Author: Torgomian Varazdat

ARMENIA AND CROATIA SHOULD DEVELOP EVEN MORE THEIR TRADE-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS
ARKA News Agency
July 18 2005
YEREVAN, July 19. /ARKA/. Armenia and Croatia should develop even more
their trade-economic and cultural relations, as RA Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian stated at the meeting with the newly appointed
Ambassador of Croatia to Armenia Mr. Neven Madey (residence in Athens),
according to RA MFA Press Service Department. Oskanian congratulated
the Ambassador and wished him success in his mission. Oskanian highly
appreciated the Armenian -Croatian political relations, mentioned the
importance of formation of a corresponding contractual-legal basis,
organization of regular consulting between the Ministries of Foreign
Affairs. Oskanian introduced the latest events and issues around the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Ambassador of Croatia to Armenia
Mr. Neven Madey was born in 1945, and in 1968 he graduated from
the Department of Economy of Zagreb University. Since 1970 he had
worked in Federal Secretariat of Yugoslavian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and afterwards in the European Commission. Since 1983 he
had occupied the post of a foreign policy councilor of the president
of Yugoslavia. Since 1996 he had headed the resident representative
office of Yugoslavia in UN in Geneva. In 2000-2004 he occupied the
post of the resident representative of Croatia in the Council of
Europe. From 2004 to the moment he was appointed an Ambassador, he
was a Councilor of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Coordinator of
the Department for the countries of NATO and EU. A.H.–0–

Greek shares open higher after yesterday’s 4-yr high, led by Intrakom, Cosmote
07.19.2005, 05:59 AM
Forbes
July 19 2005
ATHENS (AFX) – Shares extended gains in opening trade after the market
advanced strongly yesterday, when the general index ended at 3171,55
points reaching a four-year high.
The ASE general index opened up 0.27 pct at 3,180.26 points and by
11.15 am local time, the general index had advanced 0.70 pct, with
the blue chip index leading the way, up 0.80 pct to 1,793.96 points.
Meanwhile, the mid cap index was higher, up 0.52 pct, but the small
cap index was flat, down 0.09 pct.
Brokers said that they expected the market to take a breather today,
with bank shares setting the pace and midcaps maintaining their
positive momentum.
ITC and defense contractor Intrakom was up 1.60 pct to 3.80 eur
on news it had signed a new 22.8 mln eur supply contract with an
Armenian telecom.
Telecoms were in positive territory, with mobile operator Cosmote up
1.49 pct to 14.96 eur.
Lottery operator OPAP advanced 1.41 pct to 25.86 eur and the back of
positive momentum for its successfully oversubscribed placement.
Banks were also having a good start to the trading session with Alpha
leading, up 1.33 pct to 22.88 eur.

AFGHANS KNOW ARMENIA THANKS TO PARAJANOV AND ARMENIAN MUSIC
YEREVAN, JULY 16. ARMINFO. “Afghans know Armenia mainly thanks to great
Parajanov and Armenian music”, Film Director from Afghanistan Siddik
Barmak stated during the news conference, Saturday. His film “Osama”
is presented in the contest of fiction films of the film festival
“Golden Apricot – 2005”.
At the same time the director mentioned though he has taken part in
such famous festivals like Golden Globe, Venice contest, and received
prizes for Osama, he liked the “taste” of Golden apricot and the
whole Armenia very much. he expressed hope that his new film The War
of Opium will take part in the Yerevan Third Festival in 2006.

Caspian states to create antiterrorist flotilla
RIA Novosti
14 July 2005
ASTRAKHAN REGION, July 14 (RIA Novosti) – The Caspian Sea countries
have backed the idea of establishing a task force for fighting
terrorism in the region, a senior officer in the Russian Navy said
Thursday.
“The idea is to create a task group of the littoral states’ ships,
similar to the Black Sea Force group, to fight terrorism, drug
trafficking, and bio-terrorism,” said Vice-Admiral Yury Startsev, who
commands the Russian Caspian Flotilla.
An international conference devoted to security in the Caspian is
taking place in the Astrakhan region, in Russia’s Volga area. The
parties attending are exchanging opinions at an informal meeting on
the Tatarstan missile ship, the Caspian Flotilla’s flagship.
The fight against terrorism is the central issue on the conference
agenda, Startsev said.
“This problem requires joint efforts by all Caspian states
[Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran],” the admiral
said. “Therefore, it is extremely important to promote cooperation on
the Caspian, as it will allow [us] to respond promptly to emerging
threats.”

The New Anatolian, Turkey
July 14 2005
Babacan: Our only goal is to be a full EU member
The New Anatolian / Ankara
Turkish State Minister and European Union chief negotiator Ali
Babacan indicated late Tuesday that a “silent revolution” is taking
place in Turkey, and added, “We’re taking giant steps by making
political and economic reforms possible. Our ultimate goal is EU
membership.”
Speaking at the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee,
Babacan said that the Turkish economy will soon come to the level
desired by the EU and Turkey’s accession to the EU will contribute to
it being a global power.
Asked by MEPs about the the Cyprus and Armenian issues, Babacan said,
“Options excluding full membership are unacceptable to Turkey.”
“Turkey is conscious about the reality that the negotiations process
will not be short and easy. It will be patient, tolerant,
transparent, and careful during the process. Turkey wants to be
treated fairly and justly by the EU,” Babacan said.
“Ankara puts great importance on the implementation of reforms in
daily life,” said Babacan, adding that both political circles and the
public support the implementations.
Babacan: International support a must to combat terrorism
Babacan touched on the necessity of developing communication and
dialogue between Turkish and EU citizens and said that international
support and solidarity is a must in combating terrorism. “Turkey is
concerned about the lack of international support on this issue,”
Babacan added.
Babacan: Ankara Protocol will be signed
Babacan stated that the Ankara Protocol that extends the Customs
Union Agreement to the 10 new members of the EU, including the Greek
Cypriot administration, will be signed by Turkey.
Babacan highlighted the positive way that Turkey had acted in trying
to find a solution to the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the
Annan plan and said that this positive attitude will continue. He
asserted that the problem remains unsolved due to the Greek Cypriots’
negative attitude. “There’s no doubt about Turkey’s willingness and
desire to find a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem,”
Babacan added.
Babacan: Economic growth continues
Babacan said that the Turkish economy has overcome great problems and
has seen rising growth for three years now. “Our inflation went down
to 9.3 percent and is expected to decrease further to 8 percent.”
In related news, at press time, Babacan was scheduled to meet EU
Commission members yesterday.

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Türken und Armenier
Bagdad-Bahn
An der Peripherie erscheint, was eine Gesellschaft aus ihrer Mitte
hervorbringt – und umgekehrt. Die Gezeiten, die diesen Austausch
bestimmen, mögen wechselhaft sein, Hoch- und Tiefstände schwanken, die
Bewegung zwischen Zentrum und Peripherie selbst aber scheint für
moderne Gesellschaften konstitutiv. Denn dieser Austausch läßt nicht
nur Ideen und Geschmacksvorstellungen zirkulieren, wie die Geschichte
des modernen Tanzes, der Mode und der Kunst belegt. Im Bewegungsspiel
zwischen Mitte und Rand entsteht vielmehr jener Ausblick, jene
unbeschriebene Fläche zwischen Flut und Ebbe, auf die hinaus nicht nur
die ästhetische, sondern auch die politische und soziale
Gedankenfreiheit zieht. Dort malt sie ihre Projekte aus, dort auch
trifft sich die politische Imagination, losgelöst von den herrschenden
Konventionen und Selbstverständlichkeiten.
Was in der Mitte einer Gesellschaft nicht einmal gesagt werden darf,
kann an ihrem Rand sogar getan werden. Diese Freiheit durch Abstand
ist ethisch vollkommen unbestimmt, in ihr kann alles und jedes
geschehen, das Beste wie das Schlimmste. Reinhart Koselleck hat in
seinem Essay zur Jahrtausendwende (F.A.Z. vom 27. November 1999)
darauf aufmerksam gemacht, daß die symbolisch-prognostischen Daten für
das Europa des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts außerhalb des Kontinents zu
suchen seien: in Afrika, Südamerika und Asien. Aus gutem Grund also
widmet die Genozid-Forschung ihre Aufmerksamkeit der Gewalt in den
Kolonien, die von Impulsen angefacht und geleitet worden schien, die
später auf Europa selbst in Verfolgungs- und Vernichtungspolitik
zurückschlagen sollten.
Aber was heißt hier zurückschlagen? Die koloniale Gewalt ist
tatsächlich eine Gewalt, deren Anwendung in keiner Weise auf bestimmte
ferne Territorien oder Gruppen zu beschränken war. Auch ist sie nicht
hinreichend mit bestimmten Konfliktkonstellationen zu
erklären. Extreme Vorstellungen von Gewalt und Vernichtung entstanden
vielmehr, so Mihran Dabag, gerade durch den engen Bezug auf die eigene
Nation, ob in Deutschland, Frankreich, Italien oder
Großbritannien. Gewaltpolitik in der Moderne sei nicht einfach “als
Eskalation von Konflikten, auch nicht als Übersteigerung von
Nationalismen oder Ideologemen” zu interpretieren.
Die Gewalt, die man anderen angedeihen ließ, sollte Bestandteil des
eigenen nationalen Erziehungsprogramms sein, das
geschichtsphilosophisch und machtpolitisch gedeckt wurde
(“National-koloniale Konstruktionen”, in: “Kolonialismus. Genozid und
Gedächtnis”, hrsg. von Mihran Dabag, Horst Gründer und
Uwe-K. Ketelsen, Wilhelm Fink Verlag 2004). Dabag zeigt, wie die
Kolonialpolitik als “Experiment der nationalen Selbstvergewisserung”
angelegt war, das die Zeitgenossen als Prüfstein der eigenen
weltpolitischen Tauglichkeit verstanden. Genauer noch: Bei diesem
Experiment ging es um die Möglichkeit des Neuen. Es ging um
Überwindung, um die Unvermittelbarkeit von altem und neuem
Nationskonzept, die in der Beschwörung der neuen Aufgaben selbst
hergestellt wird. Dabag legt dar, wie die Kolonialpolitik die Nation
umdefinierte, indem sie das Nationale vom eigenen Territorium entband
und ihr die Aufgabe stellte, sich ihren Raum zu suchen. Diese
ungeheuere Dynamisierung des nationalen Selbstbegriffs – die zweite
Universalisierung nach der Französischen Revolution – entwickelte im
Verbund mit Rassekonzepten eine Sprengkraft, deren Gewalt nach außen
wie nach innen die Fundamente der früheren nationalpolitischen
Zielsetzung zerstörte – und deren Moral.
Die deutsche Kolonialpolitik Ende des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts, so
Dabag, sei nicht zu trennen von den “Erwägungen um die Gestaltung
einer modernen deutschen Nation und den Forderungen nach ihrer
handlungsfähigen Verwirklichung”. Es entstand eine neue Hierarchie an
Werten und politischen Prioritäten, deren imperialistischer Anspruch
sich nicht nur gegen die bescheidenere frühere Nationalkonzeption
richtete, sondern auch Vorrang vor religiösen Selbstbindungen
beanspruchte, wie sie das Christentum bereithielt. Erst diese
Revolution oder Extension der nationalen Selbstvorstellung, die seit
dem Ende des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts ihre eigene Tradition in
Biographien und Mentalitäten hervorbrachte, läßt verständlich werden,
warum die europäischen Nationen im zwanzigsten Jahrhundert in Formen
extremer Gewalt nicht ihren eigenen Verfall, sondern ihre Zukunft
sehen wollten.
Aus dem neuen Horizont erwuchs auch eine neue Bedenkenlosigkeit und
Brutalität. Wer Berlin und Bagdad zu zwei Polen einer imperialen
Einheit erheben wollte, sollte in der Tat das Schicksal der Armenier
im Osmanischen Reich nicht mehr als Schicksal christlicher Brüder
betrachten dürfen. Das armenische Schicksal war vielmehr das eigene
Drohbild. Es war das Schicksal eines “herabgesunkenen Volkes”, das im
“großen Weltenringen” niedergedrückt wurde und bald verschwinden
würde. Das jungtürkische Regime durfte also während des Ersten
Weltkriegs nicht allein auf machtpolitische Rücksicht des Deutschen
Reiches rechnen, sondern auch auf weltanschauliches Verständnis,
versuchte es doch gerade selbst jenen Sprung in die neue nationale
Selbstbehauptung. Diese sah im Armenier die Verkörperung des neuen
Feindes in alter Erscheinung, dessen Vernichtung Teil des
Erziehungsprogramms des eigenen Volkes sein sollte. So ist es denn
auch nicht in erster Linie die Religion, sondern der unverminderte
türkische Nationalismus mit seinen gewaltsamen Ermächtigungen, der das
größte Hindernis für die Aufnahme der Europäischen Nation
darstellt. Diese nämlich ist im Kern nichts anderes als eine
Selbst-Schutzgemeinschaft vor dem Nationalen.
MICHAEL JEISMANN

Armenian president, diaspora reps discuss cooperation
Arminfo
13 Jul 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan had a meeting with a delegation of
the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) headed by the chairman of the
Board of Directors, Anthony Barsamyan, today. Barsamyan presented the
new executive director of the AAA, Bryan Ardouny, to the Armenian
president.
Kocharyan praised cooperation with the AAA as effective and said it
already had a rather long history, the presidential press service told
Arminfo. The Armenian president welcomed regular visits by
representatives of the organization to Armenia.
The sides discussed a number of issues on the agenda of Armenian-US
relations, exchanged views on issues of economic development of
Armenia and the relationship between Armenia and the diaspora. They
also touched upon the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
The AAA delegation submitted a programme of future cooperation to the
Armenian president.

AZG Armenian Daily #129, 14/07/2005
Study
TURKEY WILL DEVELOP EASTERN REGIONS, ARMENIA WILL REDUCE
TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
If Only Armenian-Turkish Border Opens
A study conducted by the Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice
Center (AEPLAC), a research center funded by the European Union
arrived at a conclusion that the opening of Armenian-Turkish border
can be beneficial for both Armenia and Turkey.
Yesterday, the AEPLAC’s executive director, Tigran Jrbashian,
represented conclusions of the study concerning the external trade of
Armenia. He mentioned key positive effects of an open border:
reduction of transportation expenses and increase of trade flow. The
open border will become an alternative to importing and exporting
goods through Turkey’s Mediterranean harbors, which will cost
incomparably cheaper than through Georgia.
Tigran Jrbashian said that the open border will boost Armenian export,
will increase GDP, will bring in more investments and will create more
real chances to integrate into the EU.
Turkey, on its part, will be able to use Armenia’s transit roads,
particularly the Kars-Gyumri railway. This is the greatest positive
effect that Turkey can have, Jrbashian thinks. Goods turnover between
Armenia and Turkey will enable the latter to develop its eastern
provinces.
Deputy economy and trade minister, Davit Avetisian, dubbed the study
“unique”. “We had great expectations and they came true” he said.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
WCC REPRESENTATIVE MICHEL NSEIR IN ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I received Dr. Michel Nseir, the representative of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) in the Middle East, on July 9 in the
Armenian Monastery of Bikfaya. The two discussed issues related to the
ecumenical movement in the region, matters related to the WCC office in the
Middle East and the upcoming ninth General Assembly of WCC.
Nseir informed His Holiness about the structure and activities of the WCC
Middle East office. His Holiness and Nseir also discussed the possibilities
of MECC’s restructuring into an organization that addresses the challenges
of the current world.
His Holiness outlined to his guest the important aspects and concerns
related to what is referred to in the WCC as “reconfiguration” process.
Several important meetings have already been held in this respect in Geneva
and Antelias. As Moderator of the WCC His Holiness Aram I has been playing a
significant role in this process.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

CITIZENS DO NOT TRUST THE MUNICIPALITY
A1+
11-07-2005
For the last two weeks there have been almost no applications from the
citizens to the Yerevan municipality to legalize their illegal
buildings. There are even a number of decisions about legalization
which remain in the municipality as their owners do not come to take
them. {BR}
Today the Yerevan mayor chief advisor Grigor Melqumyan expressed his
concern about it. The municipality has established the deadline of
legalizing illegal buildings till August 22. Mr. Melqumyan excludes
the possibility of the citizens not applying to them because of the
corruptedness of officials, as mentioned by the
journalists. Nevertheless, he could not give a reason for this
phenomenon.
During 2003-2005 there have been 43560 applications of legalization of
illegal buildings. According to Mr. Melqumyan, 33 000 have been
legalized.