Author: Kanayan Tamar

THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOUND ANOTHER FOREST TO DESTROY
A1plus
| 19:08:36 | 04-05-2005 | Social |
Today the Armenian office of World Ecological Fund collected more than
10 non-governmental organizations to discuss the possible harms of the
highway Kapan-Tsav-Shvanidzor which is to be constructed soon. The
heads of the ecological non-governmental organizations are worried
by the Government decision which envisages the destruction of part
of the Mtnadzor forest.
The experts have investigated that because of the destruction of
the only oak forest in Armenia many endemic animals and plants will
disappear. By their approximate calculations the future highway will
pas through 28-30 km of forest where 14 thousand big and more than
90 thousand small trees are in danger of destruction.
For example, the social-ecological association has carried out
investigations according to which the construction of the new highway
will do more harm than good. According to the association, the slopes
of Shikahogh are inclined by 35o, in Mtnadzor even in summer it is
dark, in North slopes winter lasts longer, and because of snow in
winter the road will by all means close.
The Mtnadzor forest is the only one in Armenia where no trees have
ever been cut because of impassability. The new road will make
the plants and animals available for thieves. The association
offers an alternative for the road which is a necessity. It is
Kapan-Shishkert-Mazra-Shvanidzor, which is sunny and the snow won’t
stay long in winter.
Karen Manvelyan, representative of the Armenian office of World
Ecological Fund informed the representatives of the non-governmental
organization that the events organized by them will not finish with
one discussion, they will go on until the Government changes the
decision adopted last year and adopts the new and cleverer alternative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Schroeder highlights human rights during Turkey visit
Expatica, Netherlands
May 4 2005
ANKARA – Turkey must continue to implement human rights reforms ahead
of European Union membership negotiations due to begin in October,
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Wednesday.
In Turkey for a two-day official visit, Schroeder told Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the reforms already passed by Turkey were
important, but that proper implementation was necessary.
He said that changes to the law to give religious minorities further
rights were a good step, but that the reforms must go further.
Erdogan said, however, that there had been no direct request from
Schroeder to allow the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary on the
Marmara Sea island of
Heybeliada, which has been closed since 1971 when all private tertiary
institutions were outlawed.
Speaking at a press conference with Erdogan, Schroeder tried to allay
fears in Turkey that failure to ratify the EU constitution would
mean Turkey being left outside the union. The treaty is viewed as
essential for an expanded EU.
Schroeder said he supported a Turkish proposal for a joint meeting
of historians to discuss whether the deaths of hundreds of thousands
of Armenians during World War One constituted genocide.
Turkey historically has denied genocide took place and the issue has
threatened to hurt Turkey’s EU membership chances.
Speaking later at Marmara University in Istanbul where he received an
honorary doctorate, Schroeder said Turkey could learn from Germany’s
own experience.
In coming to terms with what it did during World War Two, it had
contributed to peace in Europe. The once hated enemies, France and
Germany, were now close friends.
The German chancellor also met Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
in Ankara and the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church,
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and attended a Turkish- German
Economic Forum.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/04/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on Armenian Genocide 2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque 3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International Day 4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers of Georgian Army AWOL 5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games 1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on Armenian Genocide "The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial." --ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian WASHINGTON, DC--Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian expressed disappointment on Wednesday with President Bush's April 24 statement, asking for a meeting to discuss this matter and the range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. While thanking President Bush for standing with Armenians in "remembering the tragic events of April 24th," Hachikian expressed concern that the President, again, retreated from his February, 2000 campaign pledge to properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide. "Your refusal to honor this pledge, and the ongoing opposition of your Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation before Congress, in our view, represent failures of American moral leadership, and reflect a flawed and shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term interest in peace and stability in the Caucasus and Middle East," explained Hachikian. Commenting on the President's indirect reference to the Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, Hachikian noted, "The only sound basis for improved Armenian-Turkish relations remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its genocidal crime and full acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian nation. In this regard, we are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the Holocaust and, more recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the Israeli government setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the Holocaust at between $240 billion to $330 billion." Hachikian concluded the May 3 letter urging President Bush to "to speak with moral clarity on the Armenian Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide legislation that will come before Congress, to pressure the Turkish government to acknowledge the truth, and to use the full influence of your office to work toward a just resolution--including full reparations and restitution--of this crime against the Armenian people." The full text of the letter follows: Dear Mr. President: I am writing, on behalf of Armenian Americans throughout the United States, to thank you for joining with our community in remembering the tragic events of April 24th, but also to express our profound disappointment with the content of your remarks on the day of this solemn remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. We remain deeply troubled by your retreat from your promise, made in February 2000, to properly recognize the genocidal campaign against the Armenian people. By not using the proper termgenocide--your message failed to accurately communicate the moral, historical, and legal meaning of the crime committed against the Armenian people. Your refusal to honor this pledge, and the ongoing opposition of your Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation before Congress, in our view, represent failures of American moral leadership, and reflect a flawed and shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term interest in peace and stability in the Caucasus and Middle East. While we welcome your statement about looking forward to a promising future for Armenia, we must point out that Armenia's future should not have to be built under threat from Turkey--an unrepentant perpetrator of genocide against the Armenian people. Very simply, the Republic of Armenia cannot be secure as long as Turkey continues to deny its crime against the Armenian nation. We are troubled, as well, by your support for attempts, along the lines of the widely discredited Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, that promote an artificial reconciliation, one with neither truth nor justice. Sadly, your mention of an anonymously authored report, which was not written by, but only facilitated through, the International Center for Transitional Justice, lends credence to those seeking to derail progress toward Genocide recognition, while abetting those who want to help Turkey avoid the modern-day consequences of this crime. The only sound basis for improved Armenian-Turkish relations remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its genocidal crime and full acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian nation. In this regard, we are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the Holocaust and, more recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the Israeli government setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the Holocaust at between $240 billion to $330 billion. The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial. As such, we respectfully call upon you to speak with moral clarity on the Armenian Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide legislation that will come before Congress, to pressure the Turkish government to acknowledge the truth, and to use the full influence of your office to work toward a just resolution - including full reparations and restitution - of this crime against the Armenian people. Given your emphasis on morality and speaking the truth, how can you possibly do otherwise? In closing, I would like to note that we continue to pay special attention to your Administration's response to the historically accurate description of the Armenian Genocide by the US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans. If history has taught us anything, it is that those who speak the truth should be encouraged, not silenced. We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter and address the full range of issues of concern to Armenian Americans. Sincerely yours, 2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque RYDE--The Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, on Wednesday condemned the removal of a plaque in Meadowbank commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The plaque, which was installed on April 24, 2005, marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, has been forcibly removed from Memorial Park, Meadowbank. It is unknown who has removed the plaque. "This is a disgraceful and cowardly act," Hatzistergos said. The plaque was installed following a motion from Ryde City Council officially recognizing and condemning the Armenian genocide of 1915, the first genocide of the twentieth century. "The plaque is solemnly dedicated to the 1.5 million men, women and children who were victims of the Armenian genocide~EIt serves as a reminder to the community of such darks chapters in human history~EI urge anyone with information concerning the removal to contact authorities," Hatzistergos said. In 1997, the NSW Parliament passed a unanimous bi-partisan motion condemning the Armenian genocide of 1915. In the following year, the Parliament passed another motion to install a memorial for the victims of the genocide, which is now located in the NSW Parliamentary precinct. 3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International Day MONTEVIDEO (Armenpress)--The parliament of Uruguay made a unanimous decision Wednesday to ask the country's foreign ministry to submit to the United Nations a resolution declaring April 24 as "Genocide Condemnation World Day," Diego Karamanukian from Uruguay Armenian Radio reported. The parliament decision was largely due to the efforts of an Armenian member of the Uruguay parliament, Lian Kechijian. The decision asks the Uruguay foreign ministry to ask the UN to consider it at its next session. Uruguay was the first country to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, when the country's Senate and House and Representatives adopted a resolution on April 20, 1965. On March 26, 2004, the President of Uruguay signed a law designating April 24 as a "Day of Recognition for the Armenian Martyrs." 4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers in Georgian Army AWOL TBILISI (Armenpress)--Twelve ethnic Armenian servicemen of the Georgian army abandoned their military unit on Tuesday in Akhaltsikhe and went absent without leave (AWOL), claiming they were subjected to human rights abuses and intimidation from officers and other servicemen in the military unit, Itar-Tass reported. All of these servicemen are residents of Akhalkalak, a town in the southern Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, predominately populated by ethnic Armenians. Rustavi 2 television interviewed several of these AWOL servicemen on May 3. One private said in an interview: "We were beaten up in the military unit; we were frequently questioned about why we speak Armenian and not Georgian, but I do not speak Georgian." Another private complained that the officers were intimidating him and demanding money. No official comment has been made by the Georgian defense ministry yet. The Georgian public defender's office has launched a probe into the case. "I have talked with an official from the defense ministry and I think we can find a solution to this problem," Sozar Subeliani, the public defender, told Rustavi 2. 5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games GLENDALE--The much-awaited Homenetmen Navasartian Games kicked-off on May 1, during a ceremony marking the official opening of the 30th Annual Games. The small torch--symbolizing the beginning of the games--was blessed at the cross stone at Glendale's St. Mary's church, and then transferred by athletes to Stengel Field in Verdugo, where the program began. Emcee Simon Manucharian welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and introduced guests, which included religious and political leaders, as well as elected officials from the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles, and representatives of ARS and Homenetmen. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Press
April 3 2005
Press Scan
REACTION TO SWITZERLAND
MILLIYET- Turkey reacted strongly to warrant of arrest decision of
Switzerland on Prof. Yusuf Halacoglu, chairman of Turkish Institute
of History. Switzerland noted that the statements of Prof. Halacoglu
who denied so-called Armenian genocide constitute an offense and it
requested his personal information to start an international search
with red bulletin.

TRIAL OF MURDER OF ARMENIAN OFFICER IN HUNGARY TO BE RESUMED MAY 10
YEREVAN, MAY 2. ARMINFO. The trial of the murder of Armenian officer
Gurgen Margaryan by his Azeri counterpart Ramil Safarov in Hungary Feb
19 2004 is to be resumed in Budapest May 10, says Nazeli Vardanyan,
lawyer representing the interests of Margaryan’s family and Armenian
officer Hayk Makuchyan whom Safarov attempted to kill.
Safarov is facing from 10-15 years of imprisonment to life in prison.
Vardanyan says that she is to leave for Budapest May 7. Also in the
court will be Makuchayn and Armenia’s Defence Ministry representative
Hayk Demoyan.
May 10 the court is to make public the results of Safarov’s repeated
psychiatric examination which was held on the insistance of the
Azeri side who was allowed to observe it but with no chance of
influence. The first examination found Safarov sane. To remind,
Safarov killed Margaryan with an ax.

ARTSAKH VALUES WRITERS THOUGH DOES NOT EXPLOIT THEIR POTENTIAL
AZG Armenian Daily #079, 03/05/2005
Karabakh diary
Writers’ Union of Nagorno Karabakh called its 3d congress. Together
with the delegation of Writers’ Union of Armenia headed by its
president Levon Ananian, Artsakhi writers discussed their accomplished
works and shared with future programs.
President of Armenia’s Writers’ Union thanked for being granted a
member of Artsakh’s Writers’ Union along with 2 other members of
the Armenian delegation. He highly evaluated the cooperation of two
literary organizations especially of the last 4 years. Highlighting
today’s literary potential of Artsakh, he called it a well-established
power, which has a serious mission in all-Armenian literary field.
“The Writers’ Union of Armenia will continue lending support to
Artsakh’s literary family”, Ananian assured and added that the rest
home to be built for Artsakh’s writers is a display of such support.
President of NKR Writers’ Union, Vartan Hakobian, presented his
report on 4 years of the Union’s activity. The most important thing,
he noted, was bringing Artsakh’s Union into the all-Armenian literary
field. Today, NKR Writers’ Union has a literary newspaper Yeghitsi
Luys and a comic magazine Pele Pughi as well as a separate publishing
house with a capacity to put out more than 10 books annually. Stating
the state’s resolution to support the Union, Hakobian highlighted
ArtsakhBank’s favor to improve writers’ housing conditions, help them
take part in international processes and help in issues connected
with books’ translations.
The young generation of writers is under special care of the Union.
According to the report, young writers are granted best conditions
for book publishing and for participation in literary arrangements
in Armenia.
Vartan Hakobian underscored the necessity for the writers to actively
involve in processes of state governing. This is an urgent issue as
there has been no writer in legislative and executive powers of the
country during the decade of independence whereas the Artsakh Movement
launched in 1988 at the very initiative of writers.
Prof. Sokrat Khanian presented his report on the present condition of
Artsakhi fiction. Zhanna Beglarian from University of Grigor Narekatsi
spoke of recent works of Artsakhi poets.
An open vote after the reports elected the new administration of the
Writers’ Union of Artsakh. Vartan Hakobian was unanimously re-elected
the head of administration.
By Kim Gabrielian in Stepanakert

005/52724.php
Informationen zur deutschen aussenpolitik
Revolutionäre Wirkungen
24.04.2005
BERLIN/ANKARA/ERIWAN (Eigener Bericht)
Die Türkei soll ihre ,,zwischenstaatlichen Beziehungen zu Armenien
umgehend normalisier(en)” und damit die Einflussnahme Berlins und der
EU im südlichen Kaukasus erleichtern. Dies fordert die
CDU/CSU-Fraktion im Deutschen Bundestag. Um eine ,,Versöhnung” mit
Eriwan einzuleiten, solle Ankara sich der ,,europäischen
Erinnerungskultur” einfügen und sich mit dem Genozid an der
armenischsprachigen Bevölkerung des Landes ,,vorbehaltlos
auseinandersetz(en)” , heißt es in der entsprechenden
Parlamentsvorlage. Wie Bundestagsabgeordnete verschiedener Fraktionen
erklären, solle dabei auf die Begriffe ,,Völkermord” bzw. ,,Genozid”
verzichtet werden. Ein solches Vorgehen befreit die Türkei von
jeglichen Entschädigungsansprüchen und entspricht der Praxis der
Bundesregierung, die überlebenden Opfer deutscher Staatsaggressionen
mit folgenlosen Gedenkritualen abzuspeisen. In den Genozid, dessen
Beginn sich am heutigen Sonntag zum 90. Male jährt, waren die
deutsche Reichsregierung und das deutsche Militär maßgeblich
involviert.
Wie es in dem CDU/CSU-Antrag heißt, liege es ,,im Interesse der EU,
durch die Öffnung des Landweges durch die Türkei die wirtschaftliche
Entwicklung Armeniens und die Stabilität in der Region zu fördern”
.1) Ankara hat die Beziehungen zu Eriwan abgebrochen und die
türkisch-armenische Grenze geschlossen, nachdem der Streit zwischen
Armenien und dem türkischen Verbündeten Aserbaidschan um das von
beiden Seiten beanspruchte Gebiet Nagornyi-Karabach eskalierte. Dies
sichert Russland, aber auch dem Iran bedeutenden Wirtschaftseinfluss
auf das arme Kaukasus-Land. Wie andere GUS-Staaten gerät auch
Armenien unter immer stärkeren Druck, sich von Russland zu lösen und
den westlichen Hegemonialmächten zu unterstellen. Der
Verteidigungsminister des Landes hat kürzlich angekündigt, die
Verbindungen zur NATO vertiefen zu wollen, ein früherer armenischer
Premierminister plädiert für einen Umsturz a la Kiew.2)
,,Europäische Erinnerungskultur”
Den ,,Ausgleich” zwischen der Türkei und Armenien, der für die
Westbindung des Landes erforderlich ist, will Berlin nun mit einem
Geschichtsdiskurs befördern, der den Genozid der Jahre 1915 und 1916
thematisiert. Im September 2002 noch hatte die Bundesregierung die
Ansicht vertreten, ,,dass die beiden Länder selbst die Grundlage für
eine Verbesserung ihres Verhältnisses definieren sollten” .3) Am
vergangenen Donnerstag (21. April) haben Abgeordnete sämtlicher
Fraktionen die Türkei aufgefordert, in eine Debatte über die Massaker
während des Ersten Weltkriegs einzutreten. Die armenische Regierung
hat bereits vor drei Jahren auf die Anerkennung der Mordtaten als
,,Völkermord” verzichtet, die als Voraussetzung für
Entschädigungsansprüche überlebender Opfer und ihrer Nachkommen gilt.
Damit ist der Weg frei für eine folgenlose Auseinandersetzung
(,,europäische Erinnerungskultur” ) mit den damaligen Massakern,
denen mehr als eine Million Menschen zum Opfer fielen.4)
Militärmission
In den Genozid, der am 24. April 1915 mit der Deportation
armenischsprachiger Intellektueller aus Konstantinopel (heute:
Istanbul) begann, waren die deutsche Reichsregierung und das deutsche
Militär maßgeblich involviert. Berlin deckte die Massaker des
Weltkriegsverbündeten: ,,Unser einziges Ziel ist, die Türkei bis zum
Ende des Krieges an unserer Seite zu halten, gleichgültig, ob darüber
Armenier zu Grunde gehen oder nicht” , schrieb der damalige
Reichskanzler Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. Das Deutsche Reich
unterstützte das Osmanische Reich mit der Entsendung einer
einflussreichen ,,Militärmission” , die gegen Ende des Ersten
Weltkriegs rund 800 teilweise hochrangige deutsche Offiziere in
osmanischen Diensten umfasste. Der Generalstab der III. Armee, in
deren ostanatolischem Stationierungsgebiet die Mehrheit der
armenischsprachigen Bevölkerung siedelte, unterstand dem deutschen
Offizier Felix Guse, andere deutsche Soldaten unterzeichneten
Deportationsbefehle oder waren an Hinrichtungen unmittelbar
beteiligt.5),,Der Armenier ist wie der Jude” , bemerkte General Fritz
Bronsart von Schellendorf, während des Kriegs Chef des osmanischen
Feldheeres in Istanbul, Anfang 1919: ,,außerhalb seiner Heimat ein
Parasit, der die Gesundheit des anderen Landes, in dem er sich
niedergelassen hat, aufsaugt.”6)
Notwehr
Schon als im Jahr 1895 rund 100.000 Menschen Pogromen gegen die
armenischsprachige Bevölkerung des Osmanischen Reichs zum Opfer
fielen, erklärte der Vortragende Rat im Auswärtigen Amt Alfons
Freiherr Mumm von Schwarzenstein, es könne ,,nicht die Aufgabe der
deutschen Politik sein, sich um die Christen in der ganzen Welt zu
kümmern und einen europäischen Kreuzzug gegen den Halbmond ins Leben
zu rufen” . Friedrich Naumann, einer der prominentesten Strategen der
deutschen Expansion, äußerte 1896 Verständnis für ,,die Notwehr des
Türken” .7)
Menschenrechte
Die Berliner Duldung des Massenmords entsprach mittelfristigen
Bündnisüberlegungen, aber ließ die Option eines deutschen
Besatzungsregimes in der Türkei grundsätzlich offen. Dabei setzte die
kaiserliche Außenpolitik auf Instrumentalisierung der
,,Menschenrechte” , mit denen eine spätere Eroberung Istanbuls
eingeleitet werden könnte. Wie Friedrich Naumann damals ausführte,
ließe sich durch Unterstützung von ,,Griechen, Serben, Bulgaren,
Mazedonier(n), Syrer(n), Armenier(n)” der Sturz des Osmanischen
Reiches herbeiführen. ,,Das Verfahren ist dieses: man fordert für die
abhängigen Völkerschaften Menschenrechte oder Humanität oder
Civilisation oder politische Freiheit, kurz, irgend etwas, was sie
den Türken gleichstellt.” Dies müsse im ,,Vielvölkerstaat” zu
,,revolutionären Wirkungen” führen.8)
Regulieren
Die gegenwärtige deutsche Außenpolitik schließt an die früheren
Überlegungen des Auswärtigen Amtes an und will ihre Ziele mittels
Forderungen durchsetzen, die einschlägigen Katalogen der
,,Zivilgesellschaft” (Naumann: ,,Civilisation” ) entnommen sind.
Demnach habe die Türkei durch Berücksichtigung von
Minderheitenrechten, ,,good governance” und ,,nachhaltiger”
Rechtspflege ihre Europa-Tauglichkeit zu erweisen. Avantgarde bei der
Anwendung dieses Instrumentariums war in den vergangenen Jahren die
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, die in Instanbul ein Büro unterhält. Auch
Regierungsmitglieder der SPD haben wiederholt versucht, die
innertürkische Opposition in die außenpolitischen Ziele Berlins
einzuspannen.9) Mit der überparteilich formulierten
Armenien-Resolution hat sich jetzt auch die CDU/CSU entschieden,
wirtschaftspolitische und klerikale Sonderinteressen in der Türkei
unter Bezug auf die ,,Menschenrechte” offen zu halten.
1) Antrag: Gedenken anlässlich des 90. Jahrestages des Auftakts zu
Vertreibungen und Massakern an den Armeniern am 24. April 1915 –
Deutschland muss zur Versöhung zwischen Türken und Armeniern
beitragen; Bundestags-Drucksache 15/4933
2) s. dazu Transportkorridor
3) Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der
Abgeordneten Uwe Hiksch, Ulla Jelpke, Dr. Winfried Wolf und der
Fraktion der PDS; Bundestags-Drucksache 14/9921
4) s. dazu Rechtsansprüche ausgeschlossen und Berlin: Keine
materielle Entschädigungspflicht für NS-Verbrechen sowie Europas
Zukunft
5) Wolfgang Gust: Der Völkermord an den Armeniern. Die Tragödie des
ältesten Christenvolkes der Welt, München/Wien 1993
6) Julius H. Schoeps: Der verdrängte Genozid;
25.03.2005
7), 8) Hans-Walter Schmuhl: Friedrich Naumann und die Armenische
Frage. Die deutsche Öffentlichkeit und die Verfolgung der Armenier
vor 1915; www.histnet/kieser/aghet/Essays/EssaySchmuhl.html#fnB13
. 9) s. dazu Deutsche Stiftungen: ,,Dem äußeren und inneren Frieden
förderlich” und Umstrittene Instrumente
Quellen:
Armenian Defense Minister Pledges to ,,Deepen Ties” with NATO; RFE/RL
Newsline 07.04.2005
Former Armenian Premier calls for Revolution; RFE/RL Newsline
18.04.2005
–Boundary_(ID_HWz8SBzyPEvR3/EP5sE+wQ)–

The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 2 2005
Armenia rejects conditions for political relations with Turkey
The New Anatolian / Ankara
Armenia rejected the proposal of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan
on Saturday to establish political relations while jointly
researching the killings of Armenians during World War I.
The proposal by Erdogan, made on Friday, “does not contain anything
new,” said Armenian presidential spokesman Viktor Sogomonyan. “We
have proposed to establish diplomatic relations without
preconditions, and examine outstanding issues between our two
countries within the framework of an intergovernmental commission,”
Sogomonyan said.
Armenia insists the killings constitute genocide, and refuses to make
establishing relations conditional on agreeing to review what it says
is fact. Turkey denies a genocide was committed.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogansaid earlier in an
interview that Turkey might establish political ties if Armenia
agreed to his proposal for investigating the events. “Political
relations might be established on one side and studies (about
killings) can continue on the other side,” Erdogan said.
Earlier this month, Erdogan invited Armenia to set up a joint
research committee. Armenian President Robert Kocharian responded by
saying ties should be formed first.
Armenia opens its national archives
On the other hand, the head of the Armenian national archives,
Amatuni Virabyan, said Saturday that the first Turk to be allowed to
carry out research there. Ektan Turkyelmaz, from Duke University in
the U.S. state of North Carolina, would begin work Monday, Virabyan
said.

Turkey not to open border crossing with Armenia for now – minister
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
29 Apr 05
Kayseri, 29 April:”Actually we are not intending to open a border pass
to Armenia,” Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul said on Friday [29 April].
Replying to a question whether or not border pass with Armenia would
be opened, Gul said, “there is nothing about this, at the
moment. Prime Minister (Erdogan) expressed Turkey’s goodwill on this
issue. There will definitely be some developments if there is common
goodwill. We hope neighbours will show a similar and constructive
approach”.
Mentioning the interest of foreign investors towards Turkey, Gul said,
“there are several big companies and they come to invest in
Turkey. Turkey becomes an attractive country for investors.”
He emphasized that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder would come to
Turkey accompanied by 600 businessmen, and noted that some of those
businessmen were from Turkish origin. He said the delegation will come
to set up partnership with Turkish businessmen.
Gul stated that Turkey has a promising future.

Armenian police continuing to search opposition members’ homes
Arminfo
29 Apr 05
YEREVAN
The Armenian law-enforcement bodies are continuing to search the homes
of members of the Armenian opposition New Times Party.
The law-enforcement bodies yesterday evening detained and questioned
two drivers and the political secretary of the party, Edik Grigoryan,
the secretary of the party leadership, Emanuel Markaryan, told our
Arminfo correspondent.
Apart from this, the home of the party leader’s assistant, Vardan
Astvatsaturyan, was also searched. Emanuel Markaryan has learned that
the law-enforcement bodies intend to search his house within the next
few hours.
Commenting on the situation, Emanuel Markaryan noted that “we are the
ones who were shot, but they are looking for weapons in our houses”.
To recap, during the disturbances that took place at a rally in Sevan
on 20 April, an activist of the New Times Party, Garegin Petrosyan,
received a bullet wound. Thirty-two parties of Armenia condemned the
disturbances and acts of hooliganism that took place in Sevan on 20
April.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress