Category: News

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part A (Russia)
August 27, 2004, Friday
BUSH’S TWO-ELEMENT STRATEGY
SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 26, 2004, p. 5
by Alexei Bogaturov
Four key circumstances define the international environment in which
the United States is planning another round of reforms to the
security structure of the Old World. Firstly, in light of Mideast
events, American politicians have started tacitly acknowledging that
there are some fundamental contradictions between the United States
and the Arab-Muslim world, and they have become afraid of being
dependent on the Arab-Muslim world. Secondly, US economic security
priorities have required a partial shift in energy consumption
towards deliveries from the depths of Eurasia: the Trans-Caspian
region and Russia. Thirdly, Russia’s influence over the global energy
situation has increased; at the same time, Russia has moved to a more
active foreign policy and defense policy. Fourthly, American views of
real threats to US security are decreasing their focus on the
possibility of conflicts in East-Central Europe.
The Americans have realized the inadequacy of the “expanding
democracy” strategy formulated back in 1993. That strategy is based
on “new democracies” arising in place of the erstwhile socialist
bloc: from Hungary and the Czech Republic in the west to Russia and
Kazakhstan in the east. None of these “newly democratic” nations,
save for Belarus, is opposing the West; almost all of them are saying
they want a closer relationship with the West. All the same, the
orientation towards the United States and the European Union is not
absolute for all these countries – only for the Eastern European
countries along the border of the former USSR, and the Baltic states.
Ukraine is acting more cautiously. It periodically declares (as it
recently did) that striving for friendship with the US and the EU is
equally important for Kiev as the wish to cooperate with Russia.
Although such avowals should not be believed without reservation,
it’s still good to see that Ukraine’s leaders have enough common
sense to moderate their pro-Western gestures to a reasonable level,
given the importance of Ukraine’s proximity to Russia and its degree
of economic dependence on Russia. Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
are maneuvering in a similar way (though not as successfully as
Ukraine). The nations of Central Asia are even more inclined to
emphasize the diversity of their foreign policy orientations; they
say that China is important for them, as well as Russia. Moscow
itself also speaks of a multilateral foreign policy. Although
relations with the US (and the EU) essentially play a determining
role for Russia, there is no reason to underestimate the “China
direction.”
In theory, the countries of Central Asia have always had multilateral
foreign policies. But while Russia was mired in its economic crisis
and shaken by the threat of separatism everywhere (in the Yeltsin
era), no one took the “Russia factor” seriously. Although everyone
expected a “Russian revival,” in principle, no one thought it would
happen soon, nor that it would be due to oil – it’s the oil factor
that enables Russia to act on the advantages of its unique position
as a “nuclear oil state.”
These shifts are taking place at an unfavorable time for the US
administration: the war in Iraq isn’t going well for the Americans,
and in domestic politics the Democrats are trying to paint the Bush
administration’s actions in the murkiest possible tones. It would
seem that this is no time for the American president to ponder global
strategy prospects. That makes it all the more remarkable that he is
thinking about them.
The redeployment of American bases and troops abroad is the second
stage (after the democratization of Eastern Europe, and NATO’s
eastward expansion) of a great reconstruction of the system of
America’s political-strategic presence in Eurasia.
Moreover, an important new element has appeared in America’s
strategy. The strategy is ceasing to be anti-Russian in the
traditional sense; it is losing its overt orientation against Russian
interests. Over the past 15 years – despite all the confrontations,
reciprocal grievances, and irritations – Russia and the United States
have made so much progress towards building the foundations of
partnership that the American elite has started to view relations
with Moscow in in a context that’s not so much about renewed
confrontation as it’s about opportunities for cooperation with Russia
– even if this is on terms primarily favorable for Washington. The
intention of the United States to firmly establish itself along the
Ukraine-Georgia-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan belt does not seem
like a simple act of squeezing Russia out of its traditional
influence zone, but the first element in a sophisticated two-element
strategy, with the second element being the conflict-free (though not
problem-free) integration of Russia into the developing system of US
interests in this part of the world.
Both major parts of the American elite are inclined to pursue
partnership with Moscow. This attitude is based on the intention to
use the positional and other advantages of Russia to serve American
interests in the region of Central Eurasia – which the United States
has started to view as a key region for itself. Washington’s actions
combine pressure with invitations to cooperate: Anglo-Saxon
“bargaining ethics.” So we need to maintain our composure and be
persistent in this bargaining process. And it seems to me that this
is what Russian diplomats are preparing to do, regardless of who wins
this November’s election in the United States.
Translated by Sergey Kolosov
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 27, 2004 Friday 1:00 PM Eastern Time
EU should assist Armenia-Turkey normalization – foreign minister
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The European Union should play a role in the normalization of
relations between Armenia and Turkey, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanyan said at a joint briefing with Danish counterpart Per
Stig Moller on Friday. Armenia is a leg of Moller’s South Caucasian
tour.
EU member countries, including Denmark, can also make a contribution
to better relations between Armenia and Turkey, Oskanyan said. If
Turkey has equal relations with all countries of the South Caucasus,
it will play a special role in the region because it is the only NATO
country bordering on Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and the only
regional state, which enjoys the official status of candidate to the
EU, he said.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 27, 2004 Friday 12:06 PM Eastern Time
Danish foreign minister celebrates birthday in Yerevan
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeler celebrated his birthday in
Yerevan Friday where he arrived during his Caucasian tour.
This tour is caused by growing interest of the European Union to the
countries of this region, the Danish minister said at a meeting with
his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan. Praising highly the
potential of economic development of the South Caucasus the minister
came out in favour of forming normal relations in the region. He
cited the settlement of relations between Denmark and Germany as an
example of positive experience.
At the meeting with the Danish minister Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan called energy a promising trend of economic
cooperation with Denmark. He stressed the importance of using
Denmark’s experience for creating alternative sources of electricity
that Armenia is badly in need of.
According to the premier, the appointment of the EU special envoy on
the South Caucasus testifies to the EU growing interest in the
region. In his view, the implementation of the initiative Enlarging
Europe: new neighbours will give a fresh impetus to the peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and other conflicts.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 27, 2004, Friday
PLAYING MANEUVERS
SOURCE: Kommersant, August 24, 2004, p. 10
by Vadim Tokhsyrov, Ivan Safronov
Maneuvers of the 58th Army began at the testing site Sernovodsky in
South Ossetia, yesterday.
Over 2,000 servicemen and 100 armored vehicles will spend five days
drilling combat tactic under Army Commander Lieutenant General Viktor
Sobolev. Shooting practice is planned too. The 429th and 135th
motorized infantry regiments quartered in Mozdok (North Ossetia) and
Prokhladnoye (Kabardino-Balkaria) are involved in the exercise. A
source from the 58th Army headquarters says that this is the first
exercise on this scale in the region this year. The source emphasized
that the maneuvers “are planned and do not have anything to do with
what is happening in South Ossetia.”
All the same, Tbilisi immediately voiced its concern. Givi
Targamadze, Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the
parliament of Georgia, said that if the Russian military moved in the
direction of the territory of Georgia, “Tbilisi will take measures to
protect the state borders.” Defense Minister Georgy Baramidze called
the exercise an example of non-constructive policy of Russia with
regard to Georgia. The Russian military meanwhile denies any
political undertones in the exercise. Colonel Vyacheslav Sedov of the
Defense Ministry’s PR Department said, “Regimental exercise of the
58th Army cannot have any negative effect on the situation in South
Ossetia because they do not have anything to do with the events
around Tskhinvali.” According to Sedov, the exercise was planned last
year. “I cannot say for Georgia – it may be taking it as an exercise
on a large scale. For Russia, however, it is a routine,” he said.
Yesterday, Moscow had its peacekeepers in Georgia begin an exercise.
The exercise of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Contingent under
Lieutenant General Alexander Yevteev (a planned exercise, that is),
began in West Georgia and Abkhazia, districts of the North and South
security zones. According to what information this newspaper has
compiled, the involved units and formations will drill the process of
bringing up the readiness status, marches to the positions in zones
of responsibility, and prevention of armed clashes. Sources in the
Defense Ministry say as well that peacekeepers will practice
fulfillment of provisions of the mandate of the CIS Collective
Peacekeeping Contingent and Moscow Accord on cease-fire dated May 14,
1994.
“Activeness in maneuvers” of the Russian Armed Forces is not going to
be restricted by that. A command exercise under District
Chief-of-Staff Colonel General Aleksei Maslov begins today on the
Caucasus Military District. 5.5 thousand Reservists are to be
deployed. The Russian-Armenian exercise begins at the testing site
named after Marshal Bagramjan in Armenia. They involve two motorized
infantry regiments (one Russian from the 102nd Military Base in
Gyumri, one Armenian) and aviation – MIG-29 fighters and SU-25
ground-attack aircraft.
It should be noted as well the Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov who
visited Mozdok last week said that “the conflict in South Ossetia
will deteriorate unless the conflict itself is settled by political
and diplomatic methods.” There is no way to say at this point to
which of these methods Russia’s activeness in the Caucasus should be
referred, the activeness that will keep Georgia in the ring of
military exercises for at least a week.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: “THERE IS NO GROUND FOR SUBSTANTIAL DISCUSSIONS OF
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT YET”
YEREVAN, August 27 (Noyan Tapan). During the meetings of former
President of Azerbaijan Heidar Aliev with RA President Robert
Kocharian the heads of the two countries were very close to the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the same can’t be considered
during the meetings with his son, incumbent President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliev. RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian said about
it during the August 27 press conference. According to him, the
purpose of his meeting with the Azeri Foreign Minister to be held in
Prague on August 30 is to establish the ground on which the most
substantial discussions should be constructed in the future. According
to Vartan Oskanian, this ground hasn’t been established yet.

“Aztag” Daily Newspaper
P.O. Box 80860, Bourj Hammoud,
Beirut, Lebanon
Fax: +961 1 258529
Phone: +961 1 260115, +961 1 241274
Email: [email protected]
« Vous connaissez la signification des mots que vous avez répétés des
millions de fois »
dit Serj Tankian à la jeunesse arménienne
par Khatchig Mouradian
Traduction Louise Kiffer
« Les penseurs libres sont dangereux » dit l’un des chants de SOAD.
Oui, les penseurs libres sont dangereux pour tous ceux qui de bonne heure
ont cessé de s’irriter, d’écumer de rage, de tempêter, et sont devenus
inertes, stagnants et couverts de mousse. Ils sont dangereux les penseurs
libres de sortir des anciennes opinions terrifiées issues des tuniques de
leurs grands-pères, ils sont dangereux pour les adolescents et les jeunes
gens à qui on leur a confié le soin de présenter la réalité.
Ils sont dangereux , et aujourd’hui plus que jamais, nous avons besoin de
leur danger. Nous avons besoin de hurler « NON ! » à la face du monde, en
leur recommandant le courage.
La formule « On ne peut rien changer » ne figure que sur le programme de
ceux qui nagent nuit et jour dans l’eau stagnante.
Mais il y en a qui pensent différemment. Ils pensent librement.
Serj Tankian, du groupe System of a Down, qui a vendu des millions de
disques dans le monde entier, est l’un de ces penseurs libres. Interprète et
auteur de plusieurs des chansons de ce groupe de 4 membres, Tankian pense
que le chant est un moyen de se révolter, de refuser la boue et la mousse.
Mais ce n’est pas seulement avec ses chants qu’il mène son combat. Il y a un
an, il a fondé avec Tom Morello des groupes de rock
« Rage » et «Audioslave » l’organisation « Axis of Justice » (Axes de
justice) au sujet de laquelle il a dit au journal « Azdag » : Tom Morello et
moi avons fondé « Axis of Justice » pour qu’en collaborant avec ces artistes
nous rapprochions les adolescents et les jeunes des organismes à but non
lucratif, et par des concerts former des assemblées de protestation et
autres démarches. Le site de cette organisation est
où sont présentés des organismes différents à
but non lucratif, qu’ils soient politiques, sociaux, biologiques,
antimilitaristes, défenseurs des Droits de l’Homme ou autres buts.
—————————————————————-
Né au Liban, Serj est parti avec sa famille à Los Angeles, dès son enfance.
L’une des phases de son activité a depuis été la course pour la
reconnaissance du génocide. En novembre 2000, en collaboration avec le
comité américain « Hay Tad» (Procès arménien) SOAD a donné un concert « Pour
la reconnaissance du génocide arménien et la cessation des crimes contre
l’humanité » dont les sommes recueillies 20 000 $ US ont été consacrées aux
travaux de Hay Tad..
En 2002, au festival grandiose et très important de concerts symphoniques
ozzfest SOAD s’est de nouveau joint au Comité « Hay Tad » qui a relaté aux
milliers de participants le génocide arménien et le déni turc, et a
distribué des brochures et des imprimés.
Le 12 juillet, le New York Times écrivait : le groupe « Axis of Justice »
composé d’Arméno-américains a dressé une tente pour distribuer des écrits au
sujet des Arméniens sacrifiés au cours de la Première Guerre Mondiale.
Naturellement, SOAD ne se borne pas à s’investir périodiquement à Hay Tad.
Lors des séances de dédicaces, Serj Tankian et les membres de son groupe
Daron Malakian, Chavo Adadjian et John Dolmayan rappellent continuellement
le génocide arménien et la politique incessante de dénégation de la Turquie.
Sur le site officiel de SOAD de même que sur Axis
of Justice, ou le site de Daron Malakian nous
retrouvons toujours les déclarations et les appels du Comité « Hay Tad » de
même que les rubriques concernant le génocide arménien et les liens qui s’y
rapportent.
Après tout cela, lorsque nous demandons à Serj s’il a un agenda et un
programme relatif à la reconnaissance du génocide, il répond en plaisantant
: « Je n’utilise pas d’agenda, j’ai un cahier de rendez-vous »
Et il ajoute : « J’exprime simplement ce qui jaillit de mon c`ur ».
SOAD avec son 1er album, puis le 2ème Toxicity,de même que celui sorti l’an
dernier « Steal this album » est devenu un groupe à la renommée
internationale. La semaine des événements terrifiants du 11 septembre 2001,
par coïncidence, l’album « Toxicity » se trouvait aux Etats Unis parmi les
plus vendus. Le groupe a été “nominé” pour les Grammy Awards. A notre
question : Quelle signification a pour le groupe le fait de mériter des prix
? Serj répond : « Je ne peux parler que pour moi, pas pour les autres, car
je ne peux présenter personne d’autre aussi bien que moi-même. Je pense que
je mérite un tel honneur, mais je n’ai jamais beaucoup réfléchi à ces
choses-là. »
Il y a quelques années, le groupe SOAD a donné des concerts en Europe avec
le groupe « Slayer ». En Turquie, ils ont refusé de monter sur scène et un
texte a été lu de leur part, dénonçant la politique négationniste de la
Turquie. Serj explique : « Ils nous ont dit qu’ils ne pouvaient pas nous
cautionner, que nous ne serions pas emprisonnés pour ce que nous avions
écrit ; mais nous ne sommes pas montés sur scène en signe de protestation »
Mais quelle est l’importance des mots dans un genre dominé par la Musique ?
« Il faut demander cela aux auditeurs, c’est sûr qu’ils vont donner des
réponses différentes. Mais il faut préciser que dans une chanson, les
paroles et la musique s’entremêlent et les auditeurs, consciemment ou non,
les perçoivent ensemble ».
En ce qui concerne les textes des chansons sur la politique et les Droits de
l’Homme, System of a Down est conscient de l’originalité de son art qui
comprend du rock, du jazz, du rap, du classique et des influences
moyen-orientales et arméniennes. « Nous sommes influencés par des genres
musicaux différents et par des musiciens différents » dit Serj, et parlant
de la musique arménienne qu’il écoute, il ajoute :
« J’aime écouter la musique traditionnelle populaire arménienne, les chants
révolutionnaires (Karnig Sarkissian) et quelques chants pop (Harout
Pamboukdjian, etc…) J’aime également les chansons de Rouben Hakhverdian. »
Serj Tankian a aussi mis ses pas dans le monde littéraire. Son livre de
poèmes « Cool Gardens » (voir ) est un témoin
supplémentaire de la diversité de son talent. Ces poèmes communicatifs et en
même temps profonds ne peuvent dissimuler leurs erreurs à l’attention des
poètes confirmés, mais Serj va continuer dans cette voie. « Cool Gardens » a
été un essai agréable, mais je ne crois pas que je publierai un second livre
de poèmes. Je veux écrire un roman ou une biographie si je trouve un moment
favorable. »
Mais où Tankian se trouve-t-il le mieux, dans la poésie ou dans « System Of
A Down » ?
– « Dans les deux, de même que dans d’autres voies… »
– Plusieurs des chansons de « System of a Down » refusent le statu
quo qui leur paraît oppressif et tyrannique. Est-il possible cependant de
changer ce statu quo ?
– « Le monde dans lequel nous vivons a été créé sous la direction
d’une Force Invisible et s’est développé avec nos représentations
réciproques.
Seul un changement, réalisable sur le plan socio-culturel pourra introduire
des modifications socio-économiques et politiques. »
– Et Serj Tankian qu’a-t-il à dire aux jeunes Arméniens qui
souhaitent faire avancer un changement ?
– « Notre combat, et tous les autres combats, sont sur le même front
: Prenez exemple sur les anciennes méthodes de combat et sachez la
signification des mots que vous avez répétés des millions de fois. »
Traduction Louise Kiffer

ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FOR CREDIT REPAYMENTS OF COMPANIES
EXPLOITING IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
YEREVAN, August 27 (Noyan Tapan). The decision on the attraction of
additional funds with the purpose of the offsetting of the debts of
companies exploiting irrigation systems was made during the August
26sitting of the RA government. The RA government’s press service
reported Noyan Tapan News Agency about it. As the management
functions of the “ArmWaterCanal” CJSC are transferred to the asset
management and the works foreseen by the “Purchase and Distribution of
Water-Gauges for Tenement Houses” program will be carried out by the
latter, it was decided to direct the sums expected for this purpose at
the credit repayments (including prepayments) of the companies
exploiting the irrigation systems.

SCREENING OF FILMMAKER CARLA GARAPEDIAN’S DOCUMENTARY “LIFTING THE VEIL”
ON THE SUNDANCE CHANNEL
SundanceChannel.com
August 27, 2004
DOCUMENTARY: LIFTING THE VEIL
Directed by Carla Garapedian
YEAR 2002
50 MINS, Color
This award-winning documentary, broadcast on British television in 2002,
presented a stark image of Taliban justice: the execution of a
35-year-old mother before 30,000 spectators at an Afghani sports arena.
Trying to uncover the full story behind the horror, filmmaker Carla
Garapedian went to Afghanistan shortly after the fall of the Taliban. In
LIFTING THE VEIL, Garapedian reveals the disturbing details of one case
of Islamic fundamentalist justice and evidence that, in Afghanistan,
much still remains unchanged. TV14 (AC, V)
Thursday 09.02.2004 – 3:00 PM
Tuesday 09.07.2004 – 7:00 AM
Monday 09.13.2004 – 1:00 PM
Tuesday 09.21.2004 – 12:00 PM

NUMBER OF ROAD-TRANSPORT ACCIDENTS INCREASES BY 17% IN YEREVAN DURING
EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, August 27 (Noyan Tapan). 324 cases of road-transport
accidents were registered in Yerevan during eight months of this year,
which is more by 47 cases in comparison with last year. The number of
victims decreased by 2 and made 47 people, and the number of injured
people increased by 68 and made 388 people. Margar Ohanian, Chief of
the State Motor Licensing and Inspection Department of the Yerevan
Mayor’s Office, told journalists on August 27 that one of the reasons
for the growth of motor accidents was the increase of transport means
by 5,000 figures in the capital last year. It was also mentioned that
in January-June of this year, 64% of road-transport accidents mainly
took place as a result of pedestrian crossing of the streets in
unproper places. According to Margar Ohanian, the RA President’s
Surveillance Service registered 46 cases of drivers’ violations of
traffic rules as a result of the check-ups started still two months
ago. It was mentioned that all the violators have been fined.
M. Ohanian doesn’t negate the statements that the traffic lights are
inherited from the Soviet times and are out of date now, as well as
that the situation with traffic signs gives the occasion for anxiety,
because they are only in the center of the city. But, according to
Margar Ohanian, the resolution of these issues is out of the bounds of
the authorities of the police and the State Motor Licensing and
Inspection Department.

ArmenPress
Aug 26 2004
12 MLN TO FOR INCREASED SECURITY OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)
stopped for repair and recharge on July 31. According to Armenian
energy minister Armen Movsisian, this year the overhaul of the plant
has been exceptional: both two turbines and a reactor are repaired at
the same time. Some 12 mln USD will be invested to rise security
measures at the plant this year. According to him, about 40 mln has
been invested since the re-operation of the plant.
Once again the minister mentioned that unless an alternative
energy source with the same capacity is available in Armenia, it is
senseless to speak about shutting down the NPP. In case of proper
funds are available selection may be made among two alternatives – a
new nuclear power plant or a thermal power plant. In any case, the
100 mln USD suggested by European Union is not enough to build an
alternative energy source. Some 1 bln USD is necessary for that
purpose.
According to the minister, security level of the power plant is
rather high at present, meets all international requirements and
poses no danger of itself. According to NPP chief architect Movses
Vardanian, works on security are made compatible with international
standards. Due to rise in security guarantees, the plant can safely
operate until 2016.
Speaking about recharge of NPP, Armen Movsisian mentioned that
nuclear fuel has been already transported to Armenia and is now in
the plant. All the nuclear fuel is now in the cooling basin. Czech
Shkoda is now doing the repair of the reactor. Works will be over in
5-6 days after which the fuel will be moved to the reactor. Yesterday
a discussion at NPP reported that works go according to timetable and
the plant will be put into operation on October 4.