Author: Torgomian Varazdat

UE: DA DOMANI PRODI IN AZERBAIGIAN, GEORGIA E ARMENIA
ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
September 15, 2004
BRUXELLES — (ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 15 SET – Il presidente della
Commissione Ue Romano Prodi sara’ in visita ufficiale domani e venerdi’
in Azerbaigian, poi in Georgia e il 19 settembre in Armenia. Lo rende
noto la Commissione europea precisando che i colloqui con questi tre
paesi saranno incentrati sui prossimi passi della politica europea
di vicinato e piu’ in generale sulle relazioni bilaterali.
Prodi lancera’ un appello ai governi dei tre paesi per spingere avanti
le riforme e la risoluzione dei conflitti. La visita fa seguito ad
una decisione del Consiglio Ue del 14 giugno scorso che ha incluso
i tre paesi della regione sud del Caucaso nella politica europea
di vicinato.(ANSA).

Stop genocide as it develops in Sudan
Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
September 13, 2004 Monday FIFTH EDITION
Adolph Hitler was the epitome of human evil and the epitome of
indifference to human life. And yet, he may have understood human
nature far better than any of us would want to admit. In reference to
the West tolerating the destruction of European Jewry, Hitler is
reported to have said before World War II: “Who, after all, speaks
today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
Who, indeed? At least hundreds of thousands, probably over a million,
Armenians died at the hands of the Turks. Hitler and the Nazis
murdered 6 million Jews. The world then reflected on genocide and
affirmed “never again.”
And yet, since that time, there have been many attempts at genocide.
Scholars currently investigating mass graves in Cambodia now estimate
Pol Pot’s more than 3-year reign led to the deaths of approximately
two million people.
According to Amnesty International: “In 1994, close to 1 million
people were killed in a planned and systematic genocide in the
central African country of Rwanda.” Most of us will remember the
attempt at “ethnic cleansing” that occurred in the former Yugoslavia
only a few years ago. In all these atrocities, torture, mutilation
and rape of the victim populations were standard procedure.
According to The Save Darfur Coalition, at this very moment, a
government supported militia “is deliberately killing, raping and
terrorizing civilians in Darfur As many as 100,000 civilians have
been killed and 1.2 million people have been driven from their
homes.”
These events in western Sudan are a genocide in the making. Let us
not allow, by our silence, indifference or ignorance, the people of
Darfur to be added to a list already far too long. Let us press both
our government and our media to prevent a larger catastrophe than
already has occurred.
Rabbi Allen Juda
Bethlehem

GROWTH OF LOAN INVESTMENTS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Sept 04
Recently trade banks have been reporting growth of activity in the
financial sector. According to the data provided by the NKR National
Statistics Service, by July 1 of this year the amount of loans provided
by trade banks (in AM drams or foreign currency) totaled 8178.4 million
drams and from January 1, 2004 grew by 2144.9 million drams or 35.5 per
cent. About 76 per cent of the amount of loans which totals 6225.9 per
cent was provided in foreign currency. The amount of loans provided
in foreign currency increased from January 1 of the current year by
22.1 per cent or 1126.8 million drams. In the mentioned period the
amount of delinquent loans and extended loans totaled respectively
50.8 and 50.1 million drams. Against January 1 the amount of loans
with extended terms increased by 62.3 per cent, and delinquent loans
by 16.5 per cent. Foreign money transfers received during the first
half of 2004 totaled 5061.5 drams and grew by 89.5 per cent against
the first half of 2003. The share of the foreign money transfers by
natural persons was 19 per cent.
AA.
13-09-2004

NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF FINLAND HANDS HER CREDENTIALS OVER TO PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN
ArmenPress
Sept 10 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The newly appointed ambassador of
Finland to Armenia Ms. Terry Hakkalan, with residence in Helsinki,
handed over her credentials to president Robert Kocharian today.
According to president press services, congratulating the diplomat on
taking up the new post, Robert Kocharian said that Armenian underscores
developing relations with Finland.
The ambassador said that Finland is interested in stimulating
cooperation with South Caucasian countries, and Armenia in particular,
and is watchfully following the developments in the region. She
underscored Armenia’s involvement in European Union New Neighborhood
Project which opens up significant opportunities for cooperation.
The president of the republic and the ambassador exchanged ideas
on stimulating bilateral relations. Ms. Terri Hakalla said that
Finish business community is largely interested in Armenia. The sides
underscored development of a proper legal field and holding a business
forum in order to make business links more active.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 9 2004
MINISTER OF DEFENCE RECEIVED DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE US EUROPEAN
COMMAND
[September 09, 2004, 22:16:33]
On September 9, Minister of Defense of the Azerbaijan Republic
colonel-general Safar Abiyev has received Deputy Commander of the
United States European Command Charles Wald and delegation headed
by him.
As was informed into AzerTAj from the press-service of the Ministry of
Defense, the visitor has familiarized with the course of preparation
for field exercises “Cooperative Best Effort-04 ” which will be
carried out in the near future in Baku within the framework of the
program of the NATO “Partnership For Peace”.
General C. Wald has expressed confidence that these exercises would
pass successfully.
Colonel-general Safar Abiyev and general Charles Wald had exchange
of opinions on the present military-political situation in region of
the Southern Caucasus and events occurring here recently.
Having mentioned the relations between Azerbaijan and the USA,
the Minister of Defense has noted, that our country relies upon the
United States of America as strategic ally, and continues cooperation
with them in all fields, including in military sphere. The Minister
has expressed concern of our people in connection with the conflicts
proceeding in region, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan, still have not
found its settlement. Having emphasized, that the said conflict renders
negative influence on realization of the project of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
and other economic projects, he has told: “It is necessary to solve
this problem shortly. Everyone should realize, that Azerbaijan would
not concede to anybody and a span of the native land”.
General C. Wald has told: “You have truly noted. On the Southern
Caucasus still there are more many non-resolved problems. The
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict concerns to them also. The given
conflict should find its settlement internationally. The USA, Russia
and Turkey should accept active participation in solution of the
said question. It is necessary to conduct joint struggle against
terrorism. We should take part together in the settlement of the
mentioned question. Problems of your country should be settled shortly,
and economic prosperity start in the region”.
Expressing his attitude to development of military links of
our country, Charles Wald has noted, that the USA attaches great
importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan in military area, and the
said cooperation will extend.
The sides have had comprehensive exchange of views on prospects
of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, and have
emphasized necessity of strengthening of combat against the
international terrorism.
Ambassador of the USA in Azerbaijan Republic Rino Harnish took part
in the meeting.

Azeri police detain 10 anti-Armenian protesters picketing German embassy
Turan news agency
8 Sep 04
Baku, 8 September: Ten pickets from the United People’s Front of
Azerbaijan Party [UPFAP] have been arrested by the police and taken to
police station No 39 of Sabayil district. The picket was held outside
the German embassy in protest against the arrival of Armenian officers
in Baku for the NATO exercises.
As the party’s press service told our news agency, the police rudely
intervened and did not allow the picket to come to an end. All
detainees were set free after a while.
Another action of protest has been scheduled for 10 September outside
the British embassy. It has not been sanctioned either.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENOCIDE
AND HUMAN RIGHTS STUDIES
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute)
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: August 31, 2004 Tel: 416-250-9807
40 STUDENTS IN US AND CANADA COMPLETE THIRD ANNUAL UNIVERSITY PROGRAM BY
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENOCIDE & HUMAN RIGHTS STUDIES
Toronto, Canada – Forty international students attending university
campuses in Minneapolis and Toronto have successfully completed the
two-week, accredited Genocide and Human Rights University Program (GHRUP)
for the third year in a row. Operating under a partnership between the
University of Minnesota and the International Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) (IIGHRS), the
program graduated a total of 40 participants this year. This year’s
students were of Armenian, Azeri, Bengali, Cambodian, Chinese, English,
Hungarian, Iranian, Irish, Romanian, Scottish, Turkish, and Vietnamese
descent. Nearly 100 students from eighteen countries have completed the
program thus far.
The faculty, many of whom are foremost experts in their respective fields,
was expanded this year from 12 to 17 instructors between Toronto and
Minneapolis.
“We are very gratified with the results of the program in both cities,”
said Dr. Roger Smith, a Co-Director of the program. “This is a unique
experience for both the students and the faculty. Students have the
opportunity to learn from a number of renowned specialists, and faculty
have the opportunity to team teach and interact with serious students who
come from around the world,” he commented. “Being together in class seven
hours a day, for two weeks straight, makes for a very intense experience,
both intellectually and emotionally. I am pleased that the students in each
location were able to develop into cohesive groups,” he added.
Dr. Stephen Feinstein, the other Co-Director of the program, indicated that
the Minneapolis program, which has been conducted in other forms since
1997, was directed at teachers seeking renewal credits, as well as upper
division undergraduate and graduate students. Several of those in the
Minneapolis program were looking toward careers in human rights law,
political science, history and other subjects with an emphasis on the study
of genocide.
Taner Akçam, who represented the University of Minnesota as the professor
of record for accreditation purposes in Toronto, has been with the program
since its inception. He observed, “This is a comprehensive course that
explores the causes, methods, and effects of genocide through an
examination of four major case studies. It does so through a study of
genocide theory, history, sociology, political science, and even art and
literature. I am proud to see so many highly motivated students come from
far and wide to participate in this program. I admire their idealism and
their commitment. I wish that we could run this program in Turkey one day.”
Among the faculty was Major Brent Beardsley of the Canadian Forces. In
1994, during the genocide in Rwanda, Major Beardsley served as the Personal
Staff Officer to then Major-General Romeo Dallaire, the Force Commander of
the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Major Beardsley
was an eyewitness to the genocide in Rwanda and earlier this year testified
for the prosecution at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in
Arusha, Tanzania. He had this to say about the program. “Once again the
students attending this course never fail to amaze me. Such a diverse group
from so many backgrounds and locations, but unique, smart, swift and thirsty.”
Participating for the first time this year was Prof. Eric Markusen, Senior
Research Fellow at the Danish Institute of International Studies,
Department for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He enthralled the students
with remarks on his recent trip to Chad, where he was conducting an
investigation on behalf of the American Government into the genocidal acts
in the Darfur region of Sudan. Commenting on his experience at the program,
he wrote the following.
I want to express my thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to
participate as a faculty in this year’s [program]. I thoroughly enjoyed
every minute of it and came away invigorated and encouraged. It was great
to see old friends and wonderful to meet the amazing students from all over
the world. I was very impressed with the range and depth of the material
dealt with, as well as the fine organization…. Now that I have actually
experienced one of your summer [programs], I am more interested than ever
in pursuing … the possibility of holding an Institute here in Copenhagen or
elsewhere in Europe.
It was noted by Program Coordinator Amanda Duncombe that it would be much
easier for students from Europe, the Middle East and the Former Soviet
Union to attend the program in Copenhagen or another city in Europe.
Joyce Apsel is Master Teacher in the General Studies Program at New York
University, where she teaches courses in Great Books and on Genocide and
Human Rights, and is the Past President of the International Association of
Genocide Scholars. She both participated in the course as a faculty member,
and observed it as an auditor. As part of her analysis of the program, she
wrote,
The superb facilitation by Roger Smith as well as Stephen Feinstein created
an extremely positive learning environment which balanced the seriousness
of the topics and detailed information with humor, insight and concern for
students and their particular needs. (Individual projects were an excellent
mechanism to do this). The classroom environment during the sessions I
attended encouraged student input and dialogue.
Many of the students shared their enthusiasm with the faculty, as expressed
in their comments.
“Though I have examined these issues at the graduate level, the in-depth
manner in which each topic was treated enhanced my knowledge greatly of the
finer details of many subjects.”
“Wonderful experience. Learned more in two weeks that I have in a long
time. Particularly benefited from the high quality of both professors and
students.”
“I would like to thank you for the amazing opportunity you gave me in
Toronto with the GHRUP symposium. I learned an incredible amount, met
amazing people, and had the privilege of sitting in on some profound
lectures. I truly appreciate the scholarship you gave me as it allowed me
to have this experience that I will never forget. Not only has my knowledge
base in the subject area of genocide increased, but the program has
inspired me to further pursue this interest of mine in Human Rights and
Genocide in my future academic career.”
K.M. (Greg) Sarkissian, President of the Zoryan Institute, having seen the
reaction of the students, their interest, and the demand for such a course,
along with the increased requests from scholars to expand the program to
universities in other countries expressed the hope “that community leaders,
philanthropic organizations, and government agencies will respond to the
call for supporting the Genocide and Human Rights University Program and
its expansion to Europe.” He added, “To provide such a unique and
high-quality learning experience costs approximately $90,000 per campus,
yet every effort made to raise awareness and ultimately finding ways to
prevent gross human rights violations and the killing of masses of people
is worth every penny we invest.”
The GHRUP examines many facets of genocide, starting with a theoretical
approach to the definition of genocide, an analysis of the development of
the concept of human rights, and the relationship between the two. The
program then examines four cases of genocide, including the Jewish
Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide, and the Rwandese Genocide. Using the
Armenian Genocide, the archetypal genocide of the 20th Century, as a point
of reference, these case studies, along with others, are analyzed in a
comparative manner. In addition, special themes, such as genocide denial;
women, children and genocide; genocide and its relation to Diasporas;
education and genocide; the possibility of reconciliation between victim
and perpetrator groups; and the prevention of genocide are all explored in
an interdisciplinary manner, using the approaches of history, sociology,
political science, anthropology, and law. The overall objectives of the
program are a) teach students how to define and predict the conditions in
which genocide occurs; b) to thereby make it possible to prevent genocide;
c) to promote reconciliation; and d) to help develop a new generation of
young scholars to pursue advanced studies in this subject. In the process,
the course provides participants with the intellectual framework for
understanding the numerous, complex, and often emotional issues related to
genocide as a universal human experience.
More information about this year’s course, including the entire syllabus,
can be found at Registration for summer 2005 will
begin later this year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan, Iran plan reciprocal gas exports in Sep 2005
Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
September 2, 2004
BAKU, Sept 2 (Prime-Tass) — Azerbaijan and Iran plan to start
reciprocal exports of natural gas next September, the President
of Azeri state gas company Azerigaz Alikhan Melikov told reporters
Thursday.
According to this plan Azerbaijan is to get 50 million cubic meters
of natural gas from Iran by the end of 2005 and 250 million cubic
meters of gas in 2006, while in 2008 gas exports to Azerbaijan are
forecast at 350 million cubic meters. This gas is to be supplied to
Nakhichevan, an autonomous republic which is separated from Azerbaijan
by Armenia, which has a demand for natural gas of 350 billion cubic
meters per year.
Azeri gas exports to Iran are seen 15% higher than Iran’s gas exports
to Azerbaijan.
Melikov said that USD 20 million are to be spent on construction of
a 43-kilometer pipeline from Nakhichevan to Dzhulfa, a town on the
Iranian border, which will link the pipeline systems of both countries.
Another USD 17 million are to be spent on construction of gas
compressor stations, gas distribution stations, and other facilities
in Azerbaijan.
In the Soviet era natural gas supplies to Nakhichevan went through
Armenia, but they halted in 1992 due to a conflict between the two
countries. End
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

338.3 HECTARES OF MATURE FIELDS SUFFER FROM FIRE IN ARTSAKH IN SUMMER MONTHS
STEPANAKERT, August 31 (Noyan Tapan). 17 big fires were registered
in Artsakh this summer. Grigory Gasparian, Chief of the division
on Fire-Rescue Forces of the NKR Emergency Situations Department,
told NT’s correspondent that a total of 6,405 hectares have burned,
338.3 hectares of them have been mature fields. According to him, the
guilty persons and the reasons for fires have already been disclosed.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
KERRY VOWS TO CONTINUE HIS FIGHT AGAINST
THE DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— Reinforces Strong Pro-Genocide Recognition Stand
in Message to “Armenstock” Music Festival
“There can be no compromise on the
clear moral imperative to end genocide.”
– John Kerry, August 28, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC – In his strongest campaign statement to date on
Armenian issues, John Kerry publicly committed this weekend that a
Kerry-Edwards administration would “fight against the denial of the
Armenian Genocide,” reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).
The strongly worded statement was read by a long-time friend of the
Armenian American community, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), at
the “Armenstock – Kef for Kerry” music festival on August 28th in
Franklin, Massachusetts. In the statement, Senator Kerry thanked
the “organizers of Armenstock, Armenians for Kerry and the Armenian
National Committee of America, for bringing so many Armenian
Americans together,” for the music festival. Joining Congressman
Frank in making presentations at the program were U.S.
Representative James McGovern (D-MA), who represents the Franklin
area, and State Representatives Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham) and
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown). The all-day concert and rally in
celebration of the Kerry-Edwards campaign, attracted over eight
hundred Armenians to hear Armenian musicians and to kick-off a
nationwide voter mobilization and get-out-the-Armenian-vote
campaign for the fall of 2004. The program was produced by
“Armenians for Kerry” and Pomegranate Music Events –
For additional information, visit:
In his statement, Senator Kerry explained that it has been his
“privilege, over the past two decades, to work with the Armenian
community on important issues including U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations and trade,
lifting the devastating blockades of Armenia and working for a fair
and lasting peace in Nagorno Karabagh.” He added that he is
“honored to have the endorsement of the ANCA,” and appreciates the
organization’s “work to encourage Armenian Americans around the
country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on November 2nd.” The ANCA endorsed the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on July 25th of this year.
Speaking directly to concerns about the actions of a future Kerry-
Edwards administration, Senator Kerry said,” I want to assure you
that, as President, I will continue to fight against the denial of
the Armenian Genocide. My administration will recognize April 24,
2005 as the 90th Anniversary of this atrocity and will work to
ensure that the lessons of this crime against humanity are used to
prevent future genocides. There can be no compromise on the clear
moral imperative to end genocide.”
During his long tenure in the US House and Senate, Senator Kerry
has consistently been a leading advocate of issues of concern to
Armenian Americans. As a U.S. Senator, Kerry has forcefully fought
for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and is currently a
cosponsor of the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164. In 1990, Senator
Kerry voted on the Senate floor for Senator Bob Dole’s (R-KS)
Genocide Resolution.
The Massachusetts Senator has been a vocal and effective champion
of stronger U.S.-Armenia relations and has consistently backed
legislative initiative to increase aid and expand trade with
Armenia. He is currently a cosponsor of legislation, S.1557, which
would grant Armenia permanent normal trade relations status.
Senator Kerry has spearheaded a number of initiatives to lift the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. In 1991, he was the lead sponsor
of legislation, which was later enacted as Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act, restricting U.S. aid to the government of
Azerbaijan until its blockades of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh
are lifted. He also worked for the adoption of the Humanitarian Aid
Corridor Act, which called for US aid to Turkey to be cut off
unless Turkey lifted its blockade of Armenia. As recently as this
January, Senator Kerry formally called on President Bush to press
the visiting Prime Minister of Turkey to lift his nation’s illegal
blockade of Armenia.
For more information about the ANCA’s endorsement, visit:
For information about Armenians for Kerry, visit:
Complete coverage of Armenstock will be forthcoming. The full text
of the Kerry-Edwards statement is provided below.
#####
Letter from John Kerry to Armenstock Attendees:
August 28, 2004
I am sorry that I can’t join you today at Armenstock, and I want to
thank all of you – the organizers of Armenstock, Armenians for
Kerry and the Armenian National Committee of America – for bringing
so many Armenian Americans together today to help move America
forward.
I have been honored to represent tens of thousands of Armenian
Americans as a Massachusetts Senator. And I look forward to
representing hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans as the
next President of the United States.
It has been my privilege, over the past two decades, to work with
the Armenian community on important issues including U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strengthening U.S.-Armenia
relations and trade, lifting the devastating blockades of Armenia
and working for a fair and lasting peace in Nagorno Karabagh.
I am honored to have the endorsement of the ANCA. By bringing
together Armenian Americans from several states in the Northeast,
Armenstock is generating enthusiasm and inspiring political
involvement, especially among young Armenian Americans. I
appreciate your work to encourage Armenian Americans around the
country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on November 2nd.
I want to assure you that, as President, I will continue to fight
against the denial of the Armenian Genocide. My administration
will recognize April 24, 2005 as the 90th Anniversary of this
atrocity and will work to ensure that the lessons of this crime
against humanity are used to prevent future genocides. There can
be no compromise on the clear moral imperative to end genocide.
Please accept my appreciation for all that you are doing for our
campaign, for our communities, and for our great nation.