Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Big News Network.com, Australia
March 28 2005
Revolution impossible in Armenia: PM
Big News Network.com Monday 28th March, 2005 (UPI)
A democratic revolution like that in Kyrgyzstan is impossible in
Armenia, its prime minister said Monday.
Interfax news agency quoted Premier Andranik Margarian as telling
reporters the kind of popular protest movement that toppled
authoritarian governments in the former Soviet republics of Georgia,
Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan in the past 18 months is impossible in Armenia
because the underlying problems that triggered the unrest don’t exist
in Armenia.
Undoubtedly, there are social and economic problems in Armenia, but
they are not the sort of problems that can be used to make a
revolution, he said.
Margarian said his government was constantly undertaking democratic
and economic reforms. Also, he said the Armenian opposition would not
do anything that could lead to serious destabilization, Interfax
said.

The shadow of Darfur
by: Yosef Goell
The Jerusalem Post
March 21, 2005, Monday
It would be hard to overstate the diplomatic coup entailed in
assembling so many of the world’s leaders as Israel did last week for
the inauguration of Yad Vashem’s new Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.
It would be premature however to parlay those first impressions into
predictions about their effect on the rising tide of anti-Semitism –
most of it of Muslim origin – in their respective countries.
But as I listened to the cascade of speeches some of them truly moving
and impressive I found myself getting madder and madder. For there
among those speakers and in the front seats of the world’s movers and
shakers sat the very men who could if they wanted to put an end not
to a 65 genocide against the Jewish people but to an ongoing genocide
in not-too-far off Darfur in Sudan.
On March 9 top UN relief official Jan Egeland sounded the alarm in a
call for more troops from the African Union. There is no other place
in the world where so many lives are at stake, Egeland said. “If
it goes well we could have a historic turn for the better for six
million internally displaced – which is five times more than were
displaced by the Indian Ocean tsunami. If it goes badly it could be
a situation of mass death mass suffering for millions of people.”
The US Congress and government have in July and September 2004
respectively defined the continuing horrors in Darfur as “genocide.”
Yet the United Nations has not; and this week the UN Security Council
remained deadlocked over a resolution that would step up monitoring
and threaten sanctions against the Sudanese government.
The hesitation of the UN is incredible given that this week Egeland
himself more than doubled his estimate of the number killed over the
past 19 months to 180 0
IN THE shadow of Darfur the tone at the Yad Vashem ceremony could
only be described as smug – since the world leaders were there to
claim that the lesson of the Holocaust had been learned. The sorry
fact is that the gentlemen shivering in their heavy coats in the
Jerusalem winter had apparently learned… nothing.
It is doubtful that their leadership predecessors in the 1930s and
40s wanted to conspire with Hitler in annihilating the Jews; what
caused the number of butchered Jews to pile up to six million was
those leaders’ inaction.
Darfur is merely the latest example of the failure of the international
community to apply the lessons of the Holocaust to the barbarity of
Bosnia and Kosovo in Europe of Rwanda in Africa and much earlier of
the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
On Saturday the Los Angeles Times reported that UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan was due to table sweeping proposals for revamping the
60-year-old world organization which has lately come in for scathing
criticism. I wouldn’t hold my breath however in expecting these
reforms to turn the UN into an effective genocide-fighting body.
One of the silver linings to the black cloud of a feckless
international community has been the performance of some of the world’s
top journalists. Whatever I know about Darfur has come nearly entirely
from my hero New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff who has done
a masterful job of reporting from Darfur forcing the international
community to sit up and take notice.
I mention Kristoff as a comparison to the Times’s own abysmal failure
two decades earlier as the Rwanda holocaust took place. I used to
follow infrequent one-inch reports in the Times on cases of ethnic
slaughter (the term ethnic cleansing had not yet emerged) in that
unheard of country somewhere in the middle of the Black Continent.
Apparently no Times editor believed those horrendous reports justified
full follow-ups. Which is why Kristoff and his editors deserve kudos
on their coverage of Darfur today.
SOME OF the Israeli media accompanied the Yad Vashem inauguration with
reports of an ideological debate between Yad Vashem and the Foreign
Ministry over how to balance the universal and particularist aspects
of the Holocaust. It was also reported that the new Yad Vashem was
seen as an answer to the architecturally more sophisticated Holocaust
Museum in Washington DC.
When my wife and I visited the Washington museum in the early 1990s we
were impressed with a plaque on the wall bearing a quote from Hitler
to his Wermacht generals to the effect that the same world that had
chosen to overlook the Turkish genocide against the Armenians during
World War I would let the Germans do what they wanted with the Jewish
populations slated for annihilation.
This is exactly what occurred. And what happened to us 60 years ago
was so horrendous that we have the right to demand of the world that
no further genocides against the Jews be permitted. But the fuller
lesson of the Holocaust is that no genocide should be permitted
against anyone anywhere.
Toleration of genocide anywhere coupled with the persistence of even
low-level anti-Semitism will mean that Darfurs Rwandas and Bosnias
will soon evolve into new genocides against the Jews.

IRNA, Iran
March 27, 2005 Sunday
Matsuura: Concerns over Jahan-Nama Tower project not a political
issue
Isfahan, March 27, IRNA Iran-UNESCO-Naqsh-e Jahan Director General of
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) Kushiro Matsuura here Sunday said that the concerns over
Jahan-Nama Tower project currently under construction adjacent to
Isfahan’s Imam Khomeini (Naqsh-e Jahan) Square is not a political
issue.
Speaking at the banquet in Isfahan’s Abbasi Hotel hosted by the
provincial Governor General Mahmoud Hosseini, Matsuura added that no
historical monument has ever been omitted from the world heritage
list.
“However, in case this takes place in any country, the relevant
political consequences will be quite detrimental.
>>From UNESCO’s point of view there is no political motivation behind
the move and the world heritage is the main concern in this case.
Concerning the likelihood of such an event, he noted, “Given that
President Mohammad Khatami and the provincial governor general are
determined to convince the municipality and city council of the
provincial capital of Isfahan to make the necessary adjustments in
the tower, I do not even wish to consider such a possibility.”
For his part, Hosseini said that Isfahan Municipality and City
Council are doing their best to safeguard the provincial historical
monuments.
“Similar to the decision taken on the urban metro project to change
its initially planned route to prevent its crossing through
Chahar-Bagh, we are determined to make the necessary changes in
Jahan-Nama Tower to safeguard its international status,” added
Hosseini.
The official referred to Zayandeh Roud area as a significant
historical site in the province and of great value in view of the
world heritage.
During his two- -day visit to Isfahan, Matsuura toured some of the
city’s archaic relics including the historical bridges, Imam Khomeini
Square Complex, Chehel-Sotoun Palace, Qeisarieh Bazaar, Vang Church
and the Armenians neighborhood.
Iran’s Human Rights Defenders Association has already filed a
complaint against Jahan-Nama contractors with Isfahan Justice
Department and a verdict calling for a halt to the project has been
issued.
Despite the verdict, it has not yet been enforced.
The construction of Jahan-Nama Tower project, as a cultural and
commercial complex, was launched in 1996. It is being constructed in
an area measuring 90,000 square meters and is situated adjacent to
the historical Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chahar- -Bagh and other ancient
monuments.

Armenian leader says new ferry link to tackle “serious transport problems”
Mediamax news agency
25 Mar 05
Yerevan, 25 March: The Russian and Armenian presidents, Vladimir
Putin and Robert Kocharyan, stressed the importance of the Port Kavkaz
(Russia) – Poti (Georgia) railway ferry in Yerevan today.
Speaking at a news conference on the outcome of talks with President
Kocharyan, Putin said that the railway ferry Port Kavkaz – Poti
would open new “broad opportunities” for business circles in Russia
and Armenia. He also said that it is desirable to attract private
investment in this project.
Armenian President Kocharyan, in his turn, said that the launch of
the railway ferry is the beginning of a solution to “very serious
transport problems” and will help change the situation “radically”.
Kocharyan said that the two also discussed “serious energy projects
which could have fundamental consequences”. The leaders of the two
countries noted major potential for the development of bilateral
economic relations, especially in the area of investment, banking
and construction.
Putin stressed that a rise in Russian investments in Armenia has been
recorded recently. Armenia could also invest in Russia, he noted.
[Armenian Arminfo news agency reported at 1207 gmt 25 Mar 05 that
the Russian president said that the first ferry loaded with grain and
bound for Georgia had left Port Kavkaz for Poti two days ago. “We are
planning to use this ferry in the future for shipments to Armenia as
well,” Putin said.]

Russian, Armenian leaders discuss Karabakh, antiterror fight
Interfax news agency, Moscow
25 Mar 05
Yerevan, 25 March: The Armenian and Russian leaders have agreed
to encourage entrepreneurs of the two countries to participate in
investment and privatization projects, Russian President Vladimir
Putin told journalists in Yerevan on Friday [25 March] after holding
talks with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.
He also said that the development of transport infrastructure had
been discussed in detail during the talks.
[Passage omitted: repetition]
Much attention was paid to regional problems during the talks,
Putin said.
“Our countries are interested in stabilizing the situation in the
Caucasus, that is, in the creation of an atmosphere of confidence,”
Putin said.
The two discussed prospects for the settlement of Nagornyy Karabakh.
In this regard, Putin said that “everybody is looking forward to the
continuation of direct contacts between the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan”.
Cementing partnership relations, particularly in fighting common
threats such as terrorism, transnational crime and illegal arms and
drug trafficking, was also discussed, the president said.

SERGE SARGSIAN AND JOHN EVANS DISCUSS DETAILS OF VISIT TO YEREVAN TO
BE PAID BY DEPUTY COMMANDER OF US’ EUROPEAN COMMAND
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s cooperation with the NATO and
the European command of the US is making steady progress. Secretary of
the President-affiliated National Security Council, the RA Defence
Minister Serge Sargsian and the American Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans stated this at the March
21 meeting, during which the present state of the Armenian-American
military cooperation was discussed. According to the RA Defence
Ministry’s spokesman Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian, the sides also
spoke about the details of a visit to Yerevan to be paid by Deputy
Commander of the US’ European Command Gen. Charles Walds in late March.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 18 2005
CZECHIA SHOWS INTEREST IN DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN
[March 18, 2005, 12:12:15]
Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Murtuz Alasgarov has met
with visiting Azerbaijan Chairman of the Czech Parliament’s Committee
on Defense and Security Ian Vidim.
Noting that Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to development
of relations with European countries including Czechia, he said the
two countries’ parliamentarians fruitfully cooperate within
international organizations. Mr. Alasgarov provided the guest with
detailed information on legal, democratic reforms being implemented
in Azerbaijan, the role of the country in the South Caucasus as well
as the problems it faces. Dwelling on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh, he showed on the map the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan noting that these territories are used by the occupants
for drug cultivation, and terrorist groups training. All these facts
have been reflected in the documents of the US Department of State,
he said. The Speaker reminded as well that the UN Security Council,
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and other
international organizations had adopted a number of resolutions,
which Armenia continues to ignore pursuing its aggressive policy
against Azerbaijan. Our country stands for peaceful resolution of the
conflict on the base of the norms and principle of the international
law.
Having thanked the Speaker of the Milli Majlis for the warm meeting
and detailed information Chairman of the Committee on Defense and
Security at the Czech Parliament Jan Vidim said his country was very
interested in development of links with Azerbaijan. He noted that
although 20% of Azerbaijan’s territories were occupied and over
million people became refugees and internally displaced, the progress
gained in the country was very attractive for all. According to him,
Czechia stands for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict on the base of territorial integrity of states. We welcome
the PACE January resolution hope the next meeting of the Presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia will be a turning point in the peace
process, Mr. Vidim said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IRNA, Iran
March 17 2005
Iran slips back in Corruption Perception Index
London, March 16, IRNA-Perceptions of the degree of corruption in
Iran as seen by business people, academics and risk analysts
marginally grew last year, according to the latest report by
Transparency International on Wednesday.
In its new index, Iran slipped down to 87th with a Corruption
Perception score of 2.9 in its league of 146 countries compared with
78th with a score 3.0 in its league of 133 countries in 2003. Most of
the fall was due to countries previously not included.
Amongst other Persian Gulf countries, Oman also dropped back from
26th to 29th, Bahrain from 27th to 34th, Qatar from 32nd to 38th,
Kuwait from 35th to 44th and Saudi Arabia from 46th to 71st, while
the UAE moved up from 37th to 29th.
Falls by other neighboring countries included Armenia from joint 78th
with Iran to 82nd, Russia from 86th to 90th, Pakistan from 92nd to
129th, Turkmenistan from 124th to 133rd and Azerbaijan also from
joint 124th to 140th.
Iraq, whose post-war reconstruction was highlighted as being in
danger of becoming ‘the biggest corruption scandal in history’, also
dropped from 113th to 129th.
At the top of the index, Finland retained its first-place ranking
with the cleanest Corruption Perception score of 9.7, followed by New
Zealand, Denmark, Iceland and Singapore.
The UK also held onto its 11th place ranking, although its score fell
back from 8.7 to 8.6, behind Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Austria,
and the Netherlands. The US was placed 17th, with the same ranking
and score as in 2003.
Transparency International, based in Berlin and London, is a non-
governmental organization with more than 85 independent national
chapters around the world devoted to combating corruption. The index
is the third it has produced since 2002.
Launching the latest report, its chairman Peter Egan said that
corruption in large-scale public projects was a ‘daunting obstacle’
to sustainable development.
“Corruption wastes money, bankrupts countries and costs lives,” he
warned.

Turkish Leader Calls for Study of Genocide Debate
Erdogan seeks review of archives amid challenges to the nation’s
official denial of blame in the deaths of Armenians during and after WWI
THE WORLD
Los Angeles Times
March 9, 2005
By Amberin Zaman, Special to The Times
ANKARA, Turkey ~W Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called
for an impartial study by historians of claims that more than a million
Armenians were slaughtered by Turkish troops in a genocide during and
after World War I.
The statement was widely seen here as a symbolic if small step by Turkey
to address the issue after decades of denial.
“We have opened our official archives to those people who claim there
was genocide,” the Turkish leader said at a news conference here. “If
they are sincere, they too should open their archives.”
Erdogan was referring to archives in Germany, Turkey’s wartime ally, and
in Britain and France, whose forces occupied parts of Turkey after the
collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the war. Troops from all
three nations could have witnessed what happened between the Turks and
the Armenians.
“Teams of historians from both sides should conduct studies in these
archives,” Erdogan said of the Turks and Armenians. “We do not want
future generations to live under the shadow of continued hatred and
resentment.”
Armenians say 1.5 million of their people perished between 1915 and 1923
in a genocide perpetrated by Ottoman Turks. Millions of Armenians
worldwide are set to mark the 90th anniversary of the beginning of the
violence on April 24.
Turkey has countered that several hundred thousand Armenians died of
starvation and exposure during forced deportations after they
collaborated with invading Russian forces in eastern Turkey.
But a small, vocal group of Turkish intellectuals has begun to challenge
the official version of events, saying genocide did take place under the
orders of ultranationalist military officers who led the country at the
time. That view has touched off heated debate throughout Turkey.
Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, whose recent novel, “Snow,” has made
bestseller lists in the United States, was labeled a traitor here and
faced death threats after telling a German newspaper last month that “a
million Armenians were killed in Turkey.”
Erdogan’s appeal for an unbiased investigation was issued jointly with
Deniz Baykal, the leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party,
and it reflects growing concern about the issue after calls came from
within the European Union for Turkey to acknowledge that genocide
occurred. Some EU members have gone so far as to suggest that such
recognition should be a condition for Turkey’s entry into the European
alliance.
The parliaments of Canada, France and Switzerland have approved
resolutions stating the Armenians were victims of genocide. Similar
measures proposed by members of the U.S. Congress have been quashed by
successive Republican and Democratic administrations wary of alienating
Turkey, an important North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally.
“It is encouraging that the government is finally willing to talk about
the Armenian issue,” said Hrant Dink, publisher of the Armenian-language
newspaper Agos.
“And if they are truly sincere, they must bear the consequences of what
historians uncover ~W face up to the horrors of the past.”
,1,5991797.story?ctrack=2&cset=true

AZERI GUERILLA-DIVERSIONARY GROUP TRIED TO PENETRATE INTO KARABAKH ARMY REAR
09.03.2005 03:40
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ March 7 at 11.00 a.m. at the north-east sector of
the contact line of the Karabakh and Azeri armed forces, near the
inhabited locality of Seysulan of the Mardakert region of NKR, an
Azeri guerilla-diversionary group made an attempt to penetrate into
the rear of the Karabakh defense army, Arminfo agency reports. The
Karabakh soldiers, who were standing sentinel, noticed the group
and took measures for its neutralization. As result the enemy had
to retreat. Thus, the Azeri side carries on undertaking steps to
destabilize situation at the contact line by making diversionary
sorties and advancing their posts to the frontline of then Karabakh
defense army. The press service of the NKR Defense Ministry warned
that any actions jeopardizing the security of the NKR will be sharply
suppressed and called the Azeri party to preserve the cease-fire
regime.