Author: Talar Tumanian

Azeri defence minister offers military cooperation to Belgium
Bilik Dunyasi news agency
22 Nov 04
Baku, 22 November: “Armenia, which has occupied part of Azerbaijan’s
territory, has violated the provisions of NATO’s Partnership for Peace
programme and it is necessary to discuss this issue at the alliance,”
Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev has told a meeting with the
chief of the General [Defence] Staff of Belgium, Gen August Van Daele.
“By entering NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme, Armenia assumed
the responsibility not to make territorial claims to neighbouring
countries. I think it is time to discuss this issue at NATO,”
Abiyev noted.
Armenia’s destructive position on the resolution of the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem and the passivity of the OSCE Minsk Group were also
discussed during the meeting.
Agreeing to Abiyev’s opinion, Van Daele said that it was necessary
to increase the activity of the European Union in the settlement of
the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.
The parties also exchanged views on the conformity of the Azerbaijani
armed forces to NATO standards.
“Azerbaijan’s objective is to comply with these standards as much as
possible,” Abiyev said, coming up with an initiative to sign a treaty
on military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belgium.
Gen Van Daele said that the leadership of his country would be
immediately informed of this initiative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CENN – NOVEMBER 5, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Forest Reforms Seek to Curtail Catastrophe
2. The Man Behind the Oil
3. BTC/SCP and `Mercy Corps’ have brought the villages back to life
4. Russia and Armenia to create railway company
5. Conflicting reports on Armenia’s chemical giant
6. Armenian Energy Minister Expected to Visit Baku
7. Home Made Vinegar proves Effective in Controlling Weeds
8. Opening of Direct Railway Communication Between Armenia and Russia in
Economic Interests of Russia
9. Armenia to Expand and Improve International Youth Cooperation
10. There are Some 8-12 Caucasian Leopards in Armenia: Data of Zoologist
12. EIA Report of the “Draft Project of the Algeti Hydropower Station in
Tetritskaro Region’ by the `Lampari’ Ltd
1. FOREST REFORMS SEEK TO CURTAIL CATASTROPHE
Source: The Messenger, November 4, 2004
The Georgian Forestry Department together with the Ministry of
Environmental Protection and Natural Recourses has drafted a new
legislative reform for managing Georgia’s forests. According to
specialists, the main points of the reform should be urgently passed or
else an ecological catastrophe will become unavoidable.
Although rich with forests, Georgia has seen its trees viscously
harvested over the last 15 years with little attention towards
reforestation or management of natural resources. And despite frequent
discussions of the issue, little has been done to improve the sector.
Local residents cut trees for firewood and to sell to neighbors; larger
regional clans have taken root that illegally log and sell timber abroad
for tremendous profits, especially since they pay virtually nothing for
the wood. For example the newspaper Rezonansi cites that in the resort
town of Bakuriani, every day about 50 loaded vehicles carry an average
of 12 cubic meters of timber each from local forests.
According to the law, foresters and law enforcement are responsible for
stopping the illegal logging, but limited resources make their mission
unachievable. Each state forester is responsible for 1,200 hectares but
receives a salary of as little as GEL 20 per month. As a result,
corruption has flourished and illegal logging has become a mainstay for
numerous individuals at the expense of the state budget and Georgia’s
timber resources.
“If radical changes are not introduced then the fight against illegal
cutting will become similar to [Don Quixote’s] fight against the
wind-mills,” the newspaper Akhali Taoba quoted the head of the Forestry
Department Bidzina Giorgobiani as saying.
The forest industry as a business has lost most of its aboveboard
presence, largely as a result of the lack of an effective national
forestry policy. Ideally, the forest management should be financed by
the proper use of its resources, and state income should be reinvested
in the forests via replanting.
One proposed solution foreseen in the new draft law is privatization.
However the head of the Forestry Department has stated that before laws
are passed, it would be inappropriate to comment on the issue. According
to Giorgobiani, it will be very beneficial if the forests are leased out
and the government introduces the principle of long-term use of forests.
According to the paper 24 Saati, the aim of forestry reform is to
develop such a plan, to solve the problems of environment protection, to
increase budget revenues, to support private industry and to establish
new technologies in the sector. The paper adds that the draft borrows
from the experience of developed countries like Australia, which
implemented reforms in 1996, as well as Finland, Estonia, Switzerland
and Slovenia. How Georgia will manage the reforms, and its forests,
remains to be seen.
2. THE MAN BEHIND THE OIL
Source: The Messenger, November 4, 2004
With the BTC pipeline nearing completion a group of Georgian journalists
including The Messenger’s Christina Tashkevich spent last week in the UK
to see how BP that leads the BTC construction operates in its home
country. They met with BP Chief Executive Lord John Browne to discuss
the pipeline, the recent surge in the price of oil, and Browne’ s
impressions of Tbilisi from his various visits.
Lord Browne states that the one million barrels of oil pre day that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline will carry when finished `will be crucial
for the maintenance of global energy security.’ He also points to the
`environmental benefits’ of the pipeline, saying that it will displace
`some 40 tankers a year which would otherwise sail through the
Bosphorus.’
Before such benefits can be realized, however, there are still many
challenges to be overcome. The BP chief executive says the main
challenge has not been so much related to construction or complex and
difficult terrain.
`Finishing the project on time and on budget has required the project
leaders to develop all the skills of statecraft,’ Lord Browne said in a
recent speech.
However, Browne positively evaluated the company’s relations with the
new government of Georgia, saying his company is building `realistic and
good’ relations with the new government.
Browne says that BP is constantly working with the government on the
security of the pipeline and these measures are `already in place.’ He
adds that the company continues to have consultations with the
government on its oil spill response plan. `This spill will not happen.
But you must have a plan,’ Lord Browne told the Georgian journalists.
Asked how BP can help the governments of the three countries to manage
revenues from the BTC pipeline, Lord Browne told The Messenger `the
company will help governments to demonstrate how they use these
revenues.’
The BP Chief Executive believes there are a few sectors that could be
prioritized when the government allocates the recourses. He singles out
the education sector, the creation of an `environment where people can
create their own business,’ and social projects such as the restoration
of hospitals.
Lord Browne also shared his impressions of his several visits to
Georgia. He recalled his first visit to Tbilisi a few years ago when the
country was hit by the energy crisis. `Tbilisi looked like a person who
was tires,’ he said adding though that he was always surprised by the
Georgian people’s generosity, especially given Georgia’s problems.
However, a more recent visit brought very different impressions. `Now
Tbilisi has become younger, fresher and brighter,’ Lord Browne thinks.
While the group of Georgian journalists were in the UK, two issues
involving BP were headline news – BP’s third quarter profits and the
recent surge in the price of oil Lord Browne addressed journalists from
the UK on both these issues.
BP announced what Browne described as `very strong’ results for the
third quarter, with operating profits up to USD 3.9 billion, an increase
of 43 percent over the same period last year. The dividends of the
company paid in USD dollars are up 9 percent from last year and the
company’s cash flow equaled USD 6.1 billion that as used or capital
expenditure, dividends ands tock buybacks of USD 2.2.5 billion involving
241 million shares.
One issue Lord Browne had to address as well was the recent increase in
the oil price. `The recent surge in the price of oil above USD 50 a
barrel raised many questions about future prospects and whether or not
there has been some fundamental change in the oil market,’ said Lord
Browne.
According to him, this year has been `an exceptional year’ for the price
of oil. Lord Browne recalls that in the late 90s and early 2000s oil
consumption growth was only half that of world economic growth.
`This year is an exception and oil consumption is expected to grow
almost as fast as the economy as a whole — by around 3.4 percent
compared with 4 percent GDP growth,’ he explains. Lord Browne thinks
that the most important factor behind this is the demand for energy
intensive products in China is particular.
`Oil production has responded to this demand, and despite disruptions in
one location or another, supplies have been maintained. Production grew
by 2.7 million barrels a day in 2003 and is expected to grow by 3.4
million barrels a day in 2004 – which will be the fourth largest annual
rise in history,` Lord Browne said.
OPEC production of oil is `close to an all time high,’ and Lord Browne
notes that `non OPEC oil production continuities to expand as well.’
`Between 2000 and 3000, non OPEC daily production increased by around
one million barrels each year and this outpaced the growth in demand by
around 100, 000 barrels a day each year.’
Lord Browne says then, that the surge in oil price has been despite this
large rise in oil supply. `To some degree this is because the rapid
recent rise in demand has eaten into global spare oil production
capacity, now estimated to be 1 million barrels a day, compared with a
average over the last decade of 3 million barrels day,’ he explains. As
spare capacity has reduced, `prices have responded to and in a more
sensitive way.’
Lord Browne thinks that the prices are likely to stay above USD 30 a
barrel in medium term as demand for crude oil continues to grow.
Lord Browne estimates that capital expenditure of the BP group will be
above USD 14 billion in 2004 ad could be around USD 14 billion in 2005.
`That is higher that we previously estimated,’ he said.
He mentions some new projects of the company in the sector. For example,
BP and the Russian Rosneft have made a significant discovery at
Sakhalin, `This opens p further exploration promise in this area.’
Despite these new projects, UK newspapers noted that BP investment had
increased at only a fraction of the rate that its profits have risen,
and this provoked some criticism.
Jeremy Warner of the Independent wrote, `Many companies faced with such
a strong price for their basic product would let rip on investment in an
attempt to exploit it. BP is resisting the temptation.’ He warned, `If
demand for oil continues to accelerate, than the Browne strategy will be
open to criticism.’
The Sun, however, defended Browne in an implicit attack on the British
government’s tax regime. `Never forget that 75% of the cost fro a tank
of petrol goes to the government. And the more profit BP makes, the more
tax it pays, `the paper suggested.
Lord Browne, however, is optimistic regarding BP’s performance over the
rest of the year. `It has been a good quarter leading to strong
distributions to shareholders and with prospects of more good
performance for the rest of this year,’ Lord Browne said. He also adds
plans for 2005 are in line with the company’s strategy.
3. BTC/SCP AND `MERCY CORPS’ HAVE BROUGHT THE VILLAGES BACK TO LIFE
Source: The Messenger, November 4, 2004
Our reader already know about the Community Investment Program (CIP) –
East implemented by Mercy Corps is partnership with Constanta
Foundation, Technical Assistance in Georgia, Curatio International
Foundation and Elkana and funded and supported by BP and its partners in
BTC/SCP pipelines and the target of this program was improving of all
the social service infrastructure and livelihood options in all
communications in the CIP intervention area. Mobilized communities in
rural areas implemented projects that improve local infrastructure,
promote access to social serves and strengthen community organization
skills.
Inhabitants of village Akhtagla, Gardabani district, lived with lot of
difficulties that are characterized for rural area in Georgia – people
were villages because of lack of economic opportunities and lot of
social problems here. One of the main problem in village was school
rehabilitation. School was build with stone in 1970. During that period
the structure was the largest building in village. The school was and
still is the focal point of many of communications events. It was badly
in need of repair and had not seen much in the way of improvements for
the better part of twenty years Children in Akhtagla were not able to
attend school regularly: during rainy water was leaking into the
classrooms and they wee freezing in winter
`Local authorities did not have make any repairs’ – explained Mr.
Seifadin Guseinov, inhabitant of Akhtagla, the leader of local community
initiative group, `But that has all changed thanks to the help we have
received from the pipeline projects. Through mobilization process leaded
by Mercy Corps and Akhtagla community and with BTC/SCP funds, community
was able to debilitate the school. The village celebrated this event’ –
and had no hesitation in saying. – BTC/SCP and `Mercy Corps’ have
brought our village back to life.’
Construction of pipeline saves the village from the serious problems
Within the framework of the Community Investment Program -East initiated
and funded by BP and its partners in BTC/SCP projects Mercy Corps and
its partner organizations have been implanting various activities for
the communities along the pipeline route with the aim of mobilizing and
empowering them. Mobilzed communities in rural areas implemented
projects to improve local infrastructure, promote access to social
services and strengthen community organization skills.
For villages of Tetri-Tskaro district – Marabda, Durnuki, Khaishi,
Tsintskaro, Chivchavi, Kosolari, located along BTC/SCP pipeline,
agriculture is the only source of income `Major problems related to
agricultural development is lack of high quality seed,’ – said head of
local Sakrebuli Guladi Umpriani. `High quality seed distributed by Mercy
Corps has addressed our need and we consider this as important activity.
Yield is expected to increase by three times and when sold next year
will result in added profit to the farms’ – he further added.
4. RUSSIA AND ARMENIA TO CREATE RAILWAY COMPANY
Source: RBC, Novebmer 3, 2004
In the course of today’s working meeting in the Armenian capital of
Yerevan, Russian Railways President Gennady Fadeyev and Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian signed letters of intent to create a joint
company using attracted private capital. The company will deal with
cargo transportation between Armenia and Russia, the press service of
Russian Railways reported.
According to Fadeyev, this project will stabilize the transportation
system in the Caucasus. In his turn, Margarian pointed out that Armenia
was interested in participating in the project concerning the
north-south transportation corridor and in widening cooperation with
Russia.
5. CONFLICTING REPORTS ON ARMENIA’S CHEMICAL GIANT
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan, November 2, 2004
One can hardly think of a plant’s obituary being announced.
This is precisely what the director-general of the Armenian power
network, Yevgeniy Gladunchik, did yesterday [1 November].
“We are very much worried about what is taking place with [Armenia’s
chemical giant] Nairit today. I am afraid I won’t even be able to name
the owner of Nairit. Its last owner [Russian] Volgaburmash has abandoned
Nairit. In other words, today Nairit has no owner. It is being provided
with power, we have to supply the power to protect the environment. The
plant has not been operating since August. The promise made by the
previous owner was a bluff. We did everything we could for Nairit to
function. All in vain. Nairit is not working. Today an order was given
to disconnect Nairit. The plant is dead, unfortunately. This is a great
loss to us,” Mr Gladunchik told a press conference yesterday.
But did Nairit really die? It is clear that the report was a little bit
exaggerated. “The statement that Volgaburmash rejected the Nairit shares
does not correspond to reality,” the leader of the “Haykapbank”, Arutyun
Mesropyan, said. This bank is connected with Nairit in so many ways that
both have became the property of Volgaburmush. According to Mesropyan,
they did not receive any official statements from Volgaburmush that it
is no longer interested in Nairit. “Moreover, talks are under way,”
Mesropyan said, but he did not divulge any details of the talks or named
the parties involved. As to the statement that Nairit has not been
functioning since August, Mesropyan said the plant can resume work any
moment now, but he did not explain why it does not do so.
Yesterday Gladunchik said that Nairit is now the biggest debtor to the
Armenian energy network. It owes about 800m Armenian drams or more than
1.5m US dollars. That is why the director of the Armenian energy network
read out the obituary about Nairit.
6. ARMENIAN ENERGY MINISTER EXPECTED TO VISIT BAKU
Source: Assa Irada, November 3, 2004
An international conference with participation of Caspian and Black Sea
countries’ ministers for energy and transport will be held in Baku on
November 12-14, according to the Ministry of Transport.
A meeting of energy ministers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran,
Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and
Uzbekistan will be held on November 12 and 13. The Armenian energy
minister is expected to attend the meeting as well.
Another meeting to be attended by transport ministers from Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Russia, Romania, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine and
Uzbekistan will be held on November 13 and 14.
Prospects for cooperation among regional countries will be discussed in
both meetings.
7. HOME-MADE VINEGAR PROVES EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING WEEDS
Source: ArmenPress, November 3, 2004
The Marketing Assistant Project (MAP), administered by the US Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Yerevan office, said two groups of fresh herb
growers recently participated in an experiment that has profound
implications for improving crop management.
They sprayed their own commonly made household vinegar (acidic acid) on
weeds in their plots of tarragon and within one hour saw dramatic
results: the weeds that they normally must remove by hand hoeing every
10 days were rapidly dying.
“The results are simply dramatic” was the reaction of Alvard Tovmasyan
and the 10 women of Nalbandian Village who witnessed the demonstration.
The participants in Mrgashat Village echoed the same reaction. Four
concentrations of vinegar were demonstrated: 6%, 10 %, 15%, and 20%.
Dr. Sergey Yeritsyan of the Armenian Agricultural Academy (AAA)
carefully prepared them. Growers under the supervision of Dr. Hrant
Terlemezyan did the actual spraying. Nuneh Sarukhanyan of Agrogitaspir
served as extension leader for the project.
According to Sarukhanyan, the random plot findings showed that vinegar
concentrations of 15% and 20% had the most immediate effect on weeds.
However, spray drift caused slight damage to the tarragon. The 10% and
homemade 6% concentrated vinegar worked slower and also proved
effective, however they caused no damage to the tarragon crop.
The idea for the demonstration came from Paul Sommers and Felix
Vardarian of USDA/MAP. “The idea was to validate research conducted by
the USDA National Research Center at Beltsville under Armenian
conditions,” said Mr. Sommers.” Vinegar is bio-safe, low cost, and is
traditionally made by farm families. This successful exercise has great
implications for reducing one of the most labor demanding and costly
aspects of growing quality crops-weeds.
8. OPENING OF DIRECT RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA IN
ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF RUSSIA
Source: ARKA, November 3, 2004
Opening of direct railway communication between Armenia and Russia in
economic interests of Russia, as Gennadi Fadeev, President of Russian
Railways said during his meeting with
Armenian PM Andarnik MArgarian, Armenian Government Public and Press
Relations Department reports. He said that during his visit to Yerevan
he plans signing a joint statement with Ararat Khrimyan, Head of
Armenian Railways on establishing of a joint Russian-Armenian cargo
operating company. They also reached agreement on establishing a working
group that will be in charge of financial, economic and other issues.
Later in Fadeev’s words there will be prepared a document on cooperation
in the field of cooperation in sphere of railway communication between
Armenia and Russia.
In his words, Margarian said that stimulation of railway communications
is an important factor in development of trade and economy and
increasing of cargo transportations between Armenia and Russia.
The sides mentioned important role of re-operation of transport
communication in establishing peace in the region and settlement of
regional conflicts.
9. ARMENIA TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COOPERATION
Source: ARKA, November 3, 2004
The RA Government confirms its wish to expand and improve international
youth cooperation, as stated Andranik Margaryan, the RA Prime Minister,
in his message to the participants of the 12th meeting of Council of
Heads of CIS State Institutions for Youth Affairs, which was read by
Lilit Asatryan, the RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs. The
message also says that Armenia is ready to develop cooperation taking
into account the increasing role of youth on the contemporary stage of
society and state development in general. At that, the cooperation
should be based on principles of equality, through extended contacts
between government bodies and NGOs, which carry out and assist the
implementation of state youth policy. `I believe that cooperation in the
sphere of youth is called to promote the strengthening of mutual
understanding and friendship between peoples and establishment of
all-human values ‘, the message states.
As a significant achievement of the Council of Heads of CIS State
Institutions for Youth Affairs, the Prime Minister mentioned the draft
of Agreement of CIS member-countries on cooperation in the area of work
with the youth and project on establishment of inter-branch council on
youth affairs of states-participants of CIS, prepared for approval by
the Council of Presidents of CIS countries.
12th meeting of the International Council of Heads of CIS State
Institutions for Youth Affairs opened today in Yerevan. Delegations from
Russia, the Ukraine, Moldova, Tajikistan, Belarus and Georgia take part
in the current session of the Council in Yerevan.
10. THERE ARE SOME 8-12 CAUCASIAN LEOPARDS IN ARMENIA: DATA OF
ZOOLOGISTS
Source: Arminfo, November 3, 2004
Population of the Caucasian leopard which is on the verge of
disappearance is restored in Armenia, WWF Representative in Armenia
Karen Manvelyan told ARMINFO that in conformity with different
calculation of zoologists in Armenia, there are some 8-12 Caucasian
leopards in the country, with the biggest of them has a 2 meter length
and weights 90 kg. Restoration of the leopards’ population in Armenia is
carried out under the program of WWF, which allocated $16,000 for its
implementation. Manvelyan said that under the program, measures are
taken to estimate the zone of leopards’ inhabitancy, and groups
combating poaching are formed at Shikahogh forest reserve, Syunik
region, Armenia. Manvelyan said that restoration of the population of
leopards is closely connected with population of Bezoar goats,
moufflons, toe deer, wild boars that are also on the verge of
disappearance. Manvelyan said that a forest reserve “Arevik” is expected
to be created for protection of the leopards at Zangezur mountain range.
11. EIA REPORT OF THE “DRAFT PROJECT OF THE ALGETI HYDROPOWER STATION IN
TETRITSKARO REGION’ BY THE `LAMPARI’ LTD
Source: `Sakartvelos Respublica’ (`Republic of Georgia’), November 3,
2004
In accordance with the Georgian legislation, `Lampari’ Ltd. submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of second category — Draft
Project of the Algeti Hydropower Station in Tetritskaro Region.
EIA report is available at the press-center of the Ministry of
Environment (68, Kostava str., VI floor) and at the Department of
Environmental Permits and State Ecological Expertise (87, Paliashvili
Str., Tel: 25 02 19). Interested stakeholders can analyze the document
and present their comments and considerations until December 21, 2004.
Public hearing will be held on December 21, 2004 at 12:00, at the
conference hall of the Ministry of Environment.
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
The Russian Oil and Gas Report (Russia)
October 22, 2004, Friday
THE US IS AGAINST SALE OF GEORGIAN GAS PIPELINES TO GAZPROM
The US is against the sale of the trunk gas pipeline of Georgia to
Gazprom, which has been demonstrating its interest in privatization
in the country, says energy envoy of the US Department of State to
the Caspian region Stephen Mann.
In 2003, Gazprom signed a framework agreement with the former
Georgian government headed by President Eduard Shevardnadze on close
cooperation and gas supplies to the country. Soon after that Gazprom
managed to oust the international group of companies ITERA, that was
at that time the monopoly gas supplier to Georgia, from the Georgian
market. Several times Gazprom offered the government of Georgia to
sell the trunk gas pipeline through which gas was delivered from
Russia to Georgia and Armenia. Georgian economic experts say that
Gazprom is prepared to pay a few hundreds of millions of dollars to
acquire control over the object strategic for Georgia.
In a few years Georgia plans to receive gas via the pipeline from
Azerbaijan to the Turkish Erzurum and to become less dependent on the
gas supplies from Russia, political relations with which have grown
worse lately. Mann states, “If the trunk gas pipelines are sold to
Gazprom the possibility of gas purchase from Azerbaijan will be lost.
Naturally, Gazprom will try to sell its gas.” Mann believes that if
Georgia sells the gas pipelines to Gazprom it will lose energy
security. Mann concludes, “I call on everyone to look at the
agreement between Gazprom and Georgia. For Georgia it was
unfavorable.”
Source: Vremya Novostey, October 21, 2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CIS ministers discuss Afghanistan, NATO
ITAR-TASS news agency
15 Oct 04
Moscow, 15 October: A high-level meeting of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization’s [CSTO] member states in Moscow has discussed
post-conflict settlement in Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry
announced today.
Deputy foreign, defence and finance ministers and deputy security
council secretaries from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia and Tajikistan participated in the meeting.
The discussion concerned “issues of the political and military
situation in the organization’s zone of responsibility and the main
directions for the establishment of dialogue between the CSTO and
NATO”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“The high-level group approved draft documents on the agenda of the
CSTO’s Council of Foreign Ministers, Council of Defence Ministers
and Committee of Security Council Heads, which are to meet soon,”
the ministry added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GIBRAHAYER
e-newsletter
[email protected]
http: //gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com 
BOMB DETONATED NEXT TO OLD ARMENIAN CEMETERY
Gibrahayer – Monday 11 October, 2004: The bomb squad on Monday detonated two
bombs in a car park at the Ledra Palace Green line check-point, only a few
meters across the old Armenian Cemetery.
          During the bomb scare, the check-point was closed, where police
carried out two controlled explosions, using a special device that shoots out
pressurised water. Police said that the bomb contained a quantity of TNT,
which
if exploded would certainly take human lives.
         A Turkish Cypriot man – Ekrem Karadain – reported to the Police a
suspicious looking wiring, stacked in a Turkish milk carton, apparently from
Smyrna, but Minister Doros Theodorou was quick to stress the need not to jump
to conclusions.
          “Just because the cartons were printed in Turkish does not mean
they
came from the occupied areas. Everything is currently under investigation and
we intend to get to the bottom of this case,” he said.
MENTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN EU COMMISSION REPORT ON TURKEY
– The “tragic events of 1915-1916” stand for a conflict factor between Turkey
and Armenia
– Turkey must commit itself to reconciliation with Armenia
– Turkey should contribute to easing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia
– Relations with Armenia will need to be improved with the establishment of
diplomatic relations and the opening of the land border which is currently
closed.
European Armenian Federation Brussels, Belgium – On Wednesday October the
6th,
the European Commission put forward a positive opinion concerning Turkey’s
application to membership. When it gave this opinion, which is divided into
three texts (a report on the “progress” made by Ankara regard to the
Copenhagen
criteria, another one on the impact of the Turkish accession, and finally a
text of recommendation), the Commission left the European Council to take
care
of the decision of entering into negotiation. Nevertheless, it said that “any
breakdown in this progress towards democracy, human rights, fundamental
rights
and the rule of law [.] will automatically bring negotiations to a halt.”
          For the first time in a text of the European executive, as it
happens
in the impact study, the Genocide issue is the subject of a whole paragraph
(i). It is referred to by the following trifling terms “tragic events”
and “human suffering of 1915-1916”, and as a motive for the conflict between
Turkey and Armenia that the candidate country should resolve. Then, the
Commission adds that the will of joining the EU should lead Turkey to improve
its relationship and eventually to a reconciliation with Armenia concerning
those “tragic events”. The impact study mentions that that would allow Europe
to play an important role, through Turkey, in South Caucasus, even in the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict, and around the Caspian Sea.
          This documen t exposes the discriminatory practices that affect
the
non-Muslim minorities, and deplores that the textbooks convey a negative
image
of those minorities. Nevertheless, according to it, the authorities have
given
their word not to do that again.(ii)
          This document deals with the problem concerning the dual
presidency
in the Armenian schools. The deputy head of these schools is a Muslim,
representing the Ministry of Education and has more powers than the Armenian
head. Then, the inadequacy of the teaching of the Armenian language has been
expressed. Concerning the religious freedom, a fairly basic reference is made
about the obstacles encountered by the religious minorities.(iii)
          The criminalization of the Armenian Genocide has a small place
in
this report. In the chapter devoted to the freedom of speech, always avoiding
talking about the Genocide, the Commission exposes the article 305 (formerly
127, 308 and 306) of the Turkish penal code, that holds a prison sentence for
anyone who recognizes or affirms the facts of the Armenian Genocide in the
media or in the publications. The report mentions that the explanatory
statement of this article goes against the European Convention of Human
Rights.
          The European Armenian Federation believes that when the European
Commission uses incorrect terms or doesn’t say anything about the Genocide
and
therefore censors it, it participates to Turkey’s denial. Hilda Tchoboian,
the
chairperson of the European Armenian Federation said: “Talking about the
Genocide without naming it, knowing that the Turkish penal code explicitl y
criminalizes its assertion gives an idea of the threat against the freedom of
speech, even though this revisionist state hasn’t integrated the EU yet.”
          The chairperson of the European Armenian Federation stated
that “Concerning the reconciliation on the Genocide, this is the duty of
Europe
to refer to the international practice and to the International Law : to
recognize, to apologize, to compensate, and to guarantee of not perpetrating
the Genocide again”. And she finally concluded with these words: “All the
constituents of the Armenian people want a real reconciliation in conformity
with the international rules and that guarantees the right to security and to
life of Armenians and Armenia”.
 
THE GREAT PUZZLE
By Jean Ipdjian – Nicosia
Jean Ipdjian is a Melkonian graduate (Class of 1974) and The Editor
of “Artsagang”  monthly. You can contact him direct on
[email protected]
Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle behind the manic insistence of the
General Secretary of the United Nations Coffi Anan, the United States of
America and some members of the European Union and its Commission, for the
Anan
Plan to be accepted within unbelievably tight schedules as the only viable
plan
for the solution of the Cyprus problem fell neatly into place.
     Finally, one can give a logical explanation to the unrelenting
prosecution
of all those (the majority of the Greek Cypriots â^À^Ó 75%), who dared defy the
will of the United Nations a.k.a. the United States and vote â^À^ØNoâ^À^Ù for
the
Anan
Plan.
     A few days ago the European Commission gave its recommendation to start
accession talks in December, for the eventual acceptance of Turkey into the
European Union. This recommendation has a long list of conditions attached to
it, that beautifully create such circumstances, so that the big
â^À^Øpartnersâ^À^Ù
of
the Union can pull the plug or threaten to do so, every time their interests
are endangered. After all, Turkey is a very large country with enormous
potentials and Europe would love to find a way to have its markets but not
itself.
     Returning to the puzzle, it is common knowledge that the USA needs to
have
a vassal country like Turkey in the midst of the Europeans in addition to the
United Kingdom – whose influence has begun to founder -, in the age old
wisdom
of â^À^Ødivide and ruleâ^À^Ù. However, the leaders of the European Union could
not
allow themselves to be seen to disregard all the principles upon which the
idea
of Europe are based (i.e.  Democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and so
on) and accept Turkeyâ^À^Ùs application. So, on the one hand they coerced the
Turkish government to start a process of Europeanization, albeit
superficially,
and since it was unthinkable for the average European voter to accept the
idea
of a Turkey in the Union or closely associated with it, when that same Turkey
was occupying a European country, whether ins ide the Union or outside of it.
So, apart from the internal legislative and market changes, it was necessary
to
show that, after all, when presented with acceptable solutions, Turkey with
its
present government and policies could be a positive asset in the quest for
solutions to European problems.
     So, the USA and its chosen foreman Coffi Anan come up with a carefully
balanced and camouflaged plan, that on the one hand had the right amount of
handouts to excite the traditionally conformist leaders in the Greek Cypriot
leadership, while on the other hand, it would go just as far as it would
enable
Turkey to be shown to be cooperating and â^À^Ømaintaining a positive stance
towards
the quest for a solution of the Cyprus problemâ^À^Ù without essentially forcing
it
to abandon its claims over Cyprus and its declared aim to give the Turkish
Cypriots a state of their own, albeit under the very thin disguise of the
type
of federation as outlined in the Anan Plan. This, the European leaders could
live with. In fact, it did not matter to any of the parties cooking the Plan
whether the sides directly involved in the question (i.e. the Greek and
Turkish
Cypriots) acc epted it or not.
     The aim had to be the exoneration of Turkey and to enable them to open
the
doors for its acceptance into the E.U. or its acquisition of special status
with the E.U. without damaging the refined principles of the European Union
viz
a viz human rights, democracy and so on. Tragically, one of the main
objections
the E.U. could muster regarding the revision of the Turkish penal code was
the
illegalization of adultery, while the fact that criticizing the decisions of
the Supreme Council regarding matters such as the Cyprus problem or the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide were made illegal got only mild
mentions.
It is more tragic that the local Cypriot media, dancing to the same tune,
mentioned adultery more than the provisions regarding its own national
problem
in the revised Turkish penal code. Adultery sells more newspapers and has
more
listeners, it seemsâ^À¦
     It is with great relief that today, thinking about all of the above, I
look back at the May referendum and thank god that we did not inadvertently
participate in the smoothing of Turkeyâ^À^Ùs path towards the European Union,
whose
ideals and principles can mean so much to its people if and when its
politicians decide to abide by them.
REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HINA JILANI TO
VISIT TURKEY
          The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
situation
of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, will undertake a fact-finding mission
to the Republic of Turkey from 11 to 20 October 2004 at the invitation of the
Government.
          The Special Representative will assess the situation of human
rights
defenders, and examine, in part icular, both the legal framework as well as
any
possible limitations on the right to defend human rights in the country. The
Special Representative has requested to meet, among others, with the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Interior
and
Justice, the Human Rights Inquiry Commission of the Grand National Assembly,
the Presidents of the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, the
General
Prosecutor, and officials of the security forces including the police and the
counter-terrorism branch. She will also meet with a wide range of
representatives of civil society, including human rights defenders, the press
and officials of the United Nations and of diplomatic missions in the
country.
The Special Representative is scheduled to visit Ankara, Diyarbakir,
Istanbul,
and Izmir.
          Ms. Jilani will give a press conference in Ankara on the last
day
of
her visit, at which she will present her preliminary findings. A report
containing the Special Representative’s complete findings and recommendations
will be published early in 2005 and presented to the United Nations
Commission
on Human Rights in April 2005. Ms. Jilani, an advocate in the Supreme Court
of
Pakistan, was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General in
August 2000. The Republic of Turkey will be the seventh country she has
visited
officially since the Commission on Human Rights created her mandate in April
2000.
Do you want to polish up on your Armenian cooking?
This is one of the best Armenian sites I have come across and thought I would
share it with you.
How about this one?
EASY SOU-BERAG (ARMENIAN LASAGNA)
INGREDIENTS: SERVES 6
1 lb lasagna noodles, 1/2 cube melted butter, 1 lb. grated Jack cheese, 1/2
pint small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 pint Ricotta cheese, 2 eggs [well
beaten],
1 cup chopped Armenian or Italian parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon
white
pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves [optional]
PREPARATION:
Cook lasagna noodles in salted water until soft and pliable. Lightly butter a
baking dish and line with a layer of noodles. Mix the remaining ingredients
together and layer a portion of this on the noodles. Add another layer of
noodles and another layer of the mixture. Make sure the last layer is
noodles.
Brush the remaining butter on top of the noodles and bake in a 350 degree
oven
until golden brown. Cut into 3 inch squares and serve. Good hot or cold.
Siroun Babayian – New Zealand
NEWS IN BRIEF
â^À¢ U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil’s hopes of a big oil strike on its flagship
Azeri
offshore field faded on Monday after it said it had shut down the first
ultradeep well there after failing to find commercial deposits.
â^À¢ President Kocharian and his visiting Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi
Parvanov,
pledged to step up cooperation between their nations “in all spheres,”
singling
out bilateral trade that has grown dramatically over the past year.
â^À¢ Azerbaijan has sent a letter to the Council of Europe demanding that
Armenia
be expelled from this organization.
â^À¢ EDram () – is an on-line payment system, by means of which you
can buy and sell  goods and services on the Internet. The system already
allows
the Armenian Diaspora to make purchases in our Internet shops not only for
themselves but also for their friends and relatives in Armenia.
CD OF THE WEEK- ZAMBERLA
Doug Shimmin has been performing world music locally in Detroit, Michigan USA
for several years. After years of traditional ethnic music, Doug entered into
another world of music involving electronic forms of digital music. Not
forgetting his roots, Doug engaged the talents of Ara Topouzian on the kanun,
clarinet and the Armenian duduk. With Ara, Ben Temkow joins on violin along w
ith other multifaceted artists.
Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on
your first total order! The CD can be purchased for $15.00 USD. add $2.00 for
US shipping. & $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details: visit or email  [email protected]
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.
SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus
has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the opportunity to
win
Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from ancient Armenian history.
A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action
group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in promoting Hay
Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901
g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r
â^À¢Armenian Club of Larnaca – Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank – Live Armenian Music,
Food, Kef and Free Drinks: All-inclusive 6:00 per person and 3:00 for
children.
Wednesday October 27, at 8:00 p.m. at the Club “Taverna”.
â^À¢Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia
Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at 4:00 p.m.
Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale. Proceeds to
the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
â^À¢Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm “Christiana”
Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian, grand-nephew of
Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and children. Prizes
included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact names for
reservations
to be announced.
Directions to “Christiana” and convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
â^À¢AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers begin on Saturday October 16, 2004
and
will continue every Saturday starting from 4:00 p.m. Contact Vartoog
Karageulian on 24-659245.
â^À¢AYMA Chicco Football practices have beg un and are taking place every
Friday
from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor
Mahdessian on 99650897.
â^À¢AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun two weeks ago. They will
continue
this Saturday 16 October 6:00 – 8:00 p.m and every Saturday throughout the
season, under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.
â^À¢AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
from
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division
Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and subsequent
promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday November 20,
2004.
â^À¢Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
got
together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on
Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call Elise at the
Prelature office on 22 493560 or email [email protected]
â^À¢Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies
91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
â^À¢The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 25 October,2004
â^À¢Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa.
You
can also hear it on Real Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on
. A repeat program can also be heard seven hours later at
2:00
a.m. local time.
â^À¢The Hairenik Association, Inc. launched its online Armenian Radio
Station.You
can now listen to a variety of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day,
combined
with news and other interesting information about the Armenian community in
the
US, Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
To listen to the Hairenik Online Radio go to the RADIO button then click on
your player of choice.
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
24 hours of non-stop Armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .
Thank you for your interest in Gibrahayer, which is an independent electronic
environment, now in its fifth year, disseminating news & posting upcoming
events about the Armenian community of Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora. The list also promotes the discussion of issues brought forward by
its members. The subscription to this service is free. To subscribe to
Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the instructions at
To contact the listmaster send an
email
to [email protected] 
Powered by GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd
————————————————-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijani police detain anti-Armenian protesters
AP Worldstream
Oct 12, 2004
Azerbaijani police on Tuesday briefly detained five activists of the
Popular Front of United Azerbaijan who tried to hold an unsanctioned
rally outside parliament to protest Armenian legislators’ planned
participation in a NATO-sponsored seminar next month.
About 30 protesters gathered in the Alley of Martyrs, where Azerbaijani
soldiers killed during the war in Nagorno-Karabakh are buried. They
then marched toward parliament, carrying party flags and banners
reading “Down with the Armenian Occupiers!” Police cut them off and
confiscation their flags, banners and leaflets.
Police told The Associated Press that all five protesters had been
released.
The Popular Front plans further protests this month outside the
U.S. Embassy and the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. On Nov. 2, the
front will rally outside the Turkish Embassy.
The Armenian legislators are due to take part in a Nov. 26-28 NATO
Parliamentary Assembly seminar in Baku called Rose Route.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave in Azerbaijan that has been under
control of ethnic Armenian forces for more than a decade. A cease-fire
was signed in 1994 after Azerbaijani forces were driven out in a
six-year war that killed some 30,000 people and drove a million from
their homes, but the enclave’s final status has not been resolved and
shooting still breaks out sporadically along the “line of control”
that separates the enclave from the rest of Azerbaijan.
Talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe have not made visible progress in recent years,
although hopes had risen in 2001 that a settlement was near.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PETER BALAKIAN: “THE STUDY OF THE GENOCIDE TOPIC MADE MY ART MORE COMMON TO ALL MANKIND”
YEREVAN, August 31 (Noyan Tapan). Peter Balakian, an American
well-known writer of Armenian origin, visited our country on the
invitation of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the
Writers’ Union of Armenia. It is the writer’s second visit to the
Homeland. Peter Balakian said during the August 30 meeting with
journalists and the AGBU leadership that he first visited Armenia
in 1987. “It was a journey that has changed my life, I would never
started writing so, if there wasn’t this visit.” Hailing the writer,
Levon Ananian, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, stressed that
regardless of the loss of the Armenian language, Balakian remained
an Armenian, he has searched his roots and presented the tragedy of
the beginning of the century, the Armenian Genocide, to the world
community. “The study of the Genocide topic made my art more common
to all mankind,” said Peter Balakian. He also said that his book “Sad
Days of the World” translated by Artem Harutiunian will be published
this year. Levon Ananian confered the rank of the honored member
of the Writers’ Union of Armenia to Peter Balakian. Peter Balakian
is the author of eight books. His book entitled “Tiger in Fire”,
which was awarded with several American prizes, was released in 2004,
and the “Black Dog of Fate” book was awarded with “The New York Times”
prize as the best book of the year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Japan to take care of Azeri refugees until their repatriation
Assa-Irada
Aug 31 2004
Baku, August 30, AssA-Irada
The Upper Garabagh conflict was the focus of the meeting of Akira
Amari, head of the Japanese-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship
league, with Speaker of the Milli Majlis (parliament) Murtuz Alasgarov
on Monday.
Alasgarov expressed his disappointment by Armenia’s ignoring four
resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and double-standard
approach of some countries to the issue.
Voicing his satisfaction with Japan’s position on the Upper Garabagh
conflict, Alasgarov restated that Azerbaijan will never give in an inch
of its territory. The Speaker said that Japan has financed 65 projects
implemented in Azerbaijan so far and appreciated the services of
Japanese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Toshiyuki Fujiwara in this respect.
Amari, in his turn, underlined that the Japanese government will
take care of the Azerbaijani refugees until they return to their
native lands.
Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, Amari stressed that his
country supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and backs the
peaceful settlement of the conflict.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
August 14, 2004 Saturday
Judo Results
ATHENS, Greece
results for Saturday’s Olympic judo competition at the Ana Liossia
Olympic Hall:

Women
48Kg
Round of 32
Lyubov Bruletova, Russia, def. Konkiswinde Hanatou Ouelogo, Burkina
Faso, Waza-ari awasete Ippon, 1:39.
Anna Zemla-Krajewska, Poland, BYE.
Tatyana Shishkina, Kazakhstan, def. Lisseth Orozco Pallares,
Colombia, Koka.
Alina Alexandra Dumitru, Romania, BYE.
Soraya Hadad, Algeria, def. Bertille Ali, Central African Republic,
Ippon, Kuchiki-taoshi, 1:27.
Yamila Zambranon Cuenca, Cuba, BYE.
Ryoko Tani, Japan, BYE.
Maria Karagiannopoulou, Greece, BYE.
Gao Feng, China, def. Daniela Polzin, Brazil, Ippon, Kata-guruma,
1:24.
Giuseppina Macri, Italy, BYE.
Tatiana Moskvina, Belarus, BYE.
Frederique Jossinet, France, def. Sonya Chervonsky, Australia,
Waza-ari awasete Ippon, 1:34.
Julia Matijass, Germany, BYE.
Carolyne Lepage, Canada, BYE.
Nese Sensoy Yildiz, Turkey, def. Ri Kyong Ok, North Korea, Waza-ari.
Ye Gue-rin, South Korea, BYE.

Round of 16
Anna Zemla-Krajewska, Poland, def. Lyubov Bruletova, Russia, Ippon,
Kosoto-gake, 1:38.
Alina Alexandra Dumitru, Romania, def. Tatyana Shishkina, Kazakhstan,
Ippon, Uchi-mata, 1:33.
Soraya Hadad, Algeria, def. Yamila Zambranon Cuenca, Cuba, Ippon,
Kuchiki-taoshi, 1:54.
Ryoko Tani, Japan, def. Maria Karagiannopoulou, Greece, Waza-ari
awasete Ippon, 3:22.
Feng Gao, China, def. Giuseppina Macri, Italy, Ippon,
Yoko-shiho-gatame, 3:45.
Frederique Jossinet, France, def. Tatiana Moskvina, Belarus, Ippon,
Sukui-nage, 0:15.
Julia Matijass, Germany, def. Carolyne Lepage, Canada, Ippon,
Uchi-mata, 1:42.
Gue Rin-ye, South Korea, def. Nese Sensoy Yildiz, Turkey,
0010S1-0001S2.

Quarterfinal
Alina Alexandra Dumitru, Romania, def. Anna Zemla-Krajewska, Poland,
Ippon, Ushiro-goshi, 0:35.
Ryoko Tani, Japan, def. Soraya Hadad, Algeria, Ippon, Osoto-gari,
2:17.
Frederique Jossinet, France, def. Feng Gao, China, Waza-ari.
Julia Matijass, Germany, def. Gue Rin-ye, South Korea, Ippon,
Uchi-mata, 1:07.
Quarterfinal Repechage
Anna Zemla-Krajewska, Poland, def. Tatyana Shishkina, Kazakhstan,
Hansoku make, 3:13.
Maria Karagiannopoulou, Greece, def. Soraya Hadad, Algeria,
0101S3-0100S1.
Feng Gao, China, def. Tatiana Moskvina, Belarus, Waza-ari awasete
Ippon, 2:12.
Gue Rin-ye, South Korea, def. Carolyne Lepage, Canada, Yuko.
Semifinal
Ryoko Tani, Japan, def. Alina Alexandra Dumitru, Romania, Waza-ari
awasete Ippon, 4:19.
Frederique Jossinet, France, def. Julia Matijass, Germany, Ippon,
Yoko-shiho-gatame, 1:33.
Semifinal Repechage
Maria Karagiannopoulou, Greece, def. Anna Zemla-Krajewska, Poland,
Ippon, Ippon-seoi-nage, 1:18.
Feng Gao, China, def. Ye Gue Rin, South Korea, Koka.
Bronze Medal Matches
Julia Matijass, Germany, def. Maria Karagiannopoulou, Greece, Ippon,
Uchi-mata, 2:51.
Feng Gao, China, def. Alina Alexandra Dumitru, Romania, Ippon,
Yoko-shiho-gatame, 5:00.
Gold Medal Match
Ryoko Tani, Japan, def. Frederique Jossinet, France, Waza-ari.
Men
60K
Round of 64
Younes Ahamdi, Morocco, BYE.
Evgeny Stanev, Russia, BYE.
Anis Lounifi, Tunisia, BYE.
Pak Nam Chol, North Korea, BYE.
Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, BYE.
Kenji Uematsu, Spain, BYE.
Bazarbek Donbay, Kazakhstan, BYE.
Omar Rebahi, Algeria, BYE.
Craig Fallon, Britain, BYE.
Scott Fernandis, Australia, BYE.
Sanjar Zokirov, Uzbekistan, BYE.
Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, BYE.
Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran, BYE.
Jean Claude Cameroun, Cameroon, BYE.
Armen Nazaryan, Armenia, BYE.
Alexandre Lee, Brazil, BYE.
Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia, BYE.
Akram Shah, India, BYE.
Gal Yekutiel, Israel, def. Albert Techov, Lithuania, Waza-ari.
Taraje Williams Murray, United States, BYE.
Reiver David Alvarenga Dominguez, Venezuela, BYE.
Benjamin Darbelet, France, BYE.
Choi Min-ho, South Korea, BYE.
Ludwig Paischer, Austria, BYE.
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, BYE.
Modesto Lara Arias, Dominican Republic, BYE.
Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, BYE.
Siarhei Novikau, Belarus, BYE.
Cristobal Alejandro Aburto Tinoco, Mexico, BYE.
David Fernandez Tercero, Costa Rica, BYE.
Francis Labrosse, Seychelles, BYE.
Miguel Albarracin, Argentina, BYE.
Round of 32
Evgeny Stanev, Russia, def. Younes Ahamdi, Morocco, Ippon, Uki-waza,
0:29.
Anis Lounifi, Tunisia, def. Pak Nam Chol, North Korea, Ippon,
Harai-goshi, 1:28.
Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, def. Kenji Uematsu, Spain, Ippon,
Kuchiki-taoshi, 3:41.
Bazarbek Donbay, Kazakhstan, def. Omar Rebahi, Algeria, Ippon,
Seoi-nage, 0:14.
Craig Fallon, Britain, def. Scott Fernandis, Australia, Ippon,
Tai-otoshi, 0:37.
Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, def. Sanjar Zokirov, Uzbekistan, Ippon,
Tani-otoshi, 4:33.
Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran, def. Jean Claude Cameroun, Cameroon,
Yuko.
Armen Nazaryan, Armenia, def. Alexandre Lee, Brazil, 0101S1-0001S3.
Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia, def. Akram Shah, India, Ippon,
Gyaku-juji-jime, 0:44.
Taraje Williams Murray, United States, def. Gal Yekutiel, Israel,
Ippon, Morote-gari, 2:59.
Benjamin Darbelet, France, def. Reiver David Alvarenga Dominguez,
Venezuela, 0010S1-0002S2.
Choi Min-ho, South Korea, def. Ludwig Paischer, Austria, Ippon,
Tai-otoshi, 4:31.
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, def. Modesto Lara Arias, Dominican Republic,
Ippon, Seoi-nage, 2:46.
Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, def. Siarhei Novikau, Belarus, Ippon,
Ushiro-kesa-gatame, 3:03.
Cristobal Alejandro Aburto Tinoco, Mexico, def. David Fernandez
Tercero, Costa Rica, Koka.
Miguel Albarracin, Argentina, def. Francis Labrosse, Seychelles,
Ippon, Sukui-nage, 4:14.

Round of 16
Evgeny Stanev, Russia, def. Anis Lounifi, Tunisia, Ippon, Sukui-nage,
3:03.
Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, def. Bazarbek Donbay, Kazakhstan, Yuko.
Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, def. Craig Fallon, Britain, Ippon,
Sumi-otoshi, 4:56.
Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran, def. Armen Nazaryan, Armenia,
0010S1-0001S2.
Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia, def. Taraje Williams Murray,
United States, Ippon, Kibisu-gaeshi, 1:37.
Min Ho-choi, South Korea, def. Benjamin Darbelet, France, Yuko.
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, def. Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, Ippon,
Seoi-nage, 0:53.
Miguel Albarracin, Argentina, def. Cristobal Alejandro Aburto Tinoco,
Mexico, Ippon, 2:08.

Quarterfinal
Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, def. Evgeny Stanev, Russia, Waza-ari.
Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran, def. Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, Ippon,
Kouchi-gari, 2:55.
Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia, def. Min Ho-choi, South Korea,
Ippon, Kami-shiho-gatame, 1:14.
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, def. Miguel Albarracin, Argentina, Ippon,
Ouchi-gari, 0:14.
Round of 16 Repechage
Kenji Uematsu, Spain, def. Bazarbek Donbay, Kazakhstan, Sogo gachi,
5:00.
Jean Claude Cameroun, Cameroon, def. Armen Nazaryan, Armenia, Ippon,
Kuchiki-taoshi, 1:01.
Akram Shah, India, def. Taraje Williams Murray, United States, Ippon,
Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame, 0:47.
Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, def. Modesto Lara Arias, Dominican
Republic, Yuko.
Quarterfinal Repechage
Kenji Uematsu, Spain, def. Evgeny Stanev, Russia, 0001x-0000S1.
Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, def. Jean Claude Cameroun, Cameroon,
Ippon, Sukui-nage, 0:09.
Min Ho-choi, South Korea, def. Akram Shah, India, Ippon, Seoi-nage,
0:49.
Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, def. Miguel Albarracin, Argentina, Ippon,
Yoko-shiho-gatame, 0:49.
Semifinal
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, def. Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia,
Ippon, Ouchi-gari, 0:23.
Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, def. Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran,
Waza-ari.
Semifinal Repechage
Kenji Uematsu, Spain, def. Revazi Zintiridis, Greece, Ippon, 2:07.
Choi Min Ho, South Korea, def. Oliver Gussenberg, Germany, Ippon,
Seoi-nage, 2:20.
Bronze Medal Matches
Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar, Mongolia, def. Kenji Uematsu, Spain, Yuko.
Choi Min Ho, South Korea, def. Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, Iran, Ippon,
Seoi-nage, 0:53.
Gold Medal Match
Tadahiro Nomura, Japan, def. Nestor Khergiani, Georgia, Waza-ari.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Daily News
24 July 2004
When you don’t care about life…
Let’s not find someone to pin the blame on.
Mehmet Ali Birand
What will happen if we find out that the train driver was going too fast or
the rail tracks were too old.
Nothing.
We will learn more about the responsibilities of the train driver, the
Turkish Railways (TCDD) general manager’s and the transportation minister.
When we find out who is responsible, our job will be done.
Everything will return to the way it has always been.
However, the real problem lies with our respect for human lives. A society
that respects human-beings would act differently.
The train driver would go a different speed.
The general manager or the political chief makes more detailed analysis.
Yes. Such accidents happen all around the world. However, the reasons behind
these accidents are not the differences between developed and undeveloped
nations.
The rail tracks laid in developed countries are different. The education the
train drivers receive are different. Security precautions taken are entirely
different.
In countries like ours, every project starts with: “Let’s just make do for
now and will take care of it later.” Such an attitude results in such
tragedies.
The only victims are those who lose their lives for nothing.
Paris Embassy should be congratulated
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul should be proud of his team.
Especially the entire personnel of the Embassy in Paris did a great job.
If you permit, let me give my assessment as a correspondent who has been
following such official visits for the last 40 years.
This perfect visit was organized by a team led by Ambassador Uluc Ozulker,
together with the councils in various French cities, public relations and
tourism representatives.
Nothing was out of synch.
In today’s world, everything running smoothly is a very important factor.
Ambassador Ozulker was like a very successful orchestra conductor.
Unfortunately, he will be vacating his post at the end of the year, due to
the procedural practice in the Foreign Ministry.
Ozulker not only excelled in the visit’s organization, passed the test in
every matter including, the briefing of the press and explaining facts to
the French. Moreover, he is such an experienced ambassador that he needs to
prove himself to nobody.
I am sure no one from the Foreign Ministry called him to tell him: “Thank
you for all your help. You did a great job.” Especially those among the
200-strong Turkish delegation, including the prime minister, will not call
him.
I would at last like to thank the team in Paris, lead by the ambassador, and
the young people at the Prime Ministry Press Bureau for helping us for all
my colleagues.
Turkey made up for the helicopter fiasco
I don’t know if you remember, but in 2000-2001, Turkey, all of a sudden,
forced France out of its helicopter tender. Until then Turkey had made many
promises to French President Jacques Chirac on the matter, and had told them
that France had a good chance on winning it. For Chirac, this was a matter
of honor. He was preparing to show how his policy of having closer links to
Turkey would pay of.
And then one day, before notifying Chirac or explaining the reasoning behind
it, France was removed from among the countries that had reached the last
stage of the tender.
Paris was shocked.
Without any explanations, it received a slap in the face. I don’t exactly
remember, but Ankara had got angry because of a law on Armenians or another
matter, and had decided to punish the French. However, that decision
resulted in a complete severing of all the bonds between Chirac and Ankara.
Since then, the French president is a little lukewarm towards Turkey. He had
lost his trust in those governing Turkey.
He openly said he had lost his trust.
This visit made amends for this gaffe that was made four years ago. I am not
talking about not giving France the helicopter tender. You decide on who you
are going to give the tender, depending on your political and economic
interests. However, if you are a little polite and clever, you will notify
your friends beforehand about your decision and try not to disappoint them
too much.
However, I don’t know why, we like to smash things.
Why is Gurel angry with the Ecevits?
Once upon a time, he couldn’t say enough about the Ecevits. When he was
chosen by the Ecevits as the foreign minister, he was seen as Democratic
Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit’s right hand man.
Sukru Sina Gurel is very angry with the Ecevit’s these days. Those who used
to stand to attention when Bulent Ecevit’s wife DSP deputy-leader Rahsan
Ecevit entered a room are now up in arms.
The reason is simple.
Ecevit’s chose a different candidate for leadership for the DSP to replace
them. Former pro-Ecevit supporters are very angry with the Ecevit’s for not
chosing them as their candidate. Gurel is saying that Rahsan Ecevit can
remain as the head of the party organization, adding that if he is elected,
he would remove her from that post.
We will never understand what goes on in politics. I guess the Ecevits chose
the best possible candidate to replace them.
NOTE: This article appears in daily Posta and, on the same day, in daily
Hurriyet’s all foreign publications, on Hurriyet’s internet site
(), on Milliyet’s internet site ()
and, after being translated by the Turkish Daily News staff, in both that
newspaper and on the Turkish Daily News internet site
().