Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

| | © Deutsche Welle.

Armenien stellt das Leugnen des Genozids unter Strafe

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(Photo)Mahnmal in Jerewan zum Gedenken an den Völkermord

In Frankreich und jetzt auch in Armenien ist das Leugnen des Genozids
strafbar, auch Historiker sprechen vom "ersten Völkermord des 20.
Jahrhunderts". Die Türkei sagt, es habe "nur" Vertreibungen und Gewalttaten
gegeben.
Das armenische Parlament hat am 6. Dezember ein Paket von Änderungen und
Ergänzungen zum Strafgesetzbuch des Landes verabschiedet. Von nun an gelten
in Armenien die Rechtfertigung, Billigung und Verharmlosung oder das Leugnen
des Genozids an den Armeniern als Straftat. Für das Leugnen des Völkermordes
ist wie bei der Propagierung rassistischer Diskriminierung entweder eine
Geldstrafe zwischen umgerechnet 300 bis 850 Dollar oder eine Freiheitsstrafe
von bis zu vier Jahren vorgesehen.

Unterschied zum französischen Gesetz

Fast zwei Monate haben die armenischen Abgeordneten gebraucht, um dem
Beispiel der Nationalversammlung Frankreichs zu folgen und ein Gesetz zu
verabschieden, das für das Leugnen des Völkermords an den Armeniern eine
Strafe vorsieht. Aber im Unterschied zum französischen Gesetz, in dem klar
und deutlich vom Genozid an den Armeniern gesprochen wird, wird in dem
armenischen Strafgesetzbuch lediglich der Begriff "Genozid" verwendet. Nach
Ansicht von Beobachtern vor Ort ist das vor allem darauf zurückzuführen,
dass in Armenien ganz klar die Meinung herrscht, dass alles, was sich auf
den Genozid an den Armeniern beziehe, so klar und deutlich sei, dass keine
weitere gesetzliche Ausgestaltung notwendig sei.

Erinnerung allgegenwärtig

Der Leiter des Kaukasischen Medieninstituts, der Politologe Aleksandr
Iskandrjan, sagte im Gespräch mit der Deutschen Welle, hier sei nichts offen
gelassen worden. Es sei nur so, dass, wenn in Armenien über Völkermord
gesprochen werde, damit in erster Linie immer der Genozid an den Armeniern
im Osmanischen Reich gemeint sei, als 1915 auf Befehl der osmanischen
Führung zwischen 600.000 und 1,5 Millionen Armenier getötet wurden und
Hunderttausende aus Westarmenien deportiert wurden. Iskandrjan betonte, in
Armenien würde niemandem in den Sinn kommen, den Völkermord in Frage zu
stellen – so wie in Israel niemand den Holocaust leugnen würde.

Keine Furcht vor den Türken mehr

Warum wurden in Armenien Gesetzesinitiativen zu diesem Thema so lange
gebremst oder gar verhindert? Experten vor Ort meinen, es hätten sich immer
wieder Kräfte gefunden, die ernsthaft befürchteten, dass die Verabschiedung
entsprechender Gesetze die Türken beleidigen oder verärgern könnte. Aber
inzwischen hätten sich diese Befürchtungen gelegt – ausgerechnet jetzt, wo
die Türkei offensichtlich nicht daran denke, den Forderungen der EU
nachzukommen und zum Beispiel die Grenze zu Armenien zu öffnen. Außerdem
werde das armenische Angebot an die Türkei zur Zusammenarbeit – und zwar
ohne vorherige Bedingungen – ignoriert.

Die Türkei und Armenien sind zwar Nachbarstaaten, aber sie unterhalten keine
diplomatischen Beziehungen; die gemeinsame Grenze ist geschlossen.
Hauptgrund ist der Vorwurf, das Osmanische Reich als Vorläuferin der
modernen Türkei habe im Ersten Weltkrieg einen Völkermord an den
anatolischen Armeniern begangen. Mittlerweile haben 24 Staaten den Genozid
offiziell anerkannt, darunter Frankreich, Italien und die Niederlande. 1985
erschien der Begriff "Armenian genocide" in einem offiziellen Papier der
UNO. Die Türkei weist den Genozid-Vorwurf strikt zurück.

Aschot Gasasjan, Jerewan
DW-RADIO/Russisch, 6.12.2006, Fokus Ost-Südost

IN 2006 KARABAKH FORCES’ LOSSES IN THE CONFRONTATION ZONE REDUCED TO ZERO

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2006

December 6, in the course of a press conference held in the
zone adjacent to Azerbaijan, in the direction of Aghdam, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Minister Lt. – General Seyran Ohanian
estimated the situation along the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri Armed
Forces’ contact line as comparatively calm, DE FACTO own correspondent
in Stepanakert reports.

At the same time the Minister stated skirmish and sniper war was
being waged on the front line, noting, "the cease-fire was violated
by the enemy". "With a view to propaganda the Azeri party is trying
to charge us with the cease-fire’s violation; however, the competent
organizations and persons know what is really going on", Seyran
Ohanian underscored. The General said in 2006 the Karabakh forces’
losses in the confrontation zone were actually reduced to zero.

Speaking about the growth of Azerbaijan’s military budget, Seyran
Ohanian noted, "we are, undoubtedly, concerned over the fact; however,
we should make qualitative changes in our army to oppose them to
quantitative changes in the Azerbaijani army, that is to say, the
NKR Defense Army’s battle efficiency and flexibility should be raised".

Answering the question concerning the fact that the Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev repeatedly stated in case of a failure Baku would
resolve the Karabakh issue by force of arms, Seyran Ohanian stressed,
"I believe it is just propaganda, however, until the issue’s final
peaceful settlement is achieved, we should strengthen our defense
positions".

Touching on the possibility of return of the territories forming the
Nagorno-Karabakh’s security zone to Azerbaijan, he remarked, "if we
wish to resolve the issue, we should be ready for the compromises
being discussed at the talks".

Commenting on the DE FACTO Agency’s request the proposal made by
the GUAM countries to send their peacekeeping forces to the Karabakh
conflict zone, the Minister noted, "the peacekeeping contingent should
act under the OSCE aegis, as the process of the conflict settlement
proceeds within the frames of the organization, which the Minsk group
Co-Chairs have repeatedly stated".

TWO SUSPECTS OF GENOCIDE MONUMENT THEFT ARRESTED IN PARIS

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.12.2006 14:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two suspects were arrested for stealing the monument
to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in France. According to
investigators, conceivably the suspects had stolen the 300-kg bronze
monument with the portrayal of Armenian alphabet and fused it for
sale. The 29-year-old and 26-year-old two suspects were arrested in
a suburb of Paris after committing a theft of bronze pipes, RFL/RL
"Liberty" reports. The investigators do not believe that the motives of
theft can be political. The crime took place two days after the French
Parliament approved the bill, which supposes criminal punishment for
denial of the Armenian Genocide.

DIVISIONS OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ONCE AGAIN BROKE CEASEFIRE REGIME
Author: E.Javadova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Dec 6 2006

The divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces have, once again, broken
the ceasefire regime on the frontline, Trendreports with reference
to the Defense Minister of Azerbaijan.

On 5 December, from at 20:40 to 20:55, the divisions of the Armenian
Armed Forces, located in Chinari village of Barda district of
Azerbaijan, fired at the Azerbaijani Armed Forces located near the
villages of Kokhanebi, Hajihasanli and Agbulag of Tovus district,
with submachine guns and machine-guns.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces retaliated and no lives were lost.

BUDGETARY EXPENDITURES ON GOODS AND SERVICE PURCHASE INCREASE BY 13.6% IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006, 148.9 bln
drams (over 350 mln USD) was allocated from the RA state budget for
the purchase of goods and services, which made up 54.3% of the state
budget’s current expenditures. The annual program was fulfilled by
76.6%. According to the data of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy,
expenditures on purchase of goods and services increased by 13.6% on
the same period of 2005, which was mainly conditioned by an increase
in allocations for defence, education and health care.

In the first ten months of this year, capital expenditures made more
than 67.1 bln drams, which ensured the annual program’s execution by
74.4%. The state budget’s capital expenditures grew by 32.9% or 16.6
bln drams compared with January-October 2005, mainly conditioned by
an increase in allocations for road services, housing and communal
services and education. In the period under review, the crediting from
the state budget amounted to 13.9 bln drams, with most of the money –
about 13.7 bln drams being provided to the NKR. Loans of a total of
120.4 mln drams were given to repressed citizens for the purpose of
house construction. Out of the credits provided earlier, 810.2 mln
drams was repaid to the state budget, about 174.4 mln drams of which
was repaid by Georgia. As a result, the net crediting made 13.1 bln
drams, which ensured the execution of the annual program by 80.5%. The
net crediting from the state budget grew by 16.3% or over 1.8 bln
drams on the same period of last year, mainly due to an increase in the
interstate credit provided to the NKR from the 2006 state budget. In
January-October 2006, 7.2 bln drams was allocated for the servicing
of state debt, with the annual program being executed by 70%.

4.2 bln drams of this sum was allocated for servicing the domestic
debt, and 3 bln drams – for servicing the foreign debt. Expenditures on
state debt servicing decreased by 13% on the same months of 2005. This
year money was saved in connection with the decreased expenditures on
both domestic and foreign debts servicing as a result of less issue
of 6-month state bonds and the Armenian dram’a appreciation.

SHOEBOXES GIVE LASTING PLEASURE

Bath Chronicle, UK
December 5, 2006 Tuesday

More than 8,000 gift-filled shoe boxes are on their way to Eastern
Europe from Bath district which is a new record.

Once more, the generous people of Bath and the neighbouring towns
and villages in BA3, have donated a record number of gift-filled
shoe boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse project and Operation Christmas
Child. Some 5,700 boxes have been processed in Bath during the past
three weekends of November, packed into cartons and sent on their
way to needy children in Eastern Europe.

In addition, more than 2,300 shoe boxes have been taken directly to
the area warehouse in Melksham for processing and dispatch, making
an amazing total of more than 8,000.

The area shoe box appeal was launched in June at Bath Abbey by the
Mayor of Bath, Cllr Mrs Carol Paradise, and we are grateful for
her enthusiastic support which has been matched by so many people
throughout the city and beyond.

Most of our shoe boxes are already on their way in containers or
lorries to Armenia, Serbia and Ukraine, with the remainder expected
to go to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania very soon. Each of the boxes
will be hand-delivered to children in orphanages, hospitals or poor
communities, irrespective of faith or race.

Sincere thanks are due to everyone who filled a shoe box with such
care, or gave extra gifts, and to the many local knitters, who
throughout the year, have made hundreds of beautiful hats, mittens,
scarves and puppets to delight the children.

We have had great support from the staff of local shoe shops who have
saved shoe boxes for us and from the many churches and businesses
that have acted as drop-off points for the shoe boxes, around the
city and in Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Wellow.

In particular, we should like to thank Oldfield Park Methodist
Church, and St Luke’s Church in Bath, for providing the venues for
the processing weekends.

A team of 12 volunteer drivers have picked up shoe boxes throughout
our district and taken them to the processing centres, where over
the three weekends, nearly 100 volunteers have worked very hard,
but very happily, checking, taping and packing the 5,700 shoe boxes
– thank you all so much, it really has been a wonderful community
effort to show our love, care and concern for desperately poor,
sick, abandoned and lonely children far away, all of whom will soon
be thrilled to receive their presents. Many of the children will be
receiving presents for the very first time in their lives.

DAVID AND PAT DAWSON
Bath district coordinators
Operation Christmas Child
Bath

OSCE CIO: BREAKTHROUGH FELT IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.12.2006 15:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Although some progress had been made in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement, it would be unwise to expect a solution
in Brussels, said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister
Karel De Gucht on December 4 in Brussels at the two-day meeting of the
Council of the OSCE Foreign Ministers. Foreign ministers from the 56
OSCE participating States will focus on tackling protracted "frozen"
conflicts and further improving OSCE efficiency. Minister De Gucht
said Belgium had worked to redress the balance between the three
dimensions of security – politico-military, economic-environmental
and human. He also noted progress had been made on small arms and
light weapons, reports Trend news agency.

The meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers will
be held within the OSCE FMs’ sitting in Brussels.

ARMENIAN OFFICIAL RULES OUT FINAL STAGE IN TALKS WITHOUT KARABAKH’S INVOLVEMENT

Armenian Second TV Channel, Yerevan,
Nov 30 2006

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has denied that Armenia
and Azerbaijan are reaching a final stage in the Nagornyy Karabakh
peace talks.

In an interview with Armenian Second TV Channel on 30 November,
Oskanyan said: "It is hard to say that we are close to the final stage
of the conflict resolution since we haven’t agreed on and accepted
the main principles of the document."

Oskanyan added that "the problem will not be solved if Karabakh
does not participate in the talks and agree with the final stage of
negotiations. There are still the details that have not been discussed
and resolved yet".

He downplayed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s optimism about
the course of talks.

"First, he said that all disputed issues had already been agreed
upon. Later he said that both sides were getting closer in having
common views. I agree with the second statement. I can tell you
confidently that the first one is not true. There has not been
such an opportunity to reach a total agreement in the talks. Both
presidents had positive views on the meeting generally… It is
even hard to say that both sides had common views. So the process is
ahead of us. … The most important thing is that the talks were not
deadlocked," Oskanyan added.

Oskanyan said that the Nagornyy Karabakh people’s rights to
self-determination and the possibility of a referendum in Karabakh
were the cornerstones of the talks and that Aliyev’s statement
that negotiations were going within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity did not reflect the reality.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV PARTICIPATES IN 14TH MEETING OF OSCE FOREIGN MINISTERS’ COUNCIL

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 4 2006

Today, Brussels hosts the 14th annual meeting of OSCE Foreign
Ministers’ Council, APA reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov participates in the
meeting which will last for two days and problem of OSCE reforms
and Kazakhstan’s bid for the OSCE chairmanship will be discussed
in the meeting. It should be noted that, Kazakhstan’s chairmanship
was supported in the CIS Summit three years ago. Kazakhstan Embassy
in Azerbaijan told the APA that, at present, Kazakhstan President
Nursultan Nazarbayev is in official visit in Brussels. If Kazakhstan’s
chairmanship is supported, it will be the first country in CIS to
chair this Organisation. Within the meeting, Azerbaijani and Armenian
Foreign Ministers will meet with the participation of OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs. The meeting of the ministers was agreed at the meeting
of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan which took place in
Minsk on November 28.

It should be noted that, it is also planned to hold the meeting of the
GUAM Foreign Ministers. Protracted problems in GUAM territory will
also be discussed in the meeting. According the information spread
by Russia mass media Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will make
speech in the meeting. Russia doubts to adopt Russia declaration,
because the positions on frozen conflicts differ. Moscow considers that
if the document containing the main principles of regulation of frozen
conflicts in OSCE is adopted, it would help regulation processes.

SERGEY MARKEDONOV: "NAGORNO KARABAKH WILL NOT BE SETTLED IN 20-30 YEARS"

Today, Azerbaijan
Dec 2 2006

"No improvement was achieved on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict in Azerbaijan and Armenian Presidents’ meeting in Minsk,"
Russian political scientist Sergey Markedonov said.

He said that it is early to speak of any improvement, unless the
agreement is reached on Nagorno Karabakh status, the problem of
refugees and the restoration of economic relations between Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

"We can not wait for rapid solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

This process will not finish even in 20-30 years, because Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is a difficult problem," he said.

Sergey Markedonov considers that not only presidents but also
parliamentarians and NGO should participate in the talks held by the
mediation of OSCE Minsk Group, APA reports.

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