Author: Maghakian Mike

STRAW: “WE HAVE JUST MADE HISTORY”
EurActiv.com, Belgium
Oct 4 2005
In Short:
The formal opening of accession negotiations with Turkey was marked
by praise but also scepticism and accusations of backroom deals.
Background:
Turkey first applied for membership of the EU in 1963. In 1999, the
EU said yes, and the decision to open accession talks with Ankara on
3 October 2005 was reached at the December 2004 European Council.
Formal negotiations, which began on 3 October could take between 10 to
15 years, and the outcome is uncertain. During last-minute wrangling,
Austria had demanded that the EU offer a special partnership deal
rather than full membership to Ankara
During the lengthy negotiations ahead, the most controversial issues
in Turkey’s modern-day history are bound to come to the fore, including
the Cyprus conflict and the Armenian and Kurdish problems.
Meanwhile, thousands of Turks took to the streets of Ankara last
weekend protesting against their country’s projected accession to the
EU. The crowds assailed the government for creating and tolerating
“an environment of enmity from outside and an environment of treason
from within”.
Issues:
The prolonged dispute among the EU-25 foreign ministers revolved around
the clause in the EU-Turkey negotiating framework which defines the
objective of the negotiations.
Under the final agreement that was reached after more than a day of
straight debate, the text conserves the original wording that “The
shared objective of the negotiations is [Turkey’s] accession”. The
agreed text also adds that “”While having full regard to all [EU
political criteria], including the absorption capacity of the Union,
if Turkey is not in a position to assume in full all the obligations
of membership it must be ensured that Turkey is fully anchored in
the European structures through the strongest possible bond”.
Ankara was also concerned about the paragraph (No 5) in the draft
negotiating framework which insisted that Turkey “progressively align”
its policies in international organisations with that of the EU. This
paragraph was feared in Ankara to eventually allow Cyprus to join
NATO. However, the dispute on this point was finally settled after
Turkey received reassurance from lawyers as well as from US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice that NATO was not an issue in the EU talks.
Positions:
Opening the first – symbolic – meeting of the accession negotiation
process in the small hours of 4 October, British Foreign Minister
Jack Straw said that “We have just made history”.
“There’s a lot of speculation about the open-ended business,”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. “Every negotiation
is open-ended, but has goals. Full membership is the objective of
this one. The achievement of this goal will depend on our success”
in [carrying out the negotiations].
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the conclusion was a
“win-win” situation for all sides concerned, and stressed that Turkey
was “determined the carry on with the reforms”. He added that “Some
of the concerns which exist in European public opinion will, I think,
change in 10 years.”
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commented that the opening of
talks marked a “new era” in the EU’s ties with Turkey.
The speaker of Turkey’s parliament, Bulent Arinc, said that Turkey
would not “sacrifice everything”, including self-esteem, to become
a member of the EU.
“(For) the citizens of Europe … we have shown they cannot simply
be steam-rollered,” said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel,
who added that he was “proud” of his country’s tough position.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said that “It’s a historic
step Europe has won; it’s a big chance for both sides”.
In Paris, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said that the French have
“serious reservations” and would prefer a partnership.
“Any (EU) state at any stage can interrupt the talks, for whatever
reason,” said French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy. “The
result of these negotiations is absolutely not guaranteed,” he said.
“If it’s not accession, it’ll be another strong link.”
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the negotiations
will be “long and difficult” and added that “accession, as for every
country, is neither guaranteed nor automatic”. “Europe must learn more
about Turkey. And Turkey must win the hearts and minds of European
citizens. They are the ones who at the end of the day will decide
about Turkey’s membership.”
“A Turkey anchored in Europe will be an even more reliable partner for
the trans-Atlantic family and a positive force for advancing peace,
prosperity and democracy,” the US State Department said.
MEP Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats
in the European Parliament welcomed the agreement, saying that
“The prospect before us now is not the accession of today’s Turkey
but that of tomorrow’s Turkey – of 2015 or 2020”. At the same time,
“However, the process leaves a smell of a back room deal”, Watson said,
referring to the simultaneous decision to open accession talks with
Croatia. “Three days ago, the [International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia] chief prosecutor stated her dissatisfaction
with Croatian compliance. What has suddenly changed?
A political trade-off on matters as serious as enlargement ill-befits a
Union desperately in need of restoring credibility with its citizens,”
he said.
Speaking to Belgian television, former Competition Commissioner Karel
Van Miert called the opening of negotiations with Turkey a “drama”
for Europe. Not only will it lead to years of political fighting
between current member states over Turkey but in the end, several
populations will in referenda reject the outcome of the negotiations
and thereby start a new crisis, he said. The EU should have won back
citizens trust in its project first, Van Miert added.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral said the deal
“probably will displease Mr [Osama] bin Laden”, referring to al
Qaeda’s campaign to stem Western influence and spread Islamic rule.
Latest & next steps:
-The symbolic launch of negotiations on 3 October signalled the start
of the Commission’s screening process aimed at taking stock of Turkey’s
progress in harmonising its laws with those of the Union.
– This process may take up to six months to complete.
– On 9 November, the Commission is scheduled to issue its next annual
progress report on Turkey.
– On 1 January 2006, Austria takes over the rotating Presidency of
the EU
– Mid-2006: the conclusion of the screening process will mark the
opening of negotiations on the individual “chapters”. The negotiating
framework specifies 35 chapters.
– The accession talks have been defined as an “open-ended process”
that may last from ten up to 15 years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Sunday Times (UK)
October 02, 2005
Turkey cools on joining club Europe
Gareth Jenkins, Istanbul and Nicola Smith, Brussels
SIPPING a latte at a cafe in a leafy Istanbul suburb, Inci Can, 34,
looks as if she should be a natural supporter of European Union
membership for Turkey. A graduate of Exeter University, she wears
fashionable western clothes, leaves her shoulder-length hair uncovered
and travels frequently to western Europe on business.
Yet as EU foreign ministers meet today to resolve an impasse that
threatens to prevent formal talks on Turkish entry from starting on
schedule tomorrow, Can and increasing numbers of her compatriots are
questioning whether they really want to join after all.
`If the EU doesn’t want us because we have a large population or an
undeveloped economy, then fair enough,’ she said. `But it should say so,
not keep hiding behind new excuses. All my life I’ve wanted Turkey to
join the EU but in the past few weeks I’ve begun to think that maybe we
should stay outside.’
That Can’s views are shared by many of her compatriots is evident from a
poll yesterday that showed 57% of Turks wanted to join the EU – down
from 68% a year ago. Support among workers is even lower: only 44% of
trade unionists are in favour and a mere 24% believe that Turkey will
ever be admitted.
They may be right to feel unwanted: just over half of people in the EU’s
25 countries oppose Turkish entry. In Austria, the country leading the
opposition to full EU membership for Turkey, eight in 10 are against.
At an emergency meeting in Luxembourg tonight, Jack Straw and other EU
foreign ministers will put pressure on the Austrians, who have insisted
the Turks be told from the outset they have to make do a `privileged
partnership’ that stops short of full membership. Diplomats say the hard
line taken by Wolfgang Schüssel, the Austrian chancellor, has been
dictated in part by regional elections today and hope he will soften his
stance once polls close.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, has refused to proceed
with membership talks if there is any downgrading of his country’s
prospective EU status.
For Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country of 70m people, it is the
apparent whiff of racism – coupled with suggestions that it is not fit
to join a `Christian club’ – that especially rankles.
One of the main stumbling blocks is Turkey’s refusal to recognise the
Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia with which it has been at odds since
a breakaway Turkish republic was established in the north of Cyprus in
1974. Many Turkish nationalists also fear that they might be obliged to
make their country’s 13m Kurds equal partners in a federal state.
The mood has been further soured by a European parliament resolution
last week making it a precondition for membership that Turkey should
formally recognise the killing of 1.5m Armenians between 1915 and 1923
in the last days of the Ottoman empire.
Turkey’s poor human rights record also remains a matter of contention. A
two-year investigation by Mental Disability Rights International, a
Washington-based lobby group, revealed last week what it described as
`inhuman and degrading conditions of confinement’ in Turkey’s mental
health and social services system. A recent report by Amnesty
International, the human rights group, found torture and ill-treatment
continue to be a widespread problem.
While Can is seething quietly at European attitudes to her country,
Turkish politicians and businessmen are finding it difficult to contain
their anger.
At a rally on Friday Erdogan gave one of his strongest hints yet that
Turkey might walk away if the EU continues upping the ante. `They should
behave as honestly as Turkey,’ he said. `If we don’t see this honesty
then the response we shall give will be very very different to the
responses we have given to date.’
Omer Sabanci, chairman of the Turkish Businessmen’s and Industrialists’
Association, said those supporting a `privileged partnership’ were
`exhibiting a 19th century mentality’.
This morning the ultra-militant Nationalist Action party (MHP) will bus
tens of thousands of demonstrators to Ankara, the capital, to protest
against what it regards as the EU’s unacceptable demands. `Membership
should be honourable,’ said Mehmet Sandir, its vice-chairman. `It should
not convene our national interests or distort our history.’
For Straw, finding a way out of the impasse at tonight’s meeting is of
vital importance. The successful launch of entry talks would be one of
the few tangible achievements of Britain’s six-month EU presidency.
However, matters have been further complicated by the entanglement of
the Turkish issue with Croatia’s bid to join the EU. This was suspended
in March over Croatia’s failure to co-operate fully with the
international war crimes tribunal over the search for Ante Gotovina,
indicted as an alleged war criminal.
Austria is one of the strongest backers of the Croatian application.
Carla del Ponte, the tribunal’s chief prosecutor, who visted Croatia
this weekend, was due to make a statement to ministers tomorrow.
Indications this weekend were not positive.
Even if entry talks do begin tomorrow, many more hurdles remain. Angela
Merkel, expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, has misgivings,
while France has promised a referendum before the Turks are finally
admitted.
Diplomats fear the last-minute hitches could reduce Turkey’s enthusiasm
for the long and costly reforms that it must make to everything from the
regulation of industry to the judicial system as a precondition for
eventual membership.
Equally important, however, is the effect on the attitude of Can and
other Turks who are rapidly losing faith in an organisation they once
saw as a key to the modernisation and development of their country.
`Of course we are not perfect. We still have a lot of things to do
before we finally join,’ said Can. `But we have done everything that was
asked of us in order to begin negotiations. When you join a club you
have to abide by its rules. But adding new rules only for us just isn’t
fair.’

EIU European Voice
September 29, 2005 Thursday Turkey
Turkey talks move closer, but MEPs postpone customs deal

The opening of accession negotiations with Turkey moved closer
yesterday (28 September) after the European Parliament backed plans
to start talks next week. But in a serious political blow to Turkey,
MEPs decided to postpone a vote on an EU-Turkey customs agreement, as
a sign of frustration with Ankara’s refusal to recognise Cyprus.

MEPs demanded a guarantee that the Turkish parliament, when it
ratifies the extension of the customs union with the EU’s ten newest
member states, including Cyprus, will drop the Turkish government’s
unilateral declaration that this would not amount to recognition of
Cyprus.

Some MEPs reacted angrily to the decision to postpone approval of the
protocol. Dutch Green deputy Joost Lagendijk, chairman of the
Parliament’s Turkey delegation, said: “It sends a very bad signal.”

UK Liberal MEP Andrew Duff said: “The decision is short-sighted and
mean-spirited and will particularly affect the ten new member states.
It sows distrust between the two sides and delays the possibility of
relaxing the financial and trade embargo against Turkish North
Cyprus.”

The European Commission said that it deplored the Parliament’s
decision to withhold approval of the customs protocol, describing it
as “an own goal” for the EU.

The protest was led by the centre-right European People’s Party
(EPP-ED) but was supported by a cross-party coalition of MEPs.
Socialist deputy group leader Jan Marinus Wiersma said: “We deplore
the stance Turkey has taken on Cyprus and the way it has cast serious
doubt on its willingness to implement the protocol extending the
Ankara Agreement to the ten new member states.” The Socialist leader
Martin Schulz said that Turkey should recognise Cyprus during the
negotiations. “This cannot be at the end of the negotiations. It must
take place immediately, within the first one or two years,” he said,
adding that without such recognition, accession talks should be
broken off.

Parliament also said that it considered Turkish recognition of the
Armenian genocide “to be a prerequisite for accession”.

During the debate Hans-Gert Pottering, the EPP-ED leader, attacked EU
leaders’ tolerant attitude towards Turkey and their tough stance on
Croatia. Talks with Croatia, initially planned to start last March,
have been postponed because of the government’s alleged failure to
help bring a war criminal before international justice. The
Socialists’ leader hit back accusing Pottering of religious
discrimination: “You don’t want Turkey in because it is Islamic and
far away. Croatia is closer and is Catholic,” Schulz said.

DAILY MAIL (London)
September 30, 2005
EU REBELLION COULD SLAM DOOR ON TURKS
by BENEDICT BROGAN. POLITICAL EDITOR
TONY Blair’s European presidency was under strain last night after
Britain was forced to call an eleventh-hour crisis summit on Turkey’s
entry to the EU.
Austria yesterday threatened to scupper the whole process by holding
out for Turkey to be offered an alternative to full membership,
something rejected by Ankara as ‘second class’.
It forced Britain to call a meeting of EU foreign ministers in
Luxembourg on Sunday to try and break the deadlock.
Landmark accession talks with Turkey are due to begin the following
day.
Mr Blair has championed Turkey’s entry as an example of the West’s
positive engagement with the Muslim world at a time of heightened
tension, and the failure of talks to get off the ground would be a
devastating blow to his presidency.
Mounting grassroots opposition to Turkish membership in several
countries has jeopardised the whole accession process, which would
see the EU expand beyond Europe’s historical frontiers.
Polls show 80 per cent of the Austrian electorate opposes the move.
In France the public is overwhelmingly opposed, causing President
Jacques Chirac to pledge a referendum on the issue. Likely German
chancellor Angela Merkel is firmly against Turkey joining.
Public opposition was fuelled this week by accusations that mental
health patients in Turkey have been subjected to serious abuses,
including the use of electric shock treatment without anaesthesia.
Several countries have also been pushing Turkey to recognise EU
member Cyprus, and the European Parliament this week called on it to
recognise the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks at the beginning
of the 20th century as genocide.
Yesterday, ambassadors were unable to agree even a negotiating
framework for the accession talks – which themselves are expected to
take ten years.
Turkey’s foreign minister Abdullah Gul said that his country will not
send its delegation to Luxembourg for talks on Monday unless his
officials have seen the details of the EU’s negotiating positions.
‘Of course there is a possibility that negotiations will not start,’
he said.

FINNISH PRESIDENT PLEASED WITH RESULTS OF VISIT TO ARMENIA
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
27 Sep 05
[Presenter] Finnish President Tarja Halonen and her husband are
paying a two-day visit to Armenia at the invitation of Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.
The Armenian and Finnish presidents held a tete-a-tete meeting at the
Armenian president’s residency this morning after the official
reception of the high-ranking guest. The leaders of the two countries
discussed bilateral relations between Armenia and Finland,
cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, as well as
regional problems.
The sides also exchanged views on pressing international problems.
The Finnish president hailed Armenia’s involvement in the European
Union’s New Neighbourhood programme and noted that Finland is paying
great attention to issues of expanding relations with the South
Caucasus countries, especially as Finland will take over the
presidency of the European Union next year.
Kocharyan and Halonen also discussed the future directions of
economic cooperation between the two countries and opportunities of
their intensification. On the same day, Kocharyan and Halonen held a
joint news conference.
[Kocharyan] We discussed bilateral relations between the two
countries. I expressed my satisfaction with our political
discussions, and we specially stressed issues that will stimulate
economic cooperation. Moreover, our relations can expand in the
context of relations with the European Union and I hope that we will
receive assistance from the Finnish side in preparing our action
programme within the framework of the New Neighbourhood programme. I
informed the Finnish president about the negotiating processes on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. This is her first visit to Armenia as
president. But she is well-informed about the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and its history.
We discussed regional problems, Armenian-Turkish relations and a
number of other issues. I am pleased with the volume of the
discussions which were successful.
[Halonen, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over] I am also
pleased with my visit. It is important when presidents meet. This is
a high-level political meeting. I regard prospects for economic
cooperation at the current stage as being important. There are two
important documents on this sphere which are being prepared at the
moment. This is an agreement on protecting investments and an
agreement on avoiding double taxation. They are important for
businessmen.
I am also aware of the process of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and I encouraged President Kocharyan to continue his efforts
and take further steps towards a final solution to this problem.
I congratulated the Armenian government on progress made in
cooperation with the European Union, especially within the framework
of the New Neighbourhood programme.
I think that the document on cooperation within the framework of the
New Neighbourhood programme will be prepared by Armenia when Finland
takes over the European Union’s presidency next year.

IRAN, ARMENIA TO WORK ON JOINT RAILWAY PROJECT
Persian Journal, Iran
Sept 29 2005
Sep 28, 2005
The official in charge of the Public Relations Department of Armenia’s
Ministry of Transport, Arthur Sarkisian, said on Wednesday that the new
government in his country will examine a new project on Armenia-Iran
railway track.
Speaking at the joint meeting of the “UN Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and Pacific Affairs” and “Russia’s Railway Company”, he
added that the new railway line will connect Armenia to Iran without
passing through Turkey and Azerbaijan.
He noted that at present the technical and economic dimensions of the
project are being assessed and that the prospect of connecting it to
the railways of Georgia, Abkhazia and Russia is likely to be examined.
Turning to Armenia’s geopolitical position, he said that given his
country is situated at the intersection of North-South and East-West
corridors, its transport facilities can help develop these corridors.
Referring to Armenia’s political discord with Azerbaijan and
Turkey, Sarkisian noted that using such facilities will cause many
difficulties.
The railway connection from Armenia to Azerbaijan has practically been
disrupted since disintegration of the ex-Soviet Union in early 1990s.
Meanwhile, Iran-Armenia railway connection has also been disrupted on
account of breakout of relations between Armenia and the Autonomous
Republic of Nakhichevan.

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
(CENN)
Weekly Digest
September 28, 2005
NEWS FROM GEORGIA
Georgia: First Poverty Reduction Support Operation
Source: Ein News, September 15, 2005
The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of
Executive Directors:
IDA Credit amount: US$13.5 million
Terms: Grace period =3D 10 years; Maturity =3D 40 years
Grant amount: $6.5 million
Project description:
<; more Ten Years Left on MDGs, Poverty Still a Concern Source: The Messenger, September 19, 2005 Five years after signing the Millennium Development Goals, Georgia has accomplished little progress against poverty, the senior UN development official in Georgia said on Friday. <; more MCG Establishes Consultant Committee Source: "24 Saati" (""24 Hours), September 20, 2005 The consultant committee of Millennium Challenges Georgia (MCG) will be created until the end of month. Committee will be the tool for the representatives of private sector, non-governmental organizations, local and regional government to express and submit their recommendations on the implementation of MCG projects. <; more Agricultural lands' privatization begins Source: the Messenger, September 21, 2005 The government is preparing for yet another massive privatization initiative. The sale of the majority of agricultural lands remaining in state possession will begin from October 2005, bringing to the budget an estimated GEL 80 million in revenues. <; more World Bank sets Georgia strategy for 2006-2009 Source: The Messenger, September 21, 2005 In Tbilisi on September 18, the government of Georgia and the World Bank signed a financing agreement for the country's first Poverty Reduction Support Operation (PRSO) provided for in the new World Bank strategy for Georgia. <; more Cracks revealed in BTC oil pipeline Source: UPI Energy Correspondent: By Andrea R. Mihailescu, Published September 21, 2005 One of the most expensive pipeline systems in the world, the $3.6 billion Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, will fill its first tanker in less than two months and the pipeline is already showing cracks, but Georgian officials assert they pose no ecological threat. <; more The Unique Forests of Borjomi are under the Danger of Extinction Source: "Sakartvelos Respublika" ("Georgian Republic"), September 21, 2005 As NGOs declared due the influence of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in Borjomi forests the fir-tree groves are withering. <; more NEWS FROM Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have solved almost every question on inter governmental agreement on BTC Source: Our Century, September 25, 2005 "Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have completed discussion of almost all questions related to intergovernmental agreement required to fill in the Baku -Tbilisi -Ceyhan oil pipeline with the Kazakhstan oil. This meeting was held <; more BTC WORKING GROUP HOLDS SITTING Source: AzerTag, September 26, 2005 A regular sitting of the inter-governmental working group formed in connection with Kazakhstan's joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main oil pipeline / BTC MEP/ took place in Almaaty. A delegation of Azerbaijan <; more "SHAHDENIZ" PROJECT ACTIVITIES PROGRESSING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Source: AzerTag, September 26, 2005 The construction works for the "Shahdeniz" project are 55 percent complete. The works are progressing 6 percent ahead of schedule. With four production wells drilled in the field one more test hole is to be drilled. The platform will include <; more News From Armenia COMSUP COMMODITIES PLEDGES 21 MILLION DRAMS TO MUNICIPALITY Source: ARMENPRESS, September 19, 2005 The owners of a copper and molybdenum plant in the southern Armenian Agarak, near the border with Iran, have pledged to release 21 million Armenian drams <; more UNICEF's PARTNERSHIP WITH MILLENNIUM ARMENIAN CHILDREN'S VACCINATION FUND HELPS SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES Source: ARMENPRESS, September 19, 2005 Partnering with Armenian Diaspora organizations such as the Millennium Armenian Children's Vaccination Fund (MACVF) is crucial for successful implementation of programs benefiting children, UNICEF said today, speaking of the importance of the vaccination program in Armenia. <; more ARMENIA'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN Source: Pan Armenian News, September 20, 2005 Growth of Productivity and Competitive Ability: Strategy of Sustainable Development of Armenia forum, organized by Armenia 2020, opened in Yerevan today. During the opening ceremony Armenian President's Advisor for Economic Issues Vahram Nersisyan read R. Kocharian's message to the forum participants. <; more OSCE TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN ECOLOGY INITIATIVES Source: ARMINFO News Agency, September 23, 2005 "We and our Planet" educational and environmental program was presented today at the Yerevan Museum of Armenia's Nature. The program has been initiated and implemented by "Khazer" environmental and cultural NGO with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Aarhus Center. <; more International News EPA and LDEQ Report Potential Health Risks from Sediments Source: Environmental Protection Agency, September 16, 2005 (9/16/05) Eighteen sediment samples from across the New Orleans area were collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) on September 10, 2005 and analyzed for bacteria and chemicals. <; more ENVIRONMENT: Pollution Takes a Backseat in Congo Source: Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS): by Anjan Sundaram, September 17, 2005 Yellow flames from oil rigs light up the night sky, helping Richard Vuadi guides his boat as he sets out to cast his nets along the Democratic Republic of Congo's coast. Oil rigs that dot the horizon have polluted the water, so much that fishermen say they pose health risks. <; more MIDWEST BLAZES ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRAIL: 2ND ANNUAL INSPIRING EFFICIENCY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED Source: World Wire, September 19, 2005 The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) announced its 2005 winners of the Inspiring Efficiency Awards. These awards recognize innovators for their dedicated work in developing and applying energy efficient technologies, programs and policy initiatives. <; more A Global Strategy for Protecting Health & the Environment from Chemicals Risks Source: UNEP Press Release, 19 September, 2005 Representatives of the world's governments, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholder groups are meeting here this week to finalize arrangements for the launch of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). <; more EU to Re-Launch Air Quality Initiative with Changes Source: Planet Ark, September 21, 2005 Brussels - The European Commission will re-launch a package of measures on Wednesday aimed at improving air quality after cutting anticipated annual costs by about 5 billion euros ($6.08 billion), according to EU officials. <; more ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY Source: Environmental Investigation Agency Press Release, September 21, 2005 Environmentalists Call on European Countries to Stop Producing Ozone-Destroying Chemicals as Ozone Hole Approaches Record Size <; more EU Tackles Air Pollution in Multi-Billion Euro Plan Source: Planet Ark, September 22, 2005 Brussels - Wide-ranging proposals to clean up Europe's polluted air won approval from the European Commission on Wednesday after a debate over the package's multi-billion euro price tag threatened to scupper it. <; more Seminars, conference and meetings International Symposium - Yerevan, Armenia Source: <; NGOC, September 14, 2005 Location - American University of Armenia (AUA) Armenia Marriott Hotel Dates & Time Monday, October 10, 2005, 14:00 to 19:30 Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 15:00 to 19:30 Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 15:00 to 19:30 Thursday, October 13, 2005, 9:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 21:00 <; more Announcement Explore Georgia with Caucasus Travel - Mtiuleti and Khevi Provinces Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2005 We will experience the Mtiuleti and Khevi Provinces, situated on the slopes of the Caucasus mountain range: =07 Have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery on horseback. Sheep, well protected by brave Caucasian sheep dogs, may interrupt your voyage. =07 Try the local dish Khinkali - boiled minced meat in dough. =07 Spend a nice evening in the quite cozy atmosphere of the Panotama Hotel. <; more INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN CORRIDOR CONFERENCE Source: Mountain Forum - Global, September 21, 2005 International Mountain Corridor Conference will be held from 24 to 31 October 2005 Les Planes de Son, Spain (24-27) Vitoria, Spain (27-29) Cantabria, Spain (29-31) <; more Job Announcements The USAID funded Program for Institutional and Regulatory Strengthening of Water Management in Armenia started in October 2004 and is being carried out by PA Government Services Inc. The anticipated completion date of the Program is 2008. The Program is designed to provide assistance to the development of the National Water Program, the improvement of the legal framework of the water sector, and the strengthening of selected agencies with responsibilities in water management. Because of broadening and deepening of our activities, the following specialists will strengthen our team: 1. A communication/training specialist; 2. A water resources monitoring specialist; 3. A groundwater monitoring specialist; 4. A river basin planner/IWRM specialist; 5. A database programmer. <; more Eurasia Foundation Vacancy Announcement Source: Georgian Office of the Eurasia Foundation, September 26, 2005 The Georgian Office of the Eurasia Foundation announces vacancy Title: PMDI Program Coordinator Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Program Coordinator is responsible for developing and managing the Pipeline Monitoring and Dialogue Initiative (PMDI). PMDI is a new Initiative implemented by Eurasia Foundation in cooperation with BP, UNDP, IFC for building capacity of Georgian NGOs in Monitoring Methods for Pipeline Construction & Operations. PMDI supports a series of activities aimed at developing monitoring skills amongst NGOs and their members, providing an effective channel for increased public dialogue related to pipeline-oriented issues. <; more Ecology and Economy in Harmony Source: The Messenger, September 26, 2005 We believe we can have a real, measurable and positive impact on the biodiversity of the world. If you are a non-governmental organization (NGO) or an environmental agency who thinks the same way, please read on:Building on last 3 years' success BP is pleased to announce the fourth Georgia Biodiversity Competition. The competition, which is a part of BP's Biodiversity Strategy in Georgia, support our commitment to undertaking a serious of species biodiversity initiative in the countries and areas where we operate. This year competition will conduct on 2 categories: 1. Biodiversity projects; 2. Biodiversity article and video materials. <; more ******************************************* ********************************* Subscribing Information CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing information since 1998. All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and Russian languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that give the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as abroad. To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send an email to [email protected] and place the “subscribe”
or
“unsubscribe” command as the first line of the message body.
If you would like the information about your organization and activities
to
be distributed via the CENN mailing lists (the current number of CENN
mailing list members represents 11049), if you want your voice to be
heard
around the world, please send your information at the following email:
[email protected]
For more information about the program, please visit CENN web-page:
<; CENN INFO Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) Tel:++995 32 75 19 03/04 Fax:+995 32 75 19 05 E-mail: [email protected] URL:

Kurdish Info, Germany
Sept 23 2005
Human Rights says Turkey does not want to confront with her past

ISTANBUL (DIHA) – Istanbul Branch of Human Rights Association stated
that the postponement of the Armenian Conference to be held today in
Bogazici University shows how dependent is the jurisdiction. The
association indicated that there is no freedom of speech in Turkey
yet.
The association released a written statement about the decision of
the court postponing the conference entitled ‘The Armenian of Osmanli
in the falling period of the Empire’. The statement declared “This
decision assessed even by the PM Erdogan as ‘against to democracy’
has once more proved the effect of the military on the jurisdiction
which we said for many times before. The existing system does not
desire a discussion environment. It does not want Turkey to confront
with her past.”

A1+
| 18:20:57 | 23-09-2005 | Social |
THE DISASTER ZONE ELIMINATED?
The Lins Fund office «Disaster zone rehabilitation» ceased its activity.
This is accounted for by the fact that money from the fund will not be spent
on reconstruction works in that territory.
Nevertheless, the fact does not come to prove that Robert Kocharyan has kept
one of his pre-election promises – eliminate the «disaster zone» phenomenon.
Let us remind you that the Lins Fund has build 3700 houses in the disaster
zone.

Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Yerevan, in Armenian
17 Sep 05 p 2
SEPARATIST MINISTER NEGATIVE ABOUT AZERI LEADERSHIP’S BELLICOSE
STATEMENTS
“I am sure that the world will recognize Nagornyy Karabakh”
An interview with the foreign minister of the Nagornyy Karabakh
Republic [NKR], Arman Melikyan.
Asked about his attitude towards the International Crisis Group’s
report on Armenia, Arman Melikyan replied: “There are impartial and
sensible points in it, but there are also views that contradict our
position. At present, I would not like to talk about the details of
our approaches, but a certain policy can be noticed from the first
pages of the document.” Then, he added that the report is being
studied in detail and the attitude of the NKR Foreign Ministry
towards the report will be presented in a written form.
Journalists also wondered about the details of discussions on the
Karabakh issue at the sitting of the temporary commission of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The minister said:
“In fact, it is already noticeable that different international
organizations understand that without the NKR, it is difficult to
find a way to solve the issue.” Asked about the steps taken by the
Foreign Ministry for the international recognition of the NKR,
Melikyan replied: “It is no secret that the beginning of legislative
work is one of the most important components for the international
recognition of the country. The NKR parliament recently adopted a
number of laws concerning our system. I would emphasize the law ‘On
the international agreements of the NKR’, which will become a basis
for establishing official relations with our country. I hope that we
shall join a number of international conventions by the end of the
year. I am sure that the NKR will be internationally recognized in
the near future.”
Asked about Melikyan’s attitude towards [International Crisis Group
representative] Alain Deletroz’s statement that a referendum should
be conducted in the NKR in 10-15 years’ time to define the status of
the NKR and asked whether Deletroz had grounds to say this, Melikyan
replied: “I do not doubt that the group is not interested in a
long-lasting peace in the region. As for the conditions that have
been offered, we may not accept them, especially as idea of holding a
referendum is not at a stage when we should discuss such an option.
There are always pre-conditions. But the principle of adequacy should
become one of the main principles in the negotiations, however, in
fact it does not exist yet.”
“Mr Melikyan, how will you comment on the fact that there was no
comment in Armenia and Azerbaijan after Kazan meeting between
[Armenian President Robert] Kocharyan and [Azerbaijani President
Ilham] Aliyev?” Melikyan did not deny that maybe this time Aliyev
decided to keep to the principle of confidentiality. Asked about his
attitude towards the openly bellicose statements of the Azerbaijani
leadership, Melikyan replied: “Of course, my attitude is negative. I
think that war is unlikely at the moment.” At the same time, the
minister did not rule out that war is possible.