Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

ZOURABICHVILI PUSHES GEORGIAN ENP ACTION PLAN IN TALKS WITH STRAW

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Oct 12 2005

Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who met with
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in London on October 11, expressed
concern regarding the delays in launching talks over Georgia’s EU
Neighborhood Policy (ENP), the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported
on Wednesday.

Salome Zourabichvili called on the UK, which currently holds the EU
Presidency, to pay more attention to these talks, which are expected
to develop Georgia’s ENP action plan.

“I would prefer talks to continue longer rather than work for 3 or
4 years in accordance to [an ineffective action] plan which will be
unacceptable for the Georgian side and which will not reflect the
Georgian side’s demands,” Salome Zourabichvili was quoted as saying in
a press release issued by the Georgian Foreign Ministry on October 12.

According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, talks over the ENP
action plan have been postponed by the EU twice. The reason for the
delay has been cited as a problem which emerged in the relationship
between Azerbaijan and Cyprus. Azerbaijan is at odds with Cyprus,
as Baku strives for closer ties with the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

The EU adheres to a policy of equal treatment towards all three
countries of the South Caucasus region in the process of talks, but
according to the EU’s representative to the region Heikki Talvitie,
if Azerbaijan fails to normalize its ties with the EU-member state,
the European Union will launch separate talks with Georgia and
Armenia alone.

According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, during the talks in London
the British Foreign Secretary assured Salome Zourabichvili that the
UK will pay more attention to the development of Georgia’s ENP action
plan in order to prepare the document by the end of 2005.

ICG PROPOSES DECIDING KARABAKH STATUS LATER

Pan Armenian
11.10.2005 23:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A compromise peace in Nagorno Karabakh looks
possible, but significant stumbling blocks remain, says Nagorno
Karabakh: A Plan for Peace, the latest report from the International
Crisis Group (ICG). The report examines the causes of the conflict,
analyses the negotiation process led by the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and identifies the necessary
elements of an achievable peace plan. “The two sides appear close to
agreeing on key principles of a peace deal”, says Sabine Freizer,
Director of Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project. It should be noted
that major elements of the proposed settlement package include:
leaving the core issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s status open for later
resolution; withdrawal of Armenia-backed Nagorno Karabakh forces
from the occupied districts of Azerbaijan surrounding the entity;
deployment of international peacekeepers; return of displaced persons;
and re-opening of trade and communication links. Nagorno Karabakh’s
status should ultimately be determined by an internationally sanctioned
referendum with the exclusive participation of Karabakh Armenians
and Azeris, but only after the above measures have been implemented,
the report says. Until then, Nagorno Karabakh would remain part of
Azerbaijan, though in practical terms it would be self-governing and
enjoy an internationally acknowledged interim status.

Eleven years after the 1994 cease-fire, burgeoning defense budgets,
increasing cease-fire violations, and continuing demonization
by each side of the other side are ominous signs that time for a
peace agreement is running out, the document says. “So far, despite
progress in the negotiations, the resumption of war remains as
likely as peace”, says Alain Deletroz, International Crisis Group
Vice President for Europe.

OUTSPOKEN MP BLAMES OPPOSITION LEADERS FOR THEIR AMBITIONS

Armenpress
Oct 11 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: An outspoken opposition parliament
member blamed today the opposition’s failure to set up a joint
office for coordination of their campaign to reject a package of
constitutional amendments, proposed by president Kocharian and his
ruling coalition, on opposition leaders’ ambitions. Arshak Sadoyan,
the leader of a tiny party, said none of the major opposition forces
has committed to assume the hard job of steering the ‘no’ campaign.

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TOP STORIES
10/11/2005
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1) Catholicos Aram I Calls for US Recognition of Armenian Genocide
2) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Reviews Armenian Genocide
3) Council of Europe Encourages Citizens to Support Proposed Constitutional
Reforms

1) Catholicos Aram I Calls for US Recognition of Armenian Genocide

His Holiness says there can not be reconciliation before confession

LOS ANGELES–His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
made a firm statement calling for proper US recognition of the Armenian
Genocide during a special prayer service in honor of the victims of the
Armenian Genocide held on October 8 at the Armenian Genocide Monument in
Montebello, California. The Catholicos stated that the United States has
always
stood on the side of justice and human rights and should therefore take a
principled stand by properly recognizing the Armenian genocide.
The special ceremony was organized as a reaffirmation of the community’s
commitment to proper genocide recognition on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. There were several hundred members of
the
community in attendance as well as many local public officials including State
Assemblyman Ron Calderon, Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari, Pico Riviera Mayor
David Armenta, Montebello Police Chief Gary Couso-Vasquez and a representative
from Montebello Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s office.
`Reconciliation is based on forgiveness; however, there cannot be forgiveness
until there is acceptance of the truth and real confession,’ said the Pontiff
during the event referring to the Turkish government’s continuing campaign of
denial and the lack of official US recognition of the genocide. `While this
monument stands in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, it also
symbolizes the struggle against evil, the quest for justice, peace and human
rights.’ His Holiness also emphasized the point that the United States should
show greater leadership on this issue by officially recognizing the genocide
based on the fundamental principles of freedom and human rights for which the
country stands.
The Catholicos went on to say that the Genocide Monument in Montebello is a
living monument and should be viewed as the bell that tolls reminding the
Armenian community to continue the just struggle for the Armenian Cause and
remain loyal to the memories of the martyrs of the Armenian genocide. The
Pontiff ended his remarks by telling the story of how on April 24 of this year
he journeyed to Der Zor to the Euphrates river where many Armenian women and
children had died during the genocide and he christened two Armenian children
and `the river that had symbolized death for the Armenian people turned into a
river of life,’ he said.
After the ceremony at the Armenian Genocide monument, His Holiness
traveled to
the Holy Cross Church in Montebello to meet with Armenian youth from the
Montebello community.

Catholicos Meets with Armenian Students in Glendale

On the previous day, Friday, October 7, His Holiness held a meeting at
Glendale High School with approximately 1,000 students from the 11 Los Angeles
area Armenian schools. His Holiness stressed that students should carry on the
cultural and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people. He also emphasized
the importance of living life with high moral values and stated that the
students should serve as role models in the community. After the Pontiff’s
remarks, the program included poetry recitations, choir ensembles and other
instrumental performances by various students.

His Holiness Aram I Presides Over 1600 Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
Celebration

On the evening of Friday, October 7, His Holiness was present at the Glendale
Homenetmen `Ararat’ Chapters special event celebrating the Armenian alphabet.
In addition to the hundreds of community members present, also attending were
Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero,
Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and Glendale School Board member Greg
Krikorian.
During the official remarks, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the
Armenian language in defining the Armenian culture and encouraged the youth
present to make the effort to learn the language as a means to living their
identity.

2) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Reviews Armenian Genocide

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–The Armenian genocide was on the agenda of a NATO
Parliamentary Assembly seminar that took place in Armenia last week.
Addressing the NATO Rose-Roth Seminar held in Yerevan October 6-9, Halil
Berktay, professor of history at Sabanci University, specifically said, `I say
that the Genocide was committed. The only question is how to come to its
recognition.’
He suggested studying various approaches in order for Turkish society to
first
`realize’ that genocide has been committed, `then to recognize it.’
Otherwise, he warned that tension among nationalist forces in Turkey would
escalate.
The Turkish historian also alluded to a proposal by Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to create a joint commission of Armenian and Turkish
historians to `examine the events of 1915-1918′ and determine if they indeed
constituted genocide. Armenian leaders had categorically rejected that idea,
saying that the Genocide is a proven fact that can not be disputed.
In an April letter responding to Erdogan, Armenian President Robert Kocharian
wrote: `Your proposal to address the past can not be productive unless it
addresses the present and the future as well.’ Kocharian stressed the two
countries should instead form an `intergovernmental commission’ to tackle this
and other problems hampering their relations.
In his report to the NATO Seminar, Armenian Parliament Vice-speaker Vahan
Hovhannisian echoed President Kocharian’s suggestions, and called Erdogan’s
offer to `a clever attempt to fool the international community.’
Speaking of Turkey’s aspiration to join the European Union, Hovhannisian said
Turkish society is not yet ready to accept European values, including the
ability to admit guilt. `Turkish society must first change itself,’ he
stressed.
Hovhannisian commended Berktay’s clear position of qualifying the events of
1915 as genocide.
Sixty parliamentarians from 22 countries also discussed the Mountainous
Karabagh conflict, among other topics at the Seminar.
The Rose-Roth program was launched in 1990, with the initial aim to
strengthen
the development of parliamentary democracy in Central and Eastern European
countries.
Today, the Program also addresses regional security issues, particularly in
the Balkans and the Caucasus.
The Assembly usually holds three Rose-Roth seminars each year, covering a
wide
range of subjects such as civil-military relations, regional security, and the
fight against terrorism.

3) Council of Europe Encourages Citizens to Support Proposed Constitutional
Reforms

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The top decision-making body of the Council of Europe urged
Armenians on Monday to vote for constitutional amendments at next month’s
referendum, saying that they are `vital’ for Armenia’s democratic future.
`The referendum, to be held on November 27 on this reform, will be vital for
Armenia,’ Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Portugal’s foreign minister and the
chairman
of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, said in a statement.
`By turning out to vote, the people of Armenia will indeed be deciding on
changes of fundamental importance for their future,’ he said, adding that the
proposed changes would shore up Armenia’s weak judiciary and create a `more
balanced distribution of power between the executive and the legislative
branches.’
Amaral emphasized that the reforms have been endorsed by the Venice
Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on legal reform which has
been actively involved in the Armenian process. The head of the commission,
Gianni Buquicchio, called for a `yes’ vote at the referendum during a recent
visit to Yerevan.
The European Union and the United States have also expressed support for the
draft amendments. Western officials say that as well as curbing sweeping
powers
vested in the Armenian presidency, the proposed reform would facilitate
Armenia’s integration into pan-European structures.
A similar statement was adopted on Monday at a conference of an organization
representing various-level Armenian judges.
`The constitutional draft is close to being a perfect legal document,’ stated
the chairman of the Union of Judges, Hovannes Manukian.
Armenia’s leading opposition groups, meanwhile, remain adamant in rejecting
the amendments as insignificant and irrelevant to the country’s
democratization. In a joint statement last month, 17 opposition parties said
their enactment would only `legitimize the regime and prolong its life.’ They
pledged to work together in trying to scuttle the referendum.
But the opposition leaders disagree on whether they should urge Armenians to
boycott the referendum or vote against the draft amendments.

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REFERENDUM ON REFORMS DUE IN ARMENIA

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 11 2005

Baku, October 10, AssA-Irada
A referendum on reforms will be held in Armenia on November 27. The
reforms, which cover increasing the independence of courts, a more
balanced division of responsibilities between the executive and
legislative bodies and ensuring democracy and freedom of media,
will help bring the country’s Constitution to European standards,
said Portuguese foreign minister and chairman of the Council of Europe
ministerial committee Diogo Freitas do Amaral.

Amaral called for supporting these reforms, saying that the Armenian
people will prove that their country is a part of European family by
showing their adherence to democratic values.*

ARMENIAN SPEAKER AND LATVIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSED OPENING DIRECT AIR FLIGHT

Pan Armenian
07.10.2005 22:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga met with
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan, representatives
of Standing Commissions and MPs. A. Baghdassaryan indicated the
importance of Latvia’s experience in the European integration process,
strengthening Armenian-Latvian interparliamentary cooperation and
regional ties. The parties discussed trade and economic, as well
as scientific and cultural cooperation. They also considered the
opportunity of opening a direct air flight between the two countries
that would encourage trade and economic relations. Vaira Vike-Freiberga
emphasized the importance of successful completion of constitutional
reforms in Armenia. Parliaments have always been democracy pillars
and cooperation between legislative bodies of Armenia and Latvia
has an important role in inter-state relations, stated the Latvian
leader. She expressed readiness to continue comprehensive cooperation
with Armenia. Secretary of ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction Hrayr Karapetyan
expressed gratitude for the Latvian Parliament passing the Armenian
Genocide Bill in the first reading. In response the Latvian President
noted that during her visit to Turkey she had indicated the need to
recognize the Armenian Genocide at her meetings with the President
and PM. She had underscored that the country should not have obscure
pages in its history when joining the European family.

Armenpress

ARMENIAN DM SAYS RUSSIAN BASE COMPONENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS: Addressing a NATO-sponsored Rose Roth
conference in Yerevan defense minister Serzh Sarkisian said the presence of
Russian bases in Armenia has no relation to the Karabakh conflict and
Armenian-Azeri relations.
Sarkisian said Russian troops are in Armenia at the request of Armenia
and “are a component of our national security and their presence is
contingent on Armenia’s relations with Turkey which is still hostile to us.”
Sarkisian said Armenia would agree to radically reform its defense system
given the final regulation of the Karabakh conflict and given Azerbaijan’s
accord to carry out similar reforms under the supervision of international
inspectors.
“Armenia’s major priority is to ensure its population’s physical
security, as we are a small country and even a middle-sized army can
encircle our territory,’ the defense minister said. He, however, said it is
a costly price to maintain army but added the country is not going to shift
to professional army in the foreseeable future.
Sarkisian also shrugged off speculations that Armenia’s cooperation with
NATO is detrimental to its participation in the Collective Security Treaty
Organization.

ARMINFO News Agency
October 7, 2005

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN WORKING GROUP WILL BE FORMED TO PREPARE FEASIBILITY
STUDY FOR FOURTH POWER LINE ARMENIA-GEORGIA

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7. ARMINFO. An Armenian-Georgian working group will
be formed shortly to prepare a feasibility study for construction of
a fourth power line Armenia-Georgia. Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsisyan told ARMINFO.

He said some $12-$13 million will be allocated for the project. The
main construction will be in the territory of Georgia. The
investments necessary for the works in the territory of Armenia are
insignificant. The minister said investment volume and the capacity
of the new power line will be announced only when the feasibility
study is ready.

To note, the fourth sitting of the Armenian-Georgian
Intergovernmental Commission foe Economic Cooperation convened in
Yerevan on September 29. The parties agreed to synchronize the power
systems of the two states, taking into account their parallel
operation with the power systems of Russia and Iran. Power-engineers
were instructed to form a working group for transfer of the Georgian
section of the power line “Ashotsk-Ninotsminda” for the account of
the Georgian party.

ARMY OF PROTESTERS REPLENISHED

A1+
| 16:51:46 | 06-10-2005 | Social |

Today the faithful protesting against the social cards joined the
residents of the amortization zone of the Northern and Main Avenues,
the tenants of Dalma gardens and ground areas of Malatia community.

To remind, the residents of the Northern and Main Avenues claim
compensation for their flats, tenants – privatization of the ground
areas or prolongation of lease term while the faithful insist the
social cards were issued upon request only.

The believers say that only the design of the cards has changed but
the idea remained the same.

CIS COUNTRIES REGISTER INDUSTRIAL GROWTH-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
October 4, 2005 Tuesday

All the CIS countries have registered a rise in industrial production
over the first six months of the current year. The only exception
is Kyrgyzstan where the industrial slump amounted to 9.8 percent in
January-June, says a report by the Commonwealth Executive Committee,
circulated before a meeting of the CIS Economic Council, scheduled
for October 12.

Azerbaijan gained the highest industrial growth in the first six
months – 20.1 percent. It is trailed by Georgia – 12.8 percent,
Belarus – 10.5, Tajikistan – 8.9, Uzbekistan – 7.5, Kazakhstan – 7,
Ukraine and Armenia – 5 and 5.3, respectively. Russia and Moldova had
the lowest rates of industrial grown – 4 and 4.6 percent, respectively.

Oil production increased in all the CIS petroleum-producing
countries, apart from Ukraine where it slid by 0.9 percent down
to two million tonnes. Azerbaijan boosted petroleum recovery by 25
percent up to 9.6 million tonnes as against the corresponding period
in 2004. Kazakhstan’s growth in oil production edged up on 11 percent
up to 31.1 million tonnes, in Russia – three percent up to 230 million
tonnes and Turkmenistan – one percent up to 4.8 million tonnes.

Kazakhstan boosted its gas recovery by 29 percent over the six months
of this year as against the corresponding period in 2004, Turkmenistan
– 3.4 percent and Azerbaijan – 2.0 percent. The growth amounted to
0.7 and 0.9 percent in Ukraine and Russia, respectively.

The Russian Federation mined more coal by 3.0 percent, Ukraine –
by 1.0 percent and Kazakhstan registered a nosedive of three percent.

Moldova increased power generation by 13 percent over the above period,
Georgia – 6.0 percent, Ukraine – 5.0 percent, Azerbaijan and Armenia
– 4.0 percent each, Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan – two percent
each. Belarus generated seven percent less power, and Kyrgyzstan –
0.3 percent.