Author: Torgomian Varazdat

IWPR- Institute for War & Peace Reporting
March 2 2005
KARABAKH: POLITICAL PARTY BOOM
Three serious political rivals have emerged to challenge the
government of Nagorny Karabakh in the upcoming parliamentary
elections.
By Ashot Beglarian in Stepanakert
Nagorny Karabakh voters are spoilt for choice in the upcoming
parliamentary elections as for the first time a plethora of new
parties has
emerged to challenge the government.
Many in the Armenian-majority territory are predicting a high turnout
in June following the appearance on the political scene of three
serious rivals to the pro-government bloc currently dominating
parliament, the Democratic Party of Artsakh.
It holds 20 seats, with the nationalist Dashnaktsutiun party
controlling eight and five being held by independents. The Dashnaks
became
the de facto opposition in parliament three months ago after the
dismissal of its party member, Education Minister Armen Sarkisian,
from the
government.
One reason for the opposition party boom are changes to Nagorny
Karabakh’s electoral law which means that this time one-third of the
33-seat parliament will be selected by proportional representation.
Parties that gain 10 per cent of the vote will win seats in the
assembly,
and the multiplicity of parties means that few expect one group to
dominate the next parliament.
These will be the fourth set of legislative elections since 1991,
when, amidst an escalating war, Nagorny Karabakh declared
independence
from Azerbaijan. The territory has never been recognised by the
outside world, nor have any of the elections held there.
Alexander Sarkisian, a political analyst, said the “objectivity and
clear civic stand” of Karabakh’s central electoral commission has
encouraged the parties to believe this is a contest worth fighting.
He
also speculated the lively interest in politics amongst Karabakh
Armenians at the moment may have started with the election of an
opposition
candidate as mayor of Stepanakert last summer.
“I don’t think it’s just corporate interests that are motivating
people, it’s a desire to change the situation for the better,” said
Sarkisian. “It’s rare to hear these days the sceptical view that ‘one
set
of masters leaves and another takes their place’.”
Free Motherland, the first of the new parties to emerge, was founded
by Artur Tovmasian, a former speaker of parliament; Arpat Avanesian,
a former university rector; and two successful businessmen, Araik
Harutyunian and Rudik Usnunts.
At the party conference, Tovmasian criticised the government, saying
that Karabakh was suffering from a “post-war syndrome that has forced
many young people to leave their motherland, while those that have
come to power have been far from the best”.
Free Motherland has support from within the current parliament and is
expected to win a number of seats based on a programme that “reflects
the fundamental interests of the Karabakh nation, guarantees its
freedom, security and right to self-determination”.
Parliamentary deputy Ararat Petrosian heads another new party, Our
Home is Armenia, which was founded in January. As the name suggests,
its ultimate aim is union with Armenia. It also makes a strong appeal
to voters disaffected with life in contemporary Karabakh.
Party leaders say they want to raise the standard of living in
Karabakh, strengthen the rule of law, ensure a division between
different
branches of power and that veterans of the 1991-1994 conflict receive
enough attention from the state.
“Participation in the parliamentary elections this summer is not our
top priority, but the party will fight for seats in parliament so as
to be able to give voice to the most pressing problems in the highest
representative organ,” Petrosian said.
A third group, Movement 88, held its inaugural conference January 22,
promising “to stay true to the basic mission of the socio-political
movement of 1988” when Karabakh’s move for secession from Soviet
Azerbaijan began. Amongst its policy pledges are a strengthening of
ties
between Karabakh, Armenia and the diaspora, a strong emphasis on
defending human rights, freedom of speech and fighting corruption.
One of the founders and leaders of the party, Eduard Agabekian, the
current mayor of Stepanakert and a parliamentary deputy, last year
won
popularity when he confidently saw off the government candidate in
the second round of the mayoral elections. Since then, however, his
approval rating has fallen, and Movement 88 will struggle to win
seats
in parliament.
Two other parties, the centre-right Armenakan party and the Communist
Party, are also unlikely to win over enough voters to gain places.
The opposition Dashnaks are expected to do better but will not win
the
largest number of seats.
Ashot Beglarian is a freelance journalist in Stepanakert and IWPR
contributor.

Armenian opposition MP lambastes government, calls for early polls
Arminfo
1 Mar 05
YEREVAN
The Armenian authorities are in agony, which can be witnessed by
squabble and showdown within the ruling coalition against a background
of searching for President Kocharyan’s successor, the secretary of the
opposition Justice bloc, Viktor Dallakyan, told the National Assembly
today.
The infighting and squabbling in the coalition show that the ruling
regime which is aware of its failings is attempting to disavow its
wrongdoing and flee the sinking ship, he said. The Armenian
authorities’ policy caused a domestic and foreign political crisis,
Dallakyan said. The level of poverty and migration has increased in
the country over the past years, he noted.
Dallakyan stressed that a criminal atmosphere has been created in the
country as a result of the unlawful actions by the “criminal elements
who swept Robert Kocharyan to power”. Corruption, bribery and the
shadow economy are of immense proportions.
“The falsified data represented by the authorities on the economic
growth aim to cover up the illegal activities of the president’s clan
in the lucrative areas of business,” Dallakyan said.
Human rights abuses and lawlessness are rampant, he stressed. Armenia
has been squeezed out of the regional processes, while the Karabakh
issue has been deadlocked as a result of the anti-national policy by
the ruling regime, the MP said, stressing that the only way out of the
situation is to conduct early presidential and parliamentary
elections.
Not only the opposition forces, but also the forces “for whom the
culture of a more polite address to each other is still dear” should
come together in order to change power, the MP said.

Los Angeles Daily News
March 1 2005
‘This is a very meaningful thing’
Settlement, checks part of genocide suit
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
Four Armenian charities, including one in Burbank and another in
Glendale, on Monday received more than $333,000 from New York Life as
part of a $20 million class action settlement with descendents of the
1915 Armenian genocide.
The settlements were distributed during a ceremony in Pasadena
attended by representatives from the four charities, New York Life
officials and several attorneys.
“This is a very meaningful thing, recognition of the genocide,” said
Richard Mushegain, chairman of the lay council for the Burbank-based
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. “And it’s
something we pursued against the obstructions of the Turkish
government and sometimes our own government.”
Officials from the Armenian Educational Foundation in Glendale, the
Los Angeles office of the Armenian Relief Society and the Western
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Los Angeles also received
checks.
All the charities received exactly $333,333.33. The Western Diocese
of the Armenian Church of North America plans to spend its share on
clergy education.
“During the genocide, a lot of the Armenian clergy were killed; in
fact, most of the Armenian clergy in the world were killed,”
Mushegain said. “It’s a fitting use of the money.”
The AEF has an annual budget of about $1 million, said Executive
Secretary Haigoush Keghinian-Kohler. But the money represents far
more than a boost to the group’s their budget.
“We have mixed emotions,” she said. “There is history attached to it.
There were lives that were wasted for no reason.”
The AEF’s board will decide later this month how to spend the money.
The charity runs after-school programs for Glendale students,
provides college scholarships and helps renovate and repair schools
in Armenia. The $20 million settlement, which New York Life agreed to
last year, ends a class action lawsuit on behalf of the descendents
of 2,400 policyholders, who were among the 1.5 million Armenians
killed in the Ottoman Empire 90 years ago. The charities and churches
receiving the money were chosen because they helped Armenians settle
in America after the genocide.
“The entire community will benefit as a result of this settlement,”
said state Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi.
Descendents covered under the settlement have until March 15 to make
a claim, Garamendi said.

Transeuro Completes Financing, New President Appointed
Business Wire
Mar 01, 2005
Transeuro Energy Corp. (the “Company”)(TSX VENTURE:TSU) is pleased to
announce the appointment of Mr. Edward Farrauto as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Mr. Farrauto is a director of Transeuro and the
Company’s
current Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Carlos Munoz has resigned as President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Munoz
will continue in his capacity as Director of the Company. The Board of
Directors of Transeuro Energy Corp. wish to thank Mr. Munoz for his
contributions to
the Company.
Mr. Farrauto has held the position of CFO since June of 2002. Mr. Farrauto
has several years of experience as a senior financial officer in public
companies. His experience encompasses financial and regulatory compliance and
public
company management. Mr. Farrauto has been directly responsible for overseeing
private placement financings, prospectus filings, reverse takeovers and merger
and acquisition transactions. He has extensive experience with U.S. filings
including SEC clearance and reporting issuers.
The Company has completed a non-brokered private placement of 7,690,000 units
for gross cash proceeds of $5,383,000. Each unit consists of one common share
and one half of one warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to
purchase one common share at $0.76 for a period of one year. The proceeds of the
offering will be used for the development of existing properties, the
acquisition of additional properties and general working capital. A $8,417.50
cash
finder’s fee will be paid on this financing and the common shares and warrants
issued will be subject to a four month hold from the closing date.
The Company has granted Mr. Alan Peyton options to purchase up to 50,000
shares in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.77 for a period of five
years expiring on February 15, 2009. The foregoing is subject to TSX Venture
Exchange approval. Mr. Peyton will begin to evaluation of the Company’s Block 2
project in Armenia as well as the Company’s Petroleum Prospecting License #260
in
Papua New Guinea.
The Company has entered into a contract with Chernomornaftagas to complete
Transeuro’s Gas Treatment Plant (“GTP”) in the Chernomorsk region of the Crimean
Peninsula, southern Ukraine. This contract had been originally awarded to
Servisgas. The Company has terminated this contract with Servisgas due to
Servisgas being unable to procure and fabricate equipment to specifications
outlined
in the contract.TRANSEURO ENERGY David Parry, 604-639-7878 Director fax:
604-608-4733 email: [email protected] website: class=”bottom_url”>www.TRANSEUROENERGY.COM