Author: Emil Lazarian

No hasty pullout of Russian bases from Georgia-defense minister
By Alexander Konovalov, Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
May 20, 2004 Thursday
YEREVAN, May 20 — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has ruled
out hurried withdrawal of Russian troops from the military bases
in Georgia.
“There can be no haste about the removal of Russian military bases
from Georgia. This is out of the question. There will be no repetition
of what happened in the early 90’s when Russian troops were removed
from Germany,” Ivanov said after talks with his Armenian counterpart
Serge Sarkisian. “To remove bases from Georgia Russia will need time
and great financial resources to create infrastructures at the troops’
new location in Russia.”
Of late, the process of talks on the removal of Russian military
from Georgia slowed down somewhat for objective reasons following
the change of governments in Russia and Georgia.
“As soon as new delegates are appointed, the negotiations on the
removal of bases will be continued. The talks concern pullout dates
and the status of bases, which are part of the Russian military group
in the Caucasus.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian lawyer reports mass arrests of opposition members
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
21 May 04
The leader of the International Union of Lawyers, Tigran Ter-Yesayan,
has said that the mass arrests of opposition representatives continued
all over the republic last night. A group of lawyers who assist him
did not manage to give legal advice to arrested opposition activists.
Ter-Yesayan told us that there were many cases when lawyers went
to police stations on request, but did not manage to give legal
advice to arrested people because they had already been sentenced to
administrative imprisonment. This makes us conclude that the court
hearings took place only at the police station.
Asked about his assessment of the mass arrests of opposition activists,
Tigran Yesayan replied: “Such actions by the law-enforcement agencies
are against the law. They are not envisaged in any law. This is
violence which demonstrates the authorities’ biased attitude towards
certain people, groups and even families.” Incidentally, Tigran
Ter-Yesayan is going to send information about yesterday’s arrests
to international organizations and foreign embassies in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri president, International Crisis Group leader discuss Karabakh
Assa-Irada, Baku
22 May 04
Baku, 21 May: The president of the International Crisis Group, Gareth
Evans, who was received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on 21
May, briefed him on his meetings at the Cabinet of Ministers and the
Foreign Ministry. He said that his organization is preparing a report
on the Nagornyy Karabakh problem and that he has held meetings with
the Georgian and Armenian leaderships over a solution to conflicts
in the South Caucasus.
President Ilham Aliyev approved of the organization’s interest in the
region and drew the guest’s attention to the fact that Azerbaijan
has about 1m refugees and displaced persons. Aliyev stressed the
importance of the international public’s close attention to the
Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.
Aliyev recalled that the OSCE and other international organizations
were involved in the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement. He said
if international organizations understand what is happening here, who
the aggressor is, what the consequences of the aggression are and who
keeps under occupation the lands that do not belong to them, then it
will become known that Armenia is the aggressor which has flagrantly
violated international legal norms, has occupied the Azerbaijani lands
and keeps them under occupation. According to him, if the international
public paid special attention to these points, it would be possible
to achieve a quick solution and strengthen security in the region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian lawmaker says government can solve the problems facing this ex-Soviet republic
AP Online
May 21, 2004
A top pro-government lawmaker on Friday insisted that only the ruling
coalition can solve the many problems facing this impoverished
ex-Soviet republic, while the opposition gathered about 6,000
supporters in the capital to call for President Robert Koncharian’s
resignation.
“We are confident in our ability to solve the problems standing before
Armenia,” said Vaan Ovannisian, the vice-speaker of the Armenian
parliament. “The opposition believes that they are the only ones
who can correctly … solve these problems. But they will never be
able to.”
Armenia’s opposition parties resumed their campaign of demonstrations
last week after talks with pro-government figures broke down.
An estimated 6,000 people gathered for a protest rally in the Armenian
capital, Yerevan, on Friday. It was the latest in a series of massive
gatherings that began in early spring. Another rally continued outside
the General Prosecutor’s Office calling for the release of what the
opposition says are at least 13 political prisoners.
Opposition leaders and top pro-government politicians in parliament had
been holding talks on the tensions, but the discussions dissolved in
disagreement over what topics to place on the talks’ agenda. Ovannisian
said that authorities will never agree to the demand that Koncharian
resign.
“The opposition has backed themselves into a corner from which it is
very hard to get out,” he said. “Now they are trying to expand the
crisis to include the whole republic.”
Meanwhile, the opposition Justice bloc criticized Armenian authorities
for failing to respect a resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe, which called for freeing those who were jailed
during previous rallies
Kocharian won a second term in presidential elections a year ago that
sparked mass protests. Opposition groups alleged widespread violations
in both rounds of the election.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Magazine: You are what you eat – Kristin Kapelli – She doesn’t just sing like
Mama Cass, she diets like her too, writes Melanie Morris
Irish Times
May 22, 2004
How big a foodie are you? ‘It’s my drug of choice. I’m from Denver,
Colorado, where we have four distinct seasons, so we get the best
variety of food – big roasts in winter, ice cream in summer. I love
to eat out and do so most of the time.’
Do you cook? ‘I can, but I’m not great, nor am I particularly
confident. I have about five staples – mostly Mexican food.’
What is your failsafe recipe? ‘Chilli con carne. The trick is to use
Batchelors chilli kidney beans, which come in a good zingy sauce. I
like really hot food, so I add lots of chilli powder and, for that
extra kick, some salsa.’
What’s in your fridge? ‘A cooked chicken, white cheddar, spinach,
carrots, celery and peanut butter (delicious together) and bananas –
they’re great when I’m hungry before a show. They give me energy.’
Do you entertain? ‘Yes, but I order take out, probably from a number
of places for a bit of variety on the night. And then we just hang
out – watch DVDs and talk, and then the singing starts.’
What is your favourite cookery programme? ‘Ready Steady Cook. It
gives you ideas on what to do with that dull chicken breast. And the
recipes are cheap, too – no fancy ingredients.’
Do you have you a sweet tooth? ‘Not really, until it comes to
brownies … the Betty Crocker ones. My friend Alan and I cook them
and polish off a tray at a time.’
What are your favourite restaurants? ‘The Trocadero is my absolute
favourite, especially when I’m really hungry after performing. I’m
always in Gruel, and I like Zaytoon for kebabs.’
What was your last meal? ‘About 10 minutes ago in Gruel. I had curried
cod chowder and a big ham sandwich.’
What’s the best hangover cure? ‘Chinese takeaway.’
Do you diet? ‘Not any more. And anyhow, if I wasn’t the size I am,
I wouldn’t have got this role. So I guess right now I’m on the Mama
Cass diet … without the drugs.’
What American foods do you miss? ‘Oh, how long do you
have? Butterfingers, Malted Milk Balls – your Maltesers don’t do
it for me, Hormel canned chilli con carne, hot tamales and American
chocolate.’
What would be your death-row last meal? ‘My mother’s Armenian
meatballs, fried and then baked with layers of tomato sauce and
grated cheese, served with sour cream and chive potatoes and corn
nibblets, followed by a big fudge brownie and ice cream. And because
singers aren’t usually allowed it, some cheese – Stilton with water
biscuits. And five cans of Miller.’
And finally Kristin, if you are what you eat, then you are … ‘Full
bodied.’
Kristin Kapelli stars in The Songs of Mama Cass in The Liberty Theatre,
Dublin from Tuesday, May 24th to Saturday, June 12th. Booking on
01-8721122 or
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russia won’t withdraw troops from Armenia
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 21 2004
RBC, 21.05.2004, Yerevan 10:01:19.Russia will not withdraw its military
base from Armenia, said Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian, ARKA
reports. “We have repeatedly said that we see bilateral relations with
Russia as part of our national security, and, naturally, the Russian
military base is in the sphere of our bilateral relations,” he said.
For his part, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said Russia did
not interfere in Armenia’s internal political affairs. “We have good,
frank and trust relations with Armenian authorities,” he stressed. “We
are building our relations with Armenia as with our strategic partner,
based on our cultural, historic, religious, military and political
ties, and we see Armenia as an ally,” Ivanov noted.
The 102nd military base is located at the town of Gyumri.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SHIRAK GOVERNOR ACCUSING GYUMRI MUNICIPALITY
A1 Plus | 14:32:00 | 21-05-2004 | Social |
Governor of Armenian quake-stricken province of Shirak Romik Manukyan
thinks the of apartment distribution process in Gyumri, the province’s
capital town, is already over.
However, many disputable issues connecting with illegal occupancy of
some apartments still remain.
The local authorities have appealed to the court to settle the matter.
Eighteen cases have already been heard and the court has made decision
in favor of the plaintiff. Illegal tenants will be driven from the
apartments, which will be given to those families chosen at local
government official discretion.
Governor says distribution of apartments was carried out in very tense
atmosphere caused by Gyumri mayor’s list of those in need of apartments
and doesn’t rule our possibility of finding false justifications and
forged papers submitted by Gyumri municipality.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI UNION DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Azadliq, Baku
20 May 04
Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 20
May headlined: “Occupying army should withdraw from Karabakh (sorry)
from Iraq”
The (left-of-centre) Union of Azerbaijanist Forces (UAF) expresses
its anger at the brutality being committed in Iraq and demands an
end to plunder and genocide. The occupiers must leave the country
and answer before international courts, the union said in a statement
disseminated yesterday.
The authors of the statement express their regret that the authorities,
a number of European-oriented parties and politicians are keeping
silent and called on the public not to be indifferent to the Iraqi
events. Stressing that an Azerbaijani contingent will also be named
amongst Europe’s military machine, the statement demands a withdrawal
of our troops from Iraq.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Le Point, France
20 Mai 2004
Droite
UMP : Marseille à marée basse
La déferlante de la gauche aux régionales a sapé le moral des
militants. Malaise.
Charles Jaigu
« Je ne suis pas certain que vous soyez hyperpassionnés par l’Europe
», concède le jeune député Bruno Gilles devant une quarantaine d’UMP
du comité de circonscription, réunis le jeudi 15 mai dans un local
tapissé d’affiches de Renaud Muselier. Il y a deux ans, le nouveau
secrétaire d’Etat aux Affaires étrangères a laissé sa place de député
de la 5e circonscription de Marseille à son jeune suppléant de 42
ans. Ce fief n’a pas mieux résisté que les autres à la déferlante de
la gauche aux élections régionales. « Michel Vauzelle a frôlé les 50
%, Muselier 38 %, et le FN, seulement 12 % », détaille un
responsable, encore abasourdi. « Pour nous, c’est une année noire.
Nous avons déjà tiré un trait sur 2004 », ajoute un autre.
Ici comme ailleurs, les UMP s’affichent rebelles. Le lundi de
Pentecôte non férié ? « Une bêtise ! » murmure-t-on dans les rangs.
Le mariage homosexuel ? Une femme aux cheveux argentés sort de sa
réserve : « Tu m’as demandé de te seconder dans la mairie de
quartier, lance-t-elle au député, moi je veux bien, mais alors jamais
je ne marierai des homos ; ça, jamais ! » Acquiescement général. Un
homme aux faux airs de Gaudin s’agace de la ligne brouillée du
gouvernement : « Ces reculades ! ça ne nous rapportera pas un vote. »
Et pour l’Europe ? Tout le monde semble d’accord sur un point : pas
de Turquie en Europe ! « S’ils reconnaissent le génocide arménien, ça
ira, on verra bien dans vingt ans », tempère une autre. « Et, quand
ils auront reconnu le génocide, on se cachera derrière quoi pour
refuser l’adhésion ? » s’enflamme un fonctionnaire de police. Vote à
main levée. Unanimité contre l’entrée de la Turquie.
On ne s’attarde pas sur la Constitution européenne. Deux tiers de la
salle sont pour le référendum. Après une heure de débat, cocktail
improvisé. Whisky-Coca et cacahouètes. Sur la table, certains
s’emparent des dossiers photocopiés sur l’Unedic ou les intermittents
du spectacle. Histoire de tenir bon, dehors, sous le feu des
critiques
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Minister Oskanian Visits Cyprus, Discusses Melkonian
Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian, paid a two
day working visit to the Republic of Cyprus on May 19 and 20, and
met with high level officials.
With his colleague, Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou, the two
discussed prospects for deeper bilateral relations, especially
in light of Cyprus’s membership in the European Union. The Cypriot
Foreign Minister expressed readiness to assist Armenia in its efforts
at European integration. The two ministers agreed that it is necessary
to bring the positive developments regarding the inclusion of Armenia
in the European Union’s Wider Europe – New Neighborhood Initiative
to their natural conclusion.
The Cypriot Foreign Minister discussed in detail the UN plan for
Cypriot reunification, and he stressed that the Greek Cypriot vote of
April 24 rejected the Annan plan and not the idea of reunification. He
reiterated that the Cypriot leadership remains ready for a negotiated
settlement for the island’s reunification.
Foreign Minister Oskanian outlined the recent discussions and meetings
that have taken place on the Nagorno Karabakh process, and also spoke
about Armenia’s internal situation.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister was received by the President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos as well as the President
of the Cypriot Parliament, Demetris Christofias. Minister Oskanian
reiterated the formal invitations made to both of them to visit
Armenia.
Minister Oskanian also met with the Cypriot Interior Minister,
Andreas Christou, and the Mayor of Nicosia Michalakis Zambelas. Among
other matters of mutual interest, they explored the situation of
the Melkonian Educational Institute. The Cypriot officials expressed
their concern about the possible future closing of the institution and
promised to do what they can in order for that educational institution
to continue to serve its mission.
The Minister and his delegation left Cyprus on Thursday, May 20,
to return to Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress