Author: Maghakian Mike

Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan, says envoy
525 Qazet, Baku
16 Jul 05
Excerpt from Rasad Suleymanov report by Azerbaijani newspaper 525 Qazet
on 16 July headlined “Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan”
and subheaded “Afshar Soleymani: We are against the interference of
certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
the cover of democracy”
The Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Afshar Soleymani, clarified
some issues related to the development of bilateral relations in the
near future in an interview with 525 Qazet.
[Soleymani] Iranian-Azerbaijani relations will be expanded under
the new [Iranian] president. The new president has a good attitude
towards Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijanis. I believe that a new stage
is emerging in the expansion of our relations. New programs are
currently being drafted to develop bilateral relations in different
directions. These programs will be continued from now onwards. This
is natural. We will continue to support Azerbaijan’s position in
the region and in international organizations. The intergovernmental
commission is expected to meet in Baku in January next year to discuss
a series of new steps and programmes.
[Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, could you please provide some information
on the visit of [special envoy for Caspian affairs of the Iranian
Foreign Ministry] Mehdi Safari? Has there been any progress in the
talks on the status of the Caspian?
[Soleymani] I also attended the meeting [on Caspian status in Baku].
Some progress was achieved at the meeting, which was held in a friendly
atmosphere. Bilateral negotiations, which are in the interests of
both countries, are under way. There will be good results. These are
technical and legal negotiations. Therefore, it was decided to hold
them on the level of envoys. Certain steps are taken at every stage
of the negotiations on the basis of mutual trust.
[Interviewer] Afshar bay [form of address], Russia has proposed
establishing joint military forces in the Caspian at a time when
the negotiations are still under way. Iran put forward a similar
proposal earlier. We would like to know your government’s position
on Russia’s initiative.
[Soleymani] The security of the Caspian depends on common agreement
between the five [littoral] states. These kinds of issues should be
considered in five-sided meetings. The five countries should come to
agreement together. Iran has not expressed its final decision on the
issue. We believe that a country does not need to express its position
on the issue individually. Iran made a proposal called Stability
and Trust in the Caspian before Russia. Iran takes it normally and
we believe that every country can put forward its own proposal. The
states have equal rights.
[Interviewer] Afshar bay, different countries provide explicit or
clandestine support for different political parties and blocs in
Azerbaijan in the run-up to the parliamentary election [due on
6 November]. What position will Iran take in this election as a
neighbouring country in view of the existence of Islamist parties
in Azerbaijan?
[Soleymani] We believe that every country should decide its fate
itself. People cast their votes in accordance with the capabilities
and reputation of the candidates. Iran supports democratic elections
in Azerbaijan. We support the people and are against the interference
of certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
the cover of democracy. We personally prevent other countries from
meddling in our internal affairs.
[Passage omitted: on gas transmission station to Naxcivan]
[Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, some of the OSCE Minsk Group [for the
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement] co-chairmen have touched upon Iran’s
involvement in the peace talks. What do you think of this?
[Soleymani] The French co-chairman said this. Iran has always said
that if invited it is ready to give proposals. We are the neighbours
of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and have means to influence both
countries. In this context, we can influence the settlement of the
conflict more than other remote countries.

TATUL MARGARIAN: RA DEFENSE MINISTER LIKELY TO VISIT U.S
PanArmenian News Network
July 18 2005
18.07.2005 08:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Immediately in the wake of September 11, 2001
Armenia has joined the international anti-terror coalition and
offered the use of its airspace and other tangible assistance for
the U.S.-led anti-terror operations, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S.
Tatul Margarian stated. “This also marked the beginning of military
cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia. It was made possible by the
waiver of Section 907, while also addressing the concerns of Armenia
regarding security in the region. The provision of U.S. military
assistance to Armenia helped the Armenian Armed Forces to establish
peacekeeping capability and address interoperability issues. The
Armenian soldiers and officers now serve alongside with their
partners within NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, and in Kosovo,
and Armenia’s contingent is serving in Iraq with many other nations
of the coalition. Also important for our military cooperation is the
State Partnership Program between the Kansas National Guard and the
Armenian Armed Forces. The first phase of our security cooperation
is nearing completion, and we know better the mutual potential and
expectations. Armenia’s Defense Minister will visit the United States
later this year to discuss the current level and future prospects
for our cooperation” he said, Armenpress news agency reports.

Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 15 2005
VIVACELL NOT TO LOWER TARIFFS
15.07.2005 04:35
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As “.am” PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know
from the VivaCell department of commerce, the tariffs of the second
cellular operator VivaCell will not be lowered. To remind, yesterday an
information on possible reduction of tariffs was spread by IA Regnum
with a reference to Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications
Andranik Manukian. The fact is that in a private conversation with
the journalists the Minister supposed that the competition caused
by the entrance of VivaCell to the cellular market can result in
reduction of tariffs. “Competition can provide cheaper and high-quality
communication”, the Minister noted without clarifying the possible
rate and date for reviewing of prices.

OSCE MG: CONFLICTING PARTIES READY FOR COMPROMISE
Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 15 2005
15.07.2005 09:20
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Considerable progress has been fixed in the Karabakh
Conflict settlement lately, OSCE Minsk Group US Co-Chair Steven Mann
stated during today’s press conference in Yerevan. At the same time he
noted that though the Co-Chairs do not measure the efficiency of the
negotiations, the ongoing discussions can serve as the coefficient of
the common talks and as the basis for the final resolution. “We can
achieve results via negotiations only but we cannot foresee them”,
he noted. Meanwhile Russian Co-Chair stated that “present results
would not have been achieved but for the readiness of both parties to
make concessions. When asked about Turkey’s position in the conflict
the Russian Co-Chair said that “Turkey is not just involved in the
process but has a strong impact on it.”

Karabakh mediators positive about outcome of regional visit
Mediamax news agency
15 Jul 05
Yerevan, 15 July: Yuriy Merzlyakov, Russian co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group, said in Yerevan today that during the visit to the region,
the mediators and the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed
“thoroughly and in detail” the “key elements of the basis of the
future settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict”.
Speaking at a briefing in Yerevan today, the Russian mediator said
that “we are currently working on formulations”. Merzlyakov said that
the key outcome of their visit to the region could be considered
an agreement on the holding of a meeting between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents in Kazan late August. Prior to this meeting, the
two countries’ foreign ministers are scheduled to hold consultations
on 23 August in Moscow.
Commenting on the mediators’ meeting with the president of the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR), Arkadiy Gukasyan, on 14 July in
Stepanakert, Yuriy Merzlyakov said that “while working on the options
of the formulations, we need to know the position of the Nagornyy
Karabakh leadership”. The Russian diplomat refused to comment on the
reports about the possibility of a referendum in Nagornyy Karabakh,
referring to the confidentiality of the talks.
Steven Mann, US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, said there was
an opportunity to “achieve serious progress”. He said that the sides
to the conflict have managed to reach considerable progress over the
last year. Mann said that there were “very difficult issues” on the
negotiating table, however there was a “promising opportunity” to
reach a breakthrough in the peace process by the end of the year. At
the same time, the US diplomat said, “the existence of opportunities
does not guarantee that this will necessarily happen”. Anyway, Steven
Mann said, “today, the positions of the sides are much closer than
it was the case in summer or winter”.
Asked about the sides’ readiness to make concessions on vital issues,
Yuriy Merzlyakov said that “we have managed to reach the level at
which we work on formulations just because the sides have not only
shown readiness to compromise but have done so indeed”.

German pro-Armenian Intervention on Caucasus Possible?
By Can Karpat, AIA Turkish section
Axis Information and Analysis (AIA)
22.06.2005
It is argued that Germany that has recently taken a decision about
“Armenian massacre in 1915”, actually is prepared to intervene through
that way in Caucasian affairs in the future. This last decision of
the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) must be seen as a new German
policy, which consists to be present in Caucasus along with other major
political powers, Turkish Cumhuriyet reports. As pressure upon Baku
government intensifies, the German radio “Voice of Germany” insists
that Karabakh Armenians should be allowed to leave Azerbaijan. To that
extent, the new decision about “Armenian massacre in 1915” in favour
of Armenians is to be interpreted as a step further for Germany in
Caucasus. Especially, in a time that an eventual government change
is discussed in Azerbaijan, these initiatives prove that Germany is
willing to take part in the reconstruction process in this region.
While the United States of America declared that a special military
unit is to be formed to protect the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline,
the strategic importance of Caucasus is increasing. The claims that
Germany turns day by day in favour of the Karabakh Armenians’ zeal
to part from Azerbaijan become therefore interesting. Last Sunday
Parliament elections in Karabakh took place breaking with Azeri laws,
and aftermath a regional government was formed. And on the “Voice
of Germany”, the “rights of separating” of Karabakh Armenians from
Azerbaijan, which is officially demanded by this new government,
have been publicly uttered.
It is argued that all this evolution shows that Germany, in this
regional dispersion period does not want to be out of the game.
According to some international observers, the decision taken
by all political parties existing in the German Parliament about
“Armenian massacre” in 1915 along with other statements about “the
importance of peace efforts between Turks and Armenians” and about
the German responsibility in “this historical crime”, all these form
the background for Germany to take part in Caucasian affairs in near
future. Thus, Germany plans to be the third power in the region along
with the United States of America and Russia. As in the Balkans and
Eastern Europe, whether Berlin is intended to influence once again
regional affairs in Karabakh is therefore highly discussed.
In March 1999, German Professor Otto Luchterhandt from Hamburg
University had made a speech in American University in Yerevan, and
defended that Karabakh should determine its own fate, that Armenians in
this region should separate from Azerbaijan and set up an independent
state. That he also stated that “Armenians could reach that target
playing on time factor” had provoked discussions at that time.
Last month, the German Orient Institute in Hamburg published a
research, where it is argued that the Karabakh issue should be resolved
according to the American policy. The same report emphasised that
only hereby intense relations between Armenia and Russia would have
been broken. The report reminded that among the Armenian opposition,
number of American supporters increased considerably, and stated that
Armenia is at a crossroad to choose either Russia or the United States
of America.
Furthermore, the European Union’s Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn
stated that Turkey must open its frontiers to Armenia, and defended
that if frontiers is opened that would be in favour of Turkey. Rehn
also stated that “Armenian issue is a very important one”, and
claimed that Turkish officials have problems to deal with “historical
facts”. He confirmed that if Turkey signs six legal regulations and
the supplement protocol mentioned in the 17th December decisions,
there will be no reason not to start the European Union membership
negotiations with this country on the 3rd of October. Though,
he reminded that the negotiations will be an open process, so the
membership should not be taken for granted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
July 14, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. MATSUI, STRICKLAND JOIN CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN CAUCUS
WASHINGTON, DC – Support continued to grow for Armenian issues on
Capitol Hill this week as Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and
Ted Strickland (D-OH) announced their membership in the
Congressional Armenian Caucus, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA). The latest additions bring the Caucus
to over 140 members.
“We are gratified that Representatives Strickland and Matsui have
joined the Congressional Caucus and look forward to continuing to
work closely with the body to further increase its membership and
promote Armenian American community concerns,” stated ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Rep. Strickland joined 98 of his Congressional colleagues this week
in cosponsoring the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.316), lead
by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). In 1997, soon after his first election
to office, Rep. Strickland voted in support of the Radanovich-
Pallone amendment, which maintained U.S. restrictions on aid to
Azerbaijan until that country lifts its blockades of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh. The six-term congressman serves on the powerful
House Energy and Commerce as well as the Veterans’ Affairs
committee. A native of Lucasville, Ohio, Rep. Strickland received
a Ph.D in Counseling and Psychology and served as a minister, a
psychologist, and a college professor prior to his election to the
House of Representatives.
“I am happy to be part of a group that supports a free and
independent Armenia,” said Rep. Strickland. “It is important for
Members of Congress to recognize the tragic history of the Armenian
people, and work toward a future which allows for a secure,
sovereign nation for all Armenians.”
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) is a first term congresswoman representing
the Sacramento area. She succeeded her husband, Rep. Robert
Matsui, who had been a long-time supporter of Armenian American
concerns and a member of the Armenian Caucus. Rep. Robert Matsui
tragically lost his battle against a form of bone marrow cancer in
January, 2005. Within months of her election to office, Rep. Doris
Matsui began active support of Armenian American concerns,
cosigning the Congressional letter to President Bush urging him to
properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as ‘genocide.’ She is
also a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.316).
“I am pleased to join the Armenian Caucus and look forward to
working with the Caucus on a range of political and educational
activities,” noted Rep. Matsui.

Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
July 13 2005

Karabakh veterans appeal to int’l organizations
BAKU – The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) has appealed to
international organizations on the occasion of the upcoming visit to
the region by OSCE Minsk group co-chairs this month.The notorious
group has been commissioned by the OSCE to mediate a peaceful
solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani ethnic conflict over Karabakh.
KLO unites Azeri veterans of the 1991-1994 Karabakh war, which left
one fifth of Azerbaijan’s areas occupied by Armenian forces, with
30,000 people dead and almost a million Azeris fleeing from their
homeland.
`The Minsk group doesn’t work efficiently (towards the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict) and seeks to conceal aggressive actions
towards Azerbaijan by Armenia,’ the Organization said in an appeal,
also addressed to the ambassadors of France, Russia and the United
States – the countries co-chairing the Minsk group.
The international community recognizes Karabakh as territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.However, the KLO chairman, Akif Naghi, who
holds an academic degree in history, noted that the troubleshooters’
earlier visit to Karabakh from Armenia, bypassing Azerbaijan, had
caused a protest with the Azerbaijani public, as `this action had
been directed against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and
been in line with the interests of Armenia.’
Despite the occupation of almost 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s
territory, the international community – including the Council of
Europe and European Union – refuses to recognize Armenia as an
aggressor country.
President inaugurates regional businesses

Journal of Turkish Weekly
July 13 2005
Closed talks between Turkey and Armenia confrimed
Source: Hurriyet
Amid rumors of a “secret meeting”, The Turkish Foreign office
confirmed on Monday that talks between Armenian and Turkish diplomats
took place in a European city recently. During the meeting Turkey
presented its proposals on the issue of normalizing relations between
the two countries. The meeting took place following the exchange of
letters between the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. The letters addressed the
subject of the so-called Armenian genocide.
A second closed meeting is set to take place in an undisclosed
European town shortly. Armenia will present its proposals at the
second round of talks. One thing that is sure Erdogan and Kocharyan
have reached an agreement to take concrete steps to satisfy both
sides and to create an atmosphere of confidence.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry is yet to release a statement on the
talks.

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 12/07/2005

Culture
‘THE 2D GOLDEN APRICOT FILM FESTIVAL ENRICHED WITH FAMOUS NAMES’
Film director Edgar Baghdasarian’s “Mariam” will open the 2d Golden
Apricot international film festival today at the National Opera
Theatre. As last year, the apricot consecration at the Surp Zoravor
church will precede this year’s film festival.
Press conferences launched at Hotel Yerevan yesterday will carry on
all week long enabling Abas Kiarostami (Iran), Atom Egoyan (Canada),
Nikita Mikhalkov, Roman Balayan (Russia), Robert Gedikian (France) and
others to speak about their films presented in the festival.
Film critic Zaven Boyajian said yesterday that the borders of Golden
Apricot have widened this year. “Compared with the last year’s
festival, this Golden Apricot is a few steps in advance. Geography has
been widened, films of renowned directors added to the competitive and
non-competitive programs. This is one of the peculiarities of this
year’s festival. I think it has rather good perspectives if not
financial and organizational obstacles”, he said.
Lebanese filmmaker Carmen Labagi told about his documentary, which
though depicts the life of Lebanese-Armenians, touches upon affairs of
Armenians in other countries, too. For instance, Carmen met a group of
Bedouins in Syria who were aware of their Armenian origin. His film is
included in the program of non-competitive films about Armenian
Genocide.
Karine Torosian from Canada shot her “Stone, Time, Touch” fiction last
year in Armenia. The film deals with national identity issues and
issues that the modern Armenian women face, answer to which Karine
wanted to find in her homeland. Karine starred Arsine Khanjian in her
film. Armenian women share with the feelings they had from the first
encounter with Armenia, compare the real and the imaginative
homelands.
By Ruzan Poghosian