Author: Vanyan Gary

Russian, Armenian police call for joint fight against crime
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
23 Jun 05
KRASNODAR
The Russian and Armenian police should step up their joint fight
against organized crime, Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev
said at a joint meeting of high-ranking police officials of the two
countries here on Thursday [23 June].
“The level of coordination of the two departments in this sphere
leaves much to be desired,” Nurgaliyev said.
“The remaining dissociation in the activities of law-enforcement
bodies negatively affects the effectiveness of the struggle against
organized criminal groups with international links, and hampers the
search and detention of their leaders and active members,” he noted.
There remain to be considerable gaps in the legislative regulation of
this work, according to the Russian minister.
On Thursday, the Russian and Armenian police officials met to discuss
interaction in seeking out and detaining wanted criminals.
Much has been done in this field, but unresolved problems remain. “The
share of repeat requests for search for the accused remains
impermissibly high, which is foremost explained by the delays in the
arrival of the necessary documents on extradition,” Nurgaliyev said.
In addition, the formation of an inter-state information databank
encountered problems because the control over the quality of input
documents is not effected in full measure, he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TWO CHESS-PLAYERS OF ARMENIA ARE IN GROUP OF LEADERS OF EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP
WARSAW, JUNE 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Chess-players’ men personal championship
of Europe started. 230 chess-players of 40 countries will participate
in competitions being held in Warsaw. The championship is held with
Swiss contest rules, in 13 rounds and will finish on July 3. Both
Europe champion title and a great number of prizes as well as 36
permits to the world cup title are raffled in Warsaw competitions. 9
chess-players of Armenia also participate in the Europe championship.
Ashot Anastasian and Artashes Minasian, who won at 2 starting meetings
and shared the 1st place with each 2 points with a number of
chess-players with the same result, play more successfully. The
results of the other representatives of Armenia are the following:
Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargsian, Karen Asrian each 1.5 points, Smbat
Lputian, Tigran L.Petrosian, Levon Babujian each 1 point, Tigran
Nalbandian each 0.5 point.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05
The parliamentary election in NKR took place. The high turnout of
voters proved that promotion of democracy in the country is going
on. On the day of the election we visited several polling stations.
The voters were obviously active. At the polling station 4/4 in
Stepanakert no irregularities were reported by the proxies and
observers. Like in the previous elections there were problems with the
electoral registers; many voters did not find their names on the
rolls. They were allowed to vote only after going through the
procedure of registering. The international observers did not report
any particular irregularities either (they preferred to state their
opinions after the polls). Certain observers, for example, Pascal
Bockers, refused to give an interview. From his words it was felt that
he feared his comments could cause problems with Azerbaijan. There was
a high turnout of voters at the polling station 1/1 in Stepanakert.
There was a big group of observers and journalists there. The head of
state and his wife were voting in this polling station. President
Arkady Ghukassian said that hopefully all the problems and tensions of
the campaign were behind, and the election would pass in accordance
with the law. We have to think more about the ideas and goals which
unite us and not the ones which divide, he said. According to the
president, taking into account the attitude of Azerbaijan towards any
event in Karabakh and avoiding complicated relationships with
Azerbaijan, the observers are somewhat reserved in expressing their
opinions. But A. Ghukassian believes that they are attentively
following the polls. A lot depends on this election. The mediators
know that the alternative to the election is the totalitarian regime
(naturally, they are not interested in establishing a totalitarian
regime here). There is no alternative to our elections. The formal
discretion of the co-chairs and the international observers are, in my
opinion, determined by the wish of not spoiling relationships with
Azerbaijan, said the president of NKR. The head of state shares the
opinion that the presidential election 2005 will be important for the
settlement of the Karabakh issue. Today we must prove that we are a
democratic state and differ from totalitarian Azerbaijan. And
democratic Karabakh has no place in the totalitarian republic of
Azerbaijan, he said. The journalists were interested to know the
attitude of A. Ghukassian toward the opposition. He said he is for
constructive opposition, for there is no development without
opposition. The head of state expressed commitment to cooperate with
the opposition in case it wins the polls, adding that he is ready for
constructive cooperation with any force. In reference to the
statements of Azerbaijan on promoting dialogue between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani communities A. Ghukassian said Karabakh is ready for
any kinds of relationships with Azerbaijan, but Azerbaijan should
first organize such meetings with the Greek, Ukrainian, Russian and
Portuguese communities in Karabakh. I approve all kinds of
relationships but creating an illusion that Karabakh is not a conflict
party but a mere community (which Azerbaijan is attempting to do)
which must set up relationships with another community is not a
serious step. This proves the unserious approach of Azerbaijan.
Reluctant to negotiate with Karabakh, they delay the resolution of
many problems that worry people. Generally, I do not see any problems
in setting up relationships. On June 19th the speaker of the National
Assembly of NKR Oleg Yessayan voted at the electoral district 5 in
Stepanakert. Then he met with the journalists. Mr. Yessayan, what are
your expectations from the new parliament? O.Yessayan: Great will and
seriousness is what we expect from the parliament of the fourth
convocation. I say this also in the name of the parliament. We will be
pleased if in five years our colleagues of the parliament of the
fourth convocation report that they have outdone the activities of the
National Assembly in all aspects. This will be genuine evidence to the
progress of our country, the people and the authorities. Why arent you
standing for parliament this time? O.Y.: This time I take part in the
election as a voter. I do not want to give different answers to this
question because I was already asked the question. The parliament in
Karabakh is 14 years old, and I have been in the parliament for 12
years. I think this is enough for one and it is time to occupy myself
with something else and let other people work. What are, in your
opinion as an experienced parliamentarian, the priorities of the
parliament? O.Y.: The activity of the parliament is enclosed in the
circle of its jurisdiction, maintained by legislation. First of all, a
large number of laws have been enacted in the country and, thanks God,
in our country the laws perform their role, revealing the drawbacks of
the existing legislation and existing laws, because a law which is not
applied has no disadvantages. Therefore, I think, one of the main
activities of our colleagues will be adopting amendments to the
existing legislation. We have many laws to which dozens of amendments
were adopted. I think it is time to adopt the revised projects of
these laws. Of course, the other direction will be the adoption of new
laws. Finally, one cannot say that the entire system of public,
political, social and economic relationships has been regulated. New
laws need to be adopted. Naturally, one of the main functions of the
new parliament is parliamentary control. I think everybody realizes
the importance of raising it to a higher level. Were there
irregularities in the election campaign? I do not have any information
because I am not running for parliament myself. At least, the
parliament did not receive complaints. But if there are such problems,
I believe, these will be discussed at the meetings of parliament by
the political forces and the authorities. If we say that the
authorities are responsible for fair and transparent elections, why
not say then that they are interested in it most of all. Will your
further activities be connected with Artsakh? O.Y.: Several days ago I
would have given a different answer. But there is already the decree
of the president of the Republic of Armenia; I think, I will deal with
politics to the extent determined by my occupation. As a native of
Karabakh I have never placed Karabakh Armenians above other Armenians
living in other places but I have always been proud to be a native of
Karabakh. At least, from this point of view I will always be concerned
about Karabakh. At 11.30 the prime minister of NKR Anoushavan
Danielian came to vote at the polling station 4/4. A. Danielian
described the election as one of the best elections held in the
post-Soviet space. The flow of people to polling stations early in the
morning, according to him, means that the people and the authorities
are united by the idea of having a democratic independent state and
aspire to achieve this goal. The event is truly historical; it is an
important step towards a free, independent and democratic state. I
have already talked to international observers and I think their
evaluation of the election will be high. This is one of the best
elections held in the post-Soviet space. We have done our best to
achieve such results, he said. The prime minister is optimistic about
the next parliament.
AA.
22-06-2005

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
June 21, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES NEARLY $68 MILLION FOR ARMENIA
FOR FY 2006
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly praised the leadership of the
House Appropriations Committee today for supporting without changes
the Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh provisions passed last week by
Chairman Jim Kolbe’s (R-AZ) Foreign Operations Subcommittee. Despite
ongoing overall reductions to former Soviet states, the Fiscal Year
(FY) 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill calls for $67.5
million for Armenia, up to $5 million for Nagorno Karabakh and
maintains military assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan
with $5.75 million allocated to each country.

While the overall funding level for the former Soviet states was
reduced to $477 million from $555 million in FY 2005, funding for
Armenia was $12.5 million over the Administration’s request.
“Given the current budget restraints, we salute the leadership of
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) for making Armenia’s
and Karabakh’s case so effectively to both the Foreign Operations
Subcommittee and now the full Appropriations Committee,” said Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We also thank Appropriations
Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Ranking Member David Obey
(D-WI) for approving the subcommittee’s proposed allocations.”
Today’s action also allocated $5 million in Foreign Military Financing
and $750,000 for International Military Education and Training to both
Armenia and Azerbaijan, as requested by the Administration. These
funds will improve inter-operability between Armenia’s military and
its Western partners, upgrade Armenia’s communication systems and
better its personnel training.
“With overall aid levels being reduced, Armenia helped itself
significantly these past 12 months with its deployment to Iraq, an
agreement for the Pentagon to conduct a defense assessment and
Armenia’s presentation of its Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP) to NATO,” said Knollenberg. “Despite the considerable damage
incurred by Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s blockades, Armenia is stepping
up its security relations with the U.S. and NATO. I am pleased that
my Appropriations’ colleagues responded generously.”
In addition to its testimony and support letters to the Foreign
Operations Subcommittee April, the Assembly also supported a letter
initiated by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and
Caucus Member Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) and co-signed by 43
additional Members of Congress, highlighting important priorities for
Armenia and Karabakh.
“The Appropriations Committee took notice of the strong bi-partisan
support for aid to Armenia and Karabakh and the ongoing market reforms
and strong economic performance of both states,” said Pallone.
“Armenia’s selection in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)
competition, its 10 percent GDP increase last year and its continued
high ranking in the Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation’s
“2005 Index of Economic Freedom” had to be considered when deciding
how much should be allocated as competition for funds intensifies.”
The Committee bill also offered support for confidence building
measures (CBM’s) to help stimulate the Nagorno Karabakh peace
process. The Committee report said in part:

“The Committee reiterates its view that the extent and timing of
United States and multilateral assistance, other than humanitarian
assistance, to the government of any country in the Caucasus region
should be proportional to its willingness to cooperate with the Minsk
Group and other efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
In furtherance of a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, and in support of the measured discussed at NATO and OSCE
summits, the Committee strongly supports confidence-building measures
among the parties to the conflict. Such measures include
strengthening compliance with the cease-fire, studying post-conflict
regional development such as landmine removal, water management,
transportation routes and infrastructure, establishing a youth
exchange program and other collaborative and humanitarian initiatives
to foster greater understanding among the parties and reduce
hostilities. The Committee expects the State Department to use its
authority under section 498B of the Foreign Assistance Act as
necessary to carry out such programs…..
The Committee continues to be concerned about the plight of the
victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and recommends that up to $5
million should be made available to address ongoing humanitarian needs
in the Nagorno Karabakh region.”
The bill will next be considered by the House of Representatives. The
completed House version of the bill will then be reconciled with an
upcoming Senate version.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2005-070

Regie rungsnahe Parteien in Berg-Karabach bestätigt
Oppositionsblock bekam in der armenischen Exklave lediglich drei Sitze
Eriwan – Regierungsnahe Parteien in der armenischen Exklave
Nagorny-Karabach haben bei der Parlamentswahl am Sonntag erneut die
Mehrheit gewonnen. Die Demokratische Partei von Arzach gewann nach
Angaben der Wahlkommission vom Montag zwölf der 33 Sitze; die
Mutterlandspartei kam auf zehn Mandate. Der Oppositionsblock Bewegung
Daschnakzutjun 88 bekam drei, unabhängige Kandidaten gewannen acht
Sitze. Die Wahlbeteiligung wurde mit 78 Prozent der rund 90.000
Wahlberechtigten angegeben.
Nagorny-Karabach ist eine armenische Exklave in Aserbaidschan, die
sich Ende der 80er Jahre für unabhängig erklärt hat und mit
armenischer Unterstützung einen sechsjährigen Krieg begann. Trotz
eines Waffenstillstands im Jahr 1994 dauern die Spannungen zwischen
den beiden ehemaligen Sowjetrepubliken Armenien und Aserbaidschan
an. (APA/AP)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 13:21:30 | 21-06-2005 | Politics |
RECURRENT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST
The Armenian and Azeri Presidents are expected to meet to discuss the
Karabakh problem during the CIS summit to be held in Kazan in August,
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stated, Day.az reports.
He also said that before the presidential negotiations the FMs of two states
are likely to meet one or twice.
Noting the activation of the negotiation process, the Deputy Minister
informed that a 2-day meeting of experts is as well expected.

Azerbaijan News Service
June 20 2005
DEPUTY FA MINISTER COMMENTS MEETING BETWEEN FA MINISTERS OF
AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
2005-06-20 20:27
FA ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia had exchange of views on
release of occupied Azerbaijani lands, and ensuring security and
normal living conditions of both Azerbaijanis and Armenians in the
region after the release of lands. Azerbaijan and Armenia can reach
an agreement on restoration of motor transport, said Araz Azimov,
deputy FA minister of Azerbaijan on press conference on June 20.
Restoration of the highway has an important role in defining status
of Daqliq Qarabaq, stated Mr. Azimov. According to him, official Baku
proposed to Yerevan a variant considering restoration of highway
between Azerbaijani cities Aghdam and Shahbuz, passing through Daqliq
Qarabaq, occupied by Armenians Azerbaijani region Lachin and
territory of Armenia. The Armenian side is considering this variant
of restoration of highway. Azerbaijan looks forward to positive
settlement of the question that will allow us to settle a number of
other issues concerning both two sides, noted Araz Azimov. Azerbaijan
considers restoration of transport communications with Armenia as an
important mean of regulation of Armenia-Azerbaijan Daqliq Qarabaq
conflict. Aghdam-Shahbuz highway has both practical and political
importance, added Mr. Azimov. He said restoration of the highway
would contribute to settlement of problem `Lachin Corridor’, joining
Daqliq Qarabaq with Armenia. Besides, access of the highway to Turkey
increases its political importance. The best guarantee of the highway
is its mutual use by Azerbaijan and Armenia, said Araz Azimov. He
mentioned that in general there developed more constructive relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia recently and chances of the sides to
the conflict to reach an agreement increased. Deputy minister
informed that president Ilham Aliyev presented conception of
regulation of Daqliq Qarabaq conflict in recent meeting of presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Warsaw that caused positive reaction of
Russia, the USA and France, cochairmen of OSCE and FA ministers of
these countries that took part at the meeting. The deputy minister
also said FA ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are expected to meet
for several times till the meeting of presidents of these countries
that is planned on August 26 in Kazan. Co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk
group are expected to visit the region beginning from Baku.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
June 21 2005
Turkish Immigrants in Germany Protest Armenian Resolution
Thousands of Turks marched in Berlin, Germany to protest the Armenian
draft approved by the German Federal assembly in Bundestag last week.
More than 10,000 people participated in the march organized by the
Turkish Foundations Initiative despite the hot weather.
Literature was distributed and the marchers carried banners written
in German that read, “Turkey is not the scapegoat of German policies”
and “German policy distorts history”.
About 3 million Turkish people live in Germany, many of them are
German citizen.
An announcement released indicated:
“We demand the deputies elected by the Turkish participants to
consider the sensitivities and interests of the 2.8 million Turkish
people. We want the deputies to fulfill their duty to prevent
provocation in order to live together in peace.”
The CDU and some other German parties support pro-Armenian stance
about the 1915 events. More than 520,000 Turkish people were
massacred by the armed Armenian groups during the 1915 events. The
Istanbul Government decided to resettle the Armenians in the Eastern
porvinces when they attacked the Ottoman Army.

HOME FOR FAMILIES OF KILLED SOLDIERS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
17 June 05
The city of Stepanakert has never been this beautiful, even in the
best years of Soviet totalitarianism. And only a decade has passed
after the times of bombing and air raids of Azeris when one would come
across ruins at every step in the city. Today no traces of these times
have been left. What is more, all the new buildings in the city are
distinguished by high quality and design. Among these are the elite
blocks of flats No 16 and 18 on Azatamartikneri Street, operated
recently and put out for sale. At the NKR Ministry of Territorial
Management and Development of Infrastructures we were informed that
all the 28 apartments and 20 plots of land had been sold out. The
total sum from the sale of flats is 442 million 247 thousand drams
which was returned to the NKR State Budget from which the construction
had been funded. (This year the sum provided from the state budget for
construction is 3900 million drams against 2385 million in 2004.
Besides the mentioned sum, in the current year, another 877 million
drams has been provided for construction in the framework of the
programme of re-settlement and about 250 million for the same aim was
provided to the Ministry of Social Security.) By the instruction of
the NKR president the sum from the sale of these flats and plots is
spent on the construction of another block of 45 flats in Tumanian
Street which is already being built. All the flats will be provided
free of charge to families of killed azatamartiks.
AA.
17-06-2005

Pan Armenian News
NATO-ARMENIA COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT HARDLY TO PROMOTE GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
BY ANKARA
18.06.2005 07:23
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I do not agree about categorizing Armenian-Russian
relations being in a state of “divorce”. Armenia’s strategic partnership
with Russia and cooperation with NATO are aimed at securing Armenia’s
national security’, Kiro Manoyan, Director of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office stated during
online interview initiated by OpenArmenia.com and PanARMENIAN.Net. `Although
Genocide recognition by Turkey is a national security issue for Armenia, I
don’t think getting closer with NATO will necessarily help gain recognition
of the genocide by Turkey’, he added.