Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ArmeniaNow.com
April 09, 2004
Inside view: A local looks at life
By Julia Hakobyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
After this weekend when the Christian world will celebrate Easter, the
greatest Christian holiday, our friends and my family will mark the end of
Lent by indulging in a feast.
Though gluttony is considered a sin in the Christian religion, this is what
we promised ourselves if we manage to survive the 48 days of fasting.
We arranged the menu of our feast on February 23, when the fasting started.
The menu included barbeque and vodka for men, chocolate cake and wine for
women, and a lot of white salty cheese-the loved and divine ingredient of a
traditional Armenian meal.
The initiators of the meal adventure were of course the females, the wives
of our friends and me.
As Christians we knew that following the rules of Lent not only had
regulations about food, but meant giving up smoking, sex, hard drinks,
gambling — in other words, anything that can distract from fasting . Also
while fasting, people should be tolerant, merciful, in memory of Jesus
Christ who resisted 40 days of Satan’s temptation.
Spirituality aside, what was more important is that we also knew that the
vegetarian food might help us to lose weight. As Armenian women we
apparently have had some problems with weight.
Our arguments such as slender waist and refined souls however did not
inspire our husbands who told us that we were slim enough and there was no
need to fast. I don’t know if they believed so, but the thing was that
Armenian men are badly meat addicted. And they were scared to death of the
idea to survive more than 40 days without meat. Besides, as men they do not
care as much about their weight, though they are not slim at all. And those
few who care are not ready to sacrifice themselves for giving up their
paunch.
After weeks of negotiations the women’s insistence prevailed over men’s
dissatisfaction. Though none of us were gamblers or drunkard, but are,
though, chain smokers, we agreed to concentrate our fasting mainly on
keeping to a diet.
So, the four married couples, novices to any kind of diet, surrendered to
the revived Christian tradition. My husband ate twice more all the week
before Lent and, just in case, drank and smoked more than usual.
My sister, the veteran of fasting, shared with us the recipes of the fasting
cuisine, and then the culinary abstinence started.
The first week was the most dramatic. Our husbands were blue and depressed
and were complaining that they could not fall asleep because of being
underfed.
We have been calling each other 10 times a day to update news and to see if
our husbands are alive. Our friend Suren became the first violator on the
first week, (but only once) when he got sick and asked for chicken broth as
a cure.
The most controversial meal was the breakfast. Usually for breakfast we have
sandwich with cheese and ham, or eggs, or pancake with sour cream. We
survived our mornings eating the apricot and peach jam and praising the
Ararat valley and our mums who made the canned fruits in summer.
I was cooking all the day long, making several kinds of salads and vegetable
soup. My husband circled Easter, April 11, with a red marker on the wall
calendar and said that during childhood he never was so inpatient for Santa
Claus as now waiting for Easter.
Then someone advised us to watch the Lenten cuisine show by Shokhakat TV run
by the Diaspora Armenians. We liked the program a lot and learned to make
pancake without eggs and milk, to make dolma without meat and khachapuri
without cheese.
On the third week of fasting my husband confessed that he enjoyed the
spinach soup and stewed vegetables. The next week he said the preserved
foods compensate for cheese and the following week he discovered that if you
have a strong enough imagination, mushroom can taste like meat.
Those of our friends who were not fasting were looking at us like on heroes.
Many of them confess that they wanted to fast too, but they broke the fast
after one day.
Now as only two days remain till Easter, I can say we learned to enjoy our
fasting and now we preparing to celebrate Easter. We have bought dye-stuff
to color eggs and will have on that day the traditional Armenian Easter
dishes: pilaf with raisins, cooked fish and stewed green.
Our friends are happy and alive. We are going to have the Easter course in
the morning on Sunday and then we will go out for a picnic to fulfill our
food promise.
So, if you see that day people uncontrollable and irrepressible eating and
drinking, don’t think they are gluttons. They might be simply fasting
survivors, who, like us are proud we marked the oldest Armenian tradition.
By the way: None of my friends, nor I, lost a single ounce.

ArmenPress
April 9 2004
FOREIGN MINISTER TO TRAVEL BETWEEN TEHRAN, PRAGUE AND LONDON
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign affairs minister
Vartan Oskanian is leaving for Tehran, on April 12 for a two-day
visit, where he is scheduled to meet with Iran’s president Mohammad
Khatami , secretary of security council Hasan Rowhani and his
counterpart Kamal Kharazi.
On April 16 minister Oskanian will depart for Prague to attend a
conference on Nagorno Karabagh, to be held under the aegis of the
OSCE Minsk group. In Prague he is expected to meet with his newly
appointed Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamadyarov.
On April 22-23 Oskanian will fly to London for a working visit.

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
April 6 2004
Off the Cuff: One flew over the coocoo’s nest

By Tanya Goudsouzian

Easter in the Armenian home is a much-anticipated event. Setting
aside the religious context, it is an occasion to feast upon special
dishes that do not appear on the everyday dinner table.
As the women of the family prepare these dishes, the tantalising
aromas wafting from the kitchen usually attract a number of
self-appointed tasters. These so-called tasters, who would insert
their fingers or forks into a cooking pot, are expressly unwelcome.
Although a compliment on the “fertile hands” of the chef might help
grease the passage, it is unadvisable for anyone to venture into the
kitchen unless they intend to make themselves useful.
Thus it was from the doorway of a room adjoining the kitchen that I
overheard the events, which I will now relate.
Every station on the kitchen stove was occupied. There were dolma
(stuffed vine leaves) boiling in a large pot, and spicy rice with
raisins simmering over low heat. I could also smell the early stages
of plaki (kidney beans and potatoes). The ‘boeregs (filo dough
stuffed with cheese) were baking in the oven. The parsley, just
washed, was ready for the chopper.
My mother worked best under pressure. Wearing leggings and an
oversized |T-shirt, she was sprinkling sesame seeds on braided little
bits of dough, which would turn into delicious aghi biscot (salty
biscuits) in the oven. Into this fracas walked my grandmother,
donning an elegant house-dress and hand-embroidered apron.
“Hurry up,” she told my mother. “Or I won’t have time to prepare the
coocoo (egg, lettuce and leek pie)…”
My mother, beads of sweat trickling down her brow, looked up
incredulously at her mother-in-law.
“I was thinking I would prepare the coocoo this time,” my mother
said.
“What do you mean YOU will prepare the coocoo?” my grandmother asked.
“I have always prepared the coocoo for Easter. You don’t know how to
make coocoo…” “I found a recipe I want to try,” my mother replied,
coolly.
“What recipe? I will make the coocoo, the way my mother made it,” my
grandmother persisted. “Why are you breaking with tradition?”
“It’s your tradition, not mine. This is my house, and my dinner
table. I will make the coocoo,” my mother insisted. This argument was
clearly not about coocoo. It ran far deeper.
>From the doorway, I could feel the onset of another war between these
two vastly different women. My grandmother was a stubborn woman, with
expensive tastes and traditional notions; and she made no secret of
the fact that my mother was anathema to all she stood for.
My grandmother travelled in taxis; my mother took the bus. My
grandmother had regular manicures; my mother loved gardening. My
grandmother bought a new fur-lined coat every season; my mother paid
the mortgage on the house.
Yes, I could feel the onset of another war. I hoped and prayed there
would be no name-calling, no door-slamming and no threats of leaving
the house. Certainly not over a silly old dish that nobody ever
touched anyway.
In the end, my grandmother retired to her bedroom, and only
re-emerged after I was sent as an emissary to cajole her into joining
us in the dining room. She appeared, proud and stoic. She sat at the
head of table, as she always did.
At the end of the meal, my mother bitterly noted that she ate
everything except the coocoo. Although it was edible for a first try,
I had to admit my mother’s coocoo was a little grizzled. It certainly
did not look as appetising as my grandmother’s coocoo, which was
usually golden brown and fluffy.
No matter. Ultimately, they both won. My grandmother’s tradition to
serve coocoo for Easter was preserved; and after many subsequent
attempts, my mother finally learned to make coocoo properly.

A1 Plus | 17:57:24 | 06-04-2004 | Social |
VIOLENCE CONDEMNED IN LOS ANGELES
Representatives of Mass Media were injured. The law-enforcement bodies
present to the rally didn’t hinder those using violence.
USA Commission of “For Democratic Armenia” criticizes violence of the
Authorities in agony against journalists doing their professional duty.
We call the law-enforcement bodies providing protection of the social order
not to encroach upon journalists.
—

A1 Plus | 18:12:28 | 05-04-2004 | Politics |
DATE FOR NATIONWIDE RALLY ALREADY SET
On Monday, opposition leaders and MPs Stepan Demirchyan and Artashes
Geghamyan, speaking at a joint news conference in parliament announced a
nationwide rally should be held on April 9 at 16:00 in Liberty Square.{BR}
They said dozens of opposition activists including women were arrested.
Artashes Geghamyan also said his meeting with people scheduled for today
will be held despite any obstacles.
The only way to break the deadlock reached is to come to agreement on
confidence referendum, he said.
—

Burbank Leader , CA
LATimes.com
April 3 2004
Parade date stirs controversy

Burbank on Parade organizers set event for April 24, not realizing it
is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
By Jackson Bell, The Leader
BURBANK – After a tumultuous four months that almost led to the
cancellation of Burbank on Parade, organizers have discovered a
planning gaffe that could exclude thousands of residents from the
annual event.
In mid-February, organizers scheduled the parade for April 24, the
same date as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Many of the city’s
estimated 10,000 Armenian-American residents will not join the
celebration because they will spend the day at homes, churches or
rallies throughout the area, remembering the victims of the 1915
massacre, local Armenian leaders said.
“It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t change the date,” said Razmik
Hovanessian, a Burbank resident and Armenian-American activist. “We
expect our [city] leaders to be smart and wise and avoid coincidences
like this.”
But the parade, which has traditionally been on the last Saturday in
April, cannot be rescheduled this year because of the challenge in
coordinating youth bands, drill teams, equestrian entries and
representatives from local organizations, organizers said.
“All the plans have been made and $25,000 has already been spent,”
Parade Chairwoman Joanne Miller said. “At this point, the parade is
so far in the can that it’s too difficult to switch the date.”
Hovanessian and Miller were among several city officials, parade
organizers and prominent members of the city’s Armenian-American
community who met Thursday evening at Vice Mayor Marsha Ramos’
request.
The outcome, Ramos said, resulted in an end to any future conflicts.
“There are more details that need to be worked out in terms of next
year’s date,” she said. “But there is a firm commitment that this
will never again happen on April 24.”
The trouble started when organizers in December sent a letter to the
city announcing their decision to no longer proceed with the parade,
citing difficulties working with the city’s License and Code
Compliance Division and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department.
But after the problems were ironed out and the event resumed,
awareness of the sensitive date fell under the radar.
“The next thing we knew, the date was publicized and everything was
planned in a very short time,” Ramos said of the parade, in its 23rd
year.
The meeting, however, helped to clear up something that could be
perceived negatively by the Armenian-American community, said Hoori
Chalian, a resident who is involved with the Armenian National
Committee of Burbank.
“I now understand that this was done with no malice,” Chalian said.
“But it is an unfortunate coincidence, and I appreciate the
opportunity to explain where I’m coming from.”

Three dead, six injured in cable car collapse
AP Online
Apr 02, 2004
A cable car crashed to the ground on in the Armenian capital on
Friday, killing three passengers and injuring six others, officials
said.
The aerial cable car was carrying nine passengers when it plummeted
from a height of some 20 meters (65 feet) after the cable broke,
Emergency Situations Department spokesman Araik Movseyan said.
One of the dead and two of the injured were Armenian citizens, he
said. Prosecutors have opened a criminal case and an investigation.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
YEREVAN-BAKU TV BRIDGES: SUMMARY OF THREE YEARS’ RESEARCH ON KARABAGH
PROBLEM
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ATTACKED
CAMPAIGN IN “A1+” SUPPORT WILL TAKE PLACE
THE FIRST PUBLIC NEWSPAPER OF KARABAGH
HALF A CENTURY ON LAUGHTER DAY
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present 2003 financial report of Yerevan
Press Club Weekly Newsletter and the website
In 2003, totally $11,200 in AMD were spent for publication of YPC Weekly
Newsletter and support of the website
The whole sum was covered by the grant provided by Open Society Institute.
MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present 2003 financial report of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and the website
In 2003, totally $4,895 in AMD were spent for publication of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and support of the website
The whole sum was covered by the grant provided by Open Society Institute.
YEREVAN-BAKU TV BRIDGES: SUMMARY OF THREE YEARS’ RESEARCH ON KARABAGH
PROBLEM
On March 26-28, Yerevan-Baku satellite TV conferences were held. They were
organized by Yerevan and Baku Press Clubs under “Possible Resolutions to the
Karabagh Conflict: Expert Evaluations and Media Coverage” joint project,
supported by Open Society Institute Network Media Program. Stepanakert Press
Club was also involved in project implementation. Technical assistance in
conducting the TV bridges was provided by “Mir” Interstate TV and Radio
Company. Experts and journalists of the two countries participated in the
conferences discussing different aspects of Mountainous Karabagh problem and
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations in general.
The 26-27 March TV conferences were devoted to the research on Karabagh
conflict settlement. The surveys were conducted in 2003, using Delphi
method, among the experts of Armenia (15 political scientists, heads and
political observers of media), Azerbaijan (15 analysts and political
observers of leading media) and Mountainous Karabagh (5 political
scientists, heads and political observers of media). On the first day, the
results of Delphi examination in Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh were
presented by the Armenian project coordinator Ashot Melikyan. On the second
day, the head of the examination in Azerbaijan, Rasim Musabekov introduced
the results of the survey among Azerbaijani experts. After discussing the
report, joint Armenian-Azerbaijani conclusion was publicized concerning
Karabagh problem resolution. It was based on the summary of the Delphi
examination results. The main argument of this conclusion was: “Although the
views and approaches of Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in many aspects are
quite controversial, nevertheless certain potential was observed for
reconciliation of the positions to achieve visible progress in peaceful
settlement of Karabagh conflict.”
On March 28, at the third Yerevan-Baku TV bridge, the audience was presented
the results of the monitoring of Karabagh problem coverage by the media of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Mountainous Karabagh, conducted simultaneously
(March 1 – July 31, 2003) with the same methodology. Media monitoring
coordinators – Yalchin Salimov in Azerbaijan and Elina Poghosbekian in
Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh – made reports.
It should also be noted that both Delphi examination and media monitoring
became a final stage of complex research on Karabagh conflict problems,
implemented by YPC and BPC for three years (2001-2003). The publication of
the results of this research (in Russian and English languages) may soon be
available on YPC website:
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ATTACKED
On March 30, morning, Chairman of Armenian Helsinki Association,
correspondent of “Prima” Russian news agency, Michael Danielian was
attacked. Four unknown persons assaulted the human rights defender and
journalist on his way to the house entrance when he was coming back after a
walk with the dog.
With the bruises from heavy beating and possible brain concussion, Michael
Danielian was transported to the neurosurgical department in one of Yerevan
hospitals. According to the victim, the attack is provoked by his human
rights activity and is to serve as of warning on the part of the
authorities.
On the same day, March 30, Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of Armenia,
Internews Armenia public organization and Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression presented a statement.
“On March 30, journalist and human rights defender, Michael Danielian was
attacked and beaten by unknown persons. Condemning this display of violence,
we assess it as a consequence of political intolerance in the country in
recent days.
We express hope that law and order bodies will break the sad tradition of
the last years and will find the culprits since only disclosing and
punishing the perpetrators will prevent further spread of violence”, the
statement of the four journalistic organizations runs.
On March 31, RA President press service reported that RA President Robert
Kocharian ordered General Prosecutor of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepian to study
the circumstances of the attack at Michael Danielian and to take all
necessary measures for finding the culprits.
CAMPAIGN IN “A1+” SUPPORT WILL TAKE PLACE
On March 31 at Journalists Union of Armenia, a press conference was held
with the representatives of the Fund for Freedom of Speech Support – public
organization initiating the April 2 procession and rally in support of “A1+”
TV company. The protest action is timed to the two-year term of “A1+”
without air (see detail in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 19-25, 2004). At the
meeting with the journalists, its organizers declared that the previously
announced time for starting the procession still holds (14.00 from the “A1+”
TV company building), however Yerevan municipality gave permission for
conducting the rally not on the Freedom Square but in the vicinity of the
Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran.
According to the initiators of this campaign, in the past few days they were
exposed to various forms of pressure and expostulation by the police and
prosecutor’s office urging them to give up their plans. Nevertheless, the
campaign in support of freedom of speech will take place. It was also
stressed that the aim and demands remain the same and are not politicized.
THE FIRST PUBLIC NEWSPAPER OF KARABAGH
On March 31, first public newspaper of Karabagh, “Demo”, came to life. The
newspaper is published with the financial support of “Conciliation
Resources” British organization and assistance of Stepanakert Press Club
under the project of the Foundation for Prevention of Global Conflicts of
British Government.
The Chief Editor of “Demo” is Gegham Baghdasarian. It is published twice a
month. Four out of sixteen pages of the newspaper are issued in Russian and
devoted to South Caucasus problems. The first “Demo” is distributed free of
charge.
HALF A CENTURY ON LAUGHTER DAY
On April 1, Armenian “Vozni” satirical magazine celebrated its 50th
anniversary.
Yerevan Press Club warmly congratulates the magazine staff and its many-year
head Aramayis Sahakian with the jubilee, wishing prosperity and lots of
laugh for the next half a century!
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

A1 Plus | 18:00:04 | 30-03-2004 | Politics |
AUTHORITIES RESORTED TO PROVOCATIONS
Justice opposition bloc representatives Albert Bazeyan, Victor Dallakyan and
Grigor Harutyunyan spoke mainly about Sunday’s incident in Gyumri.
The politicians are sure that the incident occurred at a rally held Sunday
in Armenian town of Gyumri is nothing more than provocation orchestrated by
the republic’s authorities. The police appeared as a conflicting side
instead of fulfilling their direct duty of keeping order, they said.
The opposition activist said no investigation has been launched into the
police conduct so far but a series of raids on some Gyumri residents’
houses. Nine people are already arrested in the raids. It is not ruled out
the police to charge them.
Bazeyan said there are video record of the incident and witnesses testifying
that eggs and explosives were given by policemen and municipality officials.
Justice bloc members say the city bosses staged fake funeral in an apparent
attempt to bar them from conducting their meeting with their constituents.
Cortege and all funeral attributes but the dead were used.
—

[30-03-2004 ‘Region’]
————————————————- ———————
WE WERE RIGHT ON CYPRUS. WHY DID WE END UP HERE?
Source : `Turkish Daily News’ newspaper (Turkey)
Author: Mehmet Ali Birand
BUERGENSTOCK
Seeing all the negotiations being carried out here, international
games being played, all the pressures being exerted; reading the Annan
plan and listening to statements being made, I can’t help asking
myself the same question:
“We were always right on the Cyprus issue. We carried out the 1974
intervention to defend our rights. Then what happened? What happened
that we ended up being the wrong party in the eyes of the
international community? We cannot simply tie this to Greek
propaganda. There must be other reasons as well.”
Am I not right?
Cyprus was our just cause.
We won the support of the international community as well.
Remember the developments until 1974.
We did not forget what certain Greek Cypriot and Greek circles did
after the London and Zurich agreements to destroy the Turkish
community on the island in order to achieve the goal of unification
with Greece. Raids onto Turkish villages by Grivas and his team, their
massacre attempts, their retreat in the face of threats from Turkey
and coming back as soon as things cool down, we all remember these
very well. The last drop to pour the water out of glass came with a
coup carried out by a Greek junta toppling Greek Cypriot leader
Makarios to achieve Enosis.
Turkey had no option but military intervention after this. It was the
Greek junta and their extension in Cyprus that forced Ankara to take
this option. Since the international community was aware of this,
nobody opposed Turkey’s intervention at that time.
Turkey was right.
Then how did it happen that we ended up the unjust party?
Is the whole world setting up a plot against us? Is there a game
being played out in Cyprus to punish us? Did we make a mistake? If we
did make a mistake, where was it?
Looking back, we see a few major mistakes having been made by the
Turkish side.
First mistake: Intervention was two-staged
Turkey’s first big mistake was that it completed the military
intervention in two stages. The first operation was met with
understanding in the international community. But the lack of
sufficient preparation on the part of the Turkish Armed Forces and the
failure to send the needed back-up in time led to a failure to achieve
the military goals in the first stage of the operation.
Then a 4-5 week interval followed. In the meantime, a peace conference
was held in Geneva. There was a proposal to divide the island and
even to create five different cantons. The military operation resumed
when the desired outcome could not be obtained.
But this time the whole world rose up. Turkey, which had received
applause before, became an occupier dividing a poor and defenseless
country. The embargo imposed by the U.S. Congress, reaction from
world parliaments, resolutions passed in these parliaments condemning
Turkey and accusations from the United Nations, all came at that
stage.
The “liberating” Turkey came to be known as the “occupier.”
Second mistake: Not signing the peace deal
You will lose what you won in a military operation if you do not make
peace afterwards. The success will disappear.
We were a most typical example of this.
We kept settling on the island. And while doing it, we sent all the
diseases in Turkey to the island. Instead of creating a model that
would suit the needs of Cypriots, we attempted to create a second
Turkish Republic together with its military and bureaucracy in
Cyprus. We turned a blind eye to international realities. We wasted
the chance to make peace that was offered to us several times.
We kept changing policies.
We first said we intervened in order to restore the order as created
under the 1960 agreements. Then we came up with the thesis of
federation. Then we presented the proposals of confederation and
independence. We failed to win recognition from a single country for
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC).
We were left alone.
Throughout all these years, Greek Cypriots took clever steps because
they saw better than us the course that the developments had
taken. They turned the last corner by applying to the EU for
membership. The train was missed as Turkey failed to prevent the
membership attempts of Cyprus.
Let’s do better calculations for the future
Now, the last stage is due to be played until May 1.
If Greek Cypriots can reach the date May 2 without becoming the side
who spoils the agreement, they will get what they want. What will
corner them will be incorporation of the Annan plan into Cyprus’
accession treaty. And this may be achieved by May 1. After May 1, they
can easily block the Annan plan because they will have veto right
after that time.
After May 1, the Turkish side may find itself in a position which is
far worse than the Annan plan.
This is the real danger.
Let’s leave conspiracy theories aside and see, perhaps for the first
time, the truths clearly. Let’s derive lessons from past
mistakes. Instead of putting the blame on others, let’s understand our
own realities.
[25-03-2004 ‘Armenia-Azerbaijan’]
———————————————————————-
CLASHES BETWEEN THE MILITARY OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN KOSOVO?
Source : `Echo’ newspaper (Azerbaijan)
Author: H. Aliev, E. Alekperov
Bulgarian news agency reports about the conflict. The Defense
Ministry of the Country Does Not Confirm this Statement
Clashes occurred between the military forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia
stationed in Kosovo. This information was provided by Bulgarian
`Novinar’ news agency. This fact is brought forward by the agency as
one of the proofs of the failure of KFOR peacekeeping forces in
Kosovo. “KFOR-units are able to keep two communities (Serbian and
Albanian – Ed.) apart for a certain period of time, but it cannot last
forever. Moreover, when the contingents of such countries as
Azerbaijan and Armenia serve together in the international coalition”.
According to the reports by `Novinar’, the first clashes took place
already during the transportation of the servicemen via Budapest. The
agency also notes that there is a report of one `person killed’,
however it is not specified who he was – Azerbaijani or Armenian
military man.
In its turn, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan refutes the report of
the Bulgarian news agency. The Defense Ministry press-service
reported to `Echo’, that there are no Armenian servicemen in Kosovo
altogether. The press service keeps stating that official Yerevan
planned transportation of the peace contingent within the Greek
battalion. However, as this office reports, the plans of the Armenian
side fell flat. Besides, the press service also emphasized the fact
that Azerbaijani military men are transported to Kosovo via Turkey and
not via Hungarian capital. “Therefore, the reports of the Bulgarian
press do not correspond to reality”.
Commenting on the aggravation of the situation in Kosovo, the press
service noted that `fortunately, our servicemen did not participate in
military conflict”. The press service reported that 32 Azerbaijani
military men are in Gradush village near the city of Grizren.
Meanwhile, despite the statements of the Defense Ministry of the
country, Armenian media officially reported that on February 12 a
platoon of RA armed forces left for Kosovo. “Within the Greek
battalion, the Armenian platoon will participate in peacekeeping
mission in the Balkans”.
It is to be mentioned that the information source within the Defense
Ministry of the country also doubts whether `Novinar’ reports are
true. In its view, the Bulgarian press might confuse details related
to the murder of Armenian serviceman by the Azerbaijani officer Ramil
Safarov. The incident, as it is common knowledge, occurred in
Budapest. At the same time, the source confirmed the reports of the
Bulgarian news agency on the Armenian peacekeeping contingent in
Kosovo. However, according to the source, Armenian military men serve
at quite a distance from Azerbaijani peacekeeping units.
Besides, he noted that Azerbaijani peacekeepers are transported to
Kosovo via Turkey. The expert excludes the possibility of the clash
between the peacekeeping forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia also for the
reason that this information did not leak anywhere. “In case this
happened, international community would be informed”, the source
concluded.
It was also noted that the recent events in Kosovo kept the
Azerbaijani peacekeeping in full fighting capacity.
[23-03-2004 ‘Region’]
———————————————————————-
ANY INITIATIVE ON RECONSIDERATION OF KARS TREATY SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIATED
Source : `Azg’ newspaper (Armenia)
Author: Hakob Chakrian
On March 16, upon the initiative of Writers’ Union of Armenia a forum
of intellectuals was organized. It was devoted to Russian-Turkish
(March 16, 1921) and Kars (October 13, 1921) treaties. The forum
called on RA National Assembly to denounce the Kars Treaty and to
apply to State Duma of the Russian Federation with a claim to annul
the articles of Russian-Turkish treaty concerning Armenia.
What is this initiative conditioned by? The appeal to the National
Assembly on addressing State Duma is still more incomprehensible in
the sense that Kars Treaty is not simply a duplicate of
Russian-Turkish treaty. Russia also has its signature under it
similarly to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.
In other words, even if State Duma annuls the points of
Russian-Turkish treaty, pertaining to Armenia, still the fact that
Russia signed the Kars Treaty, will not allow RA National Assembly to
abrogate the treaty unilaterally without Russia’s
agreement. Apparently, the initiators of the forum missed this
circumstance, which raises doubts concerning the validity of the
initiative.
Ajarian crisis demonstrated that in the case of Kars Treaty, the
problem lay not only in the validity of reconsideration process but
also in controversial approaches and speculation with these issues on
international level.
Speaking about speculations, I mean Turkey. Its interests clashed with
Georgian and Russian resistance. That is, the problem of Kars Treaty
appeared on the agenda not only in Turkey but also in Georgia and
Russia. With the only difference that if in Armenia it was due to the
initiative of the Writers’ Union, in the countries mentioned it was
the result of the peculiar reaction of the Turkish Ambassador to
Azerbaijan, Unal Chevikoz.
On March 17 in Baku, Chevikoz declared to the journalists that Turkish
authorities, in accordance to Kars Treaty of 1921, are entitled to
deploy troops in Ajaria. Further, he added, `I think no explanations
are required in this aspect. The treaty will remain in force, and it
is already sufficient’. Georgian ambassador to Moscow, Constantine
Kemularia objected to it. He noted that in compliance with the Kars
Treaty, Ajaria cannot hope for the assistance of Turkey. He also
emphasized, `Any comments on the treaty are senseless. It is already
invalid. At present, international relations are built on the
realities of XXI century. Totally different relations appeared to form
between Russia and Turkey, Georgia and Turkey, Georgia and Russia”.
In its turn, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented its
objection to Georgian Ambassador in Russia, declaring that Kars
Treaty, signed in 1921 among Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey,
lost its validity. At the same time, the statement of MFA of Russian
Federation reminds about Turkey’s agreement to cede Ajaria to Georgia
under the condition that Ajaria be provided with the highest autonomy
status. In this period, Russian national newspapers started to
actively criticize Chevikoz, viewing his declaration about deployment
of troops in Ajaria as a challenge.
The approaches of the countries in question towards the Kars Treaty
are conditioned by the interests they have in Ajaria. By the
willingness to station troops in Ajaria, Turkey recognizes the
validity of the Kars Treaty. Georgia considers it `to be invalid’ in
order to exclude any interference (Turkey included) in ensuring
territorial integrity of the country. As for Russia, despite its
opposition to Turkish interference, by preservation of the status quo
in Ajaria, it plans to influence Georgia and insists, in an attempt to
account for its actions, on the validity of the Kars Treaty.
In other words, Georgia has polar views with Turkey and Russia on the
issue of the validity of the treaty, whereas Russia and Turkey are in
agreement. As regards the initiative of the Writers’ Union of Armenia
on reconsideration of the treaty, though Georgia involuntarily
supports the Armenian stand, viewing this issue as anachronism, still
it should be kept in mind that it is Russia that is the strategic
partner of Armenia.
Moreover, if RA National Assembly resolves to meet the appeal of the
forum, it will have to apply with the claim `to recognize the points
on Armenia of the Russian-Turkish treaty (16 March, 1921) invalid’ not
to Georgian parliament but Russian State Duma. Since State Duma will
not be able to ignore this position held by MFA of Russian Federation
on the treaty affecting the national interests of Russia, the claim
will probably be rejected. And it means reconsideration of the Kars
Treaty is not feasible.
—
Yerevan Press Club of Armenia, ‘Yeni Nesil’ Journalists’ Union of
Azerbaijan and Association of Diplomacy Correspondents of Turkey
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