Category: News

UN COMMISSION CALLS FOR BAKU TO COMPENSATE ILLEGAL APPROPRIATION OF ARMENIAN PROPERTY
Azerbaijan Level Inhabits Occupied Armenian Villages on State
Azg/arm
7 Dec 04
The UN Commission of Economic, Social and Cultural Issues
(ECOSOC) expressed concern about the fact of “using the property
of Armenians and other ethnic minorities by the refugees and the
internal inhabitants in Azerbaijan”. According to Mediamax, the
conclusion of the commissionâ~@~Ys November 26 sitting states that. The
conclusion was adopted after the hearing of the second regular report
on Azerbaijanâ~@~Ys implementation of the international agreement on
the economic, social and cultural rights.
“The Commission advises Azerbaijan to take relevant measures or secure
compensation or suggest alternative settlements to the Armenians and
other ethnic minorities, as their property has been illegally used
by the refugees and the internal inhabitants,” the conclusion of the
commission says.
It is worth mentioning that the issue on “the situation in the
occupied Azerbaijani Territories” was included in the agenda of the
November 23 sitting of the UN General Assembly at the initiative
of Baku. As Azg Daily thoroughly informed in its previous issues,
the issue wasnâ~@~Yt discussed because Azerbaijan failed to find
the required ally-countries though Elmar Mamediarov, Azeri foreign
minister left for New York for that very purpose. Particularly,
OSCE Minsk Group was against Azerbaijanâ~@~Ys initiative.
Baku insisted that Yerevan inhabits the territories controlled by RA
armed forced. The official Yerevan denies this information, stating
that there are rare inhabitants living in those territories. These
people had to leave their homes in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan is the very state inhabiting the occupied Armenian villages
on state level. Particularly, in the September of 2002 former Azeri
president Heidar Aliyev participated in the official ceremony of
inhabiting Shahumian and Verin Shen Armenian villages belonging
to Nagorno Karabakh by a thousand of Azeri families. After that
Shahumian and Verin Shen were renamed Ashaghe Aghjaqend and Yukhare
Aghjaqend. Bakuâ~@~Ys Ekho newspaper highlighted this event in its
September 10 and 14 issues, 2002.
According to Azertaj agency, before that, in 2001, by the August
22 decree, Heidar Aliyev ordered the State Committee on Refugee
Affairs to restore the ruined 1400 houses “in Ashaghe Aghjaqend and
Yukhare Aghjaqend villages of Gyulistan region” and inhabit them with
Azeris. In the August of the same year the State Oil Fund allocated
$18 million for inhabiting Azeris in Shahumian and Verin Shen.
The Armenian side insists that no territories under control of RA
armed forces were inhabited on state level. Unfortunately, these
are true statements. Armenia, taking into account its and Nagorno
Karabakhâ~@~Ys security, should have initiated inhabiting the native
Armenian territories between the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. These territories, as well as Nagorno Karabakh Autonomic
Region, passed under Azerbaijanâ~@~Ys control in 1923-1930. Thus,
the todayâ~@~Y s Qelbajar (Qarvachar), Lachin (Qashatagh) and Kubatlu
(Qashuniq) regions and a part of Jebrail region were included in
“Red Kurdistan” established in 1923, while after its collapse in 1929
these regions were forcibly given to Azerbaijan.
So, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, taking into account their security,
should have tried to inhabit these territories. In 1988 and 1992,
when the Armenian and Karabakh forces havenâ~@~Yt liberated Lachin
region yet and opened “the road of life,” Lachin, Qelbajar and Kubatlu
were bases for the Azeri armed forces. Is it right to consider the
Azeri population (in fact, the Kurds that assimilated to the locals
during decades) refugees, when at least a part of them participated
in the armed attacks against Karabakh and Armeniaâ~@~Ys Goris region
and the massacre of hundreds of Armenians.
As for the document published by the UN ECOSOC, we shall state that
there is at least one extremely unacceptable point for Armenia in
that, as well. Thus, in the article N11 says that “the great number of
refugees in Azerbaijan is the result of Armeniaâ~@~Ys conflict.” That
means that the UN Commission considers Armenia and Azerbaijan the
conflicting sides.
By Tatoul Hakobian
–Boundary_(ID_7kNAYHJ/4dp8+9IuQ430cA)–

VATICAN HESITATES OVER TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TO EU
Azg/arm
7 Dec 04
Vatican hasn’t made an official statement about Turkey’s membership to
EU but, according to archbishop Giovanni Lacholo, some leaders of the
Catholic Church state that Europe should include “the whole territory
stretching from the Atlantic ocean to the Urals, The Armenian Mirror
Spectator, weekly informed, referring to the news received from
Vatican through Internet.
Vatican External Relations’ official stated in La Stampa newspaper
that in case Turkey enters the European Union, the government of that
country will have to meet all the political criteria that are met in
all the other countries, including freedom of religion and belief. And
this guarantee “should not only be fixed in the constitution and the
legislation, but also protected in the social sphere,” archbishop
added. He emphasized that the Catholic Holly See doesn’t fear from
the enlargement of Europe and supported the applications of many
Easter European countries. “The guarantee that the new Europe will
be deeply united and interconnected should be a decisive factor,” he
said advising the European leaders to pay attention to those European
countries that have already expressed will to join the EU. He included
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia in the list
of the abovementioned countries. “These countries keep in line with
the European cultural traditions,” he underscored.
By Hakob Tsulikian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GUL CHARACTERIZES UNACCEPTABLE FORMULA ADOPTED BY SLOVAKIA’S PARLIAMENT
Azg/arm
7 Dec 04
According to Anatolu semi-official news agency, Abdullah Gul,
Turkish foreign affairs minister, considered unacceptable the formula
on recognizing the Armenian Genocide adopted at the parliament of
Slovakia. The Foreign Ministry of Turkey has issued a condemnation of
the Slovak Parliament, which had officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide. A statement released late on Thursday by the Foreign Ministry
reads: “The Slovak Parliament decided to accept some tragic events
of 1915 as “genocide”. The statement asserts that Turkey regrets and
condemns the Slovak decision. “It is unacceptable and we will take
all the relevant measures,” foreign minister Gul said.
Its worth reminding that the Parliament of Slovakia characterized the
massacre of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915 by the term “genocide.” Gul
said that the parliamentary opposition caused the adoption of such
a formula, while the government of Slovakia doesn’t support it.

KAREN BABURIAN: ARMENIAN SIDE HAS MORE WEIGHTY GROUNDS FOR RAISING QUESTION
ABOUT AZERBAIJAN’S AGGRESSION IN UN
STEPANAKERT, December 6 (Noyan Tapan). Karen Baburian, Secretary of
NKR Security Council, considers Azerbaijan’s initiative of discussing
the issue about “occupied territories” in UN “extremely inexpedient and
non-constructive” explaining such conduct by Azerbaijan’s willingness
to represent itself as the victim of the conflict. “But in this case
Armenia has more weighty grounds for raising in UN the issue about
Azerbaijan’s aggression and mass violation of rights and freedoms
of NKR citizens,” Karen Baburian declared in his interview to the
Regnum news agency. In particular, as the NKR Security Council
Secretary emphasized, Azerbaijan is doing its best for hampering
implementation of any humanitarian actions in the Karabakh territory,
it is striving for depriving NKR population of communication with the
outer world, is rudely flouting the basic rights and freedoms fixed in
the Declaration on Human Rights,” he declared. Karen Baburian doesn’t
consider necessary to involve other international structures into
the process of Karabakh settlement. He emphasized that “such delicate
issues as settlement of conflicts should be solved by the structures
entirely involved into the process.” The OSCE Minsk Group has been
engaged in the Karabakh conflict for a long time and seriously, it has
worked out precise approaches for itself. The Co-chairmen of Minsk
Group are also acquainted with all shady aspects of this problem,
they know all so-called undercurrents. That’s why at present this is
the most competent international organization in this sphere and we
mustn’t hamper its work,” NKR Security Council Secretary declared.
He also gave assurance that at present absence of common sense of
Baku first of all hampers the advance of the Karabakh settlement
process. “Anti-Armenian hysteria in Azerbaijan’s mass media in no
way contributes to reconciliation of the sides, moreover, makes
this impossible for 2-3 next generations, either.” Baburian also
menitoned that all epithets used by Azerbaijan in this process, such
as “uncontrolled territories,” “most probably, show that de facto
Azerbaijan resigned itslef with the loss of these territories.” “There
are no uncontrolled territories as such. As for the territories meant
by Baku, they are controlled by NKR authorities. It’s a different
matter that they aren’t under Azerbaijan’s control but this doesn’t
hamper their existence and prosperity,” Karabakh’s Security Council
Secretary emphasized. Karen Baburian is convinced that the real way
of making Nagorno Karabakh processs constructive is to sit at the
table of negotiations where the main player is Nagorno Karabakh. “In
other words, no all-embracing solution of Karabakh problem is possible
without NKR’s participation in the process of negotiations.”
–Boundary_(ID_ZxORSCvQEQQ1vCXFoVKPmQ)–

CRIMINAL ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST TURKS ATTACKING ARMENIANS IN VALANCE
VALANCE, December 6 (Noyan Tapan). Ambassador of Armenia to France
Eduard Nalbandian reported that the criminal action was brought against
50 Turks attacking on the Armenians, who were collecting signatures
against Turkey’s membership in the European Union in Valance. The
Istanbul “Marmara” newspaper reported about it quoting the Los Angeles
“Asparez” newspaper as a source. Five young men of Armenian origin,
who opened a pavilion and were collecting signatures against Turkey’s
membership in the European Union, were attacked in Valance. Four of
them were hospitalized, and two Turks are in a police cell now. The
Ambassador emphasized that one should take into account that besides
physical damage there is also moral damage, which is more difficult to
restore. Eduard Nalbandian also noticed that this step of the citizens
of France of Turkish origin infringes French laws and orders and is
directed against free will. A number of French deputies expressed
their indignation and concern in connection with the incident.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VAZHA BARIDZE, FORMER DEPUTY PLENIPOTENTIARY OF PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA TO
JAVAKHK, FORMER HEAD OF BORJOMI REGION, ARRESTED
AKHALKALAKI, December 6 (Noyan Tapan). The arrests of
representatives of the former authorities are continuing in
Samtskhe-Javakheti. According to the “A-Info” Agency, Vazha Beridze,
former Plenipotentiary of the President of Georgia to Javakhk,
former Head of the Bozhomi region, was subjected to a three-month
preliminary detention by the sanction of the Javakhk Prosecutor
David Narimanishvili. According to the accusation, V. Beridze gave
land to an organization unlawfully, causing damage of 600,000 laris
to the state. But Vazha Beridze’s lawyer thinks that there are no
good reasons for Vazha Beridze’s arrest. In his turn, the Javakhk
Prosecutor made the detention conditional upon the considerations of
the effectiveness of the investigation.

“ONE SHOULD EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO THE ARMENIANS TO TAKE AWAY A TRUMP-CARD
OF THE GENOCIDE FROM TURKEY’S ENEMIES,” “TURKIYE” WRITES
ISTANBUL, December 6 (Noyan Tapan). Turkey should extend a helping
hand to Armenia and cease conflicting with the Armenians to take a
trump-card of the Genocide away from the Turkey’s enemies. Rakhim
Eir, the author of an article published in the “Turkiye” newspaper
on November 30, expressed such an opinion. According to the Istanbul
“Marmara” newspaper, reaction of the Americans on the Turks’ attitude
towards the events in Falluja, was the reason for the article. The
Americans said, “If you (the Turks) accuse us of the genocide in
Falluja, we won’t hamper the approval of the resolution concerning
the Armenian Genocide.” After noticing that this “diplomatic threat
reminds of the fact that the Armenian Genocide overhangs Turkey as
the sword of Damocles”, the author responses, “Till what time will the
West threat us with the trump-card of the Armenian Genocide?” “Turkey
should take this card away,” Rakhim Eir is sure. “We should establish
the dialogue with the Armenians and find resolutions both in connection
with the historical events and in connection with the events in Nagorno
Karabakh. The progress is registered in the Kurdish cause. Today is
the turn of the Armenian cause,” reads the article in “Turkiye”.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
12/06/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Californians Unite to Commemorate 90th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide 2) Armenian Museum in Istanbul 3) Russian President Talks Trade, Terrorism in Former Foe Turkey 4) Presidential Candidates Strike Deal in Abkhazia 5) Animal Diseases Hamper Turkey's EU Bid 6) BRIEFS 1) Californians Unite to Commemorate 90th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide The year 2005 marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The Armenian people, both in Armenia and the diaspora, will commemorate the most solemn event of our modern history, the genocide of Armenians on April 24, 1915. Ninety years have passed since this crime against Armenians, and all of humanity was committed, and mankind has entered a new century. For the Armenian people, however, that tragic event in history has not been resolved and cannot be forgotten. Almost 2 million Armenians became victims of a premeditated crime perpetrated by the Turkish Government. For decades on--even in the face of blatant denial of the genocide by the same government--successive Armenian generations have kept alive the memory of our martyrs, preserving their timeless message. And today, Turkey continues its attempt to revise history with its massive campaign against international recognition of that unforgettable event. The 90th milestone of the Armenian genocide, will therefore, not only be dedicated to the memory of our martyrs, but will also serve as an opportunity to internationally boost our public relations efforts. As such, religious, political, national, cultural, benevolent, youth, and other organizations operating in California have united to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. This move comes on the initiative of the three Armenian political parties, and under the auspices of the three Prelates of Western USA. We have already begun to outline and integrate the various observances and events that will take place in the coming year. The United Body to Commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide will keep the public informed of planned activities, with the conviction that our public will bring their active participation. Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Armenian Catholic Exarchate Armenian Evangelical Community Armenian General Benevolent Union Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western Region Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) Western Region Social Democrat Hunchak Party Western Region Armenian Relief Society Western Region Knights of Vartan Tekeyan Cultural Association Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Society Nor Serount Cultural Association Armenian Society (Iranahay Miutiun) of Los Angeles Armenian Assembly Western Region American Armenian Council Western Region Hai Tad Council Western Region Armenian National Committee Western Region AGBU Young Professionals Armenagan Youth Movement Armenian Youth Federation Gaydz Youth Organization United Armenian Youth United Armenian Students 2) Armenian Museum in Istanbul ISTANBUL (AP/Andadolu)--Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially opened an Armenian museum in Istanbul on Sunday, saying he was committed to protecting the rights of minority Armenians. Turkey, which recognizes Armenians as an official minority, is under pressure to improve rights for minorities as part of its efforts to join the European Union. Turkey hopes that EU leaders will agree to open membership talks at a Dec. 17 summit. Erdogan joined Mesrob II, the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul, and other leaders of Turkey's Armenian Christian minority of 65,000 for the opening of the museum at the Sourp Pergich Armenian Hospital in Bolis. "Armenian citizens are an indispensable part of [Turkey]. Every artifact in this museum shows a past lived together,'' Erdogan said. "We are now protecting each other's rights, aware of our citizenship, and it will be like this forever.'' Housed in a 172 year-old Armenian hospital, the museum includes religious artifacts, antique medical equipment and an Ottoman decree that established the hospital in 1832. 3) Russian President Talks Trade, Terrorism in Former Foe Turkey ANKARA (AP)--Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Turkey on Monday on a rare visit meant to boost trade and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, which have been rivals since the time of the czars and sultans. Putin arrived late Sunday on the first-ever official bilateral visit by a Russian leader--a record that reflects the troubled history between the nations. "We are here to take courageous decisions," Putin said at a dinner with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Sunday. "The visit will give the opportunity for both economic and trade relations between Russia and Turkey to open up to new horizons." On Monday, Putin met with Sezer after visiting Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum, a shrine honoring the father of the modern Turkish Republic. He was also scheduled to meet with Turkey's prime minister and attend a business forum intended to increase trade between resource-rich Russia and Turkey, a key route for delivering oil and gas to Western markets. The two-day visit is expected to produce six cooperation agreements on issues including defense, finance, and energy--and a largely symbolic friendship and partnership declaration. Repeated wars between the Ottoman Empire and Czarist Russia gave way to a cold peace after the collapse of both empires, with Turkey looming as NATO's easternmost Soviet-era outpost. The nations later fought for influence in Turkic states that gained independence in the 1991 Soviet collapse. Today, both governments are playing up the promise of economic cooperation. Compared with the first half of 2003, bilateral trade rose by 60 percent in the first half of 2004, reaching $4.6 billion, according to Russia. It may exceed $10 billion for the year. A recently built pipeline carries Russian natural gas beneath the Black Sea to Turkey, which relies on Russia for some two-thirds of its gas. Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom is interested in projects for gas storage and more extensive distribution in Turkey. Turkish companies are active in Russia's booming construction, retail, and brewing industries, while its Mediterranean resorts are a favorite among richer Russians, whose visits have fostered familiarity between the traditional foes. But Turkey's control over the Bosporus--the water route that connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean--has been a sore point. Turkey says increasing Russian oil tanker traffic through the strait is hazardous, while Russia says delays cost its exporters hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The touchy subject of terrorism was also likely to be high on the agenda. Russia has urged Turkey to crack down on charities it claims channel money and weapons to Chechen rebels. It also says numerous Turks have fought alongside the militants. Many Turks trace their ancestry to Chechnya or elsewhere in what's now Russia's North Caucasus region, and many sympathize with fellow Muslims in Chechnya, where civilians have suffered gravely in nearly a decade of war pitting Russian forces against rebels. About a dozen members of a pro-Chechen group laid a black wreath at the entrance of the Russian embassy Monday, shouting "Murderer Putin! Get out of Turkey!" Similar protests were held in Istanbul on Sunday. But in an apparent gesture to Putin, who says Russia is battling international terrorism, Turkish authorities apprehended nine suspected Chechen militants and three pro-Chechen Turks last week. The Anatolia news agency reported on Sunday that police had linked them to al-Qaeda. At Sunday's dinner, Sezer said Turkey is determined to cooperate with Russia in the fight against terrorism. 4) Presidential Candidates Strike Deal in Abkhazia (Eurasianet.org)--A last-minute deal between opposition leader Sergei Bagapsh and former Prime Minister Raul Khajimba appears to have ended a two-month stalemate over the outcome of Abkhazia's presidential elections. Yet the pact's consequences for Abkhazia's relations with Georgia remain unknown. While mutual congratulations have flowed from Sukhumi and Moscow, Tbilisi has maintained a tight-lipped silence about the compromise. Under the terms of the December 5 agreement, brokered by Russian Deputy Prosecutor General Vladimir Kolesnikov and Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khazhba, Bagapsh and Khajimba will be running mates in a second presidential election to be held at an as yet undecided date. Plans for Bagapsh's inauguration, originally scheduled for December 6, were canceled following announcement of the pact. Since the October 3 presidential elections in which Bagapsh claimed victory, Abkhazia has teetered on the brink of all-out civil conflict. Bagapsh's and Khajimba's armed supporters both hold government buildings throughout the Abkhaz capital, Sukhumi, while Bagapsh's militias have taken control of broadcast facilities. Commenting on the compromise to Russian television, Khajimba stated that the deal should bring the violence to an end. "We have agreed that we will take all the necessary measures . . . in order to defuse the situation," Khajimba said. Bagapsh told the Russian news agency Interfax that a "cabinet of national unity" would be formed after the second round of elections and that additional legislation would be drafted to expand the powers of the Abkhazian vice-president. Unlike the disputed presidential election in Ukraine, Russia's intervention in Abkhazia appears to have played a major role in tipping the scales in favor of its preferred candidate, Khajimba. On December 1, with Bagapsh's inauguration just five days away, Russian presidential advisor Gennady Bukayev announced plans to suspend railway traffic with Abkhazia, terming the move necessary to end "instability" in the breakaway region. Already, border passage with Abkhazia had been restricted and agricultural imports from the sub-tropical region halted--a potentially fatal blow to the many Abkhaz farmers who depend on mandarin exports to Russia for their livelihoods. Since de facto independence from Georgia in 1993, Abkhazia has been largely dependent economically and politically on Russia for its survival. While Bagapsh had vowed to withstand pressure from Moscow, the pact, according to one independent political analyst in Tbilisi, "shows that Russia still has a tremendous amount of influence [in the region] and that even Bagapsh can't stand up against them." 5) Animal Diseases Hamper Turkey's EU Bid AMSTERDAM (Reuters)--Strengthening Turkey's porous south and eastern borders to prevent animal diseases from spreading to Europe is a key challenge in preparing the country's agriculture for EU membership, a report said on Friday. The report, prepared by an international group of agriculture economists, is based on the assumption that Turkey would join the EU in 2015, but says the country will need more time to attain food safety standards that would allow it to be part of a single market for animal products. The risk of disease outbreaks in the EU may increase and food safety and quality may become diluted by embracing a country with a poor record in these areas, unless effective border controls were in place from the moment of accession, the report said. "Some highly infectious animal diseases that have been virtually eradicated in western and northern Europe remain endemic in Turkey," said the report presented by the Dutch Wageningen University, which was the lead researcher. "The situation is complicated by the fragmentation of the livestock sector, Turkey's geographical location and its porous borders to the south and east," said the report, which focuses on the impact of Turkish EU membership on agriculture. Turkey, which borders Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Armenia to the south and the east, hopes EU leaders will agree at a summit on Dec. 17 to open entry talks in 2005 and eventually join the current 25-member bloc. The EU has said that agriculture, accounting for half Turkey's territory and employing a third of its workforce, will be a key issue in its preparations for accession. Friday's report said highly infectious diseases including foot-and-mouth and sheep and goat pox had occurred in Turkey virtually each year since 1996. The country was also prone to outbreaks of anthrax and brucellosis, it said. Economic and political turmoil in the Middle East over the past decade has caused an extension of animal disease epidemics in the region, posing threats to Europe. The report said Ankara had shown progress in harmonizing veterinary legislation with EU standards but added the infrastructure, administrative capacity and commitment needed for effective law enforcement and border control remained weak. "Even with effective implementation of the acquis (EU's set of laws), it will be many years before Turkey reaches full disease-free status for all the most infectious diseases," the report concluded. "The greatest challenge for Turkey does not, however, concern policies. It is in fact to develop... effective control of external borders by the time of accession." It estimated that EU budget payments to Turkey under structural policies, including agriculture, would be between 9.5 billion and 16.6 billion euros in 2015, while Turkey's budget contribution would be 5.4 billion euros. Turkey, which would add more than 80 million consumers to the EU-25's total of 452 million, has been seeking membership since 1963. 6) BRIEFS Armenia Blasts African 'Rogue State' over Jailed Pilots YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--Armenia lashed out at Equatorial Guinea on Monday for convicting six Armenian nationals of dubious coup charges, with a senior Foreign Ministry official describing the country as a hostage-taking "rogue state." In its most vocal condemnation yet of lengthy prison sentences given to the aircrew of an Armenian transport plane, official Yerevan held out little hope for the verdict's repeal by the west African nation's Supreme Court and pledged to concentrate on other possible ways of their liberation. According to Ambassador Sergey Manaserian, the options include amnesty, extradition to Armenia, and acquittal by an international court of justice. Doctors against Government Decision to Widen Medical Draft YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--The Armenian Medical Association, Armenia's leading medical body, criticized the government on Monday for scrapping exemptions from military service enjoyed until now by physicians with doctoral degrees. The government announced the decision on November 19, citing a lack of medical personnel in the Armenian Armed Forces. It expects to draft an additional 70 doctors for two-year service in military hospitals. They will swell the ranks of dozens of other medical university graduates that did not continue their studies at the post-graduate level and have to serve in the army. The Association said the decision is unacceptable and counterproductive. Women's Role Discussed at Simon Vratsian Center YEREVAN (Yerkir)--A seminar focusing on women's rights opened on Monday at the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Simon Vratsian Center in Yerevan. Titled "Women Can, " the three day seminar's goal is to advance the role of women both in the ARF and in the political arena of the country, said Chairwoman of the ARF Supreme Body's Committee for Women Maria Titizian. Sonia Local, representative of the Central and Eastern European Gender Cooperation, which operates in 21 countries, including Armenia, is presiding over the seminar. EP President Discusses Reopening of Armenian Border YEREVAN (Yerkir)--President of the European Parliament (EP) Josep Borrell discussed Turkey's accession to the European Union with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Borell stressed that if Turkey wishes to start full membership negotiations with the European Union, it must recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration. The reopening of the Armenian border was also discussed, with Erdogan remarking that Yerevan does not recognize the 1921 Kars agreement, which asserted the Turkish annexation of Armenian lands. Georgia's First Lady Meets with Students of Yerevan State University YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--On December 3, Georgia's first lady Sandra Roelofs met with the students of Yerevan State University during her 4-day visit to Armenia. During the question and answer session, the first lady promised the implementation of economic programs in Javakhk. She noted that President Mikhail Sahakashvili's promise to fight corruption in the political sphere will become a reality, though at a gradual pace. Commending Yerevan State University's centralized system of entrance exams, in use for the past 13 years, Roelofs said the system was just introduced to Tbilisi State University this year. Rossini Festival to Begin YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Yerevan kicked off a music festival dedicated to prominent Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini on December 4. Rossini occupied an unrivaled position in the Italian musical world of his time, winning considerable success relatively early in his career. Of Rossini's three dozen or so operas, Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) is probably the best known. The festival began with The Barber of Seville, performed by the students of Yerevan Conservatory. Italian ambassador to Armenia Marco Clemente described the festival as "an exceptional" event, sponsored by the government of Italy, as well as Italian and Armenian businessmen. Police to Probe Bomb Attack on Editor's Car YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--Armenian prosecutors announced on Friday the launch of a criminal investigation into the November 22 explosion that destroyed a car belonging to Nikol Pashinian's, editor of the "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily. Pashinian blamed the attack on Gagik Tsarukian, a business tycoon and parliament deputy, in retaliation for the paper's critical coverage of his economic and public activities. Tsarukian has dismissed the allegations as untrue. Armenia's Office of Prosecutor-General said in a statement that a forensic examination conducted at the scene has found that the car was burned down by "a source of open fire." The statement said this gave the Yerevan police grounds to open a criminal case into a possible "deliberate destruction of private property." Mayors Vow to Boost Moscow-Yerevan Trade YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--Moscow's longtime Mayor Yuri Luzhkov ended a two-day visit to Yerevan on Friday, signing economic agreements which he said will dramatically boost commercial ties between the two capitals. Luzhkov and Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian agreed to ensure more than $100 million in mutual investments in real estate development and business infrastructure within the next three years. 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.

Hye Sharzhoom (Fresno, California)
(The monthly newspaper of the Armenian Studies Program at CSUF)
December 2004
BOOK REVIEW: Stone Garden Guide to Armenia is Reliable, Comprehensive
By Alex Bunch
Staff Writer
For the everyday person, there has never been a comprehensive travel guide
to Armenia and Karabagh. Well, now there is.
In Matthew Karanian’s and Robert Kurkjian’s book, `The Stone Garden Guide:
Armenia and Karabagh,’ anyone traveling to Armenia or Karabagh can find
exactly what they need. `Armenia and Karabagh’ is very comprehensive and
you can find just about any piece of information that you are looking for.
If you are planning a trip to Armenia or Karabagh, this is an essential
book to read.
When you look at the table of contents, you can clearly see this book is
indeed as comprehensive as the authors claim. `Armenia and Karabagh’
includes sections such as geography, population, language, sites to see,
transportation, exchanging money, customs regulations, foreign embassies
in Yerevan, and even a very comprehensive section on ecology.
`Of special interest in Chapter Three, Ecology,’ says Robert Kurkjian. `We
felt this was important because we did not just want to promote
irresponsible travel to the region,’ he said.
This is exactly why their book is extremely helpful. It goes beyond the
basic information.
The book is also divided up by region, so one would know what to see with
respect to the area they are traveling to. These individual sections are
full of information, especially with respect to places of interest such as
museums, churches, landmarks and theaters.
What is also great about this travel guide is its structure. All the
information is neatly organized and the index is very helpful to find
information, as well. The entire book, even the maps, is in color. It is a
unique travel guide for the quality of the book, the design, and the
number of color photos.
Having this book as a guide, you cannot go wrong and you are sure to have
a great trip to Armenia and Karabagh.
Most of the information was obviously obtained first-hand by the authors
themselves, who have been traveling to and from Armenia for several years
no, so the information is very reliable. In fact, this alone makes the
book a better guide when compared to the other travel guides to Armenia.
The back cover of the book accurately states that this is an `Insider’s
Guide’ because both Karanian and Kurkjian have been living, working, and
traveling in Armenia since 1995.
If you are planning a trip to Armenia or Karabagh, then this book is a
necessity. When you look at the amount of information available in the
guide, you are sure to have a pleasant trip to Armenia and Karabagh.
End

Philippine Star, Philippines
Dec 6 2004
Fahsan plans secret for Manny
By Joaquin Henson

Fahsan 3-K Battery has a secret strategy that he will unravel to
surprise consensus world featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao in
their scheduled 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) title
eliminator in an open-air field at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig, this Saturday.
Both Fahsan and his manager Ekarat (Jimmy) Chaichotchueng are
tight-lipped about the plan which, they guarantee, will pull the rug
from under Pacquiao. All they’re saying is whatever the odds,
Pacquiao isn’t sure to win.
No doubt, Fahsan is a dangerous opponent. Pacquiao must dispose of
the Thai contender to keep his Feb. 26 appointment with IBF and World
Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Marquez in
Las Vegas.
New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad envisions at least a P200 Million
windfall for Pacquiao next year as he’s lined up Marquez, Erik
Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera in a series of HBO fights that will
make the General Santos City southpaw the wealthiest Filipino athlete
ever.
But before the cash register starts ringing, there’s Fahsan to take
care of.
Fahsan is guaranteed $25,000 for the fight against Pacquiao. If he
defies the odds, the Thai stands to earn a fortune in his next bout
so he’s expected to let it all hang out in his chance of a lifetime.
Fahsan, 30, has the credentials to make life difficult for Pacquiao.
First, he’s a southpaw, meaning Pacquiao has no advantage being a
lefthander, too. Second, he’s a tough nut to crack-the fact that
Fahsan has never been knocked out is proof of his durability. Third,
he claims to be immune to Filipinos. Fahsan has never lost to a
Filipino and his list of victims includes at least 20. Fourth, he is
more experienced than Pacquiao. Fahsan turned pro three years before
Pacquiao and has logged 10 more fights, not counting his experience
as a Muay Thai kickboxer. And finally, he has the edge in the element
of surprise. There is little known about Fahsan unlike Pacquiao whose
fights have been shown all over the world on TV.
Whatever is Fahsan’s secret, he will not reveal it until the bell
rings on Saturday.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, who flew in from Los Angeles two
weeks ago, isn’t taking Fahsan lightly.
“This guy is getting an opportunity of a lifetime,” says Roach. “He’s
fighting the best featherweight in the world. He’ll give 100 percent
in this fight. He wants to be on a pedestal like Manny. If he beats
Manny, it’ll be an unbelievable future for him. Fahsan will bring his
A-game into the ring. But he’ll be fighting over his head. We want to
get this guy out of the way so we can think of the other fights
coming up.”
Roach expects the Thai to keep away from Pacquiao in the early going
because the Filipino is supposed to be deadliest in the first few
rounds. But Roach says Pacquiao is ready for the tactic.
“Fahsan has no tendency to run,” explains Roach. “When fighters start
exchanging punches, they get back to what they’re used to. Fahsan is
no exception. Once Manny moves in, it’ll be a war and Fahsan won’t
survive Manny’s speed and power.”
Roach says Pacquiao has his own surprise for Fahsan-a killer right.
While Pacquiao is known for his lethal left, he has been working on
his right to become more unpredictable in the ring. Roach confides
that the plan is to put Fahsan to sleep with a right hook or cross.
Muhammad predicts Pacquiao will win “in style” but he’s not counting
his chickens before they’re hatched. He says Pacquiao must stay in
focus to beat Fahsan convincingly.
Last May, Fahsan faced Art Simonyan of Armenia in a 12-round IBF
title eliminator in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. It was his first
fight outside of Thailand.
Chaichotcheung claims Fahsan had not enough time to prepare for
Simonyan and experienced difficulty in adjusting to US conditions.
Simonyan carved out a unanimous decision.
What was evident in the fight was Simonyan used his jab to dominate
Fahsan who never got his offense untracked. Simonyan was conscious of
Fahsan’s ability to slug so he kept the Thai safely stuck on the
outside. Pacquiao won’t fight Fahsan like Simonyan because he’d
rather mix it up toe-to-toe.
Boxing News writer Jim Brady, reporting on the Fahsan-Simonyan bout,
said the Thai fought from a “tight southpaw stance (with) chin
tucked.” He described Fahsan as “a veteran of Muay Thai fighting (who
is) used to getting whacked with bamboo poles and training on ground
glass.”
With 40 seconds to go in the ninth round, Fahsan landed a left cross
to Simonyan’s body then unleashed a “wicked” left counter that shook
up the Armenian. The attack, however, wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Chaichotcheung says Fahsan is a fighter, not a boxer, and that’s why
he has problems facing stylists like Simonyan. That won’t be a
problem against Pacquiao because the Filipino shows up to slug not to
run in a fight.
Fahsan is ranked No. 6 featherweight by the IBF and Pacquiao, No. 3.
The winner faces Marquez in February.
Muhammad says IBF No. 1 contender Rocky Juarez may be squeezed in
Pacquiao’s calendar if Barrera delays their rematch until late next
year. After Marquez, Pacquiao hopes to fight Morales in July. If
Barrera plays hard to get, Pacquiao could meet Juarez in September
before taking on the Baby-Faced Assassin in November or December.
Barrera appears to be avoiding Pacquiao but Muhammad says the rematch
is inevitable because HBO and the fans demand it.
Fahsan, Chaichotcheung and knockout artist Chaiyong Distar arrive
here today from Bangkok. Chaiyong, who has registered 11 knockouts in
12 wins, will meet Cebu sensation Z Gorres in Saturday’s undercard.