkey.
This is another very old problem that the Bush administration should
have taken into account before crashing into Iraq, and particularly
before signing up the Kurds as America’s principal ally there.
In the meantime, the snarl in naming an Iraqi government four months
after the elections remains. The Kurds and the Sunnis won’t agree to
the Shiites’ choice of Ibrahim al-Jaafari for prime minister, selected
by the Shiite majority in February. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice and her travelling partner, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw,
visited Baghdad last week and sought to advance the candidacy of Vice
President Adel Abdul Mahdi for the prime minister slot in place of
Mr. al-Jaafari. It doesn’t appear to have worked.
Meanwhile, reconstruction is stalled in Iraq, proceeding in only
four of 18 provinces. Religious conflict between Sunnis and Shiites
proceeds. Another bomb in a Shiite mosque killed 71 on Friday. If the
strife cannot be called civil war — a term the Bush administration
resists despite the growing ethnic cleansing — it is quacking like
that duck.
U.S. deaths in Iraq continue to rise above 2,300. The cost of the war
to the United States is estimated at about $300 billion. President
Bush continues to assure Americans that we are winning.
If we are winning it is hard to imagine how bad it would be if we
were losing. The regional expansion of the trouble in Iraq into Turkey
through the Kurds is one of the worst developments to occur yet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MORE THAN 1 MILLION ITALIANS ABROAD CAST BALLOTS IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
By Marta Falconi, Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
April 9, 2006 Sunday 12:05 AM GMT
More than 1 million Italians living abroad voted in the country’s
parliamentary election, according to a final tally, and their ballots
could be decisive in a close race.
This election marked the first time expatriates were allowed to vote
in a general election without having to travel back to Italy.
Around 1.1 million Italians abroad, or 42 percent of those eligible,
sent in their ballots by mail in early voting, the Foreign Ministry
said on Saturday.
Official results won’t be released until after the Sunday-Monday
domestic voting to choose between blocs led by Premier Silvio
Berlusconi and his center-left challenger, former European Commission
President Romano Prodi.
About 2.6 million citizens abroad were eligible to vote to elect 18
lawmakers who, for the first time, will be responsible for representing
their interests in the national legislature. Those lawmakers will fill
12 new seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament,
and six in the Senate.
Around 47 million citizens who live in Italy will vote this weekend.
Latin American consulates reported the highest average ballot return
rate, with about 52 percent of Italians voting, the ministry said.
The highest return was in Uruguay, where 63 percent of Italians
voted. Campaigning politicians paid special attention to Latin America
Argentina in particular because it is home to hundreds of thousands
of expatriates. Fifty-six percent of Italians living there voted.
Europe had an average return rate of about 38 percent, with Armenia
topping the list with 95 percent, the ministry reported. About 37
percent of Italians living in North America voted, with the highest
returns in Barbados at 81 percent. Africa, Asia and Oceania reported
an average of 44 percent, with 100 percent or 32 people voting in
Kuwait, the ministry said.
Until now, Italians wishing to vote in their country’s general
elections had to fly back to Italy. A 2001 law, one of the first pieces
of legislation from Berlusconi’s five-year conservative government,
gave citizens who live abroad the right to vote by mail.
The expatriate representatives will have full voting rights in
Italy’s parliament, giving Italians abroad the chance to influence
decisions not just on issues concerning them directly, but also on
those affecting domestic policies in Italy.
In addition to giving overseas voters the right to cast ballots,
the law also created four huge electoral districts to represent
Italians who live overseas in Parliament, which is composed of a
315-seat Senate and 630-seat Chamber of Deputies.
In recent weeks, politicians of all stripes have been crisscrossing
the globe trying to woo voters.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHO SHOULD BE AMONG THIS YEAR’S PICKS FOR THE TIME 100?
Time
April 17, 2006
U.S. Edition
To help make the selection, TIME asked earlier honorees whom they would
select as the world’s most influential people. This week’s installment:
AISHWARYA RAI The ex–Miss World conquered Bollywood and became an
international film star: I would like to submit Oprah Winfrey as my
nomination. There are those who are born to be leaders, and she is
one of them. Oprah is a healer of lost souls. She continues to lead
millions of people to their path of personal happiness. She has a
powerful and generous spirit, with the heart of a goddess. She is
both admired and loved.
ANDREW WEIL An expert in the art of integrating Western medicine with
herbal healing Richard Davidson is a pioneer in exciting mind-body
medicine frontiers. His best-known work focuses on a capacity of
the brain to develop and change throughout life. Using Tibetan monks
as research subjects, he has shown how meditation can improve brain
function. His studies may lead to therapeutic approaches for anxiety
disorders and reveal ways to protect against memory loss and cognitive
decline.
STEPHEN LEWIS The U.N.’s special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa is the
author of Race Against Time: I suggest Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s
first female President. She has set an astonishing precedent by
appointing a Cabinet of exact gender parity. Also Liberia’s new woman
President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who broke the monolithic boys’ club
of Africa. She will bring economic and social justice to her country.
And Zackie Achmat, who leads the world’s most important AIDS activist
organization. He has brought hope to millions living with AIDS
in Africa.
SAMANTHA POWER A Harvard University professor, her book on genocide won
a Pulitzer Prize in 2003: I nominate Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. He
has acknowledged his homeland’s genocide against the Armenians and
nearly got himself arrested before the Turks decided their commitment
to and pride in their greatest writer exceeded a commitment to killers
who died almost a century ago. It could bring a cultural change. Also
George Clooney, for the obvious reasons, and the students who led
the divestment movement on campuses for Darfur.

Nagornyy Karabakh Republic urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to maintain
cease-fire
Arminfo, Yerevan
8 Apr 06

Stepanakert, 8 April: Cease-fire violations have lately become more
frequent on the contract line between the armed forces of the Nagornyy
Karabakh and Azerbaijan. This results from the lack of a proper
evaluation of bellicose statements made in Azerbaijan at the top
level, the foreign ministry of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR]
said in a statement on 8 April.
The incidents, which have increased casualties on the contract line,
are deepening mutual distrust and can seriously escalate tensions in
the Karabakh conflict zone, which threatens stability in the entire
region, the statement said.
“In this connection, the Nagornyy Karabakh republic confirms its
adherence only to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, as well as
its readiness to implement the sides’ open-ended obligations to
maintain the cease-fire, which is confirmed by the 6 February 1995
agreement signed between the defence ministers of the NKR, Armenia and
Azerbaijan. We call on the two other parties that signed the
agreement, namely Azerbaijan and Armenia, to joint our initiative. We
hope that through joint efforts and with the mediation of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen and other international mediators and
interested sides, it will be possible to confirm our adherence to the
agreement and implement the mechanisms it indicates in order to
localize incidents on the armed forces’ contact line,” the statement
said.
The NKR confirms its position that along with the strict observance of
the cease-fire, other preconditions for a peaceful solution are a
peace process that involves all the parties to the conflict,
confidence-building, the strengthening of democracy and respect for
human rights, the statement said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE Office in Yerevan co-organizes international workshop on education
reform in Armenia

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2006 14:05
An international workshop aiming to help further reform in Armenia’s
education system has attracted more than 80 officials and
international experts from Norway, Serbia, Latvia and Georgia.
Participants in the three-day workshop, organized jointly by the OSCE
Office in Yerevan, the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation,
the British Council and UNICEF, are sharing experiences and best
practices in the field of education policy and management, as well as
education fostering democratic citizenship.
“We appreciate the co-operation with international organizations as
their experience helps us reform the education system in a democratic
manner, which is a strategic goal for the Republic of Armenia” said
Education and Science Minister Sergo Eritsyan.
Jeannette Kloetzer, OSCE Economic and Environmental Officer in
Yerevan, said the OSCE considers environmental education, particularly
of children and youth, crucial.
`Environmental issues should be an integral part of education for
democratic citizenship as fully informed and empowered citizens
benefit democracy, stability and security,’ she said.
She urged participants in the workshop, which ends today, to take
advantage of the National Environmental Information Centres (Aarhus
Centres) established in Yerevan and the Armenian provinces of Syunik,
Tavush and Lori. The centres give the public access to environmental
information.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Is Iran bluffing or not?
20:09|07/ 04/ 2006

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov) — The
world is now discussing the possible use of force by the United States
against Iran.

Many experts said Great Prophet, the latest Iranian military exercise
in the Persian Gulf, highlighted Tehran’s determination based on real
military might. Still, others say Iran was merely bluffing.

The Iranian media reported that the national Armed Forces were testing
unique up-to-date weapons and equipment in the Gulf. Notably, Iran
successfully test-fired a high-speed, maneuverable and heat-seeking
Misaq-1 surface-to-air missile (SAM), as well as a medium-range and
remote-controlled Kowsar surface-to-sea missile, which zeroes in on
its target and which can successfully cope with ECM (Electronic
Counter-Measures) systems. Iran also tested a modern flying boat that
can skim waves at up to 100 knots.

The new Fajr-3 radar-evading ballistic missile and the Hut torpedo,
the Iranian Navy’s fastest underwater weapon with a speed of 100
meters per second, were also launched.

Iran made it clear that it completely controlled the Strait of Hormuz,
through which the Middle East exports 80% of its oil. Tehran also said
it was ready for war, and that any encroachment on its interests in
the Persian Gulf would

meet with a resolute response from the water, from under the water,
from the air, from islands and the coast.

The United States and Israel, which are Tehran’s main opponents,
reacted skeptically to this show of force and said Iran was
deliberately bluffing and over-exaggerating its military potential in
the context of possible UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.

These statements seem logical because six U.S. carrier task forces are
far more powerful than the Iranian Armed Forces. Four of them are
deployed in the Persian Gulf, while two others are plying the southern
Mediterranean. Each carrier task force has 80 to 90 modern warplanes,
compared to the 360 aircraft of the Iranian Air Force. According to
experts, the technical state of 40-60% of these planes leaves much to
be desired.

The Pentagon would therefore easily establish regional air supremacy
over the Persian Gulf, just like it did in the war against Iraq. It
should not be doubted that U.S. warplanes would destroy any
potentially hostile ship in the Strait of Hormuz and deprive Tehran of
its ship-launched Fajr-3 missiles and Hut torpedoes.

Why did Iran hold these war games at a time when it apparently does
not stand a chance against the six U.S. carrier task forces, which
have better personnel and impressive combat cohesion?

Tehran does not seem to be bluffing because it has enough time to
think and to bargain with the UNSC and the United States. Moreover,
Iran could still display its determination to defend uranium
enrichment rights within its nuclear program.

Experts say the United States will not attack Iran before September,
if it sums up resolve to do so. General James L. Jones, Supreme Allied
Commander Europe, said the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) would establish complete control over Afghanistan this August,
rather than in October-November 2006. The United States will not
declare war on Iran, unless it makes sure that Afghanistan is secured.

On the other hand, Washington should not delay the Iranian operation
in the context of the congressional election this
November. Consequently, September – October seem like an optimal
deadline for attacking Iran.

Iran therefore has enough time to display its determination and to
accomplish several objectives. For instance, it could try to persuade
the international community that Washington’s efforts aiming to force
Tehran to renounce its right to uranium enrichment operations are both
dangerous and unjustified. Iran could also try to convince the UNSC
that its nuclear file should be returned to the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). And, finally, Iran, which unequivocally wants to
be a leading Mideastern power, could make Washington nervous and show
that the United States is not omnipotent. It seems that Tehran will
not give up its positions without a fight and that it will try to
force Washington to heed its interests.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tehran ‘lobbies’ for US talks
By Guy Dinmore in Washington

FT
April 7 2006 03:00
Iran has prepared a high-level delegation to hold talks with the US,
but the Bush administration, which insists negotiations be limited to
the subject of Iraq, is resisting a wide-ranging agenda, Iranian
politicians have told the Financial Times.
A senior Iranian official, Mohammad Nahavandian, has flown to
Washington to “lobby” over the issue, according to a top Iranian
adviser outside the US.
However, the Iranian mission to the United Nations said he was in
Washington on private business.
Iran’s willingness to engage the US on Iraq, regional security and its
nuclear programmes is believed to have the approval of the supreme
leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It represents the most serious attempt
by the Islamic republic to reach out to the US since the 1979 Islamic
revolution.
“There are none and none are scheduled,” Stephen Hadley, national
security adviser, was quoted by a spokesman as saying about the
prospect of talks with the Iranian delegation in Baghdad next week.
A senior Iranian adviser said the Iranian delegation was headed by Ali
Hossein-Tash, the main deputy to Ali Larijani who is secretary of the
Supreme National Security Council and the chief official dealing with
the nuclear issue.
Three other negotiators, all attached to the council, include a deputy
intelligence minister who was previously based in Baghdad, a former
Revolutionary Guards member and Kurdish expert, and a political
specialist.
Mr Nahavandian, a deputy for economic affairs to Mr Larijani, is in
Washington, several Iranian sources told the FT, revealing the rare
presence of a senior Iranian in the US capital. White House and State
Department officials denied all knowledge of his presence.
The Bush administration is resisting pressure from its European allies
to engage Iran directly over its alleged nuclear weapons programme
rather than leave negotiations to the EU3 of France, Germany and the
UK. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German foreign minister, raised this
with Mr Hadley this week, and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is
understood to have spoken about it with President George W. Bush.
Javad Zarif, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, stressed
Iran’s willingness to talk in an opinion piece published by the New
York Times yesterday. He denied US claims that Iran had a covert
nuclear weapons programme and said Iran was ready for intrusive
international inspections.
“Pressure and threats do not resolve problems. Finding solutions
requires political will and a readiness to engage in serious
negotiations. Iran is ready.
We hope the rest of the world will join us,” he said.
One US insider suggested the Bush administration might agree to
broaden the agenda after an initial meeting restricted to Iraq. The US
offer of talks about Iraq was made several months ago by Zalmay
Khalilzad, US ambassador to Baghdad.
Meanwhile, the US rhetoric is sounding progressively tougher. Nicholas
Burns, under-secretary of state, yesterday accused Iran of being
“expansionist”, “a central banker of terrorism” and directing attacks
on US citizens. Last week, the UN Security Council issued a mildly
worded presidential statement calling on Iran to resume its suspension
of fuel cycle development.
Russia blocked tougher language. John Bolton, US ambassador to the UN,
said yesterday the next step was to pass a legally binding “chapter
seven” resolution requiring Iran to suspend its nuclear programme.
Additional reporting by Negar Roshanzamir in Tehran
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POLITICAL WILL

Aravot.am
07 April 06
Passionate speeches of the authority about corruption, GRECO and
GOPAC, seminars and conferences will give results only in a case if
the authority and all official and non official structures want indeed
to realize that fight. It is spoken of «political
will». But just its demonstration seems to me from the sphere
of fantastic.
Let’s observe some characteristic cases. I’m one of the officials of
the ruling clique of the country and support the business of
destroying the House of Cinematography and Writers and building a
multistory building instead. I have supported such business for the
last 3-4 years and earned millions. Why should I display a `political
will’ and won’t earn next million and not support for destroying for
example Opera House or Matenadaran.
Or, for example, I’m a chief of `cadastre’ or `tax service’ and drive
a car which I can’t buy by my 300 year celery. What can me make
display a ` political will’ and not to change my `Mercedes’ with
`Hummer’.
Or, I’m a principal of a school and make the teacher gather money from
the parents of pupils. Where should I find a `will’ inside me not to
do it?
Especially when I’m very important person for the ruling clique
because as the chairman of regional commission, I take part actively
in the falsification of elections.
We approached to a problem in solving which we need in a political
will. It is said that the authorities should display political will
for holding fair elections. But it is as unreal as the case of
corruption is. If I’m an oligarch and fill a post, I’m a wealthy
person and have businesses, why should I refuse of all these for the
reason that some people fill some papers into ballot boxes. I will do
everything for being reelected and for the candidate of the authority
become the president.
In short if a person have something it is excluded that he will
display a will for refusing of it. If certainly he isn’t mad and isn’t
under influence of Tolstoy’s heroes. But those persons are very few in
all over the world.
Aram Abrahamian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Lavrov: OSCE MG Working at Proposals on Karabakh Issue

07.04.2006 23:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Russian and Armenian Foreign
Minister exchanged views on the settlement process of
various conflicts available near the Armenian and
Russian borders. They discussed the situation in the
Near East and Iran’s nuclear program, Russian FM
Sergey Lavrov stated at a joint press conference with
Vartan Oskanian.
In his words, everything within the limits of the
possible should be done to secure the diplomatic
settlement of the problems available. `This refers to
the situation in the Balkans and the negotiation
process on Kosovo. We certainly discussed the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement as well. Russia is one of the
three Co-chairs assisting the parties to reach
mutually admissible agreements. There are some
sketches submitted by the mediators and they are being
considered by the parties at present,’ the RF FM
remarked, reported the RF MFA press service.
Sergey Lavrov also noted that the OSCE MG is
constantly working at the proposals that can be then
submitted to the parties’ consideration. `Over some
understandable reasons we not reveal the details,
since they refer to the parties to conflict only. We
believe that the mediating mission will help the sides
to reach agreement. This is the key to the
settlement,’ the Russian Minister said.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Amnesty International: CIA Secret Planes Landed in
Azerbaijan
08.04.2006 01:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Amnesty International, a worldwide
movement of people who campaign for internationally
recognized human rights, has issued a new report on
the CIA secret prisons in foreign states. The 20-page
report contains the stories of seven prisoners, who
were subjected to torture in the secret jails. They
are Arabs and a German citizen of Syrian origin.
The report maintains the data on the flights of the
planes of the third states conveying the prisoners to
the secret jails for most part situated on the
territories of the NATO member states. Among the
countries where the planes landed Russia, Uzbekistan,
Spain, Switzerland, Cyprus, Libya and Azerbaijan are mentioned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress