Author: Hambardsumian Paul

A. RUSTAMYAN: ARMENIA – KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY GUARANTOR
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 05:37
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Relations Commission of the US
House passing two Armenian Genocide Resolutions will play a key role
in solving the issue of international recognition of the Genocide,
Stated Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Issues
Armen Rustamyan. In his words, Turkish society is not ready to
recognize the fact of the Genocide.
This is due to the inactivity of Turkish authorities, who at the
same time distort facts, Rustamyan said. Thereupon, he noted he sees
two options for solving the issue: first, recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey and opening of the border, second, establishment of
relations with Armenia and international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Rustamyan also noted that “if Turkey does not recognize
the fact of the Genocide, there are no guarantees the history will
not repeat.” He reminded that there is an article in the Criminal
Code of Turkey, which provides for criminal penalty for statements
on the Armenian Genocide. He noted Armenia has raise the question
at the European Parliament for many times. One of the preconditions
for Turkey’s accession to the EU is withdrawal of the mentioned
article from the Criminal Code or introducing changes in it, the MP
said. Answering a question on the course of talks over settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Rustamyan noted “there are no talks
at the moment, as there can be no negotiations without the direct
participant of the conflict – Nagorno Karabakh.” If Azerbaijan submits
the Karabakh issue for discussion by the UN without participation of NK
representatives, Armenia will not take part in the debate. He stated
Armenia is a guarantor of independence and security of Karabakh. In
his words, the talks should be held over the “Armenian-Azeri”, not
Nagorno Karabakh conflict and should involve three parties. Speaking of
the coming referendum on constitutional reforms in Armenia, Rustamyan
noted the failure of the referendum over constitutional changes will
have a negative impact on further development of Armenia. Thus, in
his words, the issue should not be an apple of discord between the
opposition and authorities.

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS:
Your Holiness,
Dear Compatriots,
Esteemed Guests,
I congratulate all our people and all those present on the occasion
of Independence Day. The Republic of Armenia celebrates its fourteenth
year of independence as a steadily developing country. We continue to
successfully implement pervasive programs of reforms. These programs
practically encompass all the spheres of the Republic’s life.
It’s been the fourth year that Armenia’s economic growth shows
double-digit numbers. First of all, this is a result of our
people’s diligent work as well as of the effective policies of
the authorities. It has also become possible through the internal
political stability, which is a necessary precondition for the
country’s advancement. It is very important that the results of this
progress are channeled predominantly into the social sphere. The
economic growth should have a direct impact on the well-being of
our citizens. We are resolute to fully implement the plan on the
Reduction of Poverty. The guarantees of overcoming challenges faced
by our country are strengthening of the rule of law, more efficient
administration and civic accord.
Very soon a referendum of Constitutional changes will be held in
Armenia.
People of Armenia, who fourteen years ago this day made their historic
choice to build a free, democratic and prosperous country, must take
their next step on this road. This will provide for an opportunity
to have an improved, more balanced Constitution. By accepting it we
will record significant political progress and will reinforce the
international prestige and image of our country. It will also be
the best guarantee of the irreversibility of the reforms which are
currently underway.
In foreign policy we will continue to work for Armenia’s deeper
international involvement by our active participation in the discussion
and resolution of the problems, which concern the humankind. We think
that the best way for the gradual solution of the existing problems is
the cooperation of all the countries of the region. We are committed
to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh issue, which must be
built on the actual existence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and
right of people to self-determination. Our state is safe and secure
thanks to Armenia’s armed forces, which were born by our independence
and have now become its shield. Our army was formed by the heroes,
who shed blood to create powerful foundations for the Republic of
Armenia – the motherland of all Armenians.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I once again congratulate all of us on the
occasion of Independence Day.
This is a holiday, which the best sons of our people have dreamed of
and made possible through the centuries-long endeavors. I am confident
that present and future generations will continue this sacred task
in the name of strong and prosperous Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MAMMADYAROV: “ONLY RETURN OF ALL OCCUPIED TERRITORIES WILL HELP RESTORE OUR TRUST IN ARMENIA”
Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 20 2005
Only the return of all the occupied territories back to Azerbaijan
will help restore our trust and confidence in Armenia and its declared
intentions on the establishment of good neighborly relations with
Azerbaijan.
There should be no place for illusions: Azerbaijan will never
compromise its territorial integrity, Elmar Mammadyarov Minister of
Foreign Affairs, said in his statement to the General Debate of the
60th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 18 September
2005. Since accession of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, this
Organization has been closely associated in our society with the hopes
for liberation of the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia.
Although the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is
strongly involved in the settlement process, prompt reaction of the
United Nations Security Council in response to the occupation of the
territories of Azerbaijan and adoption of four resolutions 822, 853,
874 and 884 still generates optimism for peaceful settlement of the
conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. The principles unanimously adopted by the Security Council
in those resolutions continue to be the basis for the settlement
of the conflict. Last year consideration by the General Assembly of
the agenda item entitled “The situation in the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan” played a crucial role in attracting attention to the
dangerous practices carried out by Armenia in the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan.
“As for the negotiation process itself, I must admit that we are now at
a critical juncture where the chances for resolution of the conflict
are cautiously optimistic. The Government of Azerbaijan remains
committed to the peaceful settlement of this protracted conflict,
based on the respect for the norms and principles of international
law,the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions
and the OSCE documents and decisions. We expect that the Armenian
side will proceed from the similar constructive approach and will
not miss this window of opportunity,” he stressed.
“Such a step will relieve the Government of Armenia from a label of
aggressor inherited after occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan
and will provide for both parties the opportunities to be brought
by the settlement of the conflict,” he underlined. He reiterated
Azerbaijan’s readiness for providing the security assurances for the
Armenian population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
“As for the status of the region, it is necessary to create favorable
conditions for the secure and dignified return of the expelled
Azerbaijani population to the Nagomo-Karabakh region and other
occupied territories, to establish there normal living conditions
and to provide opportunities for economic development for both
communities,” the Minister emphasized.
Once the agreement is achieved, both for political and legal guarantees
of its implementation we will need the support of the international
community for the deployment of the multinational peacekeeping
forces, demining, restoration of communications, rehabilitation
of lands, as well as the provision of security guarantees for the
population in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, including
the creation of local police forces in the region for both Armenian
and Azerbaijani communities. Last, but not least point on the conflict
resolution. It is the issue of communication of the Armenians living
in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan with Armenia and thatof
the Azerbaijanis living in the Nakhchivan region of Azerbaijan with
the rest of thecountry.
“From this high rostrum, after the recent meeting of the Presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia held in Kazan on August 26 2005, I urge
the Armenian not to loose this chance and to advance the negotiation
process with the assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen
in accordance with the mutual understandings reached with in the
Prague process,” Mammadyarov underscored. Mammadyarov is to be back
on Tuesday.
URL:

ORHAN PAMUK IS NO TRAITOR: INFORMED SOURCES
National Post (Canada)
September 16, 2005 Friday
National Edition
source The Spectator
The following editorial appeared in Britain’s Spectator magazine on
Sept. 10.
Over the past years, The Spectator has been a staunch defender of
Turkey and its right to join the European Union, negotiations for which
begin on Oct. 3. We have praised its economy, its founder-membership
of Nato and condemned the many Turkophobes within the EU.
A rarity among nations with Muslim majorities, it holds proper
elections and, for the most part, maintains a legal system that most in
the West would regard as fair. It has 70 million industrious citizens
who want to trade on equal terms.
It would be a tragedy, therefore, if Turkish membership of the
EU were to be jeopardized by Turkey’s ugly treatment of its most
prominent novelist, Orhan Pamuk. Last week, Mr. Pamuk was charged
under Article 301/1 of the Turkish penal code, which makes it an
offence to insult the Republic of Turkey, punishable with between
six months and three years imprisonment — increased by a third if
the offence was committed abroad.
Mr. Pamuk’s crime was to make reference, in an interview with Swiss
newspaper Tagesanzeiger in February, to Turkey’s ethnic cleansing
of Armenians between 1915 and 1917 and to its ill-treatment of Kurds
since 1984. “Thirty thousand Kurds and a million Armenians were killed
in these lands and nobody but me dares to talk about it,” he said.
It goes without saying that jailing people for raising such issues is
unacceptable in a modern democracy. Orhan Pamuk is no traitor. On the
contrary, he is seen in the literary world as a great ambassador for
his homeland, whose work shows a deep love of his country and who has
been able to straddle the gap between East and West. He simply wishes
to be free to discuss a couple of dark episodes in Turkey’s history.
To give it some credit, the Turkish government does not entirely deny
that a large number of Armenians came to a bad end around 1915. The
prime minister, Tayyip Erdogan, recently announced his desire to
establish a commission of historians to judge whether or not genocide
took place. Yet no democracy should seek to legislate in favour of
one official version of history.
Rather, it should tolerate a free market in ideas, knowing that it is
lively debate which best ensures that the truth eventually seeps out.
Orhan Pamuk’s accusations of the scale of Turkish maltreatment of
Armenians and Kurds are supported by eyewitness accounts.
An American diplomat filed a report at the time speaking of Ottoman
soldiers, aided by Kurdish tribesmen, “sweeping the countryside,
massacring men, women and children and burning their homes. Babies were
shot in their mothers’ arms, small children were horribly mutilated,
women were stripped and beaten.” Pamuk’s accusations are supported,
too, by Halil Berktay, a professor at Sabanci University, who puts
the numbers of dead at between 800,000 and one million.
But even if Pamuk’s charges were nonsense, it would be no excuse for
jailing him. A confident nation has no need to suppress free speech,
knowing that anyone who makes false accusations against their country’s
past for political reasons will rapidly be crushed beneath the weight
of counter-evidence.
Admittedly, Turkey’s problem over Armenia and the Kurds is not limited
to the government: 80% of respondents to a recent opinion poll said
they could do without EU membership if it meant having to admit to
past genocide. But if Turkey wants to join the EU, and become a full
member of the wider club of Western democracies, it simply has to
face up to its past, and to its present democratic failings. Article
301/1 of its penal code must go.

NO POLITICAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA, IRAN
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. Armenia and Iran have no political
problems, RA Premier Andranik Margaryan stated at his meeting with
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejan in New York, USA. According
to him, the bilataeral economic relations are developing, which is
confirmed by increase in bilateral trade. Margaryan pointed out the
importance of successful implementation of Armenian-Iranian programs,
which will promote the development of bilateral; relations. He stressed
that Iran’s balanced policy played an essential role in the maintenance
of stability in the South Caucasus. He pointed out paramount importance
of this policy being continued. Margaryan expressed gratitude for the
Iranian Government’s attitude to the Armenian community, pointing out
communities’ important role in the development of bilateral relations.
In his turn, the Iranian President pointed out that the development
of friendly relations with its neighbors, particularly, with Armenia,
is in conformity with Iran’s policy. He also pointed out the importance
of consistent implementation of economic programs.
According to the RA National Statistical Service, in January-July
2005, Armenian-Iranian trade turnover totaled $63,335.2ths (exports
$17,884.1ths and imports 45,541.1ths) against $53,689 ths in
the corresponding period of last year ($17,989ths and $35,700ths
respectively). P.t. -0–

THE PROPOSALS OF ICG CONTAIN A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT ARE UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE NKR
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
The proposals of International Crisis Group (ICG) contain a number
of proposals that are unacceptable for the Karabakh party. Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan stated it while
answering the question of the NKR NA deputy Gegham Baghdasaryan
concerning official Stepanakert’s attitude towards the ICG proposals
on the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Among the negative elements the Minister mentioned the circumstance
that Karabakh conflict had been presented as contradiction between
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the report. The NKR Foreign Minister pointed
out some positive moments as well having noted the ICG respected
Nagorno Karabakh’s sovereignty. Arman Melikyan said the NKR MFA was
to express its attitude to the report in the near future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1+
| 17:44:58 | 16-09-2005 | Politics |
OMBUDSMAN WORRIED ABOUT THE REFERENDUM
The RA Ombudsman Larissa Alaverdyan is going to have meetings with the NA
Standing Committees, fractions and their heads. On her offer they will
discuss the legislative reforms and the process of Constitutional reforms.
The Ombudsman is also worried by the fact that up to now it is not know what
state structure will be responsible for public awareness campaign
organizing.
Taking into account the fact that time is pressing before the referendum,
according to Larissa Alaverdyan, we must start a huge campaign in order to
raise public awareness about the content of the coming Constitutional
reforms. Otherwise, the insufficient activeness of the RA citizens can
affect the results of the referendum negatively.

“ARMENIA EXPO – 2005” INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. About 180 companies from 15
countries including Russia, the Ukraine, Moldova, Iran, Romania,
Czechia, Germany, China and Canada, participate in the “Armenia expo
2005” international commercial-industrial exhibition opened in
Yerevan, on September 14. As Karen Chshmaritian, the Minister of RA
Trade and Economy Development mentioned at the opening of the
exhibition, among the exhibitions held after Armenia’s becoming
independent, “Armenia Expo – 2005” is the largest by the number of
both participants and represented countries. Besides, unlike the
previous exhibition, production and service of the spheres of
construction, information technologies, service are also presented
this time.
According to Arsen Ghazarian, the Chairman of the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, “Armenia expo’s” holding for
the fifth time is the evidence of the fact that Armenia became a
center of coordination of regional economic ties.
“Industrial Armenia,” “Build expo,” “Trans expo,” “Comp expo,”
“Polygraph, Publishing, Advertising” and “Food and Drinks” pavilions
act at the exhibition. Within the framework of the “Armenia expo 2005”
exhibition, an Armenian-Russian business-meeting “Cooperation 2005”
will be held as well as days of “business” of the USA and China will
be organized.
The exhibition will be open till September 17.

AZG Armenian Daily #165, 15/09/2005
Russia
SCENARIO OF RESCUING ARMENIAN PILOTS HELPS TO RESCUE RUSSIAN SAILORS
“The Russian foreign minister applied to me with a letter a month ago and a
half ago, asking to help in the case of the Russian sailors imprisoned in
Nigeria, using my international ties,” Ara Abrahamian, chairman of the World
Congress of Armenians, sated in the interview to Azg.
As you know, the Nigerian authorities arrested and imprisoned the crew of
the African “Pride” ship, accusing them of oil smuggling. 15 members of the
crew are Russian citizens. The inquiry opened against them lasts for two
years already.
Ara Abrahamian, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, said that the process he
participated in lasted three months. They created a separate group that
worked in three main directions. At first, they spared no efforts to secure
good living conditions for the sailors, to improve their health and safety
in the Nigerian prison. Soon, the sailors were transferred to a separate
place, where there was a drug store. Ara Abrahamian’s working group also
established relations with the leadership of the prison.
Besides, some of the families of the sailors were rendered financial aid.
Secondly, the working group directed their efforts to achieve positive
results in the court procedure. Ara Abrahamian said that the lawyers hired
for the Russian sailors didn’t defend them properly, so they decided to
change them and hire a new lawyer. He said they hired a local Nigerian
lawyer who proved to be a good one.
At present, the sailors are staying at the Russian Embassy to Nigeria. Ara
Abrahamian’s assistant is staying with them.
Thirdly, Ara Abrahamian’s working group began cooperation negotiations with
the Nigerian authorities. Ara Abrahamian and Nigerian President achieved
certain agreements on cooperation.
In general, the strategy was the same that was elaborated and applied when
rescuing the 6 Armenia pilots from the Equatorial Guinea. Ara Abrahamian
said that the current stage of the works was implemented with the direct
cooperation of Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister.
“I believe that the sailors will return to their motherland till December,
“Ara Abrahamian assured.
The Russian press highly evaluated the efforts of Ara Abrahamian in rescuing
the Russian Sailors.
Having witnessed the results of Ara Abrahamian’s successful negotiations in
the case of the six Armenian pilots, we hope that soon the Russian sailors
will return to their families.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

Joy for Armenia and Albania
Tuesday, 13 September 2005
by Paul Saffer
from Crystal Palace National Sports Arena
Tal Grig Yerevan and Dinamo Tirana have made it
through the UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round after
another dramatic day of action in England that saw
mini-tournament hosts London White Bear FC eliminated
by the smallest of margins.
London out
Yerevan were beaten 2-1 tonight by mini-tournament
hosts London but the home side were eliminated by
virtue of a three-way head-to-head goals scored
tie-breaker with their opponents and Tirana. All three
sides finished on six points but Armenian side Yerevan
and Albanian entrants Tirana take first and second
spot respectively. French debutants Roubaix Futsal
finished bottom of the group after their 5-1 defeat by
Tirana in the day’s first game.
Mullaj strikes
Roubaix needed an improbable 12-goal win to have any
hope of taking a top-two place on their competition
debut, but although they had much of the possession
against Tirana, but they were 2-0 down within five
minutes as Ani Mullaj struck his fifth goal of the
round and Gerdi Spahiu added another. In between Mehdi
Rokia hit the post for Roubaix. The French side pushed
hard, but before the break Mullaj scorted on the
break.
Deserved consolation
Artan Qopekaj made it 4-0 on the half-hour and Indrin
Llagami hit Tirana’s fifth five minutes later, after
which David Vieira claimed a deserved consolation for
Roubaix. That result meant London realistically needed
a two-goal win to go through.
Quickfire Danielyan
However, it took only ten seconds for Armen Danielyan
to give Yerevan the lead. The goal, though, did not
dishearten London who now made the play for the
remaining 39 minutes and 50 seconds.
Home heartbreak
There was frustration after frustration for the hosts
as Artak Harutyunyan in the Yerevan goal seemed
unbeatable. Five minutes into the second half his goal
was finally breahed, Anatoliy Sigur striking. Soon
after London’s key man Alexandre Topalo had an effort
ruled out as the ball had left play earlier in the
move and Ruslan Lipskiy hit the post. With four
minutes left Topalo gave London a deserved lead, which
they held to the end, only to learn that their victory
would not keep their first European campaign going.
Benfica waiting
Yerevan now enter Group 3 of next month’s first
qualifying round, and will face the might of 2004
finalists SL Benfica along with Cyprus’s AGBU Ararat
Nicosia and mini-tournament hosts Colorspectrum Aramis
Budapest of Hungary. Tirana will play in Group 4,
staged by Slovenia’s KMN Svea Lesna Litija and also
featuring KMF Marbo Beograd and Athena ’90 of Serbia
and Montenegro and Greece respectively.
©uefa.com 1998-2005.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress