Author: Zaminian Bedik

RUSSIA: CHANGING PALM LINES COULD CHANGE FORTUNES
ANSA English Media Service
November 24, 2004
MOSCOW
(ANSA) – MOSCOW, November 24 – Palmists in various civilisations
and societies have read palms for millenniums trying to identify
characters and read fortunes but now a group of Russian scientists
claim characters and fortunes of people can be manipulated by changing
the lines on the palm with electromagnetic impulses.
Armenian professor in mathematics Karen Mkhitarian, Moscow university
professor Yuri Galatovsky and computer programmer Valeriy Ilyukhin
announced an invention which would be a real turning point in the
history of humanity, if it is true.
The three claim they had found a new technique, chronosemantics, for
correction of the strange world which we all grasp in our firsts. The
discovery could be likened to the thoughts of the tutelary deity of
the disintegrated USSR, Karl Marx, to German philosophy – it is not
enough to settle oneself with contemplative interpretation of the
world, the world should be changed.
The three Russian scientists have not clear ideas yet on the life
line but had important success intervening with therapeutic aim on
the whole surface of the palm.
The new technique was called chronosemantics, or interpretation
of time, not chirosemantics because the starting point is the skin
ramifications on the hand which reflect the actions and secrets of
an “internal clock” of each person, Mkhitarian told the Moskovsky
Komsomolets daily. The lines and signs which are so dear to palmistry
are only “temporal stages” of an existential trajectory, Mkhitarian
said.
With electromagnetic impulses the inventors of the new technique
reportedly cured some grave cases. A 19-year-old girl Lena had serious
asthma and could not even go to school. After the intervention,
she leads a normal life and studies abroad. Sergei had a history of
chronic illnesses and was not even recruited in the army but with
Mkhitarian’s help he is now a cadet in the military academy. Boris
was cured by a stubborn psoriasis.
The team of scientists changed the polarity of some lines on the
patients’ palms from negative to positive with something between
medicine and cybernetics to correct the “internal clock” modifying
the dimensions of the “personal time”.
Mkhitarian believes drug-addiction, one of the worst scourges in
post-Soviet Russia, is written on a specific spot on the palm and is
theoretically curable with the new method.
Apart from various diseases and ailments, chronosemantics is
reportedly capable of neutralising fear of flying and other phobias
which determine, sometimes crucially, a person’s character.
The ultimate objective is obviously the intervention on the three
most important lines, the life line, the heart line which governs
emotions and the head line governing intelligence and memory so as to
give each person the desired fate and happiness. Asked whether that
was possible, Mkhitarian answered it was possible from man’s point
of view, if not from God’s point of view. (ANSA).

AZERBAIJAN WANTS OSCE TO FORM INDEPENDENT EXPERTS GROUP TO REVEAL
ARMENIA’S POLICY TOWARDS SETTLEMENT OF OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
[November 25, 2004, 00:01:17]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 24 2004
On 24 November, Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann, Yuri
Merzlyakov and Henry Jacolin met in New York with Azerbaijan Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and vice-Foreign Minister Araz Azimov,
AzerTAj correspondent reports from the United States.
Behind closed doors, they went through the current stage of the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. The Azerbaijani side expressed concern
to the Minsk Group co-Chairs over the mass settling of the ethnic
Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan that is pursued
by the Armenian government in an organized manner.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov emphasized that by this action
Armenia not only violates the UN’s relevant resolutions and
international humanitarian laws but also jeopardizes the OSCE –
mediating peace talks.
Reportedly, the parties also exchanged views on forming under the
OSCE an independent experts group to reveal the facts confirming
Armenia’s policy of settlement of the occupied territories.

Armenia says Azerbaijan-proposed U.N. resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh would kill negotiations
The Associated Press
11/23/04 13:27 EST
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – The Armenian foreign minister said Tuesday that
Azerbaijan’s push for a United Nations resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
could kill efforts to settle the conflict through direct negotiations.
Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, has been
de facto independent since Armenian-backed forces won control over
the territory in 1994 following a six-year war.
Despite a cease-fire, Armenian-backed forces and Azerbaijani troops
continue to face off across a demilitarized zone, and shooting
occasionally erupts.
Azerbaijan seeks a U.N. resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh that it hopes
would reflect international recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.
“Azerbaijan is making a mistake by initiating the discussion of this
issue in the United Nations,” said Tuesday Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian.
Oskanian said if the resolution is adopted, ongoing efforts to solve
the issue through direct negotiations would be “dead”.
The United Nations’ General Assembly was to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on Tuesday. In 1993, it passed four
resolutions demanding the withdrawal of occupation forces and the
return of refugees to Azerbaijan, but none of those has been enforced.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev voiced hope Monday that a new
resolution would help solve the conflict and accused Armenia
of hindering the adoption of the resolution and stalling
negotiations. Aliev said Azerbaijan would only be too glad to
see Armenia drop out of the talks and leave negotiations to
Nagorno-Karabakh.
In a separate development, the Armenian Defense Ministry said Tuesday
that five Nagorno-Karabakh soldiers were killed and several others
injured in a road accident while traveling in a military truck.
It gave no further details on the accident that occurred on Monday.

Azeri minister urges UN to have final say on Karabakh
ANS TV, Baku
24 Nov 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov gave an
interview to ANS after his speech at the UN General Assembly. He said
that the UN General Assembly should now have a final say.
[Correspondent over video of the UN session] The minister thinks
that the first step has already been taken. We now have to wait for
another resolution which the UN is going to adopt on the situation
on the occupied Azerbaijani territories. This will take some time.
[Mammadyarov by phone] The UN has a special procedure of adopting
resolutions. This is a process. It will take some time. Therefore,
we think that first we should continue the talks and then we will
express our opinion after reviewing their results.
[Correspondent] Mammadyarov also commented on the statement made by
his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan on the UN discussions.
[Passage omitted: reported details of Armenia’s position]
[Mammadyarov] This issue was not comprehensively discussed when I met
the Armenian foreign minister in Berlin. Azerbaijan thinks that we
need to continue the talks within the framework of the Prague meetings
[on the Karabakh settlement]. We intend to continue the Prague talks
as soon as possible.
[Correspondent] Elmar Mammadyarov said that only Armenia and
Azerbaijan participated in the talks in line with the OSCE Minsk
Group’s regulations. The Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of
Nagornyy Karabakh enjoy the status of parties interested in this
process. If we negotiate with the so-called regime, then Armenia will
be regarded not as the opposite side, but as a side interested in the
settlement process. In these circumstances, Armenia must walk out of
the talks, end quote.
Mammadyarov said that he will clarify this position of the Baku
government at his meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs today.
Ayaz Mirzayev, ANS.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
11/22/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Unprecedented Conference of ARF, Affiliated Organizations Ends in Beirut 2) Armenian, Azeri FMs Meet in Berlin 3) Armenian Question at Heart of EU Debates on Turkey 4) PACE Committee Spells Out Steps to Peaceful Settlement of Mountainous Karabagh Conflict 1) Unprecedented Conference of ARF, Affiliated Organizations Ends in Beirut ANTELIAS (Combined Sources)--Delegates from five continents congregated in Antelias, Lebanon on November 18 to participate in a three-day conference of Armenian Revolutionary Federation-affiliated organizations. Organized by the ARF Bureau, the conference featured representatives of the Hamazkayin cultural organization, Homenetmen athletic and scouting organization, and the Armenian Relief Society. Hagop Der Khatchadourian of the ARF Bureau, Maro Minassian of the ARS Central Executive, Karnig Megerdichian of the Homenetmen Central Executive, and Megerdich Megerdichian of the Hamazkayin Central Executive opened the session with individual remarks, which were followed by a speech delivered by ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian, who stated, "to tap into our country's full potential, we must work as a united entity." Working Sessions The unprecedented conference officially opened on November 19 at the Homenetmen Aghpalian complex in Antelias. The first session, chaired by ARF Bureau member Hagop Der Khatchadourian, introduced the mission of the ARS, Hamazkayin, and Homenetmen, and their activities in various regions. ARS ARS Central Executive chair Maro Minassian presented the noble history of the organization, established in 1910 to assist the Armenian people. She gave a snapshot of activities, revealing the profile of its members, which range from the age of 18 to the 90. She detailed ARS's activities that include assistance to educational establishments, active social service centers, a kindergarten program in Mountainous Karabagh, as well as its activities within the UN. She underlined the necessity of successful implementation of programs, and the need to provide social services to Armenians of Javakhk. Minassian revealed that current priorities include assistance to Armenians in Iraq, a publication detailing the history of the ARS as it approached its 100th anniversary, and cultivating government-level ties in countries where it operates. Homenetmen On behalf of its Central Executive, Karnig Megerdichian detailed Homenetmen's mission and scope of activities, stressing the importance to establish chapters where there the need exists--specifically in Artsakh and Javakhk. Present difficulties, revealed Megerdichian, include a lack in funding, uniformity of athletic activities, and the youth's participation in decision making bodies. Hamazkayin Central Executive member Keghani Etyemezian, spoke of Hamazkayin's efforts to rework its mission and the organization's new approach to operating by its already reformed by laws. She outlined the three-year activity of the past executive, detailing the progress of its printing and publishing houses, literary periodical Pakine, schools and centers of learning, and the organization's dynamic Summer Forum that began in 1995, and has since provided an exciting environment for young students to learn a great deal about Armenian culture and heritage. The second session convened with chairman Haroutioun Kurkjian, introducing lecturer Levon Mkrtchian, ARF faction leader in Armenia's National Assembly and ARF Armenia Supreme Body member. Speaking of more effective Armenia-diaspora relations, Mkrtchian stressed that efforts must be organized for more valuable and productive results. This, he said, requires appreciation for input both from Armenia and the diaspora. He explained that not only must the general Armenia-diaspora relationship be strengthened, but that specific communities must also establish vital links with Armenia and its government. Chaired by Megerdich Megerdichian, the second and final session on Saturday included Khatchig Der Ghougassian, who addressed the general and theoretical concept of "nation," and asked, "how is it possible to be Armenian in an international setting?" Focusing on the re-establishment of the concept of "diaspora," Der Ghougassian explained that redefining the diaspora of the global 21st century, requires a mission from the past, along with a generation whose existence born outside of Armenia, grasps the concept of pan humanitarianism; this understanding therefore not only helps to preserve, but also develop our existence and individuality. Other sessions included Seta Khedeshian speaking about utilization of modern means to revamp organizational structure and to face current challenges. She specifically stressed the need to develop relations with international, as well as non-government organizations. The topic of assistance programs to Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk was presented by Pakrad Sarkisian. Albert Ajemian spoke about youth centers in Armenia, and the urgency for the ARF to create the ideal means to attract and guide youth--not only as a means to gain manpower--but more importantly, to become the ideological and political force of the future. Noura Navoyan described the history and present situation of Armenian communities in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). She spoke of population, schools, churches, and quality of Armenian life, revealing that in the CIS countries alone, there are as many as 2.8 million Armenians. Dikran Jinbashian spoke of the birth of ARF, and the three organizations--ARS, Hamazkayin, and Homenetmen--that eventually became a part of each community to assist generations of Armenians in shaping their identities and national belonging. The last and final topic presented by Hagop Havatian, addressed public relations and the accountability of organizations. At the conclusion of the conference, participants passed a declaration presented by the resolutions committee. ARF Bureau representative Markarian closed the conference saying that it served to conduct a general review and clarification of issues, and can be considered the cornerstone to tackling issues. 2) Armenian, Azeri FMs Meet in Berlin YEREVAN (Armenpress)--On Friday, November 19, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and his counterpart, Azerbaijan's Elmar Mamedyarov, met in the German capital city of Berlin to continue talks initiated at a meeting in Prague several months ago. Also present at the meeting were the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. According to media reports, the meeting between the two ministers lasted fifteen minutes. Although no details about the meeting's results were released, a press release issued by Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry stated that "the sides exchanged views on the issues that topped the agenda of the Prague talks." Following the talks, Mamedyarov left Berlin for New York to attend a November 23 UN session titled "On the Situation on Azerbaijan's Occupied Territories." Oskanian, who joined President Kocharian in Berlin, told the Berlin press that the two sides made "a number of successful and objective decisions" to continue the dialogue "based on existing realities." "Specific issues were spoken about and discussed during the talks," Oskanian noted. "We decided that we can continue the Prague process again," he added. The Friday meeting was initially scheduled for October 25, but was postponed after the Armenian side requested more time to analyze the results of the four previous meetings, all of which were held in Prague. 3) Armenian Question at Heart of EU Debates on Turkey Second 2004 European Parliament report on Turkey evokes discussion on Armenian issues; Socialist Party position misrepresented by several party members STRASBOURG--On November 15, the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament examined the second 2004 parliamentarian report on Turkey´s progress towards accession presented by the young Dutch representative Camiel Eurlings. Before commencing debate, parliamentarians had a chance to review the 483 amendments listed on the brief seven-page report, which notes that Turkey's accession remains a sensitive issue. The report was criticized by some for its failure to express a clear position on the possibility of starting accession talks with Turkey. Regarding Armenian issues, the draft of the report states that the Turkish authorities "have missed an opportunity to promote good neighborly relations with Armenia" as a result of their refusal to open the Armenian-Turkish border, and moves on to note that the European Parliament "calls on the Governments of Turkey and Armenia to start a process of reconciliation in order to overcome the tragic experience of the past and requests that the Turkish government reopen its borders with Armenia as soon as possible." The amendments to the report as well as the debates focused largely on Armenian issues, including recognition of the Armenian genocide, the blockade of Armenia, as well as article 305 of the Turkish Penal Code that penalizes the affirmation of the genocide or dissident opinions on the Cyprus issue. Amendments explicitly dealing with genocide recognition and the border issue were submitted by parliamentarians representing the Communist, Socialist, Christian-Democrat (EPP), Liberal and Sovereignist groupsisolating the Greens of Europe as the only major group that unconditionally supports Turkey's EU bid. Going against official party positions, several parliamentarians offered amendments that favor Turkey's position on a variety of Armenian issues. French Socialist MP Michel Rocard led the charge with an amendment that praised "the remarkable work carried out by Turkish historians on the genocide." "In talks with Mr. Rocard and his associates, we have pointed out that in addition to being blatant lies, their affirmations actively invite the denial of acts of genocide in Europe," declared Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation. A vote on the Eurlings report will be held in the Foreign Affairs Committee on November 22, 2005. 4) PACE Committee Spells Out Steps to Peaceful Settlement of Mountainous Karabagh Conflict STRASBOURG--A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) report made public on Monday spells out a series of steps Armenia and Azerbaijan could take to fulfill their commitment to peacefully settle the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. In a draft resolution adopted at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday, PACE's Political Affairs Committee expressed concern at the creation of "mono-ethnic areas which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic cleansing," and reaffirmed the right of displaced persons from the area of conflict to return to their homes safely and in a dignified manner. The committee called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to submit constructive proposals for the peaceful settlement of the conflict via the OSCE Minsk Group, which should conduct speedy negotiations. If these fail, the parties should consider using the UN's International Court of Justice, the parliamentarians said. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe should offer the conflicting states experts to help determine Mountainous Karabagh's political status. Both countries pledged to use only peaceful means to settle the conflict when they joined the organization in January 2001. The committee also condemned the expression of hatred propagated through media, and called for a Council of Europe action plan for mutual reconciliation involving the media, schools, and universities, as well as contacts between locally elected representatives. It is proposed that the report be debated by the Assembly at its next plenary session in Strasbourg to be held on January 24-28, 2005. 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) 2004 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. --Boundary_(ID_DY2M8B3O1enNU7uga+2DTg)--

ArmenPress
Nov 19 2004
TRANSIT RAILWAY FROM MOSCOW TO SOUTH CAUCASUS MAY BE RESTORED LATE IN
2005
MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: The head of Russian railroad
transport department Mikhail Akulov said the existing problems will
not hamper restoration of the main railway line from Russia to South
Caucasus in 2005. “The railway connection from Moscow to Georgian
capital Tbilisi, and from there to Armenia and Azerbaijan may be
restored in a year time,’ he told Russian reporters, adding that only
the economic aspect of the issue has to be solved.
He said next week a Russian-Georgian commission will meet to
discuss restoration of Russia-Georgia railway link. Georgia has
already presented its version of how much restoration of the railway
from Sukhumi, the capital of its breakaway region of Abkhazia, to
Samtredia station in Georgia will cost. According to approximate
estimation, some $40 million are required to rehabilitate the 187
km-long section.

ARMENIAN SPEAKER DISCUSSES COOPERATION WITH FRENCH, GERMAN DIPLOMATS
Noyan Tapan news agency
13 Nov 04
Yerevan, 12 November: The involvement of the South Caucasus in the
Expanded Europe: New Neighbours programme opens promising prospects for
the development of the whole region in terms of deepening democracy,
overcoming conflicts and implementing economic projects. The speaker
of the Armenian National Assembly, Artur Bagdasaryan, said this at
a meeting with the political directors of the foreign ministries
of France and Germany, Stanislas Lefebvre de Laboulaye and Michael
Scheffer, on 11 November.
The guests said that they were on a fact-finding tour of the South
Caucasus to find out about future developments in the region to which
the European Union attaches great importance.
The Noyan Tapan news agency learnt from the press service of the
Armenian National Assembly that the sides also discussed relations
between Armenia and Turkey. It was noted that Armenia was not against
Turkey’s membership of the European Union but was against double
standards in connection with the recognition of the genocide and the
elimination of the blockade which was impeding Armenia’s economic
development.
The political directors of the German and French Foreign Ministries
noted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in developing
the region and overcoming confrontation. The sides also noted the
importance of contacts and discussions both within the framework of
the Caucasus republics and Armenian-Turkish relations.

Philippine Star, Philippines
Nov 9 2004
Camacho stalks leaders by half point
The Philippine Star 11/09/2004
Unbeaten Cheradee Camacho continued to dish out awesome form as she
crushed Diana Baciu of Moldova Sunday to gain a share of third place
after five rounds of the World Youth Chess Championships at the Creta
Maris Hotel in Heraklio, Crete, Greece.
Ranked 20th in the girls’ 10-and-under category, Camacho marshaled
her white pieces to key squares, engaged her 12th seed rival to a
brief exchange in the middle game before essaying the big victory
that hiked her total to 4.5 points.
That was half-a-point behind third seed Mohana Priya of India and No.
4 Mary Arabidze of Georgia, who streaked to their fifth straight win
with victories over Melissa Greeff of South Africa and Nino Anakidze
of Georgia, respectively.
Chinese Xu Huahua, ranked 84th here, upended second seed Veronica
Foisor-Mihaela of Romania to share third place with Camacho.
Christy Bernales, meanwhile, disposed of Cubillos Ramirez of Colombia
to move to joint 20th with three points in the girls’ 12-and-under
division. She stood 1.5 points adrift of Irina Bulmaga of Moldova,
Zoi Iordanidou of Greece and Klaudia Kulon (ELO 1918) of Poland, who
tote identical 4.5 points.
Five other Filipino players drew their respective matches.
Jesus Alfonso Datu and Leo Daylo Jr. halved the point with Jure
Plaskan of Slovakia and Andrew Green of Scotland, respectively, in
the boys’ 14-and-under division but were too far behind the leaders
with only 1.5 points to show. IM Ildar Khairullin of Russia, Daniel
Ludwig of the USA and Lopez Ivan Salgado of Spain shared the lead
with identical 4.5 points.
Also settling for draws were Kimberly Jane Cunanan and Geneline De
Ramos in the 14-and-under and 18-and-under classes, respectively, and
Jayveelyn Fronda in the 18-and-under category.
Wesley So suffered his second straight setback, losing to FM Eltaj
Safarli of Azerbaijan in the boys’ 12-and-under class while Prince
Mark Aquino bowed to Davit Shahinyan of Armenia in the boys’
10-and-under category. Julius Joseph De Ramos also succumbed to FM
Tiberiu Manescu of Romania in the 18-and-under division.

Kazinform, Kazakhstan
Nov. 5, 2004
NATO chief to visit Azerbaijan, Armenia.
Astana – Baku / Yerevan, November 5 KAZINFORM — NATO Secretary General
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will hold negotiations with the leadership of
Azerbaijan Friday and will then fly to Armenia.
The NATO chief, who arrived in Azerbaijan Thursday from Georgia on a
tour of South Caucasus, will meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyubov in charge of cooperation with
the alliance, and Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov.
Diplomatic sources in Bakusaid the talks would focus on expanded ties
between Azerbaijan and NATO both in the framework of the Partnership
for Peace plan and the program of individual cooperation. The parties
will also discuss the fight against terrorism within the international
coalition, Kazinform refers to Itar-Tass.
Another topic will be the preparation for a seminar of the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly on the situation in South Caucasus scheduled in
Baku in the end of November.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will then proceed to Armenia to meet the leaders
of the republic and enhance the positions of the alliance in the
country. He said the alliance is ready to work with all the countries
of South Caucasus on the basis of their priorities.
He stressed in an interview that Armenia is a proof that any country
may develop close relations with Russia and simultaneously be an active
NATO partner.

Good laws, weak practice put media freedom at risk
By Warren Hedges
The Messenger, Georgia
29 Oct. 2004
The OSCE’s text on repealing criminal libel laws
‘Ending the chilling Effect’ was authored in part
by Georgia’s Prosecutor General Zurab Adeishvili
Already facing heavy criticism for its treatment of human rights
concerns and respect for political plurality, the Georgian government
received serious criticism this week for its record on access to
information and press freedoms.
Over 50 Journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia gathered in
Tbilisi October 26-27 for the First South Caucasus Media Conference
sponsored by the OSCE office of Freedom of the Media and the OSCE
Mission to Georgia.
On the one hand, organizers said that Georgia is at the forefront
of media freedom by passing some of the world’s most liberal laws on
defamation in July this year that decriminalized libel and slander,
meaning that journalists no longer have to fear jail time in case
they are accused.
OSCE’s representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti,
who hosted the conference, noted Georgia “belongs to the vanguard
not just in the CIS, Eastern Europe or even Western Europe but also
globally. It is among the five countries in the world that have
decriminalized libel.”
The other country’s where libel laws carry no criminal liability
– though they preserve civil liability – are the United States,
Moldova, Ukraine and Bosnia Herzegovina. By lifting the fear of
criminal prosecution, the OSCE’s Haraszti noted that these countries
reinforce modern civilization where journalists cannot be arrested
if someone disagrees with what they print or broadcast.
While Georgia’s legal statutes won praise, media analysts express
serious concern over how the laws are enforced and how the government
respects media freedom in practice.
Earlier this month, the media freedom watchdog Article 19 published a
report on Freedom of Information and the Media in Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia and criticized the new Georgian government for its
failure to provide free access to information and several incidents
of officials intimidating journalists.
Article 19’s Europe Program Officer Iryna Smolina authored the report
and also attended the Tbilisi conference where she told The Messenger
that the new government has employed the “chameleon method” whereby
“they changed names and changed their declarations but they have
retained the same methods with the media.”
In a survey of journalists and government officials in Georgia,
Article 19 found that both groups agreed that public bodies are under
a legal obligation to provide information to the public. But Smolina
explains that official bodies under the new government have an even
worse record of releasing public information.
Over the first nine months of the year, Article 19 has documented
numerous cases when journalists attempts to gain public information
have been denied through delays, procedural problems such as the
restructuring of government offices and the absence of official
offices to handle freedom of information requests.
In its report commissioned by the OSCE, Article 19 notes that despite
the Rose Revolution in Georgia, “public institutions until now retained
the secrecy and the attitudes of their predecessor regimes.”
The report also includes several cases of intimidation of journalists
that have occurred in 2004. In addition to the highly-publicized case
of Gori editor Rezo Okruashvili, who was jailed on planted evidence,
Article 19 records the cases of journalists who were threatened and/or
attacked by government officials and members of the National Movement.
In May 2004, the editor of a regional Kakheti paper was beaten in an
attack he said was inspired by local authorities. Then in July he was
attacked again and robbed. A day after the robbery he recognized the
attacker as a member of the ruling party and a close friend of the
local gamgebeli.
While lawyer Iryna Smolina says that better government policies are
needed, she also notes that Georgian media must do more to create
independent editorial policies. Many journalists, she says, have put
themselves in a weak position through self-censorship and unwillingness
to learn or use many of the laws that exist for their protection. “The
only way to make the laws work is to use the law,” she says.
A day after the OSCE conference closed Georgia received another wake-up
call when independent watchdog Reporters Without Borders announced
its third annual worldwide index of press freedom, dropping Georgia
to 94th position out of 167 countries. In 2003, Georgia ranked 73rd
out of 166 countries.
In a brief explanation of Georgia’s ranking, Reporters Without Borders
said the drop “is largely due to unrest in the autonomous republics
of Adjara and Abkhazia, which gave rise to press freedom violations.”
That report covers events from September 1, 2003 through September 1,
2004, and is based on questionnaires sent to partner organizations
of Reporters Without Borders, as well as to journalists, researchers,
jurists and human rights activists.