Author: Emil Lazarian

Ganguly finishes off with a win
FROM OUR CHESS CORRESPONDENT ABU DHABI, AUG 23 (PTI)
Indian Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly scored a comprehensive
victory over Russian GM Mikhail Ulibin in the ninth round to finish
13h in the Master’s section at the 15th Abu Dhabi International Chess
festival that concluded here today.
Grandmaster Ashot Anastasian of Armenia won the title after playing a
quick draw with GM Alexei Federov of Belarus. Anastasian finished
with a tally of seven points out of a possible nine and pocketed the
first prize of USD 4,000.
Grandmaster Dmitry Bocharov of Russia defeated Ukrainian GM Alexander
Goloshachapov.
Bocharov and Uzbekistan’s International Master Sergey Kayumov tied
for the second spot scoring 6.5 points each while Ganguly finished
13th with six points.
Ganguly yet again showcased his superior endgame technique to outplay
Ulibin who played the black side of a French defence game.
Playing the Winawer variation, Ganguly got an advantage in the
opening itself and nurtured it well to win a pawn.
Ulibin found some solace in an exchange sacrifice for some optical
attack but Ganguly was on his guard and timely trading of queens led
to a difficult endgame for black.
Ganguly wrapped up the issue in 55 moves after tying black pieces to
passive defence.
The final round saw another spurt from Eesha Karavade who beat
Grandmaster Vladimir Dobrov of Russia. With this victory, Karavade
secured another Woman Grandmaster norm scoring 5.5 points in the
event.
International Master D V Prasad also finished on 5.5 points after
settling for another draw. GM Sergey Grigoriants of Russia failed to
break the solid defence of the Indian and had to split the point
despite playing white. Abhijeet Gupta was on the receiving end
against third seed and former Russia champion Sergei Volkov. Playing
with black, Gupta could not produce the form that helped him amass
important points in the first seven rounds. Despite losses in the
last two rounds, the Bhilwara based youngster is expected to gain
some important ELO rating points from this tournament.
Parimarjan Negi struck some late form and grounded Mesgen Amanov of
Turkmenistan in a fine game with black pieces.
Amongst other Indians in the fray, Akshat Khamparia and Krutika Nadig
were on the receiving end going down to GM Stefan Djuric of Serbia
and Meilis Annaberdiev of Turkmenistan respectively.
M B Muralidharan drew with Sergei Simonenko of Turkmenistan while
Tania Sachdev shared the point with Elshan Moradiabadi of Iran.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/22/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Sense of Justice Has No Equal 2) Truth First, Then Reconciliation Says Visiting Howard Dean 3) Lake Sevan Sets Stage for Kocharian, Saakashvili Informal Talks 4) Kurdish Rebel Ceasefire Meets with Chilly Reaction in Turkey 5) ECHR Fines Turkey for 'Freedom of Expression' 1) Sense of Justice Has No Equal Azeri Oil Money Does Not Intimidate Armenia Says Oskanian YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--In a strongly worded statement released over the weekend, Armenia said that Azerbaijan's planned military buildup would not force Armenia into making increased concessions in negotiating the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. The statement came in response to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev's pledge to boost his country's military budget by 70 percent through multimillion-dollar proceeds from its soaring oil exports. Aliyev said in a speech last Tuesday that increases in Azeri military spending will eventually force Armenians to make more compromises on Karabagh But in his written statement, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian point-blank stated: "They can neither seduce nor, worse, scare us with their oil. Armenia always has the ability to militarily counter any Azerbaijani military budget. In fact, the advantage that Armenians have over Azerbaijan is not in military expenditures or arms, but in the justness of the cause." Oskanian also said that Azeris will always lack the motivation to win back Mountainous Karabagh, and that the international community has come to terms with Armenian control over Karabagh. "Armenians believe that the Mountainous Karabagh cause is just, and in case of war, they will be fighting for their own homes and land. This is not what the Azerbaijanis did or would do," he said. "It would be better for Azerbaijan to compete not militarily, but engage in healthy economic and political competition," said Oskanian. "And in those realms, today, Azerbaijan is far from challenging Armenia or even Mountainous Karabagh." The chief of the Armenian army staff, Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, also brushed aside Aliyev's threats on Monday. "I think they ought to invest that money in the socio-economic development of their country and people who are poor and starving," he said. Harutiunian also warned that the Armenian side "will not stay idle" either. "We are also preparing and although we are not going to invest big money, we will invest enough," he said without elaborating. The latest round of war of words between Armenia-Azerbaijan comes on the eve of Aliyev's talks in Russia with President Robert Kocharian, which international mediators say could mark a turning point in the long-running efforts to broker a solution to the Karabagh dispute. Oskanian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will meet in Moscow on Wednesday to prepare for those talks. Speaking to journalists in Baku on Friday, Aliyev said although the conflicting parties have made serious progress towards a peaceful settlement there are still "serious differences." He claimed that they have been discussing a "step-by-step" peace accord that would indefinitely delay agreement on Karabakh's status. But Oskanian denied this, saying that the Armenia is only ready to accept a "package" deal that "may be implemented in stages." He also said the international community is "assessing the situation more realistically" than Azerbaijan. "The international trend regarding conflicts--East Timor, developments around Kosovo, the Sudan Agreement--all these developments demonstrate that the international community today is leaning towards greater respect for the right of peoples to self-determination," he said. 2) Truth First, Then Reconciliation Says Visiting Howard Dean YEREVAN (ANCA/RFE-RL)--Former US presidential candidate Howard Dean ended a two-day visit to Armenia this weekend with a pledge to drum up greater support among fellow Democrats in US Congress to pass legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide. Dean, who now heads the Democratic National Committee, criticized the Bush administration for its failure to publicly refer to the 1915-1918 mass killings and deportations of Armenians as a genocide. He said Washington should not fear antagonizing the government of Turkey, a key US ally, which strongly denies the Genocide occurred. "The truth is that the Armenian genocide took place 90 years ago," the former governor of Vermont told reporters after laying a wreath at Yerevan's hilltop memorial to some 1.5 million victims of the genocide. "Over a million people were killed. There is no question that the United States should recognize this." "Sometimes facts are inconvenient," he said, commenting on the Bush administration's stance on the issue. "It is true that the Turks are great friends and allies of ours, but every country does things wrong once in a while. Our country enslaved millions of Africans for a long time. So we have to look back at the past. If you want to have reconciliation, you first have to have the truth." Dean pledged to recognize the Armenian genocide during his unsuccessful campaign to secure the Democratic Party's nomination in the last elections. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who unexpectedly defeated Dean in the Democratic primaries, gave similar promises. Dean grinned when asked whether he thinks the US would have already recognized the genocide if Bush had failed to win reelection. "There is no way of knowing that," he said. "I believe that the Democratic Party has to deal with what the facts are. And the facts are that a genocide occurred. You can't pretend that it didn't happen." Dean went on to express his support for a draft congressional resolution that calls on Bush to "accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide" in his annual messages to the US-Armenian community. "The Democrats do not control the House [of Representatives] or the Senate or, unfortunately, the White House," he said. "But when I get home I will be speaking with the Democratic leadership of the House and ask them to support this resolution. And if we get a few Republicans we can pass it." The Armenian Genocide Resolution, which was formally introduced on June 14 by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), calls on the President Bush to ensure US foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution includes thirty detailed findings from past US hearings, resolutions, and Presidential statements, as well as references to statements by international bodies and organizations. Dean, who many Democrats hope will help to revive their party's fortunes, said that the existence of the influential Armenian-American community was a key reason for his decision to visit Armenia. His meetings on Friday with President Robert Kocharian and other senior officials in Yerevan were organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The meetings focused on US-Armenian relations and the situation in the region. "It is very important for us in the United States to have a strong Armenia," said Dean. "We want Armenia to succeed as a democratic state and I think Armenia has done well in the last ten years. There is more that needs to be done, but I'm very pleased by the progress and I hope the progress will continue." 3) Lake Sevan Sets Stage for Kocharian, Saakashvili Informal Talks LAKE SEVAN--President Robert Kocharian met with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili at a popular Armenian resort on Monday for informal talks, according to a presidential source. Sources in the Armenian presidential administration said that Saakashvili arrived in Yerevan on Sunday and joined Kocharian at his summer retreat on the shore of Lake Sevan. His Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili later joined them. The last meeting between the two leaders took place at a Georgian ski resort last April, when they discussed tensions in Georgia's impoverished Javakhk region, which is mostly Armenian-populated. According to a Russian news agency, the situation in Javakhk was again on their agenda. The Armenian and Georgian prime ministers paid a joint visit to the restive region late last month, promising joint efforts to alleviate socioeconomic problems. The Georgian premier Zurab Noghaideli announced his government will use additional U.S. assistance that will be provided to Georgia to rebuild the local roads and other infrastructure. Speaking to a group of Armenian journalists last week, Saakashvili called for the establishment of closer economic ties between the two neighboring countries. "Developing without each other would not be rational, natural or right," he said. 4) Kurdish Rebel Ceasefire Meets with Chilly Reaction in Turkey ANKARA (AFP)--Turkish officials snubbed a decision by the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for a one-month ceasefire, as analysts predicted no breakthroughs in the conflict that continues to burden Ankara as it prepares for accession talks with the European Union. The PKK's decision to stop armed action until September 20 followed a landmark pledge by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week to resolve the Kurdish problem with "more democracy" and mounting calls by civic groups on the PKK to lay down arms. Government officials refused to comment on the cancellation of a news conference by the PKK's political wing KONGRA-GEL, which was scheduled to take place in Belgium. Kurdish sources, however, described the move as Turkish pressure on Belgium. The PKK has fought Ankara since 1984, and is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Turkey as well as the EU and the United States. "It is out of the question for us to comment on this issue," said Akif Beki, Erdogan's spokesman. A senior foreign ministry official, who requested anonymity, stated that "those people are terrorists and it is not possible for us to qualify their actions either as positive or negative." Ankara has meticulously avoided any move that could imply recognition of the PKK. "We will closely watch the developments in this one-month period. We will give time to Prime Minister Erdogan's well-intended efforts," KONGRA-GEL head Zubeyir Aydar told the pro-Kurdish MHA news agency. The PKK has markedly intensified attacks on the army in the past several months since calling off a five-year unilateral truce in June 2004 on the grounds that Ankara did not respond in kind. Turkish officials have also blamed the PKK for several deadly bomb blasts in Istanbul and tourist resorts, but the rebels have denied responsibility, putting the blame on a radical splinter group. In Diyarbakir, the central city of the mainly Kurdish southeast, Kurdish activists who had urged an unconditional truce expressed disappointment with the one-month ceasefire but kept their hopes alive that it could help build confidence between Ankara and the rebels. "The announcement falls short of our expectations, but a partial ceasefire will end the fighting and should be seen as a beginning, an opening for a resolution of the conflict," Mesut Bestas, a senior local politician, told AFP. Analysts were less optimistic. Political scientist Dogu Ergil said the PKK move was "political blackmail" aimed at extracting concessions from Ankara as it gears up for accession talks with the EU on October 3. "The PKK has no genuine political agenda," he said. "Its real concern is to secure an amnesty for its militants and get [jailed PKK leader Abdullah] Ocalan out of prison." Ismet Berkan, editor-in-chief of the Radikal daily, said the army was unlikely to stop cracking down on the PKK, which would give the rebels an easy pretext to renew armed action. "It is inconceivable for the army to stop operations against militants up in the mountains who possess hundreds of kilograms of explosives and mines," he wrote in anticipation of the ceasefire announcement. The conflict has claimed some 37,000 lives since 1984, when the PKK took up arms for Kurdish self-rule in the southeast. The brutal state response led to gross human rights breaches on both sides and opened a wide confidence gap between Ankara and the Kurds, who make up about a fifth of Turkey's 70-million population. Anxious to boost its EU membership bid, Ankara has ended 15 years of emergency rule in the southeast and allowed the Kurdish language to be taught at private courses and used in public broadcasts over the past several years. Even though the reforms are believed to have diminished popular support for the PKK, Kurdish activists say Ankara should further expand the minority's freedoms. 5) ECHR Fines Turkey for 'Freedom of Expression' STRASBOURG (BIA)-- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) handed Turkey a fine of 400,000 dollars in damages so far this year in legal cases about freedom of expression and fair trial. The court fined Turkey 166,000 dollars in similar cases last year. The ECHR ruled that Turkey should pay 20,500 dollars in damages to Socialist Part (SP) leader Dogu Perincek; a total of 36,100 dollars to Gunluk Emek newspaper's chief editor Ahmet Ergin and owner Halit Keskin, and 116,200 dollars to Ilkay Adali, the wife of journalist Kutlu Adali who was killed in northern Cyprus, among other people. Since 2004, Turkey has been fined 557,554 dollars in damages for violating article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which oversees freedom of expression, article 6/1, which calls for a fair trial, and article 2, which concerns not "investigating enough" journalist deaths. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Aug 23 2005
Postponed Armenian conference on again
ISTANBUL – A conference on Armenians which was postponed due to sharp
reactions in the media and the government has been rescheduled for
23-25 September at Bosporus University, Istanbul. Bosporus University
is a state university.
The preparation committee for the conference has decided to limit its
comments on the conference to strictly official ones. Likewise, the
Rector of Bosporus University, Dr. Ayse Soysal, has said she does not
want to say anything in advance of the late September date.
“Ottoman Era Armenians During the Collapse of the Empire”
The conference, entitled “Ottoman Era Armenians During the Collapse
of the Empire: Intellectual Responsibility and Democratic Problems,”
wasoriginally supposed to run between May 25-27.
The participants in the Armenian conference will include professors
from Bosphorus and Sabanci Universities, as well as Turkish academics
who work at universities from prestigious universities from around
the world. However the Conference Committee did not invite the
well-known Turkish Armenian researchers who advocate Turkish
perspective on Armenian issue, including Prof. Dr. Turkkaya Ataov,
Prof. Dr. Mim Kemal Oke, Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortayli etc.
Lasting two days, with 12 sessions, and featuring the participation
of 38 academics, the conference will have panels like “Deportation
and Massacre,” “Disaster and Rescue Stories,” “Memories and
Witnesses,” “Things the World Knew that Turkey did not Know.”
Dr. Nilgun Gulcan said the conference is not scientific but like a
religious ceremony: `All say the same thing. They do not want listen
any opposing word. They just invited the academicians from the same
groups. They cannot organize a similar conference in Yerevan,
California or Lyon. The Armenian extremist do not allow such a
conference. Yerevan even did not allow a Turkish historian to make
archive studies’ she added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

From: “Katia M. Peltekian”
Subject: ALIYEV: Parliamentary elections in cannot turn to Orange Revolution
Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 23 2005
Ilham Aliyev: `Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan cannot turn to
an `orange’ revolution’

23 August 2005 [10:53] – Today.Az

Future parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan cannot turn to an
`orange’ revolution, Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani leader said in an
interview for Russian Newsweek magazine titled `Ilham Aliyev: «The
most important – to take a balance».
Taking questions from Leonid Parfenov, a writer of the magazine, the
head of state said that he parliamentary elections cannot turn to
`orange revolution’ due to some reasons. «Firstly, Azerbaijan is
presidential country and even the changes in forces in the parliament
the do not mean the changes in policy. Secondly, the nation has
confidence in the reforms. Over the past 6 months the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) grew 17%, while over one and half year of my term in
power minimal salaries grew thrice and it is not the limit, the
public budget rose 60%. Thirdly, the peculiarities of the opposition
in difference to other countries of CIS are as follows it was in
power in 1992-1993 and collapsed. Over 10 years Azerbaijan has seen
the same people with the same position. So, there are not real terms
for state d’coup in Azerbaijan,’ Aliyev underscored.
The same time the President noted that a successful country is not
built without state control, no matter ho many hydrocarbons are in
the country. «This is my deep conviction and one of priorities in my
political activities. When 40% of people live out poverty, while a
year and half it was roughly 50% the democratization is not the theme
which worries people first of all. Azerbaijan is also concerned in
the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, unemployment, corruption. However,
the problems cannot be resolved out of the democratic developments.
This is the world tendency and it is inevitable. The best variant is
to lead the processes,’ he underlined.
According to Aliyev, to date the level of development of the
Azerbaijani society, of course does not allow to apply the political
standards of the West Europe and North America. However, it is
possible to pursue a development policy, current non-readiness cannot
justify the maintenance of such situation. For a man well aware of
real world, the reverse direction is conservatism and isolation of
the country – is simply fatal.
Touching upon the presidential elections in Azerbaijan in autumn of
2003 Aliyev noted that understanding its loss in the presidential
elections, the opposition did not want to recognize it and took an
attempt on forced accession to power. «They accuse us in
overreaction, while the attacked on them and lorries ran over police.
The then break was a forced action. I am for a dialogue at table and
in the street. But how will the opposition behave on the elections
day and after the elections? They are actually the last chance for
those who sit chairs of `staff opposition’ for 10-15-years, Aliyev
underlined.
«We do not have any anxieties and our openness for the West – the
United States and Europe, means multi-billion American and English
investments, our active participation in the anti-terror fighting is
not a favorable state, but policy for the interests of the nation. In
the first year of the post-Soviet period Azerbaijan turned out a
country with spectral perspectives: civil war, occupation of Karabakh
by Armenia, and without integration into the world and western
investments we would never survive. We well understand it,’ the
Azerbaijani leader noted.
Touching upon the foreign political orientation of Baku Aliyev said,
«In difference to Armenia we are not advanced post of anyone. We hold
a real and independent policy and it is well in regard to neighbors.
In general, the most important in our region is the maintenance of
the balance. We have mutual trust relationships with Iran, for
instance we a Consulate in Tebriz, the center of South Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has a global problem, awaiting its resolution – the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. In the context
of its resolution we could consider the variants for more active
military integration and only. Maybe, it is easy to have a political
patron, `elder brother’ – old or new, but it would never meet the
interests of Azerbaijan.
In the conclusion Aliyev noted that he easily imagines himself out of
the politics. «It is necessary to think over it, as the life does not
end with the power,’ the President underlined. (Trend)
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #148, 23/08/2005
Karabakh diary
KARABAKH CANNOT GET SIDETRACKED
The Central Electoral Committee of Nagorno Karabakh called the appeal of the
Azerbaijani CEC to the people of Karabakh on the eve of parliamentary
elections a violent intervention in the inner affairs of sovereign Artsakh.
A statement by NKR CEC reads, “Azerbaijan is empowered neither with legal
nor especially with moral right to call on the Artsakhi people to take part
in elections in the republic. The people of Nagorno Karabakh realizes its
electoral right in accordance with the constitution of NKR, exclusively
within the frontiers of its own state, which secures its social and civil
rights.
The official Baku, which organized and carried out mass killings and
eviction of hundreds of thousands Armenians in former Soviet Azerbaijan and
provoked large-scale war against NKR and its people, now tries to play a
protector of the rights of people of Nagorno Karabakh. Such a stance is even
more impudent when considered the neglect to basic rights of Artsakhi
people, including the right of self-determination, the seizure of a
considerable part of NKR territory, the everlasting blockade of NKR and the
creation of atmosphere of intolerance against Armenians. Azerbaijan, which
violates the constitutional rights and liberties of its own citizens, cannot
guarantee security for the elementary rights of life and dignity of NKR
citizens. This proves that the people of Karabakh has chosen right and
irreversible path of independent development.
The people of Karabakh has its own state that declared its independence on 6
January of 1992 in accordance with a national referendum held earlier. The
population of Nagorno Karabakh, whose civil rights are documented in the
constitution of NKR and are pronouncedly protected, is actively involved in
the inner political life of the republic, in strengthening and further
development of civil and state institutions, including the National Assembly
of NKR. During the years of independence Nagorno Karabakh has organized 3
presidential, 4 parliamentary and 3 elections to local governance bodies.
International observers found all of them transparent, free and just”.
The statement calls on Azerbaijan at the same time to refrain from
groundless statements that mislead the world community and to direct its
efforts to a constructive dialogue aiming to establish stability in the
region and to achieve peaceful coexistence of the two people.
The head of CEC of NKR, Sergey Nasibian, told daily Azg on occasion of the
statement that this step of Azerbaijan is directed to the inner audience, as
the neighboring state is perhaps anxious about the forthcoming elections on
November 6. Azerbaijan has carried many elections in the course of a
decade-long confrontation but this was the first time it employs such
tactics. This, perhaps, speaks well of the authorities’ fears as regards
inner instability of the country.
By Kim Gabrielian from Stepanakert
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x137
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Monday, August 22, 2005
On Thursday, August 18, 2005, Léna Balsan, Mayor of the French city of
Valence, met with AGBU President Berge Setrakian in New York at the
AGBU Central Office to discuss matters of mutual interest concerning
Armenians in France, particularly those in the Rhône Valley.
Balsan was involved in the development of the Armenian Heritage Center
(), which opened on July 11, 2005, and is
the first of its kind in France. Located in the heart of Valence, the
center houses extensive information about the history, exile and
integration of the country’s Armenian population into the fabric of
the French nation. Since the 1920s, the town of Valence has been home
to a significant French Armenian community making up 10% of its
population.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with
an annual budget of $26 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35
countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INVESTMENTS IN BTA INVEST BANK TO MAKE 30 MLN DOLLARS BY LATE 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, NOYAN TAPAN. On August 22, the presentation of BTA
Invest Bank (former Midinvestbank) took place. 48.9% of the bank
shares were acquired by Turan Alem Bank (Kazakhstan) in May
2005. According to Eric Sultankulov, Turan Alem Bank’s Financial
Director, it is envisaged to make investments of about 30 mln USD by
late 2005, including 10 mln USD in the sphere of mortgage crediting.
It was noted that as of June 30, BTA Invest Bank’s assets made 1 bln
118.9 mln drams (about 2.4 mln USD), its overall capital – 878.8 mln
drams with the authorized capital of 1.1 bln drams. To recap, under
CBA normatives, starting July 1, the minimum amount of the authorized
capital of the Armenian banks shall be 5 mln US dollar (in drams). The
assets of Turan Alem Bank – BTA Invest Bank’s biggest investor – make
about 5.5 bln USD, with its own capital exceeding 600 mln USD. The
bank’s partners are BTA-Kazan (Russia), BTA Trans Bank (Ukraine),
Astana Eximbank (Belarus) and BTA Silk Road Bank (Georgia). Besides
Turan Alem Bank, BTA Invset Bank’s shareholders are the Austrain
company ZRL (31.1%) and the Kazakhstanian-Armenian company Mobilex
(20%).

Azartac news agency, Baku
22 Aug 05
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the president of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE], Rene van der
Linden, at the presidential palace on 22 August.
The head of state recalled his meeting with Linden in Warsaw and said
that the meeting, which was important, discussed a number of issues of
mutual interest. The president noted that a lot was being done to
democratize society and expressed the hope that during the visit the
PACE head will familiarize himself with the developments in the
country.
Linden expressed his support for the process of reforms conducted by
the Council of Europe in the country. He noted that the resolution of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is the most
important issue for Azerbaijan and voiced his satisfaction with the
steps taken to resolve the conflict peacefully.
He noted that he had discussed the issue with the Armenian side during
his visit to Armenia and expressed the hope that the conflict will
soon be settled.
The meeting discussed a range of other issues of mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Sevres bill

Yerkir/arm
19 Aug 05

The Sevres Treaty, signed August 10, 1920, has been a subject of
discussions for years. For decades, the Armenian political thought has
been disputing over this document considered as an achievement by the
First Republic of Armenia.
On the one hand, the Sevres Treaty was declared a document that
recognized the free, independent and united Armenia internationally;
on the other hand, it was seen as a document affirming the West’s
imperialistic claims, and thus having no value. Before the Soviet
totalitarian regime was brought down, Yerevan’s position over the
Treaty was negative; nowadays, the reviving of the Sevres bill has
been included in the foreign policy agenda.
The dire history of the regional and international developments is
known: Kemal’s campaigning was unfolding, the anti-Armenian pact of
Lenin and Kemal was in place, the US Senate voted against the Armenian
mandate, the great powers refused to fulfill many of their
commitments, the Republic of Armenia was forced into Soviet rule, the
Armenian territories were annexed by Kemal’s troops, the Turkish
Republic was declared. All these events led to the Lausanne Treaty of
1923.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________ ________________
ALERT UPDATE – ARMENIA
22 August 2005
Anthropology student Yektan Turkyilmaz released
SOURCE: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London
**Updates IFEX alert of 5 August 2005**
(WiPC/IFEX) – Yektan Turkyilmaz, a PhD student of cultural anthropology held
in Armenia since mid-June, was released from prison with a suspended
sentence on 16 August 2005. The Malatia-Sebastia district court in the
capital, Yerevan, convicted Turkyilmaz on two counts of attempting to take
antique books out of the country. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL), the decision not to imprison him was made at the request
of state prosecutors who cited Turkyilmaz’s partial acknowledgement of guilt
and his cooperation with investigators. The prosecutor also said
Turkyilmaz’s youth was a reason for leniency. He is required to stay in
Armenia until 30 August and will from then on be free to travel to and from
the country.
Turkyilmaz, aged 33, was arrested at Yerevan Airport on 17 June as he
attempted to leave Armenia. During his visit, he had purchased around 100
books, from the 17th to 20th centuries, mainly from second-hand book shops.
Turkyilmaz has been collecting such books for his own research as well as to
build up a library of Armenian books that would otherwise be lost.
Turkyilmaz claims that he was unaware of legislation that bans the removal
from the country of books more than 50 years old without the Ministry of
Culture’s approval. RFE/RL reports that this new law, which came into force
in January, deals with the smuggling of items of “cultural-historical
value”, as well as narcotics and weapons.
A Duke University representative who was present at the trial welcomed the
news that Turkyilmaz, who will be studying on a scholarship at the
university later this year, will be able to continue his studies on Armenian
issues. Duke University had been among a number of academic institutions
world-wide that had questioned the arrest and lengthy pre-trial detention of
Turkyilmaz, and in particular the fact that he was convicted under a law
that provided up to eight years in prison. Concerns were heightened by
reports that the focus of the interrogation of Turkyilmaz had been on his
academic studies and political beliefs. Turkyilmaz told the press he was
delighted at being released and looks forward to continuing his studies.
For the full RFE/RL report and details of academic institutions’ campaigns
on his behalf, visit
Also see the website dedicated to his case at
For further information, contact Sara Whyatt, the WiPC, International PEN,
9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K., tel: +44
207 253 3226, fax: +44 207 253 5711, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of
WiPC. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
WiPC.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress