Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Analysis: Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Resume Karabakh Talks
By Liz Fuller
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
May 11 2004
On 12 May, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vartan
Oskanian and Elmar Mammadyarov, will meet for the second time within
one month to discuss approaches to resolving the Karabakh conflict.
Two weeks earlier, the presidents of the two countries, Robert
Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev, held similar talks on the sidelines of
the European Economic Summit in Warsaw (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” 29
April 2004).
Oskanian on 30 April quoted Kocharian as saying he believes his talks
with Aliyev in Warsaw “can really contribute to finding common ground
for the basis of negotiations at future meetings,” RFE/RL’s Armenian
Service reported. Oskanian added that “there will be clear instructions
from the presidents to the foreign ministers regarding putting the
negotiations on a certain basis. So we see positive movement and
believe there will be a continuation.”
That formulation suggests that the Warsaw talks clarified the
Azerbaijani negotiating position. In an interview published in the
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” following his 16 April talks with
Mammadyarov in Prague, Oskanian said that meeting failed to shed any
light on how seriously a statement made by Mammedyarov’s predecessor,
Vilayat Guliev, in February should be taken. Guliev had advocated
beginning talks again from zero (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” 13 February
2004). Oskanian told the German daily he believes Guliev’s statement
was intended purely for internal Azerbaijani consumption.
Neither Oskanian nor Kocharian has given any indication of what issues
were discussed during their respective talks with their Azerbaijani
counterparts. But Mammadyarov told AFP on 30 April that the two sides
are discussing the withdrawal of Armenian forces from seven districts
of Azerbaijan bordering on the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
in exchange for the restoration of rail communication between the two
countries. “The subject of our negotiations right now is how ready
the sides are to make compromises,” AFP quoted Mammadyarov as saying.
Ilham Aliyev said on 7 May that the proposal that Armenian forces
withdraw from the seven districts in return for the resumption of
rail communication originated in Baku, and was not suggested by
the U.S., Russian, and French co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group,
which has been attempting to mediate a solution of the conflict
for the past 12 years. The EU initially included in a resolution
on the South Caucasus adopted earlier this year a demand for the
withdrawal of Armenian forces from the Agdam, Djabrail, Fizuli,
Gubadly, and Zangelan districts of Azerbaijan in return for the
restoration of rail communication between Azerbaijan and Armenia,
but Oskanian at the time rejected that approach, and the demand
was dropped before the final version of the resolution was passed
(see “RFE/RL Newsline,” 30 January, 3 and 27 February, and 1 March
2004). It is not clear why, having rejected earlier this year the
initial EU proposal to withdraw from five districts, the Armenian side
should now be prepared to discuss withdrawing from seven districts,
as the Azerbaijani officials claim.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Kazimirov, who served in mid-1990s as the Russian
co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, has again slammed Armenia’s
stated preference for a “package” solution to the conflict that
would simultaneously resolve all contentious issues. In an interview
published on 30 April in “Nezavisimaya gazeta,” Kazimirov said a
package solution to such a complex conflict is “impossible,” and
that continued insistence on it “will only freeze the situation and
lead the mediation into a blind alley.” Instead, Kazimirov argued,
it would be more advisable to begin the search for a solution with
comparatively minor points.
In a second article, published in “Vremya novostei” on 7 May, Kazimirov
argued that it is important to reestablish a mechanism for constant
contacts between the two sides. He pointed out that the presidents of
the two countries “cannot meet that often, and one should not place the
entire responsibility for concessions on them personally.” Similarly,
Kazimirov continued, the foreign ministers also have numerous other
responsibilities. Therefore, he concluded, it would be better for each
side to choose a delegation that would concentrate exclusively on the
Karabakh conflict. In addition, he argued that the leadership of the
unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic should be included in talks on
“general issues” related to a solution of the conflict. Azerbaijan,
however, has consistently rejected any Karabakh representation at
peace talks.
Kazimirov suggested that the renewed peace talks should focus
simultaneously on four issues on the principle of “territory
for security.” Those four issues are: strengthening the existing
cease-fire and precluding a resumption of hostilities; removing the
root of the conflict by addressing the future status of Karabakh;
removing the consequences of the conflict by withdrawing Armenian
forces from the occupied Azerbaijani districts, demining operations,
and the return of displaced persons to their homes; and what he terms
“elementary measures to reduce tension and normalize relations.”
Kazimirov acknowledged, however, that progress on the second and
third issues would be slow.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
May 8 2004
BBC To Launch Karabakh Web Page On May 12
Russian service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is
planning to launch a Karabakh web page on May 12 – the day of the
tenth anniversary of signing a ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan
and Armenia.
According to a press release of BBC World Service, the Karabakh page
is done in partnership with the British NGO Conciliation Resources,
as part of the Consortium Initiative – a new British
Government-funded programme which aims to improve the prospects for a
settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
The press release reads that going live on bbcrussian.com on
Wednesday 12 May, the Karabakh Page will publish news and views from
Russian-speakers in Armenia ,Azerbaijan and across the world.
Visitors to bbcrussian.com who take interest in the Karabakh conflict
and whose lives have been affected by it will have the chance to take
part in weekly online discussions.
The Karabakh Page will publish photos and personal stories and there
also will be a special section for people seeking to re-establish
contacts with old friends and neighbours, the press release reads.

Welcome Back “Aghun”: Honored actress comes home to revive most popular role
May 7, 2004
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow arts reporter
After a 15-year absence from Yerevan stage, People’ s Artist of
Armenia Violet Gevorgyan returned last week to her signature role as
Aghun in Hrant Matevosyan’s “Our Corner of the Big World”. Fifteen
years later the actress on her own stage, in her own country.
Since the play was first staged in 1980, Gevorgyan has played the role some
700 times. Fifteen years from her last performance here, she says she hasn’t
forgotten a word or a gesture.
Theater critic and arts professor Henric Hovhannisyan once said Gevorgyan’s
performance “brought such a star down from the sky that this astounded
critic hasn’t and will never see.”
On the stage of the Theater of Young Audience she again brought down that
star this time even brighter and more colorful, welcomed by rousing
applause.
“I am extremely touched; I’m so touched that it’s difficult to play. It’s a
cruel challenge to be away for so many years from your own stage, your own
country, your own audience,” Gevorgyan said.
Gevorgyan gave three nights of performance before returning to her home in
the United States. She moved there in 1990, amid various speculations over
why she left Armenia.
Actor Levon Tukhikyan said the honored actress “simply escaped from here
because she was terribly insulted, they wouldn’t give her any roles because
of human envy.”
The 60-year old actress neither clarified that bitter page of her life then
nor now.
“I left to return, and understand how much I love this soil and water,” she
said.
After starting her career at age 24, Gevorgyan played more than 20 roles in
the Hrachya Ghaplanyan Drama Theater. Her first starring spot was the lead
in “The Diary of Anne Frank”. But it was her bittersweet character Aghun
with whom Gevorgyan would become most identified.
“Violet appeared like a bright star and kept on amazing,” said People’s
Artist Sos Sargsyan. The actor says he’s seen many of Gevorgyan’s
performances as Aghun “and I can say sincerely that intonations of Violet’s
voice are still in my head.”
Violet Gevorgyan and the brother of Hrant Matevosyan, Hrachya Matevosyan.
The actress was invited by the Tekeyan Cultural Union and the performance
was staged in Tekeyan Company headed by State Prize Winner of Republic of
Armenia Artashes Hovhannisyan. After Violet Gevorgyan leaves her role will
be taken over by actress Hasmik Aslanyan.
Aslanyan says it’s hard to play a role in which the audience has already
identified Gevorgyan as her hero Aghun.
“I know that when watching me play I shall always be compared with the
perfect performances of Violet,” says Aslanyan.
Director Artashes Hovhannisyan recalls the 1980s with nostalgia, when
everyone was speaking about the “Autumn Sun” (as the performance is known)
and today he confesses that he was very concerned about the rebirth of the
performance.
“I’m not exaggerating but I’ve spent several sleepless nights thinking how
it will be accepted today after the stunning success it had once,” says
Hovhannisyan.
According to theatre critic Varsik Grigoryan the returning of “Autumn Sun”
and Violet Gevorgyan proves that high art has a mysterious power of rebirth.
“I have seen many actors but I haven’t seen such performing,” Grigoryan
says. “My words are not enough to express how skilled she is.”

Anadolu Agency
May 5 2004
Turkey: There Shouldn’t Be Any Expectation From Turkey About
Recognition Of Greek Cypriot Side
ANKARA – There should not be any expectation from Turkey about
recognition of the Greek Cypriot side, Turkish Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Namik Tan said on Wednesday.
Tan said in a weekly press conference, ”we have done everything for
a solution (in Cyprus). There shouldn’t be any expectation from
Turkey. What the other sides have done or will do should be
considered.”
The fact that Greek Cypriots had been internationally recognized was
a reality, Tan said.
Tan stated that Turkey would continue to recognize Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
”We will consider developments in the following months and we will
evaluate the issue with all its legal and political aspects,” Tan
said.
When he was recalled about the news that Azerbaijani representatives
in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) did not join
the voting on TRNC saying that ”it might cause recognition of Upper
Karabakh”, Tan said that Azerbaijani representatives had clearly
stated the reason of their attitude.
Tan added that Turkey continued to exchange views with Azerbaijani
authorities on the issue.

ARMENIAN CIVIL AVIATION GETS NEW CHIEF
Arminfo
4 May 04
YEREVAN
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan has relieved Samvel
Markaryan of his duty as the chief of the Main Department for Civil
Aviation (Armenian Airlines) under the Armenian government.
Artem Movsisyan has replaced him, the press service of the government
told Arminfo news agency.
(Passage omitted: biography of Movsisyan)

Sports Illustrated
Wednesday’s friendly schedule
Posted: Wednesday April 28, 2004 1:36AM; Updated: Wednesday April 28, 2004
3:32AM
All times GMT
Algeria v China Clermont-Ferrand, France
Armenia v Turkmenistan Yerevan
Austria v Luxembourg (1830) Innsbruck
Belarus v Lithuania (1530) Minsk
Belgium v Turkey (1815) Brussels
Bosnia v Finland (1800) Zenica
Bulgaria v Cameroon (1500) Sofia
Czech Republic v Japan (1430) Prague
Denmark v Scotland (1800) Copenhagen
Egypt v DR Congo Cairo
Estonia v Albania (1600) Tallinn
Honduras v Ecuador Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hungary v Brazil (1830) Budapest
Italy v Spain (1900) Genoa
Jamaica v Venezuela Kingston
Kazakhstan v Azerbaijan (1230) Almaty
Latvia v Iceland (1800) Riga
Macedonia v Croatia (1815) Skopje
Morocco v Argentina (2100) Casablanca
Netherlands v Greece (1830) Eindhoven
Northern Ireland v Serbia & Montenegro (1845) Belfast
Norway v Russia (1800) Oslo
Poland v Ireland (1600) Bydgoszez
Portugal v Sweden (2015) Coimbra
Romania v Germany (1700) Bucharest
San Marino v Liechtenstein (1830) Serravalle
South Korea v Paraguay Incheon
Switzerland v Slovenia (1815) Geneva
Tunisia v Mali Sfax
Ukraine v Slovakia (1615) Kiev
United States v Mexico (0030, Thursday) Dallas
Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited.

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION OF SILK ROAD STATES OPENS IN GEORGIA
IRNA news agency, Tehran
30 Apr 04
BARADI’I
The 6th international tourism exhibition of Silk Road states kicked
off in Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi on Thursday (29 April) in
cooperation of Iran’s five provinces.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister
Tamar Beruchasvili expressed satisfaction over active participation of
Iran’s Khorasan, Semnan, Zanjan, Qazvin and Golestan provinces and
called for establishing further ties between the two countries’
tourism organizations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Georgia stressed the importance of
cultural exchanges between the two countries and said Iran and Georgia
should use such opportunities to introduce their culture to each
other.
Tourism organizations from Iran, Turkey, Austria, Armenia, Albania,
Japan, Greece and Russia are attending the exhibition.
The ancient Silk Road, extending over 12,000 kms, was used by traders
of all nationalities from 100 B.C. to 15th century A.D. and linked
China, India, Iraq, Iran, Greece and Rome.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER VIEWS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DISCUSSIONS
Iravunk, Yerevan
30 Apr 04
Text of a telephone interview with Artashes Gegamyan, leader of the
Armenian opposition National Unity Party from Strasbourg in the
Armenian newspaper Iravunk on 30 April headlined “A resolution on
Armenia was adopted by PACE on 28 April”
(Yerkir correspondent) During these days the coalition member deputies
are often voicing (from the National Assembly rostrum as well) a view
that it was Armenians used to search for Tizbon (town in Iran) for a
long time, during the Soviet times it was Lenin’s mausoleum and the
Kremlin and today it is the Council of Europe.
(Artashes Gegamyan) Those who make such parallels are at least
political ignoramus. They do not understand what processes take place
in the 21st century world and in particular in Europe. I can surely
say that they are dealing with prostitution but not politics. If they
deal with politics, they would know that since 1 May the European
Union which will involve 25 member-countries, is developing a general
constitution and in all probability it will be confirmed this
year. Any country which does not even join the European Union, should
aspire to come closer to the European standards, if it wants its state
and people to have prospects and progress.
(Correspondent) How will you assess the PACE discussions on 28 April?
(Gegamyan) They were of a principal significance for Armenia, in
particular for those hundreds of thousands of our compatriots who want
the resignation of the present administration.
(Correspondent) In what sense?
(Gegamyan) In the sense that they heard the people’s voice in the PACE
session, about the events that took place in April, behind which
Robert Kocharyan stands. The events have become a subject of serious
discussion and 106 stood for its discussion. The last point of the
adopted resolution is evidence of the fact PACE allows in Armenia
significant regress from the pan-European values. It is not at all
accidental the authorities were given until September to stop the
barbarous actions and pressure against the opposition that were
mentioned in the resolution. They (Armenian authorities) were obliged
to keep human rights and freedoms, that is, organization of free
demonstrations and rallies and free movement right. They (PACE)
demanded the release of political prisoners immediately. They also
specially mentioned that the diplomatic immunity of PACE deputies
should be preserved.
(Correspondent) What did they mean?
(Gegamyan) They meant in particular a search in Shavarsh Kocharyan’s
and my flat and many hours examination by the workers of the
prosecutor’s office. (Passage omitted: He says that the Armenian
nation sticks to the European values, when it chose that way 1703
years ago and adopted Christianity on a state level and held to the
Christian values.)
This is the main symbol and main lesson.
(Correspondent) What was Russia’s position during the discussions?
(Gegamyan) The point is that Mr Zavgaev from the Russian delegation,
who is Chechen, made a speech. This is evidence of the fact that
unfortunately in Armenia Kocharyan relies on the criminal element, and
in the world sphere on famous functionaries, sirs,
Zavgaevs…(ellipsis as published)
(Correspondent) How will you comment on the fact that PACE registered
that the opposition should nevertheless start dialogue and that the
dialogue should take place in the National Assembly?
(Gegamyan) PACE will gradually see that there is the Kocharyan
administration in Armenia on the one hand and on the other there is
the Armenian nation. Naturally the Armenian nation has only one
language to talk to the occupant of power, that is a language of law.
(Correspondent) By the way, the authorities of Armenia have not
accepted the PACE report and resolution badly and are already trying
to express their satisfaction.
(Gegamyan) Naturally, one can understand them, as they know very well
what a shame took place in Armenia during the passed months, they also
know that any country that implemented only 10 per cent of their
actions would be withdrawn from the Council of Europe.
(Correspondent) But nevertheless we were not punished but given time
to correct our mistakes.
(Gegamyan) Naturally the given five months should raise inspiration in
the authorities. But we know very well what will take place in
September.

Toronto Daily Reporter
Sat, May 1, 2004
Oscar who?
Genies won’t try to copy Hollywood’s hoopla By bruce Kirkland
The Genie Awards often have been called Canada’s answer to the Oscars.
“Who’s kidding who?” asks Paul Gratton, chairman of the Academy of
Canadian Cinema & Television and an executive at Bravo in the CHUM
Television group, which will broadcast the Genies live on a
cobbled-together, cross-Canada network. The action kicks off a 8
p.m. from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
“It’s not the Oscars,” Gratton says. “We don’t have the star power. We
don’t have the recognition factor.”
FUNKY PARTY
While Mayor David Miller has proclaimed this Genie Awards Day in
Toronto, that honour is limited. So CHUM, working with the Academy for
a year’s trial, will present the 24th Canadian film awards as a funky
party hosted by Kids In The Hall comic Scott Thompson.
“CHUM very specifically is trying to change the energy in the room,”
Gratton says, “and one of the first ways we did this was to emulate
the Independent Spirit Awards more than the Oscars.
“Let’s not try to do a traditional show. Let’s throw a party because
there is stuff to celebrate this year — honestly! The success in
Quebec is part of it, but the overall quality of the movies that we
had to evaluate — all bulls— aside — really was higher this year
than in some recent years.”
After what Gratton calls “the Ararat/Spider fiasco” of 2003, the
Academy also overhauled its faulty nomination procedures. Last year,
Atom Egoyan’s Ararat won as best picture, but Egoyan was not even
nominated as best director. David Cronenberg won as best director, but
his Spider masterwork was not even nominated as best
picture. Cronenberg complained bitterly about the injustices,
including the exclusion of his star, Ralph Fiennes, as a best-actor
nominee.
“It was embarrassing,” Gratton says. “This system was flawed. David
Cronenberg was extremely upset about the results and this was one of
those cases where you say: ‘I don’t blame him.’
“So we re-invented that this year as well … There was far less
controversy this year. There were quirks, but there weren’t too many
things in there that were manifestly bizarre.”
Going into tonight’s awards, Quebec films — riding the crest of a
stellar year — dominate with the eccentric comedy Seducing Doctor
Lewis (La Grande Seduction) leading with 11 nominations. The Barbarian
Invasions (Les Invasions Barbares), which has already won the Oscar as
best foreign language film, and The Snow Walker, a B.C. production,
both have nine nominations. Also nominated as best picture are Owning
Mahowny and La Face Cachee De La Lune.
WORTH CELEBRATING
Says Gratton of the lineup: “There are at least three or four movies
that did not make the cut for the five best films that I think, in
numerous other years, would have. We’ve had some years where it was
hard to come up with five worthy best-picture nominees. This year, it
was not hard. So that’s worth celebrating and drawing attention to,
even if much of the audience is indifferent.
“This is really a re-invention of the Genies. I don’t think anyone
expects the bun to come out of the oven fully baked the first
year. So, what you want to see are elements that can be built
upon. You want to avoid a total disaster.
If it works, next year is the 25th anniversary, so it’s an important
year.”

Monday Morning, Lebanon (weekly)
May 3 2004
Boosting exports of natural gas
Iran, which holds some 15 percent of the world’s natural gas reserves,
is boosting exports of gas to its neighbors in the hope of picking up
sales to Asia and Europe in the future.

`In the short term, we are looking to export our gas to neighboring
countries, but we are also working on exports of liquefied natural gas
[LNG] to Asia and Europe’, said Rokneddin Javadi, director of Iran’s
National Gas Export Company.
`The issue is that the projects to export to neighbors, such as those
across the Persian Gulf, can be completed in two years. But an LNG
export project needs five years’, he told reporters on the sidelines of
a gas export conference in Teheran.
He said Iran expected to sign a contract soon to supply 15 million
cubic meters a day by pipeline to the United Arab Emirates. And he said
the Islamic republic was also in talks with Kuwait and the UAE for two
other similar contracts, hoping to export 1.5 billion cubic meters to
the two countries each year.
Also expected later this year are contracts with Armenia and
Nakhichevan, an autonomous region of Azerbaijan, covering the sale of
three billion cubic meters annually.
And a 25-year contract with Turkey enabled Iran to sell 3.5 billion
cubic meters there in 2003. That figure is expected to rise to five
billion cubic meters in 2004, if a contractual dispute can be worked
out.
Turkey, complaining that the gas is of poor quality, has demanded a
price cut and has threatened to turn to Russia instead. `You have to
ask the Turks what is going on. If they abandon the contract, they will
have to pay a heavy fine’, an Iranian industry official said.
Despite the ongoing difficulties with Turkey, Javadi nevertheless said
he hoped Iranian gas sales would total two billion dollars annually by
2010.
But Iran is also counting on this figure jumping dramatically if it can
get LNG exports by tanker moving further afield, notably to the
potentially enormous markets of South Asia, China — with whom a
memorandum on future sales has already been signed — and Europe.
The country currently has three LNG production projects under way,
NIOC-LNG of the National Iranian Oil Company, the Pars-LNG consortium
of NIOC, Total and Petronas, and Persian-LNG of NIOC, Shell and Repsol.
But such sales are pending the completion of LNG production facilities,
as well as the costly laying of pipelines that need to cross sensitive
areas such as the Pakistani-Indian border.
Furthermore, there is tough competition from Russia, holder of the
world’s largest reserves and geographically better placed to tap the
European and Chinese markets. Competition from Algeria and Qatar is
also tough, and Iran has found itself lagging due to the late
development of its gas sector.
In the case of Qatar, the world’s number-three for gas reserves has
been quicker than Iran to tap its offshore resources and is now pushing
to become the world’s top exporter.
In March, Qatar signed a six-billion-dollar protocal accord with the
South African-US Sasol-Chevron consortium for three LNG production
projects. It has also already got a foot in the Indian market.
Political pressure on Iran, including United States sanctions that
target foreign companies investing there, are also major hurdles.
`These kinds of investments represent billions of dollars, and it is
not certain that international companies will accept to finance them’,
one Western industry expert commented in Teheran.
Iran has decided to award the French oil giant Total a
1.2-billion-dollar contract to develop phase 11 of the big South Pars
offshore gas field, according to Mahdi Mirmoezi, the republic’s deputy
oil minister.
`The final negotiations are in progress, and unless there is a problem,
the contract will be signed in one or two months’, he said.
British Petroleum (BP), Italy’s ENI and Norway’s Statoil had also been
competing for the contract. But Total is believed to have benefitted
from its already strong presence in Iran, including in the field of
liquefied natural gas (LNG). Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanghaneh had
already voiced his desire to see a company deeply engaged in LNG
operations get the deal, so as to facilitate exports.
Gas from phase 11 is earmarked for European markets. In 1997, Total was
awarded buyback contracts for phases 2 and 3.
Under the Iranian constitution, foreign companies are not allowed to
take an equity stake in any national oil and gas projects, but can
participate under a buyback scheme enabling them to invest and later
receive a portion of sales.
Aside from South Pars, Total is engaged in the Sirri A and E oil
fields, which began producing in 1998-99, and the already exploited
Dorood and Balal fields.
In February, Total — together with Malaysia’s Petronas and the
National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) — won a two-billion-dollar
contract for an LNG plant at South Pars.
Under that contract, Total and Petronas are bound to find LNG buyers —
a process the deputy minister said would take seven or eight months.
Pending exports, its production will serve the expanding domestic
market.
South Pars is the Iranian sector of the world’s largest natural gas
field, situated in the Gulf and shared with Qatar. The Iranian sector
is set to be divided into roughly 25 phases.
Phases 1, 6, 7 and 8 have been awarded to the private Iranian firm
Petropars; Phases 4 and 5 to Petropars/ENI and Phases 9 and 10 to South
Korea’s Lucky Goldstar (LG).
Iran is seeking to boost its gas production, but badly needs foreign
markets. It is currently working on tapping the Indian market,
including pushing for a pipeline that crosses Pakistan.
Production is hoped to increase from 110 billion cubic meters in 2000
to 292 billion in 2010. Gas already meets a third of domestic energy
needs.