Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

ADOPTION OF NEW CONSTITUTION TO OPEN WAY TO EURO-INTEGRATION, SAYS EC REPRESENTATIVE
ArmenPress
Aug 3 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS: The Council of Europe special
representative Boyana Urumova told today at a press conference
that “The adoption of new Constitution will open a way to
Euro-integration.” She said the success will witness about the maturity
of the Armenian political field. Noting that the opposition must
be able to display readiness for making concessions she added that
the Venice Commission underscored the discussion of constitutional
amendments with civilians and opposition for securing mutual agreement.
On behalf of the Council of Europe B. Urumova thanked the Armenian
authorities as well as all the experts for securing success in
the process and pointed out the support provided by international
organizations and embassies. Thorda Abbot Watt, Great Britain and
Northern Ireland’s ambassador to Armenia, welcomed the positive
assessment of the Venice Commission concerning the amendments and
said that “This is a step which will help Armenia in establishing
democratic values and will open the way to Europe,” said she.
According to her, Armenian people must chose what Constitution they
would like to have and in what country they want to live.
The OSCE Yerevan Office Director Vladimir Pryakhin said the process
of constitutional amendments is essential from the point of view of
securing development of democracy. He said the suggestions of the
Venice Commission which are included in the package of amendments
has made the document relevant to international standards.

Armenia complains about misssing flag at Council of Europe
Agence France Presse — English
August 2, 2005 Tuesday 6:07 PM GMT
EREVAN Aug 2 — Armenia protested Tuesday to the Strasbourg-based
Council of Europe after its flag disappeared from outside the
organisation’s building last weekend.
“The Armenian foreign ministry condemns the theft of our national flag
and demands to know the circumstances surrounding this disappearance
and that adequate measures be taken in respect of the criminals who
have carried out this act,” it said in a letter to the secretary
general of the 46-member council.
The flag vanished Saturday and Armenia’s representative on the council
immediately informed the council’s security service and demanded it
be replaced, the ministry said.
The council apologised, it said, but referred it to the French police
who are responsible for security at the site.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/02/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) French Premier Says EU-Turkey Talks May Be Delayed 2) Hamazkayin's Summer Forum to Tread New Territory 3) You Must Have Been Kidding Ilham. . . Oh, You Were 4) Homenetmen Regions Meet on Sidelines of Pan Armenian Games 1) French Premier Says EU-Turkey Talks May Be Delayed (AFP/Bloomberg)--French Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin demanded Turkey recognize Cyprus before starting talks on joining the European Union, threatening EU enlargement and deepening a rift with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. "It doesn't seem to me that a process of negotiations can start with a country that doesn't recognize each one of the members of the EU," De Villepin told Europe 1 radio today. "Absolutely," he said when asked whether the negotiations, scheduled for October 3, may be delayed. Turkey will not agree to any demands to recognize the Republic of Cyprus as a condition to begin accession talks with the European Union later this year, a source close to the Ankara government said. "Turkey will never accept the recognition of the Greek Cypriots administration as a precondition to be able to begin membership negotiations with the European Union on October 3," the source, who requested anonymity, told AFP. De Villepin's comment put him at odds with the EU enlargement commissioner and with Blair, who holds the rotating EU presidency. They add to disagreements between France and Britain that have included European agriculture subsidies, the war in Iraq and the site of the 2012 Olympics. Turkey signed an accord last week extending trade preferences to Cyprus, which the EU said cleared the way for membership talks. Turkey said it won't recognize a Cypriot government until a solution is found to the island's three-decade partition. A Muslim nation of 72 million, Turkey has said EU talks will attract record investment to its $300 billion economy. The 25 EU members must fulfill the pledge they made in December to start the talks on October 3, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CNN Turk television reported. 'EU's Criticism' De Villepin's comments undermine a December accord among European leaders that distinguished between expanding the customs union and recognizing Cyprus, said Amadeu Altafaj, a spokesman for the Brussels-based European Commission, the EU executive arm. "If somebody wants to add conditions, then this will have to be discussed," he said. Recognition should be settled through the United Nations, and "there's a UN track for the recognition of Cyprus," added Altafaj. Turkey's benchmark stock index fell 0.8 percent to 29,543, reversing a gain of 0.4 percent before the comments were reported. The new French demand counters President Jacques Chirac's agreement on December 17 when EU leaders set the date for talks with Turkey to begin. Chirac said at the time Turkey must recognize Cyprus to join the EU. It was not a requirement to start talks. `Privileged Partnership' Following French voters' rejection of the EU constitution in a referendum May 29, Chirac urged fellow EU leaders to reconsider planned enlargement. "The government is drawing a lesson from the loss of the referendum: public fear of enlargement, especially to Turkey," said Philippe Moreau Defarges, a senior fellow at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris. Sixty-six percent of the French want Turkey to stay out of the European Union, a June 7 opinion poll by CSA showed. Nicolas Sarkozy, who heads Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement party and may seek to replace him in 2007's presidential elections, opposes Turkey joining the EU. Turkey could face opposition in Germany if Angela Merkel, the opposition candidate for chancellor, wins the September 18 elections. Like Sarkozy, she supports a "privileged partnership" instead of full membership. "The whole Turkey decision is a game of chicken," said Katinka Barysch, an analyst at the London-based Center for European Reform. "There are lots of countries that want to speak out on it, but no one wants to be seen as the one who vetoes the process." Blair's Backing French skepticism towards Turkey contrasts with comments by Blair. Hungary, one of 10 nations that joined the EU last year, also backs Turkey. "Everybody also wants, I think I am right in saying, Turkey inside the European Union." Blair said July 26. "When there was some suggestion before the accession of Cyprus to the European Union that a unified island should be a pre-condition of accession, it was Britain that said 'no you can't make this a precondition.'" Ferenc Szabo, Hungary's deputy foreign affairs spokesman said in a phone interview in Budapest August 2 that "Turkey has fulfilled all conditions set by the EU." "France no longer surprises with such negative comments about Turkey's EU bid," said Elif Cengiz, who helps manage about $4 billion at Is Portfolio Management in Istanbul. "French politicians made similar noise before the December 17 decision to start membership talks with Turkey. The pro-Turkish U.K. holding the rotational presidency provides an advantage to Turkey." 2) Hamazkayin's Summer Forum to Tread New Territory YEREVAN--Hamazkayin's dynamic Summer Forum 2005 began on July 21 with nearly 56 youth participating in what has already been an unforgettable trip. Marking its fourth year in Armenia, the Forum has once again brought together youth from the United States, France, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Georgia, and Karabagh. Six of the participants are students from Armenia. Speaking about the significance of the Forum, head of Hamazkayin's Yerevan office Lilit Galstyan said, "The goal of the summer Forum is for Armenian youth to familiarize themselves with our homeland. During the Forum's 14 days, the participants get to learn first hand about their history, land, and identity, taking back with them a 'little Armenia.'" Since its inception in 1995, the Hamazkayin Summer Forum has provided a friendly and exciting environment for bright young Armenians. Students learn a great deal about Armenian culture, discover the sites and sounds of the host country, and build lifelong friendships. Thought provoking lectures, trips to historic destinations, and nights of dancing and entertainment are only some of the activities the forum has to offer. The 2005 participants have had the opportunity to meet fellow Armenians both from the diaspora and Armenia, visit historical sites including Echmiadzin, Garni, Geghart, Khor Virab, and Noravank, and attended a welcoming reception at Yerevan State University. They have also enhanced their learning experience by attending lectures on Armenian culture and heritage, music, and history. In the coming days, the group will visit Hagartsin, Sanahin, Madenataran, the Sarian and Parajanov museums, Oshagan, Amberd, and Saghmosavank, and make a historic pilgrimage to Western Armenia. 3) You Must Have Been Kidding Ilham. . . Oh, You Were (Combined Sources)--As soon as the latest edition of the opposition newspaper Azadliq (Freedom) hit newsstands in Baku on Monday, they were just as quickly removed because of inappropriate content. According to Russian and Azeri news sources, the edition included a photo collage that poked fun of President Ilham Aliyev. Only last Thursday, Aliyev, however, told a gathering celebrating the 130th anniversary of the country's media, "Azerbaijan's media is completely free today." He even posthumously honored Najaf Najafov--the late editor in chief of the same opposition newspaper--by conferring an order through a presidential decree. He also pointed out the importance of conveying balanced news to the public, and covering issues fairly. "The development of media is demanded of Azerbaijani society. The press should be free and come out of the influence of political forces," Aliyev said, before he apparently uncrossed his fingers. 4) Homenetmen Regions Meet on Sidelines of Pan Armenian Games As Homenetmen's Seventh Pan Armenian Games Came to a close on Sunday in Greece, representatives from the organization's regions gathered in Athens on August 1 for their sixth inter-executive meeting. They hailed from the regions of Australia, Canada, Eastern and Western US, South America, Greece, Iran, and Lebanon, as well as individual chapters of Alexandria, Cairo, Cyprus, Jerusalem, Kuwait, London, Paris, and Vienna. Iran's Ararat Chapter participated with guest status. Also present were ARF Greece Central Committee representative Krikor Erchenian, Azat Or newspaper, and the Honorary President of the organization's Pan Armenian Games Alber Shahinian. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Common Dreams (press release), ME
July 27 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 27, 2005
10:28 AM CONTACT: Public Citizen
Taylor Lincoln (202) 454-5197
Angela Bradbery (202) 588-7741

Members of Congress Increasingly Use Revolving Door to Launch
Lucrative Lobbying Careers
43 Percent of Lawmakers Who Left Office Since 1998 Have Become
Lobbyists, Public Citizen Analysis Shows

WASHINGTON – July 27 – Forty-three percent of members of Congress who
left office since 1998 and were eligible to lobby have become
lobbyists, indicating that Congress has increasingly become a way
station on the path to the lucrative influence-peddling industry,
according to a new Public Citizen report released today.
The report, Congressional Revolving Doors: The Journey from Congress
to K Street, examines in depth the case of one former member who has
done particularly well after going through the revolving door. Just
days after he left Congress in 1999 amid allegations of an
extramarital affair, former U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) opened a
lobbying shop. In the first year he pulled in $1.1 million, even
though he was restricted from personally lobbying his former
colleagues for a year. (Former members often skirt the lobby
prohibition rules by supervising other lobbyists for the first year
after leaving Congress.) The next year, after the cooling-off period
was lifted, his firm’s lobbying revenues more than quadrupled to $4.8
million.
The report, based on hundreds of lobbyist registration documents as
well as industry and news media reports, is available at
, a new Public Citizen Web site launched
today and designed to track the influence of special interests in
Washington. The Web site contains a searchable database of former
federal officials and staff who have passed through the revolving
door, Public Citizen investigative reports on lobbying battles waged
by industry, detailed summaries of influence-peddling laws and
recommendations for reforming the system.
“People used to run for Congress to serve the greater good and help
the public,” said Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook. “Now
Congress has become a way station to wealth. Members use it for job
training and networking so they can leave office and cash in on the
connections they forged as elected officials. No wonder the public is
cynical about whose interests lawmakers are protecting in Washington.
Lobbying has become the top career choice for departing members of
Congress.”
According to the report:
Forty-three percent of the 198 members who have left Congress since
1998 and were eligible to lobby have become registered lobbyists.
Fifty percent of eligible departing members of the U.S. Senate have
become lobbyists (18 of 36) while 42 percent of eligible departing
members of the U.S. House of Representatives have become lobbyists
(68 of 162).
Almost 52 percent of the Republican members of Congress who left
Capitol Hill since 1998 registered to lobby (58 of 112) compared to
33 percent of the departing Democrats (28 of 86). This could reflect
the fact that after George W. Bush became president, Washington
became a hostile place for lobbyists whose contacts were Democratic.
As part of the “K Street Project” pushed by Republicans, including
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), lobbying firms that hired
former Democratic members of Congress were to be denied access and
business by the Republican majority.
Of the 2000 departing class, the ratio was even more lopsided when
Republicans won the White House and retained control of Congress.
More than 62 percent of Republicans (23 of 37) who left that year
became lobbyists, compared to only 15 percent of Democrats (2 of 13).
Livingston exemplifies how a member-turned-lobbyist interacts with
his former colleagues. In six years, Livingston built his business
into the 12th largest non-law lobbying firm in Washington and took in
almost $40 million from 1999 through 2004, records show. Among his
clients are Turkey, Morocco and the Cayman Islands, which
collectively paid his firm $11 million from 2000 to 2004, with $9
million of that coming from Turkey.
Livingston delivered; he helped ensure that a $1 billion supplemental
appropriation for Turkey remained intact through the legislative
process, despite that country’s refusal to allow U.S. troops to use
its soil as a staging area for the Iraq invasion. He also helped kill
an amendment that would have formally recognized the Armenian
genocide that occurred between 1915 and 1923. Turkey has always
opposed this recognition.
Livingston, his wife Bonnie and his two political action committees
(PACs) also contributed $503,449 to various candidates or their PACs
from 2000 through 2004. Some of that money went to people Livingston
later lobbied.
“The revolving door is spinning faster than ever,” said Frank
Clemente, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division. “When
nearly half the lawmakers in Congress use their position to move into
a job that pays so handsomely, it’s time to change the system.”
In light of the findings, Public Citizen recommends the following
reforms:
Extend the former members’ cooling-off period (the time during which
they are not allowed to lobby) to two years and include the
supervision of lobbyists as a prohibited activity.
Require members of Congress to disclose their employment negotiations
while they are in office if they pose a conflict of interest, similar
to the requirement for the executive branch.
Repeal the privileges that give former members of Congress special
access to former colleagues (access to the House and Senate floor and
to members-only gymnasiums and restaurants) if they register to
lobby.
Prohibit registered lobbyists from making, soliciting or arranging
campaign contributions to elected officials in the branches of
government they lobby (Congress, the executive branch or both).

‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL LIE’
Azg/arm
27 July 05
Perincek Arrested in Switzerland for This Statement
July 24 marked 82 years of the Lausanne Treaty, which recognized
modern Turkey’s territorial wholeness and independence by legalizing
national wars waged by Kemal Ataturk. This anniversary was celebrated
in Turkey and Switzerland with special bustle. Interestingly, the
arrangements on this occasion were organized by oppositional
Republican People’s Party and Democratic Left Party of Turkey and
Workers’ Party of Switzerland.
Turkish Public Television saw the reason of the celebration in the
recent fact of casting doubt on the Lausanne Treaty The pro-government
Yeni Safak newspaper labeled the arrangements a provocative act
against Justice and Prosperity Party from forces fighting for purity
of Kemalic principles, pointing out meanwhile that the celebration
turned into demonstration of power.
The Lausanne-2005 arrangements in Winterthur and Lausanne on July
23-24 pulled in not only members of the Workers Party, Kemalist-Minded
Union and Turks of Europe but also a group of 200 scientists and
public figures from Turkey including the former president of “Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus”, Rauf Denktas. They rallied in Lausanne
chanting “Long Live Independent Turkey”, “Down With American
Imperialism” that slipped smoothly into crosswords.
Hurriyet newspaper informs that the president of Turkish History
Foundation, Yusuf Halacoglu, also expressed willingness to take part
in the arrangements but stood back after Swiss authorities’ decision
to detain him. He is wanted by the Swiss police for rejecting the
Armenian Genocide. “Armenian genocide is a great international lie”,
chairman of the Workers’ Party Dogu Perincek backed Halacoglu on May
7.
On July 23, when Perincek was repeating this statement in Winterthur,
law-enforcers sanctioned by the prosecutor of the town arrested him in
the hall and bundled off to the Prosecutor’s Office. Interrogation
lasted 3.5 hours. Perincek was released after the Turkish Foreign
Ministry interfered.
Foreign minister Abdullah Gul condemned arrests of leaders of Turkish
political parties and said answering Hurriyet’s question, “Having
learned about the arrest of Perincek, we interfered
immediately. Turkish consul-general to Zurich, Mehmed Emre, witnessed
his interrogation. I was informing PM Erdogan all night through. Such
an approach to Turkish party leaders is unacceptable”.
By Hakob Chakrian

No major changes in peace talks, Karabakh minister says
Noyan Tapan news agency
21 Jul 05
Yerevan, 21 July: “We separate the issue of the NKR [Nagornyy
Karabakh Republic] status from the task of settling the
conflict. We should speak about the necessity of eliminating the
consequences of the war and this should be done in the context of the
internationally-recognized norms on human rights,” NKR Foreign Minister
Arman Melikyan said at a meeting in the National Press Club on 21 July.
He said that there were not major changes in the negotiations process
on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Melikyan meanwhile
confirmed major intensification of the negotiations process and spoke
highly about the efforts of the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group.
As for the involvement of the NKR in the talks, the minister pointed
out that Karabakh was ready to participate in the negotiations,
however, was not considering this participation as a goal in itself:
“The main thing for us is to be convinced that these negotiations
are aimed at the specific results.”
He also pointed out that the NKR was receiving all necessary
information about the negotiations. He denied the rumours about
disagreements between the leadership of Armenia and the NKR in the
issue of the peaceful settlement of the conflict: “It is not obligatory
for us to be unanimous with the Armenian authorities in all issues,
but it is unequivocal that our interests [as published] and we reach
an agreement on any subject as a result of discussions.”
As for media reports about the possibility of holding a referendum in
the NKR, the return of the territories [seven Azerbaijani districts
occupied by Armenia] and return of the Azerbaijani refugees, Melikyan
said that it were precisely the Azerbaijani sources which “leaked”
this information: “These are usually rumours from unidentified sources,
and we cannot confirm them.”
The NKR foreign minister said that there is one task today which
the co-chairmen [of the OSCE Minsk Group] and the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents attempt to solve: this is a need to create a
”negotiating atmosphere”. “Other issues will be discussed only after
this, the achievement of this atmosphere is important because it is
impossible to hold negotiations and reach an agreement without this.
It is another issue that there are major differences in the positions
of the sides,” Melikyan said.
As for the deployment of peacekeepers in the conflict zone, he pointed
out that Nagornyy Karabakh prefers to provide security itself without
foreign forces which it does not need.

PRESIDENT HOLDS MEETING ON THE RESULTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IN AZERBAIJAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2005
[July 21, 2005, 23:30:25]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 21 2005
On July 21, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
presided at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to discuss the
results of socio-economic development in Azerbaijan over the six
month of 2005.
The President made opening remarks at the meeting. He in particular,
said:
Over the past six months, extremely important events have taken
place in both Azerbaijan and the whole region. Processes within the
country, as well as the position Azerbaijan occupies in the world
allow us to say the policy pursued so far, and being done today is
rightly oriented. Over this period, Azerbaijan has strengthened its
relations with neighboring countries. I had a lot of meetings with
their heads of state and government, and I’d say these relations
are meeting national interests of Azerbaijan. We have always been
striving for good relationship with neighbors, and we have achieved
this. Today, we don’t have any problems with our neighbors, conversely,
these relations are developing both in bilateral and through the
regional cooperation. Azerbaijan has strengthened its cooperation
with international organizations, as well. As you know, GUAM, the one
Azerbaijan has been a member of for many years, is now experiencing
its new stage that pleases us much. Azerbaijan is playing an extremely
active part in GUAM. Hope, the organization will gain more prestige in
the future, and this is also what meets our national interests. Our
cooperation with the European Union is rapidly improving. The New
Neighborhood policy is already applied in Azerbaijan. We already can
see the first features of this policy.
Our cooperation with the Council of Europe is on a high level too.
The resolution adopted by the Council of Europe, the one concerning
the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, was highly welcomed in our country.
This resolution reflects reality, objective facts. Most importantly,
this resolution could really foster the negotiation process.
Azerbaijan is an active member of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the member
states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference has been held
recently. The stance of Azerbaijan is constantly supported within the
Organization of the Islamic Conference. Therefore, our foreign policy
in all spheres allows us to even reinforce our position. Of course, the
most important problem our foreign policy is facing is settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. A certain progress
has been achieved towards this also for the last six months, meaning
the OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs have intensify their activities. The
Co-chairs pay visits to the region, discuss new issues, I can say
Azerbaijan’s position in the negotiation process is becoming even
more steadfast. As I have mentioned, one of the extremely important
steps in this direction was the resolution the Council of Europe
passed in January this year. Armenian unleashed an aggression against
Azerbaijan. This was the first time the international organization to
claim quite overtly that one Council of Europe member state committed
aggression, and is continuing to pursue the occupation policy against
another member-sate.
At the same time, the resolution condemns the policy of ethnic purge
carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan. It also contains information
about over a million refugees and internally displaced persons. In
general, this resolution is really objective, on the other hand,
as I mentioned, it will, it already has an impact on the negotiation
process. Apart from that, the OSCE fact-finding mission has conducted –
at our invitation – monitoring in the occupied territories. We were
insisting on the mission’s visit to Azerbaijan, although Armenian
side was protesting against this. We have reached the goal, the
information we had provided to the international community, has
already been reflected in the report. The fact of illegal settling
of Armenians in the occupied land has been revealed, and that has
evoked the adequate response in the world.
We are continuing our efforts within the United Nations too, the issue
of illegal settling of the ethnic Armenians in the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan has already been included in the UN’s agenda.
The negotiations are held within the Prague process, in other word,
the Prague process means stage-by-stage settlement. It is the approach
that Azerbaijan has always insisted on. The conflict can be resolved
on the base of the following principles: the occupied territories
must be released, refugees and displaced persons must return to
their homes – the regions adjacent to – Nagorno-Karabakh and –
Nagorno-Karabakh itself. After that, the status of Nagorno-Karabakh
can be established – granting world’s highest level of autonomy to
Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. Our position is based on the
principles of the international law.
Simultaneously, we are engaged in reinforcing of our economic and
military potential. The results and rates of economic development allow
us to attribute Azerbaijan to one of the world’s most intensively
developing countries. The Gross Domestic Product has increased
16,5% for the last six months, and is expected to reach almost 18%
by the end of the year. It is the world’s best showing. For this
period, industrial production rate has made up 20%. Social and
military expenditures have increased by 30% and 76% respectively.
Our currency resources including the State oil fund are about
2,1 billion dollars. Average salary in Azerbaijan is 560 thousand
manats or some $120. This is high figure as compared with other
CIS countries. However, this does not satisfactory, and we have to
work hard towards increase in both average and minimum salary. The
on-going program of regional development is also successful. Since
the beginning of this year, 250 jobs have been opened, 130 of which
are permanent. These figures reflect the reality.
There are some problems also – poverty, unemployment, those with
electric power, gas and water supply. This year in Baku, Sumgait and
all other regions, will be installed small electric power stations,
gas supply problem will be resolved as the Shah Deniz field is
commissioned.
I hope the second half of 2005 will also be successful.
***
Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev gave the floor to members of the
Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

Turkish Minister Calls for Closer Military Ties
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 21 2005
Baku Today / Assa Irada 21/07/2005 18:00
The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict was in the focus of
discussions at a meeting of the visiting Turkish Minister for Defense
Vecdi Gonul with his Azerbaijani counterpart Safar Abiyev on Wednesday.
The two also exchanged views on cooperation between the two countries
within NATO and Turkey’s role in building Azerbaijani Army.
Gonul stressed the need for strengthening military relations. The
Karabakh conflict should be settled within Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity, he said.
Abiyev said Turkey is expanding ties with Azerbaijan within the
framework of NATO Partnership for Peace Program. Turkey undoubtedly
supports Azeri Armed Forces, as Azerbaijan is its strategic ally and
this cooperation will be sustainable, he said.
Abiyev termed the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines as important economic
achievements. Azerbaijan and Turkey are successfully cooperating in
ensuring the security of international export pipelines, he said.
On Thursday, the Turkish Defense Minister will meet with President
Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Artur Rasizada. The two countries’
defense ministries will sign an agreement on training, education and
technical cooperation in mapping.
Gonul will wrap up his visit on Friday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Parties far from reaching agreement, Russian co-chair says
14.07.2005 15:09
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov
(Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), and Steven Mann (US) had a
four-hour conversation on July 13 with Nagorno Karabakh Republic
President Arkady Ghukasian.
As reported by Armenpress, following the talks, Merzlyakov told
reporters that conflicting parties should not wait for the mediators
to suggest solutions. He also noted that the sides are still to far
from reaching a settlement agreement.
In his turn, Mann indicated that there are many views upon which no
agreements have been reached. “There are many complications,” Mann
said. “But the spirit of the talks is what matters.”
The co-chairs refused to comment on options for the Karabakh status or
the issue of holding a referendum. They called the meeting with
Ghukasian “very constructive and interesting.”

Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 13 2005
ARMENIA’S COOPERATION WITH AAA QUITE PRODUCTIVE: ROBERT KOCHARYAN
YEREVAN, July 13. /ARKA/ RA President Robert Kocharyan has met with a
delegation of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) headed by
President of the AAA Board of Directors Enthony Barsamyan. The RA
presidential press service reports that Kocharyan described the
cooperation with the AAA as productive and pointed out that it has
quite a long history. The RA President welcomed AAA representatives’
regular visits to Armenia.
In his turn, Barsamyan introduced to the RA President the new AAA
Director Bryan Arduni and addressed programs of further cooperation.
The sides discussed a number of topical issues of Armenian-American
agenda, exchanged views on Armenia’s economic development, contacts
with Armenian diaspora. The sides also addressed the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement. P.T. -0–