Author: Emil Lazarian

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
April 21 2004
FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS GERMAN COUNTERPART
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer now visiting
Azerbaijan, April 21 to discuss development of bilateral relations,
cooperation on a number of joint regional projects, settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorny Karabakh and other issues,
AzerTAj correspondent reports.
The Ministers then have held briefing for media representatives.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov announced
that during the one-on-one meeting with his German counterpart, they
focused on prospects of development of political, economic and
cultural relations between the two countries, Azerbaijan’s
integration into Europe, ways of solution to Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, cooperation in combating terrorism and
touched on other issues as well.
Asked by German journalist whether opening borders between Turkey and
Armenia can complicate the conflict’s resolution, Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov answered that during President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev’s recent official visit to Ankara this question had been
discussed with Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul, and It was
especially stressed that Turkey would not open its borders to Armenia
until the occupied Azerbaijani lands are released.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer described his
meeting Azerbaijani counterpart as very fruitful. He expressed
satisfaction with improvement of the level of German language
learning in Azerbaijan. Speaking of the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Mr. Fischer said Germany sharing the
stance of the European Union towards the problem is very interested
in establishment of stability in the region. He promised as well that
Germany would do its best to assist development of democracy in
Azerbaijan.
Responding to the question from AzerTAj reporter of Germany’s
position with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign
Minister said Germany wants the conflict to be settled as soon as
possible. Germany is one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, he said,
and we are aware of the existing difficulties. Mr. Fischer pointed
out the country is trying to contribute to the conflict’s resolution
in the framework of the Minsk group.
The Foreign Minister of Germany expressed satisfaction with human
rights situation in Azerbaijan mentioning the Decrees on Pardon
signed recently by President Ilham Aliyev and the work done in the
country for ensuring freedom of media. Mr. Fischer also described
activity of Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe and NATO `Partnership
for Peace Program’ as very positive factor.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
April 21, 2004, Wednesday
THE FUTURE OF KARABAKH IN THE HANDS OF MAJOR BUSINESSES[]
SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, April 19, 2004, p. 11
by Rauf Mirkadyrov
WASHINGTON IS OUT TO PREVENT NEW HOSTILITIES IN THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
AREA BEFORE THE BAKU – TBILISI – DZHEIKHAN PIPELINE IS TURNED ON
Baku and Yerevan openly discuss the possibility of renewed
hostilities in the Karabakh conflict area for the first time in a
decade. Defense minister of Azerbaijan said last week that a war
between Azerbaijan and Armenia could begin any minute and blamed
everything on the authorities of Armenia that he said were losing
control over the situation and letting the country slide into a
political crisis.
Some staff changes took place simultaneously within the framework of
the Karabakh talks. Elmar Memedjarov, a career diplomat and
ex-advisor to the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United States, became
foreign minister of Azerbaijan. Rudolph Perina, American chairman of
the Minsk OSCE Group for Karabakh, is about to be replaced with
Stephen Mann (US President’s envoy to the Caspian region), according
to US Ambassador to Rhino Harnisch who met with Defense Minister of
Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev not long ago. The diplomat said that it would
probably facilitate the process of settlement and said that US
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (just like official Baku) advocated
a gradual settlement.
Virtually no details on Harnisch’s meeting with Abiyev are available,
indicating serious problems with the Karabakh negotiations. Firstly,
it is not a coincidence that the US ambassador broke every rule in
the book revealing the name of the new American chairman of the Minsk
OSCE Group at a meeting with the defense minister of Azerbaijan.
Staff changes on that level are first disclosed to national leaders
or foreign ministers who are directly in charge of peace talks. It
seems that the United States is afraid that the military may get out
of political control and provoke the new outbreak of hostilities.
Mann’s promotion is the best indication of how the latest
developments in the sphere of the Armenian-Azerbaijani worry the
United States. Unlike Perina and Perina’s predecessor Kerry
Cavanough, Mann knows the region. As the US President’s envoy to the
Caspian region, he had the involved countries agree to construction
of the Baku – Tbilisi – Dzheikhan pipeline and even assured
Kazakhstan’s involvement in the project. The diplomat successfully
tackled the task of directing oil from the Caspian region in the
direction convenient for Washington. As a matter of fact, he bested
his vis-a-vis, Russian President’s envoy Viktor Kalyuzhny.
Mann has established perfect relations with leaders of Azerbaijan,
one of the warring sides, and with all Western oil companies involved
in the region. Perhaps, Washington does want an impetus to the
process o settlement. More likely, however, is that Mann has a task
of preventing a new outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and
Azerbaijan before 2005, the moment when the Baku – Tbilisi –
Dzheikhan pipeline is turned on. After that, security of the pipeline
will become an international affair. The West will never permit the
warring sides another outbreak of hostilities then.
Actually, Vladimir Kazimirov (former Russian chairman of the Minsk
OSCE Group for Karabakh), is convinced that Mann’s experience as US
president’s envoy in the Caspian region will not help him much.
“There are lots of leverages that may be used to prevent an outbreak
of hostilities,” Kazimirov said. “These leverages do not really need
the smell of oil.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
April 21, 2004 Wednesday 8:06 AM Eastern Time
German FM urges Azerbaijan to shape up on democracy, rights
BAKU
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, on a visit to the former
Soviet republic of Azerbaijan Wednesday, said the country’s rulers
need to improve their record on human rights and democratic freedoms.
Speaking after a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev,
the German minister said the oil-rich state should “increase its
efforts” to meet its commitments as a member of pro-democracy club
the Council of Europe.
“For more than three years Azerbaijan has been a member of the
Council of Europe,” Fischer said, speaking through an interpreter.
“We are pleased about that and we supported Azerbaijan’s accession.
The Council of Europe insists on certain standards which include the
democratisation of society, human rights, freedom of speech, the
independence of the courts, and we hope that you will increase your
efforts in this regard.”
Fischer is the most senior European Union politician to visit
Azerbaijan, a nation of eight million people on the shores of the
oil-rich Caspian Sea, for several years.
Azerbaijan’s leadership has been accused of locking up its political
opponents after a disputed presidential election last year, and
subjecting some of them to torture in jail. Officials have denied the
charges.
Fischer, who arrived in Azerbaijan from a trip to Afghanistan, was
speaking at the start of a tour of the region which will also take in
neighbouring Armenia and Georgia.
He said Germany was keen to see an end to the long-running conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
The row is seen as a major source of instability in the region, which
is becoming a strategic crossroads for oil exports from the Caspian
Sea to Western markets.
“We discussed the conflict and reached the conclusion that the two
sides should make steps toward one another, with the support of the
international community,” Fischer said. “We want the conflict to be
resolved as quickly as possible.
Fischer also said he saw Azerbaijan as the economic power-house of
the region and was keen to see German companies invest in the
country.
He is due to stay overnight in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku. On
Thursday morning he is scheduled to travel to Armenia. The following
day he is due in Georgia, from where he will return to Germany.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Builds Three Wind Power Stations On Iranian Funds
Mediamax
April 21, 2004
YEREVAN
A hydroelectric power station with 80 megawatt power will be built on
the Armenian side of the Araks river, Armenian Minister of Energy
Armen Movsisian said in Yerevan today.
Armen Movsisian said that at present the appropriate geological
prospecting and cartographical works are being conducted, which are
planned to be finished by the middle of the year, Mediamax reports.
The Minister also said that the construction of three wind power
stations with total 2 megawatt power has begun on the Iranian funds to
the amount of $2.5 mln. According to Armen Movsisian, the research
shows that Armenia has a potential for the development of wind energy.

CBC News
Canadian Parliament recognizes Armenian genocide
Last Updated Wed, 21 Apr 2004 22:39:42
OTTAWA – The House of Commons has reversed a long-standing policy and
passed a resolution denouncing the Turks for committing genocide
against Armenians in 1915.
The vote passed easily, 153-68.
The motion said: “That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide
of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.”
Armenian Canadians hold a vigil after the vote
For decades consecutive Canadian governments have dodged the sensitive
issue by calling what happened in eastern Turkey a “tragedy,” stopping
well short of referring to the events as “genocide.”
In 1915, during the First World War, Turkish troops put down an
Armenian uprising. Armenians say about 1.5 million people were killed
by the Ottoman Turks, during a brutal eight year campaign.
Turkey has always fought attempts by Armenians and international human
rights organizations to have the events declared a
genocide. Previously, Ankara has warned countries contemplating
similar action that there would be negative consequences. In some
cases business contracts have been held up or denied.
In 2001 France backed the Armenian case. Ankara responded by freezing
official visits to France and temporarily blocking French companies
from competing for defence contracts.
The U.S. dropped a similar resolution a year earlier after the White
House warned it could hurt U.S. security interests.
Before Wednesday’s vote in Parliament, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill
Graham issued a statement saying “Canada has had friendly and
co-operative relations with Turkey and Armenia for many years. The
Canadian government is committed to make these relationships even
stronger in the future.”
The Turkish Embassy in Ottawa says it is drafting a response.
Written by CBC News Online bstaff
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Corvallis Gasette
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Remember, recall and pass on family history
By ROBERT CLARK
I enjoy genealogy and have worked with my parents and in-laws to assemble
information about my children’s family tree. I always felt it was important
that future generations hear and understand our family history. Little did I
know how true this would be.
One day I noticed gaps in my mother’s family tree. Since she was of Armenian
descent, I assumed poor recordkeeping was to blame. Then about 10 years ago,
I learned of a genocide directed at the Armenian people by the Turks during
the late 1800s and World War I. The reason for the hole in my family tree
dawned on me: Some of them never made it out.
Two years ago, I attended a lecture by Richard Hovannisian during Oregon
State University’s “Holocaust Memorial Week.” During the question-and-answer
session, I asked why family members – who must have seen these killings –
did not speak of it. His response was that other family members remained in
Armenia, and they feared reprisals for speaking out. This fear remained
strong 40, 50 even 60 years after they left Armenia. An Armenian woman in
the audience stood up and echoed those sentiments. Fear bred silence, and
silence shrouded our family’s past in mystery.
That brings us to 2004. My mother sadly passed away in May of 2003 and with
her, a chance to hear more of what her father had seen and done. Only three
children of the witnesses are alive in my family, and all are in poor
health. Through my uncle (the youngest of the remaining) I found a direct
link to the killings in 1895.
My grandfather lived on a farm near Mount Ararat and saw things firsthand.
He decided to immigrate to the United States with his immediate family,
traveling at night to board a ship bound for Ellis Island. From what I can
tell, my grandfather mentioned what he saw only once before his untimely
passing in 1944.
I have two purposes for writing this. First is to encourage the reader to
use every opportunity to learn about your heritage, no matter what you might
find out. Ask question, take notes, read letters, look at photo albums, ask
more questions. Future generations need to know this history, and when the
firsthand sources are gone, they’re gone. I regret not making a more
concerted attempt to talk with my mother. Don’t let fear stop this worthy
process.
Second, April 24 has been marked as Armenian Remembrance Day. Please take a
few moments to remember those killed during the first genocide of the 20th
century, the prototype for the Jewish holocaust. Though my family was
impacted 20 years earlier, during the first Armenian “cleansing” in 1895,
those killings set the stage for events in 1915.
Do not let fear and silence be your family’s hallmark. Tell your history.
Remember, and then act.
Robert Clark of Corvallis owns Dixon Creek Software.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 21 2004
Germany interested in stable South Caucasus

BAKU, April 21 (Itar-Tass) — German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer
said his country was interested in a stable South Caucasus.
Speaking at a press conference after talks with his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov on Wednesday, Fischer called for
resolving the Karabakh conflict as soon as possible.
`Being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, Germany, as an international
partner, is trying to contribute to the resolution of this conflict,’
he said.
Fischer and Mamedyarov had discussed bilateral economic and cultural
cooperation, the fight against terrorism, regional security, the
upcoming NATO summit in June, and democratic processes in Azerbaijan.
The German foreign minister said his country was ready to `assist
Azerbaijan in every way to ensure its democratic development.’
In his words, the European Union is actively discussing a new concept
of neighbourhood with the South Caucasus countries. `Compliance with
the Council of Europe’s human rights requirements and the
implementation of economic reforms are an important condition of
cooperation between the European Union and countries in the region,
including Azerbaijan,’ he said.
In the evening, Fischer is due to meet with President Ilkham Aliyev.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

New Armenian protest demands president step down
By Hasmik Lazarian
YEREVAN, Armenia (Reuters) – More than 10,000 demonstrators marched
Wednesday to demand the resignation of Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan, whom they accuse of rigging his re-election last year, and
to seek a national referendum on his administration.
Ignoring both heavy rain and a threat by authorities to disperse mass
gatherings, protesters poured into Freedom Square in central Yerevan
and then filed through the city center without incident. They avoided
a repeat of last week’s protest when police used water cannon to break
up a march on Kocharyan’s residence.
“Any administration relying on violence is doomed. Kocharyan must go,”
said Stepan Demirchyan, leader of the Justice Party and runner-up to
Kocharyan in last year’s presidential election.
Kocharyan dismisses any notion of a new opposition-led “rose
revolution” like that which forced the resignation last year of
veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze in ex-Soviet Georgia to the north.
The president says Armenia, unlike Georgia, has a more solid economy
with authorities enjoying broader support.
Speakers at Wednesday’s rally also demanded punishment for those
responsible for dispersing a rally on April 13 in which about 30
people were hurt. Opposition leaders are also calling for the release
of activists they say were detained.
Kocharyan ran Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory populated by ethnic
Armenians which broke away from rule by mainly Muslim Azerbaijan in
the Soviet era.
He became Armenian president in 1998, but has made little progress in
tackling the conflict over the region. Some 35,000 people were killed
died in six years of fighting ended by a 1994 cease-fire.
Kocharyan’s allies have offered dialogue with opposition parties. But
Viktor Dalakyan, another Justice Party leader, said dialogue could
only focus on the terms of Kocharyan’s departure.
“In the hearts of the people, the authorities are no longer in power,”
he said. “All therefore that remains to be done is to give this a
political form.”
The largest rally in the campaign so far attracted 20,000
marchers. Activists have called a new protest for Saturday to coincide
with commemorations of what Armenians describe as the genocide of 1.5
million of their countrymen by Ottoman Turks in 1915.
04/21/04 16:50 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Canada
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montreal, Quebec
H4J 1L5
April 21st, 2004
Contact persons :
Robert Kouyoumdjian: (514) 336-7095
Shant Karabajak: (514) 334-1299
Aris Babikian : (416) 497-8972
PRESS RELEASE
Canada Recognizes the Armenian Genocide
The House of Commons adopts bill M-380 presented by Mrs. Madeleine
Dalhpond-Guiral
OTTAWA, April 21st, 2004 – On the eve of the 89th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the Canadian House of Commons, with overwhelming
majority, recognized the Armenian Genocide. The non-partisan vote was
153 for 68 against. When the result of the vote was announced, the House
of Commons chamber, which was packed with Armenians from Montreal,
Ottawa, Toronto and other Canadian cities, burst in applause and ringing
“bravo.” Tears of joy could be seen in the eyes of many Armenians.
Motion M-380, which reads: “That this House acknowledges the Armenian
genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity,” was
moved by MP Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (Laval Centre, Bloc Quebecois) and
was seconded by MPs Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton Centre, Liberal), Jason
Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Conservative Party of Canada) and Alexa
McDonough (Halifax, New Democratic Party). Voting, which began at 6:15
pm, lasted 30 minutes.
The governing Liberal leadership paved the way for this vote by allowing
a “free vote,” meaning that individual members are allowed to vote their
conscience, without any pressure or negative repercussions from their
respective party leaderships. Although Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill
Graham used every means available to him to defeat the Motion, he was
unable to change the historic outcome.
On February 21st, the Parliament held its first reading of Bill M-380,
which included an hour of debate on the measure. Among those speaking
in favor of the Resolution during the first reading were Derek Lee
(Liberal), Eleni Bakopnaos (Liberal), Francine Lalonde (BQ), Stockwell
Day (PC) and the Hon, Lorne Nystrom (NDP).
The second reading of M-380, to recognize the Armenian Genocide, took
place on April 20. During the one-hour debate, only one member of the
House spoke against the motion. The other seven speakers were favoured
of the motion.
In the last two days, the Turkish Embassy and its public relations firms
had launched a concerted campaign against the adoption of the bill. A
delegation from the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) was on
hand to counter the Turkish Embassy’s campaign of falsification and
distortion of the historical facts. An ANCC team has been in the
nation’s capital for the past several weeks representing the community’s
views on this matter.
The passing of this resolution was the culmination of a 25 year process
which encompassed similar resolutions being passed by city councils,
provinces, and the Canadian Senate (July 13, 2002).
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC), was elated by the result of the vote. “As an Armenian, I
was moved and felt grateful for the respect that was shown by the
Canadian Parliament to the memory of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide. As a Canadian, I am proud that the House of Commons adopted
this historic motion.”
“This is a victory for truth and justice.” stated Dr. Basmadjian.
“Implicated in this course of action for over two decades, the ANCC has
constituted the driving force behind the process towards the adoption of
this motion,” commented Dr. G. Basmadjian. “The accomplishment of this
task was made possible through the mobilization as well as the
implication of our grass roots members who made sure that all Members of
Parliament were aware of the importance of this issue for our
community.”
The ANCC was actively involved in promoting the passing of the motion.
For the last six months, the ANCC worked very closely with
parliamentarians and foreign affairs critics of all the political
parties represented in the House. The ANCC received strong support from
numerous parliamentarians, including Jim Karaygainnis, Eleni Bakopanos,
Stephane Dion, Derek Lee, Stephane Bergeron, Jason Kenney, Svend
Robinson, Real Menard, and Senators Raymond Setlakwe and Shirley Maheu.
Ms. Libby Davies’ (Vancouver East) gesture to switch her motion with
madam Dalphond-Guiral motion, to allow the vote to take place before the
89th anniversary commemorations of the Armenian Genocide on April 24,
was greatly appreciated. Within the Liberal caucus, the contribution of
Mr. Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton Centre) also should be noted.
The ANCC mailed a specially-prepared brief to all members of the House.
The ANCC also mobilized the Canadian-Armenian community to counter the
Turkish Government’s propaganda campaign through e-mails, postcards and
telephone calls to parliamentarians.
A NATO ally, Canada now joins a long list of nations including France,
Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Russia which have recognized the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

An Armenian answer to Azerbaijan
>From the Greek Daily Elevtherotypia
21 April 2004
By Thanasis Avgerinos ([email protected])
MOSCOW — “If Azerbaijan recognizes northern Cyprus, then this could set a
very interesting precedent, why not, for the case of Nagorno-Karabagh”,
stated Vardan Oskanian, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, while commenting on
a recent position taken by the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev during an
official visit to Ankara.
“It is very strange” stated Oskanian “to hear from the lips of Ilham
Aliyiev, who vehemently denies the right of self-determination for the
people of Nagorno Karabagh, claims about the possibility of recognition of
the independence of the Turkish part of Cyprus”, thus pulling the rug under
the feet of the leadership in Baku and the presidential diplomatic friendly
gestures towards Turkey.
The daily newspaper “Zerkala” in Baku characterized the Aliyev statement “a
failure of Azeri diplomacy from which the international status of the
country will be hurt, because he continues the policy of deterioration of
Azerbaijan’s relations with its neighbors, Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan and
now Greece” and interprets the statement as an effort to break the rapid
improvement of Turco-Armenian relations under the blessings of the West.
;id=99577172
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress