Category: News

Council of Europe rapporteur pleased with Azeri local polls
Ekspress, Baku
22 Dec 04
A co-rapporteur of the Monitoring Group of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe has described the 17 December municipal
elections in Azerbaijan as “another step towards democracy”. In
his interview with Ekspress newspaper, he also called on Baku
“to seriously investigate irregularities in the elections and take
relevant steps”. The following is the text of Alakbar Raufoglu report
by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on 22 December headlined “Gross does
not want us to call the Armenians occupiers” and subheaded “The PACE
Monitoring Group co-rapporteur is both satisfied and dissatisfied with
the municipal elections”. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
“We have closely observed the municipal elections in
Azerbaijan. Generally, the voting both satisfied and dissatisfied
us. The major concerns were naturally about the identification of voter
lists, something that was noted during the previous elections. In any
case, Azerbaijan’s relevant authorities should have taken specific
measures in connection with the voter lists and fully resolved the
problem over the past time. But generally, we are fully satisfied with
both our visit and the elections,” the co-rapporteur of the Monitoring
Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [MG PACE]
on Azerbaijan, Andreas Gross, said as he was commenting to Ekspress
on the results of his visit to Azerbaijan.
“Another step towards democracy”
He said that the municipal elections “can be described as another step
towards democracy in Azerbaijan”. At the same time, the PACE Monitoring
Group calls on Baku to “seriously investigate irregularities in the
elections and take relevant steps”.
“Anyhow, the fact that some opposition parties did not stand in
the race is food for thinking, its reasons should be investigated,
shortcomings should be found and, if necessary, political debates
should be held and the problem should be resolved altogether,”
Gross said.
Touching on the domestic political situation in Azerbaijan, the
co-rapporteur said that human rights, democracy, elections and the
freedom of the press “were seriously discussed” during his meetings
in Baku. “We were given specific promises, and mechanisms are being
prepared to keep them. Probably after that, we will be able to reveal
those promises in full details. I can only say that the mentioned
issues are in the constant spotlight of the PACE Monitoring Group,”
he said.
Final report to come next month
The PACE Monitoring Group rapporteurs can hardly accomplish their
mission shortly, since there is still much to be done, Gross said. “We
are working, becoming familiar with the country and making our
proposals. Therefore, we will pay many visits.”
The PACE Monitoring Group will issue its final report on the outcomes
of the municipal elections next month. The process is currently being
investigated “in full detail”, Gross said.
The Monitoring Group experts are expected to discuss their observations
at a session of a PACE sub-committee next week. After that, the
Monitoring Group will prepare a relevant report.
Call for concessions
The Nagornyy Karabakh problem was also discussed during Gross’s
current visit. It was connected to the hearings that will be held on
the mentioned issue at the forthcoming session of PACE. “The fact that
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict remains unresolved creates obstacles
to resolving other problems in the region,” the co-rapporteur said.
The extension of the negotiations on Karabakh “becomes a serious
obstacle” to the political and economic development in Azerbaijan, he
said. The Council of Europe can only express an independent opinion
and make a proposal on any problem. “As we mentioned last time,
we made some proposals on the issue, but nobody is listening to them.”
Stressing that preparatory seminars for the hearings on the Nagornyy
Karabakh settlement will be held at PACE, the co-rapporteur said that
he and his colleagues had presented the parties with their ideas on
a peaceful solution, “but they have not been officially discussed
yet since they are formal”.
Both parties to the conflict should make concessions for a successful
solution to the problem, Gross said. “It does not bring success
to the settlement process to search for an occupier or a victim,
on the contrary, it complicates the peace negotiations,” he said,
stressing that it is necessary for the parties to make concessions.
“This is the most important precondition for the existing
dialogue. I became familiar with the living conditions of Azerbaijani
refugees. They live in hard conditions and say that the conflict
should be resolved in any way. I think a conclusion should be made
from this concern by the refugees. It does not give credence to
Azerbaijan to harp on Armenia’s aggression in the peace process,
because it is impossible to bring up growing generations in the two
countries in the spirit of animosity against each other,” he said.
Gross said that since the Karabakh issue is a direct obligation of Baku
and Yerevan, the mission wants to investigate this problem closely.
Saying that the refugees are “a heavy burden for both parties”,
the European visitor noted that one does not have to put the whole
blame on the fact of occupation. “It would not be nice to make such
statements during the negotiations.”
As for the formats of the settlement process, Gross said that he
“does not want to go deep into details” and “is in favour of taking
facts as a basis” in solving the conflict.
The rapporteur also said that he intends to visit Nagornyy Karabakh,
become familiar with the internal situation there and investigate
official Baku’s accusations that it is used as a region for drug
trafficking. This visit will probably take place early next year.

MINSK GROUP AND OSCE SPECIAL MISSION TO VISIT TERRITORIES UNDER NAGORNO
KARABAKHâ~@~YS CONTROL IN JANUARY
Azg/arm
24 Dec 04
On January 25 the OSCE special mission and the Minsk group co-chairs
are going to visit the South Caucasian region, particularly the
territories supervised by Nagorno Karabakh forces, to make sure whether
Armenia really carries out a policy of mastering and inhabiting the
territories administratively belonging to Azerbaijan or not. The
7th meeting of Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers is envisaged in
mid-January in Prague.
Baku claims that Armenia is inhabiting the territories under Karabakh’s
control but Yerevan declines the condemnation telling that there
are only few inhabitants on the territories who were forced out from
Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. The Azeri foreign minister claimed
at the UN General Assembly on November 23 that 13 thousand Armenians
were moved to the region of Lachin.
At his recent press conference Armenian foreign minister, Vartan
Oskanian, noted that an observers’ mission to the security zone is
not troubling for us. Moreover, it is Azerbaijan that has to worry
because of inhabiting Shahumian and Getashen regions, minister said.
“The group of observers will arrive to collect facts and to assess
the situation. It may be surprising for Azerbaijan that most of
the inhabitants are the refugees from Shahumian, Getashen and North
Martakert”, Oskanian said.
The minister of defense also noted few days ago that he sees no
danger in observers’ mission. “Firstly, our state implements no
policy of inhabitation and secondly, the world knows that there is
a strip of security. I think this will be a good chance for us too
to find out whether, say, the region of Shahumian and other regions
are inhabited with Azeris or not. And whether Azerbaijan is engaged
in the inhabitation process or not”, Serge Sargsian said.
The UN Commission on Economic, Social and Cultural Issues expressed
concern on November 26 over the fact of confiscating the property of
the Armenians and other minorities by the Azeri settlers and advised
Baku to take measures to compensate for “illegal confiscation”
or provide alternative settlements to the Armenians and the other
ethnic minorities.
Azerbaijan carries out state policy of inhabiting occupied Armenian
villages in Shahumian, and in Northern Martakert. In 2002 the late
Azeri president Heydar Aliyev participated in an official ceremony
of inhabiting one thousand Azeri families in the Armenian villages of
Shahumian and Verin Shen regions after which the villages were renamed.
The new French co-chair to the Minsk group, Bernard Fassie, will
visit the region on January 25 after the Minsk group’s mission. The
latter’s appointment, as a chairman did no come as a surprise as the
former chairman, Henry Jacolin has retired. Fassie took part at the
meeting of Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammediarov in
Sofia on December 5.
Who is Bernard Fassie? Before his assignment as Minsk group
co-chairman, he was the EUâ~@~Ys representative to Bosnia and
Herzegovina in 2002. A specialist of Russian language and international
relations, Fassie served as French ambassador to Byelorussia in
1997-2002, worked at the French embassy of Georgia in 1993-1997 and
at the Swiss embassy in 1990-1993. Fassie is a graduate of the San
Siro Military Academy.
By Tatoul Hakobian
–Boundary_(ID_Th1mzB8MuUYqxmiOK4WeSA)–

FRENCH PRIME MINISTER REMINDS TURKEY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Azg/arm
24 Dec 04
Turkey waxes indignant every time the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide floats to the surface. Today, when the EU gave green light
to starting accession talks, Turkey is furiously balking at the idea
of Genocide recognition whenever European officials hint about it.
The French foreign minister Michel Barnier was one of those officials
who stated at the EU ministers’ get-together in Brussels on December
13 that Turkey has to put up with its past because France is going
to propose the issue of the Armenian tragedy during the talks.
Turkey was taken by surprise when Michel Barnier used the term
“Armenian genocide” instead of “Armenian tragedy” in his speech at
the French National Assembly on December 14 and in an interview to
French RTL radio on December 20.
Turkey’s response came on December 21 on the pages of Miliyetand
Radical. The Turkish newspapers wrote that though the French National
Assembly enacted a law in 2001 recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
the members of French government are cautious in using the term
“genocide”, and Barnier was the first to use it on December 14.
The French prime minister, Pierre Raffarin, followed Barnierâ~@~Ys
example soon after. In a parliament sitting to discuss Turkey-related
issues Raffarin reminded the Armenian Genocide, underscoring that the
Genocide issue together with the Kurdish issue will be brought before
Turkey. TurkishZamanin its turn responded to prime ministerâ~@~Ys
words on December 22.
By Hakob Chakrian
–Boundary_(ID_lcguzbAwjH6/y1ewSHKJ5A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
12/23/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// OUR NEXT ISSUE Due to the holiday schedule, our next posting will appear on Monday, December 27 1) Russia Ready to Serve 'Only as Guarantor' in MKR Resolution 2) Community Raises $65,000 for Washington Hai Tahd Activities 3) Turkey, Syria Sign Free Trade Agreement 4) Additional Pension to Genocide Survivors 5) Ninth Graders Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas 6) Former ARS Sponsored Student Gives the ARS a Boost 7) An ARS Perspective: Creating Community Dialogue in Studio City 8) OPINION: Good News for a Change 9) Special Christmas and New Year's Eve Programs on Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television 1) Russia Ready to Serve 'Only as Guarantor' in MKR Resolution MOSCOW (RIA Novosti)--Russia is ready to mediate the Karabagh conflict settlement process and serve only as a guarantor, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference in Moscow on Thursday. "We have formulated our approach; we are ready to act as an intermediary and a guarantor of the agreements possible between the parties to the conflict--Armenia and Azerbaijan," the president told a news conference. "We do not want to become a long-term unfavorable partner for [either] one of the parties. We are unwilling to assume responsibility for that," he said, stressing that the two sides have to reach agreement on their own. Pointing to Russia's presence in the Caucasus for centuries, he said "We have our own interests in the South Caucasus. These interests should be assured but, of course, they also have to go with the interests of other nations, including Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan." According to the president, Russia has been pursuing proactive policies in the region. 2) Community Raises $65,000 for Washington Hai Tahd Activities WASHINGTON, DC--On December 3, heeding the call of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Armenian community of Washington, DC expressed its support for ARF's pan-Armenian activities by collecting $65,000 at a fundraising reception at the home of Gourgen and Margaret Assaturian. Along with many ARF supporters and benefactors, Armenia's Ambassador to the US Dr. Arman Kirakossian, and Mrs. Kirakossian, ARF Bureau members Vicken Hovsepian and Garo Armenian, and representatives of the ARF Central Committee attended the reception. The evening commenced with a welcoming by Gourgen Assaturian, who thanked the guests' enthusiastic response to attend the fundraising function, and encouraging the ARF in its continuous struggle for the world-wide recognition of the Armenian Case. He was followed by Armenian, who spoke of the many challenges Armenians face and the necessity to unite in facing those challenges; he also stressed the importance of turning the scattered communities of the diaspora into an effective political force, dedicated to the strengthening of Armenian national statehood. As the main speaker of the day, Hovsepian expressed his appreciation for the moral and financial commitment of the Washington community to the work of the ARF and their zeal to make their success possible. Hovsepian comprehensively presented the voluminous work of the ARF in both Armenia and the diaspora, stressing that these advancements would be impossible to even conceive without the dependable contribution of supporters devoted to the mission of ARF. 3) Turkey, Syria Sign Free Trade Agreement DAMASCUS (Reuters)--Turkey and Syria signed a free trade agreement on Wednesday and discussed how to keep Iraq united and stable despite the violence sweeping their neighbor. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew to Damascus on a two-day visit aimed at cementing improved ties between the two countries which nearly went to war in 1998 over Turkish charges that Syria was harboring Turkish Kurdish guerrillas. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a landmark visit to Turkey in January to bury the hatchet after years of tension over the rebels and disputes over land and water resources. This visit comes days after the European Union's historic decision last week to start accession talks with Turkey. Syria is also seeking closer ties with the EU. "This visit shows how far our trade, economic, and political ties have developed since President Assad's historic trip," Erdogan told reporters in Damascus. Erdogan signed a free trade zone agreement with Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari and discussed possible Turkish investments in Syria and joint agriculture projects. "The economic and trade ties between our two countries would from now on be governed by the agreements that we have signed," Erdogan said. He said the deal would allow investments by Turkish firms in Syria, currently at $150 million, to increase rapidly. Otari said Syria was looking for capital to develop its mainly state-controlled economy. "Our goal at this stage is comprehensive development," he said. Syrian Information Minister Mahdi Dakhl-Allah said the agreement was expected to double the size of bilateral trade which currently stands at around $1 billion annually. He said better trade ties with Syria would open up the Arab markets for Turkey. "Syria is Turkey's gate to the Arab world." UNITY OF IRAQ Erdogan and Otari said they also discussed Iraq. Otari was quoted by the official Syrian news agency SANA as saying during the meeting that the US-led war in Iraq failed to bring peace and stability to the region and freedom and democracy to Iraqis. The Turkish prime minister also held talks with Assad, which most likely touched on Iraq, where elections are scheduled for Jan. 30 despite an upsurge of violence. Syria and Turkey, both with restless Kurdish minorities, are worried about any possible break up of Iraq and fear the establishment of a separate Kurdish state in northern Iraq. Dakhl-Allah said both Turkey and Syria wanted to see a stable Iraq and agreed its unity must be preserved. Before his visit to Damascus, Erdogan called President George W. Bush and urged him to act against Kurdish separatists operating from northern Iraq, Turkish officials said. Ankara, one of Washington's key regional allies, is uneasy with the US-led occupation of Iraq and refused to allow US forces to invade from Turkish soil in 2003. Syria, which opposed the invasion, is under intense pressure from the United States for allegedly allowing foreign fighters to cross its border into Iraq to join the insurgency there. Erdogan, who was accompanied by several ministers and dozens of Turkish businessmen, would attend a meeting of Syrian and Turkish businessmen in Damascus on Wednesday evening. He heads to Aleppo in northern Syria on Thursday before returning home. 4) Additional Pension to Genocide Survivors YEREVAN (A1plus)--In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, the Armenian Government has decided to provide a monthly supplement of 5,000 dram, in addition to regular monthly pensions, to survivors who were born in Western Armenia and other territories of Ottoman Turkey before 1915. The payments will begin on January 1, 2005. 5) Ninth Graders Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas Homeroom Class Sponsors Village of Margahovit for Eye Screenings NEWPORT BEACH"The spirit of Christmas is in giving, not receiving," says Miriam Samoniantz, a teacher at Mesrobian Armenian School in Pico Rivera, California. She infused the Christmas spirit in her ninth-grade students by encouraging them to participate in the Armenian EyeCare Project's (AECP) Adopt-A-Village Program. "It really is a wonderful feeling to give unselfishly." Samoniantz learned about the Adopt-A-Village Program from her parents, Choren and Flora Manukian, who are patients of AECP President Roger Ohanesian. The Manukians told their daughter about the AECP's program to help provide eye care to the thousands of Armenian people in the regions who cannot afford care. From March through November each year, the AECP's state of the art Mobile Eye Hospital follows a scheduled route throughout the country, providing eye care at no cost to vulnerable patients. The AECP doctors, nurses, and staff screen adults and children for eye disease and provide a complete eye examination with treatment, including surgery, when required. The most frequently performed surgery on the MEH is for cataracts. During the winter months, when weather prevents the MEH from traveling throughout the Marzes, it visits local nursing homes and orphanages. Since June of 2003, the start of the AECP's seven-year initiative "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes," the Mobile Eye Hospital has visited seven regions of Armenia, screened close to 40,000 people and performed approximately 2,500 surgeries and laser procedures. The Adopt-A-Village program invites donors to sponsor the screening and treatment of residents of a specific region or village in Armenia. The cost of adopting a village ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the population. Donors can choose a village that has special meaning to them, orlike Miriam Samoniantz and her classthey can select a village in an area that will soon be visited by the MEH so that they can help people with an immediate need. "When I heard about AECP's Adopt-A-Village Program, that's all I needed. I thought that this is something that my ninth grade homeroom can do," says Samoniantz. "The AECP is truly a wonderful organization. The doctors donate their time to help people. The idea that so many people could be helped by such a small amount was appealing." Samoniantz asked the seven boys and seven girls in her homeroom class: "How would you like to give the gift of eyesight to a village? It would be truly wonderful and unselfish of you." The 14-year-olds embraced the project, which began in October and ended in mid-December. They decided to adopt Margahovit because the AECP's Mobile Eye Hospital will visit the village early in 2005. Samoniantz, who has taught at Mesrobian Armenian School for 30 years, thought the project would be especially meaningful if the class started a Margahovit piggybank. Each day the students emptied their pocket change into the bank. Soon, the students went right to the piggybank first, emptied their pockets and purses, and then greeted their teacher. In 2½ months, the students raised $535 to adopt Margahovit. "They were ecstatic. They were very pleased with themselves," says Samoniantz. "The class realizes that they're giving the gift of sight to their brothers and sisters in Armenia. It was done unselfishly and willingly. I'm really proud of these kids." Samoniantz, who "definitely" plans to adopt another village with her students next year, says that her ninth grade class hopes that their efforts will motivate other schools and organizations to participate in the Adopt-A-Village program. Other AECP donors who have adopted a village include: Arch and Nelly Azizian, San Leandro, California; Diane Der Bogozian, Virginia; Haig and Gaylynne Der-Houssikian, Gainesville, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Jirair Hovnanian, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; Dickie Hovsepian, San Francisco, California; Eileen Barsamian Jennings, St. Petersburg, Florida; Dr. and Mrs. Onik Keshishian, Los Angeles, California; Bizer Simonian, Worcester, Massachusetts; and Mr. Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie Kulhajian, Piedmont, California. To discuss a special adoption program for you or your family and for a complete list of villages available for adoption, please contact the EyeCare Project on their toll free number, 866-448-2327. To learn more about the AECP, visit <;, or call 949-675-5767. To make a donation, call the AECP toll-free number, 1-866-GIV-AECP, donate online at mail a check to 518 South Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA 92662. 6) Former ARS Sponsored Student Gives the ARS a Boost --"I will never be able to repay the ARS," said Ajemian. GLENDALE--The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western US Regional Executive received an encouraging boost just in time for the holidays. An exciting office dedication at the ARS regional headquarters in Glendale, along with an elegant luncheon, with over 400 members in attendance, marked a memorable end to a great year. As a former ARS sponsored student, Abraham Ajemian, with his wife Antaram, returned the favor by sponsoring one of the ARS offices. Last May, as Mr. and Mrs. Ajemian accompanied ARS members on a trip to ARS project sites in Armenia and Karabagh, they were inspired to do more for the ARS, in addition to the eight orphans they were already sponsoring through the ARS Sponsor-A-Child program. The ARS General Accountant/Controller of the Western Region, Jasik Jarahian, arranged for the sponsorship of one of the offices located on the second floor of the ARS Western Region headquarters building in Glendale. The generous donation of $20,000 was officially made during a luncheon, with ARS Regional Executive Vice-Chair, Sona Madarian, calling it "a day of celebration." Speaking on behalf of the Regional Executive, Madarian said, "There were, there are, and there will be those who believe in the ARS, because they appreciate the ARS' accomplishments. Our work speaks for itself." Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, along with parish priest of St. Mary Church in Glendale Rev. Ardag Demirjian, officiated the blessing of the newly refurbished office on December 5. As Vice Chair of the ARS Central Executive Hasmig Derderian, along with Madarian, placed the ARS emblem and tri-color ribbons on the couple, the sponsors cut the ribbon to the office. In attendance were ARF Central Committee representative Karo Khanjian, Chair of the Armenia Fund West Coast Board Maria Mehranian, Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association's Regional Executive representative Hrayr Shirikian, representatives of the Homenetmen Ararat Chapter, as well as over 100 former sponsors, current and former members of ARS Regional Executives, and current members of ARS chapter executives. 7) An ARS Perspective: Creating Community Dialogue in Studio City STUDIO CITY--Armenian Relief Society (ARS) chapters and other community organizations continually contend with how to attract new members, how to provide services to the community, and how to engage non-Armenian political and community organizations. The simple, yet ideal solution for the local ARS chapters was to organize community mixer at the Armenian Center in Studio City, so as to introduce local, non-Armenian leaders to what goes on inside its walls. Master of ceremonies the honorable Judge Greg Keosian invited representatives of Armenian organizations to present information about their work for the community, as well as guests to give their impressions of the event and how they could benefit from the community. Manig Sakayan of the Armenian National Committee introduced the role of the various organizations that operate from the Armenian Center. ARS Western region chair Angela Savoian explained that the ARS has been serving those in need since 1910, empowering members as leaders of the organization and the community, contributing to the education and well being of citizens with its five Social Services Centers, and a Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center. Savoian's presentation depicted scenes from the LA Marathon, the ARS Armenian Festival, and new ARS members taking their oath. She highlighted the work of the ARS "Meghri" Chapter, that operates from the Armenian Center in Studio City. ARS services include a Social Services branch office. The chapter also sponsors an after-school Armenian language program at Erwin Elementary in Van Nuys. Other speakers included the western region's Armenian National Committee chair Raffi Hamparian, Jack McGrath of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce, and Alan Dymond, Rafi Kuyumjian and Michael Klausman of the Studio City Neighborhood Council. Klausman is also President of the CBS Studio Center. 8) OPINION: Good News for a Change By Garen Yegparian See, I'm not all doom and gloom. I've seen a few good things on the Armenian scene this year. One was the people of the Arapkir district of Yerevan getting organized to stand up for their water rights as detailed by Apo Boghigian in some of his Asbarez columns. The initiative demonstrated by that action is what will build the country and develop a sense of accountability to the people by government. Another example of initiative, reported in the March 17 Asbarez (Armenian), is that of the Krouzian-Zakarian-Vabouragan students. They conducted research and sent a letter to effect the correction of a caption in one of their textbooks. Which leads me to the hope I have for the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles. This is an institution abirthing. Among all the good things it proposes to do, it must inspire (not instill--that would be contradictory) its students to take the initiative, yet cooperatively. Too often initiative is translated as being headstrong or doing things alone. I hope the students will come to recognize the important role they are to play in our nation's future, which necessarily means bringing the rest of our community along in their initiatives. The Academy is designed to fill a niche need. Some twenty years ago, I recall Garo Armenian describing a vision of an institution much like the Academy. A core group has been meeting intensely for the last handful of years, discussing and planning its launch. The target date is the next academic year, starting with 9th grade and building annually to a full high school. The curriculum is so rich, I want to go back to high school! As with all novel efforts, this is no mean feat. To their credit, the founders are utilizing innovative approaches to achieve their goals. This approach, of course, holds truest when it comes to financing. They're succeeding in engaging our oft-tapped benefactors in a promising endeavor. In fact, a gala kickoff is in the offing the first week of April, watch for details. No elitist, hoity-toity, snooty bunch are these founders. They're even organizing focus groups to address core concerns from financial to curriculum. Some of these have already occurred. Others are upcoming. If the campaign is conducted with the same gravity and eye to public relations demonstrated in the introductory package distributed last spring, then the greater Los Angeles community will be blessed with a major new and positive institution. As with any new project, this one too has its detractors and naysayers. The only arguably valid concern I've encountered is its possible effect on our current network of Armenian schools. Let me point out that the heyday of Armenian school building in North America was the late '70's-early eighties. Since then, our school "system" has been static. I see the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles, once successful, as the initiator of a new period of growth for the cornerstone institution of the diaspora- Armenian education and the development of compatriotic bonds in childhood. Let's support this exciting effort. Check out the website too-- Opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's and not necessarily those of Asbarez. 9) Special Christmas and New Year's Eve Programs on Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television GLENDALE--Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television will broadcast a special holiday program on Christmas day and New Year's Eve. "The Eyes of Christmas," an annual telecast taping that has become a Hollywood tradition, features some of Hollywood's top stars sharing their holiday memories, interwoven in a unique holiday movie narrated especially for the blind through a new process called TheatreVision. Horizon's New Year's Eve special programming includes a two hour year-in-review highlighting people and events that shaped the world of Armenian-Americans in 2004. The special will also include an exclusive movie premier produced by Yerkir Media, Yerevan's most popular television station. The movie, "Let's Go & Return," is a story of two young Armenian businessmen who find themselves stuck in an old village on New Year's Eve; though apprehensive at the thought of spending the evening with villagers, they nevertheless end-up encountering the unusual, to discover their rich cultural heritage. The third part of the special will feature a concert with famous Armenian singers and entertainers from throughout world. The taping will take place Sunday, December 26 at 7 p.m. at the Alex Theater in Glendale. Those interested in attending the taping may purchase their tickets at the box office or by contacting (818) 415-0415. Eyes of Christmas--airs Christmas Eve 12:30 a.m. and Christmas Day at 9:30 a.m. The New Year's Eve Special--airs 6 p.m. on Friday, December 31. 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_NVhjgRsx+Odc+xUeW2iANw)--

HOLLAND PUTS RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS PRECONDITION FOR TURKEY
Azg/arm
24 Dec 04
On December 22, the Lower House of Holland’s Parliament adopted a
decision, according to which they demand from the government to make
Ankara recognize the Armenian Genocide of the early XX century before
opening the negotiations for Turkey’s entry to the EU.
On December 16, the EU Parliament called on Turkey to recognize the
Armenian Genocide and open the borders with Armenia. If the official
Yerevan welcomed the decision of the EU Parliament, only a day later,
when the EU decided to open the entry negotiations with Turkey on
October 3, 2005, Armenia kept silence. Can we suppose that Armenia is
not that encouraged by EUâ~@~Ys decision on Turkeyâ~@~Y s membership?
In response to this question put by Azg Daily Oskanian said: “We are
satisfied with the created situation, as we had limited expectations
concerning the decree adopted by the EU Parliament, we really expected
that the Armenian issue will not be a pre-condition. Today, we have the
decision of the European Parliament that creates a special formula and
puts forward a demand for Turkey to recognize the Armenia Genocide and
open the border-gate with Armenia as soon as possible. On October 3,
when Turkey-EU negotiations open, I am sure these two issue will be
included in the agenda.”
By Tatoul Hakobian
–Boundary_(ID_to+wrNZiSVhy7/mBTiUXdA)–

THE LETTER OF KAZIMIROV
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
23 Dec 04
In 1992-96 the personal representative of the Russian president on
Karabakh issue Vladimir Kazimirov sent a letter to the PACE reporter on
the Karabakh issue David Atkinson and expressed his indignation with
the emphasized pro-Azerbaijani nature of the report. Particularly,
according to Kazimirov, in Atkinsonâ~@~Y s report, the achievement of
the ceasefire on May 12, 1994 is ascribed to the OSCE Minsk Group and
the personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, whereas
the ceasefire in Karabakh was maintained owing to the Russiaâ~@~Ys
mediation, and the Minsk Group was founded in December 1994, and
the post of personal representative was created years after the
ceasefire. â~@~The most important international documents on Karabakh
resolution were prepared on a balanced basis in order to facilitate
making compromises for the parties. None of these were so much biased
towards Azerbaijan as your project,â~@~] writes Kazimirov. The former
mediator in the Karabakh issue, who is well acquainted with the
Karabakh conflict detail by detail and during his office visited the
region 47 times, reminds Atkinson that in his and Davisâ~@~Ys reports
the prehistory of the conflict, the military actions in 1992-94, the
process of resolution were paid little attention. â~@~Many problems
connected with the Karabakh conflict occurred by the fault of the
conflict parties, whereas in your project only the Armenian side
was blamed. I do not want to justify the Armenians at all but it is
necessary to give an unbiased assessment of all the parties. Moreover,
it was Azerbaijan to support the settlement of the conflict by
force and to refuse the steps directed at easing tensions,â~@~]
he writes. Kazimirov emphasizes that in the UN resolutions and OSCE
documents Nagorni Karabakh is recognized as a conflict party. â~@~Only
in your resolutions is this problem evaded, Armenia and Azerbaijan are
recognized as conflict parties which favours Bakuâ~@~Ys interests.â~@~]
He also reminds that in the OSCE summit in Budapest three conflict
parties are clearly mentioned. â~@~The conflict party is Azerbaijan
and not the Azerbaijani community of Nagorni Karabakh. There are
no differences in the positions of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani
community of Karabakh,â~@~] mentions Kazimirov and blames Atkinson for
stressing the importance of the Azerbaijani community of Karabakh in
the report. â~@~Is it possible to say â~@~the British community of
Londonâ~@~], â~@~the Azerbaijani community of Bakuâ~@~], â~@~the
Russian community of Moscowâ~@~]?â~@~] Kazimirov is surprised that
the Davis-Atkinson report makes reference to the four resolutions
of the OSCE Council for Security but only the demand of withdrawal
of Armenian forces is stressed. â~@~Before May 1994, that is for
more than a year (after the first resolution of the UN Council for
Security â~@~S ed.), the Azerbaijani authorities who neglected the
main requirements of the four resolutions and betted on the settlement
of the conflict through force, have broken the ceasefire for a number
of times. Azerbaijan accepted the ceasefire not because it honoured
the resolutions of the UN Council for Security but because of their
utter defeat in the war and the threat of losing power. The problems
of Armenians were also enough but Armenians were more flexible and
constructive,â~@~] notices Kazimirov and adds, â~@~For the occupation
of territories and the growth of the number of refugees not only
Armenia and Nagorni Karabakh but also Azerbaijan is to blame.â~@~]
The former Russian diplomat admits that Armenians do not withdraw
their forces and insist on the package resolution. But â~@~in fact,
the Azerbaijani government did not honour any requirement of the four
resolutions of the UN Council for Security.â~@~] â~@~And it does not
honour presently either. Moreover, it demands that Turkey maintain
the blockade of Armenia, regularly threatens to settle the conflict
through force, encourages the anti-Armenian hysteria in Azerbaijan
but there is not a word on this (in the Atkinsonâ~@~Ys report â~@~S
ed.).â~@~] In the end Kazimirov reminds that Armenians control 5
regions completely and 2 partially and not 8 regions as Atkinson
mentions. The former Russian diplomat mentions that Azerbaijan has
also occupied Armenian territories, such as Artsvashen. At the end of
the letter Kazimirov states that such an authoritative organization
as the PACE might have a balanced approach to the Karabakh conflict.
AA. 23-12-2004
–Boundary_(ID_zjnqydXgIorYwwpb46yzIQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CLASSES OVER
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
23 Dec 04
This year winter holidays in secondary schools started earlier. Classes
were stopped because of influenza currently spread in the republic. The
head of the education department of the City Hall of Stepanakert Karlen
Margarian informed that the winter vacation will last till January
10. According to him, this is not because of the frost as the schools
of the capital are heated normally. The central heating of the schools
of the capital was stopped, and after the vacation the schools will
have central heating till March 15. According to the director of the
“Central Heating” (“Jermayin Tntesutyun”) State CJSC Armen Shabanian,
central heating at schools will be provided longer except for the
school of physics and mathematics where classes are not over yet.
LAURA GRIGORIAN.
23-12-2004

SURPRISES FOR THE CAPITAL
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
21 Dec 04
Several days are left till the year 2005. The New Year is the
holiday when everybody anticipates to celebrate in the best way. The
vice head of the department of education, culture and sport Karineh
Harutiunian said a special commission was set up to organize the New
Year celebrations. For the celebrations 1 million 250 thousand drams
was provided. The sum was reduced against the previous years but the
culture department will also involve sponsors. Part of festivities will
be organized together with the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and
Sport. This year there will be two New Year trees, one in the Square
of Renaissance and the other in the Square of Victory. The decoration
works of the fir-trees and the streets began on December 20. December
31 will by all means differ from other days. From 3 to 7 oâ~@~Yclock PM
Santa Claus and his granddaughter, the symbol of Karabakh â~@~ayaâ~@~]
and the monkey and cock symbolizing the old and the new years will
ride in a decorated coach in the streets of Stepanakert and give
out presents to children. This year there will be two carriages with
Santa and his granddaughter. In the end they will come to the Square
of Renaissance where discos, music and other contests with prizes will
be held. The mayor of Stepanakert Edward Aghabekian will congratulate
the people of the town. Karineh Harutiunian said that there will be
other surprises but she preferred to let them be a surprise.
AA. 23-12-2004
–Boundary_(ID_tSXQFA6xm9Txv6N92UptmQ)–

RUSSIA LACKS AIR DEFENCE, FORMER CHIEF TELLS PAPER
Argumenty i Fakty, Moscow
8 Dec 04
Only 30 per cent of all Russia’s strategic sites are protected
from the air and the remainder – including nuclear power stations,
military control points, ballistic missile silos and Moscow – are
undefended, the former commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force,
Anatoliy Kornukov, has said in an interview with a Russian weekly. The
following is the text of report by Russian weekly Argumenty i Fakty
on 8 December; subheadings are as published:
Hardly anyone knows – even though this is not a military secret – that
an itinerant session of the State Duma defence committee took place
recently at the central command centre of the General Staff of the Air
Force in the village of Zarya of the Gorkovskaya Railway. Commander
-in-Chief of Russian Air Force Col-Gen Vladimir Mikhaylov addressed
the deputies. As the deputies are under a vow not to tell the press
anything about it, the former Air Force commander-in-chief, Anatoliy
Kornukov, has outlined the current situation to us.
Threat of terrorist acts
Only 30 per cent of the entire list of strategic facilities of the
Russian Federation approved by the president are protected from the
air. The remainder is undefended. These include nuclear power stations,
military control points, ballistic missile silos… (ellipsis as
published). Moscow protection is weak, too – and we are talking about
a city with millions of residents, with over 20 major facilities which
are dangerous because of radioactivity and chemical aspects. There are
many airfields around the capital. If terrorists kidnap an aircraft,
they will have no problems with choosing their target!
At present, when the threat of terrorist acts cannot be disregarded,
our defence can hit only 20 out of 100 targets if they begin to near
Moscow. Before 1991, maximum only about 10 out of 3000 attacking
aircraft could have made it through the defences of the air space of
the GDR, Poland and Belarus.
Interceptors were waiting for the enemy on the border, then air
defence troops were controlling the skies, for instance, in Leningrad
or Moscow regions. After that the zone of direct defence of Moscow
and Central region was in charge, in which four echelons of defence
were envisaged. S-300 air defence systems were ready at 250 km, then
at 100 km and finally 50 km distances. For the worst case scenario,
two air defence regiments were to be deployed in the centre of Moscow.
Foreigners will help us
It is obvious that 61,000-km-long state border of Russia cannot be
covered for the entire length. But to leave almost 80 per cent of
the border open?
Say, significant border sectors with Kazakhstan and Mongolia are
not monitored by radars. At present there is nothing in the Kurils,
Magadan, and Chukotka is fully exposed, too.
At least it is good that we are still going strong in the west. Many
thanks to Belarus. It has a highly trained air defence system and
its pilots are trained better than any other pilots anywhere else in
the CIS.
We must say that there is such a body as the CIS Air Defence. Out of
all the countries which are its members, apart from Belarus, only
Armenia and Kazakhstan can render real help to Russia. At least,
if there emerges a threat from Turkey, Armenia will honestly defend us.
There has been an open bleeding of the air defence system since 1991 –
I have no other words to describe this process. In the North, where we
could not withdraw our air defence battalions, including the famous
S-300, we simply welded the vehicle doors and modules hoping that
no-one will be able to break in.
We managed to evacuate quite a bit in 1998-1999, but some other things
were just left there to rot.
The 10th Army which was defending the north has virtually ceased
to exist. But the North is actually the shortest way to all vitally
important facilities in our country.
All these negative processes have taken their toll on supplying
new technology to troops. When I was still holding the post of
Commander -in-Chief of Russian Air Force, I assumed we would receive
the new Triumph complex (S-400) as early as 1999. Test results were
wonderful. A S-400 battalion could replace two regiments!
In perspective, after upgrading, the Triumph could have been used
on targets in the outer space to up to 200 km. This complex is much
cheaper than the US ballistic missile defence system.
The president has signed a document in accordance with which S-400 was
to become the common air defence missile system for the country’s
air defence in order not to waste the meagre resources of the
Defence Ministry. But the president’s decrees and the government’s
resolution are being ignored. So far, only one experimental sample
has been produced. This seems to be our usual practice – “a peasant
needs thunder to cross himself and wonder”… (Russian catch phrase;
ellipsis as published)

US RIGHTS WATCHDOG SAYS PRESS NOT FREE IN AZERBAIJAN
Turan news agency
21 Dec 04
Baku, 21 December: Although the constitution and legislation guarantee
freedom of speech and the press, in practice, the government restricts
these rights and self-censorship is common, the US human rights
organization Freedom House said in its annual report on the press
situation in Azerbaijan.
The report said that dozens of verdicts on libel and insult cases
were issued against independent journalists in 2003. The opposition
newspaper Yeni Musavat and the magazine Monitor were persecuted most
of all.
Before and after the 2003 presidential elections, journalists were
subjected to unprecedented pressure, persecution and arrests. In
particular, the editor of Yeni Musavat newspaper, Rauf Arifoglu,
was arrested.
The state TV channel and private TV stations of Azerbaijan are
controlled by the authorities. The access of the press to the state
printing house was restricted in 2003. The economic situation in
the country does not allow the press to survive and the authorities
are putting pressure on businessmen to discourage them from placing
advertisements in the opposition mass media. All this allows us to
say that the press in Azerbaijan is not free, Freedom House said in
its report.