Author: Hovhannisian John

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005
FOREIGN MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN HOLDS BRIEFING
[April 18, 2005, 23:15:14]
A briefing dedicated to the regular meeting of the foreign ministers
of Azerbaijan and Armenia on 15 April in London in the frame of Prague
process on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, was held in the Foreign Ministry of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Collaborator of the Ministry and participant at the London meeting,
Mr. Huseyn Huseynov updated on results of the meeting in the frame
of Prague process.
As is stated, discussed were the same questions that the Ministers
focused in the previous meeting in the frame of Prague process.

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04/18/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) California International Trade Office in Armenia Garners Local Support 2) Armenia Extradites Suspect in US Arms Smuggling Probe 3) Margarian Says 'We Have Nothing to Prove,' during Genocide Conference 4) Turkish Parliament Adopts Resolution to Form Commission, Move Forward towards Friendship 5) Burbank ANC Hosts Events Commemorating Armenian Genocide 6) Israel among the Holocaust Deniers 7) Chessboard Comes Crashing down on Kasparov 8) Karapetian Wins European Championship, Nazarian Decorated by Bulgarian President 1) California International Trade Office in Armenia Garners Local Support ANCA-WR Fundraiser Raises over $40,000 for economic cooperation between California, Armenia businesses BEVERLY HILLS--The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) hosted a fundraiser on April 3 to benefit the California International Trade Office in Armenia (CITO). Raising over $40,000, the event highlighted the ANCA-WR's continued commitment and support of the CITO and improved trade relations between the United States and Armenia. The Trade Office will be an official representative of the State of California centered in Yerevan to promote a greater economic relationship between Californian and Armenian businesses. Using Armenia as its hub it will endeavor to promote Californian businesses throughout the former Soviet Union. Its opening is targeted for this summer. Honorees in attendance at the benefit event included California State Senator Jack Scott, who initially proposed the creation of the CITO in 2001 with the assistance of State Senator Charles Poochigian, as well as Barry R. Sedlik, the Undersecretary and Senior Advisor for Economic Development at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Also in attendance were Vahram Nercessiants, Chief Economic Advisor to President Robert Kocharian and Member of the Board of Governors of the World Bank; Dr. Vahagn Movsisyan, General Director of the Armenian Development Agency; and Gagik Kirakosian, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles. "Ever since the CITO was initially proposed in 2001, the ANCA-WR has been at the forefront of supporters of this endeavor," said Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. "We would like to thank our hosts, Varouj and Vahe Karapetian, who made this event possible and each of the benefactors who donated at least a thousand dollars to ensure that this event was a success." The Foundation for Economic Development (FED), a non-profit organization, has been awarded the contract by the State of California to operate the CITO. "I would like to thank Senator Scott and the Armenian National Committee for their leadership in promoting this vital link between Califorinan and Armenian businesses," said Nercessiants. "The support by the ANCA-WR and its supporters has been unbelievable in ensuring that the CITO becomes a reality," remarked FED Board Member Levon Kirakosian. "We hope that the ANCA-WR's continued financial support of the CITO will provide an example to Armenian-Americans who are interested in investing in Armenia to support the CITO." 2) Armenia Extradites Suspect in US Arms Smuggling Probe YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Armenian law-enforcement authorities have extradited a man suspected of involvement in an alleged attempt to smuggle heavy weapons into the United States, the US embassy in Yerevan announced on Monday. An embassy statement said Armen Barseghian was flown to the US on Friday and will appear before a New York court this week along with 20 other defendants that have been indicted in connection with the case. The latter were arrested in New York, Los Angeles, and Florida last month following an undercover operation conducted by the FBI. Their alleged ringleader is Artur Solomonian, a 26-year-old Armenian citizen wanted in Armenia for draft evasion. He is accused of looking for buyers of Russian-made shoulder-fired missiles, grenade-launchers and other weapons used by the Armenian military. US prosecutors showed photographs of those weapons which Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) say were taken by a Yerevan-based friend of Solomonian, identified as Spartak Yeribekian. The arrests of Yeribekian and two other residents of Armenia were announced on March 21. It was not clear if the extradited man was one of them. Law-enforcement sources said that Barseghian is an Armenian-born American citizen who illegally returned to Armenia in the mid-1990s to escape prosecution in the US. A New York newspaper reported that US prosecutors believe Barseghian is the man who allegedly photographed the weapons at a military base in Armenia. "This case highlights the cooperation on law enforcement issues which is developing between the US and the Republic of Armenia," the US embassy said. "We commend the continued professionalism of the Armenian authorities who have been instrumental in supporting this ongoing investigation." A senior FBI investigator who visited Yerevan last month likewise praised Armenian security agencies for their "active cooperation" in the probe. 3) Margarian Says 'We Have Nothing to Prove,' during Genocide Conference YEREVAN (Armenpress)--As Armenia's Academy of Sciences opened the conference, "Genocide: Reality and Condemnation," on Monday as one of the events marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, hundreds of participants stood in silence to honor the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Prime Minister Andranik Margarian welcomed the participants with a message stressing Armenia's resoluteness--now more than ever--to continue its campaign for international recognition of the Genocide. Speaking about the creation of a joint Armenian-Turkish commission to study the facts on the Armenian genocide, Margarian said he does not see any sense in such an effort. "We have nothing to prove~Ethe genocide happened," said the Prime Minister. "My ancestors were the victims of genocide. There are a lot of people in Armenia who learned about the genocide not only through books, but also from their grandparents." Refusing to offer a prediction on whether Turkey would recognize the Armenian genocide in the next 50 years, Margarian said, "Turkey will change its position under the pressure of the international community and in the process of its membership to the EU, but it is difficult to say when it will happen." He is optimistic, however, that the current government will succeed in establishing diplomatic relations. Ashot Melikian, director of the Institute of History, said a joint national strategy to push for international recognition of the Genocide is being developed. Commenting on territorial claims to Turkey, Melikian said non-governmental organizations should keep the issue afloat because "it is not expedient for the government to raise it at this point." On April 20-21, Yerevan will host an international conference on the Genocide, with the participation of researchers, government officials, and other representatives of 20 countries. Journalists of Turkish TRT 1 channel have already arrived in Yerevan to cover April 24 commemorations. As many countries around the world have had governments, parliaments, and other legislative bodies that have officially recognized the Armenian genocide--including Cyprus, Greece, Belgium, Sweden, Vatican City, Italy, France, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, European parliament, Switzerland, Uruguay, Argentina, Canada, among others--Prime Minister Margarian stressed the importance of active work by more countries for official recognition. He assured the conference that the Armenian side is actively participating in all international forums dedicated to human rights and democracy. 4) Turkish Parliament Adopts Resolution to Form Commission, Move Forward towards Friendship (Aztag)--The Turkish parliament formally called for the creation of a commission of Turkish and Armenian historians to "shed scientific light on the past." Through a resolution, the body addressed the issue of reconciliation and the establishment of good neighborly relations with Armenia, and went on to condemn countries that have formally recognized the Armenian genocide. The resolution denounces the "insistence of Armenians" to advance the issue of the Armenian genocide, and pointing to Armenian "promotion of propaganda," it assures that Turkey will never take that step [to recognize the Armenian genocide]. In a statement issued Wednesday, the parliament said that it would be of benefit to both Turkey and Armenia to "settle their differences," and move forward to a future based on tolerance, friendship, and cooperation. In a proposal backed jointly by the government and the opposition, the parliament called for a commission of Turkish and Armenian historians to search through their national archives without limitations, make public the results of their research, and set the working methods of the commission. The parliament said that the success of this proposal, however, depends on the cooperation of the Armenian government. "Unless Turkey and Armenia look at history from the same perspective, they will only leave prejudices, enmity, and revenge to their children and forthcoming generations," the declaration said. "What is reasonable for Turkey and Armenia is to end taboos with a joint initiative, clarify all sides of what they had experienced, and be ready to settle old scores with their history. This is the only way to prevent the past from darkening today and future." If Armenia wants to establish good neighborly relations with Turkey, it should not hesitate to adopt Turkey's proposal to reassess their common history, the statement said. "The parliament would also like to stress that every well-meaning country and statesman wanting to contribute to world peace and stability should consider Turkey's proposal as positive, and reject internal political views," it said. "In this context, countries that want to better Turkish-Armenian relations and, and seek peace and stability in the Caucasus, should support this initiative, and refrain from acts which would harm this initiative. The declaration also said that it was impossible for Turkey to base its history on some one-sided and misleading assessments. 5) Burbank ANC Hosts Events Commemorating Armenian Genocide BURBANK--The Burbank Armenian National Committee will host a series of important upcoming events in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Tamar Krekorian, Chair of the Genocide Remembrance Committee, said that Burbank's commemorative events will include educational, cultural and political aspects this year. "The city has been an outstanding partner in working with the Burbank ANC," Krekorian said. "As a result, we have planned a series of events that will offer a wide range of opportunities for residents to learn more about the Genocide and to recognize its importance today," Krekorian added. Throughout the month of April, an outstanding educational display will be showcased in the main lobby of the Burbank Central Library. The display, which includes items and books related to Armenian culture, history and the Genocide, is intended to promote awareness of the Armenian book collection that was donated to the library through the efforts of the Books For Burbank program of the Burbank ANC. On Saturday, April 16, the committee presented a free screening of the Armenian Film Foundation's award-winning documentary film about the destruction of Kharpert, "Voices from the Lake," at the Burbank Central Library Auditorium. Through eyewitness interviews and painstaking research, this film tells the story of the Genocide in an unforgettably personal way. Dr. J. Michael Hagopian, the renowned Genocide historian and filmmaker of "Voices," was on hand to address his two decades of research in creating the film. The Burbank City Council will present a proclamation in recognition of the 90th anniversary of the Genocide on Tuesday, April 19. During the meeting, the Burbank ANC will accept the City's proclamation and conduct a short program featuring poetry read by local high school students. Sharon Cohen, the City's Library Director, will also pay tribute to the Burbank ANC for the successful Books For Burbank program. A candlelight vigil will take place on the front steps of Burbank City Hall after sundown. On Saturday, April 23, a moving theatrical performance of two Genocide-related one-act plays, written and directed by Aram Kouyoumdjian, will be presented at the El Portal Forum Theatre in the No Ho Arts District. "Delicate Lines" and "Protest" have already won rave reviews from audiences in Northern California. Both performances of this event are already completely sold out. For further information about any of these events, contact the Burbank ANC at (818) 562-1918 or by e-mail at [email protected]. 6) Israel among the Holocaust Deniers On March 29, Israeli Haaretz newspaper published a story by a member of Israeli Knesset Yosi Sarid. Sarid was a former Israeli education minister and the first Israeli government official to recognize the Armenian genocide, arguing in favor of mentioning it in Israeli student textbooks. By Yossi Sarid April 24 will mark the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and the Armenian government is holding an international conference in the capital of Yerevan, dedicated to the memory of the more than a million Armenians murdered by the Turks. I was also invited, and I decided to attend. This month will also see the Hebrew publication of Prof. Yair Auron's eye-opening and stomach churning book, "Denial: Israel and the Armenian Genocide," Maba Publishing, which has already been highly praised overseas in its English-language edition. As opposed to many other nations, Israel has never recognized the murder of the Armenian people, and in effect lent a hand to the deniers of that genocide. Our official reactions moved in the vague, illusory realm between denial to evasion, from "it's not clear there really was genocide" to "it's an issue for the historians," as Shimon Peres once put it so outrageously and stupidly. There are two main motives for the Israeli position. The first is the importance of the relationship with Turkey, which for some reason continues to deny any responsibility for the genocide, and uses heavy pressure worldwide to prevent the historical responsibility for the genocide to be laid at its door. The pressure does work, and not only Israel, but other countries as well do the arithmetic of profits and loss. The other motive is that recognition of another nation's murder would seem to erode the uniqueness of the Jewish Holocaust. Five years ago, on the 85th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, I was invited as education minister to the Armenian church in the Old City of Jerusalem. This is what I said at the time: "I am here, with you, as a human being, as a Jew, as an Israeli, and as the minister of education in Israel. For many years, too many, you were alone on this, your memorial day. I am aware of the special significance of my presence here. Today, for the first time, you are less alone." I recalled the Jewish American ambassador to Turkey at the time of the slaughter, Henry Morgenthau, who called the massacre of the Armenians "the greatest crime of modern history." That good man had no idea what would yet happen in the 20th century-- who could have anticipated the Jewish Holocaust? And I recalled Franz Werfel's "The 40 Days of Musa Dagh," which came out in Germany in the spring of 1933 and shocked millions of people and eventually, me, too, as a youth. Summing up, I said, "We Jews, the main victims of murderous hatred, must be doubly sensitive and identify with other victims. Those who stand aside, turn away, cast a blind eye, make their calculations of gains and losses, and are silent, always help the murderers and never those who are being murdered. In our new history curriculum I want to see a central chapter on genocide, and within it, an open reference to the Armenian genocide. That is our duty to you and to ourselves." The Armenian community in Israel and the world took note of that statement with satisfaction. Turkey complained vociferously, demanding an explanation from the Israeli government. And "my government," of all governments, first stammered and then denied responsibility, and explained that I spoke for myself. And not a remnant survives in the new curriculum of the Livnat era. Now it can be said. They were right. All the stammerers and deniers. I really did not consult with anyone else and did not ask for permission. What must be asked when the answer is known in advance, and it is based on the wrong assumption that there is a contradiction between a moral position and a political one? Just how beastly must we be as humans, or as Haaretz wrote then in its editorial, "The teaching of genocides must be at the top of the priorities of the values of the Jewish people, the victim of the Holocaust, and no diplomacy of interests can be allowed to stand in that way"? The Israeli Foreign Ministry, and not only it, is always afraid of its own shadow and thus it casts a dark shadow over us all as accomplices to the "silence of the world." The Dalai Lama, leader of the exiled Tibetans, has visited here twice, and twice I was warned by "officials" not to meet with him. It would mean a crisis in relations with China, the exact same thing they say about Turkey. I rebuffed those warnings in both cases. I have always believed that moral policies pay off in the long run, while rotten policies end up losing. And all this I will repeat in the capital of Armenia, only in my name, of course. 7) Chessboard Comes Crashing down on Kasparov MOSCOW (AP)--Garry Kasparov, the world's former No. 1 chess player who quit the professional game last month to focus on politics, said Saturday that he had been hit over the head with a chessboard in what appears to have been a politically motivated attack. Kasparov was not injured Friday when he was hit with the chessboard after signing it for a young man at an event in Moscow. A spokeswoman for Kasparov, Marina Litvinovich, said the assailant told the chess champion: ~SI admired you as a chess player, but you gave that up for politics.~T She said the unidentified attacker - who did not reveal his political allegiance--had tried to hit Kasparov a second time but was hauled away by security guards. ~SIt was a fairly nasty incident, it was not very pleasant psychologically,~T Kasparov told the private NTV television. ~SYesterday, I was just about able to muster up enough humor to joke darkly that, luckily in the Soviet Union, chess and not baseball was popular.~T The 41-year-old Kasparov, a brilliant and aggressive tactician regarded by many as the greatest chess player of all time, has been ranked No. 1 in the world since 1984. But the outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin retired last month, saying at the time that he planned to focus on politics and do ~Severything in my power to resist Putin's dictatorship.~T He plays a leading role in the Committee 2008: Free Choice, a group formed by liberal opposition leaders. Putin, a former KGB colonel who came to power in 2000, has been accused of stifling democratic freedoms by placing national television under effective state control and centralizing power by boosting Kremlin control of parliament and country's regions. 8) Karapetian Wins European Championship, Nazarian Decorated by Bulgarian President VARNA (Armenpress)--Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler Movses Karapetian (74 kg) clenched the European champions in the Varna, Bulgaria over the weekend, defeating five rivals on the road to finals. Another Armenian wrestler, Roman Amoyan (55 kg), won the silver. Ethnic Armenian Armen Nazarian, who competes on the Bulgarian team, was decorated by President G. Parvanov for his exclusive contribution to classic wrestling. 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.

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran
April 18 2005
EP delegation meets with religious minorities MPs
Tehran, April 18, IRNA
Iran-MPs-Angelika Beer
The Chairperson for the Delegation of Relations with Iran in the
European Parliament Angelika Beer conferred with several religious
minorities MPs here on Sunday.
In the meeting, Robert Beglarian, the MP representing southern
Iran’s Armenians pointed to the two articles in Iran’s Constitution
(13 and 84), saying that five religious minorities MPs are active in
the Majlis.
Religious minorities in Iran enjoy religious and social freedom and
participate in social and economic activities, he added.
Assyrian and Chaldenian MP Younaten Bet-Kolia referred to the several
positive judicial developments regarding minorities, saying they are
representing the society as a whole and minorities enjoy freedom,
security and welfare.
Other religious minorities MPs Mouris Mo’tamed and Kourosh Niknam,
also outlined the proper co-existence between Muslims and minorities.
The representatives expressed dissatisfaction over the issuance of
several resolutions in the European Parliament (EP) against Iran,
calling on officials to adopt serious measures to pursue the case of
members of the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO).
Angelika Beer, for her part expressed gratitude over her negotiations
with Iran’s parliamentary and political officials, adding that the
EP assesses MKO as a terrorist group.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 14:30:17 | 15-04-2005 | Social |
THE COURT BLAMES THE JOURNALISTS
`The most transparent trial was that of October 27, and as for the link
Court-press, it is quite loose today; most of the journalists are completely
incompetent in order to highlight the trial processes’. This was the opinion
of the RA Economical Court head Hovhannes Manoukyan.
Today during the seminar titled «Transparentizing of the RA Economical Court
work» Mr. Manoukyan expressed the opinion that the RA Economical Court has
by now worked transparently, and he found the issue of objectively
highlighting the court activity by the Mass Media extremely important.
The aim of the seminar was to raise public awareness about the Court
activity and to achieve a more efficient cooperation of the Court and Mass
Media. According to Mr. Manoukyan, the journalists must learn and get ready
to objectively highlight the issues about the Court.
He informed that a month ago an information center was created in the RA
Economical Court which will contribute to the active cooperation of the
Court with the press.
By the way, according to Mr. Manoukyan, all the trials about «A1+» have by
now been transparent, «If there have been shortcomings in the highlighting
of the Mass Media, that is only the result of the wrong work of the press».
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IPR Strategic Business Information Database
April 14, 2005
PRESIDENT OFF TO SYRIA AS FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY BEGINS TRIP
TO US
According to Turkiye, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’ds controversial
visit to Syria is set to begin. During his contacts, Sezer is
expected to discuss international developments with his Syrian
counterpart Bashar Assad and express his satisfaction at the
withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. At the same time, Foreign
Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan, accompanied by a delegation, will
travel to Washington to hold a series of contacts with top American
officials. Armenian genocide allegations, the Iran issue, as well as
bilateral ties are expected to dominate the talks. The Cyprus issue
will also be discussed. Tuygan will also urge US officials to end the
international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
Avenue dela Renaissance 10
1000 Bruxelles
Tel/Fax :+32 2 732 70 27
Email : [email protected]
Contact :Talline Tachdjian
Tel/Fax :+32 2 732 70 27
Email : [email protected]
PE : CONFERENCE SUR LES ARMENIENS DE TURQUIE
LES VERTS ADOPTENT LE DISCOURS DE LA TURQUIE

Une réunion intitulée “Les Arméniens en Turquie” s’est déroulée ce
mardi 12 avril au Parlement européen à Strasbourg, à l’initiative de
M. Cem Özdemir (Verts, Allemagne). Trois intervenants étaient invités
à s’exprimer, devant une cinquantaine de participants, lors de cette
réunion placée sous l’égide des Verts, mais bénéficiant de tout
l’appui logistique des services diplomatiques turcs : M. Taner Akçam,
historien et ex-dissident turc ayant traité de la question du
génocide, M. Etyen Mahçupyan, Arménien de Turquie et journaliste au
quotidien Zaman et M. Hrant Dink, rédacteur en chef d’Agos, un
hebdomadaire arménien de Turquie.
La Fédération Euro-Arménienne avait au préalable mis en garde les
parlementaires européens sur les risques de manipulation inhérents à
ce type de spectacle, où des membres d’une minorité otage seraient
contraints de prôner l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Europe comme
solution à leurs problèmes, tout en évitant d’aborder les questions
taboues. Comme pour confirmer ces craintes, M. Özdemir est parvenu,
lors de son introduction du sujet de la conférence, à éviter le terme
de génocide reprenant en cela la présentation donnée par l’invitation
imprimée qui esquivait également ce terme en le présentant comme une
“interprétation historique”.
Dans son intervention centrée sur les preuves documentées du génocide,
M. Akçam a démontré de manière accablante la formidable entreprise de
falsification et d’invention d’archives par la Turquie. Il a réfuté
les prétendues incohérences entre celles-ci et les archives
occidentales en expliquant clairement que ces dernières avaient été
expurgées et même fabriquées. Il a conclu en notant que ceux qui
s’aventuraient à vouloir consulter ces archives étaient quand bien
même soumis à des menaces.
M. Mahçupyan a pour sa part stigmatisé l’emploi du terme “génocide”
comme signifiant juridique et comme blocage à tout dialogue. Il a mis
l’accent sur le rapport de devoir et de soumission entre l’Etat et le
citoyen en Turquie. Tout en soulignant la continuité idéologique entre
les responsables du Génocide et l’Etat kémaliste, il a renvoyé dos à
dos Turcs et Arméniens pour lesquels “la défense de l’identité devient
l’identité”. Il a conclu par la dialectique turque selon laquelle il y
aurait deux approches de cette question, l’approche arménienne et
l’approche turque.
M. Dink enfin, a avancé que c’était “beaucoup attendre que de demander
à cette société de définir et de nommer ce qui s’est déroulé il y a 90
ans” et qu’il valait mieux se demander si “cette société nie ce
qu’elle sait ou si elle ne peut défendre ce qu’elle ne sait
pas”. N’hésitant pas à parler d’ouverture en évoquant les propositions
turques de commission d’historiens, M. Dink a cependant précisé que
“les relations arméno-turques ne se limitent pas à l’Histoire” et que
“le dossier politique doit primer sur le dossier
historique”. Absolvant l’Etat turc, il a finalement conclu à la
responsabilité “écrasante” des Européens sur la question du Génocide
en les assignant de reconstruire les relations arméno-turques à tous
les niveaux.
“Les discours des deux représentants de la minorité arménienne de
Turquie brillaient par leur ambiguïté et leur incohérence. Comme nous
pouvions le craindre, ces personnes mues par une peur viscérale
s’autocensurent tant au niveau des idées qu’au niveau de la
terminologie” a noté Laurent Leylekian, le directeur de la Fédération
Euro-Arménienne. “Leurs propos tournaient autour du problème central
du génocide en l’évitant à tout prix” a-t-il ajouté.
En vérité cette conférence n’avait absolument pas pour objectif de
faire progresser la reconnaissance du génocide par Ankara, ni même
d’alléger le sort des Arméniens de Turquie” a constaté Laurent
Leylekian. “Comme l’annonçait explicitement l’invitation il s’agissait
plutôt de trouver des solutions, c’est-à-dire des décharges, à cet
obstacle majeur à son intégration à l’Union européenne qu’est le
négationnisme d’Etat de la Turquie.” a-t-il continué.
“Cette conférence se situait dans la droite ligne de la stratégie
turque, visant à exclure cette question du champ des relations
internationales en la centrant sur des controverses de détail et en la
réduisant à une question propres aux sociétés arméniennes et turques”
a précisé Laurent Leylekian. “Ce qui est nouveau, c’est qu’Ankara
essaie maintenant d’opposer les ‘mauvais’ Arméniens de diaspora aux
‘bons’ Arméniens de Turquie en faisant de ces derniers les instruments
de sa politique. Néanmoins, les censures et les limites de ces otages
n’échappent à personne” a expliqué le directeur de la Fédération
Euro-Arménienne.
“Les Européens ne doivent pas tomber dans ce piège comme ils sont
tombés il y a quelques années dans le piège des pseudo réconciliations
sans reconnaissance. La situation est claire : la Turquie a commis un
crime imprescriptible, le génocide des Arméniens, et elle doit assumer
cette responsabilité par une reconnaissance pleine et entière pour se
conformer aux principes de l’Union européenne. Le négationnisme
aujourd’hui comme le génocide hier ne signifient rien d’autre que le
rejet des valeurs européennes” a estimé Laurent Leylekian.
“Provenant du groupe des Verts, qui met depuis des années toute son
énergie à lutter contre la tendance naturelle du Parlement européen à
appeler la Turquie à ses responsabilités, cette initiative apparaît au
grand jour comme une tentative de diversion inspirée par l’Etat turc ”
a-t-il conclu.

ABOUT 467.8 MLN USD FLOWS INTO ARMENIA IN 2004
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Tigran Davtian stated at the April 12 press conference
that the total amount of foreign investments in Armenia in 2004
exceeded by 17.9% the previous year index and made 467.8 mln USD.
According to him, the foreign investments in the economy’s real sector
alone increased 33.1% to 305.5 mln USD, with direct foreign
investments growing 47.7% to 226.7 mln USD. The deputy minister said
that in 2004, investments in the state and banking sector of 162.3 mln
USD were included for the first time in the total investments. It was
noted that local investments became considerable – several 100 mln
USD. According to T. Davtian, foreign investments of about 50 mln USD
were made in metallurgy. The investments in food industry and
telecommunication amounted to 40 mln USD in each sphere. He stated
that the activization in the telecommunication sphere is conditioned
by the fact that ArmenTel is preparing to operate in the competitive
field. Investments in the energy sector and aviation made 30 mln USD
each. Investments in tourism made 13 mln USD, while those in
information technologies – about 10 mln USD. In 2004, foreign
investments of 5 mln USD were made for the first time in science. It
was indicated that 30 countries made investments in Armenia, including
Russia (about $67 mln), Greece ($75 mln), Argentina ($30 mln), France
($32 mln), Germany ($38), the US ($24). T. Davtian said that in 2005,
2-digit foreign investments will continue increasing.

Russian military spending in CIS not adequately recouped politically – paper
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Moscow
11 Apr 05
Russia is attempting to consolidate its positions in Tajikistan in
earnest and for the long term, a Russian paper has said. The newspaper
recalled the Russian armed forces’ involvement in recent CIS military
training exercises in Tajikistan, saying Russia appeared “the most
imposing”. Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov, who attended the
Rubezh-2005 exercises, said that R250 million would be allocated for
the development of the Russian military base in the republic in 2005,
and in the next two or three years the funding of activities in the
development of the military infrastructure in the republic will amount
to R1.124bn. However, it is unclear whether Russia’s “military
assertiveness” can secure a foreign policy in this republic, the paper
said. The following is the text of Vladimir Mukhin report entitled
“Collective Security Treaty Organization Arithmetic: Military Spending
Far Exceeds the Political Dividends” published by Russian newspaper
Nezavisimaya Gazeta on 11 April:
Last week Russia’s armed forces conducted a series of military
manoeuvres in a number of key regions of the CIS. A command-staff
training exercise of the Commonwealth’s Joint Air-Defence System,
which is formally composed of 10 states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine, was held on
5 April. Turkmenistan and Georgia did not take part in the
command-staff training exercise. Two other countries – Ukraine and
Uzbekistan – operated at the manoeuvres with Russia on a bilateral
basis. The joint drill was thus only for the six countries
constituting the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(ODKB). Combat aircraft of the coalition made more than 60 flights
over the territory of the ODKB countries. The active phase of the
Rubezh-2005 international manoeuvres, which were attended in person by
RF Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov and ODKB General Secretary Nikolay
Bordyuzha and also other influential military commanders and
government officials from collective military-political arms of the
CIS, took place in Central Asia simultaneously.
The scale of the activities is noticeable. The concept of the
command-staff exercise and the Rubezh-2005 exercises was linked in
terms of time, purposes, and objectives here, evidently. The training
sorties of planes from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia were
connected with the operations of the Collective Rapid-Deployment
Forces, which were training at the Lyaur and Eshak-Maydon proving
grounds in Tajikistan. Approximately 1,000 servicemen and 300 pieces
of military equipment were engaged in the Rubezh-2005 exercises
altogether. Taking part in the exercises were an assault-landing
company and a flight of fighter-bomber aviation from Kazakhstan; a
group of a special subunit and two Mi-8 helicopters from Kyrgyzstan; a
special detachment, the 303d Separate Helicopter Squadron, the 670th
Aviation Group, the 999th Air Base, two Il-76 planes, and the 201st
Division from Russia; an assault-landing subunit with reinforcement
and support assets from Tajikistan.
One is struck immediately by the fact that Russia appeared the most
imposing at the exercises in Tajikistan. And this was no accident,
evidently. The role of Russia’s 201st Motorized-Rifle Division, which
will be transformed into the 4th Military Base, will grow in
connection with the transfer of protection of the border with
Afghanistan to the Tajikistanis. Moscow intends to substantially
consolidate its positions in this country in the very near future. RF
Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov, who attended the Rubezh-2005 exercises
in Tajikistan, said that R250m would be allocated for the development
of the 4th Russian Military Base in Tajikistan in 2005. And in the
next two or three years the funding of activities in the development
of the military infrastructure in the republic will amount to
R1.124bn. We would note that this is a very large amount of money,
comparable to the military budget of Tajikistan, which spends on
defence annually about R1.2bn, which constitutes 1.7 per cent of this
country’s GDP.
Aside from the development of the ground infrastructure, agreement has
been reached between Moscow and Dushanbe on the installation of an air
base in the Ayni locality (30 kilometres from Dushanbe). An instrument
transferring to the Russian side the Okno opto-electronic complex
located in Nurek was signed during Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov’s
visit to Tajikistan. It is obvious that Russia is attempting to
consolidate its positions in Tajikistan in earnest and for the long
term. But it is unclear as yet whether Russia’s military assertiveness
can secure a foreign policy in this republic that is just as assertive
and in keeping with the criteria of security.
“In order to reduce costs, Moscow is leaving the Tajik-Afghan border
and at the same time investing substantial funds in the development of
its military base in Tajikistan. This is somehow not all that
logical. The military can hardly form a secure barrier against drug
trafficking. And this is currently the principal threat to Russia and
the CIS,” military expert Vladimir Popov, member of the Academy of
Military Sciences, told Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
The expert believes that the military policy of the Russian Federation
in relation to the post-Soviet states that are ODKB allies is to a
certain extent understandable. Moscow is investing money in the
development of the military infrastructure not only in
Tajikistan. More than R100m are being allocated annually for the
functioning of the Russian base in Kant in Kyrgyzstan. Almost R1bn
were spent on the development of the military infrastructure of the
102d Military Base in Armenia. Sizable funds have been allocated for
joint defence in the union budget of Russia and Belarus. Of course,
Moscow understands that it may secure its interests on the post-Soviet
territory thanks to substantial material outlays. But are military
outlays always recovered in political dividends and do they carry
Russia’s plans into effect?
The collapse of the Akayev regime, the “colour revolutions” in Georgia
and Ukraine, and the Moldavian “brush-off” have considerably
undermined Russia’s capacity for influencing the situation in a number
of regions on the territory of the CIS. Kiev intends at this time to
reconsider certain results of the treaty on the lease of Sevastopol,
and a noise is being raised once again about the Russo-Ukrainian
border in the Azov-Kerch Strait. Moldavian President Vladimir Voronin
calls Russia’s peacekeepers occupiers, and the Georgian parliament is
demanding the immediate withdrawal of the RF military bases from the
country.
And the latest instance. In the course of the CIS Joint Air Defence
command-staff training exercise the plan of the exercises was adjusted
by Georgia, which did not let a Russian reconnaissance plane through
to the territory of Armenia. Although, according to the comments of
Vladimir Mikhaylov, RF Air Force commander in chief, this did not
prevent the accomplishment of all the assignments set the air-defence
forces and assets of Armenia and Russia in the Transcaucasus, it still
leaves an unpleasant aftertaste with the military, evidently.
Russia’s military assertiveness on the post-Soviet territory, which
has increased as of late, should be consonant with its foreign policy
aims. This is axiomatic for the state. It will sooner or later have to
be grasped by the country’s present leaders. Russia is gaining muscle,
seemingly, but for some reason or other some countries do not respect
it, all the same.

A1plus
| 19:35:50 | 11-04-2005 | Politics |
PACE OBSERVED VIOLATION OF ARMISTICE IN THE CONTACT LINE
On April 11, 2005, the OSCE Mission held a regular monitoring of the Nagorno
Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed forces’ contact-line to the west of the
settlement of Verin Chaylu of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic occupied by
Azerbaijan.
>From the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring mission was led
by Field Assistants of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative
Miroslav Vymetal (Czechia) and Olexandr Samarski (Ukraine).
>From the Azerbaijani party, the monitoring group was headed by Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzey Kasprzyk.
In the course of the monitoring representatives of the NKR Defense Ministry
and Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanying the OSCE Observation Mission
fixed shots from the Azerbaijani party which sounded to the north of Verin
Chaylu.
The monitoring went on after the parties once more got guarantees of
security and passed according to the planned schedule.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
April 4, 2005, Monday
ARMENIA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY FLATLY DENIED ACCUSATIONS OF BEING
INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING ARMS TO OTHER COUNTRIES
“All arms depots are under total control. The investigation has no
evidence that the weapons were taken to the USA or any other country
from Armenia,” Defense Minister Serzhik Sarkisyan stated. According
to Grachia Arutyunyan, senior deputy director of the National
Security Service, “not a single instance of weapons shortage has been
ascertained in the republic.” Documents prove, says Arutyunyan, that
“all kinds of weapons under discussion are intact in the
corresponding military units.” A group of criminals, involved in arms
smuggling and led by a citizen of Armenia, was detained in the USA
some time ago. According to U.S. Attorney in Manhattan David Kelley,
it was purchased “in Georgia, Armenia and some states of Eastern
Europe;” 18 persons have been charged on this case.
Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, March 31, 2005, p. 3
Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin