Author: Zargarian Hambik

Pan Armenian News

GERMANY – ARMENIA’S SECOND LARGEST DONOR AFTER US

25.05.2005 05:17

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Germany has become Armenia’s second largest donor after
the United States of America, German Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Armenia Dr. Heike Renate Peitsch stated in an interview
with PanARMENIAN.Net. In her words, thus far the German Government has
committed a total of about 169,5 million for the economic cooperation with
Armenia. She noted that since Armenian independence our both countries have
developed very friendly and intense relations in all relevant fields. The
main projects of the Technical Cooperation are such as promotion of Small
and Medium Enterprises as well as of Local Authorities. The German-Armenian
Financial Cooperation includes three main sectors: the energy sector, the
rehabilitation of communal infrastructure (water supply and waste water
systems) and the promotion of financial and private sector. As a result of
the bilateral negotiations in April 2005 in Bonn an amount of 27 million
has been allocated for the biannium 2005/2006. When responding to the
question referring to possible joint economic or tourism programs, the
Ambassador mentioned of some very promising German investments in Armenia.
`German companies are examining or preparing a stronger engagement in
Armenia. But let me stress the fact that it is the responsibility of the
Armenian government to create a friendly environment for foreign investments
e.g. by a transparent legal system’, she added.

Eurasianet Organization
May 24 2005

GEORGIA, RUSSIA INCH CLOSE TO TROOP WITHDRAWAL ACCORD
Photos by Alexander Klimchuk: 5/24/05

The stop-start negotiations over the Russian withdrawal from two
military bases on Georgian territory may be finally drawing to a
close. Both sides have reported “serious progress” during the latest
round of talks, as Moscow signaled a willingness to take its troops
out of Georgia in 2008.

Georgian and Russian negotiators came close to striking a deal in
early May, but the agreement fell apart over disagreement on a
precise withdrawal timetable. Georgian leaders wanted the two Russian
bases – in Batumi and Akhalkalaki – to be vacated by the end of 2007.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov scuttled the deal, saying more
time was needed to find new accommodations for departing Russian
troops. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Speaking after a negotiating round on May 23, Georgian Foreign
Minister Salome Zourabichvili declared that the two sides had
clarified “secondary questions,” and would concentrate on the
withdrawal timetable issue when talks resumed May 24. Russian special
envoy Igor Savolsky said Moscow is amenable to a step-by-step
withdrawal, in which the last Russian forces would leave Georgia at
some point in 2008. Georgian leaders previously resisted a 2008
deadline, citing the fact that it is also an election year in
Georgia. However, it now appears that Tbilisi will give serious
consideration to the Russian proposal.

“Russian proposals concerning the timetable and regime for the
removal of bases and the setting up of an anti-terrorist center may
be acceptable for us. … Whether the bases leave by January 1, 2008,
or in May that year is not that important,” the Kavkasia Press news
agency quoted Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze as saying.

Part of the cost of getting Russian troops to leave, as Burjanadze
indicated, may be the establishment of a joint anti-terrorism center,
which would enable Russia to maintain a toe-hold in Georgia. Some
Georgian opposition politicians, including New Rights Party leader
David Gamkrelidze, warned that Russia would use such an entity to
continue exerting geopolitical influence over Georgia.

“We are making a serious mistake by allowing [Moscow] to replace its
bases in Georgia with a joint anti-terrorist center. As a result, we
will accept a legalized anti-terrorist center, staffed with the same
Russian servicemen and equipment, in place of illegal military
bases,” Gamkrelidze said in comments broadcast by Imedi television.
Gamkrelidze was referring to a parliamentary resolution, adopted in
March, in which the legislature called on President Mikheil
Saakashvili’s administration to declare the Russian bases illegal in
the event a withdrawal timetable was not agreed upon by mid May. So
far, Saakashvili has not formally acted on the non-binding
resolution. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

In Moscow, Russian leaders seem to be laying the groundwork for
public acceptance of a withdrawal accord. Russian President Vladimir
Putin, in a meeting with the editorial staff of the Komsomolskaya
Pravda newspaper on May 23, downplayed the strategic significance of
the bases. “They are not bases, but just places where Soviet soldiers
were always located. These bases are not of interest for us in terms
of Russia’s security issues – this is the opinion of the Russian
General Staff,” Putin said.

Preliminary withdrawal plans call for Moscow to re-locate a portion
of its forces now stationed in Georgia to neighboring Armenia,
Russia’s strongest ally in the South Caucasus. The planned troop
transfer has caught the attention of Azerbaijan, as Azeri officials
fear that such a troop realignment could provide Armenia with a boost
in the ongoing search for a Nagorno-Karabakh peace settlement. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. On May 23, the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry passed a diplomatic note to Russian
officials stating that the planned reinforcement of Russian forces in
Armenia “does not serve the interests of peace and security in the
region.”

In Akhalkalaki, roughly 125 miles southwest of Tbilisi, life at the
Russian base, as the accompanying photos by Alexander Klimchuk
illustrate, continues to follow its normal pace. Perhaps the people
most anxious about the pending withdrawal agreement are local
residents. The Akhalkalaki base is a major employer for residents of
the surrounding area, many of whom are ethnic Armenians. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Local residents are
concerned that once the Russian forces leave, economic opportunities
will evaporate. Georgian government officials have tried to reassure
the ethnic Armenian population, pledging to provide additional
support for the maintenance of the existing socio-economic
infrastructure. However, such pledges do not assuage Akhalkalaki’s
ethnic Armenian community leaders, who note that government efforts
to improve local economic conditions, undertaken since Saakashvili
became president in January 2004, have produced few noticeable
results to date.

Armenpress

CONCEPT OF VENTURING AND A DRAFT LAW READY FOR PARLIAMENT’S CONSIDERATION

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS: The Eurasia Foundation has assisted the
Corporate Governance Center to develop a concept for introduction of
venturing system in Armenia, as well as a draft law on venturing funds.
Vladimir Badalian, the executive director of the Association of Armenian
Banks, said the concept and the bill are to be sent soon to parliament’s
consideration.
The concept was based on an extensive study of around 100 countries’
experience. Introduction of venturing funds is believed to provide an
opportunity for funding innovation projects and to help their practical
application-to set up new enterprises able to manufacture competitive
products. This is supposed to encourage economy development and promote
especially exports. Badalian said the idea of venturing needs to be
advertised aggressively among Armenian businessmen. He added there are
businessmen who are ready to invest in specific projects, if tests show they
are profitable

Armenpress

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS FRENCH “NO’ TO EU CONSTITUTION WOULD HARM
ARMENIA’S INTERESTS

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS: As polls in France indicate that more and
more voters will vote “No” to the European Constitution in the 29 May
referendum, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian argued in an interview
to Armenpress that the “No” of the French may lead to complexities within
the European Union, as France’s demeanor as of a key European player is
likely to predestine, in many respects, future development in the Continent.
“I simply cannot imagine France and the French, the driving force of the
EU to move in a different direction at this critical point,’ Oskanian said,
arguing that the “No” vote would result in the decreased role and influence
of France in Europe, which would in turn damage Armenia’s interests, as
France is a defender and a proponent of further strengthening of ties with
Armenia in view of its recent inclusion in European Neighborhood Policy
(ENP).
Oskanian said also that he could understand French Armenians’ concerns
who called recently on president Chirac to postpone the October 3 talks with
Turkey over its EU membership. “Armenia has too expressed its concerns over
Turkey’s failure to meet a set of EU membership requirements, particularly
its persistent denial of the Armenian genocide and the blockade of Armenia,
but we do not see any connection between the European Constitution and
Turkey’s EU membership,” Oskanian said.
“On the contrary, we believe that by saying “Yes” to the Constitution the
French would make their country’s position stronger on the European stage,
which would benefit also Armenia,’ Oskanian said. A majority of decided
voters would reject the European Constitution in France, according to a poll
by Ipsos published in Le Figaro. 51 per cent of respondents would oppose the
body of law in this month’s referendum. The governing center-right Union for
a Popular Movement (UMP) and the left-left Socialist Party (PS) are both in
favor of the European Constitution. The Communist Party (PC) and the
right-wing National Front (FN) have rejected the proposed body of law. The
constitution requires ratification from all member states to come into
effect in November 2006.

Sun-Sentinel, FL
May 24 2005

We must stop recurring genocide

Jack Rosenbaum
Boca Raton

Morally, Jonathan Gurwitz’s opinion piece, “A moral issue that people
are ducking,” points to a few segments of our population.

First, the press and general media. I am constantly distressed by the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s and general media choices of front-page
news. Had Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and, now, Darfur
been on the front pages, politicians, people of moral conscience and
the world would take better notice. Mr. Gurwitz understands this.

Second, if every school would include service learning and moral
consciousness in its curricula, our national leaders would be shamed
into doing what is morally correct. It seems that “Never Again” are
just two words that ring hollow. Our government has labled what is
happening in Sudan as genocide; how much more clearly can this be
stated?

All persons of conscience must inform their representatives, sign
petitions and become educated when governments choose to
“exterminate” the opposition. Our representatives in Congress and the
executive branch can do much more.

Perhaps our government devalues lives when those lives happen to be
lived in countries that are of no use to our economic and political
interests. Shame on our representatives and shame on you, the media,
for self-interest.

Show the tragedy. Elie Wiesel also said, “The opposite of love is not
hate; it is indifference.” The Muslims of Darfur who are being
targeted for extermination need attention and action. They are as
worthwhile as the people of Iraq. Why do we keep repeating genocide?
Our schools, our government and the fourth estate can make a
difference. So, stop ducking, already.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN INTERNET RESOURCES HOPE FOR MUTUALLY
ACCEPTABLE AND JUST SOLUTION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM IN THE FRAME OF
PRAGUE PROCESS

YEREVAN, May 24. /ARKA/. Representatives of Armenian internet
resources hope for mutually acceptable and just solution of Karabakh
problem in the frame of Prague process that will take into account the
interests of all sides of the conflict, Armenian internet resources’
representatives say in their joint statement sent Tuesday to ARKA News
Agency on Prague negotiation process and principles of Karabakh
conflict settlement. “We see no contradiction between the principles
of nation self-determination right and territorial integrity. Both
principles can be applied in Karabakh problem solution”, the statement
says. Internet resources representatives also stressed in their
statement that Armenian side has never come up with territorial claims
to Azerbaijan: it means Azerbaijan’s borders can remain intact. On the
other hand, international law provides full and unconditional right to
nations to reach self-determination as a result of democratic process
and this very right was used by Artsakh people casing their votes for
sovereign independent state in the 1991 referendum. “Regardless
Azerbaijan Republic’s, Armenia’s or any other country’s consent or
disagreement, Artsakh people wish was expressed in the most democratic
way and completely conformed to former soviet and current
international law”, the statement says. In connection with that, the
statement emphasizes that any haggling, pressure and blackmailing are
absolutely unacceptable either to Armenian or Azeri nation. “The
right to determine its future fully belongs to people residing on
their territories – to Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Even decisions made
by heads of states without taking into account public opinion will be
considered illegitimate and not subject to implementation”, the
internet resources representatives say.

Armenia.ru (), Forum on Artsakh.info,
(), ArtsakhWorld (),
Genocide.ru (), Armenian Pride
() have signed up the
statement. M.V. -0–

Reports: Russian servicemen detained in Georgia
By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI

The Associated Press
05/20/05 16:38 EDT

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – Four Russian servicemen from a base in
Georgia were briefly detained Friday amid a dispute between the two
former Soviet republics over a timetable for ending Moscow’s military
presence in the neighboring nation, media reported.

The servicemen were briefly held in the Black Sea port of Batumi,
where one of Russia’s two military bases in Georgia is located. In
televised comments, police said the soldiers were drunk and had been
offending people.

An employee at an office of President Mikhail Saakashvili’s political
party in Batumi said on Rustavi-2 television that the Russians came
to the office and cursed at staff. One of the detainees denied that,
telling Rustavi-2 that they had been walking down the street and
minding their own business.

Russian military officials said the men were sober and that their
detention appeared to be a provocation, Russia’s Interfax news agency
reported. They were returned to the Russian base several hours after
being detained, it said.

Georgia and Russia have been unable to agree on a timetable for the
withdrawal of the bases, which have been a source of growing animosity
as Saakashvili and his government seek to shake off Russian influence.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko was quoted by
Russian news agencies this week as saying Moscow’s latest offer was
to complete the pullout in the course of 2008, but Georgia wants the
bases out by January 2008.

A new round of negotiations is to be held Monday in Tbilisi.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s government expressed concern over a statement
Thursday by the chief of the Russian military’s general staff that
some equipment from the bases in Georgia could be transferred to
the territory of Azerbaijan’s foe Armenia, where Moscow also has a
military presence.

“We would not like this. We are concerned because the situation in
he region is very sensitive,” Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
told journalists in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a bitter dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inside Azerbaijan that has been under the
control of ethnic Armenians since the early 1990s, following fighting
that killed an estimated 30,000 people.

A cease-fire was signed in 1994, but the enclave’s political
status has not been determined and shooting breaks out frequently.
International efforts to broker a settlement have so far failed,
and the threat of a new war remains.

Winnipeg Sun, Canada
May 20 2005

CD Review: System of a Down: Mezmerize

Indispensible System

By DARRYL STERDAN — Winnipeg Sun

System of a Down
Mezmerize
(Columbia/Sony BMG)

If you buy just one album this year by an Armenian-American avant-metal
band … well, you’ll still be missing one.

Mezmerize, the first album in four years from L.A. foursome System
of a Down, is also their first of two discs this year. The other —
Hypnotize — is due in November. And if it’s even half as intense and
insane as this 36-minute conniption fit of ferocity and freakiness,
the return of Old Man Winter won’t be so bad.

Helmed by producer Rick Rubin, the 11-cut Mezmerize might be the
sharpest and most potent work of the band’s career, with massive riffs,
huge choruses, thundering beats and a guitar sound razor-sharp enough
to slice off the top of your head.

Even better: On top of all that aggression, there’s still plenty
of the band’s trademark absurdity. Guitarist and chief songwriter
Daron Malakian’s arrangements are ADD masterpieces that gene-splice
everything from metal and punk to surf and Armenian folk. Plus he’s
got one helluva crazed shriek that complements singer Serj Tankian’s
wobbly Jello Biafran yowl quite nicely.

Toss in some political lyrics laced with sardonic symbolism (“My c–
is much bigger than yours”) and enough ’70s-rock harmonies to make
Freddie Mercury jealous, and you’ve got a band that qualifies as the
missing link between Frank Zappa and Rage Against the Machine. And
in Mezmerize, you’ve got the first half of what could very well be
one of the year’s most indispensible double-plays.

Track Listing:

1. Soldier Side – Intro
2. B.Y.O.B.
3. Revenga
4. Cigaro
5. Radio/Video
6. This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I’m On This Song
7. Violent Pornography
8. Question!
9. Sad Statue
10. Old School Hollywood
11. Lost in Hollywood

Azerbaijan News Sevice
May 17 2005

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS ONCE AGAIN CONFIRM LOYALTY TO
PEACEFUL SOLUTION
2005-05-17 19:34

Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia have once again confirmed their
interest in achieving the solution of Daqliq Qarabaq problems through
peaceful means. OSCE Minsk group Co-chairmen says on a joint statement
issued on the results of meeting of Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan
in Warsaw, Poland. The statement says the leaders of Azerbaijan
and Armenia had bilateral talks on May 15 on the eve of Council
of Europe summit. According to the results Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of both countries were charged to continue cooperation with
OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen on the basis of positive results which
were achieved during the meeting taken place within the framework of
“Prague process” negotiations in order to start elaboration of mutually
acceptable suggestions. For the time being co-chairmen are drawing
out a schedule for next round of consultations between parties. The
statements says Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister and his French
counterpart Michel Barnier participated in the enlarged meeting and
expressed support on behalf of their nations for OSCE Minsk group
co-chairmen and adherence to peaceful solution. Steven Mann, OSCE
co-chairman representing United States of America made analogical
statements. He pointed out that heads of Azerbaijan and Armenia had
eye-to-eye meeting during two hours while co-chairmen met Foreign
Ministers at that time. At the end Presidents of both countries
acquainted co-chairmen with their thoughts conclusions.

FOLLOWING MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS

A1plus

| 15:58:14 | 20-05-2005 | Politics |

The following meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan about the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is planned for
the coming June. It will be organized according to the usual format,
with the participation of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs.

“I cannot tell you the exact date and place of the meeting. The are
problems about it as the Ministers have other plans as compared to
those of Minsk group co-heads”, said OSCE Minsk group co-head Yurij
Merzlyakov, according to the internet site day.az.