Author: Kanayan Tamar

1/3 TO POLITICAL PARTIES
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Nov 04
Already 130 suggestions have been made referring to the new draft
electoral code. The second reading of the project will take place
on December 1, and it is not clear which of these suggestions
will be accepted. Nevertheless, according to the vice chairman of
the parliamentary faction of the Democratic Liberal Union Vahram
Atanessian, no new articles can appear in the project after the first
reading and vice versa, the previous might no disappear. “And as at
the first reading the project supposes the mixed type of parliament,
with nomination both on party tickets and in constituencies, presently
the suggestion of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of 100 per cent
nomination on party tickets contradicts to the Code of the National
Assembly”, said Vahram Atanessian commenting on the standpoint
of the ARF for “AA”. Moreover, as the member of parliament said,
most of the 19 members of faction of the Democratic Liberal Union
holding the majority in the parliament are against the election on
party tickets. However, after long-lasting consultations the faction
suggest electing 1/3 of the parliament on party tickets. This is,
according to Vahram Atanessian, a starting point. Today Karabakh
is not ready for the nomination on party system because, first of
all, the accomplished parties are not many and, second, the people
of Karabakh traditionally are not politicized. According to Vahram
Atanessian, not more than 5-10 per cent of the population is involved
in parties, and the number 1/3 was not chosen at random. According
to the law, the 33-seat parliament may work with quorum of 22
members of parliament. If none of the political parties gets the
necessary amount of votes, the members of parliament elected from
constituencies will form the 2/3 of the parliament, the quorum
of 22 members of parliament will allow the parliament to operate.
Proceeding from this and other considerations, the Democratic Liberal
Union as a public-political organization holding the majority in the
parliament prefers not to hurry. Commenting on the statements of the
ARF members that those parties vote against the party ticket system
which are afraid of losing elections, Vahram Atanessian emphasized
that in the political environment of Artsakh he cannot see other
political parties which are more accomplished or less accomplished.
Besides, according to him, the Democratic Liberal Union, backed by
the authorities, has better chances to get the majority of seats in
the parliament than the other political parties. Vahram Atanessian
mentioned that the Democratic Liberal Union forming the majority
in the parliament is responsible for the activities of the present
government, its achievements and disadvantages. “We are well-aware of
all the drawbacks and we will take them into account while working
out the future priorities,” said the member of the Union. In answer
to our question on possible developments in the government if at
the upcoming summer elections to parliament the opposition holds the
majority, Vahram Atanessian noticed that in a presidential republic
in which we live forming the government is the exclusive right of the
president. The parliament may only vote against the cabinet presented
by the president. “I do not think that introducing the party ticket
system has anything to do with forming a coalition government or any
other type of government. Maybe some people have similar aims but
first the same parliamentary majority will have to modify the law
in accordance with which the government is formed and deprive the
president of this right,” said Vahram Atanessian. According to the
law in effect, after the election to the parliament the government
presents the social-economic development program of the country to
the parliament. If within 72 hours the National Assembly does not
give a vote of no confidence in the program the government continues
operating. Otherwise the president dissolves the cabinet of ministers
and appoints a new government. Speaking about the disagreement
between factions on separate points of the Electoral Code, Vahram
Atanessian said that it would be desirable to adopt the Code by way of
a political consensus without any controversies. Many questions have
been agreed on, but many others have to be discussed. The problem of
forming election committees is mainly concerned. According to Vahram
Atanessian, the project states clearly that 5 days after the enactment
of the Code the Central Election Committee is to be formed. According
to the Code, the CEC must be formed of three representatives of the
president and a representative from each political force which has a
parliamentary faction. The present CEC includes three representatives
of the president, three representatives of the government and three
representatives of each political party. The Federation thinks that
there is no need to dissolve the present CEC, and the DLU argues that
it will contradict to the Code and, besides, the same committee cannot
hold two parliamentary elections. The second important question is
that the draft code supposes forming polling stations at the military
units located more than 50 km from settlements. According to Vahram
Atanessian, we simply do not have such “far-away” military units
and this artificially included point will later be manipulated. The
participation of new settlers and refugees in elections is also an
important issue. The Democratic Liberal Union proposes to allow
people who were granted the certificate of re-settler or refugee
to vote and be nominated for the elections to municipal governments
and the parliament on party tickets. As to the electoral registers,
according to the representative of the DLU, the responsibility for
their preciseness should not be borne by the communities but the
passport and visa services which possess precise information of the
democratic situation in the country.
AA. 27-11-2004

Pressure group to launch series of protests against Armenian’s visit
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 24 2004
Baku, November 23, AssA-Irada — The Garabagh Liberation Organization
(GLO) will start a series of protest actions in Baku starting on
Wednesday in protest against the Armenian parliament members’ intended
participation in the NATO Rose Roth seminar due in Azerbaijan late
in November.
The GLO chairman Akif Naghi said that the party will not notify the
local press of the venue for the protest actions ahead of time. He
said if Armenians arrive in Baku, the GLO will resort to all means
to prevent the NATO seminar from taking place.
On Tuesday, a group of the pressure group members distributed leaflets
to people in various public places of Baku calling once again for
showing a firm position on the issue and thwarting the Armenians’
visit.*

AZERBAIJANI OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY FOR KILLING ARMENIAN CLASSMATE
Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
November 23, 2004
Budapest, November 23 (MTI) – The Azerbaijani officer who killed
an Armenian classmate during a NATO Partnership for Peace course in
Budapest last February has pleaded guilty in court.
Ramil Safarov, 27, used an ax to hack to death his sleeping colleague
Gurgen Makarian of Armenia, a year his junior, in the dormitory of
Miklos Zrinyi National Defence University.
Safarov said that his act was motivated by the long-standing conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Safarov who showed no repentance in court said the murder was a revenge
for a 1992 Armenian assault of Azerbaijanis in the Nagorno-Karabakh
region, which he witnessed as a child.
Safarov is charged with premeditated murder carried out with unusual
cruelty and vile motives.
The Azerbaijani officer said the Armenians he had met in the dormitory
and in excursions “were smiling mockingly and were behaving the way
members of a victorious army usually behave towards the defeated.”
The killer and the Armenian victim were attending a three-month
English language course in Budapest.
The trial was attended by both Azerbaijani and Armenian diplomats.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA news Agency, Armenia
Nov 23 2004
CBA totals up the results of drawing contest “Armenian Dram through
the Eyes of Children”
Cost of Armenian-Japanese program on research of landslide zones of
Armenia makes about $2 million
Speaker of Armenian Parliament and Italian Deputy Foreign Minister
discuss issues of strengthening of bilateral relations
Armenian President and UNHCR discuss situation with refugees
*********************************************************************
CBA TOTALS UP THE RESULTS OF DRAWING CONTEST “ARMENIAN DRAM THROUGH
THE EYES OF CHILDREN”
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. CBA totaled up the results of drawing
contest “Armenian Dram through the Eyes of Children”, in which 8 of
193 participants won. According to CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsian, the
goal of the contest was to see understanding of Armenian dram by
children, imagine their picture of national currency.
The contest started on May 7, 2004 and represented 268 pictures of
193 participants from 29 schools of Yerevan, Shirak, Ararat, Kotayk
and Gegharkunik. The winners received certificates and memory medals.
L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
COST OF ARMENIAN-JAPANESE PROGRAM ON RESEARCH OF LANDSLIDE ZONES OF
ARMENIA MAKES ABOUT $2 MILLION
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Cost of Armenian-Japanese program on
research of landslide zones of Armenia makes about $2 million, RA
Minister of Urban Development Aram Harutyunian stated today.
According to him, given two-year program is realized together with
Japanese Government. He reminded that there are about 2500 landslide
zones in Armenia, of which 160 are active. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND ITALIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
DISCUSS ISSUES OF STRENGTHENING OF BILATERAL RELATIONS
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Today Speaker of Armenian Parliament
Arthur Baghdasaryan and Margherita Boniver, Italian Deputy Foreign
Minister discussed the issues of strengthening of bilateral
relations. As Armenian Parliament Public and Press Relations
Department told ARKA, Baghdasaryan mentioned Italy’s contribution
into political, economic, cultural processes in Armenia and stressed
the importance of enlarging cooperation between two countries.
Touching upon Armenia’s commitments to the Council of Europe, he
mentioned that Armenia implements them as per set up schedule that
expires in 2005.
As it is mentioned in the press release, the sides mentioned
necessity of development of cooperation in tourist sector, as well as
small and medium enterprises as well as strengthening of ties between
regions of two countries. At that Speaker and Italian deputy Foreign
Minister attached importance to the establishing of House of Italy in
Armenia, that in their opinion will be a new stimulus in deepening of
interstate and inter-parliamentary ties.
Touching upon regional problems, the officials stressed the
importance of organization of dialogue between representatives of
various strata of three South Caucasus states that will contribute
into establishing of a favorable climate for the settlement of the
existing conflicts. In this regard the Head of the Armenian
Parliament offered to Italy to organize a forum with participation of
youth organizations of three South Caucasus states that was
understood by the Italian side.
Boniver mentioned that Italy wishes to develop the volume of
cooperation between two countries in all sectors, promising to
support the implementation of all mentioned programs. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND UNHCR DISCUSS SITUATION WITH REFUGEES
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian and
UN High Commissioner on Refugees Rud Lubbers disuss the situation
with refugees. As Armenian President Press Service told ARKA, during
the meeting Kocharian highly appreciated the activity of Armenian
Office of UNHCR functioning since 1992. He also expressed a hope that
the Armenian Office also henceforth will cooperate with Armenian
Government in programs concerning refugees.
The sides also implementation of programs targeted at solution of
refugees problems. Kocharian considers the main problem related with
refugees their integration into the society. Attaching a great
importance to the issue of securing accommodation to refugees, he
particularly mentioned the program of delivering certificates to
accommodation.
Ruud Lubbers has been holding the post of UN High Commissioner for
Refugees since January 1, 2004, becoming the 9th High Commissioner.
This is his first visit t the region, the objective of which is to
acquaint with the real situation of the refugees on the spot, as well
as with the policy of the power concerning the refugees. During his
Armenian trip Lubbers was accompanied by Raymond Hall, Director of
UNHCR Bureau for Europe. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri foreign minister addresses UN over Karabakh settlement
ANS Radio, Baku
24 Nov 04
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov addressed the 59th
session of the UN General Assembly in New York a few hours ago. He
spoke about the obstacles to the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict created by official Yerevan and specifically about the
Armenian leadership settling Armenian families on the occupied
Azerbaijani territories. It must be remembered that a special
resolution on the situation on the occupied Azerbaijani lands is
expected to be adopted at the 59th session of the UN General Assembly
on 26 November.
Dilsad Aliyarli, a correspondent of the Voice of America TV station,
will give us the latest details from the USA.
[Correspondent by phone] Mammadyarov said that the draft resolution
submitted to the UN was balanced and constructive. He ruled out that
this was an attempt to instruct the UN General Assembly to resolve
the conflict. The point is about the problem itself which delays
the peace process and might lead to humanitarian disaster if the
situation continues to be the case. The minister said that Armenia
should immediately take effective and unconditional measures to stop
the settlement process in Azerbaijan’s occupied lands and the Armenian
government should guarantee clearly and resolutely that it will not
repeat this kind of illegal policy and activity. The Azerbaijani
foreign minister said that he had been using all diplomatic means
to prevent the dangerous development of events in the occupied
lands. At the end of his speech, Mammadyarov stressed that the talks
were continuing and that he regularly contacted the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs.

ARMENIAN PROPOSAL TO BE SUMITTED TO MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES PROGRAM SHOULD
PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF COUNTRY
YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). The cost of the program, which will
be included in the Armenian proposal to be submitted for financing
within the framework of the US Millennium Challenges program, is not
specified yet.
The RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian stated at
the November 19 press conference that the government is developing a
proposal that will most promote the economic growth and include only
one program. The minister noted that during the Armenian delegation’s
visit to the US in late October the proposal of 0 million was presented
only to “negotiate and discuss it.” It included 6 programs and was
envisaged for 3 years, while it was required to present a program
envisaged for 2 years.
It is noteworthy that the RA government plans to present its proposal
to the Millennium Challenges corporation in the coming months. It is
envisaged to be related to rural infrastructures.
To recap, the budget of the Millennium Challenges corporation is 2-3
billion dollars, and the number of candidate countries is 17.

Prospects grim for alleged coup plotters
Beauregard Tromp
Independent Online, South Africa
Nov 21 2004
Malabo – The fate of the alleged mercenaries involved in the attempted
coup against the Equatorial Guinea government appears to hinge on
the detailed confession of Nick du Toit, their alleged ringleader. He
claims it was extracted by torture, but local law makes no provision
for dismissing confessions extracted by torture.
Their prospects look grim as they face conviction and sentencing this
Friday. Du Toit faces the death sentence, although Equatorial Guinea
has apparently promised the SA government that he will not die. The
others face long terms in jail, so the tension among them is rising.
Late on Thursday afternoon – shortly before the state and defence
closed their cases – the 19 men accused of plotting to overthrow the
government of Equatorial Guinea were led out to an anteroom while
the court held a recess.
The room was filled with cigarette smoke as the captives, wearing leg
irons and handcuffs, discussed the court proceedings in muted tones.
The room was filled with cigarette smoke “What do you think? What
will happen to us?” asked Mark Smit, the youngest of the accused who
was brought in at the last minute to act as the group’s cook.
“Yes, what will happen?” asked Jose Domingos, a former member of
the infamous 32 Battalion and a professional soldier by vocation –
a mercenary.
International observers from the International Bar Association and
Amnesty International have been reluctant to discuss the trial until
its conclusion on November 26.
The state has asked that the men be sentenced to up to 86 years in
jail each. For Nick du Toit, the alleged coup leader, they want the
death sentence. Throughout the trial the only evidence in the state’s
case has been the signed statements made by the accused, in which
they allegedly admitted their individual roles in the coup attempt.
The state, represented by Attorney-General Jose Olo Obono, contends
that Nick du Toit was approached by Simon Mann to recruit men and
assist in preparing logistics for overthrowing the government of
Equatorial Guinea.
But time and again the judge has suppressed the torture claims Du
Toit allegedly recruited the men arrested with Mann.
Du Toit is also alleged to have led an advance party of men to
Equatorial Guinea to pave the way for the arrival of Mann’s party,
in a Boeing 727 from Harare.
The prosecution has pointed to the South Africans’ history of belonging
to the infamous 32 Battalion in the former SADF as an indication of
the kind of men they are.
“The people who stand accused are not businessmen. They are terrorists
and mercenaries. They are all members of 32 Battalion,” Obono said
on Friday at a news conference.
Du Toit, with Bone Boonzaaier as his right-hand man and logistics
operator, set up camp in Malabo, hiring first an Ilyushin transport
plane and then an Antonov 12 for use in the coup, the state says.
This is where the six Armenian accused come in. They are an air crew
alleged to have flown a number of flights carrying clandestine cargo
around Africa during their short time in operation.
Du Toit showed the eight South Africans around Malabo, indicating
the strategic places where they were to drop off Mann’s group of
mercenaries when they arrived from Harare, Obono said during the trial.
Also implicated in the plot were Manuel Javier, the minister of
co-operation, and four other locals. Since the start of the trial, the
state has dropped all charges against three of the Equatorial Guineans.
On the day of the suspected coup, Du Toit allegedly dispatched
three vehicles to the airport where they were supposed to take over
the control tower so that the Boeing could land and then drop the
mercenaries off at various strategic points around town, including
the local supermarket.
Obono further argues that while the men were waiting at the airport,
Du Toit got a call from Mann warning him that the mission had been
compromised.
Du Toit then aborted the advance plan and recalled the men, who went
about business as normal until they were arrested two days after the
botched coup attempt.
The state has built a case that has barely been contended by the
defence counsel, although claims of torture have continually arisen.
Du Toit, who admitted in his first appearance in court several weeks
ago that he had been part of a coup plot, this week retracted that
admission, saying it had been based on a confession extracted by
torture.
But time and again the judge has suppressed the torture claims,
arguing that they are not part of the trial.
One attorney said: “This is not South Africa. There is no democracy
here. Neither is there any justice.”
There was a show of bravado on Thursday as the eight defence attorneys
made an unprecedented attack on the attorney-general, the tribunal’s
judge and the judicial process in Equatorial Guinea.
“Since our arrest we have been treated like animals and tortured by
the police,” Du Toit said in his closing statement to the judge.
“Take a look at all the evidence and you will see we are innocent. We
have not done anything against this country,” he said. Accused Sergio
Cardoso has spoken out against his ill-treatment at every opportunity
he has had to address the court.
“I was tortured very badly. Gerhard Menz is one of the victims of
the torture. They say he passed away because of cerebral malaria,
but it’s not true. He passed away in front of us,” said Cardoso.
He went on to say that the German, Menz, had had a festering wound
on his right leg and died before their very eyes.
South Africans have denied any knowledge of the coup, saying that
they were in Equatorial Guinea for fishing contracts.
Du Toit admitted that Mann had approached him for help in the coup,
but argues that he refused. The statements were pieced together after
investigators spoke to the alleged mercenaries captured in Harare,
argued Du Toit.
“I came here for business and if this country can sort out its politics
then we will return to do business,” he said.

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN MEETING WITH GEORGE BUSH
PanArmenian News
Nov 20 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As reported by Regnum news agency, November 19
in the Arkansas capital of Little Rock the meeting of US President
George Bush with Armenian ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian was held.
Besides, the first President of Armenia had conversations with US
ex-Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., as well as Senator Hillary
Clinton and Eurocommission President Romano Prodi. Before returning to
Yerevan the ex-President will have a number of meetings in Washington
and New York. Levon Ter-Petrosian is in the US within the framework
of the participation in the opening of the Presidential Center of
US 42-nd President Bill Clinton. As reported by Aravot newspaper,
Levon Ter-Petrosian was the only participant out of all the former
and incumbent CIS Presidents. The CNN also mentions the fact of his
participation.

Ago Monitoring Group Meets With President
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2004
President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of the Council of
Europe Ministers Committee Ago monitoring group chaired by the German
ambassador to the CE Roland Vegener on Friday.
Among the issues discussed was democratization, ensuring political
pluralism in the country, the CE-Azerbaijan cooperation, and
fulfillment of Azerbaijan’s commitments to the organization.
The parties also considered discussion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh within relevant entities of the PACE.

Glasgow Evening Times, UK
Nov 19 2004
Armenia seeks help of Scots

SCOTLAND’S prized reputation for financial prudence is helping the
former Soviet state of Armenia to rebuild its economy.
The Caucasus republic expects to have its accountancy profession
rubber-stamped by international governing bodies in the next two
years, after seeking the help of the world’s oldest accountancy body.
The 150-year-old Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland is
helping hundreds of young Armenian students through professional
exams.
It is part of an international effort to encourage investment in the
country and secure its membership of the respected International
Federation of Accountants.
Armenia’s best known exports are its cognac, a favourite tipple of
Stalin and Sir Winston Churchill, and cut diamonds.
But the economy has depended heavily on foreign aid since
independence from Russia in 1991 forced it to rebuild its formerly
Soviet-funded power industry.
Neil Wallace, head of international services for ICAS, has been
leading the project from Armenian capital Yerevan and is now seeing
Japanese, Korean, German and French investors looking for business.
He said: “It sounds a bit pie-in-the-sky to say you can help people
become rich, but it does happen.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress