Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

ARMENIAN CHURCH IN BAKU AROUSES DISPUTES

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
15 Sept 05
The Armenian church in the centre of Baku is still there. The disputes
about this church are continuing. There are various suggestions in
this reference. Baku-based newspapers publish articles on destroying
the Armenian church. The authors make proposals based on the law on
preservation of historical and cultural monuments passed by Mili
Mejlis of Azerbaijan that buildings and monuments the mere appearance
of which causes pain and sadness should not exist. On the list of
these monuments the Armenian church is in the first place. In Zerkalo
Shirinzadeh writes: `In the 19th century Baku was not an Azerbaijani
city. The number of the natives (the Azerbaijanis), including the
inhabitants of the suburbs was barely 40 per cent. The rest were
Russians, Armenians, Jews, etc.’ Maybe this is the reason why there
was not a single Muslim building in the central luxurious part of the
city (the so called `old centre’) except for the Icheri Shihar
Mosque. But there was the protestant church, Alexander Nevsky
Cathedral and certainly the Armenian church which is a notable
building. Then the author of the article mentions that as a religious
institution the Armenian functioned longer (till 1990) than its
neighbouring buildings but so far its fate is uncertain. In another
issue Zerkalo published the article of the president of the
International Academy of Architecture Shamil Fatullayev: `At the
beginning of the 20th century Baku lacked a project of the town. In
1903 the Armenian community of Baku bought plots of land and started
construction.’ It should be noted that the magnificent buildings in
the centre of Baku, including the houses of opera and ballet, the
former Armenian dramatic theatre, the Armenian school of girls, were
built by Armenian businessmen on their own means. Among these are the
Dramatic Theatre, the Public Museum, the City Hall of Baku, the
Institute of Oil Industry, and another magnificent Armenian church,
the St. Mkrtich Church, which was destroyed and on its place the
conservatoire was built. Doctor Davad Akhundov, architect, author of a
number of works on architecture, suggests using the Armenian church as
a branch of the art museum or as a gallery. He opposes those who
suggest changing it into a mosque. `It is unacceptable. There are
human rules to respect other religions.’ `This will mean desecration,’
he says. In another article the commissioner on preservation of
architectural monuments of Azerbaijan Fahradin Miraliev agrees to
provide the Armenian church to another Christian community or some
religious organization which preaches peace and conformity. `There are
proposals to change the Armenian church into a mosque. I think there
is no need to,’ he says. The parishes of the orthodox churches
S. Michael Archangel and St. Mary are upset that such a beautiful
temple may be given to a sect or by an international bank to use as an
office. In the meantime, tourists visiting Baku take pictures of the
burnt walls of the Armenian church and the litter at its walls.
LEVON MKRTICHIAN KYOKHUNT.
15-09-2005

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIA EXPO 2005: FOREIGN INVESTORS SHOW INTEREST IN ARMENIA
14.09.2005 06:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia EXPO 2005, the fifth universal regional trade and
industrial expo forum started in Yerevan on September 14. The forum includes
a number of events, these being 6 international professional exhibitions, an
Armenian-Russian business meeting `Cooperation 2005′, Business Days of the
U.S. and China, a contest titled `High Quality’ and presentation of film
`Arakel’. Over 180 local and foreign industrial and commercial
organizations, companies and associations are taking part in the expo, the
total area of which has extended as compared to last year. The number of
foreign participants also considerably increased. Commodities from Nagorno
Karabakh, Indonesia were as well exposed. According to Minister of trade and
Economic Development of Armenia Karen Chshmaritian, Armenia EXPO 2005
attracts foreign investments and new partners, promotes international
cooperation and market enlargement.

THE GREEK SUPPORT THE ARMENIANS
A1+
| 14:02:11 | 14-09-2005 | Politics |
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), today, urged House International
Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) to work for committee
approval of Armenian Genocide legislation, set to be considered by
the panel on Thursday, September 15, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
In a September 13th letter to Chairman Hyde, AHI Executive Director
Nick Larigakis, explained that, “Americans of Hellenic origin, and I
believe most Americans, have long held that the U.S. Congress should
be on record as recognizing the Armenian Genocide, commemorating
this crime against all humanity, and applying its lessons to help
prevent future atrocities and genocides.” He went on to note that
“Sadly, due to the powerful pressure brought to bear by the Turkish
lobby’s threats and intimidation, legislation along these lines has
been blocked from passage.”
“We want to thank Nick Larigakis and all our friends at the American
Hellenic Institute for their steadfast support for U.S. recognition
of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. “The assistance of our Greek American allies for this
legislation means a great deal to us – here in Washington, DC, and
in communities around the country.”

ELECTION SYSTEM OF ARMENIA DELIBERATELY IMMERSED INTO CHAOS, THINKS REPRESENTATIVE OF OPPOSITION AT ARMENIAN CEC
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8. ARMINFO. The election system of Armenia was
deliberately immersed into chaos. Representative of the opposition
bloc Justice at the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Felix
Khachatryan said at a press conference today.
He thinks that in the basis of the election process, in the voters’
list, something unimaginable is happening. In particular, on September
25 elections to the post of the prefect of Yerevan Center community
are expected, however, the voters’ lists of the polling station at
Gevorg Emin No. 182 school in Tigran Mets street lack families of
500 electors, the residents of the dwelling house N.31 in Tigran Mets
street, several flats of some houses in Yervand Kochar and Vardanants
streets were not included in the lists at all.
Moreover, middle names of two electors in voters’ lists were
“Azerbaijan.”
The number of voters at one polling stations differs from that of
another polling station by 10,000 and even 12,000 people, while in
conformity with the law, the difference must not exceed 5,000 people.
These inaccuracies are deliberate and from “above.” Before the
referendum, the number of electors accidentally decreases and than
increases before the elections. Such manipulations are possible only
from “above.”
Khachatryan did not answer the question “what to do” calling
journalists and representative to go to the polling stations and made
sure that he was rights, an than to hold a journalistic investigation.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN DEMOCRATIZING IN USA
A1+
| 19:37:36 | 07-09-2005 | Official |
Today the RA NA President Arthur Baghdasaryan met the leader of the
US Democratic Party Howard Dean. During the visit issues about the
Armenian-American relations and processes in Armenia and the region
were discussed.
During the meeting with the US International Republican Institute
Judy van Rest issues about the inter political problems of Armenia,
Constitutional and Electoral reforms were discussed.
The next meeting took place in the “Woodrow Wilson” center with the
heads of several US Expert centers. By the way, the heads of the
center are appointed directly by the US President.

SLOVENE FOREIGN MINISTER PLEASED WITH PROGRESS IN NAGORNYY KARABAKH TALKS
STA news agency, Ljubljana
5 Sep 05
Baku, 5 September: Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, the OSCE
chairman-in-office, said he was satisfied with the progress in the
talks on a resolution on Nagornyy Karabakh as he visited Azerbaijan
on Monday [5 September].
Speaking to the press after meeting Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov
in Baku – the first stop of his two-day tour of Azerbaijan and Armenia
– Rupel called on Azerbaijan to keep striving for a solution to the
conflict with Armenia in spite of the current election campaign.
Because of the 6 November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan,
it is difficult to assess how the talks will progress, he said.
The Slovene foreign minister expects the two countries to continue
their dialogue on the matter, although he admitted that “it is clear
that serious open issues remain”.
The two sides agree on matters in principle, but a lot is open in
terms of the technical nature of the solution, he said.
Rupel also held talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who briefed
him of the talks he held with Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan
on 27 August in Russia. Moreover, he met Azeri PM Artur Rasizada.
The Nagornyy Karabakh “is a long story with many components”, Rupel
stressed, adding that he doubted a solution could be reached during
Slovenia’s stint as OSCE president.
There is concern in the international community that the forthcoming
elections might derail the progress in the Nagornyy Karabakh talks,
as the conflict could become a tool for internal political purposes.
However, Mammadyarov downplayed the possibility of the conflict
becoming hostage to political campaigning in Azerbaijan. The
negotiations are continuing, however, the issue is so complex that
a solution cannot be reached in just a few days, he told the press.
[Passage omitted – background]
Meanwhile, the upcoming parliamentary elections figured highly in
Rupel’s talks with Azeri opposition officials and representatives of
NGOs, who presented their concerns regarding the elections.
According to Leila Yunus from the NGO Institute for Peace and
Democracy, non-governmental organizations have been barred from
overseeing the elections, which she believes is a sign that the
government does not want the poll to be free and fair.
Rupel said it was not the OSCE’s task to criticise but to offer
advice on elections to participating states. He added that he hoped
that certain problems regarding election teams and electoral rolls
would be resolved ahead of the poll.
Meanwhile, Mammadyarov said he was convinced the elections would
be free and fair. Admitting that Azerbaijan could not achieve
Western-styled democracy overnight, he pointed out that the elections
would be monitored by observers from the OSCE and the Council of
Europe.

Karabakh leader rubbishes Azeri appeal to vote in November polls
Arminfo, Yerevan
2 Sep 05
Stepanakert, 2 September: “I am glad that Azerbaijan has a good sense
of humour,” Arkadiy Gukasyan, president of the Nagornyy Karabakh
republic [NKR], said today commenting on Azerbaijan’s appeal to
the residents of Nagornyy Karabakh to participate in the upcoming
parliamentary election in Azerbaijan.
A special Arminfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that at
today’s festivities devoted to the 14th anniversary of Nagornyy
Karabakh’s independence, Gukasyan said that the NKR had already
been established. The NKR managed to defend its independence in very
complicated circumstances, i.e. in the situation of blockade and war
that was unleashed by Azerbaijan. “However, we won because we knew
we were defending our motherland.”
At the same time, the Karabakh leader expressed the confidence that
the NKR will succeed in establishing good and friendly relations
with all neighbours. “We are building a democratic state and going
forward.” Undoubtedly, we could have done more. However, in any case,
Nagornyy Karabakh is standing very firm on its own feet and I believe
it has a future,” Gukasyan said.
Commenting on the recent meeting between the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in Kazan, the Karabakh president said that the
negotiations are confidential and it would be wrong to reveal its
essence prematurely. “I think everything is developing in a usual
manner and there are no grounds for concern,” Gukasyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S BIGGEST MISTAKE
A1+
| 12:51:37 | 03-09-2005 | Politics |
Failed meeting and empty talks. This is the assessment given by NA
member Aram G. Sargsyan to the Kazan meeting of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents. To note, A. Sargsyan himself participates in
international meetings for the elaboration of the alternative ways
of the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
A model has been worked out by the representatives of Armenia,
Karabakh and Azerbaijan. According to A. Sargsyan, no one showed
any interest in the document except the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,
who assessed it as positive.
~SThe interests of the Armenian people should be precisely expressed in
a corresponding concept, which is absent today. Azerbaijan toughens its
position day by day and it is rather surprising that Robert Kocharian
and Vartan Oskanian are constantly speaking of progress. However
Azerbaijan is not going to recognize the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh or its joining to Armenia. So what is the discussion held
about? If the issue of the returning of the territories is considered
while the status is not determined yet, so this can be rated as
treason~T, the deputy said.
In A. Sargsyan~Rs opinion, the policy pursued by the incumbent
is dangerous and erroneous and the first mistake Armenia made is
that it had not recognized the independence of Nagorno Karabakh
from Azerbaijan. ~SFrom Azerbaijan, I emphasize, because we have a
resolution of December 1 on unification. After all we should take
into account one important circumstance- Nagorno Karabakh is a
part of Armenia and was forcibly joined to Azerbaijan. If we forget
this fact the independence of NKR will become senseless. Presently
we know that that the people of Karabakh have declared NKR an
independent republic. This is their will and Armenia must recognize
the independence of Karabakh. After that Armenia should establish a
dialogue with Azerbaijan,~T he said.
The deputy is against the negotiation between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. He is convinced that the talks should be held by Azerbaijan
and NKR. However an Agreement of Armistice should be signed between
Azerbaijan and Armenia and this agreement will serve as a security
guarantee for Karabakh.
Lena Badeyan

“OSCE PUTS INTO PRACTICE DUAL PRINCIPLES”
A1+
| 20:19:12 | 02-09-2005 | Politics |
The Human Rights Defender of RA Larissa Alaverdyan is concerned with
the policy of several international structures, including the OSCE.
“I have numerous questions to the OSCE, especially about the practice
of dual principles. Before becoming Ombudsman I have thoroughly
investigated the Karabakh conflict and I think that OSCE puts into
practice dual principles in this respect”, says Larissa Alaverdyan.
Referring to the announcement of the EU representative Len Marker
in the OSCE Ministers Committee latest session that a variant of
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is the uniting of Armenia
and Karabakh, Mrs. Alaverdyan said, “The Armenian authorities must
make it clear on what international document the announcement is
based. In my opinion, Len Marker reminded the 1921 act according
to which Azerbaijan gives up Karabakh. Today there are two Armenian
Republics in the region. I am deeply concerned about the fact that
OSCE does not recognize Karabakh as an independent republic”.

ARMENIAN FM: KARABAKH SETTLEMENT MAY ONLY BE BASED ON COMPROMISES
Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 05:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “In spite no progress is registered in the course of
the talks between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Kazan,
the Armenian party positively evaluates its outcomes,” Armenian FM
Vartan Oskanian stated. In his words, the conflict settlement may only
be based on compromises. The Armenian Minister emphasized that the
Kocharian-Aliyev meeting paves way for further talks at the level of
the FMs. “I suppose the Azeri party positively evaluates the outcomes
of the Kazan meeting as well,” the Armenian FM hoped. V. Oskanian
noted that his recurrent meeting with Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov is
possible soon, as well as a visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
to the conflict region. At the same time he did not specify the
date of those events. The Armenian FM did not link the negotiation
process with either the coming parliamentary election in Azerbaijan
or the referendum over the Constitution in Armenia. “These processes
will take place in our countries this year and the talks have not
produced an outcome that could be registered on paper. Thus, I do not
see a direct relation in the time in this case,” he noted. It should
be noted that the Kocharian-Aliyev meeting in Kazan was devoted to
the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs, representing Russia, US and France were present at the
meeting, reported IA Regnum.