Author: Emil Lazarian

Recognizing Karabakh independence is optimal solution – CIS assembly official
Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
11 May 04
Stepanakert, 11 May: “The recognition of Nagornyy Karabakh’s
independence is an optimal model of the settlement of the conflict,”
deputy of the secretary general of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly,
Feliks Khushchyan announced to journalists.
He expressed regret that after the signing of the Bishkek agreement
10 years ago the Interparliamentary Assembly was left within the
framework of the settlement process.
In connection with the new Azerbaijani leadership’s proposal on
starting the negotiations from the scratch, in particular, he stressed
that “they will be forced to reckon with the realities of modern life”.
Regarding the possibilities of including Karabakh parliamentarians
in the process of settlement of the conflict, Feliks Khushchyan noted
that he is not supportive of that, for the parliamentarians are always
pushing the process forward, but there are cases when this potential
must be used. “In a word, any option to reach the problem’s solution
must be taken into consideration,” deputy of the secretary general
of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Strengthened army capable of liberating Karabakh – Azeri leader
Lider TV, Baku,
13 May 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is continuing his
visit to the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic. At an opening ceremony of
a new corps at military unit N yesterday, the head of state said that
Azerbaijan is ready to liberate its land from the enemy at any minute.
[Correspondent over video of the ceremony, soldiers marching,
Aliyev addressing servicemen] President Ilham Aliyev, who attended
the ceremony to open the corps at military unit N, presented the new
corps with a combat flag.
Delivering a speech, the head of state spoke about the work done in
Azerbaijan over the past several years to develop the army. He said
that the army is one of the attributes of independence.
[Passage omitted: Aliyev criticized the authorities who were in power
before 1993 for shortcomings in the army development]
[Correspondent] But the time is different now and an Azerbaijani
soldier is very different. He said that the Azerbaijani army is capable
of liberating Karabakh and as a commander-in-chief, he believed in
the strength of the army.
[Aliyev] The Azerbaijani people will never put up with the loss of
the land. If we see that the negotiations do not yield any results,
we will use all our means to liberate our land. For this, a strong
army, patriotism, the unity and the will of the people are needed. We
have all this.
[Servicemen are clapping]
[Correspondent] The head of state familiarized himself with the unit’s
canteen. Interested in the conditions servicemen were living in,
the president decided to have his supper with them.
President Ilham Aliyev also attended a ceremony to open an electronic
library at the Naxcivan State University.
[Passage omitted: video shows Aliyev asking a student how he uses
the library; Aliyev attended the branch of the Academy of Sciences’
in Naxcivan where he delivered another speech; no details]
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:
FM OSKANIAN ATTENDS COUNCIL OF EUROPE MINISTERIAL SESSION,
HOLDS TALKS ON KARABAKH
Minister Oskanian attended the 114th Ministerial Session of the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg on May 12 and 13.
Over two days the Minister met with the Council of Europe leadership, held
several bilateral meetings, and delivered a statement at the Session.
In the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister met Azerbaijan¹s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamadyarov, under the aegis of the Minsk Group co-Chairmen,
to continue the consultations which had begun in Prague a month ago on
looking for common ground based on which the sides can resume negotiations.
They agreed to meet again in June.
The Minister¹s meetings within the Council of Europe structures included
extensive talks with Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, Peter Schieder, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly, Bruno Haller, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the members of the Council of Europe¹s
Monitoring Group which follows Armenia¹s completion of its membership
commitments, known as the Ago Group.
With the Council of Europe officials, the Minister discussed the recent
resolution passed by PACE on Armenia¹s domestic situation. He thanked the
leadership for reaffirming that the opposition must leave the streets and
enter into a dialog in Parliament. He also reaffirmed Armenia¹s willingness
to address the issues raised by the Resolution. Finally, he indicated the
importance of receiving reliable, comprehensive information from Yerevan in
order for accurate conclusions and perceptions to be formed in Strasbourg.
In the margins of the Ministerial Session, the Minister met with the foreign
ministers of Georgia and Norway. Norway has just assumed the chairmanship of
the Council of Europe.
The Minister also met with Ireland¹s Deputy Foreign Minister, who informed
the Minister of the decision taken the previous day by the Irish EU
Presidency to recommend to the European Union Council of Ministers to
consider inclusion of Armenia and the other two Caucasus republics in the
EU¹s Wider Europe, New Neighborhood Initiative.
Minister Oskanian also met with members of the Council of Europe¹s Ago
Group, now headed by Ambassador Mats Aberg of Sweden. He responded to their
questions regarding the domestic situation in Armenia and provided other
information on Armenia¹s completion of Council of Europe commitments.
Minister Oskanian, in his statement delivered to the Committee of Ministers,
spoke about the need to convene the third Council of Europe Summit so that
heads of state can address the changing role of the Council of Europe in
light of an enlarged Europe, an expanding NATO and other European and global
challenges. He reiterated Armenia¹s support of reforms to the European Court
of Human Rights convention. During the session, the Minister signed Protocol
14 of the European Convention on Human Rights which reforms the Court¹s
ability to deal with repeat cases, with unmeritorious applications and
provides new admissibility criteria.
The entire text of the Minister¹s statement appears below.
STATEMENT BY
H.E. VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AT THE 114TH SESSION OF THE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
May 12, 2004
Strasbourg
Secretary General,
Dear Colleagues,
Each year, the focus of this organization and its member states remains the
same: to enhance democratization and rule of law so that governments can
nurture healthy societies and healthy economies.
Together with the OSCE and the European Union, the Council has worked hard
to institute programs which protect human rights, promote environmental and
economic progress, and advance democratization agendas. Armenia supports
deeper cooperation among these three European institutions, and advocates
the creation of mechanisms to increase effectiveness and minimize
duplication especially in light of the new definitions and relationships
that are appearing with an enlarged and widening Europe.
Unfortunately, some of what has emerged presents a quandary for mankind. We
thought human slavery was behind us. But Europe of the 21st century has been
stained by the scourge of human trafficking. With the dangers of terrorism,
too, and its threat to break up the international order as we¹ve known it,
we recognize even more that the only real defense against these mass
challenges to the principles and precepts that guide us is the deepening of
the rules of democracy and civil society, so that each individual gains from
that system and thus becomes more willing to defend and propagate that
system. We welcome, therefore, the reform of the European Court on Human
Rights. We will sign the protocol 14 tomorrow as one step forward for the
protection of human rights in Armenia and in Europe.
In order to provide the necessary attention and focus these issues require,
we would hope for a third Council of Europe Summit, where at the core of the
agenda would be the new menaces and new challenges which occupy our
attention and demand our resources. An enlarged European Union, an enlarging
NATO, evolving transatlantic interactions, this is the context against which
our heads of state should meet and carve out a new vision for a Council of
Europe that was born in one era, and now must lead in another.
Our search for deeper relations with Europe has, for us in the Caucasus,
become both cause and effect. This process is a continuum that began when we
targeted Council of Europe membership as a goal. We benefited from that
process, as we continue to benefit from membership itself which jumpstarted
and quickened legislative, judicial and other reforms. Today, we are looking
forward to becoming part of Europe¹s New Neighborhood and creating our own
cooperative and integrated neighborhood.
It is the same with democratization. The decision to transition to a
democratic, rule of law system of governance was a significant step. The
process of accomplishing that goal is an ongoing one, for all countries.
Mr. Chairman, I recall my first statement here, immediately after Armenia¹s
membership. I said then that we have become members not so that we would
bring our problems to this Council, but to use the Council to address our
problems. This is the first time that my Azerbaijani colleague and I are
both using this forum to meet in the sidelines and seek common ground, from
which I hope we can defend the rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination, while resolving the other consequences of the conflict
which continue to cause pain and suffering to both Armenians and
Azerbaijanis.
Exactly 10 years ago today, the leaders of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and
Azerbaijan demonstrated the necessary political will to put a stop to years
of fighting, and to institute what is today the longest, and the only,
self-monitored ceasefire in the world. Today, as we meet under the aegis of
the Minsk Group co-Chairs, we have a chance to exhibit political will yet
again, and in this second decade, take our peoples forward toward a lasting
resolution.
I will use the opportunity today of meeting here with my new Azerbaijani
colleague to call for a de-escalation of the rhetoric of war, and the war of
rhetoric. Both sides stand to benefit from the suspension of charges and
accusations. The Europe of which we are a part is a Europe without borders
and barriers. This Europe presents us the opportunity to take advantage of
the mechanisms and institutions that have been developed and have proven
themselves in defending, promoting, implementing European ideals and
European norms.
Mr. Chairman, we hope to return to this forum, proud of our accomplishments
not just in establishing a vibrant democracy, but also in making possible
prosperity and cooperation in our region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan determined to get back occupied territory – president
Interfax
May 13 2004
Nakhichevan. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said Azerbaijan will not put up with the occupation of its
lands and will ensure they are liberated.
“The Azerbaijani army is strong and is capable of solving any problem,”
Aliyev told servicemen while opening a new garrison in Nakhichevan
on Wednesday.
“Our people can restore the country’s territorial integrity at any
moment. International law gives us this right,” he said.
Aliyev said the army must be strengthened, given that part of the
country’s territory is under Armenian occupation.
Azerbaijan’s economic development will make money available for
enhancing the army’s combat readiness, Aliyev said.
He said that as before Azerbaijan believes the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict can be settled peacefully.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 13 2004
Parliament News
Speaker meets German MPs
On Monday, Murtuz Alasgarov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (parliament),
received members of the German-Caucasus parliamentarian group of
the German Bundestag who visited Baku on Sunday. Pointing to the
successful economic cooperation between the two countries, Alasgarov
stressed the necessity to increase the turnover of goods.
The speaker also elaborated on the problems that the country is
currently facing. K. Berger, head of the German delegation, noted
that the close cooperation between the two countries would continue
in the future. During the meeting it was also mentioned that Germany
had rendered Euro 270 million worth of assistance to Azerbaijan so far.
Of the sum, Euro 130 million was allocated as part of bilateral
cooperation and the remainder as part of cooperation with the European
Union. The German delegation left Baku on Tuesday first for Georgia
and then Armenia.
Monument to Heydar Aliyev unveiled A monument to Heydar Aliyev
was unveiled in a ceremony at the building of the Milli Majlis
(parliament) on Friday attended by President Ilham Aliyev. Addressing
the event, Murtuz Alasgarov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Ali Ahmadov,
Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, and MPs spoke
about Heydar Aliyev’s activities in the protection of the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, its comprehensive development and recognition
by the international community, as well as in the implementation
of huge economic projects. President Aliyev stressed that the
aim of Heydar Aliyev’s policy was to turn Azerbaijan into the most
dynamically developed country of the region. He also underlined that
the country would not encounter serious problems if Heydar Aliyev’s
policy continued. The monument to the late Azerbaijani President was
designed by sculptor Omar Eldarov.
Draft law “On alternative military service” discussed Despite
widespread public disapproval, a draft law “On alternative services”
will be passed shortly in compliance with Council of Europe
recommendations, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis
and Chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on defense
and security issues Ziyafat Asgarov. The draft law is expected to be
put on the parliament’s agenda shortly. The bill proposes alternative
military service in private institutions instead of regular military
service. The new bill also envisions extending the duration of military
service. The draft law has triggered the disapproval of the public
and many military men in view of the fact that a number of Azerbaijani
provinces remain under Armenian occupation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 13 2004
PACE rapporteur welcomes presidential amnesty
President Ilham Aliyev received Malcolm Bruce, the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur on political
prisoners, on Tuesday.
Expressing his pleasure with the May 10 presidential decree to pardon
363 prisoners, Bruce appreciated President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings in
Strasbourg and his speech at the spring session of PACE on April 29.
Stressing that the democratization process in the country and the
latest amnesty act will help in the settling of the Upper Garabagh
conflict and the gaining of acceptance and support for Azerbaijan’s
standpoint towards the conflict, the PACE rapporteur said that
Azerbaijan was taking constructive steps in this respect.
Appreciating the discussion of different issues, including the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Garabagh at the Council of
Europe (CE) over the past three years, President Aliyev said that the
conflict presented a serious threat to not only to Azerbaijan, but
also to the region. Stressing that his country will continue to
cooperate with the CE in the future, Aliyev said: “The constructive
cooperation testifies to our deserved partnership.” On the first day
of his visit, the PACE rapporteur visited some jails to meet with
those considered as political prisoners. Bruce will wrap up his Baku
visit on Wednesday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Age, Australia
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
May 13 2004
Mistake burdens officials
The president of the Australian Weightlifting Federation, Sam Coffa,
has accepted part of the blame for an “outrageous” blunder that
resulted in Australia having just one men’s representative in the
sport for Athens.
The men’s team finished second to the tiny island nation of Nauru
at last week’s Oceania championships in Fiji and will take its
smallest-ever weightlifting team to an Olympic Games.
The Australian women’s team finished first in Suva and qualified
one lifter.
The ignominy of the men losing out to a country of 11,300 people was
compounded by the fact coaches left behind a lifter ranked No. 1 in
the world – because they thought Australia would qualify first anyway.
“The one or two lifters needed to get us over the line were left
behind,” Coffa said yesterday.
“This was following advice from our coaching panel that we had enough
buffer to take us over the line and it didn’t prove to be the case.
“I won’t apportion the blame to anyone in particular but we are all
guilty and that includes me.”
Sergo Chakhoyan, currently training in Armenia and rated world No. 1
in the 85 kilograms class, was the weightlifter told he was not
required.
With his bronze medal in the clean and jerk at last year’s world
championships, he pre-qualified for the Games and he’ll now fill the
sole men’s spot for Australia. Nauru will take two lifters.
The bungle left Chris Rae, who won the 105 kilograms-plus class in
Suva, a shattered man.
The 23-year-old Sydney Olympian was in line to fill the second spot
pending results at the Games selection trials in Melbourne in June.
“It’s a huge error. It’s devastating for me and it has cost me the
chance of making the Olympics,” Rae said.
“The coaching staff said we didn’t need him (Chakhoyan) but the result,
where no athlete performed exceptionally badly and we still lost,
has proved the coaching staff has made a mistake.
“I thought it was odd – even on paper (before the Oceania
championships) it looked like the Australians weren’t going to win.
“For us to lose the position is a massive blow to me and it hurts to
know not picking the best team has probably cost me a chance to go
to a second Olympics.”
Rae is second in the Australian selection criteria for Athens and was
confident of qualifying for the Games, at which he said a top-10 spot
had been on the cards.
Australian coach Luke Borreggine refused to comment about the selection
mistake yesterday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UKRAINE, ARMENIA FIRM TO FURTHER DEVELOP TIES
ArmenPress
May 12 2004
KIEV, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Ukrainian prime minister Viktor Yanukovich
told the visiting Armenian counterpart, Andranik Margarian on
Tuesday that Kiev was satisfied with the level of cooperation with
Armenia. Speaking to a joint news conference after the session of a
joint Ukrainian-Armenian inter-governmental commission on economic
cooperation, the Ukraine’s prime minister said a significant progress
has been achieved since the two governments decided to boost their
trade, economic and other ties. He said the trade turnover between
the two countries grew by 1.4 times last year and this figure is
expected to double this year.
Yanukovich said the main focus in his talks with Margarian was that
sweeping measures should be applied to eliminate all obstacles to
developing partnership relations, the major one of which is transport
communication.
Yanukovich said Ukraine is planning to take part in the construction
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. “We have sufficient resources and
technical means for that,” he said.
Andranik Margarian said that the construction of the pipeline
would become a very promising pattern of bilateral cooperation with
Ukraine. He said “technical consultations are being conducted with
the Iranian side now” after which decisions will be made on funding
and selection of contractors through tenders. “Ukraine will have a
chance to participate in them,” Andranik Margarian said.
Prime minister Margarian also both governments will continue to
elaborate around 60 bilateral documents to facilitate relations between
the two nations. Margarian also invited his Ukrainian counterpart to
visit Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN TERMS OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ARMENIA IS ON PAR WITH SOME EU
MEMBERS, OFFICIAL SAYS
ArmenPress
May 12 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Deputy parliament chairman Tigran Torosian
reiterated today that there is no alternative to Armenia’s integration
with Europe. In a keynote speech at the presentation of “Wider Europe-
New Neighborhood Policy” initiative, organized by the Armenian-European
Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC) and moderated by Per Gahrton,
member of the European Parliament and a special rapporteur on the South
Caucasus, Torosian admitted that Armenia has still a lot to do and to
carry out a range of reforms to make its judiciary, local management
bodies and constitution comply with accepted European standards, but
argued that in terms of the current level of democracy and observance
of human rights Armenia is on par with some EU member countries. He
said Armenia’s membership in the EU will give it many privileges.
Per Gahrton said Armenia lacks geographic and economic commonalities
with the EU and added that in order to comply with EU membership
requirements Armenia must improve the level of democracy, human rights,
promote resolution of ecological problems, close its nuclear power
plant and get involved in all regional projects. Another condition,
according to him, is that Armenia must pull out its troops from some
Azeri regions, now under Armenian control and continue talks with
Azerbaijani president to end the confrontation. Garhton said the EU
would provide financial support to the sides to achieve these goals
and would exert also pressure on Russia and Turkey to facilitate
the process.
The aim of the presentation was to describe the EU’s notion and
spirit of the “Wider Europe – New Neighborhood Policy” initiative,
elaborate on the European Parliament Recommendation to the Council
on EU policy towards South Caucasus and what Armenia can expect from
the EU’s “Wider Europe – New Neighborhood Policy” initiative.
The event hosted members of the government, the National Assembly,
governors, heads and representatives of diplomatic representations
in Armenia, as well as international organizations located here.

Legacy of Trauma in Karabakh
Institute for War and Peace Reporting
may 12 2004
Armenian veterans continue to feel the shock of the conflict as if it
ended yesterday.
By Ashot Beglarian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 233, 12-May-04)
“This is how we live,” said Gennady, a weathered former soldier, as he
ushered us into a modest home furnished with only the bare essentials –
a table and a couple of chairs in the middle, and beds by the walls.
“I’ve never craved fame or wealth, and I never treasured life that
much, never feared death,” he told IWPR. “I just want my children to
live. And I pray to God that their lives will be different from ours.
We saw too much blood.”
Gennady is intense and gesticulates a lot when he speaks, but he
appears preoccupied rather than intimidating. “Sometimes dad’s mind
wanders off,” said his son, and Gennady himself did not disagree.
Ten years after a ceasefire was called, the Armenians of Nagorny
Karabakh still live in daily recollection of the war fought over their
territory. The memories are especially fresh among men – every male
between the ages of 18 and 45 was called up to fight.
Even though they ended up on the winning side, they have bad memories
of the war.
Zoya Mailian, a psychologist who often sees patients haunted by the
horrors of the war, said ex-combatants most commonly suffer from
chronic post-traumatic stress, which creates a range of psychiatric
disorders.
“The stress factor can hit you a few days, months or even years later,”
she explained. “In most cases, it makes itself felt through haunting
memories and recurring nightmares. Not infrequently, people suffering
from this kind of trauma lose interest in activities that made sense to
them before. Others may become wary to the point of paranoia, or very
tense and irritable. This condition can be treated by psychotherapy,
but it’s important to see a doctor at an early stage.”
War veteran Mikhail Sarkisian still hears the noises of war. “I was an
artillery gunner, and all that horrendous noise had a terrible effect
on me. Now I can’t stand the slightest sound. I’m very irritable.”
Sarkisian admitted that, “At times I have an inexplicable yearning
for the sound of an artillery barrage.”
Another veteran said, “Whenever I hear a noise, my arm seems to hear
it first – any sudden loud noise echoes with pain in my old bullet
wounds. It’s as if you expect a punch out of nowhere all the time. It
must be a subliminal memory of the Azerbaijani gunfire and bombardment,
which used to start out of the blue.”
Life in peacetime has hit many veterans hard as they have tried to
adjust to new conditions and find employment. Shortly before Karabakh
celebrated May 9, the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi
Germany, the local parliament passed a law granting a 20 per cent
pension raise worth between 700 and 2,000 dram (1.2-3.5 US dollars)
for former soldiers maimed on active service, as well as the families
of those killed. Invalids and families are expected to receive extra
help next year.
But this hasn’t cured the sense of alienation experienced by many
veterans.
“I’m so ashamed to be staying at home, looking after the kids while
my wife is at work. I don’t have a job,” said Gennady resignedly,
stroking his two sons’ hair.
As the years have gone by, veterans have had to cope with growing
indifference from the society around them.
In 2000, Nagorny Karabakh’s government launched a memorial campaign
entitled “No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten”, designed to
extend social benefits to all registered war veterans, including
those who fought as guerrillas before a regular army was formed in
1992. However, very few have benefited so far.
Sergei Khachikian, who received several combat awards, is unable to
find a steady job, and lives in poverty.
“I’ve been trying forever to renovate my place, which is pretty small
as you can see,” he complained. “It looks terrible, like a war ruin.
The government pledged some help, but nothing’s happened yet.”
Retired general Zhora Gasparian is adamant that veterans shouldn’t
wait for the government to help them, but should look after themselves.
“Laziness and reluctance to work causes a lot of problems,” he said.
“We have really good, fertile soil, but it needs care. I have retained
my love for farm work since my schooldays…and I still work hard,”
he said, displaying his hardened, blistered hands.
A career officer with 40 years of service behind him, Gasparian
receives a pension of 120 dollars from the government, which is
hardly enough to live on – certainly not if you want to live like
a general. But he manages, and also helps out several war-widowed
families. “We’ve got to help them in every way,” he said.
Major-General Vitaly Balasanian, who chairs the Union of Karabakh War
Veterans, believes the veterans do need help and recognition. “The
armed forces and the soldiers of yesterday – the army’s chief reserves
– must always be at the centre of the government’s attention. It is
important that our veterans are valued and esteemed by everyone,”
he said.
Karabakh remains unrecognised as a state, and the tense atmosphere of
“neither war nor peace” which has characterised the truce since 1994
has created a sense of continuing unease and sensitivity to any change
in the status quo.
Despite the reconstruction work, economic growth and improved living
standards seen over the last 10 years, the legacy of war continues
to make itself felt as people suffer from deprivation, the threat of
sniping along the ceasefire line, and unexploded mines.
Many people in Karabakh believe these problems – including the tough
situation facing veterans – can only be resolved properly once there
is a lasting peace deal in place – whenever that might happen.
Ashot Beglarian is a freelance journalist and regular IWPR contributor
in Stepanakert
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress