Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I WELCOMES THE ELECTION OF VARTKES MAHDESSIAN
;cID=4&pID=53&s=2
23-05-2006
Antelias, Lebanon – Parliamentary elections in Cyprus on May 21 led to
the election of a new representative of the Cypriot Armenian community
in the country’s parliament.
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar to Cyprus, held
a phone conversation with the Pontiff on the evening of May 21 and
informed him that Vartkes Mahdessian has been elected as the new
representative of the Armenian community in the Cypriot parliament.
The newly elected MP then called the Catholicos himself, assuring
him of his readiness to serve the Armenian community of Cyprus.
His Holiness welcomed the election of Mahdessian, granted his
pontifical blessings and advice to the MP. Aram I stressed the
importance of strengthening the integrity and unity of the Armenian
community of Cyprus, encouraging cooperation between its structures,
gathering Armenians around the church and pursuing the interests of
the community with the government.

HOUSE FOREIGN AID PANEL REINSTATES US POLICY ON SECURITY PARITY APPROVES $62 MILLION FOR ARMENIAIN FY FOREIGN AID BILL
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006
The Armenian Assembly praised members of a key foreign aid subcommittee
today for reinstating U.S. policy to maintain military aid parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Foreign
Operations bill. Earlier this year, the Administration submitted a
request for Azerbaijan that exceeded security assistance to Armenia
by $1.095 million.
Lawmakers approved a symmetrical appropriation that amounts to $3.5
million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and an additional $790,000
in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance
to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We appreciate the efforts of the House Appropriations Committee
and credit its Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jim
Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)
for maintaining equal security assistance between Armenia and
Azerbaijan,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We
especially appreciate the outstanding leadership of Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair and Committee Member, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), for his
efforts in restoring parity and protecting the fragile cease-fire
at a time when Azerbaijan continues to threaten a resumption of war
against Nagorno Karabakh.” Following the vote, Knollenberg told the
Assembly that “It is vitally important that Congress maintain military
assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We do not want to
unintentionally disturb the delicate balance of power that exists
in the South Caucasus nor weaken our credibility as an impartial and
leading mediator in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process.”
“Given the fact that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue
to be tenuous, it is imperative that the U.S. maintain a
balanced approach,” said Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ). “Furthermore, I am pleased that the Committee called
for a higher allocation to Armenia than that requested by the
Administration.”
The FY 2007 foreign aid bill also includes $62 million in economic aid
to Armenia and up to $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh. The level of funding for Armenia, although less than the
amount Congress appropriated in FY 2006, is $12 million more than
that requested by the Administration in February. In that request,
the Administration also called for an additional $1 million in FMF to
Azerbaijan over Armenia and suggested $885,000 for Azerbaijan versus
$790,000 for Armenia in IMET assistance.
The overall request level reflects a $41 million drop in assistance
for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union, from $482
million in 2006 to $441 million in 2007.
During the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
hearing in April, the Assembly submitted testimony for the hearing
record, outlining the need for Congress to continue funding to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Additionally, the Assembly supported
a letter initiated by Pallone and Armenian Caucus Member Rep. George
Radanovich (R-CA) and co-signed by 48 additional Members of Congress,
highlighting important priorities for Armenia and Karabakh.
The bill will be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee
this week. Once the House of Representatives and Senate complete
action on their versions of the bill, a joint House-Senate Conference
Committee will reconcile the differences.

‘WE GREAT CULTURAL POTENTIAL’
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
Azerbaijanis Upset by the Elder Brother
Armenia’s debut at the Eurovision song contest is still being lively
discussed by young people and musicians. It also turned into a target
of interesting comments on the part of Turkish and Azerbaijani media.
“The 10 points that Turkey gave to Armenian singer threw me into
a fit of laughter. The presenters who were distinctively favoring
Turkey were at a loss when our ‘brothers’, as they are called in
masses, gave Armenians 10 points. Turks merely confused us by this
decision especially in the view of recent opposition to ‘genocide’
allegations. The presenters did not even try to find a justification
for ‘our elder brother’s’ deed. They sadly kept silent,” this was the
“hopeless” conclusion of a day.az correspondent on May 22. “We were
silently listening to our tunes in Andre’s song, to the music of
our tar.” In another publication Azerbaijanis try to be more frank:
“The Armenians again presented themselves as a nation with high
culture. Many TV viewers in our country hoped deep in their hearts
that Armenia’s representative Andre will give a bad performance but
he performed greatly taking a very high place for a debutant and
leaving behind Turkey, France, the Great Britain and other states.”
The Armenian delegation returned to Yerevan in the morning of May
22 and was warmly welcomed at the airport. Contrary to his first
performance at the semi-final, Andre performed brilliantly in the
final.
“He was first to perform at the semi-final and was not accustomed
to the atmosphere. But his second performance was great,” TV viewer
Anahit Kamalian told daily Azg. “We were at a cafe watching the live
contest on the screen. You should only see how every customer cheered
when Andre was receiving the points.”
Singer Shushan Petrosian is glad and proud of Andre’s victory. “Andre’s
song was among the best in this mess of horrible music tastes. I had
never watched the Eurovision but this time there was Andre. It was a
heavy responsibility for Andre but he reached the goal with honor,”
she said. Mrs. Petrosian thinks that the Eurovision has to do not
with the culture but with the politics, and to prove the contrary
the organizers chose a relatively neutral country as winner.
For bard Vahan Artsruni also the Eurovision is a low-rated
contest as the performance is judged not by a jury but by the
spectators. Secondly, this was pop music contest where “the highest
standard is not the music but interesting presentation of a song. From
this angle, Andre’s performance was not much different from the
rest.” Artsruni is sure that participation in contests is the only
way to present your music to the world, “but there are more serious
contests and victories in classical music that are not covered as
the Eurovision.”
When months ago the song was introduced to the Armenian public opinions
ranged from super positive response to dissatisfaction with Turkish
tunes. In his assessment of Andre’s performance composer Vladilen
Balian notes that we have great musical potential “but the doors seem
to be slow to open to us.” Singer Ofelia Hambardzumian, on her part,
said the song was rather difficult to perform but Andre did very well.

JOURNALIST ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA DEMAND TO PUNISH THOSE VICTIMIZING THEIR COLLEAGUE
Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of Journalists of Armenia,
the Yerevan Press Club and the Committee for Speech Freedom Protection
issued a joint statement on May 18, in which they demand to punish
those who committed violent actions against Narine Avetisian,
Executive Director of Lori TV company (Vanadzor), member of the Union
of Journalists of Armenia. According to the statement, some unknown
persons pelted N. Avetisian’s car with stones on May 16.
It was for a second time this year that violence was committed
against the journalist, and those guilty have not been found. The
statement says that as in the previous case, the incident occured
after N. Avetsisian criticized the local authorities. “We remind the
authorities of Lori marz and Vanadzor that preventing a journalist
from carrying out his/her legal professional activities is a crime
and we demand that the law enforcement bodies conduct an ojective
investigation into these and the previous facts and punish those
guilty, thus preventing any further violence,” the statemant reads.

HOUSE FOREIGN AID PANEL REINSTATES US POLICY ON SECURITY PARITY
ArmRadio.am
23.05.2006 10:45
The Armenian Assembly praised members of a key foreign aid subcommittee
for reinstating US policy to maintain military aid parity between
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Foreign Operations
bill. Earlier this year, the Administration submitted a request for
Azerbaijan that exceeded security assistance to Armenia by $1.095
million.
Lawmakers approved a symmetrical appropriation that amounts to $3.5
million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and an additional $790,000
in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance
to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We appreciate the efforts of the House Appropriations Committee and
credit its Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jim Kolbe
and Ranking Member Rep. Nita M. Lowey for maintaining equal security
assistance between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. “We especially appreciate the outstanding
leadership of Armenian Caucus Co-Chair and Committee Member, Rep. Joe
Knollenberg, for his efforts in restoring parity and protecting the
fragile cease-fire at a time when Azerbaijan continues to threaten
a resumption of war against Nagorno Karabakh.”
“Given the fact that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to be tenuous, it is imperative that the US maintain a
balanced approach,” said Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. “Furthermore, I am pleased that the Committee called for a higher
allocation to Armenia than that requested by the Administration.”
The bill will be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee
this week. Once the House of Representatives and Senate complete
action on their versions of the bill, a joint House Senate Conference
Committee will reconcile the differences.

“RESIGNATION” TRAGIC COMEDY AT THE ARMENIAN NA
Panorama.am
15:33 22/05/06
The resignation of Arthur Baghdasaryan raised turmoil at the National
Assembly. The deputies were repeatedly mentioning Baghdasaryan’s name
in their speeches and giving different assessments to Orinats Yerkir.
Artashes Geghamyan reminded that those deputies who are left within
the party are of bad fame.
Particularly he addressed Hohvannes MARGARYAN, saying, “you speak
about milk powder.”
Vahan Hovhannisyan, who was chairing the session had to calm deputies
down for several times. Geghamyan was demanding air in order to
clarify who is who.
Baghdasaryan doubted if there will be any TV company which would be
willing to accept them. Vahan Hovhannisyan assured that Yerkir Media
can host them.
Arthur Baghdasaryan said that it was a difficult decision for him
because he has worked with coalition for a long time. “If that is a
game for some people let that game be played on them,” he said.
Speaking about the possibility of vote on his resignation, he said
he refused to put the issue on vote because that could be subject
for manipulations.
Some could say that he does not want to go. “I wanted to go with
dignity,” he said.
He was angry that the opposition does not want to accept OY. “Let’s
pull the rope together. They do not want. Why? What is the
reason?” Baghdasaryan asked.
Tigran Torosyan reminded the deputies that Arthur Baghdasaryan’s
resignation cannot become an issue in the agenda. It will be approved
if Baghdasaryan’s confirms it in 5 days.
P.S. The reporters asked Vahan Hovhannisyan if Yerkir Media will
provide air to the abovementioned politicians and why he is sure that
the TV company will do so. Hovhannisyan said that the head of Yerkir
Media is his friend and he will speak him into that.

GREEK ARMENIANS TO VISIT TSITSERNAKABERD
ArmRadio.am
19.05.2006 10:51
“Patrida” organization of the Greeks of Armenia will lay a wreath
of flowers at the memorial to the victims of the 1915-922 genocide
against Armenians.
A rally will be organized as well.

ARMENIA’S TRAFFIC POLICE ‘MORE EUROPEAN THAN GEORGIA’S’
By Astghik Bedevian and Emil Danielyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
May 19 2006
The chief of Armenia’s notoriously corrupt traffic police claimed
on Friday that his officers are doing a much better job of ensuring
road safety than the famously reformed police service of neighboring
Georgia.
Colonel Ishkhan Ishkhanian, head of the State Automobile Inspectorate
(SAI), insisted that traffic in Georgia is even more chaotic than
in Armenia despite a radical police reform carried out by Georgian
President Mikhail Saakashvili two years ago. He said he arrived at
such conclusion during a recent visit to Tbilisi.
“Compared to Georgia, we are Europe,” Ishkhanian told a news
conference. “They wanted to attain European standards in Georgia,
but it is clear that they have failed.”
The claims are in sharp contrast to media reports, witness accounts
and the dominant opinion of Armenian motorists about the results of
the Georgian reform. Shortly after sweeping to power in the November
2003 “rose revolution,” Saakashvili disbanded his country’s entire
traffic police and formed a Western-style patrol service manned by
well-paid and mainly young officers.
The drastic change seems to have all but eradicated rampant bribery
among Georgian road policemen, a problem that had turned Georgia into
a virtual no-go zone for cars with Armenian license plates. Armenians
have since had little difficulty driving through Georgian territory.
Scores of them traveled to Georgia’s Black Sea resorts by car last
year.
By contrast, bribing a traffic policeman remains the norm in Armenia,
with kickbacks for avoiding legal punishment for an alleged or proven
violation of traffic rules starting from 1,000 drams ($2.3). Officers
patrolling streets or highways are allegedly obliged to transfer a
large part of that money to their superiors.
Many of the high-ranking traffic policemen are wealthy individuals
with extensive business interests. Ishkhanian, for example, is believed
to own a major taxi service.
That traffic police corruption is a serious problem was admitted on
Tuesday by Major-General Ararat Mahtesian, deputy chief of Armenia’s
Police Service. Mahtesian referred to SAI as the “vulnerable spot”
and the “pain” of the Armenian police. He said the Armenian government
will soon embark on a reform of SAI to be financed by the World Bank,
but gave no details.
Ishkhanian also acknowledged the problem, saying that 66 of his
subordinates were subjected to “disciplinary action” last year. But
he would not say how many of them were fired and whether there were
any senior officers among them. He spoke instead of the need to create
unspecified “conditions” that would discourage police bribery.
The SAI chief also said that President Robert Kocharian has formed a
“working group” tasked with making proposals on how to improve road
safety in Armenia.
According to police data, 58 people were killed and 446 others injured
in 317 accidents that were officially registered across Armenia during
the first four months of this year. The official death toll for the
whole of last year stood at 310.
The deeply entrenched corruption hardly bodes well for the success
of the stated police efforts to reduce the number of deadly road
accidents. The increasingly heavy traffic in Armenia and Yerevan in
particular is disorderly and dangerous not least because of wealthy
government-connected drivers that routinely ignore traffic rules.
The road police rarely dare to flag down their luxury cars that usually
carry license plates with repeating numbers, a badge of prestige among
the local rich. The “fanciest” of the easy-to-remember plates may be
worth as much as $2,000 in the police black market.
Reports of ordinary citizens dying as a result of negligent driving
have not been uncommon in the Armenian press. The “Aravot” daily said
this week that a plush Mercedes driven by a son of Seyran Saroyan,
a feared army general, ran over two boys in a village in southern
Armenia, killing one of them and critically injuring the other. The
paper alleged that eyewitnesses of the accident have been bullied
into not testifying against the young man and that a village mayor has
“confessed” to the crime instead.
“I have no such information at this point,” Mahtesian told RFE/RL,
referring to the case. “I am ready to look into those reports and
tell you whether they correspond to reality.”
In another infamous incident, a U.S.-made Hummer rammed into a taxi in
Yerevan at an enormous speed in January 2005, killing a 30-year-old
woman and wounding her infant daughter. An unemployed man was
subsequently identified by the police as the expensive SUV’s driver
before being given a short prison sentence. The man was reportedly
released from jail a few months later.
(Photolur photo: An expensive car ignoring red light at a busy
intersection in Yerevan.)
port/report/en/2006/05/C0468856-15D3-4C49-9370-C82 D712BA71A.ASP

FORGIVE THEM FATHER, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO
By Samy H. Adam
Kurdish Media, UK
May 19 2006
Zggurt at Ashur
No fair historian or student of political science disagrees with the
statement: “The Kurds have suffered the longest and persecuted the
most by savage and vindictive foes than any other nation during the
20th century”. It is a miracle that the people, language and culture
survives. The newly created Arab, Persian and Turkic nation states
after WW 1, have been in a continuous state of war with their organised
armies, air forces and all the toys of destruction afforded to them
by an indifferent world in order to erase the Kurds from existence
in the middle-east. Just like they successfully done to the ancient
Armenian, Chaldean and Assyrian communities.
It was only the fortitude and courage of the Kurds, the emergence of
Barzani as the undisputed leader of the Kurdish resistance movement,
whose tenacity and resilience guided a doomed cause towards hope
and salvation and finally the mountains or fortress Kurdistan, that
ultimately saved the Kurds, Divided, weak and unfulfilled but alive.
While waging their desperate struggle for survival, the much maligned
and oppressed Christians communities in Iraq, Turkey, Syria and
Persia, the Chaldeans, Syriacs, Armenians and Assyrians became the
natural allies and bonded brothers of Kurds and active participants
in the struggle for emancipation. During the early sixties the names
of Malak Chako and Margrate Malak spread throughout the world as
legendary guerrilla commanders. Muslim blood mixed with Christian
blood in a heroic saga of unselfish and patriotic resistance to the
evil and racist Arab-Turkic and Persian tormentors. Mosques along with
ancient churches were destroyed, along with villages and hamlets. The
Bishop of Kani-Masi was the roving Ambassador for Barzani and the
resistance abroad. No Iraqi must ever forget how an army unit led by
an Arab nationalist officer from Mosul set fire to the mouth of the
cave where 70 men, women and children from the Christian villages of
Dhaka and Sorya, near Duhok were hiding, shooting every one trying
to escape and suffocating the rest. That was in April of 1969.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since. When Saddam’s
Bedouins savagery and bloodthirsty regime buried alive the people
of Kurdistan and destroyed its villages, the Christian communities
fled to the safety of Baghdad and the big Arab cities and ultimately
abroad. This was exactly what the Baath Arab nationalists wanted:
all Iraqi Christians to become model Arab citizens like Tariq Azziz or
leave the country. Were a great deal of money was spent by the regime
on the major Christian communities in Detroit, Melbourne..etc. to
create through a network of collaborators and greedy businessmen and
apolitical and indifferent Diaspora unaware of its history and true
place in the Iraqi society and the great contribution of Christians
and their sacrifice for the salvation of Iraq, either through the
great liberal and communist parties or the Kurdish resistance movement.
It saddens me to say that Saddam’s plans have almost worked. Large,
apolitical and unaware Iraqi Christian societies have mushroomed
all over the western world misguided and poorly informed by a set of
selfish, utopian and unrealistic politicians and political parties and
societies, many of whom were collaborators and informers in Saddam’s
security apparatus’. Their contribution both moral and material to
their brethren in the homeland has been negligible compared to the
Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni communities abroad. It was sad to see that
less than 7% of them voted during both general elections. It is even
sadder to see the shallow and crass TV satellite stations pretending
to be Assyrians or Chaldeans continuously attacking our best allies
and friends, the Kurds, and so called ‘patriotic’ Assyrians all over
Europe and the US activating and distorting information to demean,
implicate and spread hatred of Kurds while leaving the real tormentors
of our people, the ones who burned our churches and schools, and
killed and assassinated our doctors and lecturers in Basra, Dora,
and Mosul continue killing and expelling the remaining Christians
from their ancient habitats. The Kurds welcomed the fleeing Christians
housed and befriended them.
Since 1992, Assyrians and Chaldeans have become an integral component
of the Federal movement and played an important role in the Kurdistan
Regional Government, and the parliament in Erbil. They are part of
the administration, security, army and commercial life of the region.
I’m sure that many reactionary Kurdish tribes and individuals and
clergy harbours ill will towards our people, after all it was backward
Kurdish tribes who collaborated with Saddam to carry out the Anfal
campaign and massacre their own people.
Many isolated incidents of injustice against Assyrians occur, but can
anyone deny that the Kurdish political leadership has gone further than
any other political leadership in the entire Muslim world to address
the problem on equitable and fair bases. The holly Qur’an strictly
ordains that “your ruler and guardian must be of your faith”. And even
during the British mandate no Christian was allowed to be a Governor
of even the smallest sub district, even the Christian ones. The Late
and much lamented Franso Harriri became the governor of the most
populous city and the capital of Kurdistan, Erbil millions of Kurds
wearing black poured into the streets in grief upon his assassination
by Islamist terrorists.
The first Christian administrators for Telkef and Alkosh, Christian
cities in the Mosul district were installed by Peshmerga’s after its
liberation in 2003. Numerous churches and temples have been built,
schools teaching in Syriac language have been established, colleges
and Universities for Assyrians and Chaldeans are being planned by
KRG, clubs, associations and parties are founded from Sulaimaniyah to
Kani-Masi. Our people are free, proud and unafraid they voice their
discontent freely in their publications and media against excesses by
corrupt KRG officials. Our children are not constricted by fear from
Muslim bullies and Arab racists who think Christians are only good
to be bar tenders, waiters and septic tank cleaners, that withdrawn,
docile and resigned face worn by native Christians all over the
Islamic world indicating subservience is absent in Kurdistan. It is
our homeland. It is our future and our right, and together with our
compatriots and brother Kurds we shall protect and advance our region
to democracy, and prosperity.
So what does Assyrian nationalists in the Diaspora want. They
swear and denigrate the Kurds, portray them as the worst enemy,
continuously insult and spread hate in their websites and satellites
and literature. Do they think that if the Kurds were erased totally
from their homeland, it will be given to Assyrians? Do they think
that by hating and shouting the UN or USA will create a state for them
build houses, swimming poles and shopping centres just like the ones
in California or Sydney and then invite them to return to the republic
of Assyria?.. Stop hallucinating O sons of Nestor and Sinhareb. Stop
spreading hate against our brothers and allies and give a little
of your vindictive thoughts to our real tormentors and historical
oppressors. Come back to the land of your ancestors and help rebuild
and repopulate it. We might become autonomous, federal or independent
but only if: (1) we get back physically and claim our heritage. (2)
If we enter into an alliance with the Kurds tempered in fire and
steele and a common struggle against Turco, Persian, Arab despotism
and Islamic fundamentalism. Without these two conditions, we do not
stand a chance of bringing back even a shadow of the glory of Ashur.
O ‘Father thou art in Heaven forgive the ignorant and the misled and
the paid bearer of falsehood from among my people, they know not what
they do.

Yerevan Press Club presents web site, featuring the
most interesting publications from the press of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Turkey on issues of common concern. The latest updates on the site are
weekly delivered to the subscribers.
************************************ ***************************************
RECOGNIT ION OF THE GENOCIDE – THE RIGHT TO RETURN
| “Golos Armenii” newspaper (Armenia) | Aris Ghazinian | 18-May-2006 |
In early XX, the Armenian people lost not only the demographic majority but
also the historical homeland – at least 90% of the area, making the natural
habitat of national settlement. Thus, on the eve of the First World War the
Armenian factor was still the dominant demographic and cultural-constructive
element of the upland. In this respect, the catastrophe of the Armenian
people has no precedent, since there is no other nation forced to build its
statehood on the tenth part of the historically assimilated Homeland.
There is an obvious difference between the concepts of Fatherland and
Statehood. While, due to various historical reasons the Armenian people,
dozens of times losing political independence, each time found the strength
and ability to restore the state set-up of national life. The guarantee for
restoration of sovereignty was not only the traditional vector of
orientation (general character of the Armenian of pre-20th century, aimed at
recovery of the lost statehood) but also the fact of the presence of
Homeland proper. Irrespective of any political formation, the national life
in a historical Homeland did not interrupt. However, in early past century
it is the Fatherland that the nation lost first. So if the process of
restoring statehood is possible to imagine, the mechanism of restoring the
Homeland (the right for life in natural habitat of national activity) is not
worked out. To this effect, we need a special ideology.
In short-term perspective, Turkey may afford recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, and there is ground to suppose that it will be the case. It is
obvious however that herein Ankara’s traditional preconditions will again
come up: before expressing official readiness to this revolutionary step of
theirs, the Turkish authorities will by all means demand guarantees of the
Armenian side. In particular, Yerevan will be proposed to sign (in exchange)
under the point for RA being ineligible for setting any territorial claims
to Turkey.
Doubtlessly, none of the heads of Armenian state has a right to sign such a
document. It is also obvious that the refusal of official Yerevan will
become subject for foreign policy speculations by Ankara. It is also
possible that Turkey will lift the blockade of the border and will even act
as apologist for establishing diplomatic relations with RA. However, does
the Armenian nation today have an ideology, capable of facing the coming
challenges? What will be the position of the official Yerevan if Ankara
pledges its willingness before the international community: a) to recognize
the Armenian Genocide; b) deblock the border; c) establish diplomatic
relations with Armenia? Won’t the Armenian statehood be placed in a certain
ideological vacuum in this case?
The official line of RA, aimed at international recognition of the Genocide,
should be formulated quite clearly and rigidly. In various forms and on
various levels it is recognized in over two dozens of states, however, the
priority provision – the Homeland lost after the Genocide – is not mentioned
in any of respective documents.
RA President Robert Kocharian repeatedly stated (to the Turkish journalists
as well) that the issue of Turkey’s recognition of the Armenia Genocide is
not linked to the territorial problem that should be viewed within the
aspect of the Sevres Treaty. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
stated on his behalf that the current authorities of the country will not
raise this issue, “however, theoretically it can be raised by one of the
subsequent heads of the Republic”. Nevertheless the fact of losing the
Homeland proper – the natural habitat of the Armenian settlement – is not on
the agenda of RA foreign policy. Apparently, no one except Yerevan will
raise this issue.
Currently, there is a vital necessity for adapting the previously chaotic
intention for Genocide recognition on more pragmatic ground with the demand
for guaranteed (by the international community) right for repatriation of
the peoples deprived of the homeland. If the Armenian people is now ready
for repatriation is another matter. However, in any case we need to
officially state that by the process of Genocide recognition, Yerevan also
views the right of the Armenian people for return.
EDWARD SHEVARNADZE: “IF WE ARE NEITHER A NORMAL COUNTRY NOR HAVE A NORMAL
PRESIDENT, WE CAN EXPECT ANY TROUBLE”
| “Georgian Times” newspaper (Georgia) | Maya Margvelani | 16-May-2006 |
– What is your assessment of the recent activities of the Georgian
authorities, their statements addressed to Russia? How adequate is the
reaction of the Russian side?
– Russia’s actions towards Georgia are a factual blockade. It is a classical
manifestation of Russian policy. Wine, alongside “Borjomi”, are our maim
products. When they are not sold in Russia, it naturally raises concerns. In
fact, the world market already has set preferences, and the loss of the
Russian market is very alarming.
– Is it Russia’s response to the tough policy of our authorities?
– We had quite a negative experience with the Russian authorities but it did
not go as far as the breakup of the union. Georgia’s accession to CIS was
not a forceful one, though Russia insistently recommended us to join the
Commonwealth. If my friends – presidents of other countries – had not joined
the CIS, we would probably do the same. I heeded their opinion; without
mutual support, it would be hard to find common ground with Russia. We are
on good terms with President Putin though even then both in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia their behavior was very bad. However, Putin is a flexible
person with a mild character.
– If he has a mild character, how do you explain his attitude to Georgia?
– We should pay attention to Putin’s speech in response to the statements of
our leaders. It was a balanced political speech. He said, “The friendly
Georgian people experiences grave economic problems, and we will try to find
a solution”. However, subsequent statements of our high-ranking officials
aggravated the situation.
– You mean the Defense Minister?
– The statement of the Defense Minister would be insulting for any country.
I am not initiated into the details but possibly the speech of the
Parliament Chairman in Saint Petersburg also had its share. Burjanadze
enraged Duma. I do not justify Russia, a lot happens with its approval. At
the same time, I would note that Putin’s speech was more balanced and sound.
– Where is the way out?
– We are now in actual blockade. I think the meeting of the Presidents of
Russia and Georgia is obligatory. Besides, it is the Georgian President who
should take the initiative. The relations will not improve without the
high-level meeting, moreover they might deteriorate.
– Can Russia toughen the sanctions still more?
– Russia has many levers of pressure. It may stop the supply of gas and oil
products. Once we have other gas, we can speak on different terms. When the
gas pipeline was blown up, we accused the Russian authorities. Indeed,
someone blew it up but it might be an Ossetian, a Russian or a Georgian! The
Russian authorities had no motivation for the explosion of the pipeline: we
buy gas from them and at quite high prices. In the future, it might grow
even more expensive. So that Russia may enact quite a lot of levers, as I
already mentioned… I think Russia’s irritation comes from the dislocation
of its bases. I also was categorical about their liquidation. They mostly
withdrew the bases. As for Akhalkalaki base, it was decided back in 1998,
however I was not very anxious to dislocate the base, since several
thousands of locals were employed there, while we did not have an
opportunity to give them jobs. By the way, during my presidency we
dislocated the Russian military base from Vaziani without any scandal. I
think the dislocation of the Akhalkalaki base was not a very urgent issue.
– You mean to say that Putin must not be negatively disposed to the
Georgians?
– Actually he was not. I will bring an example. I always tried to have as a
priority Georgia’s good relations with both Russia and US, as far as it is
possible. The recent meeting with Putin took place in Alma Ata. I told him
about my request to USA for support in army training. He was a bit upset
over it and said that Russia could also help. Then by the end of the summit,
someone asked him about his attitude to US supporting the Georgian army.
Putin turned around and replied, “Georgia is an independent country with a
right for choice. If it views America as its friend, how can we object?” So
we can see that Putin is a flexible person, open to cooperation and
compromise. In Georgia, there is a tough opinion about him, and he is now
thinking over a possible solution. Our tense relations really need
discharging.
– What is your opinion about the special operations of the Interior
Ministry, which often end up with victims…
– During my presidency, there was an escape of the prisoners but we did not
shoot them… Law is binding for all! So when the officials neglect the law,
it is already troublesome.
– It is a fact that you personally expressed condolences to the Girgvliani
family (scandalous murder of the young man, in which high-ranking officials
are involved – Trans.), while Mikhail Sahakashvili is still silent about
this barbarous crime.
– It is impossible in a normal country. I am convinced that sooner or later
the President will provide adequate assessment of this murder, and the
public will be informed about his decision. I repeat that it is the case in
a normal country, and if we are neither a normal country nor have a normal
president, we can expect any trouble. I am convinced that Sahakashvili will
give a proper assessment of the incident. He is well aware that he should
give his reaction to such facts.
COMPLICATED ISSUES
| “Milliyet” newspaper (Turkey) | Sami Kohen | 16-May-2006 |
When Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper made a statement on April 24 in
support of the Armenian Genocide allegations, it slipped the attention of
the Canadian public. The Canadian media took up this issue only after Turkey
has summoned its Ambassador in Ottawa Aydemir Erman to Ankara for
consultation. This speech by the Prime Minister is not the first event in
Canada, supporting Armenian Genocide allegations. In Canada, there are a
hundred thousand Armenians with an active Armenian lobby. Two years ago, the
Canadian Parliament adopted a law on the recognition of the Genocide. A
large share of it was with the Conservative Party, then oppositional, headed
by Harper. After the victory of the conservatives at the elections, the
Armenian lobby started to pressure the government of the country to ratify
the law adopted by the Parliament. Prime Minister Harper kept to his stance
and made a statement recognizing the fact of Genocide. Thus, the Genocide
allegations are supported in Canada both on parliamentary and government
level.
The Situation is Different in France
In this respect, the situation in Canada and France is different. Thus, In
France the government did not make any clear and official statements,
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. However, today the French Parliament is
considering a draft law, stipulating a punishment for denying the Armenian
Genocide, which is even worse.
The presence and influence of the Armenians in France is a common knowledge.
Internal political factors often make the French parliamentarians take the
side of the Armenian community.
What is the case in Canada? Not only in Canada: in many countries of Latin
America and Europe, where the Armenian communities are not numerous, the
Parliaments take similar decisions.
Herein, the organized activity of the Armenian Diaspora and its influence in
these countries doubtlessly has a large role.
On the other hand, Turkey itself has long abstained from these campaigns. It
cannot boast with effective presentation of its position, nor did it work
out new strategies on the “Armenian issue”.
Overall, Ankara takes measures on this issue post factum, and they are
usually short-term. In certain cases, the feedback of Ankara not only lacks
preventive force but also impedes bilateral relations. It has already been
the case with France and other European countries…
Canada’s Example
What to do with Canada?
Turkey recalled its ambassador in Ottawa for a few days, and prior to it,
the country did not participate in NATO exercise in Canada…
Alongside such “symbolic” steps, other measures, like weakening of trade and
economic relations, are also discussed. The turnover between the two
countries makes about 1 billion dollars today, and the investments of the
Canadian firms in Turkey – 700 million dollars… Besides, there are other
important joint projects (for example in nuclear energy sphere). The issue
is what will be the practical results of Canada’s isolation? Will such a
“punishment” change the position of its authorities? What will be the impact
of the isolation of large international companies on the inflow of
international investments in Turkey as a whole? Shouldn’t we think over this
aspect of the issue as well?
IRAN WILL REMIND BAKU OF ITS ANTIIRANIAN STATMENTS, expert from Iran
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad milieu announces
| “Zerkalo” newspaper (Azerbaijan) | G. Inanj | 16-May-2006 |
Azerbaijan unwillingly finds itself in the epicenter of regional processes
that are sometimes quite dangerous for it. At this stage official Baku is
given a very disguised role of mediator between the USA and Iran, claiming
to be a regional power. Yet Tehran has not forgiven the official Baku
certain steps and statements on Iran,.
In the exclusive interview to “Zerkalo”, given by Iranian expert Jalal
Mohammadi, known in the West for his proximity to the President of Iran
Ahmadinejad, interesting aspects of Azerbaijani policy of official Tehran
can be traced between the lines. Notably, in the West the statements by
Mohammadi are equaled to the opinion of official Tehran.
– The threats of US about attacking Iran that have been going on for four
years is nothing but a psychological war. Washington discusses different
ways, including a military way of solving the uranium enrichment issue in
our country. For this reason some statements voiced by American officials on
the plans of attacking Iran must not be considered as a fact.
– Do you exclude the military attack on Iran?
– The USA cannot apply military force against Iran. In the modern history
our country is a strong state of both Middle East and of Islamic world.
Under the circumstances the intrusion into Iran is not a simple question.
The aim of the Cold War is to present Iran as an unstable country and to
obstruct the development of its cooperation with other countries, including
its neighbors.
The promotion of the idea of how invincible the USA are among the smaller
countries is a part of the US anti-Iranian policy. Washington attempts to
frighten all these states into worshipping it. Contrary to everything I
would like to state that Iran is thoroughly ready for any form of aggression
from the USA, including military.
The US attempts to weaken Iran from inside, to ignite a domestic crisis
bring the Iranians together around the national idea which is today the
nuclear program.
Washington, on the one hand uses international organizations to exercise
pressure on Iran, on the other – it attempts to create ethnic problems
inside the country. the USA allocated 74 million USD for the Iranian
opposition.
– The “Zerkalo” sources in Tbilisi confirm the rumors, disseminated in media
about a certain arrangement between Georgia and USA about the use of
Georgian basin of the Black Sea in the case of military aggression against
Iran. In the US-Iranian confrontation Washington has a different role for
Azerbaijan.
– The leader of Islamic revolution Ayatollah Imam Khomeini once announced
that if the US decides to wage a war against Iraq, they will face a war from
all sides. For me the war from all sides means one thing – all the parties,
supporting the aggressor in the war launch, will get their punishment.
– After the well-known incident during the Second Congress of Azerbaijani,
Baku and Tehran have a concealed tension between them. Does Iran have a
stone in the pocket?
– Much earlier, after the presidents exchanged visits, Baku and Tehran had
positive relations. Yet the anti-Iranian statements at the 2nd Congress of
Azerbaijanis in Baku revealed the lack of firmness in the Iranian policy of
Azerbaijan and set ground for the lack of trust between the countries. Iran
does recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the fact of
Mountainous Karabagh occupation, and the official Baku allows some
questionable people to speak against the territorial integrity of Iran. Such
statements set fertile soil for Armenia and other unfriendly countries to
actively oppose our cooperation. The response of Iran on the statements
questioning the territorial integrity of the country will become known
later.
– You are implying Israel. But the Jewish lobby supports Azerbaijan in the
issues, important for the country, such as confronting Armenian lobby.
– Since the rule of the Popular Front a group of Azerbaijani politicians
believes that by cooperating with Jewish lobby and Israel they can oppose
the Armenian lobby.
The illusions about solving the Mountainous Karabagh conflict with the help
of Jewish lobby have vanished. Not a centimeter of occupied territories has
been liberated as a result of 15-year long cooperation between Baku and
Jerusalem. These politicians obviously are unaware of the priorities of
world political relations. the Western empire has two wings – the Armenian
and Jewish lobby.
– One of the reasons the USA gave up the idea of “colored revolution” in
Azerbaijan is the Iranian policy of Washington and the role given to Baku in
the scenario. The White House did not risk shattering the stable political
situation in the neighboring Azerbaijan before the serious dialogue with
Tehran.
– Firstly, the official Baku has made its conclusions after the Georgian and
Ukrainians events and cleared the government of officials, capable of
supporting the “colored”. Also, the Azerbaijani opposition is weak and does
not enjoy the support of the people. No one supports it but for the US
Embassy in Baku.
But the USA are not that omnipotent. Washington did not manage to clear the
way for a coup in Azerbaijan. Certainly, the refusal of the White
House from the scenario of the power change in Baku also includes the
neighborhood of Azerbaijan and Iran, the Shiite Islam in the two countries,
the culture and history, uniting our nations.
– To a certain extent the lack of solution to the Mountainous Karabagh
conflict also ties the hands of the White House in terms of realization
their interest-related plans. Is it the reason for the recent haste that the
West displays in the Mountainous Karabagh resolution process?
– The haste of the West in the resolution of the conflict is related to the
inner problems in Armenia and Azerbaijan, the international ties of
Azerbaijan and geopolitical situation. The factors listed complicate the
conflict resolution even more. The occupied territories are not liberated at
a negotiations table. Certainly, the war results in losses of human force as
well as inflicts moral and financial damages. What can be done, the
political organization of the world is unfair.
Many countries use the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in their interests.
They use their present status quo, but are in no way interested in the
resolution of the conflict. The continuation of the conflict is in the
interests of France, Russia and Turkey.
Turkey links the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict with the relations between
Armenia and Turkey and the interstate problems. Ankara, waving the
occupation of MK as a flag, tries to prove the aggressive policy of Armenia
and to protect itself against the psychological and political pressure of
Armenian lobby demanding the recognition of the Armenian genocide in the
Ottoman Empire.

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