Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 2, 2005
OSCE CHAIRMAN HOLDS DISCUSSIONS IN MOSCOW
[February 02, 2005, 14:42:23]
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij
Rupel, discussed OSCE reform, the Organization’s election-monitoring
activities and a range of regional issues in talks with Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.
The Chairman-in-Office said he was encouraged by the open and candid
discussions and by the commitment of the Russian Federation to making
the 55-nation security organization more effective.
He said the Slovenian Chairmanship took Russia’s concerns about the
future of the Organization very seriously.
Regional issues discussed included Kosovo, Georgia,
Moldova/Transdniestria and Nagorno-Karabakh.
On elections, the Chairman-in-Office said he was open to a discussion
on ways of making OSCE election-monitoring even more effective, but
this should build on the excellent existing achievements of the
OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Levon Mkrtchian answers question on Yerkir’s website
Yerkir/arm
January 28, 2005
The Yerkir weekly has initiated a series of interviews with
politicians, state and public figures. You can ask your questions by
visiting our website at
Between January 17 and 24, our readers asked questions to Levon
Mkrtchian, member of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia and leader of the
National Assembly’s ARF faction. Below is an excerpt from that
interview. The full version is available on the site beginning January
31. By January 34, you can also ask questions to Kiro Manoyan,
Director of ARF Bureau’s Central Hai Dat Office.
Patriot: Dou you believe in Armenia’s comprehensive development
without settling its relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan? Isn’t it in
Armenia’s national interest to establish good-neighborly relations
with those countries instead of putting forward territorial or
financial claims?
Levon Mkrtchian: Two values contradict in your question. No doubt, any
country is more secure if it has good relations with its
neighbors. But such relations should be based on some principles. It
is not correct to oppose the territorial or other claims to
good-neighborly relations. Similarly, a person can be asked why he is
conducting a moral life in his family. Any country has its national
values, its history, and that history is the basis for the existence
of a nation.
I always like to cite the well-known Roman saying: `All of them
whoignore their history and their past are sentenced to look at their
future with fear and suspicion.’ What price are we to pay for good
relations? If we haveto pay by our national dignity and loss of our
homeland, if we have to pay a price that would make us a nation that
lives to satisfy its everyday needs only, like animals do, then how
much is it worth to live on this soil? We all could move to better
courtiers, say Europe, and live more successful lives.
Then why should we keep the Armenian statehood if we have no goals and
principles? When our neighbors demand we should lose all that for
establishing good relations with them, we answer that we don’t want to
live as slaves.
We want equal relations based on justice. A historic injustice has
been done to the Armenian people, and now the whole world recognizes
that fact. The process of international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide indicates that the present civilization recognizes the right
of the Armenian people and given this fact, your question is
surprising. And if the person asking this question is an Armenian,
then it is more surprising that he/she offers such a price for having
good relations.
Let the Turks and Azeris realize that they should have good relations
with our nation, whom they have caused a deep pain. Especially now
that the Republic of Armenia has officially declared it is for
establishing relations with Turkey without preconditions. Turkey, in
response, suggests Armenia should have good relations with a third
country in order to be able establish good relations with Turkey. It
also puts forward preconditions that really violate our national
rights.
Now this approach is surprising; if this is how we should build our
state then I see no reason for people to stay in this or any other
country. If itis just a matter of filling one’s stomach and living a
good life, theneverybody should immigrate to a country where filling
one’s stomach is easier. Then what’ s the reason of staying here and
establishing statehood? Your question is incomprehensible and
unacceptable to me.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, ITALIAN PREMIER DISCUSS TIES, RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
Mediamax news agency
28 Jan 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met Italian Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi in Rome today.
Kocharyan and Berlusconi discussed issues of bilateral relations,
putting special accent on the necessity to extend and boost trade and
economic relations, Mediamax’s special correspondent reports from
Rome.
The sides also considered political issues, noting good contacts
between the Armenian and Italian Foreign Ministries.
The Armenian president and the Italian prime minister also exchanged
opinions on regional and international problems and discussed the
process of Armenia’s European integration. Robert Kocharyan and Silvio
Berlusconi touched upon the issue of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations, viewing it in the context of the forthcoming beginning of
talks on Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU).

p;type=story#
*ESPN.com:* Men’s College Basketball
* Thursday, January 27, 2005
* Tarkanian replaces recalled councilwoman
————————————————————————
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — The wife of former basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian won a
City Council seat in a special election that turned out an indicted
first-term councilwoman. Lois Tarkanian, a former three-term Clark
County school trustee, drew almost 42 percent of the 6,902 votes cast in
Tuesday’s recall of City Council ward representative Janet Moncrief.
Tarkanian, 70, will be sworn in Feb. 2 to fill the remaining two years
of Moncrief’s term. “I’m going to try very hard to be as effective as I
can be,” Tarkanian said. Moncrief, a registered nurse and political
novice, drew about 30 percent of the vote. She faces campaign finance
charges stemming from her June 2003 election. An advocate for the
disabled placed third in the recall vote. Jerry Tarkanian coached at
UNLV and Fresno State before retiring in 2002.

Zaman, Turkey
Jan 26 2005
‘Armenian Minister not Based in Reality’
By Ali Pektas
The Director of Ataturk University’s Turkey-Armenia Relations
Research Institute, Assistant Professor Erol Kurkcuoglu, said he did
not find the statement by Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan
that was published in Zaman yesterday regarding their recognition of
the Kars Agreement to be in earnest.
According to Kurkcuoglu, Armenia has followed hostile policies
against Turkey so far and said Armenia should prove it recognizes the
Kars Agreement by withdrawing from the occupied Azerbaijani
territories and making necessary amendments to the constitution. Some
eastern Turkish provinces such as Erzurum, Kars, Agri, Igdi, Ardahan,
and Van are still called West Armenia in the constitution, said
Kurkcuoglu, and this should be corrected. He also said that Armenians
must withdraw immediately from the territory of Karabag (Karabakh)
from which 1.5 million Azerbaijanis had to emigrate. “If Armenia
recognizes the Kars Agreement, it has to give up the so-called
genocide claims,” Kurkcuoglu said. The Director also clarified that
Armenians killed 519,000 civilians in Eastern Anatolia between 1914
and 1919 contrary to their claims and said they have been inviting
Armenian scientists to their panels and symposiums, but that they
decline to attend.
Erzurum
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEWS Press
25 janvier 2005
ONU – Conférence de presse du Ministre des affaires étrangères de la
France, M. Michel Barnier
ONU Organisation des Nations Unies
24 janvier 2005 – Au cours d’une conférence de presse donnée
aujourd’hui à la suite à son intervention à la session extraordinaire
de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies pour commémorer le 60ème
anniversaire de la libération des camps de concentration nazis, le
Ministre des affaires étrangères de la France, M. Michel Barnier, a
insisté sur le devoir de mémoire et de vigilance de la communauté
internationale. Précisant qu’il allait être aux côtés du Président
Jacques Chirac, jeudi 27 janvier, pour commémorer à Auschwitz le
60ème anniversaire de la libération de ce camp, il a souligné la
nécessité d’être intransigeant contre toutes les formes de racisme et
d’antisémitisme qui guettent toujours. Il a souhaité, dans le cadre
unique du droit international que sont les Nations Unies, que nous
gardions toujours les moyens d’agir. Il a indiqué qu’il saisirait
l’occasion de sa présence à New York pour continuer le dialogue qu’il
a entrepris depuis quelques mois avec toutes les organisations juives
américaines, qu’il rencontrera cet après-midi.
Répondant à une question sur la situation au Darfour, et sur la
possibilité d’imposer des sanctions et d’envoyer les responsables
d’atrocités devant la Cour pénale internationale, M. Barnier a
rappelé sa conviction que l’on ne règlerait pas ce drame sans le
Soudan ou contre le Soudan, mais avec lui. Nous attendons le rapport
du Secrétaire général qui qualifiera lui-même la nature des crimes et
exactions commis, a-t-il ajouté, et il faudra que ceux qui ont commis
ces crimes ou exactions soient punis. Il a dit qu’en tant que
Ministre des affaires étrangères de la France, pays ayant toujours
soutenu la Cour pénale internationale, il n’avait pas de difficultés
à dire que ceux qui commettent des crimes jugés au niveau
international comme des crimes contre les droits de l’homme et la
dignité des personnes, devront être jugés par cette Cour.
Répondant à une question sur la possibilité de demander une session
extraordinaire en mémoire du génocide arménien à l’instar de ce qui a
été fait aujourd’hui en direction de l’holocauste, M. Barnier a
rappelé que le Parlement français avait voté à l’unanimité une loi
reconnaissant le génocide arménien. Alors que nous avons entamé un
processus de possible adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union européenne,
a-t-il précisé, il est utile que ce grand pays fasse ce travail de
mémoire. À cet égard, il a rappelé que le projet européen auquel la
Turquie souhaitait adhérer était fondé sur l’idée même de la
réconciliation, la réconciliation avec les autres et la
réconciliation avec soi-même.
S’agissant de l’application de la résolution 1559 (2004) du Conseil
de sécurité demandant le retrait de l’armée syrienne du Liban
soulevée par un journaliste, il s’est déclaré soucieux de sa mise en
oeuvre et de son respect par tous ceux qu’elle concerne, pour que le
Liban retrouve progressivement sa pleine souveraineté. Nous en aurons
une première preuve au printemps, a-t-il ajouté, lors des prochaines
élections générales.
Répondant à une question sur cette commémoration alors que continuent
les discriminations dont sont victimes les Palestiniens, M. Barnier a
indiqué que tout le monde était d’accord pour que ce moment de
commémoration ne soit pas lié à d’autres situations. Il a dit son
espoir et celui des Européens pour que 2005 devienne l’année de la
paix, avec la création d’un État Palestinien et la garantie pour
Israël de vivre en sécurité, en estimant que cela passerait par la
relance de la Feuille de route et le renforcement de la légitimité de
l’Autorité palestinienne. Il a ajouté qu’il y avait un sentiment
d’urgence et une disponibilité assez unanime et assez rare en
souhaitant que le processus de paix au Moyen-Orient soit mis au coeur
du nouvel état d’esprit entre Européens et Américains.
S’agissant tout particulièrement de la situation en Iraq, il a
rappelé toute l’importance de la résolution 1546 qui fixe le chemin
d’une sortie politique de ce trou noir avec la tenue d’élections et
le retrait des troupes étrangères à la fin de 2005. Il a souhaité que
les élections du 30 janvier 2005 soient le plus crédible possible, en
rappelant que la France a dit au Président iraquien, en visite à
Paris la semaine dernière, qu’elle participera à la reconstruction
politique et économique de l’Iraq si le climat de sécurité soit
rétabli. Il a également précisé que même si la France avait proposé
de participer à la formation de forces de gendarmerie iraquiennes en
dehors de l’Iraq, elle ne souhaitait pas, ni aujourd’hui ni demain,
envoyer des troupes en Iraq.
Concernant la perception de certaines selon lesquelles les Nations
Unies seraient antijuives, anti-Israël, M. Barnier a répondu qu’il ne
comprenait pas cette critique. Il a noté que les Nations Unies
appliquent le droit et respectent les principes et qu’elles n’avaient
pas de positions anti-israéliennes. Il a estimé qu’il ne fallait pas
transiger avec l’existence d’Israël avec sa sécurité. Et en même
temps, il faut aboutir à la création d’un État palestinien, le plus
vite possible. C’est la condition de l’avenir des jeunes palestiniens
qui ont droit à un futur pacifique. C’est la condition de la
stabilité au Proche-Orient. Il est de notre responsabilité, a-t-il
insisté, de mettre fin à ce conflit dans l’intérêt de la paix au
Moyen-Orient. Répondant à une question sur la possibilité de comparer
la situation des Palestiniens en Israël et dans le Territoire occupé
et celle des Juifs durant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, M. Barnier a
souligné le caractère unique de l’holocauste en appelant à faire
attention aux mots que l’on utilisait.
Répondant à une question sur la possibilité de mettre en oeuvre la
Feuille de route alors que se poursuit la construction du mur de
séparation, le Ministre des affaires étrangères français a déclaré
que les Nations Unies et les Européens s’étaient exprimés sur le
tracé de ce mur. Il a souhaité que l’on saisisse les opportunités du
moment et notamment l’engagement, qu’il a qualifié de courageux, de
M. Sharon de se retirer de Gaza en espérant que ce retrait soit un
succès dans les semaines et mois à venir. Parallèlement, il a
souligné qu’il fallait réussir la réorganisation de l’Autorité
palestinienne en précisant que cette question allait être au centre
d’une prochaine conférence à Londres, à laquelle il participerait. Il
faudra prêter attention aux élections à venir, afin de s’assurer de
la légitimité du pouvoir en place. En conclusion, il a souhaité que
l’on prenne les choses l’une après l’autre, en rappelant que la
Feuille du route du Quartet diplomatique restait le cadre de
référence pour parvenir à la mise en oeuvre de deux États vivant côte
à côte en toute sécurité au sein de frontières internationalement
reconnues.

SERGO YERITSIAN VISITS “MARIAM” EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT AND MEETS
WITH IRANIAN COUNTERPART
TEHRAN, January 19 (Noyan Tapan). RA Minister of Education and Science
Sergo Yeritsian and a delegation headed by him, which is in Tehran
now, visited the sections of boys and girls of the “Mariam”
establishment on January 17 morning. Eduard Babakhanian, the Chairman
of the Educational Council of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran,
Khoshdast, a representative of the Ministry of Education of Iran,
members of the Parents’ Councils of the two sections received them at
the school. Eduard Babakhanian spoke about the Armenian schools of
Tehran. Minister Yeritsian considered the Armenian schools as small
isles contributing to the protection of the Armenian nation, the
Armenian spirit, friendship of the two peoples. Students of the
elementary classes of the girls section performed during the
meeting. According to the “Alik” (“Wave”) daily newspaper of Tehran,
the same day, the Armenian delegation visited the National Scientific
and Research Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of
Iran, where Director Dr. Sanatin and specialists of the Scientific and
Research Institute presented the work of different
departments. Minister Yeritsian attached importance to cooperation of
the two countries in this sphere, and Yervand Sahakian, the Pro-Rector
of the State Medical University of Armenia on Foreign Relations,
briefly presented the medical researches in Armenia. After midday the
Armenian delegation headed by the RA Minister of Education and Science
and accompanied by Garnik Badalian, the Envoy Extraordinary of the
Embassy of Armenia in Iran and the Charge D’Affaires of Armenia to
Iran, had a meeting with Minister of Education of Iran Morteza
Haji. At the meeting Sergo Yeritsian, attaching importance to
cooperation between the two countries in the educational sphere and
stressing the attention concentrated on the Iranian Studies and the
Persian language in Armenia, said that in many schools of Armenia
Persian is taught as a foreign language together with several foreign
languages, and Persian is the language of entrance examinations. He
added that 300 students study at the Department of Oriental Studies of
the Yerevan State University. Morteza Haji mentioned that the two
countries, Armenia and Iran, have close relations, and it is necessary
that they should also have good cooperation in the educational
sphere. According to the Minister, they may cooperate in the
pedagogical sphere, the holding of scientific and sport competitions
and the sphere of the exchange of teaching technique. Minister Haji
highly estimated the role of the Iranian Armenians in the Iranian art,
craft, in the scientific and cultural life. On January 18 morning, the
delegation departed to Rasht, where it also visited with the Armenian
Community of Rasht.

SUMMER 2005 ARMENIAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA
University of Michigan
January 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program is
pleased to announce this year’s Summer Language Institute to be held in
Yerevan, from June 24 through August 22, 2005. This Program is open to
all undergraduate, graduate and professional school students attending
any North American or European Universities or colleges, who wish to
learn Classical Armenian or Modern Eastern, or Modern Western Armenian.
Lectures on Armenian culture and history, as well as various excursions
and cultural events supplement the courses. North American
undergraduate students may take the course for credit (8 credit hours).
U.S. graduate students may enroll for a non-credit certificate for
Eastern or Western Armenian, or may take Classical Armenian for credit
(6 credit hours). European students may take any of the courses for a
non-credit certificate only. The same academic and program criteria
will apply to credit and non-credit students alike.
In addition to high quality intensive language instruction, the Program
offers the opportunity to live and study in Armenia. The Program is
directed by Dr. Kevork B. Bardakjian, Marie Manoogian Professor of
Armenian Language & Literature and Director of the Armenian Studies
Program at the University of Michigan. Deadline for the receipt of
completed applications is Tuesday, 15 March, 2004.
For more information and/or for an application packet online:
Or, please contact:
Professor Kevork B. Bardakjian
Department of NES
2068 Frieze Bldg.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1285
Tel.: 734/763-7655
Fax: 734/936-2679
Email: [email protected]

PanArmenian News
Jan 20 2005
RALLY AGAINST US ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY STATEMENTS ON KARABAKH
HELD IN ARMENIA
20.01.2005 17:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday in Yerevan representatives of a range of
youth and student organizations held a rally procession towards the
building of the US Embassy in Armenia. The action, in which over 200
took part, aimed at expressing protest against the statement of US
Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones that “establishment of
stability in Pridnestrovye, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno
Karabakh proceeds from interests of Russia and corruption should be
ended and ruling criminal separatists taken away there.” In the words
of action participants, their goal was to demonstrate to the
civilized world and Elizabeth Jones that Nagorno Karabakh people and
authorities cannot be considered separatists, as Nagorno Karabakh has
never been and will never be part of Azerbaijan. The action
participants also reminded that Karabakh Armenians are guided by the
principle of self-determination. “The conflict in Nagorno Karabakh is
not a small change for political games between the US and Russia,”
Chairman of the Student Council of Yerevan State University Mihran
Hakobian stated. It should be noted that the action participants
conveyed a respective statement to the Embassy.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 19 2004
Russian Foreign Minister to visit Azerbaijan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to pay his first
official visit to Azerbaijan in mid-February as part of his tour of
the South Caucasus region.
Issues related to regional cooperation, prospects for bilateral
relations, as well as to the Upper Garabagh conflict and the Caspian
legal status will be discussed during the visit.
Besides Azerbaijan, the Russian official is also scheduled to visit
Armenia and Georgia. Several agreements on withdrawal of Russian
military bases from Georgia are to be signed during Lavrov’s visit to
this country.*