Author: Talar Tumanian

Turkish Press
May 12 2005
Will We Be Infected By The Croatian Syndrome?

BY SEMIH IDIZ
MILLIYET- European Union Ambassador to Croatia Jacques Wunenburger
said recently that the latest public opinion polls show that more
than half of the Croatian public doesn’t want to join the European
Union, something never before seen in a candidate country. The Ante
Gotovina issue lies at the heart of this situation. Gen. Gotovina is
wanted by The Hague’s War Crimes Tribunal for committing war crimes
against Serbians during the Balkan wars. However, the Croatian public
considers him a hero, so Zagreb hasn’t delivered him to the court. It
only claims to not know where he is. However, the tribunal even found
out that the government is paying a regular salary to him. In this
situation, Britain, France and Germany are preventing the European
Commission from starting membership negotiations with Zagreb. The
stance of such EU countries as Hungary and Austria favoring Croatia
is of no use. Most Croatians, who surrendered themselves to extreme
nationalism due to the Yugoslavian war, say in this situation that
they don’t want to join the EU.
A unilateral stance concerning the Armenian genocide claims, promises
about the Cyprus issue which weren’t kept, the Kurdish issue and now
PKK terrorist group leader Ocalan’s possible retrial… With all these
issues, could Turkey experience a similar syndrome? Considering the
opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) up-in-arms stance about
his retrial, we can say that Turkey might experience a Croatian
syndrome as well. So, would this be a gain or loss for Turkey? This
issue is first of all our problem not with the EU, but with the
Council of Europe, which we’ve been a member of for 50 years. In
other words, if Turkey decides to take a different road on this issue
due to its national sensitivities, first of all it would open its
place into the Council of Europe to discussion. In short, retreating
>From the council would be moving away from Europe. For Croatia, which
has always been a part of Europe’s general history and cultural,
religious and social structure, the same doesn’t hold. In other
words, Croatia can easily go back to Europe in the future. However,
for Turkey, whose `Islamic color’ is very clear in the political
sense and whose democratic development isn’t yet complete, it would
be more difficult.
Of course, as a nation, we might prefer this. Actually if a nation
most of which is unfamiliar with Europe culturally supports this
choice, then Turkey will have to determine its place in the world
again. This situation doesn’t necessarily have to be bad for most of
the population. However, the CHP, which has a tendency towards
demagoguery, or certain parts of society might not be pleased with
this. Therefore, if we are going to get infected by the Croatian
syndrome, we should carefully consider its meanings for Turkey very
well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 15:36:36 | 11-05-2005 | Politics |
ARMENIAN NATIONAL ARMY READY FOR WAR
The non-governmental organization `Armenian National Army’ is worried by the
latest military announcements in the Azerbaijani press. Considering that
Azerbaijan is carrying out anti-Armenian policy the non-governmental
organization `Armenian National Army’ announces that it is ready to stand by
the RA Ministry of Defense to defend the Armenian nation from enemies.
Today during the press conference Serge Ghazaryan, member of the `Armenian
National Army’ and president of the union `Struggle for Existence’ announced
that the `Armenian National Army’ is not a political structure and does not
cooperate with any party. According to him, on August 29, 1990, the
`Armenian National Army’ dissolved not under someone’s pressure but it did
it itself for the sake of the future of the Armenian Nation. `The `Armenian
National Army’ has left its golden traces in the Armenian history. It is one
of the unique structures the only aim of which is the security of the
Armenian nation’.
According to Aram Torgomyan, commander of the «Aramo» group, the `Armenian
National Army’ and about 30 other organizations are ready to fight in case
Azerbaijan starts war. He also informed that on May 25 the session of the
non-governmental organization `Armenian National Army’ will take place.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Messenger, Georgia
May 5 2005
TBILISI:
Saakashvili promises aid to Javakheti
President says no bases will replace the Russian base in Akhalkalaki
once it is withdrawn
By M. Alhazashvili
Russian soldiers shopping in a Akhalkalaki market in March 2005;
the Tbilisi government has promised new economic development after
the base is withdrawn
In meetings with Armenian legislators over the last week, President
Mikheil Saakashvili promised that Tbilisi will pay broad attention to
the economic needs of the Javakheti region and its district center,
Akhalkalaki, an area whose population is predominantly ethnic Armenian.
The need for economic development in Javakheti has long been neglected
and the current government has made this region a priority in its
request for aid from the U.S. Millennium Development program to
rebuild roads connecting Tbilisi and Akhalkalaki, a project for which
the government seeks around USD 120 million.
However during his meeting with Artur Baghdasarian, the speaker of the
National Assembly of Armenia, President Saakashvili stated there are
broader economic plans for the region. “We are not only planning to
fix the Tbilisi-Akhaltsikhe-Akhalkalaki road; we are going to restore
the internal roads of Akhalkalaki as well,” he said, as quoted by
Akhali Taoba.
According to the president, a plan has also been developed for the
social rehabilitation of local residents following the withdrawal of
the Russian military bases from Akhalkalaki.
“For those people who would like to serve in the Georgian armed forces
we will offer them the opportunity to work in military units located
nearby, as after the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from
Akhalkalaki no other military bases will be deployed there in their
place. Furthermore, we will offer social rehabilitation in several
spheres to those who do not want to work in the army,” Akhali Taoba
cites the president as saying.
Economic dependence on the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki is
the main reason why residents have protested against its withdrawal.
But during protests over the last three months, local residents
have also called for greater attention from the government and the
opening of more local branches of government offices that provide
citizen services.
Parliament is also paying serious attention to the economic development
program of Javakheti. MP Kote Gabashvili, head of the parliamentary
committee for foreign relations, states that after the withdrawal
of the Russian military base, it is a priority of the government
to find alternative jobs for local residents. The resolution that
Parliament adopted in February also obligates the government to find
alternative jobs.
According to MP Nika Rurua, chair of the parliamentary defense and
security committee, the program being designed for local residents
will involve the creation of alternative jobs. The newspaper Akhali
Taoba cites him as saying they will be given new jobs with nearly the
same salary that they were receiving from the Russian military base.
Agriculture is the other major economic activity in the region and
Kote Gabashvili reports that there are plans to promote the region’s
popular potato harvest. Already a key crop in the region, the potato
will be especially important this year as crops in Racha, another
major potato producer, have been heavily damaged in recent flooding.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Salt Lake Tribune, Utah
April 23 2005
Utah Armenians march to remember ancestors’ deaths
Genocide claim: Those at the gathering seek closure to what they call
slaughter by Turkish Ottoman Empire
By Jason Bergreen
The Salt Lake Tribune

Photo: Krikor Meguerditchian holds his two-year-old grandson, Garo,
Friday at a march to commemorate their Armenian ancestors’ killings.
(Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Two-year-old Garo Meguerditchian peeked over his grandfather’s
shoulder and shook a miniature Armenian flag Friday as the pair and
more than 20 others marched in Salt Lake City to commemorate the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Though the peaceful demonstration was small, four generations of
Armenians gathered outside the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building at
noon to remember the deaths of 1.5 million of their ancestors.
“We are trying to let people know and spread the word that our
fallen countrymen haven’t been forgotten,” said organizer Armen
Taroian.
Historically, Armenians have contended that Muslim Turks who ruled
the Ottoman Empire during its decline at the turn of the 20th century
subjected the Christian Armenian population to deportation,
starvation and massacre between 1915 and 1918. The genocide is
officially commemorated on April 24, when in 1915, 200 Armenian
community leaders were arrested in Constantinople and later killed.
Today’s Turkish government has refused to acknowledge the past
killings and commonly refers to the violence as a side reaction to
World War I.
Members of Friday’s march carried signs reading, “1915 never
again;” “We will never forgive, we will never forget;” “Take your
hands off our land;” and “Eastern Turkey is Western Armenia.”
Marcher Garene Bekearian said: “We need closure. It’s been 90
years and it’s not there yet.”
Utah Armenians, who come from

Lebanon, Iran, Syria and Armenia, also want their children to
embrace their heritage.
“I think every Armenian wishes their grandchildren to know they
are Armenian,” Krikor Meguerditchian, said smiling at Garo. “We are
trying to keep our language. That is number one.”
Krikor was born in Lebanon and moved to Salt Lake City in 1979.
“Half my life is over there and half is over here,” he said,
smiling again and returning to the march.
Armenians also would like the world community to acknowledge and
denounce the genocide and have the United States proclaim April 24 as
an official day of remembrance, Taroian said.
The 2000 U.S. Census lists 2,024 Utahns of Armenian ancestry and
359 of Turkish ancestry.
“We want to normalize relations,” Taroian said. “We all know
Turkish people here and if our characters match, we are friends.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Minorities in Iraq want rights enshrined in new constitution
KurdishMedia, UK
April 21 2005
21/04/2005 IrinNews
BAGHDAD, 20 Apr 2005 (IRIN) – Iraqi NGOs, representing minority ethnic
groups in the country, held a two-day conference in the capital
Baghdad this week to ensure that their rights are enshrined in the
new constitution being drafted by the transitional government.
“Through this conference, we have tried to highlight the fact that
Iraqi minorities have the right to be involved in the preparation
and writing of the new constitution to ensure our rights are the same
as other groups such as the Muslims and Christians,” director of the
Iraqi Commission for Civil Society Enterprises (CCSE), Basel al-Azawi,
told IRIN in Baghdad.
The event, organised by the CCSE, came to an end on Tuesday. It
resulted in the formation of a committee which will liaise with the
new government to ensure that minority rights are genuinely protected
under the new constitution.
“Promises of participating in the new government were given from
the bigger parties like the Shi’ite Iraqi Alliance, but nothing has
been done so far and we are afraid that we will lose our rights when
they write the constitution,” a member of the Mandaean Democracy
Congregation (MDC), working to protect the rights of the Mandaean
community, Sameea Dawood Salman, told IRIN.
Iraq consists of a number of ethnic and religious groups. According
to the US State Department, 97 percent of a population of 22 million
people are Muslim.
Shi’ite Muslims, predominantly Arab, although some come from Turkomen,
Kurdish and other ethnic origins, constitute 60 percent of the
population. Sunni Muslims make up 37 percent and the remainder are
Christians, comprised of Assyrians, Chaldeans, Roman Catholics and
Armenians.
There are also a small number of Jews, Mandaeans, who follow the
teachings of John the Baptist and Yazidis, who follow a mixture of
religions. It is these smaller groups, particularly the latter two
and the Assyrians, which are voicing their concerns.
The Yazidis live near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, with smaller
communities in Syria, Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Armenia, and are
estimated to number 500,000. The Mandaeans are smaller in number at
some 100,000 and live mainly in southern Iraq, according to members
of both groups.
Under the former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, who ruthlessly promoted
his Sunni brethren, a campaign of persecution against religious
leaders and followers of the majority Shi’ites was carried out, as
well as no acknowledgement of Assyrian, Chaldean and Yazidi groups,
according to human rights observers.
In addition, the minority groups were not allowed to participate in
elections with their own independent parties.
Following the fall of Saddam’s regime in 2003 and the 30 January
election, minority religious groups want to make sure that there will
be no more discrimination against them.
“The people from minorities who have been neglected after the [30
January] elections are some of the oldest residents in Iraq,” Santa
Mikhail, a member of the Assyrian Women’s Union (AWU), told IRIN.
“We want to have a clear vision through the media and through the
people who believe in our rights as Iraqi citizens and [we want] civil
society foundations that care about minority rights,” al-Azawi added.
Some 12 local NGOs, and many university professors and researchers
participated in the event. “We are part of Iraqi society, we had
original roots and civilisations on this land, but we are afraid that
the winners in the parliament will forget or ignore us,” director
of the Iraqi centre for interlocutions and religion NGO, Khezhal
al-Khalidy, told IRIN.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

«EURO-2008» WITH A NEW FORMAT
A1plus
| 17:59:49 | 20-04-2005 | Sports |
During the following UEFA Congress the Executive Committee has decided
upon the new order of organizong the Euro-2008 according to which in
the preliminary phase the teams will be divided into 7 groups the
first two places of which will automatically pass on to the final
pahse. The organisers – Austria and Sqitzerland will joint this 14
teams. The preliminary phase in which Armenia will also participate
will start in 2006 Fall.
Beofre this decision only the winner of the group had the right to
pass on to the final phase, and the teams taking the second place
met in the play-off.
–Boundary_(ID_rHm6wZar2qgU5xKyWUPWhQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today, Azerbaijan
April 14 2005
If the war starts, 7 percent of the citizens of Armenia will leave
the country

14 April 2005 [14:37] – Today.Az

Armenian Center of Strategic and National Researches held a poll to
study the reaction of the population to the possibility of war to
break out.
In the poll held in Yerevan and in all other
administrative-territorial units of the country 1900 respondents took
part. It became evident that in case if the war breaks out
a) 25% of the population will take part in the war;
b) 42% will do this or that kind of work for the purpose of help;
c) 25% will make financial aid;
d) 8% will not take part in the war in any form;
e) 7% will leave the territories of republic;
f) 17% hasn’t yet determined their positions.
21% of respondents consider that, Azerbaijan will start the war
against Armenian and “Nagorno Karabakh Republic”; 35% consider that,
Azerbaijan will not start the war; 45% had difficulties in
responding.
Only 25% of respondents believe Nagorno Karabakh problem to be
regulated in peace in the nearest 5 years, 29% do not believe it to
happen, almost half of the Armenians taking part in the poll couldn’t
respond this question. Experts asked the respondents to enumerate the
factors preventing the regulation of the problem.
a) 37% of respondents answered as “the reason for that is the weak
diplomacy and propaganda of Armenia”,
b) 26% “problems are of difficult character”,
c) 24% “Azerbaijan do not compromise”,
d) 19% “policy held by the USA”,
e) 5% “Armenia does not go to compromises”.
46% of respondents consider that, after the regulation of the
conflict “Nagorno Karbakh Republic” will gain the independence. 38%
Armenians consider that this territory will be joined to Armenia, but
3% consider that it will remain in the content of Azerbaijan.
It is interesting that, 50% of respondents consider possible
returning Lachin. Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Zengilan, Gubadli and
Jabrayil back to Azerbaijan, but 38% of respondents were against it.
The next question of the poll was about the subjects of the process
of talks. 72% of Armenians considered necessary the participation of
separatist regime activating in occupied lands in the talks together
with Azerbaijan and Armenia. 15% of respondents think that the talks
should be held between “NKR” and Azerbaijan, 7% between Azerbaijan
and Armenia. 60% of respondents consider that, the main role in the
regulation of the conflict is after the European Union. 19% of
respondents stated this role to be after OSCE, and 14% after UNO.
Research center held the poll among 60 experts for finding out their
attitudes to analogical problem. Experts were addressed with 23
questions; some of them chose 2 answers at the same time. According
to the results of expert poll, in case if the war breaks out
a) 39% of experts will participate in the military operations;
b) 98% are ready to fulfill the works of this or that kind in order
to help the front;
c) 38% will make financial aid to the front.
/APA/
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Saakashvili Comments on the Armenian President’s Visit
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi
2005-04-04 12:11:12
In an interview with the Rustavi 2 television network on April 3,
President Saakashvili said that there was nothing surprising in
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s unplanned visit to Georgia on
April 1-2.
“When there are some issues that need to be discussed, or even if there
are not any, we can visit each other without any prior notifications
and meet and have a talk. We will always have something to talk about
with our neighbors, including Armenia and Azerbaijan. Because, we
are inter-linked, inter-dependent, there are many mutual problems,
so you would be a fool to reject these contacts,”
Saakashvili denied speculations that Robert Kocharyan arrived
in Tbilisi at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Armenia is an independent state and a well-disposed country towards
Georgia,” Saakashvili said.
–Boundary_(ID_bR5ZBR68LpDa0PHSRUZTcw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kazakhstan eyes share of Georgian gas pipelines
ASTANA, March 31 (Reuters) – Kazakh firms should get part ownership of
Georgia’s gas pipelines in return for supplying gas, President
Nursultan Nazarbayev said on Thursday, one day after Kazakhstan
muscled in on a huge international oil project.
Nazarbayev was hosting Georgia’s President Mikhail Saakashvili on his
first visit to the energy-rich Central Asian state, which lies across
the Caspian Sea from Georgia.
Saakashvili told a joint news conference that Georgia’s energy needs
would double when new power stations, now under construction, came on
stream. “Kazakh gas could come to Georgia,” Nazarbayev said. “Kazakh
gas suppliers would need to get a large share of control over the
pipeline system in Georgia.”
Saakashvili did not comment on the suggestion and neither president
explained how Kazakh gas would get to Georgia, which relies on
supplies from giant neighbour Russia, where pipelines are controlled
by gas monopoly Gazprom.
Gazprom also wants to own the pipelines, which it uses to supply gas
to Georgia and Armenia.
But the United States, where Saakashvili has close ties, is against a
Gazprom buyout, fearing the monopoly power of the world’s biggest gas
firm in the tiny Georgian market.
Georgia is also the route for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, along which a
BP-led consortium is due to start pumping oil later this year,
including crude produced in the Caspian.
BP and Norway’s Statoil also plan to build a gas pipeline from
Azerbaijan to central Turkey via Georgia later this decade, which will
run parallel to Baku-Ceyhan.
Despite its fabulous energy wealth, Kazakhstan faces the problem of
getting its oil and gas to distant markets.
An ENI-led international consortium has a 40-year production sharing
agreement to develop Kazakhstan’s offshore Kashagan oilfield, which is
due to start pumping oil in 2008.
After trying for months to get into the project, Kazakhstan agreed the
purchase of half of BG’s $1.8 billion, 16.67 percent stake in the
giant field.
Kazakhstan has also proposed selling gas to China, and is studying the
possibility of building a pipeline eastwards.
03/31/05 09:03 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 18:14:45 | 29-03-2005 | Politics |
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES REPORT ON US SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Armenia
The Government’s human rights record remained poor; although there were
some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained.
The president, who is directly elected, has extensive powers that are
not checked by the legislature or judiciary. Recent elections v
including the controversial 2003 presidential election v have not met
international standards. There were some limits on freedom of assembly,
the media and religious freedom.
However, in a positive step toward religious freedom, the Government
registered the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Judges remained subject to pressure
from the executive branch and corruption was a problem. Some members of
the security forces committed a number of human rights abuses. Security
forces beat pretrial detainees, and impunity remained a problem. There
were instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. In April, police
used excessive force to disperse an opposition rally, detained
opposition politicians and raided opposition party offices. The
Government’s assistance with the creation of a civilian prison
monitoring board and decision to permit independent monitoring of prison
conditions were positive developments. While the Government took steps
to limit trafficking in persons, violence against women and trafficking
of women and children remained problems. The U.S. human rights and
democracy strategy focused on the promotion of democratic institutions
and processes, the development of a vibrant civil society, fundamental
freedoms, rule of law, human rights and anti-trafficking measures.
United States officials regularly met with Armenian government
officials, parliamentary opposition leaders, religious minorities and
human rights activists regarding these issues. In 2004, the United
States sent two high-level State Department officials to Armenia who
engaged leaders on a variety of human rights issues. United States
officials raised human rights concerns during all high-level encounters
with Armenian officials, including during the meetings of the
U.S.-Armenia Task Force in May and October. The Embassy hosted numerous
representational events and roundtables during the year to raise
awareness and encourage dialogue in support of these objectives.
To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States
supported programs designed to strengthen the separation of powers.
Toward that end, the United States funded programs in Armenia to augment
the national legislative abilities to respond to citizen concerns. The
Armenian National Assembly provided its members with information they
previously lacked, such as drafts of past legislation and
non-governmental organization (NGO) literature. The United States helped
the National Assembly’s Control Chamber to improve legislative oversight
of the national budget and helped the Government improve the published
budget. The United States helped Armenian citizens access information on
pending legislation. With U.S. support and encouragement, the National
Assembly improved its transparency by holding committee hearings,
publishing draft laws in newspaper inserts and developing a tracking
system for citizen inquiries and communications. The program also
provided citizens with information about the National Assembly through
the creation of a website and publication and dissemination of draft
legislation.
The United States targeted its assistance to expand civic participation,
strengthen institutions of governance, and empower citizens to hold
government accountable by encouraging laws and policies needed to create
a democratic governance framework in Armenia. United States-funded
programs helped local governments improve internal management systems,
implement transition reforms, strengthen oversight and fiscal
responsibilities and increase public accessibility and accountability.
With U.S. help, more than 13,000 people participated in 240 town hall
meetings to discuss citizen concerns with community leaders. In more
than 660 dialogue groups held around the country, citizens discussed the
law on the legal status of property, community schools, privatization,
community development and apartment building administration, among other
issues. The impact of these programs was reflected in the concrete
actions taken by initiative groups that formed as a result of the
dialogues. Successful efforts included renovation of a local state
college and establishment of a library fund for the college,
legalization of supplementary constructions by building residents and
improvements in the sanitary situation in communities. Through these
programs, citizens created tangible improvements in their communities by
engaging in democratic processes at the local level.
To promote the development of a vibrant civil society, the United States
gave grants and technical assistance to advocacy NGOs and continued to
foster citizen participation at the grassroots level. The United States
supported public awareness campaigns, including campaigns to address the
societal costs of corruption and the shared responsibility for combating
it. The United States also launched a program to strengthen Armenian
NGOs through 82 grants in various sectors. This program has demonstrated
success as citizen advocacy programs deepen and broaden, and according
to USAID’s NGO Sustainability Index, NGOs in Armenia have significantly
increased their self-sustainable capacity.
The United States also provided 38 small grants in 2004 to NGOs and
independent media outlets that work to strengthen democratic
institutions and promote civil society in Armenia. These embassy-based
“Democracy Commission Small Grants” addressed issues such as citizens’
use of the newly passed Law on Freedom of Information, patients’ rights,
environmental education, the promotion of volunteerism, media literacy
and the integration of disabled youth into society. Following the
Government’s excessive reaction to peaceful opposition protests, the
Department of State issued a Statement in April which observed that
“Physical assaults, raids on political party offices and widespread
arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not
contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue.”
The United States also sponsored international visitors to observe
political parties in action during the U.S. elections.
To promote freedom of the media, the United States provided equipment
and technical assistance to increase journalists’ level of
professionalism and objectivity. A U.S-funded International Visitors
Program on media ethics introduced Armenian journalists to democratic
media practices in the United States.
To promote the rule of law, the United States continued to engage with
the Armenian Ministry of Justice and legal institutions. With the
assistance of a U.S.-funded NGO, the Government enacted legislation
creating a bar association for defense lawyers. Human rights advocates
believe that the new association will increase the legal defense of
human rights by improving the training and organization of defense lawyers.
Senior U.S. officials consistently engaged government officials on the
rights of women, children, minorities and the disabled. In 2004, the
United States began a Children’s Tolerance Education Program in
elementary schools and closely monitored and engaged the Government on
issues of intolerance.
United States officials urged greater respect for religious freedom. As
a direct result of international engagement, the Government of Armenia
legally registered Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses and enacted new laws to
allow conscientious objectors an alternative to mandatory military service.
The United States increased its assistance to anti-trafficking efforts
in Armenia, aiding the Government, local NGOs and international
organizations in their efforts. With U.S. assistance, the Government
began training consular officers to recognize and assist potential
victims of trafficking, and the United States invested in informational
and child-protective prevention efforts. The United States established
programs to research trends in trafficking and assisted in the creation
of anti-trafficking legislation. The United States continued to engage
the Government diplomatically on trafficking issues. The United States
also significantly assisted NGOs in creating, maintaining and
publicizing victim assistance programs nationwide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress