Category: News

Ex-Soviet bloc states mull election
BBC News
Nov 27 2004
Ukrainian opposition supporters have displayed the Georgian flag
Several countries in the former Soviet bloc have lined up behind
Russia in endorsing the disputed result of Ukraine’s presidential
election.
A notable exception is Georgia, which on the first anniversary of its
own “rose” revolution sees itself as having led where Ukraine now
follows.
Moldova has also openly broken ranks by criticising the conduct of
the polls.
Approval
Following the congratulatory message sent by Russian President
Vladimir Putin to the pro-Moscow candidate Viktor Yanukovych, Belarus
President Alexander Lukashenko telephoned the latter to offer his own
congratulations before the results had been declared.
Mr Lukashenko’s press office said that during the conversation, “the
president said he was completely confident that relations between
Ukraine and Belarus will continue to develop as dynamically as they
have done in the past”.
The presidents of three Central Asian countries also added their
voices.
“Your victory shows that the Ukrainian people have made a choice in
favour of the unity of the nation, of democratic development and
economic progress,” Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev wrote in a
letter to Mr Yanukovych.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov sent his “sincere congratulations” to
Mr Yanukovych.
What is happening in Ukraine today clearly attests to the
importance of Georgia’s example for the rest of the world
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili
The UzReport.com web site quoted Mr Karimov as saying he was “deeply
convinced that the acting Ukrainian prime minister’s activity in the
high post will serve to further strengthen the country’s independence
and the prosperity of its people”.
Kyrgyz President Askar Askayev also sent a message to Mr Yanukovych
expressing his satisfaction.
“On behalf of the Kyrgyz people, and from me personally, please
accept congratulations on the occasion of your election to the high
post of Ukrainian president,” the message said.
The state-controlled media in Turkmenistan have yet to report the
outcome of the polls.
Stability call
Two other CIS countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, were more
ambivalent, stressing that the most important thing was to preserve
the unity and stability of Ukraine.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said that he had not favoured
either candidate, but was prepared to congratulate whichever one the
Ukrainian election commission decided was the winner.
“The sooner the tension subsides, the better,” Armenia’s Noyan Tapan
news agency quoted him as saying.
A member of the Azerbaijani government also expressed concern that
Ukraine could become destabilised.
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov was quoted by the Azerbaijani
news agency Turan as saying it was important to prevent the country
from splitting into two.
Dissent
The message coming from Georgia was unashamedly pro-opposition.
President Mikhail Saakashvili said he was proud that Georgian flags
were being flown by Ukrainian opposition supporters in Kiev.
In November 2003, an alliance of opposition parties led by Mr
Saakashvili challenged the results of parliamentary elections that
initially declared the party of veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze
the winner.
“What is happening in Ukraine today clearly attests to the importance
of Georgia’s example for the rest of the world,” he said in a
statement broadcast by Georgia’s Rustavi-2 TV.
Moldova also raised concerns over the conduct of the election.
The country’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying that “basic
democratic principles were distorted” and expressing regret that the
poll “lacked the objective criteria necessary for their recognition
by both the citizens of Ukraine and the international community”.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 27 2004
DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS BRIEFING
[November 27, 2004, 15:24:48]
On November 26, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov held
briefing on the debates over the situation in the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan at the 60th enlarged meeting of the UN General
Assembly’s 59th Session in New York and Azerbaijan Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamadyarov’s meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairs.
Mr. Azimov said in particular that Azerbaijani side reaffirmed its
adherence to continue peace talks on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in
an intensive, fruitful and constructive manner both at the UN GA 59th
Session and during the prevois meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan in Berlin and OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairs in Ney York.
He expressed concern over the fact of illegal settling of ethnic
Armenians in the occupied terrotories of Azerbaijan. The Deputy
Foreign Minister said contradicting the international humanitarian
law and damaging the peace process, these Armenia’s actions shall
cause concern in the international community too. He noted finally
that Azerbaijan wants an international experts group to be formed to
investigate these facts in the occu[pied territories.
In the end, the Deputy Foreign Minister A. Azimov answered questions
from journalists.

Genocide plays tricks on Turkey
By Chaja Zeegers
Trouw (Dutch newspaper)
November 24, 2004
Turkey never recognized the genocide on the Armenians of 1915. This
sensitive issue matters in the consideration for the accession of
Turkey to the EU. This month, for the first time, Turks and Armenians
in the Netherlands openly discussed the genocide in a debate.
The majority of the Christian Armenian minority in the Ottoman Empire
was brutally exterminated during World War I. The rest formed a
Diaspora. Armenians in Europe want Turkey to recognize the Armenian
genocide before she can become a member of the European Union. Today,
in Parliament, Minister Bot and State Secretary Nicolaï of Foreign
Affairs will discuss the political requirements for the accession
of Turkey. On December 16, the EU-Summit in Portugal under Dutch
presidency will decide whether Turkey can become a fully fledged
member of the European Union. Recognition of the genocide is not a
precondition, but it can be taken into consideration.
For the first time, Turks and Armenians in the Netherlands held
an open debate on this issue, which has stirred emotions for
almost ninety years. The Armenian genocide is a notion among
Armenians and the international community. But Turks are unwilling
to accept this. Speaking openly of this subject in Turkey is
still a taboo. Calling what happened a genocide is even liable to
punishment. With the discussion concerning Turkey¹s accession to the
European Union, Armenians in Europe see their chance for bringing this
issue under international attention again. “Turkey in the EU, recognize
the Armenian genocide now!”, is the slogan of the Armenians. They
want recognition by the candidate member before promises are made by
the European Union for accession.
The conflict goes back to the year 1915, when within just months
between 800,000 and one million Armenians were massacred in the east
of modern Turkey. If they were not killed directly then they died of
disease, thirst and exhaustion on the forced, excrutiating marches to
the desert in the south. Armenian women and girls were kidnapped and
raped. Moreover, children were taken to be turned into Turks. Churches
of the Christian Armenians were destroyed and Armenian possessions
disappeared into Turkish hands.
What remained of the Armenian society was disrupted. By now historians
have provided proof that it concerned a systematic approach, conducted
from above. Three ministers of the governing committee for Unity and
Progress in the Ottoman Empire, predecessor of the modern Turkish
state, took the initiative to eradicate the Armenians and had control
over its implementation.
Other minorities also fell victim to this policy, even if not always
on the same large scale as the Armenians.
Initially nobody in Turkey made secret of what had happened in 1915
and even a trial took place. That attitude changed in 1923 when,
under the leadership of Kemal Atatürk, the Republic of Turkey
was established. The state philosophy of this new Turkey was
based on a strong nationalism that offered no space for a less
heroic past. Successive Turkish governments continued to deny the
genocide. The Turkish population was raised with this incorrect version
of history. As such, historical facts were minimized and the genocide
was presented as a civil war with victims and perpetrators on both
sides. In the worst case the Armenians were not considered victims,
but were presented as perpetrators. By now, more than one generation
of Turks have been raised with this distorted image of history.
In recent years, however, some changes have taken place in this
attitude. Since the 1980s much more historical research has been
carried out on the factual events of that period.
The debate was opened since a number of Turkish scientists recognized
the Armenian genocide. According to Ton Zwaan of the Center for
Genocide and Holocaust Studies even in Turkey the phase of complete
denial is over, even as the denial and the distortion of reality
continue to echo.
This month, Turkish journalist Ragip Duran was in the Netherlands
for a debate on the accession of Turkey to the European Union. He
was once in prison in his own country for what he had written. His
experience is that journalists have a little more freedom in their
work nowadays. However, in practice there are still restrictions, for
example on articles on the Kurdish minority and on the Armenian issue.
Internationally there is political support for the Armenians. A number
of countries have already officially recognized the Armenian genocide.
Furthermore, the European Parliament already stated in 1987 that what
happened to the Armenians on Ottoman territory during the first world
war according to the definition of the United Nations of 1948 was
indeed a genocide. This is not unimportant, as Turkey wants become
a fully fledged member of the European Union. The agreement is that
Turkey can only join the European Union if it fulfills the Copenhagen
political criteria. That means that stable institutions must guarantee
democracy, legal order, human rights and respect for the protection
of minorities. Although much has changed for the better already, on
these points the end stop has not yet been reached. The question is
just how heavily these political criteria will weigh when the European
Union evaluates the accession of Turkey next month in Portugal.
That the Armenian issue is also alive in the Netherlands was obvious
in 2000, in Assen. A local Armenian asked for authorization to erect a
memorial at the local cemetery for his ancestors and his compatriots
who died during the genocide. A major demonstration by the Turkish
community broke out when they learned of this project. Especially
the word genocide did not go down very well with the Turks.
Certainly in view of the above, it is positive that a number of
progressive Dutch Turks had the courage to come to De Balie in
Amsterdam this month to speak with Dutch Armenians. These Turkish
participants are actually convinced that Turkey should recognize
the genocide in the long run. They feel the discomfort that is
prevalent among Turks over this issue. Privately it is discussed,
but not publicly. According to Hatice Can-Engin changes in this
area will happen slowly. ³Look at the discussion on honor killings;
it has only been going on for three years.²
Zeki Arslan of the multicultural Institute Forum calls on Turkish
organizations in the Netherlands to be outspoken on the Armenian
genocide and not hide behind fear. ³We must show compassion with
the Armenian community². But contrary to Armenians, the Turkish
participants do not want a knife to be put on the throat of the
candidate member. ³Then the nationalist tendencies will only try to
keep Turkey outside of the European Union and we will be even worse
off”, according to Arslan.
The Dutch Turks have good hope that Turkey will be positively
influenced by herself through contact with Europe and that eventually
recognition will come. Although the discussion ran quite smoothly,
protest from the overwhelming Armenian audience was to be heard. The
Armenians absolutely do not dare trust that everything will be well and
want tough requirements. According to them, first recognition should
come and only then accession, and not the other way around. You can
set requirements now, but not after accession.
Arie Oostlander, former Euro parliamentarian for the CDA (Christian
Democrats) and monitor for the candidate member, also believes
that recognition must come before Turkey joins the European Union
definitely, but he knows how sensitive this subject is. A direct
approach does not work, he says. At the same time this recognition
must be the final chapter of the Europeanization process. According to
him, there is a tremendous amount of guilt-feeling around the whole
taboo atmosphere of the issue. It is a great disadvantage that the
Turkish state is a product of ethnic cleansing. A few years ago, he
once openly asked the Turks whether they see themselves as less than
the Germans. After all, they have amply expressed their regret for
the holocaust during the World War II. No direct answer was given.
Oostlander’s statement has also been incorporated in a resolution
which has been adopted by the European Parliament. ³We must work
towards a point where Turks can be proud of having come to terms with
their past², Oostlander points out.
³With that, however, it is of utmost importance for the Turks not to
suffer from losing face. It is all a question of honor.² The former
Euro parliamentarian assumes a positive but strict approach. He
believes that the European and Dutch governments should not be too
gentle in persevering their requirements. Otherwise one will be faced
with the consequences later. But many European politicians and parties
want to approach Turkey enthusiastically because she tries so hard to
do her best. Oostlander does not think this is a right approach. As
monitor he has seen that Turks take him very seriously, because he
stands by his job. Soft behaviour does not earn respect.
Ton Zwaan of the Center for Genocide also believes that it is
important for Turkey to account for the negative sides of its
history. Recognition of the Armenian genocide can improve the relations
with neighboring country Armenia. Just like for the Jews after the
World War II, it is important for the millions of Armenian descendants
throughout the world to be able to heal from their past. But it is
also important for the Turkish democracy and for the lessening of the
pain under groups of Turks. They have also suffered from a distorted
democratization which involved much force and violence in which many
peoples got trapped.
It is crucial for the Turkish population to have the ability to
speak openly about the violent treatment that ethnic minorities have
suffered in the past. This freedom to speak about the past fits within
the Western democratic model.
According to Oostlander Europe should therefore tell Turkey now what it
comes down to, instead of expecting that this country will understand
it after seven or eight years. In the approachment between Turkey and
Europe, there is a chance for the entire Turkish society to organize
democracy in a different way.
³But”, Zwaan points out, ³he who denies the past remains imprisoned
in it, and he who recognizes the past can be released from it².
Copyright: Zeegers, Chaja
–Boundary_(ID_Buwoof22OiAgVbcKwoRWTw)–
From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN ADHERES PROCESS OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT
[November 27, 2004, 12:14:56]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004
On November 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic
Elmar Mammadyarov has met delegation of the United Nations Organization
led by the High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers.
As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Minister, having noted that the question
of refugees and IDPs is one of the most difficult problem for the
country, has told: “The management of Republic takes necessary
measures for improvement of social plight of these people driven
out by the Armenian armed formations from the native lands during
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Having noted that
due to the means allocated by the State Oil Fund, were built small
settlement for refugees, the Minister has stated that Azerbaijan
needs assistance in the said question. He has told: “Activation of
political efforts for quick settlement of the conflict, returning of
the IDPs and refugees to their homes is extremely important. Armenia
by holding destructive position in the resolution to the conflict,
for infringement of process of negotiations, resettles population in
the occupied Azerbaijan territories. For prevention of illegal steps
undertaken by Armenia, the government of Azerbaijan has addressed the
General Assembly of the United Nations. The Minister has emphasized
that the initiative of inclusion in the agenda of 59th session of
General Assembly of the United Nations of item “Situation in the
occupied Azerbaijan territories” pursues the aim to prevent illegal
policy of the Armenian side contradicting to norms of the international
humanitarian law and creating threat to peace talks, with attraction
of attention of world community. Having noted importance of the
Organization on the occupied grounds of mission concerning search
of the facts with participation of representatives of OSCE member
countries, the Minister has expressed confidence that it becomes
useful step in cause of settlement of the conflict. He has told:
“We once again confirm our adherence to carrying out of process of
settlement of the conflict within the framework of the Minsk Group
of OSCE, at the same time we count that the world community should
demonstrate position concerning the said conflict”.
Having asserted that hundred thousand IDPs and refugees is in heavy
condition, the High Commissioner of the United Nations on refugees
Ruud Lubbers has noted that among the efforts applied in the field
of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
he agrees with opinion on immediate returning of the refugees and IDPs
to their native lands. He has emphasized that the High Commissioner
of the United Nations on refugee adheres to rendering assistance to
the refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.
Having noted that protection of refugees and IDPs, search of ways
of the solution of problems directly concern the mandate of the
Commissioner, the visitor has emphasized that the structure supervised
by him will assist process of elimination of this or that problem
first of all from the humanitarian position. He has told that hopes
for immediate settlement of the conflict and returning of the refugees
in Azerbaijan to their homes.

US telethon raises 11m dollars for separatist Karabakh highway
Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Nov 04
Los Angeles, 26 November: A total of 11m dollars have been raised as
a result of a telethon in the USA to raise funds for the construction
of the North-South highway in Nagornyy Karabakh.
Expressing his gratitude to those who contributed to the fund-raising,
the Nagornyy Karabakh president, Arkadiy Gukasyan, said in a live
broadcast that the biggest contribution was made by well-known
American entrepreneurs of Armenian descent – Louis Simon Manoukian,
Gerard Cafesjian and Hrair Hovnanian, as well as by Eduardo Eurnekian
from Argentina.
In parallel with the USA, a fund-raising action was held in Nagornyy
Karabakh where over 150,000 dollars were raised. The donations
were made by both enterprises and institutions of the republic and
individual citizens. So far, a total of 7.2m drams (14,400 dollars)
have already arrived at Artsakhbank accounts. The biggest contribution
was made by legal and physical entities of Mardakert [Agdara] District
of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic – to the tune of 1.8m drams [about
3,600 dollars].
We should recall that to complete the construction of the highway,
a project valued at 25m dollars, a total of 12.5m dollars remained
to be raised in the telethon, of which 11m dollars were raised on 25
November 2004.

Azeri-speaking radio in separatist Karabakh trying to rebuild confidence
Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Nov 04
Stepanakert , 26 November: The Golos Spravedlivosti [The Voice
of Justice] radio station, which broadcasts in Stepanakert in the
Azerbaijani language, is trying to rebuild the “bridge of confidence”
between the parties to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
“The purpose of our work is to rebuild the bridges of confidence
between the parties to the conflict, Azerbaijan and Nagornyy Karabakh,
and to facilitate the establishment of peace by promoting good. We are
trying to convince the Azerbaijanis that a new war will bring both
peoples new suffering. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani authorities
are creating artificial obstacles to negotiations and we have to
accentuate this in our programmes. I am sure, however, that the final
word belongs to the people of both countries, which is why we are
doing our best to establish an atmosphere of trust between them. In
this connection, we have repeatedly put forward cooperation proposals
with our colleagues in Azerbaijan,” the director of the radio station,
Mikael Adzhyan, has told our special Arminfo correspondent.
He said the Voice of Justice is listened to in many countries of the
world. Letters of appreciation are coming from New Zealand, Japan,
Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Turkey, etc. There has
been no response only from Azerbaijan, though Adzhyan is certain that
the radio has a permanent audience there as well despite the obstacles
created by the Azerbaijani authorities. The programmes include news,
reports and interviews.
Adzhyan added that in one of the recent programmes by Radio Liberty’s
Azerbaijani service, an Azerbaijani boy expressed his wish to listen
to the opinion of his Armenian peers about the war. The radio station
responded immediately by organizing a series of such programmes. The
Karabakh children of different ages who have experienced the horrors
of war and lost their family members, as well as refugee children,
have expressed their opinion to this effect.
“It is not by chance that the radio station is called the Voice
of Justice. Every party to a conflict has its own justice, which
often does not correspond to reality. So we are trying to find a
common and real justice,” Mikael Adzhyan said.
The Voice of Justice has already been on the air for about 700 times
(four times a week). The radio station mainly employs refugees from
Azerbaijan who speak good Azeri. The station is sponsored by Karabakh
businessmen. The administration hopes to start broadcasting on a
daily basis.

Armenian leader names new deputy security chief
Arminfo
26 Nov 04
Yerevan, 26 November: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has signed
a decree appointing Romik Arutyunyan as deputy head of the National
Security Service under the Armenian president, the press service of
the Armenian president has told Arminfo.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN COURT SENTENCES ARMENIAN PILOTS TO LONG PRISON TERMS
Arminfo
26 Nov 04
Yerevan, 26 November: A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced
Armenian pilots to prison terms ranging from 14 to 24 years.
It must be remembered that on 8 March of this year, the authorities
in Equatorial Guinea arrested a large group of people, which among
other foreigners, included six Armenian pilots. The Armenian pilots
were charged with complicity in the organization of a coup d’etat in
that country and are now facing imprisonment for up to 26 years. The
Armenian pilots are flatly denying the accusations.
The prosecutor had reportedly demanded that the Armenian citizens be
sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment.

ARMENIA TO DO ITS BEST TO GET PILOTS RELEASED IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Arminfo
26 Nov 04
Yerevan, 26 November: The Armenian government will do everything in its power
to secure a fair decision by relevant bodies of Equatorial Guinea concerning
the Armenian citizens, the Armenian Foreign Ministry says in a statement.
(Passage omitted: reported details)
The Foreign Ministry says in its statement that the Armenian pilots’ lawyer
is going to appeal against the unfair sentence to the Supreme Court of
Equatorial Guinea and if necessary, to international judicial bodies. An Armenian
delegation, which is currently in Malabo and has repeatedly visited the capital of
Equatorial Guinea to take all the necessary measures, will remain in this
country to discuss with the country’s authorities the possibility of handing over
the pilots to Armenia.
“We are absolutely sure that the pilots have nothing to do with any actions
aimed at the authorities of Equatorial Guinea, and the court has not produced
any conclusive proof either,” the Foreign Ministry says in its statement.
We should recall that on 8 March of this year, the authorities in Equatorial
Guinea arrested a large group of people, which among other foreigners,
included six Armenian pilots. The Armenian pilots were charged with complicity in the
organization of a coup d’etat in that country and are now facing imprisonment
for up to 26 years. The Armenian pilots are flatly denying the accusations.

SOUTH CAUCASUS – IS PRIORITY REGION FOR NATO, SYMON LUNN BELIEVES
BAKU, NOVEMBER 26. ARMINFO-TURAN: One of the priorities of NATO is
protection and safety provision to the NATO member-states and the
countries which are under transition period, state the secretary
general of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Symon Lunn responding the
question of TURAN correspondent on priorities of the Alliance in the
South Caucasus.
Lunn noted that the South Caucasian region is priority for NATO and,
first of all, due to geographic situation. According to him, the
processes going on in the region may affect every country NATO-member.
“Global threats cause trouble in all countries”, Lunn noted. According
to him, one of the prior tasks for NATO is help in elimination of
this threat and providing of stability in the countries living under
transition period.
Responding the question on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Lunn
noted that the conflict can be solved only with agreements of both
sides. “Here, first of all we must take into account the security
questions. Both sides must work intensively with each other so that
to be able to regulate the conflict on mutually acceptable terms”,
Lunn said but he admitted that it is a long process.
“It seems that the other sides also may help in searching the ways
for the resolution of the conflict”, Secretary General said. According
to him, NATO does not take direct part in settlement of the conflict.
Responding the question on democratization in the countries of
South Caucasus. S. Lunn said that NATO followed the events but it
is difficult yet to give any concrete assessment. Speaking about
nuclear programs of Iran, he said that UN dealt in the question. But
some members of NATO, USA, Great Britain, France “very seriously”
treat the nuclear programs of Iran.