Author: Jalatian Sonya

Georgia’s NATO ambitions
The Messenger
Nov 9 2004
The General Secretary of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s visit to Georgia
last week, just days after NATO accepted Georgia’s proposed Individual
Partnership Action Plan, brought closer the possibility of full NATO
membership, although Scheffer stressed that Georgia has much to do
before this will be possible.
During his visit to Georgia, the General Secretary of NATO stated that
in the future NATO is going to widen its alliance with post Soviet
countries, but that such cooperation should not be seen as against
anyone. The newspaper Khvalindeli Dge quoted Scheffer as saying:
“We are not entering the Caucasus or Central Asia to banish anyone
from these regions; nor is it a competition. We are doing it to open
the door widely for those countries which admire Western values and
want to be integrated into western structures.”
Scheffer’s statement was clearly intended for Russia, which is
concerned about NATO expansion east. The Secretary General’s message
was conciliatory but firm: while NATO expansion is not intended as
a threat to Russia, he said, it will go ahead whatever Moscow’s stance.
Scheffer visited the three South Caucasus countries, suggesting that
NATO is open to all three joining. But in fact NATO’s relationship
with the individual countries is somewhat different, with relations
between it and Armenia having only a formal character, while Azerbaijan
is less determined to join NATO than Georgia. After meeting with the
General Secretary, President Mikheil Saakashvili underlined that only
Georgia had presented a partnership program to NATO.
“I do not know yet when Georgia will become a member of NATO, but I am
interested that it happens very soon. Georgia will enter NATO during
my presidential term,” newspaper Akhali Taoba quoted Saakashvili
as saying.
But even though Saakashvili often says that he will be the president
of Georgia for two terms and that his program is designed for a double
term, his evaluation of the situation seems optimistic. For his part,
Scheffer was more cautious: “I am a realist and I should say that
Georgia has to do a lot to join NATO,” newspaper Rezonansi quotes
Scheffer as saying.
During his visit Scheffer also commented on Georgia’s internal
conflicts, and made it clear that NATO will not directly intervene.
The general secretary said: “Georgia should solve the problems of
Abkhazia and Tskhinvali itself.” “The NATO alliance respects the
territorial integrity of Georgia,” he said. But “NATO has no direct
role in assisting for the solution of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
Scheffer did reiterate NATO’s position that Russia must withdraw its
bases from Georgian territory, thus fulfilling the agreement it signed
in 1999 in Istanbul. “The Russian federation has well acknowledged
the position of NATO. There is no doubt… Russia must fulfill the
Istanbul summit decision,” the newspaper 24 Saati quoted him as saying.
However, the NATO General Secretary sought to assuage Russian fears
that their bases, once removed, will be replaced with NATO bases,
saying that there will be no NATO bases in the South Caucasus, and
that “NATO will not play any role in guaranteeing the security of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, although it is in its interest
to guarantee the stability and the security of this region,” the
newspaper Rezonansi quoted him as saying.
Saakashvili has repeatedly said that no Western country or organization
will be permitted to deploy troops on Georgian territory, and he
responded to Scheffer’s advice that Georgia work together with Russia
to resolve differences between the sides, saying that Georgia is
still prepared to make certain compromises with Russia.
“But there will be no compromise about Georgia’s territorial integrity
and every Georgian citizen’s freedom of choice,” 24 Saati quotes the
president as saying.
–Boundary_(ID_rALbTdn+dKnFW+MfOH1AsQ)–

THAT’S ALL
A1 Plus | 20:10:53 | 09-11-2004 | Politics |
After four hours in session, The Prosecutor General’s Office handed
down its unprecedented decision to dismiss isolated case on the
October 27 terrorist act masterminds because of lack of evidence.

Pressure group condemns Azeri speaker’s remarks on Armenian MPs’ planned visit
Assa-Irada
9 Nov 04
Baku, 8 November: The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) has made
a statement on Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov’s comments about
Armenian MPs’ planned visit to Baku [to attend the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly’s Rose-Roth seminar on 26-28 November]. The KLO statement
alleges that Alasgarov is betraying Azerbaijan’s national interests
as he wants to see Armenian MPs in Baku this month.
“One of the main Armenian foreign policy goals is to make sure that
its aggression is forgotten. So, Armenia is trying to build relations
with Azerbaijan in every field. The speaker’s behaviour is making
contributions to the interests of the aggressor,” the statement reads.
In its end, the statement condemns the speaker for his attempts to
cooperate with aggressor Armenia and his desire to see the Armenian
legislators in Baku.

Manila Times, Philippines
Nov 8 2004
DOUBLETAKE
Upholding the child’s dignity

By Eric F. Mallonga

TWO years ago, at the UN General Assembly Special Session on
Children, His Serene Highness, Prince Albert of Monaco formally
proposed the recognition of the most serious crimes against children
as crimes against humanity. The proposal had its roots in the
recommendation to the World Association Children’s Friends, or
Association Mondiale des Amis de L’ Enfance (Amade), by its
Philippine chapter. HRH The Princess of Hanover fully supported the
move so that highly organized criminal syndicates exploiting children
for commercial sex, slavery, bonded labor, organ harvesting, military
conscription, armed conflict and targeting children for military
objectives could be held criminally accountable before international
tribunals. With qualification of crimes against humanity, even
monarchs, presidents, and prime ministers cannot invoke sovereign
immunity from accountability for involvement in such abominable
crimes.
At the Makati Shangri-La Hotel colloquium held under joint
sponsorship of Amade-Philippines, Virlanie Foundation, and
Development Academy of the Philippines, UP Law Professor Harry Roque,
a Master of Laws cum laude, specialist in International Humanitarian
Law from the University of London, expounded on the necessity for a
progressive evolution of world humanitarian law. As stressed by
Roque, international crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against
aggression and crimes against humanity evolved because of the need to
proscribe conduct that denies dignity to human beings owing to their
basic humanity. Genocide, torture and slavery are international
crimes because they contravene basic standards by which human beings
should be treated under laws of humanity. The Amade proposal to
qualify the most heinous crimes against children as crimes against
humanity is consistent with the universal pattern that seeks to
uphold the dignity of human beings under all conditions, whether in
times of war or peace.
But simple recognition of these crimes within the international
sphere may remain a principle that eludes enforceability. The UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child may have radically provided for
the recognition of children’s rights but it remains an unenforceable
document because there is no recognized international tribunal
through which the rights of children can be adjudicated and sanctions
can be imposed upon the violators. Thus, the logical progression to
strengthen existing recognition of rights to protection of
defenseless children is the punishment of crimes through
international tribunals. However, the recognition of international
tribunals is a fairly recent initiative.
According to Roque, the League of Nations, at the end of the First
World War, tried to convene an international tribunal to try grave
breaches of the laws and customs of warfare. Nations were aghast over
the use of weapons of mass destruction, which did not distinguish
between civilian and military targets as well as the deaths of more
than one million innocent Armenian civilians, mostly children, at the
hands of invading Turks. This original initiative did not succeed
because of a legal objection interposed by the United States.
Pursuant to their concept of legality, war crimes could only be
prosecuted if there is a domestic penal law defining war crimes.
Consequently, America also argued that such prosecutions could only
be held before domestic judicial tribunals. The same problem arose at
the end of the Second World War. Despite existence of nonderogable
treaties protecting civilians and prohibiting warfare that produce
superfluous injuries or unnecessary sufferings, 10 million civilians,
mostly Jews, died in Europe, and another seven million died
elsewhere, including Asia.
The Philippine Supreme Court, despite the objections of the
Americans, ruled in Yamashita v. Styler that since nonderogable
treaties have been proven grossly insufficient to implement norms of
International Humanitarian Law, the individual should, and could, now
be made criminally accountable for his criminal acts under customary
norms of public international law. The latter was sufficient legal
basis for prohibiting grave breaches thereof. General Yamashita, the
feared Tiger of Asia, was thus convicted for war crimes, including
instances committed in the province of Batangas where the Japanese
Imperial Army specifically targeted children. The Japanese Kempeitai
were known for their atrocious behavior, specifically for hurling
infants into the air and sticking their bayonets into the descending
bodies of the babies.
America, however, has remained recalcitrant. It rejects the Rome
Statute on the International Criminal Court. It refuses to recognize
that crimes against children are crimes against humanity. It rejects
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It denounces any
submission to the United Nations on vital decisions that aspire only
to establish world peace and prosperity.
With such stance, innocent children in Iraq and Afghanistan will be
murdered with impunity, as thousands of innocent children were
similarly massacred by American troops at Pampanga, Samar, Bud Daho
and Bud Bagsak. With such recalcitrance, children born crippled at
former American military bases in Angeles and Olongapo cities will
continue to suffer and die, with impunity. Sadly, children will
remain collateral damage – without any real recourse for vindication of
their rights – in America’s `moral’ war.

A1 Plus | 14:08:21 | 03-11-2004 | Social |
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DRAGGING ITS FEET IN MAKING FINAL DECISION ON
ARMENTEL
Armenian government will convene an extraordinary session on Wednesday
to discuss its further steps on ArmenTel.
The government decided last week to waive its recent order on putting
in force its recent decision on changes in ArmenTel’s license.
It was decided last week to postpone the decision enforcement for 10
days. The government gave time to justice ministry for submitting
proposals.
The justice minister will give a news conference after Wednesday’s
session.

Russia sees no point in UN considering the Karabakh problem – ministry
ITAR-TASS news agency
1 Nov 04
MOSCOW
The initiative to consider, in parallel with the OSCE, the issue of a
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement at a session of the UN General Assembly
“can hardly have a favourable effect on the talks process”.
This was stated today in the Russian Foreign Ministry in a comment on
Russia’s position on the issue of including in the session’s agenda
the item “the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”.
“Russia abstained during the voting, just like other co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group,” it was noted on Smolenskaya Ploshchad [Square,
location of Foreign Ministry]. “The results of the voting show that a
similar position is adhered to by the majority of the members of the
world community.”
“Russia is interested in a most rapid resolution of the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem and is promoting this in every way, be it on a
bilateral basis or as co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,” it was
stressed in the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“The format of this group makes it possible to resolve any problems
connected with the conflict and to ensure progress in achieving
peace,” the ministry is convinced.
According to the Foreign Ministry, “apart from that, the recent
meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia established
prospects for resuming talks to find a mutually acceptable solution”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zenit News Agency, Italy
Nov. 1, 2004
Holy See Neutral on Turkey’s Entry Into European Union
Depends on EU Criteria, Says Vatican Official
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 1, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See does not have an
official position on Turkey’s entrance in the European Union, and
considers that the decision must be made according to EU rules.
In an interview with the Turin newspaper La Stampa, Archbishop Giovanni
Lajolo, Vatican secretary for relations with states, clarified that “in
the case of adherence, Turkey must satisfy all the political criteria
set forth at the Copenhagen Summit in December 2002.”
These criteria include the complete guarantee of human rights as well
as full individual and corporate religious freedom, “founded on the
dignity of man.”
In particular, the prelate analyzed the situation of religious freedom
in the country, and stressed that “not only must it be guaranteed at
the level of the Constitution, legislation and administration, but must
also be effectively protected in the concrete aspects of the social
fabric.”
Those who are opposed to Turkey’s entrance into the European Union
generally think that such a decision might weaken the cultural unity of
the Continent. Those who promote it believe that it would give the
Muslim world an example of integration into the Western world.
Archbishop Lajolo said that these arguments show that “what is at stake
is of transcendental relevance, and therefore it is very understandable
that some European governments wish to be supported in their decision
by a referendum.”
“Anyway, the Holy See is not afraid of an enlargement of Europe: John
Paul II has spoken on several occasions of a united Europe from the
Atlantic to the Urals. It is critical that the New Europe have profound
inner cohesion,” the archbishop said.
Archbishop Lajolo added that “more attention should be paid to states
that are already candidates, such as Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, as
well as Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia — countries that have an
old and great culture.”
“And the list could continue with other states of the Balkans, such as
Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania, which Europe cannot do
without and to which the Holy See also feels very close,” he concluded.

Azeri daily downbeat on Karabakh discussions at UN
Zerkalo
29 Oct 04
The UN General Assembly has considered a request by Azerbaijan’s
permanent representative [in the UN] to include the issue on the
situation on the occupied territory in the agenda of its session. A
report on the UN’s official web site said that with a vote of nine
in favour and 14 abstentions, this issue had been recommended to be
discussed at the General Assembly.
The Azerbaijani side insists that the ongoing conflict in Nagornyy
Karabakh has resulted in the occupation of a considerable part of
Azerbaijani territory, in evictions of numerous people from their homes
and in the great damage that was inflicted on its national economy. In
addition, the submitted document says that “the activity of the OSCE
Minsk Group, which deals with the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, has
yielded no results since illegal actions are still being committed
on this territory, in particular, the Armenians are being resettled
there to create a new demographic situation”.
[Passage omitted: France said the discussion in the UN could impede
peace talks; Armenia denies claims on the resettlement]
The OSCE Minsk Group will hardly agree that “the Karabakh issue”
is once again put on the UN agenda. The thing is that immediately
after the decision to set up the OSCE Minsk Group on 26 March 1992,
the UN Security Council decided to refrain from being involved in any
peace-keeping operations in Nagornyy Karabakh but to render support
to the OSCE.
[Passage omitted: the UN have adopted four resolutions on the conflict;
background of the OSCE mediation]
During the entire period of its activity, the OSCE Minsk Group, in
fact, aimed not so much to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
as to prevent a new war, confrontation and tension between the two
countries.
Even if this issue is discussed at the UN General Assembly, decisions
taken there will not be mandatory [for the country].
If the Azerbaijani side makes efforts to be well prepared and during
the discussion stresses the importance of not settling the conflict,
which the UN had delegated to the OSCE Minsk Group, but considering
the situation on the occupied Azerbaijani territories, where illegal
actions are being committed, i.e. migrants are being settled to change
the demographic situation, the international community might demand
that Armenia give up its policy.
[Passage omitted: similar ideas reiterated]
It is noteworthy that Baku has recently made optimistic statements,
despite the fact that the inclusion of “the Karabakh issue” in the
assembly’s agenda will escalate confrontation. Experts believe that
Baku’s move might “bury” pressure exerted on Baku by super powers to
make it sign “an unfavourable peace accord”.
In any case, we should not pin our hopes on the world community
believing that it will solve this problem. All these statements
and resolutions will hardly help Azerbaijan settle its territorial
problem… [ellipses as published].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN METALLURGY ON NEW LEVEL
Pres. Kocharian Stated
Azg/am
27 Oct 04
Number of enterprises operating in Armenia increased this year. The
Neolita stone-working factory and Energokomplex Ltd. and Armenian
Molybdenum Production Complex are among those new. Pres. Robert
Kocharian stated after visiting the Complex that it releases products
of high quality.
The Neolita stone-working factory operates due to Russian-Armenian
Yuri Sarkisianâ~@~Ys investment of $2 million and 100 thousand. Yuri
Sarkisian, shareholder of 75 per cent of shares of the factory, assured
that the production will increase in near future and they will begin
cutting onyx in Artsakh soon. The production of the factory is being
exported to Russia and USA. Sarkisian is going to open a furniture
store in Yerevan but the market needs to be inspected yet.
Yuri Sarkisian explains his desire to invest in the economy of Armenia
not only with the fact that he is Armenian and Armeniaâ~@~Ys liberal
tax laws but also Pres. Kocharianâ~@~Ys report on business given to
Armenian businessmen in St. Petersburg.
Speaking of the Energokomplex Ltd. and Armenian Molybdenum Production
Complex, Pres. Kocharian noted that the state has created good
environment for scientific progress and has removed all obstacles
on the way of producers. The factory has a wide range of production
and is engaged in carrying out orders (making anti-radiation locks)
of European Center of Atomic Research within the structure of MAGATE.
Head of the factory Karen Karapetian said that the factory produces
12 thousand tones of copper and they are going to double the
result. Products of the factory are exported to Japan, Germany,
Sweden, Italy and Austria.
Today the factory needs 100 employees. Robert Kocharian said that
the state is going to fully apply the scientific potential in order
to export products of high quality molybdenum.
By Nana Petrosian
–Boundary_(ID_5/onH5HZG7SHlMjJvKTM1w)–

PRESS RELEASE
Department of Armenian Studies, Haigazian University
Beirut, Lebanon
Contact: Ara Sanjian
Tel: 961-1-353011
Email: [email protected]
Web:
HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ARMENIAN STUDIES
invites to a lecture on
The History of the Armenians in the Orontes River Middle Valley
(in Armenian)
by
Hagop Cholakian
(Aleppo)
Friday, November 5, 2004 – 7:30 p.m.
Haigazian University Auditorium – Kantari, Beirut
N.B. Please accept this message as a personal invitation.
Hagop Cholakian is an educator, researcher and poet based in Aleppo,
Syria. His lecture at Haigazian University on the history of the
Armenian communities that have lived since the Middle Ages in the
north-western regions of the territory of modern Syria will be based on
parts of his doctoral dissertation, which he defended at the Institute
of Archeology and Ethnography at the Armenian National Academy of
Sciences in Yerevan in 2002.
Haigazian University is a liberal arts institution of higher learning,
established in Beirut in 1955. For more information about its activities
you are welcome to visit its web-site at <;. For additional information on the activities of its Department of Armenian Studies, contact Ara Sanjian at