Category: News

FIRST TWO SECTIONS OF ROPEWAY OF TOURIST COMPLEX IN RESORT TOWN OF
TSAKHKADZOR PUT INTO EXPLOITATION
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. First two sections of ropeway of
a tourist complex in the resort town of Tsakhkadzor were put into
exploitation on Wednesday.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan attended the opening
ceremony. Talking to journalists, Construction Manager Laurent
Mikaelyan stated that the construction had been started in June, 2004
by a Swiss company “Leitner.” The length of the first two sections is
1,400 and 1,500 meters respectively. The sections have 21 piers. In
his words, the works on the third section will be restored in 2005. As
regards the date when the forth section will be put into exploitation
as well as the cost of the project, Mikaelyan stated that it was a
commercial secret.-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S FM FORECASTS UNPRECEDENTED FOREIGN POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN 2005
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. 2005 will be the year of unprecedented
foreign political activity for Armenia, says Armenia’s FM Vardan
Oskanyan.
Armenia has to complete the development of its individual action plan
in the framework of the new European neighborhood policy. This is a
tremendous work that should be a guideline for our further relations
with EU.
In the framework of its cooperation with NATO Armenia is to present by
Mar-Apr 2005 an individual partnership action plan. The deadlines for
Armenia’s honoring its commitments to CE is getting more pressing. “We
are facing serious tasks especially as CE is holding a summit in
May or June so Armenia has to comply with the deadline to make its
position clear,” says Oskanyan.
He says that Armenia should not wait for the beginning of the
Turkey-EU talks but should pave the way for raising its interests
during the talks.
In connection with the 60th anniversary of UN Armenia should specify
its position on the package of reforms of this organization adding the
possibility of the conduct of an OSCE summit. There is also the issue
of Karabakh, the Prague Process. “I am convinced that the presidents
will also meet,” says Oskanyan noting that there will be many ups
and downs in these processes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VARDAN OSKANIAN: ARMENIA’S PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ WILL BE OF ONLY HUMANITARIAN NATURE
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. Armenia’s participation in Iraq will be
of only humanitarian nature. Minister of foreign affairs of Armenia
Vardan Oskanian stated during the press conference at the National
Press Club.
According to him, it is laos not excepted that Armenian military
specialists will take with them humanitarian assistance to the people
of Iraq and the Armenian community of that country. “If the parliament
approves the dispatch of the contingent to Iraq, our presence will
be only within the framework of humanitarian assistance. We have not
and shall not have any military presence there. It’s our principal
approach”, the foreign minister stressed. “I think it will be better
that Armenia made its contribution to the restoration of Iraq and
formation of democracy. The stability of that country is important
for the whole region, which may have its positive influence on the
Caucasus as well”, Vardan Oskanian said, adding that the contribution
to the restoration of Iraq proceeds from the interests of Armenia. As
regards possible negative consequences of the dispatch of Armenian
contingent to Iraq for the Armenian community of Iraq, the minister
mentioned that it is difficult to foresee negative consequences,
but they should not be ruled out.

VARDAN OSKANIAN: IT IS POSSIBLE TODAY TO FIX RIGHT OF NKR PEOPLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. There is a serious possibility
today to fix the right of the people of Nagorny Karabakh for
self-determination. Minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Vardan
Oskanian stated during the press conference at the National press club.
According to him, the possibility of that today is obvious during
the “Prague process”. Oskanian said, though in general the Karabakh
side is present at the process, which is also expressed in that the
cochairmen during the visits to the region visit Nagorny Karabakh and
meet with representatives of Karabakh authorities, but is’s a fact
that Karabakh does not take part in the Prague process and it does
not promote sooner solution to the problem or progress in the process.
“It would be better if Karabakh took part in the process”, the minister
mentioned. According to him, the only reason for Karabakh does not take
part in the negotiations, is the refusal of Azerbaijan. “Today Armenia
has to chose – to insist on the participation of Karabakh and renounce
continuation of the negotiation, or to conduct negotiations without
Karabakh in order the negotiations were not broken”, the foreign
minister of Armenia said. According to him, however hard Azerbaijan
tries to present it as a problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia, all,
including the cochairmen of the OSCE MInsk Group realize it’s the
problem of Karabakh and Azerbaijan. “Simply Armenia has undertaken the
negotiations only because refuses negotiations with Karabakh. Armenia
is conducting negotiations, but in a certain moment the participation
of Nagorny Karabakh will become inevitable”, the foreign minister said.
Answering the question on the reasons for the non-participation of
Karabakh in the negotiations, the minister reminded about the process
of the Minsk Group, stopped after March, 1997. “The only possibility of
Karabakh’s participation in the negotiations is within the framework of
the process of the Minsk Group. It was determined by a decision of the
minister meeting of OSCE in 1992. If there is not process, there is not
legal basis for Karabakh’s participation in this process.” According to
the minister, just after the Lisbon summit Azerbaijan began to speak
from other positions. Since them moment when the process of Minsk
Group is resumed Karabakh will legally take part in the negotiations.

VARDAN OSKANIAN: ANTI-SEMITISM AS PHENOMENON DOES NOT EXIST IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. Anti-semitism as a phenomenon does
not exist in Armenia. Minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Vardan
Oskanian had declared during the meeting with representative of the
Jewish community of Armenia a day before. ARMINFO was informed in the
press office of the Foreign Ministry, the head of the foreign political
office of Armenia had expressed readiness to be more consecutive
in connection with isolated manifestations of anti-Semitism. The
leaders of the Jewish community had informed Vardan Oskanian
that the community of the republic is actively working and gained
international contacts. During the last two years the representatives
of the community have taken part in the conference on the topic of
anti-Semitism organized by OSCE. They also mentioned that the Jews
have never felt foreigners in Armenia and considered themselves full
citizens of Armenia. The government of Armenia, different offices
and organizations have assisted the spiritual and cultural life of
the Jewish community. At the same time, they expressed regret that
several official persons and individuals venture to make anti-semite
statements. Vardan Oskanian mentioned that Armenians and Jews who
have analogous history and historical-cultural common traits, have
all the grounds to act with joint efforts. He highly assessed the
contribution of the Jewish community of Armenia and welcomed their
consecutive assistance to the development of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

<; LUNES 20 de Diciembre de 2004 - ENVIAR POR E-MAIL < r/enviaraunamigo@Top>
Los sueños imperiales de Putin
a_id=664702
< /nota.asp?nota_id=664702&origen=amigo envio&gt ; Por Vytautas Landsbergis Para LA NACION ESTRASBURGO Dividir a un pueblo para conquistarlo es una estrategia inmoral que ha persistido a lo largo de la historia. Desde Alejandro Magno hasta Stalin el Cruel, sus variantes han servido para someter las naciones a la voluntad de un emperador. Hoy asistimos a una nueva aplicación de esta estrategia. A la chita callando, el presidente Vladimir Putin intenta restaurar la supremacía del Kremlin sobre los territorios "perdidos" en 1991, cuando la Unión Soviética hizo implosión. Pero en las elecciones de Ucrania se le fue la mano y reveló abiertamente al mundo sus propósitos neoimperialistas. Tras las protestas multitudinarias en Kiev, el presidente ruso ha dicho que podrá colaborar con el gobierno que elija el pueblo ucraniano, sea cual fuere. Son sólo palabras. En el pensamiento y en los hechos, Putin no quiere para Ucrania un gobernante que no haya sido puesto por él. Ningún precio le parece demasiado alto con tal de lograr ese objetivo. Por eso ha recurrido a la amenaza tradicional: dividir Ucrania. Lo digo por experiencia, ya que nosotros fuimos objeto de los designios imperialistas rusos. Cuando Lituania y, luego, Estonia y Letonia aprovecharon la oportunidad de liberarse, en 1990-1991 (Stalin había ocupado los Estados Bálticos a comienzos de la Segunda Guerra Mundial) el Kremlin no permaneció ocioso. Sabía que el resto de las colonias rusas -las llamadas "repúblicas soviéticas"- querrían seguir a los ingratos Estados bálticos hacia la libertad. Si bien los gobernantes rusos de entonces sólo eran comunistas de nombre, no vacilaron en echar mano de las viejas recetas leninistas. Empezaron a instigar y fomentar divisiones y disputas. Atizaron supuestos resentimientos entre diversas comunidades nacionales o étnicas basándose en la idea de Lenin de que hasta pequeños grupos de aldeas podían exigir la autonomía territorial. Reparen en la palabra "territorial". Nunca se habló de las exigencias normales de autonomía cultural como un medio de conservar la identidad y, supuestamente, protegerse. Al parecer, la única autonomía aceptable era la territorial. Así, las minorías se convirtieron en mayorías a las que sería fácil manipular. Crea suficientes divisiones y alimenta suficientes resentimientos en una nación, la reducirás a una mera sociedad arruinada dentro de un territorio nacional. Arma a algunas de estas estructuras minoritarias fabricadas, para que puedan exigir la autonomía a punta de pistola, y provocarás el tipo de caos que el Kremlin puede usar para reafirmar su control. Por suerte, los lituanos, estonios y letones comprendieron el juego. Rusia también fracasó en Crimea, en 1991, cuando intentó aplicar allí su vieja estrategia. Pero estos reveses no indujeron al Kremlin a abandonarla. Por el contrario, Rusia persistió en sus ambiciones imperiales y esa constancia ha dado frutos. Rusia ha creado una serie de pequeños estados artificiales alrededor del Mar Negro. Georgia y Moldavia han sido divididas mediante la aparición de republiquetas criminales, sustentadas y amparadas militarmente por el Kremlin. En la misma semana en que se inmiscuyó en las elecciones presidenciales de Ucrania, Putin amenazó con bloquear a una de esas republiquetas (la región de Abjasia, en Georgia) por haber tenido la osadía de votar a un presidente que no era del agrado del Kremlin. Moldavia ha quedado particularmente indefensa frente a los designios imperiales de Rusia. Esta mantiene en el Transdniéster un contingente formidable que lo gobierna con la colaboración de las bandas locales. La contigüidad a este territorio sin ley ha contribuido a que Moldavia sea el país más pobre de Europa. Al este, el Kremlin instigó una guerra étnica tan sangrienta entre Armenia y Azerbaiján, que la única salida que les quedó fue pedir la intervención de Rusia, igual que en el Transdniéster, para establecer una especie de Pax Ruthena. Ahora, el pueblo ucraniano podría afrontar una prueba similar. Los partidarios de Viktor Yanukovich amenazaron con buscar la autonomía si Viktor Yushchenko, legítimo ganador en las elecciones, asumía la presidencia. ¿Quién puede dudar de que detrás de todo eso está la mano de Rusia? El alcalde de Moscú, Yuri Luzhkov, una fiel criatura de Putin, asistió al mitin en que se pidió la autonomía. ¿Se habría atrevido a hacerlo sin la aprobación del monarca elegido por el Kremlin? Putin reclama abiertamente esta parte de Ucrania como una "cuestión interna" rusa. Los ucranianos de habla rusa han visto la desesperación económica y, a veces, los derramamientos de sangre causados por los movimientos autonomistas que fabrica el Kremlin. Es de esperar que se percaten de que Putin los está convirtiendo en peones suyos. Yushchenko y su Revolución Naranja encaran la misma prueba que afrontamos los demócratas lituanos en 1990-1991: demostrar que democracia no es sinónimo de dominio, represión o eliminación de una minoría, sea cual fuere, por la mayoría. Lituania la superó. Confío en que Yushchenko y su equipo también lo harán. Pero ocurre que Europa y el resto del mundo también están siendo puestos a prueba. Rusia ha entrado en una transición de la Federación Rusa de Boris Yeltsin al régimen unitario y autoritario de Putin y sus antiguos camaradas de la KGB. Europa, Estados Unidos y el mundo en general deben ver la "democracia dirigida" de Putin tal como verdaderamente es. Y deben oponerse, todos juntos, a sus sueños neoimperialistas. El primer paso es hacer que Rusia cumpla su promesa de retirar sus tropas de Moldavia y Georgia. (La formuló, con carácter obligatorio, ante el Consejo Europeo y la Organización para la Seguridad y la Cooperación en Europa.) Además, es preciso rechazar cualquier plan de "defender" militarmente a Yanukovich y la parte oriental de Ucrania. El autor fue el primer presidente de Lituania, tras su independencia de La Unión Soviética; actualmente es diputado del Parlamento Europeo. © Project Syndicate y LA NACION (Traducción de Zoraida J. Valcárcel) Si desea acceder a más información, contenidos relacionados, material audiovisual y opiniones de nuestros lectores ingrese en : <;origen=amigo envio>
Copyright S. A. LA NACION 2004. Todos los derechos reservados.
–Boundary_(ID_5jlIiZ9257Eh02p6/xp1Qg )–

85,000 EUR REQUIRED TO SAVE LIFE OF BOY SICK WITH LEUKAEMIA: JANUARY 5, 2005 DEADLINE
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. To save the life of a 16-year-old
citizen of Armenia Arshak Haroutiunyan, 85,000 EUR are required for
operation on marrow transplantation at Benjamin Franklin Hospital in
Berlin (Germany).
Speaking at a press-conference, Wednesday, a relative of the boy
Ninnel Vardanyan stated that the deadline for operation is Jan 5,
2005. The necessary sum must be collected by this date. The relatives
and friends of Arshak have managed to collect only 1 mln 800,000 AMD
(3,600 USD). His parents sell their real estate, which is estimated at
15,000 USD. Ninnel Vardanyan noted that the head of a number of medical
establishments of Yerevan, Artyom Kushyan, promised a considerable
financial assistance, but has not helped by anything in practice.
The First Lady of Armenia, Bella Kocharyan, who is President of the
National Marrow Register, could not render financial assistance,
but she promised to negotiate with the German party for reduction
of the sum. Ninnel Vardanyan noted that numerous calls by Mass Media
for assistance proved to be in vain.
Informed of Arshak’s disease, the country’s Health Ministry, first
of all, “took an interested in how he had occurred in Germany.” No
real assistance is rendered to the boy, referring to financial
difficulties and lack of ties with the Association of Medics of Berlin,
she stated. For conclusion, Ninnel Vardanyan noted that a donor for
Arshak has already been found in Armenia, but his life is hanged by
a thread which may break on January 5, 2005. All those who want to
help the boy, can transfer money to the accounts with ARMSAVINGSBANK
in AMD – 160485273918, in USD – 160482127398 and in EUR – 160482227396.

AZERBAIJANI MPs ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND COOPERATION
WITH ARMENIAN SPECIAL SERVICES
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. Azerbaijani parliamentarians accused
each other of cooperation with Armenian special services and of
homosexuality, at Tuesday session of Milli Mejlis, Zerkalo newspaper
reports.
MP Ahad Abiyev stated that he had enough facts that Leader of PNFA
Ali Kerimli receive financial assistance by Armenian special services
in exchange of data of state secrecy, besides has been absent from
parliamentary sessions for already one year. He urged the parliament
for depriving Kerimli of his deputy mandate, calling him an Armenian
agent. Then Abiyev again began insulting Kerimli, stating that the
flag of PNFA was to be dyed in “blue” long ago in conformity with
the sexual orientation of its leader. However, talking to Zerkalo,
Abiyev could not properly answer the question concerning his facts
testifying to Kerimli’s cooperation with Armenian special services. He
just stated that these data he had received from a PNFA-member.

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Artak Harutyunyan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Eduardo Eurnekian increases his donation
——————————————————————————–
22 December, 2004
Eduardo Eurnekian, the Armenian donor from Argentina has increased his
donation made during the “Hayastan” Fund’s annual Telethon. With his
donation of $1,5 million Mr. Eurnekian was among the major donors
of the Telethon. Now, he has made another donation of 300,000
USD in addition to the previous one. Thus, along with making
solid investments in his homeland, he also has great share in the
“North-South” highway project.

ARZUMANIAN: THE SIDES WERE OFFERED STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION IN ASTANA
Azg/arm
23 Dec 04
At his last press conference the foreign minister of Armenia told
journalists that the public’s opinion should be decisive in choosing a
solution alternate for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. “If there is people’s
demand to take, say, the step-by-step solution, then the issue should
be discussed at the parliament and it will decide whether we are on
the wrong path and should we take the step-by-step alternate or not”,
Vartan Oskanian said. The former foreign minister of Armenia, Alexander
Arzumanian, thinks that Oskanian and the authorities are preparing
the public opinion to make a turn to the step-by-step solution.
– Mr. Arzumanian, the former Armenian president stated recently that we
cannot get today what we could get in 1997. Do you agree with such a view?
– Situation in 1997 was more favorable for Armenia and the options
on the table made it possible to reach a solution that would be in
interests of Armenia and the Karabakh people. Levon Ter-Petrosian was
considering that the time is playing into Azerbaijan’s hands and that
we should use the chance to negotiate, that there will be no better
chance in future. I think that the past 7 years show that he was right.
– In 1997 they were suggesting to withdraw the armed forces without
saying what will Nagorno Karabakh get. Do you call this success?
– The suggestions of 97 were covered by the media. What I mean is
that there were two opposite approaches, one proposed by Azerbaijan,
the other by Karabakh. As the two conflicting approaches could not
be brought together, we decided to pick out separate issues for
discussion, to switch to the step-by-step solution, which supposed,
as first steps to be taken, signing a peace treaty, withdrawal of
forces from several territories, return of the refugees against which
the people of Karabakh would be guaranteed security, Armenia would
be recognized a guarantee for Karabakh’s security and the status of
Karabakh would be discussed separately. I used to say at the time
and now I repeat that each conflict’s solution lies in accomplishing
gradual steps. The fact is that the so-called step-by-step solution
plans of Astana, that are on the table today, are the same plans
only modified. There is no argument over this today, and I am glad
that your newspaper is wishful to speak of it. The authorities
were obstinately claiming before the OSCE Ministers’ meeting in
Sofia that the sides were offered nothing. Moreover, Armat NGO was
condemned in disorientating the public, in depreciating Armenia’s
“great diplomatic success”, in encouraging the Azeri side and a number
of other things. But in fact, the organization has issued a report
informing that it became clear during Karabakh issue discussions
at the UN that there were offers to the sides. Armat was referring
to US representative to the UN, Susan Moor, who noted in her speech
that the sides received offers two months ago and the co-chairs are
waiting for their answer and for that reason the Azeri formula cannot
be put to vote at the General Assembly. In Sofia the OSCE Ministerial
Council stated that the sides received offers in Astana and called
on to continue negotiations leaning on the offers. Besides, there
is another sentence that is not spoken of much. The statement by the
OSCE Ministerial Council also notes that it became possible to review
all the criteria of the conflict at the Prague process (something
that is put to silence). This means that the modified step-by-step
solution is likely to return to the agenda.
The sides were offered in Astana to withdraw Armenian forces from all
Karabakh’s neighboring Azeri territories against which referendums
would be held in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. This is nothing
else but a step-by-step solution offer.
– Are you still an adherent of the step-by-step solution?
– We again return to favorable conditions. I was for the step-by-step
solution possible in 1997. But what have we got during these
7 years. The only thing we have is the total blockade by the
international community. I mean in 1997 we had only economical
blockade but today there is also a political blockade. The world
community’s understanding of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has
changed in essence. If they used to speak of Karabakh people’s
freedom for self-identification then today we hear talks about a
territorial argument between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Karabakh
has dropped out of the negotiations decisive for its own fate. The
step-by-step solution we have today differs from that we had in 97
and the conditions today are less beneficial for the Armenian side.
– Mr. Arzumanian, have you read the offer that the sides received in
Astana, if there is a document on that at all?
– Certainly no, because they were not published, and I think that’s
right as all the details of essential offers should be discussed
confidentially. But I don’t speak of the details now but of the
principles that lie as offers’ foundation. From this viewpoint, the
information I now possess allows me to claim that what they mean is
a modified step-by-step solution.
– You mentioned of Armenian’s total political isolation. Don’t you
think that Armenia appeared in such isolation in 1996, after the
Lisbon, when all the OSCE states marched against Armenia?
– Not at all. In Lisbon there was an attempt to impose on Armenia
a solution variant that was unacceptable and was not in national
interests of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. For that reason Armenia
used its veto right not to let an unacceptable option pass. Armenia
was not isolated and was able to clearly formulate its standpoints
and approaches to the world community. Today’s Armenia is unable to
veto as the atmosphere has changed. Today’s Armenia is in a situation
when it is viewed as an occupant of Azeri territories. Armenia has
never been blamed for conquering foreign lands, for inhabiting and
for carrying out ethnic cleansing.
By Tatoul Hakobian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress