Author: Emil Lazarian

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Jan 20 2005
Analysis: Moscow Sheds Light On Karabakh Talks
By Liz Fuller
In order not to risk jeopardizing any rapprochement that has been
achieved, the participants in what has come to be known as the
“Prague process” of ministerial level talks under the aegis of the
OSCE Minsk Group on approaches to resolving the Karabakh conflict
have until now abided by a gentlemen’s agreement not to divulge to
the press the specific topics under discussion.
In line with that agreement, neither Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian nor his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov have
divulged any details of their most recent talks in Prague on 10-11
January. But four days after those talks, the Russian Foreign
Ministry issued a press release
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listing specific issues under discussion, adding that on some of
those issues the two sides’ positions have become closer.
Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service after meeting with Mammadyarov
on 11 January, Oskanian characterized the mood of the talks as
“positive.” He said that “full agreement” has not yet been reached on
the principles of a settlement, but that “there is a general
framework of issues, but as this meeting showed, they need to be
consolidated.” He added that “it is still too early to disclose any
details.” Briefing journalists in Yerevan the following day, Oskanian
predicted that settlement talks this year will be “quite intensive,”
thus marking a qualitative shift to a new, more serious phase of
discussions. Noyan Tapan quoted him as saying that “all elements”
related to a peaceful solution of the conflict are on the table,
without listing those elements.
Oskanian further noted that Azerbaijani media frequently misrepresent
the nature and focus of the talks, and that “everyone” — presumably
meaning both Mammadyarov and the U.S., Russian, and French
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group — agree that “officials should
be more circumspect when making statements.”
On 13 January, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
similarly briefed journalists in Baku on the Prague talks. Azimov
said that while Baku insists that any solution to the conflict must
preserve Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, the restoration of
territorial integrity alone will not solve all problems: in that
context he mentioned specifically the future peaceful coexistence of
the Armenian population of Karabakh and those Azerbaijanis who fled
the region over a decade ago when the conflict first turned violent
and hope to return there.
Azimov also listed issues that could form part of a hypothetical
solution to the conflict. He said that if Armenian troops are
withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, Azerbaijan would be ready to
restore economic and other relations with Armenia. He was quoted by
zerkalo.az as saying that “a little later, the question of the return
to the region of the Azerbaijani population and the coexistence of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Nagorno-Karabakh must be
addressed. Once interregional ties and ties between Nagorno-Karabakh
and Armenia [on the one hand] and the government of Azerbaijan are
established, it will be possible to achieve a normalization of the
situation and set about seeking a solution to other political
questions.” Whether Oskanian and Mammadyarov have discussed that
specific sequence of events is not clear, however.
Azimov dismissed as “speculation” reports that the liberation of
three of the seven districts of Azerbaijan currently under Armenian
control is under discussion: he said that “in the course of the
Prague process the question of liberating all seven districts
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh at the first stage is being discussed.”
According to echo-az.com, Azimov likewise denied that the possibility
of holding a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh on the region’s future
status was addressed in Prague, and he expressed regret that such
“unreliable information” finds its way into the press. In an article
published in “Le Figaro” last month, former Spanish Foreign Minister
Ana Palacio and Pierre Lellouche, who is NATO Parliamentary Assembly
president, argued that the Karabakh conflict differs fundamentally
from those in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transdniester, and that
“the Europeans, Americans, and Russians should jointly defend a
compromise [settlement] that would give Armenia temporary control of
Karabakh in exchange for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from
Azerbaijani territory, [with] the final status of Karabakh to be
decided by its inhabitants in a referendum in five or 10 years’
time.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry press release listed among the
“contentious issues” under discussion: the withdrawal of [Armenian]
troops, demilitarization of the previously occupied territories,
international security guarantees for the Armenian population of
Karabakh, and the unrecognized republic’s future status vis-a-vis
Azerbaijan. The press release reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to
contribute, together with the other two Minsk Group co-chairs, to
“deepening the mutual understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan”
with a view to bringing about a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Family dies of carbon monoxide poisoning in Armenia, latest in rash of
poisoning incidents
.c The Associated Press
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – A 47-year-old man, his wife and his son died
of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a homemade stove Thursday,
emergency officials said, the latest in a rash of deaths in Armenia
caused by gas leaks and faulty heating stoves.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said the man was burning wood and
animal dung in a homemade stove that was poorly ventilated. Officials
found the family dead in their home in the village of Yeranos Thursday
morning.
The incident brings the number of such deaths in Armenia in the past
year to 25, 16 of which occurred in December alone, according to
emergency officials. The prosecutor general’s office, however, said
there had been 24 deaths in 2004 by natural gas poisoning alone.
Many people in the ex-Soviet republic use makeshift stoves and
homemade gas heaters, sometimes tapping illegally into gas lines,
because their homes lack heaters, which are expensive.
Rescuers have saved eight people from poisoning inicidents through the
country already this year, the ministry said, and doctors had
resuscitate two who had been overcome by gas.
01/20/05 09:59 EST
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A. Inc.
Regional Executive
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202-2812
Telephone: (818) 500-1343
Fax: (818) 242-3732
e-mail: [email protected]
Submitted by: Rita Hintlian, ARS Regional Executive, Secretary
Staff Contact: Dr. Rita Vorperian, Executive Secretary
ARS OF WESTERN USA HONORS
VOLUNTEER SOCIAL WORKER IN HER EIGHTIES
Glendale, CA – the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A. (ARS-
WR) Christmas party took on a special celebratory mood on January
4, when General Accountant/Controller Jasik Jarahian announced
that one of the social services workers, Annig Sarkissian, was
being honored for her volunteerism. Santa swooped the thin tall
lady, who was a little shy, from her seat and brought her to
center stage. ARS-WR Regional Executive Chair, Angela Savoian;
ARS-WR Social Services Director, Sona Zinzalian; and Assistant
Director, Louise Gourjian were on hand to explain why Sarkissian
was so precious for the Social Services Agency and the Regional
Executive, and honored her with a plaque.
Volunteerism is the essence of ARS. Since ARS members practice
volunteerism daily, they are familiar with the concept. However,
it is unique to have someone explain how a volunteer will ask
permission to be absent, as Zinzalian did, describing
Sarkissian’s work ethic. The volunteer who does not stop when
there is any more work left in her area, but asks if the Regional
Executive’s Accountant needs help. Gourjian read the plaque
recognizing the work of the former staff-member-turned-volunteer.
Savoian expressed the Regional Executive’s appreciation of
Sarkissian’s presence within the office saying, “We are so happy
that we have someone like you amongst us.” The honoree, who is in
her eighties, in turn promised to volunteer until she turns 100.
The cheers were especially strong from several tables, where some
of her social services colleagues from the five offices in the
Southland were seated.
The Christmas party is an annual event, which amongst the 350 ARS
members attending from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley,
included three generations of ARSers. ARS Central Executive (CE)
representative, Hasmig Derderian, ARS CE member Anahid Meymarian,
and ARF Central Committee representative, Vahe Bozoian were among
the attendees. An east coast transplant, Yeretzgin Habeshian,
officiated the prayers. Meymarian, speaking on behalf of the ARS-
CE, urged the membership to stay physically and mentally healthy
in order to carry on the name and reputation of the ARS, an
organization, which will celebrate its centennial in 5 years.
Savoian, invited the Regional Executive members who were present,
to join her for a toast, explaining her appreciation for being
surrounded by like-minded board members, which make the meetings
to discuss the serious issues for the ARS more enjoyable.
Savoian also announced the start of the campaign to assist the
tsunami victims and January 15, the special fundraising day, when
the ARS-WR Regional headquarters were open to accept donations.
Jarahian was the party coordinator this year, and she had
arranged for performances by Razmig Mansourian and Alen
Aghajanian. A new addition, the cappuccino service was especially
popular this year, along with a uniquely decorated and supplied
fruit table, which was a donation by Arthur Hamedi.
For a brief few hours, ARSers enjoyed the company of fellow
members in a happy and carefree setting, only to return to their
chapters and continue to carry their responsibilities in service
of their communities.
ARSwestUSA.org

BUSH IS DANGEROUS FOR THE WORLD, BBC PRESUMES
Azg/arm
20 Jan 05
The public poll carried out by BBC, testifies to the fact that the
majority of the world’s population is against the re-election of
George Bush, the US President.
According to the poll carried out in 21 countries, only the residents
of India, Poland and the Philippines believe that during Bush’s
secondtenure the world will become a safer place to live.
The residents of all the 21 countries protest against sending their
compatriots for joining the troops in Iraq. “The negative attitude
towards Bush is widely spread and includes the American electorate, as
well,” Steven Cool, head of International Policy Programs, said.
In Russia, 39% of the population is against the re-election of Bush,
while 16% are for it. 64% of the Russians think that the American have
negative impact of the world’s developments, while 16% of them
estimate the actionsof the American positively.
In all 21 countries 58% of the population are against the American
President’ s re-election. The Western European, Latin American and
Muslim countries are among the ones that evaluate negatively the
America’s influence on the world. The Great Britain, France, Germany,
the US allies, as well as Canada and Mexico, its neighbors, are among
these countries.
Poland is the only exception in Europe. The majority of its residents
evaluate positively the actions of Bush and the American, in general.
82% of the Turkish citizens are against the re-election of Bush, as
they think that it may endanger the safety of the world. Taking into
account that fact that turkey is the only Muslim NATO member, such an
attitude is a serious political blow directed against the US.
Indonesia and Lebanon are not content with the US foreign policy. In
Argentina 79% of the country’s citizens are against Bush, while in
Brazil the number of such people amount to 78%.
On the contrary, 62% of the Indian citizens evaluate the re-election
of Bush positively.
By Petros Keshishian

Toronto Star, Canada
Jan 19 2004
The Arab Quarter
Tour a strip of Lawrence Ave. E. in Scarborough and discover `a mecca
of Middle Eastern delights’
HABEEB SALLOUM
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
The aroma flowing out from the freshly baked fatyir bi za’tar is
mouthwatering as my daughter and I sit down to have our breakfast at
Arz Fine Foods on Lawrence Ave. E. on a strip called “the Arab
Quarter” by Toronto residents who originate from the Middle East.
There’s no question about what our breakfast will be – these tasty
thyme pies, along with the famous Middle Eastern breakfast dish
called ful (cooked fava beans). As we eat, I wonder why the Arab
immigrants have transformed a few blocks of Lawrence in Scarborough
into Arab town.
I put this question to Jack Boyadjian, vice-president of Arz Bakery &
Fine Foods, who sits down to chat with us. He relates the story of
how his family opened a bakery on the Arab strip 16 years ago. It has
done so well, they moved into a larger space.
“When we were looking for a spot in Toronto to open a Middle Eastern
business, we found that the two Arab grocery businesses on the strip,
the Green Valley, now long gone, and Nasr Foods, were prospering,”
recalls Boyadjian, a Lebanese of Armenian origin. “We had also found
that a large Middle Eastern community lived in the area, so we moved
in.”
Labelled by its fans as “a mecca of Middle Eastern delights,” Arz is
a popular shopping centre that keeps expanding. Like many other Arab
Middle Eastern shops on the strip, some 60 per cent of the customers
are of Mediterranean background, while the balance are other
Canadians.
Besides Arz, at least 40 outlets on Lawrence between Victoria Park
Ave. and Warden Ave. cater mainly to Middle Eastern clientele. More
than 30 are food establishments, including Middle Eastern grocery
stores, cafés and restaurants. (Some 95 per cent are concentrated
from just before Pharmacy Ave. to just past Warden Ave.)
The strip’s businesspeople refer to it by various names – including
Toronto’s Arab Section, Scarborough Arab Section and Lawrence Ave.
Arab Stores. The most popular is the Arab Section, or Mantaqat
al-Arabiya. Shoppers tend to identify it by the major grocery stores:
Arz or Nasr Foods.
Nasr is the pioneer Arab business on the strip. It is owned by the
Palestinian Nasr family. Nasr’s early success, beginning in 1975,
drew other businesses to the area. They opened shops next to each
other, forming the largest Arab Quarter in Ontario – the Chinatown or
Little India of Toronto’s Arabs.
Sated from our fine Middle Eastern breakfast, we decide to stroll the
strip, window-shopping for Arab food utensils and artisan products.
We find that only Arz and Nasr carry a good supply of these products.
However, in searching for these goods, we make a thorough exploration
for future purchases of these and Arab food items.
Feeling hungry again, we walk to Nasib’s Shawarma and Falafel, noted
for its shawarma and falafel sandwiches.
We order falafel sandwiches and, true to what we had heard, the
sandwich is huge and the falafel patties are light, crispy and tasty.
The owner, Emad Bahloul, of Palestinian origin, says his food has
become so popular with Canadians that his customers are now equally
split between Middle Eastern and others.
“I use a secret ingredient in my falafel,” he says. “This is what
draws my customers.”
With the succulent taste of the falafel in our mouths, we shop for
Arab foods for a party we’re hosting the next day. From the Babil
Middle East Market, owned by Abu Riyad, an Iraqi, we purchase Iraqi
date syrup and dates. From the Lebanese Bakery, we collect cheese and
meat pies, as well as kubbah (meat and bulgur patties).
Walking back on the north side of Lawrence, we stop at the Lotus
Catering & Fine Foods, a busy establishment owned by an Egyptian
family. The always jolly Mabrouka Saleh, the owner’s mother,
explains: “We are very busy because not only do we serve
Arab-Canadians, but all other Canadians as well. Also, our tasty
dishes bring us repeat customers. Just try these!” The hospitable
Saleh offers us tidbits of some of her fascinating speciality
Egyptian appetizers.
Next door, we stop at Basse Golden Nuts, owned by a Syrian, to
purchase roasted and candied nuts, as well as dried fruits.
Struggling with our bags, now somewhat heavy, we walk to Samara to
buy freshly ground Arab coffee, before walking to Hassan & Bros. Meat
Market to buy a leg of lamb, which we intend to barbecue for our
party. As is usual when buying meat in all Arab stores, the Lebanese
owner cuts the leg in perfect chunks for the barbecue.
(Other meat markets on the strip include Ghadir Meat Market, Ibrahim
Hallal Meat, El Rida Hallal Meat, Alzahraa Halal Meat and Liban Food
Market.)
When passing Challal Pastries earlier, we neglected to buy Arab
pastries, so we walk for a few minutes more, then cross Pharmacy Ave.
to Patisserie Royale. Here, we purchase baklava, the king of Arab
sweets, before returning home to deposit our purchases and rest.
Revived, we decide to dine at the Ameer Family Restaurant at the
eastern tip of the strip.
In the midst of cozy decor and served by friendly staff, we enjoy
grilled fish and juicy, tender boneless marinated chicken with garlic
sauce. When we compliment Hassan Sbeity, the Lebanese owner, he
smiles. “Everyone loves our garlic sauce which we usually serve with
our grilled chicken.”
Happy after our fine meal, we cross the street and walk to the Oasis
Restaurant. Here, as customers in the next room puff on their
arghilles (water pipes), we sip on Arab coffee and talk to Lebanese
owner Hussein Ayoub.
“I opened on this strip because of the concentration of Arabs in this
area, but today, only 50 per cent of my customers are Arabs,” Ayoub
says.
The Oasis is an enjoyable climax to our day of exploring the Arab
Quarter. Well-known to the vast majority of people of Middle Eastern
origin who live in the eastern part of Toronto, the strip is a
well-established Middle Eastern shopping destination.
No matter what differences people from that part of the world might
have, there is no preference where they shop. The best prices draw
the customers. The potpourri of businesspeople from the Middle
Eastern, Mediterranean and the Asian regions generally works together
advising and buying from each other.
However, for the Arabs who form the core of this burgeoning area, it
is a neighbourhood reflecting the Arab world. The strip is like an
Arab mall created mostly by immigrants who became successful
entrepreneurs while catering to the taste of fellow immigrants and at
the same time introducing their foods to other Canadians.
The future looks bright for the strip.
The Wexford Heights Business Improvement group, an association of
businesspeople and a municipal councillor representing the area, has
great plans for the Arab Quarter in the coming years. Wexford began
its activities in early July with a three-day street festival, which
included rides, music, folkloric dancing and much more. It will
become an annual event.
According to Anthony Kiriakou, president of Wexford Business, which
has a representative of Nasr Foods as one of its members, hopes more
of the businesses will get involved. The association aims to inject
the area with a community spirit, which would include Arab and
non-Arab Canadians.
The group has plans to make the strip more attractive – as inviting
as the Greek strip along Danforth.
In Kiriakou’s words: “We are open for business.”
Garlic Sauce (Thoum)
This Ameer Family Restaurant recipe is served cold with all kinds of
grilled meats. Although Canadian raw eggs are generally considered
safe, dietitians don’t recommend them for the very young or old, or
those with compromised immune systems. As an alternative, pasteurized
eggs are sold in refrigerated cartons in supermarkets.
Peeled cloves from 1 head garlic
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
In blender, purée garlic, egg and salt 2 minutes. Slowly drizzle in
oil; blend 1 minute. Add lemon juice. Blend 5 minutes or until sauce
reaches whipped cream texture.
Serve cold.
Makes about 1-1/2 cups.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 19, 2005, Wednesday
THE COLLEGIUM OF THE ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY HELD A MEETING IN
YEREVAN
The Armenian Defense Ministry held the final collegium in Yerevan.
Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan, press secretary of the Armenian defense
ministry, stated that the collegium concerned the army’s mobilization
and combat readiness in 2004, and the results of combat training. The
Armenian defense minister set up prior tasks for 2005. He noted that
every commander and officer is responsible for strengthening combat
readiness and establishing law and order in the Army.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
mercoledì il 19 gennaio 2005
PAPA: INAUGURA STATUA S.GREGORIO ARMENO A SAN PIETRO
CITTA’ DEL VATICANO
(ANSA) – CITTA’ DEL VATICANO, 19 GEN – Giovanni Paolo II ha
inaugurato questa mattina la statua di San Gregorio Armeno,
l’Illuminatore, sulla fiancata destra della basilica vaticana,
nella strada interna alla Citta’ del Vaticano, che prende il
nome di via delle Fondamenta. Il papa ha benedetto la statua di
marmo bianco di Carrara, commissionata dal collegio Armeno di
Roma, ed opera dello sculture armeno Kazan Khatechik. (ANSA).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Croix , France
18 janvier 2005
Turquie. Arménie.
En France, les Turcs et les Arméniens veulent cohabiter en paix. Les
Arméniens – ou Français d’origine arménienne – craignent que le débat
sur l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Europe ne suscite des tensions.
par ROYER Solenn de
Le 27 novembre dernier, à Valence, en plein centre-ville. Derrière
une table de fortune montée à côté de la mairie, une dizaine de
membres d’associations arméniennes distribuent des tracts aux
passants pour dénoncer l’éventuelle adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union
européenne. Les manifestants font également signer une pétition.
Indignés par les propos retranscrits sur les tracts, une dizaine de
jeunes Valentinois d’origine turque s’approchent du stand. La tension
monte. Ce sont d’abord des insultes. Puis des coups. La rixe fait
quatre blessés côté arménien, dont deux avec une interruption
temporaire de travail (ITT) de deux jours. Les victimes ont déposé
plainte. Aucun des jeunes agresseurs n’était connu des services de
police. “Il s’agit d’un incident ennuyeux mais isolé”, veut
relativiser un responsable policier.
Dans la capitale de la Drôme, qui a toujours vu les communautés
arménienne et turque vivre en bonne intelligence, l’incident a marqué
les esprits. Dans les jours qui ont suivi la rixe, le préfet du
département, Christian Decharière – qui vient de quitter ses
fonctions – a organisé une rencontre entre des responsables
associatifs arméniens et turcs, ainsi que des élus. “Nous avons
expliqué aux Turcs que les Arméniens avaient le droit d’exprimer
librement leur ressentiment concernant l’histoire dramatique qu’ont
vécue leurs familles dans le passé, explique le préfet. C’est la
première fois que de tels faits se produisent ici.”
Selon le maire de Valence, Lena Balsan, la communauté arménienne
compte pour 10% de la population valentinoise. Il s’agit de la
diaspora la plus importante en France, après Paris et Marseille. Les
premiers migrants, rescapés du génocide orchestré par l’État Turc en
1915, sont arrivés par le sud de la France, ont longé le Rhône, et se
sont arrêtés là où ils trouvaient du travail, notamment dans les
industries textiles de la Drôme ou les soieries d’Ardèche. “Il s’agit
d’une communauté exemplaire en matière d’intégration, observe Lena
Balsan. Qui a toujours respecté les lois de la République.” Même
chose côté turc, renchérit le préfet de la Drôme, en ajoutant que
“l’éducation est une notion très forte dans les familles turques”.
Une multiplication de petits incidents
Pour le président de la Coordination des organisations arméniennes de
Drôme-Ardèche, Robert Tafankejian, l’incident de novembre ne serait
pas lié à des difficultés entre les deux communautés. Mais “le fait
d’une minorité de jeunes issus de l’immigration turque qui ont grandi
dans l’ignorance” et “perpétuent le négationnisme du génocide,
véhiculé depuis toujours par l’État turc”. “Ceux qui sont nés en
France sont très radicaux, explique ce responsable associatif
d’origine arménienne. Ils restent entre eux, collent le drapeau turc
à l’arrière de leurs voitures et cultivent un ultranationalisme.”
Pour le président de l’association culturelle et sportive
franco-turque de Valance, Selami Aslantas, “si les première et
deuxième générations de l’immigration turque en France n’ont pas
réagi, la troisième en a assez de se faire traiter d’assassins.”
C’est ainsi que Selami explique “le dérapage” du 27 novembre.
Pour le vice-président de l’association culturelle des jeunes
Français d’origine turque de Valence, Herkan Erben, ce sont au
contraire les jeunes Français d’origine arménienne qui auraient
tendance à “se replier sur leur identité”. “Certains d’entre eux ne
cessent de répéter à nos enfants: “ Ton grand-père a tué le mien! ”
Ce n’est pas ainsi que l’on btira le monde ensemble!” Avant la rixe
de Valence, les associations arméniennes ont recensé d’autres
incidents, de moindre importance, visant la communauté. Le 14
novembre à Marseille, alors que Jacques Chirac inaugurait la nouvelle
bibliothèque, des manifestants arméniens – venus rappeler au chef de
l’État que les négociations sur l’entrée de la Turquie dans l’Europe
devaient être conditionnées à la reconnaissance du génocide arménien
par l’État turc – se seraient fait “violemment insulter par un Turc”,
raconte le président du Conseil de coordination des organisations
arméniennes de France (CCAF) pour la région PACA, Michel Guéviguian.
Le CCAF avait alors aussitôt demandé au préfet de police de Marseille
de “sécuriser” les lieux de culte arméniens, en prévision du “Noël
arménien”, le 6 janvier.
Depuis 2003, le Comité de défense de la cause arménienne, basé à
Paris, a également recensé plusieurs profanations de monuments dédiés
aux victimes du génocide arménien: à Vienne, Paris, Grenoble, ou
encore Alforville. Des actes souvent perpétrés autour du 24 avril,
date de la commémoration du génocide. “Ce sont des actes isolés,
oeuvre d’une minorité radicale”, veut relativiser le Comité, qui se
refuse à voir dans ces incidents le signe d’une “montée en puissance
du sentiment anti-arménien en France”. Toutefois, le débat sur
l’entrée de la Turquie dans l’Union européenne fait craindre à
beaucoup une recrudescence des tensions entre les Arméniens et les
Turcs. “C’est évidemment le débat sur l’élargissement qui a provoqué
les incidents de Valence”, note de fait le maire de la ville. “Nous
ne voulons pas être exagérément alarmistes, renchérit le président du
CCAF, Ara Toranian. Mais nous sommes inquiets. Pas tant des menaces
physiques que de l’entrée d’une Turquie négationniste dans l’Europe.
Et des conséquences que cela pourrait avoir sur la mémoire d’une
part, et sur notre liberté d’expression en France, d’autre part.”
Pour Ara Toranian, “il faut pénaliser le négationnisme du génocide
arménien. C’est le seul moyen de couper court aux risques de
dérapage.”
Les agresseurs “regrettent ce qu’ils ont fait”
Coordinateur de l’association citoyenne des originaires de Turquie
(ACORT, basée à Paris), Umit Metin estime que le débat sur l’adhésion
de la Turquie et l’expression d’une opposition, parfois virulente, à
cette adhésion suscitent “un repli identitaire” chez les Turcs de
France. “Nous nous sentons attaqués par certains propos, alors que
nous sommes pour la plupart citoyens français et européens.”
En attendant, les Arméniens de Valence assurent qu’ils ont pris leurs
“dispositions” pour que l’incident de novembre dernier ne se
reproduise pas. “Dorénavant, nous aurons notre propre service
d’ordre”, prévient Robert Tafankejian. De son côté, Selami Aslantas
veut croire que tout s’est “arrangé”. “Nous ne voulons pas que cet
incident se reproduise, assure-t-il. Nous sommes ici pour travailler
et nourrir une famille, pas pour nous taper dessus.” Le responsable
associatif explique que les jeunes agresseurs ont été “punis par
leurs parents”, et qu’ils devront “retaper le local associatif du
quartier”. “Croyez-moi, dit Selami, ils regrettent ce qu’ils ont
fait.”
SOLENN DE ROYER

Armenian leader appoints new envoy to Bulgaria
Mediamax news agency
18 Jan 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has relieved Sevda Sevan of the
position of Armenian ambassador to Bulgaria and appointed Sergey
Manaseryan to this post, the presidential press service reported
today.
Until recently Sergey Manaseryan has been the Armenian ambassador to
Egypt.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
Jan 18 2005
PACE notes violations
by Zulfugar Agayev

BAKU – Andreas Gross, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe’s (PACE) rapporteur on Azerbaijan, said at the meeting of the
high European body’s Monitoring Committee on Wednesday that the
Azerbaijani authorities have failed to check up on the election
violations fixed during the country’s last presidential vote, ANS
reported.
Bakhtiyar Aliyev, an MP and a member of the Azerbaijani delegation at
the PACE, told the local TV Company that the rapporteur mentioned
violations noted by observers in 600 polling stations.
Gross reportedly said that it was mandatory for the Azerbaijani
government to check up on the election irregularities so that no
citizens remain skeptical about the legitimacy of the new President
Ilham Aliyev.
The PACE Monitoring Committee also heard from the other
co-rapporteurs regarding Azerbaijan, such as from Martinez Casan,
Daniel Goulet and Malcolm Bruce.
MP Aliyev said that as the reports were prepared before 19 December
2003, they didn’t consider the recent laws adopted by the Azerbaijani
parliament, ratified conventions and the latest presidential decree
of pardon.
A total of 160 prisoners, including former interior minister Iskender
Hamidov, former head of Interpol’s Baku office Ilgar Safikhanov, and
also former members of the Special Police Force (OPON), were freed
from jail in President Aliyev’s amnesty decree signed on 30 December.
The decree also reduced the sentence terms of four other prisoners.
MP Aliyev noted that the Monitoring Group’s meeting didn’t criticise
the results of Azerbaijan’s 15 October presidential vote and that
Gross stressed Aliyev’s absolute victory in the election.
The rapporteurs also stressed the country’s failure to meet all the
commitments it took before joining the Council of Europe (CE) in
2001, Aliyev said.
However, Murtuz Aleskerov, speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament,
said the country has fulfilled `99 percent’ of all its obligations.
Aleskerov added the other commitments would be fulfilled soon.
Debates on Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia’s honouring of the CE
obligations are planned for the winter session of the Assembly on 26
January.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress