Author: Nadirian Emma

Parliament shares experience with South Caucasus
By TBT staff

Baltic Times, Latvia
June 3 2005

Led by Parliamentary Speaker Arturas Paulauskas, the delegation will
leave for a week-long visit to three countries in the South Caucasus
region — Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia — on June 4.

“The purpose of the visit is to introduce three South Caucasus
countries into the development, the achievements of our country, to
assist them in developing democracy and the economy, and to convey the
experience we have accumulated in the process of integrations into
the European Union and NATO. This is especially important because
Georgia and Azerbaijan have already declared quite explicitly their
willingness to access the EU and NATO,” Paulauskas told journalists.

During the visit, the delegation will meet with top officials and
politicians, students, and members of non-governmental organizations.

FIRST ROUND OF INTERNATIONAL CONTEST AFTER ARAM KHACHATURIAN OVER

Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 07:55

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The first round of the international contest after
Aram Khachaturian is over. 12 musicians out of the 18 initially taking
part in the competition were admitted to the second round. According
to the prior agreement, the jury members selected the winners by vote
without discussion. Jury will hold discussions only after the third
round. The competition participants will present contemporary works
to the audience.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS OSCE VENETIAN COMMISSION’S REPRESENTATIVES

YEREVAN, June 2. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan met OSCE Venetian Commission’s representatives on
Thursday. According to Armenian National Assembly’s Public Relations
Department, Giovanni Buchicchio said that Armenia has accomplished a
great deal in constitutional reforms area since 2000. At the same time,
he noted that principles of balanced authorities, maximally perfect
laws and democratic atmosphere are still needed for establishing a
real democracy in the country and adopting Constitution conforming
to international standards.

Baghdasaryan, in turn, attached importance to cooperation with Venetian
commission in the process of the republic’s democratization and noted
that there is considerable difference between preliminary bill and
that passed by the Parliament at the first reading. At the same time,
there are some provisions connected with independence of judicial
authorities, Yerevan mayor election and power differentiation need
to be improved, Armenian National Assembly’s Speaker said.

Agreement was reached by the end of the meeting to discuss ultimate
version of constitutional amendments with Venetian Commission in late
June and to pass the altered version at the second reading only after
that. If so, the constitutional referendum is to be held in October.

M.V. -0–

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

NKR representation announces new contact information

PRESS RELEASE

May 31, 2005

Washington, DC – Today, Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(NKR/Artsakh) Vardan Barseghian announced new contact information for
the NKR representation in the United States. Barseghian also thanked
the Armenian Assembly of America for its continued multifaceted
support of Artsakh’s de-facto embassy in Washington, DC.

The new contact information is as follows:

NKR Office
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 223-4330, Fax: (202) 315-3339, Email: [email protected]

“It is critical for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to continue its
representation in Washington, DC and work efficiently with the U.S.
Government and the American public throughout the United States. I
thank those who have supported our office in the past and appeal to
our friends to continue supporting Artsakh’s diplomatic efforts in
the United States. I am confident that together we will make Artsakh’s
voice in Washington, DC even stronger,” said Barseghian.

* * *

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
is based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government,
academia and the American public representing the official policies
and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under
the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available
at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

INDIAN-ARMENIAN TRADE SET TO RISE THIS YEAR

Armenpress

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS: Indian ambassador to Armenia, Deepak
Vohra, has predicted today a substantial rise in the Indian-Armenian
trade this year, saying it is expected to make $12 million, commending
also the Armenian Trade and Industry Commerce Chamber for its input
in these efforts.

According to Chamber chairman Martin Sarkisian, Indian-Armenian trade
in 2003 amounted to $6 million and to $8.7 million in 2004.

In a farewell news conference Deepak Vohra, who is completing
his tenure in Armenia, said he was pleased with the growing and
diversifying Armenian exports to his country, which comprises now
only metals, but also electric equipment and computer software. The
ambassador also said the two countries are able to successfully
develop cooperation in tourism and film industry.

Vohra said he would discuss joint film production in India next
week taking with him a video-material about various Armenian
settlements. The ambassador also expressed hope that his successor
who is expected to arrive within several months will continue the
established traditions

Pan Armenian News

IF CDU COMES TO POWER IN GERMANY, TURKEY-EU TALKS MAY NEVER BEGIN

26.05.2005 03:23

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In case the Christian Democrats Union (CDU) in cooperation
with the Free Democrat Party comes to power in Germany, the talks over the
accession of Turkey to the European Union may even not begin, reported
Regnum news agency. As stated by CDU member, Chairman of the Parliamentary
Commission for EU Affairs Matthias Wissman, his party soon intends to
publish a report on the electoral campaign, which will also show the
position over Turkey’s membership in the EU. The report will note that in
case the CDU wins the autumn election (September 18) and in case the
referendums in France and Netherlands have negative outcomes, it is very
possible for the talks with Turkey scheduled October 3, 2005 to be
postponed. It should be reminded that earlier CDU President Angela Merkel
suggested `privileged membership’ to Turkey instead of full membership. This
position will be made a reality in case the Union wins. In case of a victory
Angela Merkel may become the first female Chancellor of Germany. It should
be noted that the CDU has initiated the consideration of a resolution
referring to the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 in the
Bundestag. It should also be noted that at the election of the landtag of
the North Rhein-Westfalia Christian Democrats celebrated a convincing
victory, gaining the majority in the land parliament in 1975. Thus, the
liberal conservative coalition of the Christian Democrats and Liberals forms
the parliamentary majority in the largest FRG land.

A Tyrant’s Charter

The New Statesman
23 May 2005

In an era when TV determines an event’s importance,
the massacre in the Uzbek town of Andijan (see page
14) has received less coverage than it deserves.
Camera access denied, few stories supplied. The
reported death toll of more than 700 constitutes one
of the worst cases of bloodshed involving government
troops and civilian protesters since Tiananmen Square
in 1989. With such staunch friends in the White House,
Islam Karimov, one of the most unpleasant
cast-offs of the Soviet era, knew he could act with
impunity.

The Uzbek president has done George W Bush many a
service since 9/11 – protection of gas supplies, an
airbase for sorties into Afghanistan and beyond, and a
willing venue for a spot of offshore torture. We may
be bystanders, but we are not innocents. The roots of
this barbarism can be traced back to the US Congress,
to January 2002 and Bush’s invocation of the axis of
evil. By selecting three targets for his `war on
terror’ – Iraq, Iran and North Korea at the time,
although, like any hit parade, countries go up and
down – the president did not herald an era of regime
change for despots the world over.
`Democratisation’, aka `liberal interventionism’, when
applied consistently and through international
organisations, could be embraced by the left. But the
agenda is based on a single criterion: US interest.
The world is where it was during the realpolitik of
the cold war, except now there is one superpower doing
as it pleases. The UK response? A statement
of concern a tad less weaselly than that of the US –
for a regime whose human rights abuses are documented
even by the Foreign Office. If the moral courage of
Jack Straw and Tony Blair had matched their political
guile, from Iraq to Uzbekistan, Britain’s standing in
the world would have been enhanced, not diminished, in
recent years. Now, as long as you are on the right
side of the `war on terror’, there is no better time
to be a torturer and tyrant.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise, CA
May 24 2005

Arabian to Receive Award From Local Women’s Group

By a MetNews Staff Writer

Retired California Supreme Court Justice Armand Arabian will be the
recipient of the Women of Los Angeles Highlight Award, to be
presented June 15 at The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the jurist
disclosed yesterday.

`Officially, I got the letter (yesterday),” Arabian told the
MetNews. `Governor Schwarzenegger got one last year.”

Arabian will be joined by actor Sir Sidney Poitier and California
Institute of the Arts President Steven D. Lavine in receiving the
awards.

`I had heard of this group, but I was not familiar with them,”
Arabian said.

Arabian said he believed the group chose him based upon his
long-standing work on protecting the rights of woman, in particular
those who have been victims of rape and sexual assault.

He made news in 1973 by rejecting a defense request to give jurors
the customary instructions to examine the testimony of female
complainants with `caution.’ The California Supreme Court later
concluded that Arabian should have given the instruction, based on
the long line of authority supporting it, but agreed with the judge
that the instruction was outmoded and ordered that it not be given in
the future.

His work has also contributed to legislation making it easier to
prosecute sexual assaults.

The New York native, who served on the California Supreme Court from
1990 to 1996 as part of his 24 years as a judge, was honored in May
of last year in what he called his greatest achievement.

At the time, Arabian was honored with `The Ellis Island Medal of
Honor for Making America a Better Place for All of Us.”

Arabian, who was the first Armenian American to sit on the California
Supreme Court, is now an attorney and private judge in Van Nuys.

The Messenger
Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Georgia and Armenia: from strategic partnership to pragmatic cooperation

The newly authored Concept of National Security for Georgia has raised
eyebrows not only for what it implies for Georgia’s European and western
integration but also for its relations with neighboring counties,
specifically Armenia. The document, which defines the country’s specific
security interests, is being discussed in Parliament but has yet to be
officially released.
The draft, prepared by the National Security Council and submitted to
Parliament on May 13, assesses threats and also establishes Georgia’s
foreign priorities and its cooperation with other countries. Armenian
commentators have expressed dissatisfaction that Ukraine and Turkey are
considered to be Georgia’s strategic partners while the relationship with
Yerevan appears to have been relegated to one of pragmatic cooperation.
In the Concept of National Security only three countries are considered to
be Georgia’s strategic partners: the United States, Ukraine and Turkey. The
document then briefly characterizes the importance of each country’s
cooperation with Georgia. Next the Concept discusses partnerships with the
Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia, the latter of which is depicted
as a relationship of pragmatic cooperation in all spheres of mutual
interests.
The newspaper Rezonansi cites an Armenian commentator in the internet site
PanArmenian.net as expressing disapproval toward this position. “Of course
cooperation and pragmatism is not bad,” the paper quoted. “It is another
matter that our position does not fit into the stated ‘centuries of
brotherhood and love.'”
Deputy chair of the parliamentary national security committee Nika Rurua
tells Rezonansi he cannot see any reason for dissatisfaction or blame for
Georgia in stating that the U.S., Ukraine and Turkey are its main strategic
partners. “I cannot understand why they have to be so displeased. Pragmatic
cooperation is not bad. Such cooperation includes open partnership oriented
towards mutual interests,” Rurua states.
The fine line Georgia must walk in its Concept for National Security is
giving proper consideration to Armenia and Azerbaijan as both key neighbors
and allies while also recognizing their differences.
Georgia’s relationship with Azerbaijan is most strongly linked with energy,
transport and commercial projects. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrumi natural gas pipeline have not only economic
significance but at the same time have helped promote stability in the
region. After these projects are operational, desperately needed alternative
energy resources will be opened to the European and American markets. In
addition to economic projects, Georgia has tight cooperation with Azerbaijan
in the sphere of politics and security, specifically both are members of
GUAM and both have strong desires to integrate with Euro Atlantic
institutions, including NATO.
Armenia’s political vector toward Russia and its closed borders with both
Azerbaijan and Turkey are a cause of lessened political opportunities
between Tbilisi and Yerevan. All the same Armenia is a major partner –
according to governmental statistics, in 2004 Armenians were the second most
frequent travelers to Georgia behind only Turkey. In addition, as energy
projects evolve between Armenia and Iran, Georgia is increasingly looking
south for possible energy projects. According to drafts of the Concept
obtained by Georgian media, it thus stresses that “To deepen the good,
neighborly relations with Armenia is in both countries interests and this
will help the two countries’ economic welfare and political stability as
well.”
The Concept pays further attention to Armenia’s transit potential. “Both
countries must utilize united economic, energy and transport projects.
Georgia believes that Armenia can benefit from its transit location by
transporting Armenian products through its territory,” the Concept states.
However currently the fact that Abkhazia remains a separatist state prevents
Georgia from satisfying Armenia’s main transit interest of restoring the
railway link to Russia.
Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would certainly improve the
political situation in the South Caucasus, and the Concept of National
Security says that all separatist conflicts are threats to the region’s
prosperity. “The existence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict damages the
regional countries’ stability. Georgia will welcome the settling of these
conflicts and greater involvement of foreign partners in the peace process.
This will help to strengthen security and deepen cooperation in the region,”
the document states.
The Concept of National Security deserves further refinement, first of all
through full public disclosure of its contents. Next it requires serious
discussion and analysis by governmental and non-government specialists.
Finally Georgia and its partners both strategic and pragmatic will have to
find concrete means of cooperation to prove the worth of their
relationships.

AZG Armenian Daily #093, 24/05/2005

Armenia-Egypt

ARMENIAN EGYPTIAN BUSINESS FORUM IN FALL

Newly appointed Armenian ambassador to Egypt, Ruben Karapetian, presented
the socio-economic condition of Armenia during his meeting with Egyptian
prime minister Ahmed Nazif. The prime minister stressed the importance of
bilateral meetings and the necessity of developing relations between the two
states. Both sides were enthusiastic over the coming intergovernmental
meeting for economic cooperation and business forum scheduled for autumn.