Author: Madatian Greg

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part A (Russia)
June 1, 2005, Wednesday

WE’VE LEFT THE BASE

SOURCE: Izvestia, June 1, 2005, p. 1 EV

by Petr Inozemtsev, Dmitry Litovkin

The outcome of unscheduled negotiations held by the Russian and
Georgian foreign ministers in Moscow on May 30 was very unexpected –
Russia no longer has active military bases in Georgia. In other
words, Russia has gotten rid of one of its imperial myths. In
reality, the military bases in Georgia had no military or political
significance.

The meaning of the statement made by the military is simple: the
bases located in Georgia will stop combat training. They will turn
into storage facilities for Russian military property until the final
withdrawal. This is an unexpected decision because in accordance with
the Russian-Georgian agreement Russia must accomplish the withdrawal
of the bases until the end of 2008. The status of Russian servicemen
will be absolutely uncertain until this moment. There were no such
precedents despite Moscow’s rich experience in withdrawing its troops
during the post-Soviet period.

The foreign ministers made optimistic statements after the end of
negotiations. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the joint
statement contains provisions, which must make the withdrawal
organized. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili didn’t even
try to hide her satisfaction: “We have achieved our goal.”

By the way, the “progress” achieved in Moscow concerns some other
aspects of Russian-Georgian relations.

Sergei Lavrov said that Russia and Georgia seek to accomplish
delimitation of the border and cooperate in settling the conflicts
with Abkhazia and Ossetia.

It’s a surprise that Russia will start withdrawing its bases as
urgently. Russia will pass over the 142nd tank repair plant (Tbilisi)
to Georgia in two weeks (!) until June 15. A range of other military
objects will be passed over to Georgia until September 1 (a
communication center in Kodzhori, the Gonio firing range and more).

In addition, around 40 armored combat vehicles, including 20 tanks,
will be withdrawn from Georgia until autumn. All heavy military
vehicles will leave Akhalkalaki at the end of 2006.

In principle, Russia assumed the obligation to withdraw it bases from
Georgia after the OSCE summit in Istanbul in 1999, which decided to
adapt so-called conventional arms agreement signed by NATO and
members of the Warsaw Pact. Russia agreed to sign the agreement to
withdraw the 50th base in Gudaut and the 137th base in Vaziani within
two years. Moscow met its obligations earlier – both bases were shut
down before July 1, 2001.

As far as the 12th base in Batumi and the 62nd base in Akhalkalaki
are concerned, Russia and Georgia had to hold additional negotiations
over the timing of the withdrawal of these bases. Georgia repeatedly
reproached Russia for hindering this issue.

Originally, the Defense Ministry planned to create two special
brigades of mountaineers. It is intended to relocate them to the
Botlikh village (Dagestan) and the Zelenchukskaya village in
Karachayevo-Cherkessia. However, First Deputy Defense Minister
Alexander Belousov stated that Russia intended to start building the
infrastructure for these units only after 2006. This means that the
units withdrawn from Georgia may be relocated to tent camps.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov repeatedly stated: “If Georgia
wants us to leave it must pay for military settlements and bases,
which we will have to build in Russia.”

Sergei Ivanov noted that this would cost $500 million. For instance,
Germany paid 8.5 billion marks for the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
In addition, Germany built several scores of settlements for Russian
servicemen. Russia should not expect this from Georgia. Moscow’s
claims decreased to $200-$300 million under pressure from Georgia,
which promised to recover money from Russia for damaging the
environment. At present Moscow does not discuss this issue at all.

The Russian Defense Ministry has already stated that the major part
of military hardware will be relocated to the Russian military base
in Gyumri, Armenia. Russia has no other solution despite the fact
that Moscow’s intention has already aggravated relations with Baku.
The point is that the only railway from Georgia to Russia crosses
Abkhazia. Tbilisi cannot ensure security of Russian military hardware
in this region.

Translated by Alexander Dubovoi

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO LANDMINE CLEARANCE IN ARMENIA
Organization Leaders Saluted at MLI’s Washington Gala

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America was commended by
the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) on May 10 for continuing to lead
efforts to help rid Armenia of deadly landmines that kill and maim
countless people and livestock each year.

MLI Board of Directors President Perry F. Baltimore III expressed
his appreciation to the Assembly and Board of Directors Vice Chair
Annie Totah during the organization’s annual “Clearing the Path Gala,”
at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.

The recognition followed an Assembly-led effort to raise $100,000 to
procure mine detection dogs for use in a State Department-sponsored
demining project in Armenia. Assembly Life Trustees Gerard L. Cafesjian
and Associate Trustee Greg Parseghian were among the leading supporters
of the project, to which the State Department contributed $300,000.

“The Assembly is honored to be part of such a worthy cause,” said
Totah, an MLI benefactor and Board of Directors Member. “The true
credit, however, goes to the twelve mine handlers and their trained
dogs, who are headquartered near Etchmiadzin, and are all doing a
great job in saving lives and returning the land to productive use.”

The event included a keynote address by Her Majesty Queen Noor of
Jordan, an international humanitarian activist and an outspoken voice
on issues of world peace and justice. Former presidential advisor and
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulous served as master of ceremonies.

Awards were presented by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congressman
Richard Neal (D-MA). Diana Enzi, who is married to Senator Michael
Enzi (R-WY), received the Community Service Award for establishing the
Children Against Landmines Program (CHAMPS) in Wyoming. The program
fosters global citizenship and gives schoolchildren the opportunity
to sponsor and name their own mine detection dog.

“The Assembly commends all the 2005 honorees for their leadership,
creativity and dedication in ridding the world of these hidden
explosives,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

MLI, a Washington-based non-profit, provides mine detection dogs,
management training and mine awareness education to reduce suffering
and restore hope to people, especially children, in war-torn countries.
The organization’s two major programs are CHAMPS and the K9 Demining
Corps Campaign (K9DC).

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2005-049

Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

049-1.jpg

CAPTION: L to R: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Assembly Board of
Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah, Liana Mkrtchian, Armenian Embassy
Counselor Arman Israelian, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny
and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Board of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah,
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken
Aykazian and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Master of Ceremonies George
Stephanopoulous, Armenian Embassy Counselor Arman Israelian and Board
of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah.

CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon, Assembly Board of Directors
Vice Chair Annie Totah, Esther Coopersmith, Michele Lemmon and former
National Security Advisor and Marshall Legacy Institute Chairman the
Honorable Anthony Lake.

-30-

RA DEPUTY FM MET CIS INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY SECRETARY GENERAL

Pan Armenian News
01.06.2005 04:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanian met with Secretary General of the CIS Interparliamentary
Assembly Mikhail Krotov, RA FMA press service reported. During the
meeting M. Krotov informed Gegham Gharibjanian of the programs targeted
at strengthening of the role of parliamentary relations between the
CIS member-states. The parties also discussed Armenia’s participation
in the 9-th International Economic Conference scheduled for June 16 in
Saint Petersburg, which will be held under the aegis of the Russian
President. Gegham Gharibjanian noted that Armenia will continue
involvement into the CIS processes and pointed out to the necessity
of expanding humanitarian cooperation between the member-states. He
expressed assurance that the signing of the memorandum on humanitarian
cooperation within the 8-th informal summit held in Moscow on May 8 has
created favorable conditions for the activation of the Russian-Armenian
cooperation in this field. To note, permanent representative of the
Armenian parliament in the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Felix
Ghushchian was also present at the meeting.

ARMENIAN FORCES FIRE AT AZERBAIJANI POSITIONS WHILE OSCE PLANS MONITORING
2005-05-31 14:43

Azerbaijan News Service
May 31 2005

According to information from press service of defense ministry armed
forces of Armenia in occupied Tagibayli village of Aghdam region
fired from machine and sub-machine guns at positions of the armed
forces of Azerbaijan in the opposite direction at 9.50 PM on May
31 as well as occupants forces in Mazamli village of Qazakh region
shot at Azerbaijani positions in the same area. As a result of the
ceasefire violation a resident of Mazamli village was wounded. The
enemy was put down with an answering fire. Meanwhile in accordance
with mandate of OSCE chairman in-office monitoring will be held
on June 1 in Qarabayli village of Fizuli region in contact line of
the troops. Personal representative of the OSCE chairman in-office
ambassador Anzhey Kaspirshik and his field commanders will be present
in the opposite site of the contact line, the area acknowledged as
Azerbaijan’s territory internationally.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
[email protected]
May 31, 2005

BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA MORE THAN DOUBLES ITS CAPACITY IN 2005

Riding on the success of last year’s pilot season, Birthright Armenia/Depi
Hayk is ready for a large influx of young summer volunteers, who have
already begun to arrive in Armenia, ready for their journey of
self-discovery. Already in 2005, 10 volunteers have participated in the
program and 80 more have already signed on for this summer’s two month
program. The summer volunteers are just weeks away from what will be the
peak season for young diasporans doing rewarding community service and
experiencing the Homeland firsthand. Birthright Armenia will be prepared for
them, with an exciting line-up of educational support services, including
weekly guided excursions, Armenian language classes, a two-track forum
series and more.

This summer’s group has a true international flavor, as Birthright Armenia’s
18-32 year-old participants will be coming from ten different countries
including: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Great Britain,
Lebanon, Spain, and the United States. They will be doing a minimum of two
months of valuable volunteer service in various sectors of Armenia under the
auspices of a variety of youth programs being implemented by 17 different
diasporan and local NGO organizations. Participating organizations include:
AAA, ACYOA, Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art, Armenian
Medical Association (AMA), Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Volunteer
Corp (AVC), AYF, Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA), Diaspora-Armenia
Connexion (DAC), FAR, Glendale Community College Study Abroad Program,
International Center for Human Development, Land and Culture Organization
(LCO), Mental Health Foundation, Mission Armenia, NY-ASA, and Young Lawyers
Union.

The natural gravitation to the Homeland is what will bring all these
volunteers from different backgrounds together. What will unify them once in
country will be the supplemental program services of Birthright Armenia,
which will run throughout the summer. Weekly “havaks”, a two-track
educational forum series with invited subject matter experts, Armenian
language instruction for those who do not know Armenian, and weekly
excursions to every region of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh will allow for
relationship building within organizations, as well as with many local
counterparts.

To further the cultural immersion experience, over a third of the
participants will be taking Eastern Armenian language instruction to acquire
basic language proficiency during their eight week stay. Another third are
opting to live with local host families, which will also help them
strengthen their language skills and allow them to see close-up how a
typical Armenian family lives in Yerevan.

For those interested in learning more about Birthright Armenia, please visit
or email [email protected] for more
information. Please be sure to bookmark the Web site address and check back
regularly this summer to read all about the adventures and life-changing
experiences the Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk volunteers will have this
summer via the posted Travelogue and Photo Gallery sections.

# # #

ARMENIA MAY JOIN GUAM, VLADIMIR LITVIN CONSIDERS

Pan Armenian News
30.05.2005 03:21

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ukrainian Supreme Rada Speaker Vladimir Litvin
expressed opinion that Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Armenia can join
GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova), RFE/RL reported. When
addressing the 2-nd sitting of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly in Yalta
Litvon stressed that the organization can contribute to stability,
democracy and development in the Black Sea and Caspian region. To note,
the next GUAM PA sitting will be held in Moldova in 2006.

23 YOUNG VIOLINISTS FROM 7 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN SECOND
COMPETITION OF VIOLINISTS AFTER ARAM KHACHATRIAN

YEREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The international competition of
violinists after Aram Khachatrian will start on May 30 at Yerevan Aram
Khachatrian Concert Hall. 23 16-32-year-old violinists from Armenia,
Georgia, Russia, Turkmenistan, France, the US and China will
participate in the competition. Sergei Sarajian, Chairman of the
competition’s Steering Committee, rector of Yerevan State
Conservatoire after Komitas, reported at the May 27 press conference
that the competition to be held for the second time in Armenia will
consist of 2 stages and will be concluded on June 6 by a gala
concert. S.Sarajian said that the prize fund makes 20 mln drams (45
thousand dollars). Three prizes were instituted: 15 thousand dollars
were instituted for the first place, 10 thousand dollars for the
second place and 5 thousand dollars for the third place. Three
consoling prizes were also instituted in the amount of 2000 dollars
each. The jury will be headed by composer Karen Khachaturian, Aram
Khachatrian’s nephew. Such famous violinists as Jean Ter-Merkerian,
Ino Mikovich, Grigor Jisli and Edvard Tadevosian will be among jury
members. Karen Khachatrian, famous composer’s son, will also
participate in the international competition. The competition’s
organizers are RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, “Aram
Khachatrian-competition” cultural fund and Yerevan Conservatoire after
Komitas. S.Sarajian also informed that an international competition of
violoncellists will be organized next year.

Agence France Presse
26 mai 2005 jeudi 2:57 PM GMT

Ankara critiqué pour avoir empêché une conférence sur la question
arménienne (PAPIER D’ANGLE ACTUALISE)

ANKARA 26 mai 2005

Le gouvernement turc a suscité de nombreuses critiques en empêchant
la tenue d’une conférence qui devait questionner la position
officielle de la Turquie quant aux massacres d’Arméniens sous
l’empire ottoman, des diplomates européens évoquant un coup sérieux
au crédo réformateur d’Ankara.

Le prestigieuse université stambouliote de Bogazici, qui devait
accueillir cette rencontre inédite entre académiciens et
intellectuels turcs “critiques” de mercredi à vendredi, l’a repoussée
à une date non précisée après que le ministre de la Justice Cemil
Cicek eut accusé ses participants de “trahison”.

M. Cicek a qualifié l’initiative de “coup de couteau dans le dos de
la nation turque” et a affirmé que les organisateurs s’exposaient à
des poursuites judiciaires.

Les massacres d’Arméniens survenus entre 1915 et 1917 en Anatolie
sont l’un des épisodes les plus controversés de l’histoire ottomane
et cette conférence aurait été la première en Turquie à jeter un
regard critique sur la position officielle quant à ces événements.

Plusieurs pays ont reconnu le caractère génocidaire de ces massacres
-une approche catégoriquement rejetée par Ankara-, l’Union européenne
enjoignant pour sa part la Turquie de faire face à son passé et
d’étendre la liberté d’expression.

“Les remarques du ministre de la Justice sont inacceptables. C’est
une approche autoritaire qui soulève des questions quant au processus
de réformes en Turquie”, a déclaré à l’AFP, sous le couvert de
l’anonymat, un diplomate d’un pays membre de l’UE.

“Il s’agit maintenant d’un moment crucial. Nous espérons que le
gouvernement agisse pour rectifier les remarques de M. Cicek”, a-t-il
poursuivi.

Estimant qu’il incombait à Ankara de prendre une décision, le
diplomate a précisé que “ne rien faire est aussi un choix, mais
certainement pas favorable aux perspectives turques d’adhésion à
l’UE”.

Cet incident intervient après la répression brutale d’une
manifestation de femmes à Istanbul en mars, qui avait déjà suscité
l’indignation de Bruxelles.

Un autre diplomate européen a déploré le report de la conférence, qui
“aurait reflété l’évolution en cours dans la société turque”.

“Les Européens sont déçus (…) mais espèrent qu’elle sera finalement
organisée”, a-t-il déclaré, soulignant qu’ils “continueront
d’insister sur le rôle important que la société civile doit jouer en
Turquie”.

Les organisateurs ont annoncé jeudi dans un communiqué vouloir tenir
la conférence dans les prochains jours.

“Nous pensons que la tenue de cette rencontre dans un futur proche
sera un des pas les plus importants à prendre dans notre pays au nom
de la liberté académique (…) et de la démocratie en général”,
affirme le document.

Les médias turcs ont apostrophé M. Cicek, estimant que son attitude
portait atteinte à la liberté d’expression et faisait le jeu de la
campagne menée par les Arméniens en vue d’une reconnaissance
internationale du “génocide”.

“Tolérance zéro pour la liberté”, a asséné le quotidien libéral
Radikal en Une de son édition de jeudi, le journal Milliyet titrant
sur “Un coup porté à la démocratie”.

“Quelle est en fait la trahison? Tenir une conférence visant à ouvrir
un débat en Turquie sur un problème turc débattu à peu près partout
dans le monde, ou qualifier de ‘traîtres’ des gens qui pensent
peut-être différemment à un moment où la Turquie livre une bataille
pour la démocratie?”, se demande l’éditorialiste Murat Celikkan dans
Radikal, avant de réclamer la démission du ministre.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
May 28 2005

Lebanon gets ready for ‘free’ election

First ballot looks set to deliver uncontested victory to Hariri’s
lists in Beirut

By Majdoline Hatoum
Daily Star staff
Saturday, May 28, 2005

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s most eagerly awaited parliamentary election in
years kicks off in Beirut tomorrow. The polls, billed as Lebanon’s
first free elections in more than 30 years, are taking place just one
month after the withdrawal of Syrian troops who occupied the country
in 1976, shortly after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war the
year before.

Tomorrow’s ballot, the first in a series of four rounds ending on
June 19, looks set to deliver a virtually uncontested victory for the
election list of Saad Hariri, son of slain ex-Premier Rafik Hariri,
whose assassination last February was the catalyst for uniting
Lebanon’s disparate political opposition and forcing an end to
Syria’s presence in the country.

Hariri, who took over his father’s political mantle following his
assassination, has found himself assured of victory in the Beirut
district because most of his political rivals decided not to contest
the 19 seats available in the area.

Hariri has aligned with maverick opposition figure, Druze leader
Walid Jumblatt, along with other opposition groups, including the
Christian Qornet Shehwan and the right wing Christian Lebanese
Forces.

Despite being assured of victory in Beirut, Hariri urged his
supporters to go out and vote. He said: “Don’t feel comfortable about
expectations. Out of loyalty to Rafik Hariri I urge everyone to go
out and vote.”

But while the fate of Beirut’s parliamentary seats looks sealed, a
fierce electoral battle in Mount Lebanon, which goes to the polls on
June 12, is on the cards.

Opposition Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who returned
to Lebanon from a 15 year Syrian imposed exile earlier this month is
running independently of the rest of Lebanon’s opposition parties.

But despite his strong antipathy toward Syria, Aoun has allied
himself with pro-Syrian Druze politician Talal Arslan, an arch rival
of Jumblatt.

Jumblatt launched a scarcely veiled attack on Aoun yesterday accusing
him of weakening the opposition by his actions.

He said: “I wish the opposition didn’t have to fight side-battles,
but some factions did not want it to stay united and wanted to take
over everything.”

Aoun, who is expected to formally announce his electoral lists today,
said after meeting with Arslan that they “agreed on a political
agenda, not just for the elections, but for the period after
elections as well.”

Aoun failed to reach an electoral alliance with the rest of the
opposition largely because he and Jumblatt were unable to reach
agreement on seat allocation in Mount Lebanon

Aoun’s alliance with Arslan will give him crucial votes from the
Druze community in Aley, Arslan’s stronghold, enabling him to pose a
threat to Jumblatt.

In another surprise, Aoun is also expected to form an alliance with
another staunch pro-Syrian, Deputy Speaker Michel Murr, who yesterday
announced his list for the Metn area in Mount Lebanon.

Commenting on a deal with Aoun, Murr said: “Agreement between us on
certain issues is there. We still have to decide on an alliance, and
that will

happen after Aoun formally announces his lists.”

Aoun had announced during a television interview late Thursday night
he will leave two empty seats in the Metn area, which are expected to
have been left in order to allow an alliance between the FPM and
Murr, who draws wide support from the large Armenian community in
Metn.

Aoun also announced that he will head a list of freshman politicians
in the Kesrouan-Jbeil district in Mount Lebanon, challenging the
opposition Qornet Shehwan Gathering list.

During the interview, Aoun denied reports of a coalition with the
Syrian Social Nationalist Party, whose leader Gebran Araiji met with
Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Thursday.

AZG Armenian Daily #096, 27/05/2005

CIS

CIS TO MEET IN TBILISI

The regular summit of the heads of governments of CIS member states will
take place in Tbilisi, June 1-3. Armenian delegation headed by Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian will leave for the Georgian capital on June 1.
The summit did not take place last year, and this year, PM Margarian says,
they are not going to discuss special issues. “There will be standard issue.
I don’t think there will be separate issues concerning Armenia”, he said. It
seems that the summit will be one of the last songs of the CIS as President
Vladimir Putin of Russia stated in Yerevan about its decline.

By Karine Danielian
v