Author: Hunanian Jack

ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S VISIT TO FRANCE POSTPONED DUE TO FOOT INJURY
RECEIVED IN GEORGIA
04.04.2005 03:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President’s working visit to France
scheduled for April 4-6 was postponed due to foot injury Robert
Kocharian received in Georgia, RA President’s press service reports.
In the words of President’s Press Secretary Victor Soghomonian,
the new terms of the visit will be established via diplomatic
channels. According to the information available, during his informal
visit to Georgia the Armenian President has sprained his foot.

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE
V.I.S.
04.02.2005
Fifteenth Year  – N.60
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, APR 2, 2005 (VIS) –
Over the course of the last few weeks the Holy Father has adopted a number
of provisions that can only be made public today. He:
– Appointed Bishop Nechan Karakeheyan, of Ispahan of the Armenians, Iran,
as Ordinary for Armenian Catholics of Eastern Europe, at the same time
assigning him the title of Archbishop “ad personam.” He succeeds Archbishop
Nerses Der Nersessian C.M.A., whose resignation from the same office was
accepted by the Holy Father in accordance with Canon 210 of the Code of
Canons of the Eastern Churches. He also accepted the resignation from the
position of coadjutor of the same Ordinariate presented by Archbishop Vartan
Kechichian, in accordance with Canons 218 and 210 of the Code of Canons of
the Eastern Churches.
NEA:NA:RE:NEC/…/…              VIS 050402 (500)
The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in
part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO DEPART FOR FRANCE APRIL 4
01.04.2005 07:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian will pay a
formal visit to France April 4-6, RA President’s press service
reported.

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
2005-04-02 10:48:27
Turkey’s Search for a Balance Between EU and US Turns into a Pincer
Erhan Basyurt
EU-US Balance Turns into a Pincer
By Erhan Basyurt
Turkey’s search for a balance in international relations between the
European Union (EU) and the US, is gradually turning into a pincer. Ankara
had relied mostly on the EU at the start of membership negotiations,
particularly to ensure a balance as a result of the pressures that emerged
from the Israeli-US line, and also in order to breathe freely, but a series
of incidents this time put Turkey under a two-sided pressure.
Firstly, the EU gave Turkey a date but gave it no hope on December 17. A
door was opened to full membership negotiations, however, whether or not
this would result in full membership was not guaranteed. On the contrary,
France decided to hold a referendum, with Turkey, undoubtedly, as the main
target. That is to say, even if Turkey completes negotiations and the
Council of Europe approves its membership, for this to go into effect, it
will require approval from the anti-Turkey French people.
Secondly, several EU countries that were against the US at the beginning of
the Iraq war, raised the “white flag” with the re-election of US President
George W. Bush. The EU showed that it is not an alternative power to the US.
The US-EU balance is not suitable for setting the balance between great
powers, like the rivalry between Great Britain and Germany before World War
I and the US and the Soviet Union after World War II.
Hence, against the US, Turkey has never pursued a policy that centers around
its national interests, relying on EU protection. On the contrary, Turkey’s
“excessive desire” for EU membership is perceived by Brussels as an
opportunity “to obtain concessions on the Cyprus issue.”
The EU, which admitted Greek Cyprus, that carried out massacres in Cyprus,
as a full member, now aims at ridding itself of the mistake it made, by also
pushing Turkey to endorse this mistake. The Greek Cypriots, who caused the
division of the island, are at the same time, the side which said “no” to
the United Nations (UN) peace initiative, however, the EU continues to
reward the Greek Cypriots and punish the Turkish Cypriots, who are being
unjustly treated. The embargo imposed on the Turkish side persists. Turkey
is forced to buy duty-free Greek Cypriot goods. Signing a supplementary
protocol, that will mean a de facto recognition of the Greek Cypriot side,
is being demanded as a precondition.
The US approach to Turkey also has not been different since the Iraq war
process. The US does not even deem it necessary to utter a word with regards
to the effects of the developments on Turkey’s interests. Open your southern
border, don’t intervene in Northern Iraq, support our policies on Syria and
Iran, approve broader US access to the Incirlik Air Base!
Because the US knows the “government with no political power,” is Turkey’s
soft belly, it exerts pressure on the government. With a manipulated media
campaign, it pushes the government into the corner. It also forces Turkey to
toe the US line through anti-Americanism allegations. It is even trying to
use passage of the so-called Armenian “genocide” resolution in Congress as a
“bluff.”
The US is trying to pressure over Turkey the March 1 deployment motion,
however, Turkey compensated for the first decision by approving a second
motion that envisaged sending troops to Iraq. If the US had not become a
“slave” to the Kurds and Turkish troops had been alllowed to operate in
Iraq, current problems, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Kerkuk
(Kirkuk), the Turkmen and the Kurds, to a great extent, would not have been
experienced. If there are no Turkish troops in Iraq today, it is not
Ankara’s fault but that of the US.
However, recent pressures by Washington, appear aimed at making Turkey take
a step back on the Incirlik issue. As a matter of fact, the neo-Cons, who
hold influential positions in the Bush administration, had foreseen the
overthrow of Saddam, expansion of the Incirlik base, and if possible,
recommendation of another base in Anatolia, in a report entitled, “Project
for the New American Century,” they prepared before the occupation of Iraq.
The Incirlik demand is part of a project that was planned a long time ago.
Just as the EU is seeking concessions on the Cyprus issue, the US is also
seeking concessions on issues such as the Incirlik base and the likes. It is
not possible for Turkey to break out of these two pincers with a balanced
policy among the powers, if it does not make concessions. Turkey should
revise its foreign policy preferences and re-shape them in line with the
present circumstances. Because a balanced policy develops imbalance.
Source: Zaman, 01 April 2005
2005-04-02 10:48:27

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO MARTIROS SARIAN’S 125th AND GHAZAROS SARIAN’S
85th ANNIVERSARIES OPEN IN NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, APRIL 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The exhibition that opened on March 31
in the National Library of Armenia was dedicated to painter Martiros
Sarian’s 125th and RA People’s Artist, composer Ghazaros Sarian’s 85th
anniversaries. Works dedicated to Sarians’ life and activity, books
published in Russian and English languages and photographs were
represented at the exhibition. Martiros Sarian was one of the leading
painters representing the art of the 20th century. He was one of the
greatest figures of not only Armenian but also world painting,” David
Sargsian, Director of the National Library of Armenia, mentioned.
According to D.Sargsian, the painter created a peculiar background
full of Sarian’s original colors and shades. Ghazaros Sarian has been
the chief of Yerevan Conservatoire after Komitas for almost 26
years. In this period the Conservatoire gave a generation, which is
the basis of the music art. Gh.Sarian’s “Hayastan” (“Armenia”)
symphonic work created by the motives of the canvases of his father,
Martiros Sarian, is especially famous. The Armenian Cultural Center of
the city of Salonika (Greece) was named after the composer.

ONE AND A HALF MILLION CANDLES WILL BURN IN MEMORY OF THE GENOCIDE VICTIMS
A1+
01-04-2005
On April 24 this year one and a half million people will go to
Tsitsernakaberd and other monuments in memory of the Genocide
victims. On end a half million flowers will be put on the monument to
one and a half million innocent victims, and one and a half million
candles will burn that say in the Armenian churches.
The Committee celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide has worked out a program of events which will be organized in
Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and in many other countries of the world.
The events will start from April 11. In particular, on April 18-19 in
the Armenian Academy of Science a conference of Armenian scientists
will be held, and on April 20-21 in Yerevan an International
conference will take place with the theme Gravest Crime, Gravest
Challenges; Human Rights and Genocideâ=80=9C, in which most remarkable
scientists, state and political bodies, artists and journalists will
take part.
On April 23 in the Yerevan Opera House a memory evening will be held,
and on April 24 in the St. Grigor Lousavorich Cathedral an ecumenical
mess will be celebrated with the participation of spiritual leaders of
different religions.
On April 24 in Yerevan and Nagorno Karabakh people will honor the
memory of the Armenian Genocide victims with a moment of silence, and
all the morning bells of all the Armenian churches will ring.
On those April days in Armenia and other places exhibitions, musical
and theatrical plays, film shows and other events will be organized
dedicated to that tragic part of the Armenian history.

KARABAKH GAINED INDEPENDENCE ON THE SAME LEGAL BASES AS AZERBAIJAN DID
Azg/arm
2 April 05
Vahram Atanesian and Gagik Petrosian, president and vice-president of
Standing Commission of Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of
NKR, called a press conference yesterday to speak about March 29-30
hearings in the National assembly of Armenia.
Vahram Atanesian underscored reports of RA foreign and defense
ministers that confirmed once again Armenia’s unshakeable stance in
the Karabakh issue, mainly focus on peaceful solution, excluding any
possibility of uniting Karabakh with Azerbaijan, inadmissibility to
leave Karabakh as an enclave and an international guarantee for
security.
Atanesian pointed out that the political forces of Armenia, regardless
any home issues, are united in standpoints over Karabakh issue and are
above every partial approach.
Atanesian said that the NKR foreign minister Arman Melikian presented
views of NKR whereas they spent their time in Armenia meeting
colleagues from both coalition and opposition.
Speaking of his personal approach, Atanesian noted that though two
separate state structures emerged after the collapse of the USSR, the
world community has recognized so far only one of them –
Azerbaijan. One cannot agree with this, as recognition of the
Azerbaijani Republic with Nagorno Karabakh in its structure will mean
recognizing the Soviet Azerbaijan.
Gagik Petrosian in his turn said that his views deal with the legal
status of NKR and that this aspect should be stressed in the talks. In
this regard, he emphasized fixing a state border with Azerbaijan.
Vahram Atanesian said that they were surprised to see such an
emotional attitude of colleagues in Armenia to former OSCE co-chairman
Vladimir Kazimirov’s political wordings. Atanesian said that though
Kazimirov is in retirement, he presented his countries views on the
Karabakh conflict.
Answering a question concerning the possibility of holding an
independence referendum, Atanesian said that it was held in December
10 of 1991 and there is no need of a new referendum. But if
international structures insist on it then we shall not turn it down;
the most important thing is to reconfirm the will of Artsakhi people.
By Kim Gabrielian in Stepanakert

Today.Az
Politics
Meeting of heads of MFA of Azerbaijan and Armenia to be in London
01 April 2005 [15:22] – Today.Az
Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar Mammedyarov
and Vardan Oskanayan will meet in London, capital of Great Britain.
APA was informed of it by Russian co-chairman of Minsk Group of OSCE Yuri
Merzlyakov.
He informed that, though the meeting was expected to be held in the midst of
April, the exact time is not known yet: “The co-chairmen are agreed on the
exact time with the Ministers”.
As for the place of meeting being the capital of Great Britain, Y.Merzlyakov
stated that, air routes are ensured to London both from Baku and Yerevan:”We
chose London for the Ministers to feel comfortable.”
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

First-half strikes satisfy Dutch
Wednesday, 30 March 2005
First-half goals from Romeo Castelen and Ruud van
Nistelrooij earned a 2-0 win against Armenia that kept
the Netherlands at the top of FIFA World Cup
qualifying Group 1.

Netherlands players celebrate scoring against Armenia

Czech challenge
With the Czech Republic temporarily moving above the
Dutch thanks to their 4-0 victory in Andorra earlier
in the day, Marco van Basten’s team knew that only
three points at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven would
be enough to return them to the summit. The home team
made the perfect start as Castelen gave them an early
lead, before Manchester United FC striker Van
Nistelrooij effectively sealed the win just past the
half-hour.
Late adjustment
Van Basten was forced to change his team shortly
before the match when Hamburger SV defender Khalid
Boulahrouz pulled out with a hamstring injury.
However, the Dutch scored after 38 seconds in
Saturday’s 2-0 win away to Romania, and also began at
breakneck speed tonight, with the breakthrough not
long delayed again.
Castelen celebrations
To the delight of the home PSV Eindhoven captain Mark
van Bommel was heavily involved as, from his
third-minute corner, club-mate Philip Cocu –
Saturday’s early scorer – had a header blocked but
Castelen was on hand to bundle in his first
international goal from close range.
Shahgeldyan shot
Undaunted, the visitors rallied and might have drawn
level in the eleventh minute as Armen Shahgeldyan’s
shot from outside the penalty area was blocked by the
legs of Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
Cool finish
However, visiting goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was by
far the busier of the two custodians, but was
powerless to prevent Van Nistelrooij doubling the
advantage in the 34th minute. Again Van Bommel was at
the heart of the move, Van Nistelrooij collecting his
pass before rounding Berezovsky and rolling the ball
into the empty net.
Further chances
The Dutch might have increased their advantage in the
second 45 minutes, Berezovsky doing well to deny Van
Nistelrooij his second and the home side’s third,
while a Joris Mathijsen header was cleared off the
goalline and Giovanni van Bronckhorst struck the
crossbar with a long-range strike.
Romanian test
The win was already assured, however, and Van Basten’s
players moved on to 16 points from five games,
maintaining their one-point lead over the Czechs.
Third-placed Romania are the Netherlands’ next
visitors, on 4 June, when Armenia – who stayed sixth –
play F.Y.R. Macedonia, the side immediately above
them.

©uefa.com

Iranian economy maintained steady growth in 2004 – IRNA
IRNA web site
30 Mar 05
Tehran, 30 March: Iran’s economy maintained steady growth in the 2004
fiscal, mainly due to its positive trade balance with majority of a
group of 165 states with which it had transactions.
A growth of 2.4 per cent was witnessed in the agriculture sector, 2.8
per cent in the oil sector, 6.4 per cent in the industries and mining
sector, 4.1 per cent in the GDP and 4.3 per cent in the GDP excluding
oil in the first six months of the last Iranian year of 1383
(March-September 2004) compared to the figures for the same period the
year before.
Iran’s imports amounted to more than 17 billion dollars, while its
exports stood at 20.932 billion dollars (including oil and oil
derivatives), showing about a 4bn dollar surplus (up more than 167 per
cent compared to 1.533bn dollar surplus in the same period last year).
Oil and gas accounted for 17.421 billion dollars out of a total of
20.932 billion dollars exports revenues in the period.
The country still lags behind and further steps should be taken to
improve its economy.
Based on figures available, Iran’s trade balance (excluding oil, gas
and services) was negative with 91 countries and positive with 74
countries in 2004.
Iran’s trade balance was 4.092 billion dollars in the positive with
Iraq, 2.058 billion dollars with Afghanistan, 210.9 million dollars
with Azerbaijan, 94.3 million dollars with Turkmenistan, 80.6 million
dollars with US, 67.4 million dollars with Syria, 63.8 million dollars
with Tajikistan, and 58.2 million dollars with Armenia.
The balance was however in the negative by 2.695 billion dollars with
Germany, 2.619 billion dollars with the UAE, 2.225 billion dollars
with France, 1.507 billion dollars with Italy, 1.309 billion dollars
with China.
[Passage omitted: country can raise volume of trade]