Author: Vasilian Manouk

COHEN ASKS PHOTOGRAPHER TO LEAVE HIS HOME, THEN PUSHES HIM OUT
By Zack McMillin

Memphis Commercial Appeal
August 6, 2008

Memphis Police were called to the home of Congressman Steve Cohen today
after an an argument between Cohen and a Armenian-American cameraman
in town from California ended with Cohen physically pushing him out
the side door.

Peter Musurlian of Globalist Films in Glendale, Calif., followed
a reporter from The Commercial Appeal into Cohen’s Overton Park
home, where the Congressman had invited local media to respond to a
commercial from Nikki Tinker, his 9th Congressional District opponent
in Thursday’s Democratic Primary, that Cohen called "more mudslinging."

When members of Cohen’s staff realized who the cameraman was – he
had followed Cohen around on Tuesday night at National Night Out
neighborhood events – they told him he was not invited and asked him
to leave.

Musurlian refused, saying he deserved a place in the open press
conference, and continued arguing before Cohen got off his couch and
angrily told Musurlian to leave, accusing him of trespassing.

Then Cohen said, "You come outside, I’m going to talk to you.

I’ll give you an interview." When Musurlian retreated to the threshold,
Cohen put both hands on his arms, forced him from the house and shut
the door.

Cohen’s staff retrieved a tripod and a bag containing audio equipment
and returned it to Musurlian, who later said an expensive part had
been broken. Musurlian stood across the street from the house and
eventually gave statements to the media and to police.

Cohen also talked to police and said he had no intention of pressing
charges. Musurlian said he intended to press charges because of the
damage to his equipment.

Armenian-Americans from around the country have been enraged at
Cohen for his part in stopping Congress from passing a resolution
last year that would have condemned Turkey for committing genocide
against Armenians when the Ottoman Empire was disintegrating during
and after World War I.

Armenian-Americans have donated between $25,000 and $30,000 to Tinker’s
campaign and are actively working to defeat Cohen.

Cohen has often spoken of his pride in stopping the resolution,
saying that during his Congressional trip to the Middle East that
he specifically asked Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces
in Iraq, about the ramifications of passing a resolution that Turkey
vowed would cause it to cut off all aid to the U.S. effort in Iraq.

"I’m proud of what I did," Cohen said. "Gen. Petraeus, when I went to
Baghdad, I asked him what his position was on the Armenian resolution
and he said, ‘I am glad you brought that up. That would be v ery
devastating to our troops.’ The Turks are our friends in NATO, they
allow 8,000 trucks a day through Turkey into Iraq to serve our troops
with supplies and needs. Those trucks could be stopped and the Turks
are very serious about that. They allow us to use our airbase.

"’He said, ‘That would be really devastating to our mission.’ While
I am against the mission of the Iraq war, I am for protecting our
troops. And to pass that resolution would have been irresponsible
and the Congress saw that. President Carter and President Clinton
both opposed it because they said we shouldn’t be doing that to upset
the Turks.

"Determining what happened in history when it is a foreign nation
and something we had nothing to do with is not the job of the United
States Congress. It’s a job for historians. The bottom line is at
this time in 2007 and 2008 and possibly in 2009 it is the last thing
to throw in the face of one of our few allies in the Middle East."

Musurlian attempted to give Memphis media a history lesson about what
many historians have declared a genocide but which Turkey maintains
was a much more complicated set of events unleashed by the world war
and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

"This is a particular issue that I know maybe 50 people in Memphis
are interested in but they should be interested in it," Musurlian
said.20"It may sound ancient, but it’s not as ancient as slavery."

That seemed to be an allusion to the resolution Cohen did usher
through Congress last week, with the U.S. House of Representatives
for the first time apologizing to African-Americans for slavery and
Jim Crow oppression and degradation.

Cohen had called the press conference to explain his vote in 1997,
while in the State Senate, against a bill called the "Tennessee
Student Religious Liberty Act" that a Tinker ad said shows that Cohen
"is the only Congressman that doesn’t think our kids should be allowed
to pray in schools."

Cohen said today he unequivocally does not oppose prayer in schools,
but that he opposed that bill because it was meaningless pandering.

"They gave that bill a nice title to make it sound good, but I am just
repulsed by people who will use religion to foster their political
reputations and careers," Cohen said. "I voted it because it was a)
unnecessary, b) trying to use religion on a false manner deluding
the people to make them think they were doing something when they
were not doing anything."

And Cohen sounded a theme heard often over the years in Memphis,
accusing "outsiders" of meddling

"He needs to go back to California, EMILY’s List needs to go back to
Washington and New York, and the people who are doing th ese ads from
Washington, they need to go home too," Cohen said.

"Memphians will determine this election. And all these outsiders who
don’t know Steve Cohen, they need to get out of here."

COHEN TOSSES CAMERA-TOTING MAN FROM HIS HOME

WREC
/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=185284&article =4061297
Aug 6 2008
TN

The Congressman put his hands on the man’s arm, pushed him from the
house and shut the door.

Congressman Steve Cohen called police to his Overton Park home today
after he physically removed a camera man from a doorway.

Cohen had called media to his home to discuss tomorrow’s election race
with challenger Nicki Tinker. Peter Musurlian, a documentary producer
and Armenian-American activist, was asked to leave. When he refused,
Cohen put his hands on the man’s arm, pushed him from the house and
shut the door.

Last year, Cohen opposed a resolution which would have condemned
Turkey for committing genocide against Armenians after World War I.

"YERKIR" UNION’S APPEAL TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO THE RECENT EVENTS IN AKHALKALAKI

AZG Armenian Daily
02/08/2008

Javakhk

On July 17, 2008 a blast took place in the town of Akhalkalaki,
regional center of the Akhalkalaki district of the Samtskhe-Javakheti
region of Georgia, near the house of the Chief of Police Samvel
Petrosyan. There were no casualties.

Immediately after the blast, the local police forces initiated an
unprecedented wave of arrests within the ranks of the activists
of the "United Javakhk Democratic Alliance" the local political
movement. Thus, up to 15 activists were brutally arrested, some were
fiercely beaten. The police also entered the building of the Youth
radio station which belonged to the same political movement. For this
purpose, the entrance door was crushed and internal doors and windows
were damaged. No arms were found however on the premises.

On July 17, around 8:00 p.m., some 40 persons regrouping both
police forces and civilians, stormed into the house of the local
activist, Gurgen Shirinyan. During this operation, Gurgen’s father
was fiercely beaten and one local policeman, Arthur Berudjanyan,
was shot dead. Police sources declared that Gurgen Shirinyan fled,
while his father and aunt were arrested.

On July 18, "United Javakhk Democratic Alliance" issued a statement
describing both the blast and the incidents that followed as
provocations aiming the destruction of their organization. The
statement required from the authorities the holding of an impartial
investigation.

In the afternoon of July 20, another policeman – Armen Gabrielyan was
shot dead. According to a declaration on behalf of the authorities,
the dead policeman had… committed suicide.

At 4:00 am on July 21, armed and masked Georgian special forces
intruded the house of the "United Javakhk Democratic Alliance"
political movements’ leader, Vahagn Chakhalyan, and arrested all
the members of his family. At 5:00 am, Vahagn Chakhalyan’s mother
was set free, but he, his father and his adolescent brother were
detained in Akhaltsikhe, the center of the province. Later on they
were taken to Tbilisi, where they continue to remain in custody up to
now. Chakhalyan’s, his father’s and brother’s preliminary detention
was immediately extended to two months.

Parallel to these events, the police stormed once again the building
of the Youth radio station, but this time… arms and ammunition were
"found" and confiscated.

Currently, authorities keep under arrest Gurgen Shirinyan’s father
(Harutyun Shirinyan), Gurgen Shirinyan’s aunt (Karine Shirinyan),
as well as Vahagn Chakhalyan, Vahagn Chakhalyan’s father (Rouben
Chakhalyan) and Vahagn Chakhalyan’s brother (Armen Chakhalyan). The
building of the "Youth Radio" is closed and sealed, all computers
and other furniture are confiscated.

On July 23, "Yerkir" Union of NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement,
in collaboration with its Georgian chapter "Yerkir-Georgia", has
sent a fact finding mission to Akhalkalaki; including a cameraman,
a lawyer and members of the UNGO. The delegation interviewed relatives
and neighbors of the detained persons, as well as policemen. The Main
places where the incidents occurred were also visited and filmed.

The following facts were noted:

1. All arrests were conducted with flagrant violations. None of the
arrested persons was informed of his legal rights, his legal status,
or of his possibilities for self- protection.

2. Many of the arrested were beaten both at the time of the arrest
and during the detention period.

3. Detained persons were interrogated, (some, for several hours)
however written reports on the interrogations were not kept.

4. During the search of Gurgen Shirinyan’s house, the police has
"discovered" ammunition, however no external witnesses were present
to verify and register the facts.

5. An official search warrant was not presented to the father of
Gurgen Shirinyan.

6. The police officers used degrading treatment toward Gurgen
Shirinyan’s relatives, and in particular, Gurgen Shirinyan’s father
was slapped and then brutally beaten.

7. Under the pretext that an investigation has to ascertain as to
whom the discovered ammunitions belong, Gurgen Shirinyan’s father
and aunt were arrested and detained without any warrant.

8. During Chakhalyan’s house search, arms and ammunitions were "found"
and caused the arrest of Chakhalyan and his relatives. However no
external witnesses participated to the search or noted the results
of the search.

9. Neither Vahagn Chakhalyan, nor any of the members of his family
were shown a search warrant.

10. The arrest of the members of Chakhalyan’s family was accompanied
with violence, Rouben, Vahagn and Armen Chakhalyan were beaten and
threatened.

11. Chakhalyan’s mother (Gayane Chakhalyan) was also arrested. She was
questioned for more than a hour, but no written record was kept of her
interrogation. She was threatened and freed without any explanation.

12. Armen Chakhalyan, who is a minor, was interrogated without the
presence of his parents or of any impartial adult.

13. In addition to the above mentioned persons who continue to still
remain in police custody, numerous other persons were arrested and
interrogated, they were all threatened, many were beaten, but all
were released without any explanation and with no written record of
the on-going interrogations which concerned them personally.

The "United Javakhk" Democratic Alliance" political movement
participated in the local elections in October 2006, in which they
got about 30% of the Akhalkalaki district votes and took 3 seats in
Akhalkalaki sakreboulo (local self-governing body). Yet, the movement
rejected the election results as far as it was concerned, dubbing
those results as a flagrant fraud. The leaders of this political
movement, and especially Chakhalyan, struggles for a long time now
for the fulfillment of the Armenian minority rights. Based on this
fact, "Yerkir" Union strongly believes that Chakhalyan’s arrest and
subsequent detention were purely motivated by political reasons.

"Yerkir" Union considers the recent incidents in Akhalkalaki to be
the Georgian government’s unwillingness to solve minority issues,
preferring instead to resort to brutal force to suppress expressions
of legitimate complaint.

"Yerkir" Union therefore calls upon the Georgian government:

– to guarantee a fair and unbiased investigation of the recent
incidents in Akhalkalaki,

– to immediately release from detention all relatives of Vahagn
Chakhalyan and Gurgen Shirinyan,

– to immediately investigate all human rights’ abuses which took
place during the recent incidents in Akhalkalaki, and in particular,
the human rights’ abuses which occurred during the arrests, the
interrogations and the detentions,

– to hold a fair and impartial investigation of the assassination of
the two ethnic Armenian policemen,

– to guarantee Vahagn Chakhalyan’s rights for a fair and impartial
trial.

"Yerkir" Union also calls upon foreign missions in Georgia,
international organizations and institutions, international and local
human rights organizations and Georgia’s human rights public defender,
Mr. Subari

– to recognize Vahagn Chakhalyan and all his detained relatives,
as well as Gurgen Shirinyan’s detained relatives as political prisoners

– to take appropriate steps for monitoring the conditions of detention
of all the political prisoners, to secure their right not to be
subjected to torture and ill-treatment any more, and to assure their
right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent
dignity of the human person.

"Yerkir" Union urges the Georgian mass-media to respect the right of
the Georgian and international communities to be informed and to break
the information blockade around this case by providing objective and
full-length coverage.

"Yerkir" Union also expresses its concern about the alarming
socio-political and psychological impact which will have the recent
incidents on the Armenian minority of Javakheti. We call upon the
Georgian government, as well as upon the international and local
organizations and institutions to take appropriate and efficient
steps for eliminating the possible negative impacts of these recent
critical developments.

ARMENIA-TURKEY MEETING TO BE PREPARED

Panorama.am
16:12 04/08/2008

On Saturday a discussion has been held at the Vice Prime and the
Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan covering the
organizational issues of Armenia-Turkey football teams meeting.

It was mentioned that a group of fans is to visit Armenia from Turkey
to support the Turkish football players. Armenian officials have
covered every detail to guarantee the security of both the football
team and the fans.

Remind that Armenia-Turkey meeting is to take place on 6 September.

WITH AMD 25 MILLION ASSISTANCE FROM VIVACELL, 3 NEW RECREATION GROUNDS HAVE BEEN OPENED IN THE CITY OF CHARENTSAVAN

arminfo
2008-08-02 12:09:00

ArmInfo. VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE:
MBT), announces that today, with AMD 25 million assistance from
VivaCell, 3 new recreation grounds have been opened in the city
of Charentsavan. VivaCell allocated the funds based on its goal to
promote active sport among children and make it a permanent part of
their lifestyle, VivaCell reports.

In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility policy, Armenia’s
leading mobile operator VivaCell makes social contributions in the
spheres, which, in the long run, will have positive impact on the
quality of life of people by reducing health-related risks. One of
such spheres is the promotion of healthy lifestyles and creation of
respective conditions. The construction works were realized through
co-financing agreement between VivaCell and the Municipality of
Charentsavan, having contributed AMD 25 and 12 million respectively
for the construction of recreation grounds in 3 different districts of
the city. As early as this spring VivaCell General Manager expressed
his willingness to include Charentsavan in the list of VivaCell CSR
activities in 2008. After a time, the Mayor of Charentsavan Hakob
Shahgaldyan initiated a series of community discussions to identify
the sphere where the funds provided by VivaCell would be spent. As a
result, it was decided to direct the financial assistance of VivaCell
toward building recreation grounds in 3 districts of the city with
the goal to promote sport and at the same time to create a place
for recreation for teenagers. As of July 25, the construction works
were over.

The ceremony of opening the recreation grounds was attended by
VivaCell General Manager Ralph Yirikian. Congratulating the residents
of Charentzavan, VivaCell General Manager Ralph Yirikian said:
"On behalf of the whole company I would like to congratulate the
residents of Charentsavan, and in particular, its young people, with
the construction of these nice recreation grounds. I hope that young
people will devote a significant portion of their time doing sport
exercises, will learn and engage in new and interesting sports, to
become physically fit and keep away from unhealthy practices. VivaCell
will keep on supporting the Armenian youth in the future as well".

AZERBAIJAN’S CONSUL IN LOS ANGELES ELIN SULEYMANOV VISITS THE UNION OF WOMEN JOURNALISTS OF AZERBAIJAN

Today.Az
tics/46733.html
July 30 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s consul general in Los Angeles Elin Sulemanov visited the
Women’s Media Watch of the Union of Women Journalists of Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the reason of opening of the Azerbaijani consulate in
Los Angeles two years ago, Suleymanov listed several important factors:

"Los Angeles is the second larger city in the United States. It
takes the third place after New York and Hong Kong for the number of
diplomatic missions and consulates. Moreover, it is difficult to have
only one diplomatic representative office in such a large country
as the United States. I have worked in the Azerbaijani embassy to
Washington. Though the embassy is active and busy, it is impossible
to work for the whole country.

On the other hand, the influence of the western region of the United
States on its overall policy is quite strong and is growing with each
passing day. Moreover, Armenian population of this part of the United
States, is the most densely populated community beyond Armenia. It
all caused the reason for our expansion".

Asked how they resist influence of the Armenian diaspora, the consul
general noted that the US residents from Armenia are primarily the
internal problem of the United States:

"How can we resist internal issues of the United States?! Even if
they are from Armenia, they are primarily the citizens of the United
States. Our fight includes two methods. The first-periodical talks
with the US side, stating importance of this problem for the US
interests and for the voters of the non-Armenian origin. The second
is to inform the Americans that Azerbaijan is an open and tolerant
state with stable and pragmatic outlook and they should not worsen
relations between our countries only for a group of people.

The consul general also highly appreciated Azerbaijan’s ability to
say its word and raise the issue on the international arena: "Let’s
take for example the recent resolution, adopted in the UN. It was
a good lesson for us. Why did the United States, which do not stop
talking of democracy, refuse to admit the truth at least once? Where
were our "friends" who recommended something to us or showed the right
way to us constantly? Are interests of a small group more important,
or couldn’t the United States, Russia and France unite to recognize
the independence and the vote of such a small state as Azerbaijan.

Answering the questions of women journalists about differences in the
positions on the concepts of democracy and human rights, Suleymanov
said the following:

"Can you imagine that once the Azerbaijani ambassador declares
intention to spend $3 mln for development of democracy in America? It
will be an insult for them! The programs are too different. If we
arrange an exchange of students or propose a cultural program, no
one will say anything to us, while offering money is inappropriate
for the US citizens… The formulation of a problem as "I am the
cleverest and I can teach you" is a negative thing".

Commenting on the resolution of the Karabakh problem, Elin Suleymanov
said:

"I do hope that we will be able to settle the Karabakh problem
peacefully. War is a tragedy. Each of us should ask a question to
himself: "Are we ready to live without Karabakh?" I think it is
impossible. The world should realize that we, Azerbaijanis, and our
society do not intend to live without Karabakh. It is a question of
choice-either we return Karabakh or Azerbaijan will not exist without
Karabakh! We should persuade the world society of it".

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: IF ONE OF FORMER ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS CAN BE BROUGHT BEFORE HAGUE COURT, FOR SURE, IT IS NOT ROBERT KOCHARIAN

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 28

According to Eduard Sharmazanov, the Spokesperson of the Republican
Party of Armenia (RPA), only after the judicial enquiries on
the March 1 case it will become clear whether there are political
prisoners in Armenia. As he stated at the July 28 press conference,
RPA considers that there should not be people prosecuted for their
political convictions in Armenia.

Touching upon radical opposition’s rally envisaged on August 1, E.

Sharmazanov said that by the rally the oppositionists wish to ensure
their place and role in Armenia’s political life, which is normal. "I
do not think that the demand of Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation to be
voiced at the August 1 rally will be able to change anything," the
RPA Spokesperson said. He affirmed that today it is time to work and
to implement programs, and in that context the opposition, instead
of holding rallies, should be involved in a constructive activity.

According to E. Sharmazanov, the collection of signatures the
opposition started to bring Robert Kocharian before Hague court is
an absurd process.

"If any of the former Armenian Presidents can be brought before
Hague court, for sure it is not R. Kocharian," he stated. According
to E. Sharmazanov, time will show what this or that figure has done
for the country. Under R.

Kocharian, according to him, "a normal economic growth was recorded,"
and 1998-2008 were years of achievements.

ACCORDING TO LUIS MARIA DE PUIG, IN CASE PACE RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT
FULFILLED, SANCTIONS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY USED TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JULY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Unless Armenia fulfils the requirements
of PACE Resolutions N 1609 and 1620, a scandalous situation will be
created: "sanctions will be immediately used" to Armenia as a result of
discussions to take place during the PACE autumn session. PACE Chairman
Luis Maria de Puig stated in his interview to Radio Liberty. He said
that he has spoken about it during his meetings with the Armenian
authorities.

Answering the question of whether it means that the issue can be raised
already at the PACE October session, he said that "it will depend on
Monitoring Commission’s decision." And L. M. de Puig opposed to the
obvervation that little time remains until September 11, the day of
PACE Monitoring Commission sitting, by saying that Armenia had time
still from March and the decision to give additional time to Armenia
made at the June session was "just an exception."

"Armenia cannot wait until January, moreover, it is possible that a
decision will have been already made by January," the PACE Chairman
stated. According to him, during the meetings with the Armenian
authorities he has also touched upon the problem of constantly not
authorizing opposition rallies. He affirmed that both the law and the
practice of its use are bad. "I demanded that this practice be
changed," L. M. de Puig said.

ACCORDING TO LUIS MARIA DE PUIG, IN CASE PACE RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT FULFILLED, SANCTIONS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY USED TO ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 25

Unless Armenia fulfils the requirements of
PACE Resolutions N 1609 and 1620, a scandalous situation will be
created: "sanctions will be immediately used" to Armenia as a result of
discussions to take place during the PACE autumn session. PACE Chairman
Luis Maria de Puig stated in his interview to Radio Liberty. He said
that he has spoken about it during his meetings with the Armenian
authorities.

Answering the question of whether it means that the issue can be raised
already at the PACE October session, he said that "it will depend on
Monitoring Commission’s decision." And L. M. de Puig opposed to the
obvervation that little time remains until September 11, the day of
PACE Monitoring Commission sitting, by saying that Armenia had time
still from March and the decision to give additional time to Armenia
made at the June session was "just an exception."

"Armenia cannot wait until January, moreover, it is possible that a
decision will have been already made by January," the PACE Chairman
stated. According to him, during the meetings with the Armenian
authorities he has also touched upon the problem of constantly not
authorizing opposition rallies.

He affirmed that both the law and the practice of its use are bad. "I
demanded that this practice be changed," L. M. de Puig said.

THE IRON SILK ROAD ADVANCES FURTHER
Vladimir Socor

Eurasia Daily Monitor
July 25 2008
DC

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Mikheil Saakashvili of
Georgia, and Abdullah Gul of Turkey inaugurated on July 24 in Kars
the construction work on the Turkish section of the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku
(KTB) railroad. A project of inter-continental significance, connecting
Europe and Asia through the South Caucasus, this "Iron Silk Road"
is being built by the region’s countries through their own efforts.

Azerbaijan is the locomotive in the KTB railroad, as in the
region-wide energy projects. Baku single-handedly finances the
railroad’s construction on Georgian territory, drawing on early oil
revenues to invest in this strategic railroad. Azerbaijan rescued the
project after the European Union, international financial institutions,
and Turkey for various reasons had declined to finance the Iron Silk
Road. According to Turkish Transportation Minister Bineli Yildirim,
"If Ilham Aliyev had not demonstrated resolve, this project would not
have been possible. Azerbaijan’s decision to finance the Georgian
section is the most important step in the implementation of this
project" (Trend Capital, July 14).

The KTB project involves construction of 105 kilometers of new rail
tracks from scratch, including 76 kilometers on Turkish territory
to the Georgian border and 29 kilometers within Georgia. It also
necessitates repair and upgrading of 183 kilometers of existing rail
track on Georgian territory. The overall costs are estimated (in 2007
U.S. dollar terms) at $600 million, including $422 million for the
railroad itself and nearly $200 million for associated infrastructure.

The International Bank of Azerbaijan has provided a $200 million loan
for the project on uniquely preferential terms: 25-year repayment
period, at only 1 percent annual interest. Georgia will repay the
loan by using part of the revenue generated by the railroad on
Georgian territory.

Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey signed the intergovernmental agreement
on KTB in February 2007. Construction work on the Georgian section
started in November 2007, with Azerbaijan’s Azerinshaat Service
company acting as general contractor.

Speaking at the inauguration of work on the Turkish section on July 24,
Saakashvili remarked that Azerbaijan is acting in practical terms as
a "guarantor of Georgia’s independence," financing the railroad now
after having supplied Georgia with low-cost gas during the Russian
blockade of January-February 2006. "The Georgian people will never
forget this," Saakashvili commented (Kavkas-Press, July 24).

The railroad is scheduled for completion in 2011. It is expected to
carry 1.5 million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo per year
during the first three years of operation. Traffic is projected to
increase to 3 million passengers and 15 million tons of cargo per
year until 2015. This could stimulate a substantial expansion in
the capacity of Turkish State Railways, which currently handles 19.5
million tons of cargo annually (Anatolia Agency, Turkish Daily News,
July 20, 21).

Functionally interrelated with the KTB, though a distinct entity,
is Turkey’s Marmaray project to build a railroad tunnel under the
Bosporus. With completion expected by 2010, the tunnel will enhance
the KTB railroad’s commercial attractiveness. Trains will be able to
travel without interruption from any point in Europe (e.g., London)
continuously to the Caspian Sea.

On the eastern Caspian shore, Kazakhstan is interested in a
trans-Caspian linkup with KTB’s terminal in Baku. The KTB railroad
will open direct access for Kazakhstan to European Union territory
for the first time. Kazakhstan plans a massive increase in its
commodity exports to Europe, including grain exports. With this in
mind, Kazakhstan is completing an 800,000-ton grain-handling terminal
near Baku, for trans-shipment from barges to the railroad.

Asked about Armenia’s absence from the KTB project, President Gul
commented in general terms that countries wishing to participate
in region-wide projects should respect the territorial integrity of
their neighbors (Zaman, July 24). This diplomatic comment reflects
the ongoing feelers between Turkey and Armenia about a possible
high-level meeting to ameliorate relations (see article by Gareth
Jenkins below). In fact, Yerevan had actively opposed the KTB project
and worked with its allies in the United States and Europe to block
international funding for it.

Yerevan had hoped to force a change of route, diverting the KTB line
from Kars to Gyumri in Armenia. This would have made no economic sense
inasmuch as the Kars-Gyumri line (existent, but closed by Turkey
due to Yerevan’s occupation of Azerbaijani lands) is a sideline,
of merely local interest. Earlier, and similarly, Yerevan and allied
groups in the West had unsuccessfully opposed the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline.

Thanks to KTB, Azerbaijan and Turkey will be linked with each other
by railroad for the first time, albeit through Georgia. In addition,
Baku and Ankara intend to connect Nakhchivan, the Azerbaijani exclave,
with Turkey’s railroad system. President Aliyev and Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed during their recent meeting in
Nakhchivan to go ahead with this project (Trend Capital, July 14).

In a related development, Turan Air company in Baku inaugurated on
July 21 regular direct flights between Haidar Aliyev International
Airport and Kars (Day.az, July 21). Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey
are beginning to form what amounts to a common economic region,
increasingly connected with Europe and potentially with Central Asia,
on either side of this region’s territory.