Author: Emil Lazarian

International Herald Tribune, France
Dec 27 2004
Beyond Ukraine, a grim picture
Rachel Denber
Post-Soviet democracy

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan On Sunday, Ukraine’s voters returned to the
polls to elect their president. Ukrainian society’s peaceful
rejection of last month’s manipulated vote and its demand for honest
elections and government accountability made the election a dramatic
break with the Soviet past.
The opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, appeared to have a clear
lead, but the very fact that the vote took place was a victory for
civil society. Across much of the former Soviet Union, however, the
picture for democracy and institutions that protect basic freedoms is
grim.
On Sunday, people in Uzbekistan, a former Soviet state 3,000
kilometers, or 1,875 miles, east of Kiev, elected a new Parliament.
Few people were watching what happened because there wasn’t much to
see. A victory for the pro-government party was a foregone conclusion
because there were no opposition candidates. The government has
stifled institutions that underpin a free and fair electoral process
– opposition political parties, media freedoms, an open atmosphere
for nongovernmental organizations and freedom of assembly.
This time last year, after reformists in Georgia staged the “Rose
Revolution” that ousted President Eduard Shevardnadze, many wondered
what lessons governments in the region would draw. No leader relishes
political instability. But the question was, what would the region’s
leaders do to avoid it? Would they promote honest elections, greater
accountability, better governance and peaceful transitions of power?
Or would they ignore the issues that cause public discontent, such as
entrenched, widespread corruption, and undermine the political
opposition and democratic institutions in order to retain power at
all costs?
Overwhelmingly, governments in former Soviet states have chosen the
latter path, continuing policies that had started well before the
Georgian revolt. Uzbekistan may be one of the more acute examples of
this trend but it has plenty of company.
Azerbaijan’s fraudulent presidential elections last year led to
political violence, for which the government has imprisoned many
opposition leaders. Public demonstrations in Azerbaijan by people
seeking to express dissident views are nearly impossible.
In Armenia in spring the government tried to use a variety of
arbitrary measures to prevent massive rallies protesting falsified
elections the previous year. The police used excessive force on
demonstrators, raided the headquarters of opposition parties,
arrested a handful of opposition political leaders and rounded up
hundreds of their supporters.
Two months ago the government of Kazakhstan created an unfair playing
field for the parliamentary vote, resulting in only one opposition
party member gaining a seat in the lower house of legislature. A
couple of weeks ago not a single opposition candidate was elected in
Belarus’s parliamentary vote, after the electoral authorities used a
combination of nonregistration of candidates and polling day fraud to
keep the opposition out.
In Kyrgyzstan, the government has already taken steps to increase its
control over the news media and other civil society institutions
before parliamentary elections in February.
Throughout the region, governments control television and try to
intimidate independent print media through punitive defamation suits
and sheer bullying. In many countries, human rights and other civil
society organizations are the targets of politically motivated tax
inspections. Human rights defenders are unlawfully jailed by the
authorities and subject to violent assaults by unknown attackers.
Russia’s crackdown on civil society has been under way for the past
four years. President Vladimir Putin’s government gradually seized
control over what had been a diverse, if not exactly free, broadcast
media and began using it to promote pro-government political
candidates and vilify the opposition.
Putin himself led a broadside attack on democratic organizations,
accusing them in his “state of the nation” speech of serving foreign
masters rather than the interests of ordinary Russians. Now new
legislation will make the funding of nongovernmental organizations
subject to government review.
In contrast to their response to compromised elections in other parts
of the region, Western countries leaped to the defense of Ukrainians
demanding electoral integrity in Ukraine. For the most part, they
were not cowed by accusations, from Russia and other countries, that
they were meddling. But what would Western leaders have done had it
not been possible for Ukrainians to take to the streets? Would their
defense have been as firm?
Elections in this part of the world are stolen all the time, but
governments get away with it by stifling democratic institutions.
Western leaders need to be every bit as supportive of the other
struggling civil societies in the region, before there is nothing
left to support.
(Rachel Denber is the acting executive director of Human Rights
Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division.)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
Dec 27 2004
The stars do shine at night
Armenian singers and entertainers come out to pay respects to 2004.
By Jacqui Brown, News-Press
GLENDALE – Under the light fall of snow on a chilly night stars
strutted across the red carpet at the Alex Theatre.
Although the snow was not real, the glamour was, and hundreds of
fans, young and old, gathered to watch as some of the most popular
Armenian singers headed inside to enjoy a glass of champagne before
hitting the stage to perform their favorite songs.
The first performer, Nersik Ispiryan, got the crowd going as he
cruised up to the red carpet in a white stretch Cadillac Escalade.
After that, there was a steady string of stretched-out and decked-out
Hummers and other limousines dropping off more than 40 performers for
the event.
“We haven’t seen Armenian singers in four years, so we’re very
excited to be here,” said Hrepsime Gasparyan and Artem Khechumyan.
Marina Sarkisyan, of Glendale, gathered with friends who were
anticipating hearing some of their favorite singers.
“We came to celebrate the New Year together,” Sarkisyan said.
Glendale native Sako was ready to perform the song “Whatever you say,
I’m going to say yes” from his newly released album “Flawless.”
Performer Araks Varteresyan said she felt right at home as she
watched the snow fall down on her.
“They say it’s snowing right now in Armenia, so this is nice,”
Varteresyan said. “It feels wonderful to be here.”
The show was taped for a special program to be shown on New Year’s
Eve, according to Meridian Productions spokesman Arthur Agajanyan.
“So many of these artists have become quite famous, and we thought it
would be nice to bring them together and conclude the year with their
best songs,” Agajanyan said. “We left it up to each artist to perform
whichever song they wanted from their repertoire.”
The show will be broadcast New Year’s Eve, starting at 6 p.m., on
channel 55 on Horizon 24-Hour Armenian TV.

San Diego Union Tribune, CA
Dec 26 2004
Armenian hopes title shot at Sycuan becomes work of art

By Jerry Magee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 26, 2004
Not many fighters challenge for an IBF title in their 16th
professional appearance. But not many have an amateur background as
extensive as Art Simonyan’s.

Before coming to this country from his native Armenia, Simonyan
(14-0-1, 7 KOs) had as many as 250 amateur bouts, by the count of
Harry Kazandjian, the manager/trainer of the fighter who opposes
Israel Vasquez of Mexico for Vasquez’s IBF junior featherweight
championship Tuesday evening at the Sycuan Resort and Casino.
It was Kazandjian, also an Armenian, who brought Simonyan to the
United States. Kazandjian said he had received a call from an
acquaintance in Armenia before the 2000 Olympics alerting him to
Simonyan’s potential. When Armenia did not have the funds to send the
boxer to the games, Kazandjian summoned him.

“He has all the credentials you can imagine,” contended Kazandjian,
who once handled light welterweight contender Hector Lopez. “He can
punch and he can box and he has one thing Lopez didn’t have – he has
discipline. He doesn’t smoke or drink, and he is always in the gym.”
As if boxing for an IBF title isn’t incentive enough, Simonyan has
one in Armenia, according to Kazandjian: a 4-year-old daughter he has
never seen. If Simonyan gets past Vasquez, Kazandjian said his reward
is going to be a trip to Armenia to see his daughter.
Simonyan’s promoter, Art Pelullo of Philadelphia, is predicting that
Simonyan is going to wrest the title from Vasquez (36-3, 26 KOs), who
claimed it when he stopped Jose Luis Valbuena in the 12th round of a
March match at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Vasquez thus
became the 100th Mexican to win a world championship.
“But Simonyan can fight,” argued Pelullo. “I’m telling you he is
going to win the fight. He’s a tough kid, and he takes a good whack.”
Vasquez is boxing for the first time since he came under the
promotional aegis of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. The Tuesday bout is
being offered in the Sycuan Showcase Theater, with doors opening at
5:30 p.m. and the first bout at 6 p.m. The program is not being
televised.
Two bouts involving women are included on the undercard. Tickets are
$100, $200, and $250.
Sycuan boxing
Who: Israel Vasquez (36-3, 26 KOs) of Los Angeles defends his IBF
junior featherweight title against No. 1 contender Art Simonyan
(14-0-1, 7 KOs) of Glendale
When: Tuesday (the seven-bout card begins at 6 p.m.)
Where: Sycuan Resort and Casino, Showcase Theater, El Cajon
TV: Not televised
Tickets: $100, $200, $250. Available at Sycuan or by phone, (619)
445-6002.
Noteworthy: This is Vasquez’s first defense since stopping Jose Luis
Valbuena to win the vacant 122-pound title in March; Vasquez is from
Mexico but fights out of L.A.

Iraq peacekeeping to secure Armenia’s role in war on terror – premier
Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Yerevan
25 Dec 04
Text of Gayane Gasparyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Hayastani
Hanrapetutyun on 25 December “‘It is impossible to fight global
terrorism with the help of a word,’ Andranik Markaryan says”
The state budget of 2005 was adopted with a vote of 104 in favour and
seven against at an extraordinary session of the National Assembly
yesterday. Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan agreed to answer
journalists’ questions.
[Ayastani Anrapetutyun correspondent] Which of the National Assembly
proposals on the draft budget was accepted?
[Andranik Markaryan] The main proposals were related to the repairing
or construction of houses of culture, municipal centres, repairing of
drinking and irrigation water canals and repairing of roads. We
accepted some of the proposals.
[Passage omitted: Other details]
[Correspondent] The agreement on sending a military contingent to Iraq
was ratified. Was that a result of explanatory work with MPs or only a
political decision?
[Markaryan] I think both. Political work was carried out to show why
the Armenian authorities are doing that. This was also an image
problem for our country, as well as our role in the world family. It
is impossible to fight terrorism only with the help of words. If we
compare Armenia with other countries of the region, Armenia’s
participation is more symbolic and has political purposes. Our
participation is just a humanitarian mission, we shall not take part
in the hostilities. I think that the MPs were far from populism and
adopted this decision on behalf of our state to fulfill our
international obligations and preserve Armenia’s relations with other
countries, which will yield its positive results.
[Correspondent] How will the fact that our two neighbouring countries
have sent their troops to Iraq to take part in the hostilities and
Armenia has sent only a peacekeeping force be assessed?
[Markaryan] Every country decides itself how it will participate in
this or that process. Armenia thinks it is necessary to take part in
it this way, taking into account that we have a diaspora and certain
duties before our compatriots. For this reason, we should take part in
such processes to minimize the danger.
[Correspondent] Do you think that this will protect Iraq’s Armenian
community from attacks?
[Markaryan] I cannot say it will. This could be described as the
weakening of attacks. Irrespective of whether we participate or not in
processes, Armenians have been attacked in countries where there is a
war on. They blew up an Armenian church in Iraq when we did not even
speak about our participation, many Armenians died before we joined
the memorandum.
[Correspondent] Will this decision justify itself in terms of our
country’s political interests?
[Markaryan] We shall send a military contingent for one year. If we
notice a certain threat to our country over this period, we shall have
an opportunity to return to our decision once again.
[Passage omitted: Other details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian premier hails 2004 as not “bad” in year-end interview
Iravunk, Yerevan
24 Dec 04
Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan has said the year 2004 was not a
“bad” year for Armenia. In an interview with the Armenian newspaper
Iravunk, the prime minister spoke about Armenia’s economic and
political achievements over the past year and fielded questions on a
wide range of subjects. Markaryan urged the opposition to have a
“united” stance on the domestic and foreign policy issues. He
dismissed attempts to present the opposition boycott of parliament as
a “political crisis” and said that it was not “a tragedy”. The
following is an excerpt from Jasmen Vilyan’s report by the Armenian
newspaper Iravunk on 24 December headlined “‘President-prime minister
working relations are not conditioned by personal problems”;
subheadings have been inserted editorially;
An interview with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan summing
up the political and economic results of the year 2004.
Iravnuk correspondent Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Mr
prime minister.
Markaryan Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and to
all the readers of your newspaper.
Passage omitted: background info
Correspondent Can you tell us about the achievements and flaws in
Armenia’s domestic and foreign policies in the past year?
Markaryan Now that the year 2004 is coming to an end, we can say that
it was not a bad year for our people and state. We have peace and
stability in the country as well as good economic indices, we have
fulfilled the state budget and so on. We are proud of certain
achievements on the basis of which we will continue to develop the
country in the next few years.
Karabakh
Undoubtedly, the main problem for us is finding a solution to the
Karabakh issue which will be to Armenia’s benefit. I think that in
2005 more active steps will be taken to solve this problem. We should
have a united stance on the domestic and foreign policy issues. We
should step up our efforts in international organizations. We should
use our diaspora to lobby more forcefully for a peaceful and fair
settlement of the problem.
Among the achievements of 2004, I would like to mention the launch of
the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline construction, which is of a great
economic and state security importance; the involvement of Armenia in
the “Extended Europe: New Neighbours” programme of the European Union;
the involvement of our country in the “Millennium challenges”
programme of the American government.
Opposition
Correspondent What can you tell us about the opposition boycott of
parliament and the fact that from time to time it makes blackmailing
statements about leaving the coalition and the fact that the coalition
parties are not friendly with each other?
Markaryan There are three different parties in the coalition. They
took responsibility for fulfilling the government programmes
jointly. They vowed to act in line with the memorandum they had
signed. This does not mean, however, that each of them cannot have its
own agenda, position and suggestions when it comes to solving any kind
of problems. They have also the right to discuss issues with their
partners and to defend their position. Such discussions within the
coalition are absolutely natural, I would even say necessary. But the
point is that such discussions and disputes are often being put into
the public domain which is a rather populist approach. Having
different views is a domestic problem for the coalition, but the
parties are trying not to turn them into disagreements. The partners
should present society with a single position adopted as a result of
discussions. Anyway, until today we managed to have a united approach
as a result of compromises to the most important issues. I do not
think that the opposition political forces do not have such
problems. Moreover, they have made contradictory statements on
ideological and geo-political and strategic issues. To be honest, I
would like the parties with the communist and liberal ideology to have
similar views on all the problems.
Passage omitted: Markaryan said there is no need for commenting on
blackmail statements.
As to the boycott or to be more correct a partial boycott of the
parliament’s work, I have said many times that the opposition
participation in the work of the parliament would make it more
fruitful and would give it more value. Naturally I cannot approve of
the opposition’s stance, but I do not see its absence from the
parliament as a tragedy, although some people are trying to present it
as political crisis. Life shows that the parliamentary majority
together with the government have worked very effectively in the
sessions.
Passage omitted: praises government majority in the National Assembly
for adopting “very important” laws
No revolution in Armenia in 2005
Correspondent Some predict that the year 2005 will be a year of
revolution. Do you agree with this?
Markaryan Are there such predictions for the coming year?
Correspondent Yes, there are.
Markaryan I do not know who makes such predictions and how serious
they are. But I see no objective reasons for them in Armenia, and I
would advise people not to speculate, not to forget our geographical
location, our problems, to show more respect to the state, which has
pledged to ensure a stable and gradual development and not a
revolution.
Passage omitted: dismisses reports about dissolution of parliament as
rumours, denies rumours of problems in relations with the president
and talks about people’s savings
Vows to cooperate with forces of same ideology
Correspondent On the whole, do you think it is possible to go into the
next parliamentary elections as a coalition?
Markaryan We will do that if on the eve of the elections we decide
that it makes more sense to cooperate with the coalition or make a
bloc with a political force which shares our ideology. But if we think
that it is more expedient to do it alone, then this is what we shall
do.
Correspondent What can you say about the majority-proportional
problem?
Markaryan I have already said that the RPA wants parties to have more
say in the public and political life, but the reality is rather
different. We reached an agreement on the 30-70 per cent ratio, and I
think that the coalition will not have serious problems with choosing
the final option.
Economy
Correspondent Let us also talk about the economic sphere. What do you
think of the year in terms of the economic achievements? Where did you
fail?
Markaryan We have solved almost all the problems we had in different
spheres which were mentioned at the beginning of the year. It can be
said there are no problems with the implementation of the budget. We
have every reason to expect a much higher economic growth than the one
planned. Once the ministries release their reports in the future,
society will be able to see for itself what we have achieved.
Correspondent Are you expecting any personnel changes at the beginning
of next year?
Markaryan If and when it happens, you would be informed. I think it is
pointless to make statements on this topic at this stage.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF RUSSIA
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24. ARMINFO. Thursday, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Razov
and Russian Presidential Assistant for Education and Science Jakhan
Poliyeva discussed structural reforms of CIS.
The press-service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports that the
decision on the reforms was made in September, 2004 during CIS Summit
in Astana. Then the CIS signatories were instructed to submit their
proposals on the issue to Chairman of the CIS Council of FMs. The
initiative was advanced by Kazakhstan.
The present visit of Razov to Armenia is following up the Dec 7-8
Moscow consultations of the CIS foreign ministries who adopted a
protocol saying that economic cooperation continues to be a priority
for the CIS but an increasing attention is being given to the fight
against international challenges and humanitarian interaction.
Razov told Oskanyan about the generalized approach of some CIS
countries to the structural reforms which concern mostly the CIS
administration and are aimed to enhance its efficiency. Poliyeva
told Oskanyan about the initiatives to raise cooperation efficiency
in culture, education and science that might be contributive to
the scientific-technical progress and cultural development of the
CIS countries.
Oskanyan reconfirmed Armenia’s commitment to take part in drafting the
CIS structural reforms and adopting specific decisions. He noted that
the current processes in the CIS should be considered in this context.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VLADIMIR PUTIN: ARMENIA IS RUSSIA’S PARTNER BOTH ON INTERNATIONAL ARENA AND IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23. ARMINFO. Armenia is Russia’s partner both on
the international arena and in the South Caucasus. President of Russia
Vladimir Putin stated during the press conference.
As regards other spheres of relations, for example, the economic
relations, Vladimir Putin said they are developing well. “In this
aspect Armenia has taken not bad steps towards, and Russia – towards
Armenia, I mean the settlement of all our difficulties and converting
them to relevant investments. We would like the governments of
both countries acted more intensively and reached great successes”,
Vladimir Putin said.

Ways for National Unity Explored
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 24 2004
The Movement for Azerbaijan organized a national forum, “National
unity and civil solidarity”, under the “There is no Azerbaijan without
Karabakh” motto at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wednesday.
Chairman of the Movement executive committee Sabir Azeri said that his
entity, along with the “Amal” Movement of Intellectuals, “Aghridagh”
Charity Society and the Confederation of Caucasus Non-governmental
Organizations, adopted an appeal on November 30 calling the authorities
and opposition for national unity.
The document was signed by over 200 NGOs, while the opposition
Azerbaijan Democratic and the Great Structure Parties voiced their
position on the appeal, he said. Azeri said that the forum was
attended by representatives of Musavat, Popular Front, Ahrar and
National Independence Parties. Azeri expressed his disappointment
with the fact that neither the authorities, including the ruling New
Azerbaijan Party, nor any other opposition parties have expressed
their position on the appeal.
The participants stressed the need to establish a civil society to
achieve national unity. They also proposed to set up a commission to
develop a strategic plan for national unity and a public ‘national
trust government’ comprising elders, representatives of political
parties and public organizations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The New Star of the European Union: Does It Shine in France?
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 24 2004
The anxiety, fear, curiosity.. These are still dominant feelings in
France after the big day, 17th December, in Brussels. The negative
voices are still very loud. The question marks did not find their
results. What will happen? Will Turkey be successful in its “Europe
journey”? What will be the stance of French government and Chirac?
It can be said that the Turkey issue separated not only the public
but also the politicians. Turkey is now a political apparatus in
France that controls and manipulates the domestic and foreign affairs.
The President Chirac continues to defend his pro-Turkey stance. As
he has hesitations because of the presidential election while the
majority of the public are against the membership of Turkey to the
European Union, he stated that Turkey will be successful in its journey
that will start on 3rd October 2005. He also added that this will be a
long and difficult way, as Le Monde reported. However, he highlighted
that he wishes a happy “marriage” between Turkey and European Union.
The other side of the coin, namely against Turkey side, is still
anxious. As Le Figaro reported, the politicians of UMP, the party of
Nicolas Sarkozy, declared their negative opinions on the expense of
challenging the President. They declared that a parliamentary debate
should take place as soon as possible. Another important actor of
the Assembly, the Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin, declared his
opinion about Turkey’s entry to the EU. In his speech made in the
National Assembly, he stated that the position of France has been
shaped by the President. The general opinion in his speech was clear:
he opposed Turkey’s entry. Even he stated that the membership of Turkey
will be beneficial for EU, he has lots of question marks about Turkey
and its development, or in other words, its success during the journey
to the EU.
Besides Raffarin, some figures are much braver (!) while they declare
their opinion about Turkey. The foreign Minister Barnier used the
Armenian card just before the 17th December summit. While the members
of the French government are cautious in using the term “genocide”,
Barnier was the first who used it in the parliament. As they do
not want to lost Armenian citizens’ votes they are very careful on
this issue.
As it is mentioned above Turkey has become one of the significant
state affairs’ tools. In every debate “this political tool” is used
by political and state elites. They can not “imagine” the Union with
Turkey. According to them this potential star of Europe can not be as
shiny as the other 25 stars. They can not get rid of the prejudices.
In my point of view, if Ankara and Brussels can not meet in a common
point, Turkey may find prospective star groups in the endless sky…The
crucial point is the success of this star during its journey and its
positive impacts on the sky that it belongs…
Selin Akyüz, ISRO
–Boundary_(ID_SQepwtQxFenTzHNzZ8Fr+w)–

Children’s Bible Now in Turkish
Zenit News Agency, Italy
Dec 24 2004
ROME, DEC. 23, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic charity Aid to the
Church in Need has published its youngster-friendly Bible, “God Speaks
to His Children,” in Turkish.
The first edition comprises 15,000 copies, 5,000 of which are to be
distributed in Turkey, while the remaining 10,000 are destined for
native Turkish speakers scattered throughout Western Europe.
According to Dominican Father Lorenzo Piretto, an Istanbul-based
priest from Italy, “There are about 100,000 Christians” among the
country’s population of about 68 million.
The majority of Christians in the western Asian country “are
Apostolic Armenians. The Catholics are Latins, Chaldeans, Armenians
and Syrians. There are also Greek and Syrian Orthodox, as well as
various Protestant groups,” Father Piretto stated in a letter.
“The Catechists are very content to have excerpts from the Bible in
Turkish,” he added. “At the entrance of churches, where the books
are displayed, Muslims are free to take” a copy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress