Author: Hovhannisian John

CHAIRMAN OF OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS FAREWELL TO POLITICS
Armenpress
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Hrant Khachatrian, chairman of
a small opposition party, called Constitutional Right Union (CRU),
has given up today the post of the party chairman after his deputy,
Hayk Babukhanian, refused to leave the party, at least for three
months, as demanded by Khachatrian, who said it is needed to improve
the atmosphere within the CRU.
Khachatrian issued his warning earlier this week saying if
Babukhanian ignores his demand he would say good by to politics for
ever. Hrant Khachatrian accuses Babukhanian, who is chief editor
of the well-selling weekly Iravunk, of pocketing around 3 million
drams. Khachatrian said he made the decision to abandon politics
today morning though his party fellows urged him strongly to think
better of it.
Khachatrian who was elected to current parliament on the slate of the
opposition Ardarutyun (Justice) party said he would not denounce his
lawmaker’s mandate.

MEDIA ALERT
DATE: September 19, 2006
TO: Media Colleagues
RE: Diplomatic Traffic interview with NKR Representative
Today, the DiplomaticTraffic.com, an online periodical of the East
West Communications, published an interview with NKR Representative
to the U.S. Vardan Barseghian. Representative Barseghian’s interview
is included below.
You can also view it at:
=163
***
Nagorno-Karabakh: ‘There is no going back for us’
By Thomas Cromwell
With the collapse of the Soviet Union the world became aware of the
complexity of peoples and nations that made up the diversity of the
USSR but that had long been submerged beneath the monolithic façade
of communist rule. Especially under Stalin, many ethnic groups had
been forced to leave their traditional lands or were incorporated
into Soviet states where they didn’t belong. One of these was
Nagorno Karabakh, which in 1921 Moscow had made part of the
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, even though the majority of
the population was Armenian.
On September 2, 1991, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic declared
independence, in step with other former Soviet states. (A Soviet law
passed in 1990 allowed for Soviet autonomous entities, such as
Karabakh, to decide their own future if their ‘parent’ republic
leaves the Soviet Union.) This in effect meant declaring
independence from Azerbaijan, and soon a war was underway between
Armenia-backed forces in Karabakh and Azerbaijan, whose territory
completely surrounded the Soviet-era Karabakh enclave.
With the Karabakh population 73 percent ethnic Armenian at
independence, resistance to Azerbaijan was successful, despite the
heavy odds against them. By the time a ceasefire was agreed in 1994,
Armenian forces controlled Karabakh proper (which as an autonomous
oblast under the Soviets was just 1,699 square miles) and most of
the territory between Armenia and Karabakh.
The modern era conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which began as a
peaceful request in 1988, forced some 350,000 Armenians to flee
Azerbaijan (including 30,000 from Karabakh), mostly to Armenia, and
some 700,000 Azeris to flee Armenia and Karabakh (40,000 from the
latter), as well as Karabakh-controlled areas of Azerbaijan. Other
refugees or internally displaced persons were relatively small
groups of Russians and Kurds. A decade on, the future for most of
the displaced persons is still uncertain.
However, in a recent interview with DiplomaticTraffic.com,
Nagorno-Karabakh’s representative to the United States, Vardan
Barseghian, said that although not recognized formally by any
government, Karabakh’s continued march to secure lasting
independence is irreversible. “There is no going back for us,” he
said. “Just because Stalin gave Karabakh to Azerbaijan does not mean
that the international community has to reinforce what Stalin did.”
He continued: “What [Stalin] did at the beginning of the last
century was against the will of our people. And now we are at the
beginning of the 21st Century.”
So far, negotiations among the key players since the 1994 ceasefire,
notably through the OSCE’s Minsk Group, have produced a lot of
statements and occasional glimmers of hope, but no concrete progress
on a lasting political solution.
But, clearly, Karabakh is not waiting for others to decide its
future. It has been working to shore up its defenses while steadily
improving its economy and the lot of its 145,000 people. Barseghian
noted that GDP doubled from 2001 to 2005 (increasing to $114 million
from $53 million), and economic growth last year was 14 percent.
Investments have been in telecoms, gold mining, diamond polishing,
jewelry and agriculture. During Soviet times, Karabakh was the
biggest per-capita producer of grapes in the USSR. Karabakh is also
known for its Mulberry brandy, called Tti Oghi locally. “It is a
beautiful country,” Barseghian said, offering prospects for tourism
development. Some 4,000 foreigners visited in 2005.
Although Karabakh is still a very poor country in a seemingly
precarious political situation, its people are evidently working
hard to improve their economy and prospects for the future.
Nevertheless, there are some major obstacles to overcome for
economic development. The capital Stepanakert’s airport cannot
receive large passenger planes, due to a lack of over-flight rights
for the Azeri territory they would have to cross for safe landings
and take-offs. Hence all international air travelers and freight
have to pass through Yerevan, the Armenian capital that is 5-6
hours’ drive away. There is a good road connecting Karabakh to
Yerevan, but there is still much need for infrastructure development
within Karabakh itself.
Asked about possible recognition of their republic, Barseghian said
“there are positive tendencies” in that direction. He said
“governments recognize the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
has been established and functioning as a country, and more and more
contacts look like regular government-to-government contacts.”
However, “the US government tries not to portray these as regular
contacts, for obvious reasons.”
Nevertheless, “what’s interesting is that Washington tracks what’s
going on in Nagorno-Karabakh, including economic progress and
democratization. We have indications through third parties that they
are happy with the progress, although they would not say that in
public.”
Regarding relations with Azerbaijan, he said: “I don’t think we have
illusions about being able to negotiate with Azerbaijan directly for
our independence.” So there are two tracks that guide Karabakh’s
diplomatic efforts. One is to seek an accommodation with Azerbaijan
to be able to live peacefully side-by-side, the other is to secure
recognition from the international community. “For instance, we have
representations in Russia, France, Australia and Lebanon, as well as
the US.” (These are not accredited diplomatic missions.)
Commenting on the work of the Minsk Group, he noted that, “The main
purpose of the Minsk Group is to facilitate negotiations, and not to
achieve a pre-determined outcome.”
Barseghian said that by fighting for independence, the people of
Karabakh had “reaffirmed our right to live on the land of our
ancestors in the way that we feel is good for us.” He said, “It was
a very heavy price,” with several thousand ethnic Armenians killed.
In the summer of 1992, Azerbaijan controlled about half of Karabakh,
but Karabakh Armenians then organized more formal resistance,
including a regular army, and began to be successful. Some 30,000
people, Armenians and Azeries, were ultimately killed in the
fighting.
He noted that de facto Azerbaijan has recognized Nagorno-Karabakh’s
existence by recognizing the line of contact that separates the two
sides under the ceasefire. “This is the de facto border between
Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Since 1997, Azerbaijan has not had direct negotiations with
Karabakh. By Baku negotiating with Yerevan, it underlines its
position that Karabakh is an issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
But Barseghian said that he thinks a solution can only be found
through direct negotiations.
“I believe the world recognizes that we deserve to be free, and as a
minimum we should avoid another disaster. International recognition
of Karabakh’s independence will discourage another attack by
Azerbaijan. The ceasefire has held for 12 years, and we believe this
is due to the natural balance of forces.” He noted that Azerbaijan’s
oil revenue has been used in part to strengthen its armed forces,
and Karabakh (and Armenia) stress to the US Congress and
administration that a military balance should be maintained to
prevent a new attack by Azerbaijan.
* * *
This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA (NKR Office) on behalf of the Government of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the
U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.
–Boundary_(ID_SI8C1KWRiI5N2smATbjv2Q)–

NUMBER OF DISEASED WITH INFECTIONS, TRANSFERRED IN SEXUAL WAY, INCREASED IN ARMENIA BY 48% FOR LAST 6 YEARS
ARMINFO News Agency
September 18, 2006 Monday
The number of diseased with infections, transferred in a sexual
way, has increased in Armenia by 48% since 2000, the Director of the
Scientific-Medical Center of Dermatology and STI (sexually transferred
infections), professor Karen Babayan told ArmInfo correspondent.
Talking of a small number of those diseased with syphilis (the
intensive indicator of the morbidity has reduced from 8.5% to 2.6%
per 100,000 of population), the professor noted the venereal diseases
have got the tendency to go in a hidden form, as a result of which
the potential carriers of syphilis or gonorrhoea do not suspect of
their disease. K. Babayan informed a growth of morbidity among the
under-age is observed in Armenia the recent years, which arouse an
anxiety concerning the fact that the infections, transferred in a
sexual way, negatively reflect the reproductive function of the young
organism.

Zaman Online
09.17.2006 Sunday – ISTANBUL 00:57
OIC Responds to Pope

By Suleyman Kurt, Mukremin Albayrak, Ankara
Saturday, September 16, 2006
zaman.com
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) convened to discuss
whether there was a change in the function of the Papacy.
OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said they would give a
legal response to the pope.
Pope Benedict XVI’s recent remarks linking Islam to violence have
offended Muslims all over the world, prompting fierce anger in Turkey,
Pakistan, Egypt, India and Indonesia.
The Pakistani Parliament condemned the Pope’s comments, and the Muslim
Brothers called on the governments of Islamic countries to break
relations with the Vatican if the Pope does not apologize..
Chairman of the World Union of Muslim Clerics Yusuf Kardawi stated the
pope made `an unforgivable mistake’ against Muslims and demanded an
apology.
The Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA), a subsidiary organ of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has begun an inquiry into the pope’s
statements in order to prepare a legal response.
Speaking to Zaman Daily, Ihsanoglu stated that the pope’s remarks had
damaged dialogue efforts between Christianity and Islam.
`There would have been no rationalism in Christianity without Ibn Sina
and Ibn Rushd,’ Ihsanoglu said.
The OIC secretary-general also opened the papacy’s new function to
discussion.
`Why did the pope make such a remark? Is the papacy changing its
principle?’ Ihsanoglu asked.
The pope’s remarks sparked reactions from Christians, too.
`The pope still seeks to do intellectual exercises like a university
professor,’ Turkish-Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan said,
expressing that several examples like the Crusades should not be
forgotten.
Ali Bardakoglu, head of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate, found
the Vatican’s latest statement regrettable and said, `The pope should
take the floor and apologize. This would contribute to the world peace
more than a correction made by his spokesman.’
Bardakoglu’s statements had repercussions from all over the world.
`Some of the strongest words came from Turkey, possibly putting into
jeopardy Benedict’s plan to visit there in November,’ the New York
Times wrote.
Le Figaro stated the pope’s opposition against Turkey’s membership to
the E.U. when he was a cardinal had not been forgotten in Turkey.
`Above all, this is a surprising statement. Why has he made such a
statement? It is difficult to understand this, this was not on the
agenda,’ The OIC secretary-general said and pointed out that the pope
had referred to a controversial text written in the 14th century.
During a visit to his homeland Germany this week, Pope Benedict XVI
criticized Islam and the concept of “jihad” or holy war by citing a
14th-century Byzantine emperor who said the Prophet Mohammed had
brought the world “evil and inhuman things.”
Turkey’s leading theologians termed the pope’s words as `ignorant’ and
demanded an apology from the Vatican.
Professor Mehmet Aydin from Selcuk University Theology Faculty said it
was unfortunate that the Vatican was led by a pope who made such
remarks about Islam.
`Pope Benedict offended the Muslim world and displeased Pope John
XXIII,’ Aydin said and pointed out the efforts of inter-religious
dialogue started by Pope John XXIII had amounted to nothing.

Zaman Online, Turkey
09.16.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 16:55
Erdogan: More Corruption Cases will be Uncovered

By Abdulhamit Yildiz, Istanbul
Friday, September 15, 2006
zaman.com
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to criticisms of his
administration and party at an assembly at the Istanbul Chamber of
Commerce.
Indicating that they had eliminated most of Turkey’s `exploitative
corruption,’ Erdogan said, `That’s why there’s an uproar; there are
more corruption cases to come.’
Referring to the soldiers killed in terrorist attacks in southeastern
Turkey, the prime minister stated, `This country belongs to all of us,
our hearts ache when innocent and gentle people are killed, especially
when the deaths are a result of attacks against our army and
soldiers. It is certainly distressing when these events are
exploited. Martyrs are not an agent for exploitation. Their status is
unique.’
Erdogan emphasized that no one should expect the ports and airports of
the Turkish Republic of Cypress to be opened until the embargo on
Cypress’s Turkish side was lifted.
`When the time came, we hit the table with our fist and got up. `Sir,
the negotiations have ended.’ Excuse me, but it’s up to them. If 24
countries are going to sacrifice a country of 73 million to a nation
with a population of 650,000, that’s their decision,’ Erdogan said to
the E.U.
Concerning the Armenian issue, the prime minister said: `We will
pursue our struggle on this matter to the end. They are claiming that
our ancestors were guilty. These are just stories. My ancestors were
raised with Islam. They never did nor never would perpetrate genocide
on people under their rule.’
Evaluating economic developments, Erdogan reacted negatively to those
who labeled Turkey’s growth as virtual.
Noting that actual growth occurred for four and a half consecutive
years and that it would attain the targeted 5 percent, the prime
minister termed the addition of zeroes to the Turkish lira in previous
periods as `modern theft.’
No Province has Been Neglected
In his three and a half years as prime minister, Erdogan said he had
crossed Turkey’s 81 provinces at least twice, and that there had been
no other prime minister in the history of the Republic who had done
this in the same period of time, and that this had been his kismet
[destiny].
He said, `We have investments and operations in every province and
these are going to continue at the same speed. There is no province
where `not even a nail has been hammered.’ No province has been
neglected.’
President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Murat Yalcintas, said
that unemployment, Turkey’s biggest economic problem, would be
resolved by giving priority to vocational education.
Assembly Chairman Muharrem Keceli pointed out that it was Erdogan’s
right to be elected the president of Turkey in the next election.

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Political row on Eurlings report in Brussels
Friday , 15 September 2006
Turkish deputies who went to Brussels this week to urge the change on
a key European Parliament report ended up in bitter argument — with
each other.
The European Parliament report on Turkey, prepared by EP Committee on
Foreign Affairs Rapporteur and Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, criticized
Turkey on a number of issues, including Cyprus, a slowdown in the EU
reform process, the situation in the southeast, problems with
religious minorities, cultural rights and civilian-military
relations. It raised particular concerns about last November’s
Semdinli incident, during which a bookshop in the southeast was
allegedly bombed by members of the security forces, and called for an
impartial and objective investigation of it.
Turkey has provided a detailed response to criticisms set out in the
report. Turkish parliamentarians have been working in Brussels to
ensure changes in the report before it is voted by European
Parliament’s General Assembly. However, Turkish parliamentarians are
at odds because of conflicts concerning the section in the report on
headscarf.
Onur Öymen, deputy leader of the Republic People’s Party (CHP) blamed
the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentarians for
supporting the European Parliament report on headscarf issue. Oymen
stated that debating headscarf issue in international platforms will
cause national problems.
Oymen also blamed Murat Mercan, the head of Turkish delegation in
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), to act
unilaterally, as he sees fit. Oymen said that Mercan held a meeting
without CHP parliamentarians, “Turkish government and main opposition
party have to act together in the international arena. They must speak
in the same voice. Mercan has participated meetings with EU officials
alone,” he added.
Holding a press conference, Mercan said that the Turkish side aimed to
change the EP’s report regarding Turkey. Noting that they had an
impression that so-called Armenian genocide would probably not be put
forth as a precondition, Mercan announced that Turkish delegation will
continue to hold talks in Strasbourg, France next week.
Turkey forewarned European Parliament
Turkey communicated its displeasure to the European Parliament before
a press conference held under the EP roof by the Terrorist Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, who urged the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan, diplomatic sources told TNA yesterday.
PKK militants late Tuesday urged for the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan during a meeting held with the support of a
parliamentarian group under the roof of the European Parliament.
Diplomatic sources said that Turkey had information about the press
release and stated that Ankara submitted its opposition to
EP. “Although Turkey could not prevent to press release, EP officials
said that each group in parliament has the right to organize a press
meeting,” sources added.
Underlining that press release did not reflect the views of the EP,
sources stated that Turkey will resubmit its opposition to EP about
PKK terrorists press release.
The New Anatolian, 15 September 2006

Panorama.am
15:31 15/09/06

DEPUTY SAYS NEW MECHANISMS NEEDED TO CLEAN MORAL ATMOSPHERE
Vahram Baghdasaryan, deputy of the National Assembly, told a press
conference today this fall is not going to be tense. He said political
parties have to change moral-psychological atmosphere in the country
before their political campaign. `New mechanisms and methods are
necessary for that and also for providing independence to the members
of government,’ Baghdasaryan said. He said government is often
conditioned by the will of other bureaucrats. This negatively affects
government’s authority while it is trying to join the European
family. /Panorama.am/

TURKISH AUTHOR SAYS TRIAL WILL TEST FICTION~AFS ROLE
Reuters, UK
Sept 12 2006
EU closely watching case against novelist in freedom of speech fight
Turkish author Elif Shafak goes on trial the week of Sept. 21 on
charges of “insulting Turkishness” in her novel that deals with the
waning years of the Ottoman Empire.
Updated: 10:53 a.m. ET Sept 12, 2006 ISTANBUL, Turkey – Leading Turkish
novelist Elif Shafak goes on trial next week in a case she views as a
milestone for freedom of speech in Turkey because for the first time
the words of fictional characters are being judged.
Shafak, a cosmopolitan feminist who writes in English and Turkish,
is accused of ~Aginsulting Turkishness~Ah in her new novel ~AgThe
Bastard of Istanbul,~Ah under controversial Article 301 of Turkey~Afs
revised penal code.
Several journalists and writers, including best-selling Orhan Pamuk,
have been tried under the article, in cases closely followed by
the European Union, which says Turkey must permit more freedom of
expression before it can join the bloc.
~AgBut to date (it) has never been used against fictional characters.
In that sense this is a new step and it~Afs quite surprising and
upsetting because if they keep doing this no one can write novels in
this country anymore, no one can make movies even. So this is a new
stage,~Ah she told Reuters by telephone.
Slaughter of Armenians at issue In the novel, her Armenian characters
make disparaging comments about Turks and refer to a genocide of
Armenians in the last years of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey denies allegations that 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a
systematic genocide. It says both Christian Armenians and Muslim Turks
were killed in a partisan conflict that raged on Ottoman territory
during World War I.
Shafak~Afs case is also unusual because the 34-year-old is due to
give birth in the same week as the Sept. 21 start of the trial. Her
attempts to postpone the trial, which could bring a jail sentence of
up to three years, have failed.
For Shafak, the motives of the man behind the case, Kemal Kerincsiz
who leads a group of nationalist lawyers, are clear.
~AgI think the people they target … it~Afs a very calculated thing.
They are just using us as tools to damage further the EU (entry)
process,~Ah she said.
Bad timing European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has urged
Ankara to amend 301, often used by nationalist prosecutors or lawyers
to launch cases against intellectuals over issues such as Kurdish
rights and the killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule.
The timing is also bad as it comes ahead of Brussels~Af Oct. 24 annual
report on Turkey~Afs progress in reforms to bring the largely Muslim
but secular country into line with EU laws. The European Commission
is expected to criticize Ankara~Afs political record, including on
freedom of expression, in the report.
Ankara has said it is ready to amend the law if court appeals end in
rulings that show freedom of expression is indeed being restricted.
But the government has not reacted to a top court decision in July
upholding a six-month suspended jail sentence for Armenian-Turkish
editor Hrant Dink.
~AgBehind closed doors I know some members of the government are
sincerely embarrassed by what~Afs going on,~Ah Shafak said.
~AgBut that~Afs not important. The important thing is they should
make public statements and they should take the initiative to abolish
Article 301.~Ah
Critics say the government fears that amending the law will give
nationalist parties ammunition ahead of elections in 2007.
Shafak, whose influences range from Russian literature to Sufism,
says she was surprised to go on trial for a book which has been a
best-seller in Turkish and will be published next year in English,
the language in which it was written.
But she sees these cases as a sign of progress.
~AgThe trials which are taking place right now, this uproar coming
from the nationalists, is happening not because nothing is changing
in Turkey but I think precisely because things are changing in the
right direction … I see this nationalist reaction as a backlash to
a social transformation.~Ah

EU TRIO TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 12 2006
For the purpose of signing the European New Neighbors Program EU
Trio will arrive in Armenia in the framework of a regional visit,
acting press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir
Karapetyan informs.
The press Secretary reported that the Trio delegation will comprise
representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe,
and the Finnish Chairmanship of the European Union. He added that
he possesses no official information who will represent the “Trio”
sides. However, according to preliminary information, Chairman of
the Council of Europe Havier Solana, Commissioner on Foreign Policy
Benita Ferero Waldner and the Finnish Foreign Minister are expected
to arrive in Armenia.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION EDITOR SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON
CPJ Press Freedom Online, NY
Sept 11 2006
New York, September 11, 2006-A district court judge in Armenia’s
capital, Yerevan, sentenced Arman Babadzhanian, editor of the
opposition newspaper Zhamanak Yerevan, to four years in prison on
Friday for dodging military service in 2002 by presenting false
documents to avoid the obligatory two-year draft, according to local
press reports.
Local press freedom defenders said the sentence was unusually harsh
for the alleged violation, which typically draws sentences of one
to three years. Babadzhanian’s defense will appeal the sentence,
the Armenian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said.
The 30-year-old editor was arrested on June 26, after being summoned
for questioning by the prosecutor general’s office in Yerevan,
supposedly as a witness in a criminal case. Babadzhanian has been
imprisoned since because authorities denied his release on bail
despite protests by his defense lawyer and numerous press freedom
organizations. (See related CPJ alert from July 7.)
Babadzhanian pleaded guilty to draft evasion but said that the case
against him was designed to silence “an independent and incorruptible
media outlet,” RFE/RL reported. While admitting to the charge, he said
that authorities had repeatedly rejected medical documents attesting
to health problems that could have exempted him from the draft.
Days prior to Babadzhanian’s arrest, Zhamanak Yerevan published an
article questioning the independence of the prosecutor general’s
office, said Seda Muradian of the London-based Institute for War and
Peace Reporting (IWPR), which has followed the case closely.
Authorities did not explain why they waited to charge Babadzhanian
on a violation that dated to 2002.
“Given the history of politicized prosecution of journalists in
Armenia, we are skeptical about the appropriateness of this sentence,”
CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said.
Armenia’s opposition and independent media have been under pressure in
recent years. The independent television station A1+ has been refused a
broadcast license 11 times since it was taken off the air in 2002. In
April 2005, legislation restricting press coverage of terrorism was
adopted. Physical assaults against journalists also continue, and CPJ
research shows that officials do little to apprehend and prosecute
the perpetrators.
/armenia11sept06na.html