Author: Hunanian Jack

Baltic News Service
January 17, 2008 Thursday 11:57 PM EET

ESTONIAN MEPS WORRIED ABOUT SOUTHERN CAUCASIA

TALLINN Jan 17

Estonian members of the European Parliament on Wednesday expressed
concern about the situation in Southern Caucasia.

Tunne Kelam, taking the floor on behalf of the EPP-ED faction in a
discussion over cooperation with Southern Caucasia and the Black Sea
area, appealed to the European Union to take much clearer obligations
than earlier concerning the Southern Caucasian region.

"It is our challenge to take the role of a reliable
stability-creating agent as well as of an independent mediator,"
Kelam said during the discussion last night. "To do it it is
necessary to shed hesitations and indefiniteness and to shape a
policy of the European Union with a clearer profile in the region in
question."

Kelam said the European Union’s active dedication to Southern
Caucasia, planned as a long-term venture, could help find a solution
to the so-called frozen conflicts, which the parliament’s foreign
affairs committee has decided to refer to by a conbsiderably more
realistic term, unsolved post-Soviet conflicts.

"It is therefore important that our report rejects any foreign
country’s attempts to create exclusive zones of interest in the given
area," the speaker said. "We are appealing to Russia not to obstruct
participation of the European Union in the regulation of conflicts
and peace keeping operations in Southern Caucasia."

Kelam found that the European Union has an important role in
promoting a democratic dialogue culture in countries of the area.

"Members of the European Parliament can mediate and encourage normal
political communication between opposing parties who much too often
speak with each other only by street demonstrations," he said.

Besides, Kelam encouraged the European Commission to make
preparations to the signing of free trade agreements with Georgia and
Armenia.

Siiri Oviir, member of the parliamentary cooperation committee
between the European Union and Armenia, Azerbiajan and Georgia,
underlined that the three South Caucasian countries need the European
Union’s substantial and targeted aid in the implementation of
democratic reforms.

She said one of the aims of the European Union must be to support and
encourage the development of the three countries into open, peaceful
and stable states without ignoring their peculiarities.

"They all have the same background, they all have struggled out from
under the influence of Soviet-style ideology," said Oviir, "but they
have not yet fully gotten free from the presence of the armed forces
of Russia, the legal successor of the Soviet Union."

Oviir appealed to the European Commission and the European parliament
to take more advantage of the knowhow of their former peers and
today’s EU members as they are familiar with the local circumstances
and problems and have the experience of building up law-governed
states and market economies.

Oviir drew the parliament’s attention to the circumstance that
democracy was not some kind of thing, but a frame of mind and it
could not be just lifted from one day to another or from one country
to another.

"Perfect democracy is not born overnight," she said.

Toomas Savi focused on Georgia’s problems. He said that despite
violations discovered in the presidential elections it was absolutely
irresponsible to give grounds to make the situation in the country
tenser that it already was.

"It is dangerous to undermine legitimacy of the electoral results in
the eyes of the people, creating a suspicion that the elections were
not fair and just," Savi said.

He expressed the opinion that the politicians of those Georgia’s
neighboring countries and EU members countries who had decided to
remain sceptical and at the same time voluble, had not acted in the
interests of Georgia’s sustainable development and consolidation of
democracy.

Savi drew the European parliament’s attention to the circumstance
that according to information of the international observation
mission, the presidential elections in Georgia corresponded by their
substance to international standards concerning democratic elections.
But she admitted that considerable failures were discovered and it
was necessary to deal with them urgently.

Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 18, 2008 Friday 4:57 PM MSK

Intl mediators preparing new version of basic Karabakh conflict
resolution agreement

The co-chairmen of the OSCE (Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group are preparing a new version of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution agreement after another trip to
the conflict region, said Yury Merzlyakov, the Russian co-chairman of
the Minsk Group.

"The goal of our visit was to obtain gauge reaction of the parties to
the Madrid document, which was presented to them late last November.

Such a reaction was evaluated, it was very thorough, and we feel that
the parties have carefully read the document," Merzlyakov said at a
press conference on Friday after the visit to Baku, Yerevan and
Nagorno Karabakh.

"Based on this reaction from the parties, we will prepare another
version of the basic conflict resolution agreement," he said.

"No final agreement has yet been reached, but there is a mutual
understanding between the parties," he said.

Sacramento Bee, CA
Jan 20 2008

Celebrating Saroyan

By Allen Pierleoni – [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, January 20, 2008

You’ll remember William Saroyan. He was the acclaimed Armenian
American novelist and playwright from Fresno who published some 4,000
works in his 47-year career. Included among his honors were a
Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award and a Drama Critics Circle Award.

This year is his birth centennial (1908-2008), and a celebration is
at hand involving more than 40 regional and state organizations that
will sponsor exhibits, musical performances, writing contests,
lectures, activities at universities and colleges, theatrical
productions and readings. For an events calendar and more
information: (559) 243-5880 or www. saroyancentennial.org.

The Canadian Press
Jan 18 2008

Chivas USA acquires Eskandarian from Real Salt Lake in MLS trade
6 hours ago

CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA acquired 2004 MLS Cup MVP Alecko
Eskandarian from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money
Friday.

The 25-year-old forward joins Atiba Harris as the second forward from
Real Salt Lake to be acquired by Chivas USA this off-season.

Last year, Eskandarian was traded by D.C. United to Toronto FC, then
joined Real Salt Lake at mid-season. He started 17 games and had a
goal and three assists.

Eskandarian was D.C. United’s first overall pick in the 2003 MLS
superdraft. He helped the club win the 2004 MLS Cup, earning MVP
honours with his two-goal performance.

"I look forward to joining Chivas USA, a club with a great style of
play," he said. "I have a lot of family in Los Angeles and there’s a
huge Armenian population there. I’m proud to be Armenian and look
forward to seeing my people in the stands, giving their support to
the team."

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Jan 18 2008

Turkey’s EU outlook gloomy despite new reforms

18/01/2008

By Gareth Jones

Turkey says its EU entry bid will be the priority in 2008, but moves
to end a Muslim headscarf ban and change the constitution could get
in the way of implementing reforms to satisfy the European Union.

President Abdullah Gul said this week that domestic matters,
including parliamentary and presidential elections, had consumed
Turkey’s political energy in 2007.

"2008 will be the year of the European Union … I will closely
follow the government’s actions," he said.

But Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s focus on rewriting the
constitution and ending a headscarf ban could reignite tensions with
the secular elite, which includes judges and army generals, and
distract the government from its EU bid.

"I see no sense of urgency in the government on EU reforms … They
seem more focused on trying to please their grassroots supporters on
the headscarf issue," said Semih Idiz, a columnist with the liberal
Milliyet daily newspaper.

Erdogan’s centre-right AK Party has Islamist roots, but it denies it
wants to boost the role of religion.

Ayse Ayata, a professor at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University,
also doubted the government’s appetite for reform.

"I am not optimistic about the pace of EU reforms. I think they’ll do
just enough to keep the process alive," she said.

"The government was re-elected six months ago with a big majority.
They have all the levers of power and no excuses not to act. But so
far they have done nothing."

Ankara says its desire to join the EU is undiminished and points to
the opening of talks on several of the 35 policy areas it must
complete before joining the 27-member bloc.

The litmus test of Turkey’s EU commitment is article 301 of the penal
code that makes it a crime to insult "Turkishness". Dozens of writers
and scholars have been prosecuted under the article and the EU
insists it be amended or scrapped.

After years of prevarication, the government says it is close to
agreeing an amended text. The amended article is expected to
substitute "Turkish people" for the vaguer "Turkishness" and to make
it more difficult to launch cases.

But even Gul has conceded that there are other articles in the penal
code that could still be used to stifle free speech. He said the real
problem lay in the mentality of a conservative judiciary educated to
put state interests above the individual.

Parliament is expected to approve soon a law on religious foundations
vetoed by the previous president, but it does not meet EU demands on
the restoration of property to Turkey’s minority Christian community.

NATIONALISM

The government is also reluctant to grant more cultural rights to
Turkey’s large ethnic Kurdish community because of strong Turkish
nationalist opposition in parliament and the difficult security
situation in the mainly Kurdish southeast.

Ankara, with tacit U.S. and EU support, has begun bombing PKK Kurdish
separatist rebel targets in nearby northern Iraq after a series of
deadly guerrilla attacks on security forces that helped feed an
upsurge in Turkish nationalism.

Nationalist fears are also blamed for a series of recent attacks on
Christians, seen by some Turks as bent on undermining national unity.
On Saturday, Turks mark the first anniversary of the killing of
editor Hrant Dink, a prominent member of Turkey’s Armenian Christian
minority, by an ultra-nationalist gunman.

"The government’s inertia on the EU reform front helps fan the
nationalism in the country," said Wolfango Piccoli of Eurasia Group,
a London-based political risk consultancy.

Piccoli also said the plans for a new constitution aimed at bringing
Turkey more into line with EU democratic norms risked reviving last
year’s damaging battles over the role of religion.

Turkey’s secular elite fears the plan to ease restrictions on
religious symbols such as the headscarf threatens separation of state
and religion.

Turkey’s EU woes are by no means confined to the home front.

Ankara needs to show progress in opening its ports to traffic from
Cyprus, an EU member. But it is reluctant to move before the EU lifts
trade restrictions against breakaway Turkish Cypriots in the north of
the Mediterranean island.

Turkey’s task will be complicated if Cypriot President Tassos
Papadopoulos is re-elected next month. He is viewed in Ankara as
anti-Turkish and anti-Turkish Cypriot.

Worryingly for Ankara, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, an opponent
of Turkey’s quest for EU membership, takes over the bloc’s rotating
presidency in the second half of 2008.

Sarkozy says the EU cannot absorb Turkey, a relatively poor Muslim
country with 75 million people, and says Brussels should instead
negotiate a "privileged partnership".

Erdogan will meet Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is
also sceptical about Turkey’s accession drive, in May. This week, he
said he would make clear to them Ankara would not accept a
"privileged partnership" with the EU.

"If Turkey is accepted into the EU, then we are accepted. If not, we
are not. But anything between the two is unacceptable. Sarkozy and
Merkel must understand this," Erdogan said. (Reuters)

Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute
Republic of Armenia, Yerevan 0028
Contact: Arevik Avetisyan
Tel: (374 10) 39 09 81
Fax: (374 10) 39 10 41
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http: //

"I am the one who understands his nation’s pains and bears that burden"
19.01.2008

It was in the middle of October, 2006. We arranged to meet with Hrant
Dink at his office in the "Agos" newspaper. I have taken interviews on
the theme "Mental and spiritual atmosphere in Turkey about the Armenian
Problem" with 30 Turkish academicians, journalists, politicians and
intellectuals. Hrant got me acquainted with many of them. Now it was his
turn to answer the questions.
It was warm atmosphere at the office and we easily started the talk.
Sometimes we switched off the recorder during the friendly talk and he
expressed his worries. I did not take them serious but the stupid
scenery comes true just two months later. After the interview both of us
was sure we did a real contribution for the existing situation: Me with
my questions and he with his responds. We were quite happy.
Last time I talk to Hrant on 16 January 2007 when I was in Yerevan. I
wanted some points of view to realize the project into a book. The talk
was short. He said to me, "Come to Istanbul, we will talk face to face".
I went to Istanbul for many times after our talk but we never talked
face to face.

– Will you tell me how, why and whose idea was to found the "Agos"?

– The foundation of the newspaper was a difficult task as it was decided
to publish the "Agos" according to the needs of Turkey’s Armenian
community. But the "Agos" was published contrary to some negative
reactions. Up to then some questions were raised: it was not enough in
the community to publish only in Armenian, as the majority of people
came from Anatolia and they were Turkish speaking. There was a serious
lack of information in the community as people can not read the Armenian
press. And then enclosed society itself causes difficulties, it needed
to get accustomed to. We had to struggle. The Turkish society accepted
the Armenian community in other way. The word Armenian was considered to
be an abuse; the Turks connected the Armenians with the Kurdish Worker
Party (PKK) or with ASALA. There was a great anxiety and trouble in the
community when the Karabagh problem was discussed in Turkey.
We lived like a worm. We heard what was on TV but could do nothing. We
apposed, cried, told that all these were lie but could not speak loudly.
We need to break the wall, it was necessary. One day the Patriarch
Ghazanchyan invited us and told that there was a photo of an Armenian
priest and Abdullah Odjalan in the "Sabah" newspaper and there was
written under the photo "Here is the fact of Armenian and PKK
collaboration". Then His Holiness stated that it was a lie, the priest
was not an Armenian. He asked me and my friends who were with me at that
time what we thought about all that. I expressed my point of view and
suggested that it’ll be meaningful if we invite a press- conference. It
was a brave action, all the local and international press came and it
was a great success. The impression was indescribable. After the meeting
I suggested that it was nonsense to invite a conference on every
occasion, we had to take definite steps. And I suggested publishing a
newspaper.
We were running it with my friends. Later they left and I was the one to
run it. By using the newspaper we also wanted to create an intellectual
cuisine youth to grow sociologists and intellectuals.

– What problems did you come across during foundation and after it?

– The first problem was to subdue the community conservatism. We felt
anti-sympathy by local Armenian press. There were people who thought we
would work for months or in the best case for a year but it is 10 years
that we have been working.
Some people thought it was a regress to be published in Turkish. But we
tried to do a good thing, by using the Turkish language for the
community. I am sure they have already been persuaded.

– When you founded the newspaper did you think it would be better for
Turks to read the press and get some news about the Armenian community?

– Our main objective for this society was to be a window to a large
society. I think this is our success: the two societies started to
penetrate into each other.
We managed to discuss our own problems equal to Turkey’s problems. We
think that only through Turkey’s democratization it was possible to
solve the problems. Soon the community also started to show interest
towards the main problems of society. The Armenian society together with
the "Agos" struggled braver for its identity; felt the patronage started
not to fear.

– Will you tell about the peculiarities of being an editor, publishing a
newspaper especially for a minority in Turkey? Please introduce us your
viewpoints on freedom of the press in Turkey.

– There is no special difficulty in publishing a newspaper for the
minority. If you are not an editor with principle, if you do not have a
certain political motivate, if you are interested more often in
illustrated news then you have no professional difficulties. But if you
are a journalist of certain ideas, sure you will have difficulties.
Recently we have had some common difficulties connected with freedom of
the press, in accordance with Turkey’s criminal new code and the Press
law there is some control over us. We also suffered: the newspaper was
confiscated for several times.
I think we get more than we deserve and the only reason is our attitude
toward the Armenian problem. I am sure this is the reason but we have
not repudiated yet, aside we will go on.

– Let’s talk on European Union role for Turkey. Is it necessary for
Turkey to become a member of EU?

– This is an irrevocable process for Turkey. It is necessary to
understand Turkey’s reason to enter EU it is not a simple desire. The
real reason is the fear. It’s the reason why this process moves so
slowly. Why Turkey fears? It is the fear of instability and fear is
mutual. Because of this fear this process is continuing and there is no
way to go back.
If military in Turkey definitely had been rejected entering EU, the
process will not come to this level. If we do not become a member of EU,
one day we will also have to leave the NATO. The process goes so slowly
because of the reason that there is no great desire to become a member
of EU. I do not think it will be possible to stop the process. We may
slow it, sometimes freeze it, but can not cancel it.
If we observe the history of the state there are three important periods
influencing into Turkey’s interact process. The first was Cold war
period when the country had some problems with leftist movements and
abolished them. The second period was when clerical forces came into
office in Iran. Islamists of Turkey demanded their participation in
country’s administration and today they came into power. The third
period is EU membership process and so far nothing had influenced Turkey
so much. The process left no group homogeneous in Turkey. Today, there
are powers among soldiers, bureaucrats, academicians and media who speak
against EU.

– What is the greatest problem in the process of Turkey’s
Europeanization and modernization?

– Opposing reactions coming from the lower class by the upper class. The
laws of the upper class. ôhese are the first problems. The second
great obstacle is fear of the upper class. Turkey occupies less area
unlike the Ottoman Empire, this is the reason of not to lose more. This
can be also called "a syndrome of Sevres". Every change causes fear and
doubt in Turkey. This is the reason why the changes in Turkey moves so
slowly.
Turkey is both a crossroad and a border between West and East. I think
Malatia is the border in Turkey. East and West of Malatia are quite
different worlds.
In effect Turkey is a country of strategic importance but depends at the
same time on East and West. Depending on the situation it will be
injustice to wait quick adaptation from Turkey. One of the greatest
reasons that changes do not occur easily is the new building built in
Turkey which is the upper identity created and was obliged to whole
society. That’s why they are afraid to get to know their real history.
Every other historic comment has an effect of an earthquake for the
identity. This earthquake is also a threat for Europe. The identity may
pull down but over whom this is uncertain…

– May reformations take place in the sphere of democracy and human
rights in the process of corresponding EU demands?

– I have no doubt but it is a difficult process. Laws may be passed but
while putting them into forces there will be opponents…
Change of thinking is necessary, democracy will sufficiently change the
way of thinking. The more the way of thinking is changed the quicker
democratization will be.

– However trouble of people in some situations is observable, For
instance, freedom of thought is considered to be high treason (Turkey’s
criminal code, article 301), and freedom of religion, conscience (head
scarf) may be accepted as regress. What is the reason? In effect are
people ready for those reformas?

– Today people are speaking about the raise of the nationalism but I do
not believe that nationalism increases but it is being increased by some
people.
It became more obvious in the last two years. Those people do their best
to model coming elections in Turkey.
They make plans to throw down the party "Justice and Development".
However they have no reason neither economic, nor democratic. We are
only to inspire nationalists and it is done everywhere at funerals of
martyrs, against EU or while welcoming the Pope.
I think the whole pain of those responses is the coming elections. They
do not want to give sits to the Islamists in the government. We will see
what will happen:

– Do you agree that there are differences in Turkey based on ethnic
roots? Can you speak about reasons provoking it and consequences
following it?

– As for ethnic roots, no doubt there are various attitudes. A simple
example, today not only Muslims but also Christians, Armenians should
have been in main headquarters, military powers, police, various
official government offices and ministries. The main reason provoking it
is security. Turkey has evaluated the contest of minorities in
conception and takes it as a matter of security.
I say facts, there are mathematical data. Out of 300000 Armenians at the
Lausanne period today 60000 is left and the Turkish population is
increased from 13 million up to 70 million. When one increases how it
happens that the other is decreased? It was necessary to decrease the
number of minorities.
Some crucial points appeared, for instance the law for property tax,
September 6, 1955 but what happened is already past. Besides, the
Armenians for being safe and sound left Turkey because of economic and
moral problems.
There is one more fact as well. You will not find anything connected
with minorities especially the Armenians in any textbooks. There are
facts on minorities only in the textbook of the National Security. In
the elementary school there is not even a sentence like "Ali gives the
ball to Hakob"; Ali will always give it to Veli. When we observe them we
are nowhere.
Only in the textbooks of National Security you may find the word
"Armenians" which will take place in the unit of unprofitable groups
which play bad tricks with Turkey.

– How can you estimate relationship between Turkey and Armenia?

– We may speak about non-existing relationships. I do not see any
relationship after Armenia gained its independence. First the USA
attempted to make some steps then EU but in vain. Desire exists but it
is very weak.
Turkey has not yet got accustomed to the thought that Armenia is an
independent country in the Caucasus. There is a state, a neighbor,
Turkey should comprehend this and start relationship.
When state policy fails public policy takes its place. There are some
attempts to establish non-governmental relationship from to sides, but
they are very weak, very few.

– What do you think the 1915 events should be called?

– I have no doubt. It was genocide.

– What do you think of diplomatic relations without preconditions
suggested by Armenia and the committee of historians proposed by Turkey?

– I do not think Turkey’s attitude an honest one. The Armenian side is
more sincerely.

– Why? Do you have any doubts that the committee of historians will be
of any use?

– Yes, everybody thinks that the committee of historians will be of no
use. Policy like always will go on without relations and results. This
is the way which Turkey loves: no relations. I think Azerbaijan also
obliges such policy to Turkey. The Armenian side is more reasonable and
desirous.

– What is your opinion about the third state to interfere the problem
and bills on genocide accepted in parliaments?
– My point of view in these bills may be considered a very romantic one,
but I have not denied it. I think also the world like Turkey takes
double-faced position in the process of accepting the Armenian genocide.
The world is aware of the reality for a long time; they had their role
and influence on those times. Nowadays France accepts it after decades.
It is not like moral attitude, because the case is used as trump card in
relations with Turkey. It is very painful for me as an Armenian when my
tragedy is used as political trump card on international arenas. I can
not stand it, I oppose against it. I am indifferent towards third
states. I think the problem should be solved between Turkey and Armenia.
But it should be solved not through punishing bills but morality. We do
not need punishing bills in morality, our conscience is enough.
I believe that these two states may overcome but I do not want to
predict anything.

– Do you divide Armenians between those who live in Armenia, in abroad
and in Turkey, while speaking about the Armenian question?

– Not only in connection with that matter but in general I think so.
Turkey is a far and irresistible state for Diaspora but for Armenia it
is a neighboring state and keeps Armenia independence. For the Armenians
living in Turkey, Turkey is their motherland. Though I say such things I
do not want to separate Armenians and accept the Turkish point of view.
Turkey should establish good relations with every state. But these two
states should come into conclusion and solve the problem. I do not think
that Armenians living in Turkey must be involved in the talks as they
are citizens of Turkey.

– As a citizen of Turkey are you worried about the Armenian-Turkish
closed border? What is your estimation on Turkey’s policy towards
Armenia that accepts Azerbaijan’s problems as its own, and sets
preconditions in the relations with Armenia?

– During the Demirel’s government good relations were established
between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Turkey attempts to make relations with
Armenia taking into account the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Frankly
saying Turkey does not want to annoy Azerbaijan negotiating with
Armenia. Azerbaijan does not allow Turkey to negotiate with Armenia
using the Karabagh problem.
Any nationalistic power will solve this problem in anti-Azerbaijani way.
Turkey also takes this side and does not consider Armenia as its
neighboring country.
First Turkey exterminated the Armenian question, but as Armenia gained
its independence the question again resurrected. Turkey suddenly saw a
phantom and the same question raised how to do with Armenia. Turkey was
in a desperate situation but the Karabagh problem emerged and clung to
it with its four hands, rejoiced it and ran for help. Turkey thought
that it would take a long time. This is the continuation of policy…

– According to you is the Republic of Turkey the continuer of the
Ottoman Empire in the history…

– I do not expect apology or responsibility from anybody. I am the one
who understands his nation’s pains and bears that burden. I do not think
of financial compensation or returning of lands. For me it is important
to repair relations broken in the past, to know who and what
circumstances played role. European states may also have a positive
effect, compensate their guilt and try to soften the disagreement
founding economical and cultural advantageous platforms to make the two
states become closer.

– May we state the role of the "Ittihat ve Terraki" is great in this
matter?

– Not only one group is in charge, there were assistants who promoted
and closed their eyes on it. Today, also existing people who are
reluctant that reality may come into world.
If you seek responsibility there are many of them, each one has its
share but I am not the one to remind of this. Presumably it sounds very
romantic but every one should admit his guilt.

– Let’s try to analyze what are the main problems of the two states?

-There are disappointments, unwillingness; enmity and fear:
Today some new fears exist. The Armenians also fear we need to pay
attention to them. The Armenians are subdued between Azerbaijan and
Turkey. There are two states suppressing from right and left. Fear and
insecurity is an important handicap it needs to be inoculated.
We need to explain fairly that Turkey may be a friend of Armenia. The
Armenian side should be reasonable, should see the present situation.
There is an independent Armenia with two states around carrying out an
embargo. Armenia may relax only in the south but there is mullah
administration which is not clear how long it may go on.
Diaspora should ponder on this. Armenia should settle good relations
with its neighbors and to become a member of EU. If Armenia were a
member of EU today Turkey will subject to embargo not Armenia but
Europe.
Instead of passing bill in parliaments of different states it will be
better for Diaspora to persuade those states to accept Armenia into EU.
They should be reminded of their history, responsibilities as they have
their share of guilt in today’s situation. Diaspora at least should be
able to say to carry out that. This is my formula to go ahead and we
should demand from the Europeans for the steps taken in the past.

Alin Ozinian
Istanbul, October 2006

¿ Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute

BRYZA: GOOD MEDIATOR SHOULD BE AWARE OF IDEAS AND OPINIONS OF SIDES

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.01.2008 18:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A good mediator should be well informed of the
ideas and opinions of leadership of the conflicting sides, OSCE MG
U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza said after a meeting with NKR President.

Asked to comment on Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s statement excluding
Nagrono Karabakh’s right to self-determination, Amb. Bryza said,
"Azerbaijan’s position is known. Our task is to find a compromise
between the principles."

He also called for support to Andrzej Kasprzyk’s endeavors to maintain
and strengthen ceasefire in the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict zone,
IA Regnum reports.

MONITORING AT THE CONTACT LINE

armradio.am
16.01.2008 13:27

In the framework of the mandate of the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office monitoring of the contact line between
the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan will be held in
the direction of Aghdam.

>From the Azerbaijani side the monitoring will be conducted by
Field Assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Imre Palatinus and Antal Gerdich.

>From the Karabakhi side the monitoring will be carried out by
the Personal Represnetative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej
Kasprzyk, his Field Assistants Jaslin Nurtazin, Peter Kee and Mikoslav
Vimetal. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will participate in
the monitoring.

MEDIA HAVE BECOME CLOSED CLUBS FOR OPPOSITIONISTS IN ARMENIA, OYP
VICE-CHAIRWOMAN CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Lately the Armenian media have become
closed clubs for oppositionists. Heghine Bisharian, the Vice-Chairwoman
of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party, expressed such an opinion
at the January 11 discussion on the subject "The problems and
guarantees of ensuring media’s freedom and pluralism in the RA
presidential election campaign." According to her, from the May
parliamentary elections up to now power representatives are constantly
being given a possibility of speaking by all TV companies. Whereas, in
her words, OYP Chairman Artur Baghdasarian has had a possibility of
speaking on TV only six times so far. According to H. Bisharian, it is
absurd to speak about pluralism and freedom under such circumstances.
In her opinion, voters, especially those in the regions, do not have a
possibility to orient themselves due to the "information blockade."

According to Ruzan Arakelian, a member of the NA ARFD faction, media in
Armenia are free as much as that freedom is given to them. In her
words, especially TV companies carry out orders of either those paying
them money or of political forces standing behind them.

In the opinion of Tigran Haroutiunian, the Director of the Noyan Tapan
information-analytical center, the political parties, which should be
considered the most active part of society, "killed the demand of free,
independent, unbiassed information and analysis in society." According
to him, today society seems not to have a demand of such information.
"During these years people have lost their faith: they do not believe
in any political force at all and even in their own role in political
processes," T. Haroutiunian said.

AzerTaj, Azerbaijan
Jan 13 2008

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF US SENATE COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN RELATIONS RICHARD LUGAR

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev received Sunday the US delegation
led by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Richard
Lugar.
President Ilham Aliyev stressed Azerbaijan-US relations are rapidly
developing in all fields.
He stressed he believes Richard Lugar’s visit will help develop the
two countries` partnership in strategically important spheres.
The Azerbaijani leader praised Senator Richard Lugar’s supporting
Azerbaijan.
He expressed confidence Azerbaijan-US cooperation will further
enhance, making a contribution to the regional security.
Richard Lugar said the United States and Azerbaijan have strong
partnership relations.
He praised Azerbaijan’s active participation in the US-led
anti-terror coalition.
The US Senator emphasized President Ilham Aliyev`s role in
Azerbaijan’s development.
Richard Lugar said his visit will give him a good opportunity to
closer familiarize himself with the country’s development processes.