Category: News

EVERYTHING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KARABAKH
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
18 Oct 04
As we have already informed, a new school was built in the village of
Shosh, sponsored by the Armenian community of Canada. At the ceremony
of opening the executive director of the pan-Armenian foundation
`Hayastan’ Naira Melkumian was present. We talked to her on the
activity of the foundation, plans for the near future, as well as the
upcoming marathon of donations. – I want to start with the building of
the school because it is the event of the day. It is very encouraging
indeed that the program of school building is implemented in
villages. In the towns the problem seems to have been solved already,
and it is time now to render Karabakh into a developed area. All the
programs presently implemented in Artsakh are a transition from
humanitarian to new development programs. In the nearest future the
foundation will build more schools in Artsakh, that is to say, the
program of school building has not been completed yet. Besides,
perhaps you know that a medical institution – a complex building of
policlinic – is built in Stepanakert, which is unique not only in
Artsakh but also in Armenia. The medical complex will be supplied with
modern equipmentof European standards. These programs help to solve
economic and social problems in Karabakh. The people of Karabakh are
employed in construction works carried out by the foundation, thereby
solving the problem of unemployment. According to our estimates, about
1000 people work in those building sites, and works of 7 million are
carried out in Artsakh. Hopefully this number will grow every year and
in 2 or 3 years the construction of the highway `North – South’ will
be finished. In parallel we will undertake other projects the
implementation of which will favour the settlement of political
problems as well because developed Karabakh will settle its issue
itself. – What future programs, undertakings are there? – Soon we are
going to solve the problem ofwater supply of Stepanakert after which
water will be supplied by a regular schedule.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide 24 hour running water at present. I
know there are problems of water at many places in Karabakh. In
certain communities the problem will be solved soon. On the whole, the
programs are many: hospitals, schools, water reservoirs – Every year
the marathon of national donations is held. Is it going to be held
this year? – Certainly. The traditional TV marathon will be held on
November 21. We hope it will be successful. Besides, I would like to
use the chance and ask our fellow countrymen to take an active part in
it, more active than last year. At that time about 60-70 thousand
dollars was raised in Artsakh. It would be good to increase the sum up
to 100 thousand dollarsat least. This will encourage our compatriots
in the Diaspora. – As far as I remember, the business circles of
Russia were not active during the previous telethon. What
anticipations do you have for this year? – You know,we must have a
correct attitude towards the participation of the Armenian community
of Russia. All of us know about the great aid provided to Artsakh and
Armenia by the Armenians of Russia. The aid to region counts
millions. This year too, theywill participate by all means.
LAURA GRIGORIAN.
18-10-2004

EU RAPPORTEUR SAYS TURKEY HAS NOT FULLY MET CRITERIA YET
NTV television, Istanbul 18 Oct 04
European Parliament (EP) rapporteur Camille Eurlings has said that
Turkey has not yet fully met the Copenhagen criteria. Speaking on NTV,
he said that he will be critical when drawing up his report, which
will be published before the 17 December EU summit.
For this report, Camille Eurlings, a Christian Democrat from the
Netherlands, is visiting Ankara, Istanbul, Diyarbakir and
Mardin. Discussing his first impressions, Eurlings gave some signals
as to what his report will be like. He said: I will do whatever is
necessary for my report to be constructive. Great changes took place
in Turkey in the past few years. There have been achievements. I think
that in my report I must mention these achievements which I find very
impressive. To be fair, I must also be critical. I will include in my
report the areas in progress is needed. Turkey has not yet fully met
the EU’s political criteria.
Eurlings pointed out that there are problems in implementation,
adding: We see that the new laws are quite good but they have not
impacted daily life yet. In its Progress Report, the EU Commission
stressed the importance of implementation. The Turkish people deserve
to live in a country where there is no torture; they deserve cultural
and religious freedom.
Eurlings said that he thinks it is important for Turkey to recognize
the Cyprus Republic and to improve its relations with
Armenia. Nevertheless, he said, these are not conditions for the start
of negotiations.
Eurlings plans to complete his report in two weeks. After debating the
report, the EP will announce its recommendation on whether accession
talks should begin with Turkey. At the 17 December summit, the EU
leaders will reach a decision by taking into consideration both this
recommendation and that of the EU Commission.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 18, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Author Paulo Coelho
On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Mr. Coelho was accompanied by Levon Ananian,
President of the Union of Writers of the Republic of Armenia; and Lilit
Galsdian director of the Hamazgayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society.
Welcoming Mr. Coelho to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, His
Holiness happily received the first Armenian translation of “The Alchemist”,
one of the renowned author’s most loved novels. His Holiness, noting his
pleasure that the author’s book was now available to the Armenian reader in
the Armenian language, stated: “Individuals such as you, through their
service, work and spirit, contribute to humanity the inspiration and will to
preserve unblemished and pure their image created by God.”
Expressing gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the reception,
Mr. Coelho emphasized that the history of the Armenian people has become a
new and encouraging source of inspiration for him. “This visit to Armenia
and to the spiritual center of every Armenian Christian is very important
and symbolic. My soul is rejoicing on the occasion of the translation of my
novel into Armenian”, noted the author, expressing his willingness to serve
the Armenian Church and asking for the blessing of His Holiness.
Also in attendance for the meeting were the translator and publisher of Mr.
Coelho’s novel. At the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness extended his
appreciation and Pontifical blessings to the delegation.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 18, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Elevates Rev. Fr. Boghos Baronian to the Rank of
Archpriest
On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, at the request of His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian,
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, elevated Rev. Fr. Boghos
Baronian, parish priest of St. John the Baptist Armenian Church in Osasco
(Brazil) to the rank of Archpriest in recognition of Fr. Boghos’ long and
fruitful service to his flock.
His Holiness personally witnessed the zealous activity of Fr. Boghos during
his Pontifical Visit to the Dioceses of South America in May of this year.
During the ceremony, Rev. Fr. Tiran Petrosian, a member of the Brotherhood
of Holy Etchmiadzin, read the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin
II. The Catholicos of All Armenians congratulated Fr. Boghos, expressing
his conviction that this recognition given for the priest’s 20-year
experience and dedication would re-invigorate and inspire him to serve the
Armenian community in Osasco with greater devotion and love.
“You should be the soul of the Armenian community and your spirit should
give light to the national life of our people. Lead the Armenians with more
zeal and with your personal example of sacrifice, love, dedication to
service and patriotism”, noted His Holiness.
Rev. Fr. Archpriest Boghos Baronian, thanking His Holiness for the honor,
stated “Our gaze is always directed towards Holy Etchmiadzin, our Mother
Church and the home of every Armenian heart. Our hope is in Armenia and the
Mother See led and guided by Your Holiness.” Father Boghos further assured
the Pontiff of All Armenians that he would redouble his efforts and do his
utmost in bringing the mission of the Armenian Church to life in Brazil,
leading his flock to God, preserving the Armenian spirit and identity in his
community, and elevating the concepts of patriotism and love among the
people.
His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, Secretary General of the Department of
Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See, and members of the Brotherhood of
Holy Etchmiadzin attended the event.

NKR PRESIDENT ADDRESSES MESSAGE TO CAPTAIN AND CREW OF SAILING BOAT “CILICIA”
STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 18. ARMINFO. President of the Nagorny karabakh
Republic Arkady Ghoukasyan sent a message to the captain of the
sailing boat “Cilicia” Karen Balayan and the crew.
The NKR Presidential press-service told ARMINFO that NKR President
highly appreciates the years-long hard of the crew, which resulted in
revival of the good traditions of the Armenian sailing. He expressed
confidence that the trip once more demonstrated to the world the
wealth and versatile cultural and historical heritage of Armenia and
the talent and hard work of its sons. Artsakh people are aware that
their state flag also flies on “Cilicia” during its historical trip by
seven seas. “We are proud of you and wish you successful return to the
Motherland. I invite you to NKR, which has become a symbol of revival
of the great spirit of the Armenian people.”

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
ARMENIAN IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA TO BE EXAMINED IN LECTURE AT NAASR
Visiting scholar Dr. Knarik Avakian of the Institute of History,
National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, will speak on “Armenian
Immigration to the U.S.: Evidence From the Constantinople
Patriarchate” on Thursday evening, October 21, at 8:00 p.m., at the
Center and Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass.
Avakian has conducted a thorough study of the origins and development
of the largest and most organized Armenian diasporan community, that
of the United States of America. The author of the Armenian-language
History of the Armenian Community of the United States of Amer-ica
(From the beginning to 1924), published in Yerevan in 2000, she is
also the author of over 50 articles on the Armenian Diaspora,
especially immigration to the United States. NAASR is host-ing
Dr. Avakian while she is in the Boston area conducting research at
NAASR and other Armenian centers in the region.
Importance of Constantinople Patriarchate
Under various historical circumstances, the Armenians were compelled
to leave their native lands and immigrate to the United States for
individual, educational, economic, political, cultural, religious, and
other purposes. These Armenian emigrants, who came primarily from the
Armenian-inhabited regions of Turkey and Western Armenia, maintained
their relations with the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
regarding it as their permanent spiritual, moral, and practical
bulwark. This fact is testified to by the extremely valuable and
interesting documents kept up to the present day at the Archives of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (founded in 1461).
The Patriarchate holds files under the general title “America”
covering a long period be-ginning from the 1880s up to the present
day. With a view to presenting the diverse and sundry documents in a
historical and logical chain, it is possible to classify them under
the foll- owing headings: emigratory, Armenian-guarding and
orphan-supporting, ecclesiastical, per-sonal, public, and political.
Experienced Scholar from Yerevan
Dr. Avakian was educated at Yerevan State University, where she
received an M.A. in History, and completed a Ph.D. at the Institute of
History, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. She
has taught history at the university level in Armenia and currently
serves as Senior Researcher at the Institute of History, Senior Editor
at the Armenian Encyclo-pedia, and is Head of the Young Scientists’
Council at the Institute of History.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and Headquarters is
located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post
Office. Ample parking is available around the building and in
adjacent areas.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO’s Caucasus policy not against Russia, US researcher tells Armenian agency
Mediamax news agency, Yerevan
18 Oct 04
A senior US researcher has said that NATO’s cooperation with countries
of the South Caucasus and Central Asia is not directed against
Russia. In an exclusive interview with Mediamax news agency, he said
that the organization wants “to help anchor these countries to the
West, reduce the likelihood of future conflicts developing in this
region… and eliminate new threats to our security that could emerge,
especially from further south in the wider Middle East”. Ronald
D. Asmus called on NATO to pursue “a dual track strategy where it
expands its outreach to this region and tries to deepen its
cooperation with Moscow in parallel”. He told the agency that NATO’s
cooperation with each individual country depends on the latter’s
“performance”. “NATO responds to those partners who are performing,
domestically in terms of democratic reforms at home as well as
strategic cooperation in foreign policy,” he added. He urged Armenia
to improve its ties with Turkey, “an important and valued NATO ally”,
as this would allow it to deepen relations with NATO. The following is
the text of the report in English by the Armenian news agency
Mediamax; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
An exclusive interview with Ronald D. Asmus, Senior Transatlantic
Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States, [Adjunct Senior
Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations] former deputy assistant
secretary of state for European affairs in the Clinton administration
(1997-2000), to the Armenian Mediamax news agency.
[Correspondent] In your opinion, what is the activation of
Armenia-NATO relations conditioned by?
[Asmus] I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to try to
interpret Armenian foreign policy motivations. But I can talk about
why there is a growing interest in the West and in NATO in a wider
Black Sea region and Armenia. And, in a nutshell, the case goes as
follows. The main strategic challenge the Alliance faced in the 1990s
was to eliminate the potential causes of future conflicts on the
continent in the wake of the collapse of communism and the Soviet
Union. The West sought to do so by halting ethnic war in the Balkans,
anchoring and integrating Central and Eastern Europe in the West
through EU and NATO enlargement and by seeking to build a new and
cooperative relationship with Russia. That was the agenda of the
1990s.
Today much of that agenda has been fulfilled. That part of Europe
where two world wars and the Cold War originated are now democratic,
peaceful and secure. And the impact of the terrorist attacks of the
11th of September has shifted the strategic focus of the Alliance
eastward and southward. It is after all, from the broader Middle East
that the greatest threats to western security are now likely to
originate.
Looking into the future, one can suggest that one of the greatest
challenges facing the Alliance over the next decade is to stabilize
the southern flank of the Euro-Atlantic community starting with a
final settlement in the Balkans and extending through the wider Black
Sea region into Central Asia. It is an important goal in its own right
but also with an eye toward major strategic challenges confronting us
in the wider Middle East. Moreover, many of the countries in this
region themselves are now seeking a closer relation sip with
institutions like the EU and NATO. It is not a secret, for example,
that many leaders in Georgia have been inspired by the successful
example of the Baltic states successfully integrating themselves into
the West.
NATO is therefore now starting to debate whether it should make the
anchoring of this region to the West a top priority and how it can or
should pursue that goal. Last year I led a project at the German
Marshall Fund of the United States that brought together a team of
American and Europeans experts to try to sketch out what such a
strategy could and should look like. It is one of several
contributions to this emerging debate. Your readers can find that
paper on our web site at
West concerned about Russia’s “authoritarian direction”
[Correspondent] Will Armenia be able to maintain the balance between
preserving close relations with Russia and striving for further
integration into NATO?
[Asmus] It is of course up to Armenia to decide what kind of
relationship it wants to have with NATO as well as with Russia. For
the last decade NATO has been trying to build a new and cooperative
NATO-Russia relationship where we can work together in pursuit of
common security objectives. It has not been easy and we are not as far
as many of us had originally hoped. And we must note that today
relations are not getting easier as there is growing concern in the
West over the authoritarian direction in which Russia is headed.
That said, let’s go back to what Western objectives are. Our goal is
or should be to extend the zone of peace and security in the
Euro-Atlantic community to the wider Black Sea region. We want to help
anchor these countries to the West, reduce the likelihood of future
conflicts developing in this region and to be better prepared to
confront and eliminate new threats to our security that could emerge,
especially from further south in the wider Middle East. None of this
is aimed against Russia. Indeed, I would argue that in principle
Moscow should share these goals as a major Black Sea power. I believe
that the Alliance needs to try to pursue a dual track strategy where
it expands its outreach to this region and tries to deepen its
cooperation with Moscow in parallel. It is clearly in our as well as
Armenia’s interest that we succeed in doing so.
NATO wants “more regional security”, not dividing lines
[Correspondent] Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said: “If it
happens so that Georgia and Azerbaijan become NATO members at last and
Armenia not, this will obviously bring about the appearance of new
separation lines in the Caucasus.” Are such fears justified?
[Asmus] My view is that NATO should want to reach out and deepen its
cooperation with countries in the region in a way that enhances the
security of the region as a whole. After all, the goal here is to
produce more regional security, not create new dividing lines. The
Alliance will undoubtedly be sensitive to the need to expand
cooperation in a way that helps and does not undercut the security of
other countries. We faced this question many times in Central and
Eastern Europe in the 1990s and always found ways of resolving these
issues.
At the same time, the Alliance is also not going to forgo or hold back
on cooperation just because another country may find it a bit awkward
or inconvenient. Sometimes moving forward with one or another country
can provide an inducement for other countries to reorient themselves
and also step up their cooperation. If the prospect of closer ties
between the West and Georgia also encourages Armenia to step up its
ties with us that is not necessarily a bad thing, in my view.
NATO membership depends on “performance”
[Correspondent] We can very often come across comments in the West
that NATO should forget about Armenia and pay special attention to
Georgia and Azerbaijan. What do you think about this?
[Asmus] NATO deals with countries on an individual basis. It is a core
principle of the Alliance thinking that no third country has a veto
over how NATO pursues its relations with any partner. Obviously NATO
also takes into account how its dealings with one country can affect
regional concerns and stability as well. In addition, NATO also takes
into account a country’s aspirations. Georgia and Azerbaijan have
declared their aspiration to eventually become members of the
alliance. Armenia today has not.
But the most important factor is performance. You can have the right
aspirations but if a country is not performing those declarations
won’t get you very far. NATO responds to those partners who are
performing domestically in terms of democratic reforms at home as well
as strategic cooperation in foreign policy. Look at how the West
responded to the Rose Revolution and the prospect for a democratic
breakthrough in Georgia. The history of the last decade has shown that
the most important factor in accelerating relationships between and
the Alliance is often domestic democratic reforms and the embrace of
those values that NATO represents and is pledged to defend.
NATO-Armenian ties to deepen after rapprochement with Turkey
[Correspondent] Do you agree with the point of view that NATO is ready
to go as far in its relations with Armenia as Armenia itself is ready
for it?
[Asmus] One of the advantages we have today compared to the early
1990s is that NATO now has a decade of experience in how to use
Partnership tools and programs to build relations with non-members
like Armenia. Moreover, NATO has set up these programs in a manner
that a partner country like Armenia can itself help determine the pace
or scope of cooperation. One of the points we made in the GMF strategy
paper on the wider Black Sea region was that the Prague summit gave us
new tools for building such cooperation. There are plenty of talented
people at NATO headquarters willing and able to build expanded
cooperation if the political will to do so exists on both sides. Of
course Armenia has to meet the political requirements for expanded
cooperation as well.
[Correspondent] Don’t you think that the unsettled Armenian-Turkish
relations has a negative effect on Armenia’s cooperation with NATO?
[Asmus] I am not an expert on Armenia’s public opinion. But progress
towards Turkish-Armenian reconciliation would be a very positive thing
first and foremost for the peoples of both nations as well as for
regional stability. Good neighbourly relations are at the core of the
kind of cooperative security that the alliance is all
about. Obviously, an improved Turkish-Armenian rapprochement would
make it easier to deepen NATO-Armenian relations as well. Turkey is an
important and valued NATO ally. Its importance is on the increase
given the new priority the Alliance attaches both to the wider Black
Sea region as well as the wider Middle East. I very much hope that
both sides will make this a priority in the years ahead.
South Caucasus and Central Asia belong to different “baskets”
[Correspondent] Don’t you think that NATO is not quite right to
consider the regions of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in one
plane? Taking into account serious differences between these regions,
especially different problems in the security sphere, won’t the
individualized approach to each of these regions be more effective?
[Asmus] I agree, NATO needs to modernize its approach in this
regard. I am among those arguing that the West needs to rethink how it
approaches the region. That is why I have been referring to the wider
Black Sea region. Putting the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the
same basket no longer makes sense given the different aspirations of
countries in these regions and the new strategic context. It is a
bureaucratic habit or way of thinking that is increasingly
anachronistic and which we now need to move beyond. I think it is only
a matter of time before the alliance does so.

PRESS RELEASE
October 18, 2004
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gohar Momjian
[email protected]
AUA Welcomes First Recipients of the Turpanjian Family Foundation
Scholarship Program
Yerevan, Armenia – The American University of Armenia (AUA) honored
benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Jirair and Patricia Turpanjian of Palos Verdes, CA
with a reception on October 12, 2004 and welcomed the 141 undergraduate and
graduate students who will receive a free university education through the
support of Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship Program. According to
Mr. Jirair Turpanjian, `Our family has always been a strong supporter of
education, and we have a special interest in Armenia’s development as a
prosperous democratic country.’
The Turpanjian Family Foundation pledged $1,000,000 over 10 years earlier
this year to implement an innovative Big Brother-Big Sister mentorship
program in tandem with an educational scholarship program. The program
provides financial support in the form of tuition and academic and career
support through a peer-based mentoring program to deserving undergraduate
students at any accredited university in Armenia and graduate students at
AUA. Priority is given to orphans, those affected by the 1988 earthquake,
the socially disadvantaged, and others in need. The Turpanjian Family
Foundation Scholarship Program is administered by the AUA and often
complements support already provided by the students’ university.
`A unique feature of this innovative program is the vision to empower the
awardees to make significant long-term contributions to Armenia’s political,
social and economic development. We are pleased to expand our cooperation
with the Tupanjian Family Foundation in realizing a common hope for Armenia
and the region,’ said AUA President Haroutune Armenian.
AUA Interim Vice President Michael Thompson, who chaired the selection
committee consisting of AUA faculty, staff, and alumni, noted that, `These
awards will help ensure academically deserving students who have already
overcome so many obstacles have the chance to succeed, not only for
themselves, but for their communities, and for Armenia. We are especially
pleased in many cases to complete funding providing by the students’
universities, turning partial reductions into full scholarships.’ The
awardees represent a variety of fields ranging from Metallurgy and Mining,
Mathematics, Engineering and Information Sciences to Health and Civil
Society related disciplines, Speech Therapy and Sign Language Teaching,
Forestry, Law, Public Health, and Political Science.
The Turpanjian Family Foundation was established in 2000 with a commitment
to help institutions in their efforts to advance the development of Armenia
as a democratic country with a robust economy.
—————————————-
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit
Photo: Recipients of the Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship Program

;id=3076

Armenia: Internal Instability Ahead
Europe Report N°158
18 October 2004
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Armenia, which regained its independence in 1991 and won its 1992-1994
war with Azerbaijan, is at peace and rebuilding its economy but its
stability is fragile. Nagorno-Karabakh remains an unsettled problem
that easily could reignite, and the regional economic isolation that
the war over it produced could become permanent if there is no
resolution soon. Corruption and violations of democratic procedure
have disillusioned a population half of which still lives below the
poverty line. Armenia’s friends in the West and in Russia need to work
together to help it overcome old enmities with Azerbaijan and
Turkey. Donors should do more to press for democratic reforms and good
governance.
The past two decades have been turbulent. In 1988 a disastrous
earthquake rocked the north of the country, killing at least 25,000
and affecting one third of the population. The collapse of the Soviet
Union destroyed traditional economic ties and social texture and was
followed immediately by the war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Ten years later
the country is at peace and busy rebuilding its economy, though the
legacy of the conflict and significant sources of insecurity remain.
The May 1994 ceasefire that ended the war marked a military victory
for Armenian forces, but there is no real peace. There are no
mechanisms on the ground to prevent the conflict from restarting, and
the negotiation process is stalled. Now that Azerbaijan is drawing
significant dividends from its oil industry and developing military
partnerships with, among others, the U.S., Turkey and Pakistan, there
is a temptation among certain forces in Baku to consider trying to
retake the enclave. Such a conflict would have disastrous consequences
for the entire Caucasus, perhaps even spilling-over to affect
simmering disputes in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Until Armenia and
Azerbaijan solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem peacefully (an issue to
be addressed in a subsequent ICG report), it is unrealistic to talk
about long-term stability and full economic cooperation in the region.
The March 2003 Presidential elections were a missed opportunity for
the state to demonstrate in practice its commitment to democracy and
the rule of law. An uneasy political stalemate has set in, with the
opposition boycotting the Parliament and the government refusing to
implement the Constitutional Court’s recommendation to organise a
popular referendum on the legitimacy of the 2003
elections. Opportunities to express political grievances freely —
through fair elections, an active parliament, and open media — remain
limited. Consequently many choose to disengage from politics or to
migrate, while a handful resorts to street demonstrations or in some
instances violence.
Internal stability was most recently shaken during several weeks of
opposition protest in April 2004, which revealed the intensity of a
segment of the population’s dissatisfaction with the regime and its
policies. Yet, the numbers that turned out were relatively small and
did not represent the totality of those unhappy with existing economic
inequalities, high unemployment, worsening access to social services,
and corruption. While the present opposition — divided and seen by
many as more interested in regaining power than truly fixing the
system — does not have wide popular resonance, the situation could
become much more explosive if a charismatic leader emerged.
Armenia has benefited from substantial macroeconomic growth in the
past ten years. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, currently over 10
per cent annually, is driven by the construction, manufacturing, food
processing, diamond cutting, and tourism sectors. A large and
committed diaspora and remittances from Armenians working abroad have
guaranteed a steady influx of money. However, the fruits of
development have been felt by only the relative few. Per capita
monthly income remains under $80.
Armenia has difficult relations with its immediate neighbours,
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia, while cultivating good ties with its
larger partners, especially Russia, Iran, and the U.S. The Southern
Caucasus badly needs economic integration to sustain its nascent
growth but this is impeded by the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Yerevan is
excluded from participation in all major regional trade and East-West
pipeline projects, mostly as a consequence of the unresolved
conflict. There is a growing feeling in Armenia that as Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Georgia link up, Armenia is being purposely
isolated. Increased integration would not only help Armenia address
economic inequalities within its borders but also promote regional
confidence building and increase the chances of peaceful negotiations
with Azerbaijan.
To guarantee its stability, Armenia needs to supplement economic
success with robust democratisation and strengthened rule of law. By
using force to stop street protests in April 2004, President Kocharian
and his advisors showed they are unlikely to welcome calls to make
Armenia a more tolerant, democratic and less corrupt state. Yet, as
Western European institutions and the U.S. increase their engagement,
they should condition additional support and funding on reform. Even
as its co-operation with Russia and Iran increases, Armenia is aware
that it cannot exclude potential partners and that it must extend its
ties to avoid isolation. Ultimately this is most likely to occur when
it sits down with Azerbaijan and finds the durable solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is in both countries’ fundamental
interest.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Leadership of Armenia:
1. Make appointment of members to electoral boards, including the
Central Election Commission, transparent and bring to account those
responsible for election fraud and violations.
2. Conduct a credible and public investigation into the behaviour of
law enforcement agencies during the April 2004 demonstrations, reform
laws and law enforcement agencies so as to end administrative
detention and severe physical ill-treatment in pre-trial detention,
and improve the judiciary by training and appointing new and
additional judges, and by increasing the Justice Ministry budget so it
can provide better working conditions for judges.
3. Guarantee full freedom of media, require the Broadcasting
Commission to meet and allocate new frequencies yearly, investigate
cases of harassment of journalists, and allow ownership of independent
electronic media outlets by persons not affiliated with government
circles.
4. Implement the recommendations of the international community for a
truly independent and permanent anti-corruption commission with a
mandate to conduct transparent investigations and prosecutions.
5. Implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Venice
Commission on proposed constitutional changes.
6. Develop economic and legislative incentives to encourage small and
medium-sized business, such as tax breaks, better access to small
loans, and protection from administrative harassment.
To the Opposition:
7. Counter the perception that the opposition is only interested in
regime change by developing issue-based platforms on key political and
economic topics, including anti-corruption strategy and youth and
rural-oriented programs.
To the United States and the European Union (EU):
8. Condition development aid to progress on democratic reforms,
including rule of law and independent media.
To the Council of Europe (COE):
9. Continue to press Armenia to respect its commitments as a COE
member to hold free and fair elections, to investigate allegations of
election fraud without delay, and to uphold the rule of law, including
by abolishing administrative detention and severe physical
ill-treatment during pre-trial detention.
To Russia:
10. Protect Armenian migrants working in Russia from harassment and
abuse and guarantee their security from extremist groups.
To Turkey:
11. Agree with Armenia on the technical modalities involved and open
the border.
Yerevan/Brussels, 18 October 2004

A1 Plus | 20:54:39 | 18-10-2004 | Social |
REFUGEES FEAR THEY CAN BE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES
People, who fled their homes in Baku 15 years ago and took refuge in
Armenia, are now under threat of being evicted from their current homes in
Yerevan. They made the building, where Communist party’s higher school was
functioning in Communist epoch, their home and served it as shelter for
years.
Using their legitimate right for privatization of the premises in the event
of their careful treatment throughout a decade, the refugees appealed to
court and reached the success two years ago. However, Armenian Prosecutor’s
Office recently disputed the first instance court decision.
The case of one of the 17 families living there was discussed Monday in the
Court of Appeal.
The Ruben Sargssyan’s family case hearing was postponed to October 25
because of absence of one of the sides, a representative of the
municipality.
Sargssyan’s attorney made a plea demanding to suspend judge, Karine
Hakobyan. The judge has recently taken biased stance while presiding the
hearing of another family’s case and made unjust and illegal decision, the
lawyer explained.
Despite the explanation the lawyer’s motion was declined.
The judge Hakobyan displayed hostile attitude also toward the journalists
and cameramen, who were in the courtroom.