Author: Tvankchian Parkev

ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN: CONCESSIONS IN KARABAKH PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE
CARRIED OUT AT THE EXPENSE OF BLOOD SHED DURING WAR

YEREVAN, JULY 16. ARMINFO. Any concession in the issue of settlement
of the Karabakh conflict must not be carried out at the expense
of dignity of the Armenian people and the victory won by price of
the blood of thousands of people in the liberation war for Nagorny
Karabakh. Speaker of National Assembly of Armenia Arthur Baghdasarian
stated in the interview to Yerevan’s Aravot daily.

He stressed it is necessary to make every effort in order to fix
in the diplomatic field the achievements of the victory in the
liberation struggle for Nagorny Karabakh. At the same time the speaker
against declared that the Karabakh conflict must be solved by mutual
compromises on condition that the guarantee of the security of NKR
people is safeguarded. Baghdasarian expressed an opinion that now
the negotiation process has intensified a little, which has positive
effect on the sooner settlement of the conflict.

ISSUES ON PROVIDING EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS AND REFUGEES WITH HABITATION
ARE DISCUSSED AT ARMENIA’s GOVERNMENT

YEREVAN, JULY 15. ARMINFO. Issues on providing both earthquake victims
and refugees with habitation were discussed at today’s meeting of
Armenia’s Territorial Administration and Infrastructures’ Activity
Coordination Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

The press-release of Armenia’s government received by ARMINFO says
that problems of providing residents of Lori and Shirak regions
with habitation, as well as the realization process of the Program
on first-priority providing refugees from Azerbaijan (emigrated in
1988-1992) with habitation have been considered there.

VENICE COMMISSION WISHES ARMENIA WELL

A1+
16-07-2005

The draft constitutional amendments has already been sent to the
Venice Commission for final resolution. The Council of Europe urges
Armenia to submit to referendum the draft approved by the Venice
Commission. July 9-12 we asked 100 citizens what do they think about
the fact that the constitution reform is being carried out under the
immediate supervision of the commission.

54% of the respondents considers that Armenia should take into account
all the proposals by the Venice Commission. “If we joined the CoE we
should admit their rules”, a young man said.

A 68-year-old man rates the proposals as positives and thinks that
with adopting them our country will become more democratic.

22% of those surveyed think that the Venice Commission must not
dictate how we should act. “How about our mentality, traditions
and customs? Why should our leadership follow every word of the
commission?” a man of 50 said.

24% of the respondents found difficulty in answering

To remind, the Venice Commission, in part, demanded elected post of
the Mayor of Yerevan, division of power and complete independence of
juridical bodies.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 12, 2005 Tuesday 2:54 PM Eastern Time

Georgian seizure of Turkish vessels is ‘sheer banditry’ – Bagapsh

By Andzhela Kuchuberia

SUKHUMI

Georgian border guards’ seizure of Turkish vessels carrying food in
neutral waters on July 2 and 3 “is sheer banditry,” Abkhaz President
Sergei Bagapsh told a Tuesday press conference in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi said the Turkish vessels did not respond to the Georgian
Coast Guard’s demand to stop.

“It is impossible to hold dialog this way,” Bagapsh said. “Georgia
was eager to make us quit [the Abkhaz settlement] negotiations, but
that did not happen.” Negotiations on the resumption of railroad
traffic through Abkhazia are underway on the basis of the 2003 Sochi
agreement, he said. The agreement stipulates the solution of economic
problems, including energy and railroads, and the return of refugees
to the Gali district of Abkhazia.

If Abkhazia quits the negotiations, the problems will not be solved,
Bagapsh said. Resumption of the railroad traffic through Abkhazia is
beneficial for Georgia, Armenia and southern Russia, he added.
Specialists will start evaluating the Abkhaz sector of the railroad
between Psou and Inguri, and Abkhazia will provide for their
security, he said.

DONATION FROM THE GREEK AMBASSADOR

A1+
11-07-2005

Today in Holy Echmiadzin the Catholicos of All Armenian Garegin II
received the ex Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Greece
to Armenia Antonios Vlavianos who finished his diplomatic mission in
our country.

His Holiness highly appreciated the contribution of the Ambassador to
the development of the relations between the two countries. He also
wished the Ambassador good health and success in his future activity.

Mr. Vlavianos in his turn thanked the Catholicos for warm welcome and
made a donation to the Holy Echmiadzin for the realization of charity
programs.

INTERNET SITE OF RA OMBUSDPERSON’S OFFICE ACTS STARTING JULY 7

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The presentation of the
triglot internet site of the RA Ombudsperson’s Office took place on
July 7. It was created within the framework of the “Program of
Increase of Public Awareness about Human Rights Stimulation and
Ombudsperson’s Office in Armenia” jointly implemented by the RA
National Assembly and the UN Development Program, with financing of
the Cooperation Development Ministry of Netherlands. As Larisa
Alaverdian, the Ombudswoman mentioned, from now and then, the appliers
will have an opportunity to address their complains by e-mail as well
as to address their questions to the office directly from the
site. Answers of frequently asked questions will be placed in the
corresponding page. Information about the goals and problems, main
substructures and staff, RA and international legislative acts and
documents concerning the sphere as well as biographical data of RA
Ombudswoman Larisa Alaverdian and her Deputy Rafik Mkhitarian are
placed in the site.

Today, Azerbaijan
July 6 2005

Members of PACE Monitoring Committee held press-conference devoted to
results of visit

06 July 2005 [10:57] – Today.Az

Closed meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe was held in Baku yesterday.

The members of the PACE Monitoring Committee held a press-conference
for journalists after the meeting.

The deputy-chairman of the committee Mrs. Severinsen informed that
the question of fulfilling the commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan
before the Council of Europe was discussed in the sitting, an
exchange of views on free gathering and protecting the election
rights in Azerbaijan was held with the representatives of the
government, opposition and non-governmental organizations. Severinsen
reminded that the elections to be held in November are vital for
Azerbaijan and said that the same question will also be discussed in
the meeting with Ilham Aliyev yesterday.

The co-raporteur on Azerbaijan of the Monitoring Committee Andreas
Gross said that he will leave for Gazakh, Sheki, Ganja and Gabala
with his colleague Andres Herkel tomorrow for studying the situation
on pre-elections environment and right of gathering in the regions.
`Azerbaijan does not consist of only Baku, the situation seems better
from the regions’ saying Andreas Gross considers that at least ¼ of
the parliament should consist of the representatives of the
opposition. `When the relation is lower than this, then the
parliament is not formed well.

The parliament should not be the continuation of the Cabinet; it
should consist both of the government and opposition’. Another
co-raporteur on Azerbaijan of the Monitoring Committee Andres Herkel
called the meetings they held very efficient. The co-raporteur noted
that existence of the right of gathering of the people in the regions
is important and expressed his regret that the opposition could
realize the actions only in 4 regions, though they wanted to do it in
17 regions. Herkel called abolishing the imprisonment sentence on the
former prisoners to be very important event and welcomed 4 former
political prisoners’ obtaining the right of being elected. He did not
also hide his trouble about that the activity of the Public
Television remains only on the paper till now. `This television has a
great role in holding debates. We are troubled with absence of the
political dialogue between the government and opposition’.

The PACE raporteur on the Upper Garabagh conflict David Atkinson
reminded that the document related to the problem was adopted in
January of this year. He said that the structure he represents wants
this problem to be solved only in peaceful way and declared that
parliamentarians’ joining this question is the desired case. `I
regret that the parliament members were not drawn into the OSCE Minsk
Group five meetings which were held between the representatives of
Azerbaijan and Armenia in the frame of the meeting of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I feel regret about
such meeting’s not taking place in the January session. I hope that a
round table on the Upper Garabagh subject will take place in
October’.

The head of the delegation of Azerbaijan in PACE Samad Seyidov
expressed his gratitude to the Monitoring Committee for holding such
meeting in Baku.

The parliamentarian called the meeting very important and efficient
and said that necessary discussions for the future of Azerbaijan were
held here and informed that both positive and negative opinions were
sounded.

He expressed his hope that all problems will be solved till the
elections. Andreas Gross answering the questions informed that except
the government, no one is satisfied with the pre-elections situation.
`We are not satisfied with the changes made to the Election Code and
we are troubled with the non-equal composition of the election
commissions’.

/APA/

URL:

AZG Armenian Daily #123, 06/07/2005

Diaspora

EUROPEAN REFERENDUMS AND ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Toronto, Canada — “Turkey’s Entry into the European Union and its Relations
with Armenia in light of the Rejection of the EU Constitution” was the
subject of a speech given by Dr. Stephan Astourian, a member of the Zoryan
Institute’s Academic Board, on June 10, 2005 in Toronto.

According to Turkish Press, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul rejected
any link between his country’s bid to join the European Union and the French
“no” in a referendum on the EU constitution. Gul acknowledged that the
French “no” could trigger a debate in Europe on Turkey’s EU bid, but argued
that an EU decision in October 2004 to start membership accession talks with
Ankara could not be altered due to political or legal changes in an
EU-member country.

Opinions in Europe and among Armenians are heated and sharply divided on
this issue. Some feel that Turkey’s questionable human rights record and
tolerance toward ethno-religious diversity, its treatment of the Kurdish
minority, corruption, the northern Cyprus question, and the continued denial
of the Armenian Genocide are clear indicators of its inability to be a fully
democratic country at this time, and therefore that Turkey should be barred
from the EU. Others, among them Armenians both in the Diaspora and the
homeland, feel that it is in Armenia’s best interest to have Turkey as an EU
member on its border that has adopted and implemented EU standards regarding
open borders, democracy, including complete freedom of speech and assembly,
and acceptance of the darker chapters of its history.

Dr. Astourian considered the impact on the issues of the recent rejection of
the EU constitution by France and the Netherlands. He explained that the EU
has not included recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition for
Turkish membership in Europe. “However, the issue of recognition of that
genocide has now become quite central in European and Turkish public
debates,” he said. “We must be aware that the issue of the Armenian Genocide
can and will be used for other purposes by people for whom it is not a
fundamental issue. It is up to concerned Armenians,” he added, “to think
realistically about such manipulation of the issue of the Armenian Genocide
by various lobbying and political groups and to ask whether it is useful or
detrimental to Armenia and Genocide recognition.”

In Dr. Astourian’s view, it may be reasonably inferred that some of the
reforms required of Turkey to join the EU, e.g., freedom of speech and
assembly, a decent human rights record, a significantly smaller role of the
military in political life, etc., will facilitate debate about the Armenian
Genocide in that country. Although such debate does not imply necessarily
that the Armenian Genocide will be recognized as a “genocide,” it will
undermine the orthodox, state-sponsored version of Turkish history in the
medium term.

Dr. Astourian noted that the prospect of Turkey’s entry into the EU does
raise a number of crucial issues. In particular, he challenged the audience
to consider what course of action Armenians should take if Turkey were to
rescind its official state version of history and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. Dr. Astourian stressed that addressing rationally complex issues,
such as the potential consequences of Turkey’s entry into the EU or an
evaluation of the position to be adopted in case Turkey should recognize the
Armenian Genocide as such, or as a “crime against humanity” or some such
other terms, requires knowledge and dispassionate expertise. After summing
the latest academic developments concerning the Turkish-Armenian dialogue
and research into the Armenian Genocide, Dr. Astourian pointed to the
extreme scarcity of scholars dealing with social scientific fields that
usually inform policy and decision makers. The speaker also indicated that
the very few major academics in Armenian-related fields are now close to the
end of their careers. Dr. Astourian emphasized, therefore, the need for the
Armenian Diaspora to invest in a new generation of social science scholars
who can effectively address complex issues over the next twenty to thirty
years and contribute to detached analysis regarding Armenian affairs. Dr.
Astourian pointed to the Zoryan Institute as the leading organization in
this regard, responsible for proactively trying to address the critical
issue of expanding a cohesive intellectual base for the Armenian Diaspora
through dispassionate education and research that conforms to the highest
standards of scholarship.

The event was part of an ongoing series of public lectures organized by the
Zoryan Institute on issues relating to Armenia, the Diaspora and genocide.
This lecture was made possible by with the participation of the following
organizations: Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church, St. Gregory’s Armenian Catholic Church, St. Mary’s
Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Association of Toronto, Armenian General
Benevolent Union of Toronto, Armenian National Committee, Canadian Armenian
Business Council, Ryerson University Armenian Student Association, and the
University of Toronto Armenian Student Association; and with the support of
the following sponsors: Arax Jewelers, Robert P. Adourian Barristers &
Solicitors, and Indo-Iranian Rugs.

Prof. Astourian is Executive Director of the Armenian Studies Program,
Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at the University of
California-Berkeley, and a member of the Zoryan Institute’s Academic Board.

The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted
to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian
social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts
multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing
with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal
context.

IRNA, Iran
July 2, 2005 Saturday 11:36 AM EST

Over 123,000 tons of goods exported from Gilan

Bandar Anzali,Gilanprov, July 2, IRNA Iran-Export-Gilan Over 123,
,000 tons of goods worth 46.6 million dollars were exported from this
northern province during the first three months of the current
Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2005), head of the
provincial Customs Office announced Saturday.

Ardeshir Mohammadi added that the exported commodities registered
rises of 18 percent and 14 percent in terms of weight and value,
respectively.

Construction materials and carpets as well as agricultural,
industrial, mineral and chemical products were among major items
exported from the province, he said.

The goods were exported via borders of Bandar Anzali and Bandar
Astara to Central Asian countries (Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan,
Kazakhstan, and Armenia), Russia, Turkey, Romania and United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Mohammadi added.

He noted that over 901,000 tons of goods, worth 460 million dollars,
were imported to the province, adding that the imported goods
indicated increases of 22 percent and 88 percent in terms of weight
and value, respectively.

Azeri minister cautiously optimistic over progress in talks with Armenia

Ekspress, Baku
28 Jun 05

The Azerbaijani foreign minister has showed cautious optimism towards
peace talks with neighbouring Armenia over the disputed region of
Nagornyy Karabakh. In an interview with the Azerbaijani daily Ekspress,
Mammadyarov noted that there is little progress in the talks, but
convergent views are there and the sides will try to explore ways for
a breakthrough. The following is an excerpt from Alakbar Raufoglu’s
report carried by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on 28 June headlined
“The principles defined in Warsaw will be approved in Kazan” and
subheaded “Mammadyarov and Oskanyan has ‘a meeting without particular
reason’ in the hall in Brussels”; Subheadings are as published

The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov
and Vardan Oskanyan, met face-to-face in Brussels last week. The
unofficial meeting was conducted on the fringes of the international
conference on the reconstruction of Iraq. Mammadyarov shed some light
on the present stage of peace talks in an interview with Ekspress. He
said that the ministers are currently discussing the elements of the
agreement reached by the two presidents in Warsaw.

There is no progress, but closer positions

[Interviewer] Oskanyan has said that in Paris the ministers failed to
conclude the agreement reached by the presidents. What is specifically
being discussed and what is the current status of the talks?

[Mammadyarov] I would not say that there is great progress in the
talks. However, discussions are under way and there are convergent
views on some points. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia may agree on certain
principles. Granted, some points are still open and it is difficult
to resolve them. But we will discuss them and we will think about
what we can do to push the talks forward. The co-chairmen [of the
OSCE Minsk Group] are expected to visit the region soon. They will
be in Baku on 11 July and we will continue these discussions.

[Interviewer] Russian co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov said that the
mediators made their proposals a long time ago and are now expecting
the parties to take a constructive position… [ellipses as published]

[Mammadyarov] We are currently negotiating seven to nine elements. In
reality, these do not form a proposal but are the elements of the main
agreement that we have been discussing. These are the liberation of the
occupied lands, the restoration of communication lines, the opening of
roads, mine clearance, etc. There is progress on some issues, while
on others we are trying to find a common language. It is important
to know which option and principle will be accepted. I cannot unveil
them because the talks are under way and this is a sensitive issue now.

[Passage omitted: known details about agreement on two principles]

Ministers’ ordinary meeting

[Interviewer] Was the meeting in Brussels part of the Prague process?

[Mammadyarov] We met without a specific reason, sat in the hall and
discussed where we are and how we have to act to bring peace to the
region. Now we think that we can compare our positions after the
co-chairmen arrive.

[Interviewer] You said that there is agreement on two principles.
What are they?

[Mammadyarov] Generally, the talk is about withdrawal from the occupied
territories, the repatriation of IDPs [internally displaced persons],
the restoration of living conditions and the status of Nagornyy
Karabakh. We always say that the discussions must be held solely within
the principle of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Whatever we
discuss, we have to consider Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

[Interviewer] What will happen to the Armenian population living in
those territories after IDPs return to their native lands?

[Mammadyarov] The proposals of the co-chairmen [on the Karabakh peace
settlement] were based on the report of the [OSCE] fact-finding
mission. The report says that the Armenians who were illegally
settled in the region should be evicted. This is unambiguous and the
international community supports this report, which was distributed
as a UN document.

UN resolution depends on talks

[Interviewer] Baku has declared that the draft UN resolution [on
Armenia’s illegal settlements in occupied Azeri lands] may be again
put to a vote in August-September. On the other hand, Armenia has
been elected the deputy chairman of the 60th session of the General
Assembly. Will it create new obstacles?

[Mammadyarov] No. The Azerbaijani ambassador to the UN, Yasar Aliyev,
is highly likely to be elected the chairman of the fourth committee.
This means that our country will also become a member of that committee
and we will not lose in this regard.

As for the resolution, everything depends on the talks here. The
situation may change if there is a breakthrough in the negotiations.
Otherwise, we would have to work on the resolution.

[Passage omitted: meeting of presidents in Russia’s Kazan]

Rice not expected soon

[Interviewer] Who else did you meet in Brussels?

[Mammadyarov] There were representatives from over 80 countries and
international organizations at the meeting in Brussels. [Passage
omitted: details]

[Interviewer] Did you meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice?

[Mammadyarov] I talked to Ms Rice, but did not have a meeting.

[Interviewer] What is the status of discussions around her visit
to Azerbaijan?

[Mammadyarov] I do not believe that this visit will take place soon
because the Americans are very busy and the agenda of the visit is
still to be defined. She told me in Chile that she wants to visit
the region, but this visit does not fit her schedule.