Author: Hambardsumian Paul

Avvenire, Italia
Giovedi 24 febbraio 2005
IL CASO
Dopo il genocidio voluto dai Turchi,i sopravvissuti iniziarono una
caccia sistematica ai colpevoli
La vendetta degli armeni
Nacque l’«Operazione Nemesis» che portò anche ad alcuni omicidi: un
libro ripercorre la vicenda
Di Edoardo Castagna
Nessun processo di Norimberga, nessun Simon Wiesenthal hanno reso
giustizia agli armeni. Per lungo tempo lo sterminio di più di un
milione di persone è stato cancellato dalla storia, affidato solo
alla memoria dei superstiti e dei loro discendenti. Oggi i fatti sono
noti e nella strage compiuta nelle pietraie anatoliche si vede il
primo dei genocidi del Novecento. Ma allora, durante la guerra e
immediatamente dopo, pochi si curarono degli armeni.
Lo sterminio era stato deciso dai Giovani Turchi al potere dal 1908,
che portarono la Turchia nella Grande Guerra e diedero il via alla
pulizia etnica. Nel 1919 il rinato governo ottomano condannò a morte
in contumacia i principali responsabili, ma i Giovani Turchi di Kemal
Atatürk finirono per imporsi e le sentenze furono dimenticate. Gli
occidentali, ansiosi di stabilire una collaborazione con Kemal,
tacquero; gli organizzatori del genocidio, internati a Malta,
tornarono in libertà. E gli armeni decisero di fare da sé.
Il Dashnak, la Federazione rivoluzionaria armena, ideò l’Operazione
Nemesis per uccidere i responsabili dei massacri sia tra i governanti
turchi, sia tra le spie armene al loro servizio. I politici furono
colpiti in Europa, dove si erano rifugiati in attesa di tornare al
potere; tre furono vittime di Arshavir Shiragian, giovane attivista
che ha raccontato la sua vicenda nel libro Condannato a uccidere.
Memorie di un patriota armeno, ora tradotto in italiano (Guerini,
pagine 252, euro 18,50).
Nato con il secolo, Shiragian aveva 15 anni quando i turchi diedero
il via al massacro. Scampò alla morte perché apparteneva alla
comunità armena di Istanbul, parzialmente difesa dalla presenza di
diplomatici e militari stranieri. I cristiani – armeni, ma anche
greci – erano comunque sempre a rischio; gli uomini venivano fatti
sparire di notte e inviati in Anatolia, il teatro della strage. Fu
deportato il patriarca, Zaven; la comunità armena si organizzò per
nascondere i ricercati e per ammassare armi, pronta a ogni evenienza.
Il giovane Arshavir raccoglieva vettovaglie e informazioni,
trasportava fucili e occultava, nei doppi muri della sua casa, decine
di compatrioti. Al termine della guerra ebbe il suo “battesimo di
fuoco” uccidendo una spia e poi partì per l’Armenia, che allora stava
vivendo una prima, effimera indipendenza. Stretto tra la morsa dei
sovietici a nord e dei turchi a sud, il neonato Stato armeno non
sopravvisse che fino al 1921; Shiragian, imprigionato e torturato dai
georgiani a Tiblisi, lo raggiunse quando ormai le speranze
d’indipendenza erano cadute. Nel 1923 il trattato di Losanna rinnegò
definitivamente quello firmato a Sèvres tre anni prima, che aveva
affermato la necessità di un tribunale internazionale per giudicare i
responsabili dei massacri.
Shiragian venne inviato a Roma per eliminare l’ex primo ministro Said
Halim. In quel momento il suo compagno Soghomon Tehlirian uccideva a
Berlino Talaat Pascià, già ministro degli Interni: l’Operazione
Nemesis era al via, e nel dicembre di quello stesso 1921 Shiragian
compì la sua missione assassinando Said Halim. Shiragian ricostruisce
pedinamenti, appostamenti ed esecuzioni senza enfasi ma anche senza
tentennamenti. Dalle sue memorie non emerge rimorso, né il sospetto
di essersi arrogato un ruolo al di sopra della legge e della morale.
Si avverte invece l’incombenza necessaria della giustizia, di quella
riparazione umana dei torti che la comunità internazionale aveva
negato.
Shiragian non cerca vendette personali ma esegue scrupolosamente gli
ordini del Dashnak; l’odio che cova è il movente individuale dei suoi
omicidi, ma lo disciplina entro l’Operazione Nemesis. Non si
considera un assassino: «Il pensiero di servirmi della mia arma
contro innocenti non mi aveva mai sfiorato. La nostra organizzazione
non aveva un progetto di sterminio. Puniva quegli individui che erano
stati giudicati in contumacia e riconosciuti colpevoli di assassini
di massa».
Lasciata Roma, Shiragian uccise a Be rlino Behaeddine Shakir,
pianificatore dello sterminio, e Djemal Azmi, il «mostro di
Trebisonda» responsabile della morte dei bambini armeni che, legati,
venivano gettati in mare. Insieme a un altro sicario colpì i due
turchi senza sfiorare mogli e figli che al momento dell’attentato si
trovavano con loro; sfuggito alla polizia riparò negli Stati Uniti,
dove si stabilì definitivamente.
Shiragian non fu mai processato, ma anche per lui si pone il problema
dibattuto a Berlino nel corso delle udienze contro il suo compagno
Tehlirian. L’assassino di Talaat Pascià era stato individuato come
l’autore dell’omicidio, eppure la giuria lo prosciolse. Negli anni
Venti la violenza era considerata un’arma abituale della politica, e
al processo si stabilì che Tehlirian aveva sì ucciso Talaat, ma non
ne era “colpevole”, non più di quanto il boia lo sia dell’esecuzione
di un condannato a morte. I sogni di Shiragian non erano di vendetta
e di odio, ma semplicemente di normalità.
Una normalità che gli appariva impossibile finché i responsabili del
genocidio sopravvivevano impuniti, ma che i militanti dell’Operazione
Nemesis credevano di poter restaurare attraverso la violenza:
«Compiuta la missione, sarei tornato a Costantinopoli per fidanzarmi
ufficialmente con Gaiané. Poi saremmo andati in America e ci saremmo
sposati. Mi sarei lanciato negli affari e avremmo vissuto una vita
tranquilla senza angosce quotidiane».

SecondsOut.com
Feb 25 2005
Martínez to face Airapetian

By Juan Pablo Manfredi: On Friday March 4 in León, Spain, current IBO
super-welterweight champion Sergio Martínez will face Armenian Albert
Airapetian in a 12 rounder for the vacant WBC International title.
This fight will replace the awaited rematch for the European Union
title between Rubén Varón and Lukas Konecny, that was postponed due
to a hand injury sustained by Varón in his previous fight.
“Maravilla” Martínez, a fast, slick southpaw came from a series of
good wins in Britain, beating Richard Williams (twice) and Adrian
Stone. The Spanish based Argentinean has compilled a 32-1-1 (14)
record with his sole defeat against Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas,
five years ago.
Airapetian has an interest resume of 17-1 (8) that introduce him as a
dangerous opponent. Last year, he decisioned well regarded portuguese
Antoine Montero in his big win as today.
Teenage super-bantamweight prospect Kiko Martínez will top the
undercard.
More Spanish news:
Javier Castillejo, who hold the interim version of the WBC 154 lbs
title since May 2002 has been in Africa in the past weeks as a member
of a tv show. “El Lince de Parla” may put the full version of the
title on the line on May 21 against Ricardo Mayorga in the US.
Last Friday 18 in Vigo, European flyweight top contender, local Iván
Pozo knocked-out Chilean Julio Vargas in the fifth.
Now Pozo is 19-3-1 (11) and looks for another shot at Brahim Aoslum’s
title after dropping a close decision last year in France.

Armenian leader, ruling coalition discuss election bill, constitutional
changes
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
23 Feb 05
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has met members of the council of
the [ruling] political coalition. The meeting discussed the process of
settling issues on the agenda of the National Assembly. The meeting
also touched on the draft law on elections and constitutional
amendments.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 23 2005
`One should be ready for war to achieve peace’ – Belgian Amb.

Baku, February 22, AssA-Irada
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh was in focus of
discussions at the meeting of Minister for Defence, Colonel-General
Safar Abiyev with the Belgian Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan
Marc Van Risselberg on Monday.
The ambassador expressed his disappointment with occupation of 20% of
Azerbaijan’s territory by Armenia and stated that one should be ready
for a war in order to achieve peace.
Risselberg noted that the Azerbaijan Armed Forces have become
stronger since the Upper Garabagh conflict started. `I wish armed
forces not to be involved in settling the conflict,’ he said.
Minister Abiyev, in turn, said that Azerbaijan is making every effort
to resolve the conflict peacefully. He said that the Azerbaijani
people are concerned over the fact that the international community
has not recognized Armenia as an invader yet.`The Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe has recently passed a resolution
calling Armenia an aggressor and forces in Upper Garabagh as
separatists. All international organizations must adopt similar
decisions. Armenia is purposefully settling population of Armenian
descent in the occupied regions of Azerbaijan. We restate that
Azerbaijan won’t give up a single inch of its territory to Armenia.
The longer the Upper Garabagh conflict remains unsettled the more the
possibility of launching military operations. If this happens,
Armenia will bear full responsibility.’*

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: WE HOPE THAT COURT OF BUDAPEST TO MAKE JUST
DECISION REGARDING CASE ON MURDER OF ARMENIAN OFFICER
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19. ARMINFO. “We hope that the court of Budapest
will pass a just verdict regarding the case on the murder of the
Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian”, Prime MInister of Armenia Andranik
Margarian stated.
To remind, on Feb 19, 2004 senior lieutenant of Armenian armed forces
Gurgen Margarian was killed by Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov. The
trial concerning this case is in process in the Budapest court/
The prime minister of Armenia expressed confidence that the results
of the expert examination will show that Ramil Safarov perpetrated
wilful homicide, coolly and in mentally sane state. All the attempts
of the Azerbaijani side to delay the trial and even to raise Safarov
to the second rank of hero in Azerbaijan will doom to failure,
he said. “Of course we cannot return the life to Gurgen Margarian,
but we must continue making every effort at all the levels to reach
rendering fair sentence”, Andranik Margarian said.

PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon
Haigazian University 50th Anniversary Celebrations Continue …
Student Art Exhibition
In line with the Haigazian University 50th anniversary celebrations,
and under the auspices of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Sebouh
Hovnanian, the Student Art Exhibition opened on February the 8th at
5:00 pm in the Arthur Matossian gallery of the Mugar Building.
The opening of the exhibition attracted a good number of officials
and ordinary people intrigued to peep into the world of the youth.
In attendance were several Armenian deputies, former Lebanese deputies,
other governmental and diplomatic officials, along with many faculty,
staff and students.
The President Haidostian delivered a short speech, in which he
heartfully greeted the audience and stressed “the role the students
themselves play in the life of Haigazian”.
The exhibition featured a great diversity of works, 40 paintings and
drawings prepared by 15 students, and numerous sculptures, potteries,
ceramics and textile accomplished by the Arts and Crafts club.
As the President pointed out in his word, the students involved are
not majoring in arts, but instead in Business, Biology, Education,
Psychology, Economics and Mathematics. This made their work more
appreciable as it was commented in the news of a local television
station, Future TV, which was covering the whole event.
In a short interview with the reporter of the TV station, students
explained the theme of their paintings, in addition to their feelings,
states of mind and inspiration that has driven them in accomplishing
a particular painting, from conception of the idea till the final
realization of the work.
All participants are thankful for their efforts and contribution, Arin
Ayanian, Araz Keuroghlian, Maria Tenbelian, Liza Atmajian, Antranig
Keurkunian, Seta Doudaklian, Lily Melki, Arin Tchekidjian, Mher
Kalenderian, Anahid Babayan, Noushig Shanlian, Thia Sagherian, Rana
Merhi, Nora Mardirossian, and Satenik Aghassian who was awarded top
and first prize for the Inter University Student Drawing Competition
organized by the Russian Cultural Center in Beirut in late May 2003.
Last but not least, special thanks and a word of appreciation go
to the Arts and Crafts Club and their advisor Ms. Roula Halabi who
played a major role in turning this event to a real success. Be posted,
further successes are on the way…
Mira Yardemian
–Boundary_(ID_UlnKUamY8ZOh7ZYt4Yc5iQ)–

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 17, 2005
AGBU ARARAT PUBLISHES SPECIAL ASADOURIAN ISSUE
New York, NY – Nearly a hundred people of all ages gathered at AGBU
Central Office in New York on Thursday, January 27th, to celebrate the
publication of an issue of AGBU’s Ararat quarterly devoted entirely
to the writings of author Hagop H. Asadourian (1903-2003).
Born in the village of Chomaklou in eastern Turkey, Hagop Asadourian
was deported, along with the rest of his village, in 1918 but found
refuge in AGBU’s orphanage in Aleppo, Syria. He settled in the U.S. in
1920, where he became a successful businessman, singer, and author
of poetry and fiction, including his novel, “The Grandchildren of
Hovagim,” which describes his childhood experiences. He was honored
for this work by the Tekeyan Cultural Foundation in Lebanon in 1965 and
1984. On March 3, 2003 the Foundation celebrated his 100th birthday “in
honor of his lifelong dedication to his beloved Armenian people through
music and literature.” The Spring 2004 issue of “Ararat” is the first
extended excerpt from his work to be published in English translation.
Performers Lynne Kassabian, Marjorie Keyishian, Amy Keyishian, and
Nora Armani, treated the audience to selections from Asadourian’s
writing while oud master and performer, Ara Dinkjian, played a personal
composition in honor of the occasion. A number of speakers addressed
aspects of Asadourian’s writings, including Armenian Studies scholar
Vartan Matiossian and Richard Asadourian, the author’s son.
An official Hagop Asadourian website has been established by the
Naregatsi Art Institute at The site showcases
selections of Asadourian’s writings, music and life and offers various
CDs and DVDs for sale to the public.
Ararat quarterly () is published by AGBU. Copies
of the Asadourian issue or other back issues are available at $7
each. They may be ordered by e-mailing [email protected], calling
Hripsime at 212-319-6383, ext. 131, or mailing your request, along with
a check, to ARARAT/AGBU, 55 East 59th Street, NY, NY 10022-1112. For
more information about AGBU and its many cultural initiatives, please
visit

Egypt houses up to 1 million stateless children
afrol News, Norway
Feb 17 2005
afrol News, 16 February – There are believed to be 400,000 to more
than a million children living in Egypt without proper citizen rights,
including the right to an education or to work. Many of them are
born into families were several generations have been stateless,
others are children of a foreign father and an Egyptian mother,
thus without citizen rights.
According to a new report on stateless people released this week by
the Washington-based group Refugees International (RI), Egypt is the
African country with the greatest population of people without citizen
rights. The large group of stateless people in Egypt has accumulated
during a century of immigration and strict nationality legislation,
creating an entire class without basic rights.
The story of many of today’s stateless people in Egypt started in the
early 20th century. The collapse of the Russian and Ottoman Empires
around 1917 led to large-scale displacement, with Egypt being a
favoured destination for refugees. Only the number of Armenians
residing in Egypt was estimated at about 70,000-75,000 prior to the
Egyptian revolution of 1952, according to the RI report.
Subsequently, an agreement between the Egyptian government and the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1954, and
later ratified in May 1981, assigned the UNHCR the responsibility
of caring for stateless populations living in Egypt – individuals of
Russian, Armenian, Yugoslav, Albanian, Hungarian, Czech, Bulgarian,
Polish, Romanian and Estonian origins.
Officially, only some 130 stateless persons remain of concern to
UNHCR. In reality, however, large numbers of descendents from these
Eastern European and Middle East immigrants still live in Egypt, the
country they were born, without citizen rights. Also the children of
later immigrants live in this stateless limbo.
They cannot obtain an Egyptian passport as their father is not
Egyptian, according to current legislation. Only males may confer
citizenship. This in effect also leaves any child born to an Egyptian
mother and a non-Egyptian father stateless.
According to RI, these children “cannot attend public school or
state universities, are barred from certain professional schools,
and cannot work without meeting foreign residency requirements and
obtaining work permits.” There are believed to be 400,000 to more
than a million such children in the country, RI estimates.
These children and adult descendents of immigrants only know Egypt as
their country. They were born there and – due to a lack of citizenship
– mostly have been barred from leaving the country. They risk not
being let to return to their home if they go abroad. They must pay
large annual fees to get a work permit. They pay taxes but are not
entitled to social security.
In 2003, President Hosni Mubarak closed the annual ruling party
conference with a number of announcements, including a statement that
the Interior Ministry would begin processing citizenship applications
for children of Egyptian mothers and foreign fathers. It has been
predicted that if the President’s assurances are implemented, Egyptian
women will gain the historic right to pass their nationality on to
their children.
Excluded, however, are the many Palestinians residing in Egypt –
estimated at 55,000 to 77,000 – based on a 1959 agreement not to
give Palestinians citizenship in order to preserve their national
identity. Palestinian authorities expect these refugees to return to
Palestine once a state is established there.
Also, Palestinian men who have left the country to work abroad face
further difficulties because Egypt has closed the office that issues
return visas. “They live abroad illegally and cannot return to Egypt,
a situation that makes them stateless,” according to the RI report.
By staff writer

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
02/15/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) The Aftermath of Hariri's Death 2) Kocharian, ARF Lebanon React to Hariri’s Assassination 3) Armenian Youth Determined to Gain Genocide Recognition 4) ARF Leader Stresses Turkey Has Nothing to Offer through Mere 'Dialogue' 5) Mediator Sees No Organized Settlement Policy in Karabagh 1) The Aftermath of Hariri's Death --US Recalls Ambassador from Syria BEIRUT (MSNBC)--The United States recalled its ambassador to Syria on Tuesday, expressing "profound outrage" amid growing suspicion that Damascus was involved in a massive bombing in Lebanon a day earlier that killed Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Condemnation and expressions of grief echoed throughout the Arab world and beyond, while in southern Lebanon an angry mob attacked Syrian workers. The bombing and its aftermath raised fears that Lebanon might revert to the political violence of the 1970s and '80s, and the US Embassy in Beirut warned Americans in the Lebanese capital to exercise extreme caution. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous said the UN Security Council was working on a declaration demanding that the Lebanese government bring to justice those responsible for the assassination and could adopt it later Tuesday. "For us, it is very important that the text can effectively express today and without waiting the unanimity of the international community in condemning this criminal and odious act," Ladsous said. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he saw no immediate need to change EU relations with Syria, but supported an international investigation into the bombing. EU relations, he added, could change depending "on how the responsibilities on the assassination of Mr. Hariri are resolved." Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh suggested that, based on the crater in the middle of the road and preliminary reports, the attack may have been carried out by a suicide bomber who rammed Hariri's motorcade with a vehicle laden with explosives. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, announcing the move to withdraw American ambassador to Damascus Margaret Scobey, said it reflected the Bush administration's "profound outrage" over Hariri's assassination. Boucher did not accuse Syria of being involved in the bombing Monday in Beirut. "I have been careful to say we do not know who committed the murder at this time," he said. But he said the deadly attack illustrated that Syria's strong military and political presence in Lebanon was a problem and had not provided security in the neighboring country. Earlier, Scobey delivered a stern message to Syrian officials, a senior State Department official told NBC News, saying the Syrians needed to take action to fight terrorism in Lebanon, stop interfering in Lebanon's internal politics, and abide by a UN resolution that calls for Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon. Boucher refused to describe Syria's reaction to Scobey's diplomatic messages in Damascus. Syria has not yet taken any reciprocal action, such as withdrawing its own ambassador to Washington. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the United States has "made it clear to Syria that we expect Syria to act in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and the disbanding of militias." McClellan said, "We also made it clear to Syria that we want them to use their influence to prevent the kind of terrorist attack that took place yesterday from happening." Although most suspicion has fallen on Syria or its supporters in Lebanon, it was clear the possibilities also might include rogue Syrian intelligence operatives, or even factions among the country's myriad religious groups. Claims of responsibility by Islamic militants also raised the possibility that Hariri had been targeted because of his close ties to Saudi Arabia--a top enemy of al-Qaida and other groups. But Justice Minister Adnan Addoum played down that possibility, and Hariri's political allies openly accused Syria and its Lebanese allies of being to blame. In Hariri's hometown of Sidon on southern Lebanon's Mediterranean coast, dozens of demonstrators attacked Syrian workers Tuesday, slightly wounding five before police intervened. Hundreds of others marched in the streets. Black banners and pictures of the slain leader covered the streets as the country began three days of official mourning. On Monday night, a mob attacked the offices of the Lebanese chapter of Syria's ruling Baath Party in Beirut with stones and set fire to shacks used to exchange money and sell cigarettes in front of it. Police said the toll from the bombing was 14 dead and about 120 injured. A claim of responsibility by a previously unknown Islamic militant group--Support and Jihad in Syria and Lebanon--was not considered credible, with Addoum warning it could be an attempt "to mislead the investigation." At Hariri's Beirut residence Tuesday, long lines of mourners offered condolences to the family. Dignitaries also arrived to pay their respects, including Syrian Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam, a longtime friend; Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos; and Hariri's political ally, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, head of the Maronite Catholic Church. 2) Kocharian, ARF Lebanon React to Hariri’s Assassination (Combined Sources)--President Robert Kocharian conveyed his condolences to his Lebanese counterpart Emil Lahoud, expressing sorrow for the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. Praising Hariri as a leading political figure who made considerable contributions to strengthening Lebanon's statehood and Armenian-Lebanese relations, Kocharian said Hariri's death is a difficult challenge not only for Lebanon, but also for the entire region. In his message to Hariri's widow Nazik Hariri, Kocharian said, "Rafik Hariri not only made an invaluable contribution to strengthening of peace and stability in Lebanon and in the whole region, but also exerted considerable efforts to strengthen the relations between Armenia and Lebanon. I remember my meetings with Rafik Hariri with special warmth. On behalf of the Armenian people and myself, I express deep condolence to you and all his relatives." The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of Lebanon also issued a statement on Monday denouncing the assassination and extending its condolences to the families of Hariri and other victims. The statement condemns the blast, calling it "an attempt to infringe on the Homeland's security, peace, civil serenity, and national accord." "This crime was committed against the Lebanese Homeland and points to the dangerous stage Lebanon has come to," the statement continued. Urging all to maintain internal unity and underscoring national responsibility in the dangerous and sensitive situation that Lebanon and the region are facing, the statement concludes, "The absence of Rafik Hariri, a symbol of the national accord and prominent political leader, will felt greatly in Lebanon and the Arab world." 3) Armenian Youth Determined to Gain Genocide Recognition YEREVAN (Armenpress)--The youth divisions of Armenia's political parties, student councils, and a number of non-government organizations (NGOs) released a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the Turkish media for deliberately distorting historical facts about the Armenian genocide. The deputy head of the Armenian NGO youth division, Abraham Bakhchagulian, said youth must work for the recognition of the Armenian genocide, and are ready to organize various events to attain that goal. He said it is inadmissible to talk about the Armenian genocide in a dismissive manner, as the Turkish mass media and political elite do, in order to hinder the process of the international recognition of the Armenian genocide. "We condemn the activity of the organizations and people who aim to cast doubt on the Armenian genocide and impede the process of condemning this crime against humanity. Armenian youth are determined and united in its position to promote the recognition of the Armenian genocide," the statement reads. 4) ARF Leader Stresses Turkey Has Nothing to Offer through Mere 'Dialogue' YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Levon Mkrtchian, who heads the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) faction in parliament, described an offer to the ARF to engage in "dialogue" with Turkey, as "unserious," and questioned the motives behind yesterday's invitation. He also questioned the credentials of Turkish businessman Kaan Soyak, who made the offer at a news conference in Yerevan yesterday. Soyak co-chairs the Turkish-Armenian Business Council (TABC). "Dashnaktsutyun [ARF] has received no formal offers to that effect," Mkrtchian said. "I don't know who that person represents, what goals he is pursuing here and how substantiated his proposals are." "Offers of a dialogue addressed to Dashnaktsutyun [ARF] must be much more serious. They must specify the subjects or topics of such a dialogue. Dashnaktsutyun [ARF] ascertained those topics long ago," Mkrtchian added. Mkrtchian argued that Turkish-Armenian rapprochement and reconciliation is hardly possible because Turkey's ruling establishment remains unwilling to come to terms with its Ottoman past. "Modern-day Turkey, given its position on the genocide issue and policy on the Republic of Armenia, has nothing to offer Dashnaktsutyun [the ARF] in a dialogue," he said. 5) Mediator Sees No Organized Settlement Policy in Karabagh By Jean-Christophe Peuch The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) last week completed an unprecedented fact-finding mission to regions around Mountainous Karabagh to verify Azeri claims that Armenian authorities are sending settlers to the area. The mission, which was supervised by the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, was the first of its kind since the suspension of the 1988-94 Karabagh war. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL, France's Minsk Group co-chairman, Bernard Fassier, discussed the mission's preliminary findings. PRAGUE--For more than a week, experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) conducted an unprecedented tour of the Kelbajar, Lachin, Qubadli, Fuzuli, Cebrayil, Zangilan, and Agdam districts around Mountainous Karabagh. The eight-member mission was placed under the supervision of the Minsk Group of nations that has been mediating the Karabagh conflict for the past 13 years on behalf of the OSCE. That Group has been co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States, beginning in 1996. France's co-chair, Bernard Fassier, who toured the territories with the OSCE experts, said that the mission, which had long been demanded by Azerbaijan, was made possible only after arduous talks between Baku and Yerevan. Azerbaijan claims the Armenian and Karabagh authorities have already sent some 23,000 settlers to the areas and demands that an end be put to what it says is a deliberate policy of colonization. "The determinant factor that made this mission possible--despite Armenia's earlier objections--was a compromise reached recently by the two countries under the aegis of the Minsk Group co-chairs. The main provision of the compromise was that Azerbaijan would suspend its action at the United Nations in return for--among other things--Armenia's consent to that mission, the technicalities of which were agreed to by both parties," Fassier said. In early 1993, ethnic Armenian forces were in full control of Mountainous Karabagh and had already secured the strategic southern corridor of Lachin that links the exclave to Armenia. In March 1993, ethnic Armenian forces launched a two-pronged offensive that drove Azerbaijan's army farther east. Kelbajar fell on April 3, 1993. Agdam, Fuzuli, Cebrayil, and other cities and towns followed soon thereafter. Azerbaijan claims the Armenian and Karabagh authorities have already sent some 23,000 settlers to the areas and demands that an end be put to what it says is a deliberate policy of colonization. But French Ambassador Fassier said that, with one noticeable exception, Armenian migration into the occupied territories seems to be largely spontaneous and improvised. "Contrary to what many people thought, there doesn't seem to be a deliberate, large-scale plan to settle those areas. One exception, however, is the Lachin district. In Lachin, one can say that the [Armenian] settlement is being encouraged and sponsored. But with regard to the six remaining districts, its seems that up to 80 to 90 percent of settlers have gone there either on their own or with the support of local nongovernmental organizations or the [Armenian] diaspora. Except for Lachin, there is no large-scale involvement from [the capital of Mountainous Karabagh Republic] Stepanakert, even less so from Yerevan," Fassier said. The French diplomat said the largest group of settlers is made up of Armenian refugees who fled Azerbaijan before the Karabagh war broke out in 1988 and in the early months of the conflict. The second-largest group is composed of victims of the December 1988 earthquake that leveled the Armenian city of Spitak and partially destroyed Leninakan, Stepanavan, and Kirovakan. "Finally, there is a third and much smaller group that consists of people who have fled Armenia for economic reasons, or who live in mountainous areas of Armenia and come on a seasonal basis to these more temperate areas for cattle-breeding purposes. During the winter season, these families come down from their mountains to graze their few cows or sheep in these more temperate zones," Fassier said. Fassier noted that most Armenian settlers are apparently receiving no assistance whatsoever from Yerevan or Stepanakert. He said the precarious Armenian settlements, generally made up of a few families, remain isolated from each other because there are neither roads nor any means of communication. With the exception of Lachin, no organized effort has been made to restore infrastructure destroyed during the war. Also, Fassier said, no reconstruction program has been initiated and many settlers continue to live in appalling conditions more than 10 years into the cease-fire. "In many areas there is no electricity and poverty predominates. I wouldn't say people live. Rather, they are surviving in half-destroyed walls topped by a tin roof. To survive, these families rely on small gardens or plots of land that offer only limited agricultural possibilities. Sometimes, they also rely on what a few fruit orchards that have been in a state of neglect for the past 10 years are still able to produce. In the most extreme situations there is no electricity and just a hole in the ground, a fountain or a well to draw water from. In areas where conditions are slightly better, accumulators allow for just enough electricity to supply a single bulb. In other areas there are small generators. Sometimes electricity is either imported from Karabagh or supplied by an Armenian military base nearby," Fassier said. Due to its key strategic importance as a land bridge between Karabagh and Armenia, Yerevan insists that the notion of returning the Lachin corridor to Azerbaijan is a nonnegotiable issue. In Lachin, Fassier said, migrants live in much better conditions then in other occupied lands. The reconstruction rate is nearing 50 percent. Schools have been built with government support, water and electricity supplies progressively restored, and local administrations set up. The OSCE experts are due to present their final report to the Minsk Group co-chairs. The latter will then add their own recommendations and political conclusions before passing on the report to the other Minsk Group members and the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna--tentatively scheduled for the second half of March. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. --Boundary_(ID_n487VAWzt2L++rPl2HTrIA)--

UAE defence minister assures Azeri counterpart of support in Karabakh
Lider TV, Baku
14 Feb 05
The United Arab Emirates supports the position of the Baku government
in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the UAE minister of defence
and crown prince of Dubai, Gen Shaykh Muhammad Bin-Rashid al-Maktum,
has said at a meeting with [visiting] Azerbaijani Defence Minister
Safar Abiyev.
He said that the UAE will support Azerbaijan’s position in the future
as well.
The meeting will also focus on defence cooperation. [Sentence as heard]