Category: News

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FM OSKANIAN ATTENDS COUNCIL OF EUROPE MINISTERIAL SESSION,
HOLDS TALKS ON KARABAKH
Minister Oskanian attended the 114th Ministerial Session of the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg on May 12 and 13.
Over two days the Minister met with the Council of Europe leadership, held
several bilateral meetings, and delivered a statement at the Session.
In the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister met Azerbaijan¹s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamadyarov, under the aegis of the Minsk Group co-Chairmen,
to continue the consultations which had begun in Prague a month ago on
looking for common ground based on which the sides can resume negotiations.
They agreed to meet again in June.
The Minister¹s meetings within the Council of Europe structures included
extensive talks with Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, Peter Schieder, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly, Bruno Haller, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the members of the Council of Europe¹s
Monitoring Group which follows Armenia¹s completion of its membership
commitments, known as the Ago Group.
With the Council of Europe officials, the Minister discussed the recent
resolution passed by PACE on Armenia¹s domestic situation. He thanked the
leadership for reaffirming that the opposition must leave the streets and
enter into a dialog in Parliament. He also reaffirmed Armenia¹s willingness
to address the issues raised by the Resolution. Finally, he indicated the
importance of receiving reliable, comprehensive information from Yerevan in
order for accurate conclusions and perceptions to be formed in Strasbourg.
In the margins of the Ministerial Session, the Minister met with the foreign
ministers of Georgia and Norway. Norway has just assumed the chairmanship of
the Council of Europe.
The Minister also met with Ireland¹s Deputy Foreign Minister, who informed
the Minister of the decision taken the previous day by the Irish EU
Presidency to recommend to the European Union Council of Ministers to
consider inclusion of Armenia and the other two Caucasus republics in the
EU¹s Wider Europe, New Neighborhood Initiative.
Minister Oskanian also met with members of the Council of Europe¹s Ago
Group, now headed by Ambassador Mats Aberg of Sweden. He responded to their
questions regarding the domestic situation in Armenia and provided other
information on Armenia¹s completion of Council of Europe commitments.
Minister Oskanian, in his statement delivered to the Committee of Ministers,
spoke about the need to convene the third Council of Europe Summit so that
heads of state can address the changing role of the Council of Europe in
light of an enlarged Europe, an expanding NATO and other European and global
challenges. He reiterated Armenia¹s support of reforms to the European Court
of Human Rights convention. During the session, the Minister signed Protocol
14 of the European Convention on Human Rights which reforms the Court¹s
ability to deal with repeat cases, with unmeritorious applications and
provides new admissibility criteria.
The entire text of the Minister¹s statement appears below.
STATEMENT BY
H.E. VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AT THE 114TH SESSION OF THE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
May 12, 2004
Strasbourg
Secretary General,
Dear Colleagues,
Each year, the focus of this organization and its member states remains the
same: to enhance democratization and rule of law so that governments can
nurture healthy societies and healthy economies.
Together with the OSCE and the European Union, the Council has worked hard
to institute programs which protect human rights, promote environmental and
economic progress, and advance democratization agendas. Armenia supports
deeper cooperation among these three European institutions, and advocates
the creation of mechanisms to increase effectiveness and minimize
duplication especially in light of the new definitions and relationships
that are appearing with an enlarged and widening Europe.
Unfortunately, some of what has emerged presents a quandary for mankind. We
thought human slavery was behind us. But Europe of the 21st century has been
stained by the scourge of human trafficking. With the dangers of terrorism,
too, and its threat to break up the international order as we¹ve known it,
we recognize even more that the only real defense against these mass
challenges to the principles and precepts that guide us is the deepening of
the rules of democracy and civil society, so that each individual gains from
that system and thus becomes more willing to defend and propagate that
system. We welcome, therefore, the reform of the European Court on Human
Rights. We will sign the protocol 14 tomorrow as one step forward for the
protection of human rights in Armenia and in Europe.
In order to provide the necessary attention and focus these issues require,
we would hope for a third Council of Europe Summit, where at the core of the
agenda would be the new menaces and new challenges which occupy our
attention and demand our resources. An enlarged European Union, an enlarging
NATO, evolving transatlantic interactions, this is the context against which
our heads of state should meet and carve out a new vision for a Council of
Europe that was born in one era, and now must lead in another.
Our search for deeper relations with Europe has, for us in the Caucasus,
become both cause and effect. This process is a continuum that began when we
targeted Council of Europe membership as a goal. We benefited from that
process, as we continue to benefit from membership itself which jumpstarted
and quickened legislative, judicial and other reforms. Today, we are looking
forward to becoming part of Europe¹s New Neighborhood and creating our own
cooperative and integrated neighborhood.
It is the same with democratization. The decision to transition to a
democratic, rule of law system of governance was a significant step. The
process of accomplishing that goal is an ongoing one, for all countries.
Mr. Chairman, I recall my first statement here, immediately after Armenia¹s
membership. I said then that we have become members not so that we would
bring our problems to this Council, but to use the Council to address our
problems. This is the first time that my Azerbaijani colleague and I are
both using this forum to meet in the sidelines and seek common ground, from
which I hope we can defend the rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination, while resolving the other consequences of the conflict
which continue to cause pain and suffering to both Armenians and
Azerbaijanis.
Exactly 10 years ago today, the leaders of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and
Azerbaijan demonstrated the necessary political will to put a stop to years
of fighting, and to institute what is today the longest, and the only,
self-monitored ceasefire in the world. Today, as we meet under the aegis of
the Minsk Group co-Chairs, we have a chance to exhibit political will yet
again, and in this second decade, take our peoples forward toward a lasting
resolution.
I will use the opportunity today of meeting here with my new Azerbaijani
colleague to call for a de-escalation of the rhetoric of war, and the war of
rhetoric. Both sides stand to benefit from the suspension of charges and
accusations. The Europe of which we are a part is a Europe without borders
and barriers. This Europe presents us the opportunity to take advantage of
the mechanisms and institutions that have been developed and have proven
themselves in defending, promoting, implementing European ideals and
European norms.
Mr. Chairman, we hope to return to this forum, proud of our accomplishments
not just in establishing a vibrant democracy, but also in making possible
prosperity and cooperation in our region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Youth to Hold Armenian Independence Day Picnic – Festival
The Armenian Youth Federation Garo Madenlian Public Affairs Office
announced Friday that the AYF will celebrate the first Armenian
independence with a large-scale picnic-festival on Monday May 31.
The picnic-festival will feature well-known singers and performers
including Nersik Ispirian, Joseph Krikorian, Paul Baghdadlian,
Armenchik, Artash Assadrian, Hovhanes Shahbazian, Sako, Ara Sahagian,
and Harout Hagopian.
“May 28, 1918 represents one of the most significant turning points
in our history,” said Vicken Sosikian, chairman of the AYF Western
Region. “As a free public event in celebration of such a great turning
point in our history, we view the picnic-festival as a service to
the Armenian community.”
The picnic, to begin at 10am, will also offer attendees food, music,
and games. Local businesses and organizations will also have booths
through which they will make their products and information available
to the public. The picnic will be held at the Holy Martyrs Armenian
School located at 16617 Parthenia St. North Hills, CA 91343.
For more information or details please call (818) 507-1933.
The AYF will also commemorate Memorial Day the same morning, with a
wreathe laying at the Glendale City Hall Veterans Memorial.
The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States serves Armenian
American communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social
settings. To learn more about the AYF please log on to
#####

Excuses, à qui le tour ?, par Tony Judt
Le Monde
12 Mai 2004
Nous vivons à l’ère des excuses. Lorsqu’une crise se produit ou quand
un scandale est dévoilé, la première réaction de nombreux personnages
publics de nos jours est de jaillir en un torrent de remords. Ces
geysers inépuisables de contrition non dissimulée ont fait naître les
espoirs de tout le monde : les victimes – réelles ou présumées –
n’exigent pas seulement la justice mais le repentir, et les
journalistes y mettent allégrement du leur.
C’est ainsi que la commission publique qui enquêtait sur les
défaillances de la sécurité avant le 11 Septembre a été transformée
en soap opera. Condoleezza Rice allait-elle suivre la réplique de
Richard Clarke et proposer un “désolé” télégénique pour ne pas avoir
empêché que ça se produise ? De quoi aurait-elle l’air si elle
présentait des excuses sur tous les points ? Et – encore plus
intéressant du point de vue médiatique – de quoi aurait-elle l’air si
elle ne le faisait pas ?
Le Dr Rice est une médiocre conseillère pour la sécurité nationale,
mais c’est une bonne tacticienne. En refusant d’exprimer le remords
(“Il ne serait pas bon pour les victimes ni pour le pays que je
m’excuse de ne pas avoir empêché le 11 Septembre de se produire. Ce
serait s’appesantir sur le passé”, comme elle l’a expliqué à Ed
Bradley dans l’émission “60 Minutes”), elle n’a pas payé cher sa
participation aux enjeux de la sympathie, tout en détournant avec
fermeté l’attention des journalistes de tout ce qui avait de
l’importance. Les sentiments du moment de Condoleezza Rice occupaient
le devant de la scène, plutôt que ses actes passés. Nous avions
l’habitude de nous intéresser à ce que faisaient ou pensaient les
personnages publics.
A présent, nous ne voulons véritablement savoir que ce qu’ils
ressentent. Et tout le monde, même le président des Etats-Unis, s’y
prête avec enthousiasme. Il s’agit d’un fait nouveau. Par le passé,
devant des mauvaises nouvelles, les politiciens avaient l’habitude de
dissimuler. Plutôt que de dire ce qu’ils ressentaient face à quelque
chose de désagréable dont on pouvait les considérer comme
responsables, ils se contentaient de démentir : “Cela ne s’est jamais
produit.”Plus tard, quand il n’a plus été possible de démentir, ils
ont minimisé le problème : “D’accord, cela s’est produit, mais ce
n’était pas aussi grave que vous le dites.” Plus tard encore, quand
l’étendue du crime ou du scandale était évidente pour tout le monde,
ils ont admis “eh bien oui, cela s’est produit et cela était en tout
point aussi grave que vous le dites. Mais c’était il y a si
longtemps. Pourquoi remuer le passé ?”
Cela reste la réponse en de nombreux endroits. Au Japon, les mauvais
traitements infligés pendant la guerre aux Chinois et aux Coréens
sont encore embourbés dans un semi-démenti et une mémoire officielle
truquée. Les autorités turques – et beaucoup de Turcs – oscillent
inconfortablement entre une réécriture qui les disculperait et un
démenti pur et simple lorsqu’ils sont confrontés au massacre des
Arméniens. Les dirigeants australiens ne nient plus le quasi-génocide
des Aborigènes, mais il est tellement ancien qu’ils refusent de
s’appesantir sur le sujet. Même quand la pression internationale a
rendu inévitables les “regrets” et les réparations officiels, comme
dans le cas de l’Holocauste, le remords officiel sincère est rare.
Les excuses récentes du président polonais Kwasniewski pour la part
prise par ses compatriotes dans l’extermination de leurs voisins
juifs pendant la seconde guerre mondiale ont eu une portée d’autant
plus grande qu’elles étaient sans précédent.
Bref, les excuses publiques ne sont pas une réponse politique
universelle aux mauvaises nouvelles. Elles semblent constituer une
particularité américaine – Tony Blair s’y adonne aussi, mais, par sa
religiosité bien affichée et sa propension à se faire moraliste,
Blair est le premier ministre le plus américain de l’histoire
britannique moderne. Il est de la même génération que Bill Clinton,
Al Gore, George W. Bush et autres baby-boomers façonnés par la
révolution pédagogique des années 1960 et les préoccupations
narcissiques de l’époque.
Pour cette génération de dirigeants politiques – et leurs partisans –
il a toujours été important d’avoir les sentiments adéquats et de les
afficher généreusement. Ainsi (selon son porte-parole), le président
Bush – jusqu’ici apparemment imperméable aux susceptibilités de sa
génération – est désolé de “la douleur causée” par la publication de
photos et de reportages sur des soldats américains torturant des
Irakiens. Selon ses propres termes, Bush se sent “mal” à cause de ce
qui est arrivé, “désolé de l’humiliation” des prisonniers irakiens.
Il ne dit pas tout à fait qu’il “ressent leur douleur” – c’est un
sentiment plus en rapport avec Clinton – mais l’idée générale est la
même.
Pour une génération élevée dans le culte de l’amélioration
personnelle, que ce soit par la psychothérapie ou la renaissance
religieuse, on est meilleur si on se sent mieux avec soi-même ; dire
qu’on est “désolé” fait qu’on se sent incontestablement mieux. La
victime aussi se sent mieux. On gagne donc sur trois tableaux : on
est bon, on fait du bien et on se sent bien.
Mais en passant des relations privées aux affaires publiques, les
excuses rencontrent quelques paradoxes fascinants. En premier lieu,
elles se sapent elles-mêmes. Comme le savent tous ceux qui se sont
occupés de jeunes enfants, dire “pardon” ou “désolé” a un double but
: reconnaître la culpabilité et disculper l’auteur de la faute :
“J’ai dit que j’étais désolé : pourquoi es-tu encore fâché ?” Ainsi
George W. Bush espère-t-il indubitablement qu’en disant à quel point
il est désolé que son armée se soit déshonorée, il pourra rapidement
laisser cette affaire derrière lui. En cela, il se trompe assurément.
A notre époque de remords instantanés, le cours du repentir a subi
une énorme inflation et a perdu presque toute valeur. La plupart de
ceux qui ont entendu le président exprimer ses regrets, surtout parmi
les Arabes et les musulmans auxquels ils étaient plus
particulièrement destinés, se seront fait l’écho de la réponse
célèbre de Mandy Rice-Davis au plus fort de l’affaire Christine
Keeler dans le Swinging London des années 1960, lorsque Lord Astor a
nié sous serment avoir été en relation avec elle : “Enfin, on
s’attendait à ce qu’il dise ça, non ?” En outre, alors que les
regrets du président sont sûrement sincères, il est probable que son
auditoire international, sceptique, se dise qu’il n’est pas moins
“désolé” que l’information ait été divulguée. Il pourrait aussi en
venir à regretter amèrement les excuses soigneusement mitigées
présentées par ses subordonnés. Le général de division Geoffrey
Miller, responsable de la prison d’Abou Ghraib, a commencé par
présenter ses excuses puis a passé un certain temps à expliquer qu’il
faisait référence aux “actes illégaux et non autorisés” d’un “petit
nombre de soldats”. Le général de brigade Kimmitt, porte-parole de
l’armée américaine en Irak, a pareillement nuancé l’expression de ses
regrets – “un petit nombre de soldats commettant un impair”. Ce
repentir de pure forme accordé à contrecœur (la sodomie au moyen d’un
manche à balai est donc devenue “un impair” ?) ne fait qu’attirer
l’attention sur son insuffisance – et appelle une accusation de
mauvaise foi.
Alors, que doit faire un dirigeant démocratique ? S’excuser trop tôt
sonne faux – notamment pour les étrangers qui connaissent mal le
culte américain de la contrition. Le silence fait croire à une
indifférence sans pitié ou à une tentative pour étouffer l’affaire.
Les crimes d’Abou Ghraib et d’ailleurs ne sont pas comparables au
massacre de My Lai ou autres atrocités de guerre commises dans le feu
du combat par des GI terrifiés et des officiers incapables. Ils
découlent de cette insigne indifférence aux lois, aux règlements, aux
droits et aux devoirs qui a caractérisé cette administration depuis
le début et qui devait fatalement, tôt ou tard, s’infiltrer jusqu’aux
sergents et aux mercenaires qui font le sale travail. Le président
Bush n’avait donc pas d’autre choix que de reconnaître immédiatement
que des choses terribles avaient été faites en Irak – et il ferait
bien de s’assurer qu’on lui a raconté toute l’histoire et qu’il la
raconte à son tour complètement. L’expression publique de sa douleur
et de son chagrin ne sera toutefois plus suffisante.
Ce qui manque au culte américain moderne du “désolé”, c’est le sens
des responsabilités. Qu’il s’agisse de l’incompétence des services de
sécurité avant le 11 Septembre, d’une aventure impérialiste mal
conduite et ratée, de la mauvaise administration et de la dégradation
de l’armée ou du comportement criminel des Américains en Irak, tout
le monde se sent “mal”, tout le monde exprime ses “regrets” – mais
personne, semble-t-il, ne se sent “responsable”. D’après le président
Bush (interviewé sur Al-Hurra), “nous croyons à la transparence parce
que nous sommes une société libre. C’est ce que font les sociétés
libres. S’il y a un problème, elles abordent ce problème de manière
franche et directe”. Sauf que, bien sûr, nous ne le faisons pas.
Car juste après, dans la phrase suivante, George W. Bush affirme à
son interlocuteur : “J’ai confiance dans le secrétaire de la défense
et j’ai confiance dans les commandants sur le terrain… parce que
eux et nos troupes font du bon travail pour le peuple irakien.” Les
commandants sont donc tirés d’affaire. Pendant ce temps, le New York
Times (6 mai) rapporte une petite histoire touchante sur les GI
déroutés et désemparés, les véritables auteurs des tortures, qui
prétendent avoir suivi les ordres / ne pas avoir reçu d’ordres /
avoir mal compris ces ordres / avoir été eux-mêmes mal compris /
avoir subi un stress important à ce moment-là / subir un stress
encore plus important à présent, et ainsi de suite.
Tout le monde est désolé que “ça” se soit produit. A moins que leurs
dirigeants puissent aller au- delà de cette réaction moralisatrice et
intéressée, les Etats-Unis vont avoir de gros problèmes. Si Donald
Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz ou le général Richard Myers étaient des
hommes d’honneur, ils auraient honte et démissionneraient. Mais ils
ne le sont pas. Si George W. Bush avait l’envergure d’un président,
il les aurait déjà virés et aurait assumé personnellement la pleine
responsabilité de leur incompétence. Par les temps qui courent,
toutefois, le président ne prendra certainement pas cette
responsabilité. Pourtant, seul ce type de devoir désuet est de nature
à rendre aux Etats-Unis leur place dans la communauté des nations.
Pour le reste du monde, les excuses de Bush ne sont que des exercices
pour limiter les dégâts. Ce même président, qui parlait de mener la
croisade de Dieu contre le Mal et qui se complaisait dans l’aura
d’autosatisfaction fournie par ses guerriers invincibles, va avoir du
mal à convaincre le reste de l’humanité qu’il s’intéresse réellement
à quelques Arabes brutalisés.
Comme l’ont montré les événements récents, l’Amérique, sous la
présidence de Bush, peut encore avilir et humilier ses ennemis. Mais
elle a perdu le respect de ses amis et elle perd rapidement le
respect d’elle-même. Voilà une raison d’être désolé.
Tony Judt est professeur d’études européennes et directeur du
Remarque Institute à l’université de New York.
Traduit de l’anglais (Etats-Unis) par Florence Lévy-Paoloni. ©Tony
Judt.

ARMENIA A NEW EU NEIGHBOR
A1 Plus | 15:29:58 | 14-05-2004 | Official |
Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan received Christoff Bergner, Yorg Tauss,
Lydia Westrich and Ulla Heller, the members of “South Caucasus”
multi-party MP group of Germany Bundestag.
The interlocutors have underlined importance of the decision recently
made by European Commission, under which Armenia and other South
Caucasus states are enrolled in “Wider Europe and New Neighbors”
of European Union.
Bundestag MPs stated that the group they had established as well
supported making the above decision as it stressed integration of South
Caucasus into the European structures as a joint and complete element.
The present phase of Karabakhi conflict settlement was referred to
during the meeting. At request of MPs Minister Oskanyan introduced
the impressions of his negotiations with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Mamediarov in Strasburg.

ARKA News Agency
May 12 2004
On May 13 Robert Kocharian to leave for Russia with three-day working
visit
The President of Ukraine and RA Prime Minister note dynamical
development of trade-economic cooperation
RA Prime Minister and Ukrainian Foreign Minister discuss bilateral
relations
Delegation of Armenian Parliament to leave for Samara tomorrow
Cease-fire regime in Karabakh conflict area is 10
Military efficiency of NKR Defense Army is a pledge of peace in the
region – Ashot Gulian
Scientific-practical conference started in Stepanakert
Two-day workshop “European integration as peace and sustainable
development guarantee” started in Stepanakert
*********************************************************************
ON MAY 13 ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO LEAVE FOR RUSSIA WITH THREE-DAY WORKING
VISIT
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. On May 13 RA President Robert Kocharian
will leave for Russia with three-day working visit. In the frames of
the visit Kocharian will meet with RF President Vladimir Putin, the
Head of the Governmetn Mihail Fradkov. Armenian President will also
meet the Chairman of Board of OJSC Gasprom Aleksey Miller and the
Chairman of Itera Group of Companies Igor Makarov. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE AND RA PRIME MINISTER NOTE DYNAMICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE-ECONOMIC COOPERATION
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. The President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian noted dynamical development of
trade-economic cooperation. The parties exchange views on internal
political and socio-economic situation in both countries. The parties
stressed the perspective of cooperation of the countries in the
sphere of education. Kuchma thanked the Government of Armenia for
attention to demands of Yerevan branch of Ternopol Academy of
National Economy, the only branch of Ukrainian academy in South
Caucasus. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRIME MINISTER AND UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS BILATERAL
RELATIONS
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Grischenko discussed bilateral
relations. The parties also discussed development of
Armenian-Ukrainian cooperation in international organizations. They
noted activation of economic, political and cultural cooperation
based on agreement base. Armenian PM also visited Institute of
Electric Welding after Eugenie Paton, where he met with its director,
the President of National Science Academy of Ukraine Boris Paton.
Armenian delegation also met with representatives of National Bank of
Ukraine. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
DELEGATION OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO LEAVE FOR SAMARA TOMORROW
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. Delegation of Armenian Parliament, headed
with RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian will leave for Samara
tomorrow, RA NA told ARKA. Armenian parliamentarians will take part
in conference “Interregional Armenian-Russian Cooperation. Situation
and Perspective”. The parties will discuss Armenian-Russian
trade-economic cooperation at regional level and perspectives and
opportunities of development. Russian party will be represented with
the Chairman of Russian Federation Council Sergey Mironov, the
governors and representatives of legislative and executive powers of
Russia.
Armenian Speaker will also meet with the heads of legislative and
executive powers of Samara region, businessmen and representatives of
Armenian community of Samara. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CEASE-FIRE REGIME IN KARABAKH CONFLICT AREA IS 10
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. In May 2004 it will be 10 years since the
establishment of cease-fire regime in Karabakh conflict area.
With Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and the CIS Interparliamentary Council
mediating, at the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, on May 5, 1994,
Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabagh and Armenia signed the Bishkek Document.
According to that document, parties to the conflict agreed to a
cease-fire, effective from May 12th to date.
In 1992, the OSCE Minsk Group was formed to resolve the Karabagh
conflict. Under its auspices, a negotiating process has been created
to prepare for the OSCE Minsk Conference that has the duty of finding
a final solution to the status of Nagorno Karabagh.
It is noteworthy that all these 10 years peace was observed without
support of international peacemaker’s forces and first of all due to
balance of powers in the region. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
MILITARY EFFICIENCY OF NKR DEFENSE ARMY IS A PLEDGE OF PEACE IN THE
REGION – ASHOT GULIAN
YEREVAN, May, 12. /ARKA/. Military efficiency of NKR Defense Army is
a pledge of peace in the region, NKR Foreign Minister Ashot Gulian
stated. He also noted that there are no objective backgrounds for
recommencement of military actions today. He added that in most of
the cases cease-fire regime was violated by Azeri party. “May 1994
and meeting in Bishkek is very important stage in the history of
Karabakh settlement”, Gulian said.
With Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and the CIS Interparliamentary Council
mediating, at the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, on May 5, 1994,
Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabagh and Armenia signed the Bishkek Document.
According to that document, parties to the conflict agreed to a
cease-fire, effective from May 12th to date.
In 1992, the OSCE Minsk Group was formed to resolve the Karabagh
conflict. Under its auspices, a negotiating process has been created
to prepare for the OSCE Minsk Conference that has the duty of finding
a final solution to the status of Nagorno Karabagh. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
SCIENTIFIC-PRACTICAL CONFERENCE STARTED IN STEPANAKERT
YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Scientific-practical conference “Priorities
of Science in Artsakh State University started in Stepanakert
participated by professors and lecturers as well as postgraduate
students of the University. The conference will hear 110 papers on
development of physics-mathematic, economy, pedagogy and other
science, rational use of natural resources, environment protection
etc. T.M. –0–
*********************************************************************
TWO-DAY WORKSHOP “EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AS PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GUARANTEE” STARTED IN STEPANAKERT
YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Two-day workshop “European Integration as
peace and sustainable development guarantee” devoted to the 10th
anniversary of establishing ceasefire in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict zone started in Stepanakert. The workshop is organized with
the assistance of European Integration (Armenia), Karabakh Committee
“Helsinki Initiative-92, holding Antares, Varanda Ltd, NKR Parliament
Foreign Relations Permanent Commission, as well as NKR Foreign
Ministry. In the course of the workshop there will be heard a number
of papers. Along the workshop it is planned holding meeting with NKR
universities students with the discussion topic European Structures,
as well as organizing exhibition that would present modern education
and fiction. T.M. –0–
*********************************************************************

Guardian, UK
May 12 2004
EU sets out how new neighbours can become good friends
Ian Black in Brussels
Thursday May 13, 2004
The Guardian
The expanded EU is offering its new neighbours greater cooperation
and assistance – but also keeping them at arm’s length.
“We want to give them a real stake in the enlarged EU so that they,
too, can develop and prosper,” Günter Verheugen, the commissioner for
enlargement, said yesterday. “A ring of well-governed countries
around the EU offering new perspectives for democracy and economic
growth is in the interests of Europe as a whole.”
However, Mr Verheugen made it clear that EU membership was not on
offer.
This month’s historic “big bang” enlargement, taking in eight east
European countries and Cyprus and Malta into a club of 25, has
extended the EU’s borders to the former Soviet Union and the Middle
East and north Africa.
The EU’s new neighbours range from Ukraine and Moldova to Tunisia and
Israel.
Later this year, the union will make a hugely significant and
controversial decision on whether to go ahead with long-awaited
membership talks with Turkey, whose 70 million people would make it
the largest member state after Germany.
The EU already has a formal “strategic partnership” with Russia, but
the new policy is also intended to apply to Ukraine, Belarus and
Moldova – as long as they meet standards on human rights and
democracy.
Mr Verheugen acknowledged that Belarus, often described as Europe’s
last dictatorship, was especially problematic. Relations between
Brussels and Minsk have been frozen for seven years.
The commission said it also wanted to forge links with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Caucasus.
In the south, the policy will apply to Algeria, Egypt, Israel,
Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the Palestinian
Authority – all partners in the Barcelona process of
“Euro-Mediterranean dialogue”.
Participants will be offered tailor-made neighbourhood policy “action
plans” promoting good governance, human rights and economic and
social development. But the biggest carrot is likely to be the offer
of a stake in the EU’s internal market if local laws and regulations
are brought into line with Brussels’ requirements, as well as
participation in EU training and research programmes.
There would also be benefits from open borders for trade and free
movement for capital and people.
Migration, crime, terrorism and people-trafficking are other areas
where the EU wants to boost cooperation.
Romano Prodi, the commis sion president, has talked of a “ring of
friends” which could share everything but the EU’s institutions.
The new plan does not include countries that have applied to join the
EU or are already negotiating. Romania and Bulgaria are expected to
enter in 2007, with Croatia not far behind.
Other Balkan countries are expected to follow, raising the prospect
of an EU of 30 or more members and 500 million people by the end of
the decade.
The commission says it expects to make €255m (£172m) available to the
neighbourhood programmes in 2004-06, and will propose a substantial
rise for 2007-13.

Kuchma, Armenian premier call for deeper cooperation in energy sector
Interfax
May 13 2004
Ukraine and Armenia should deepen energy sector cooperation, Ukrainian
President Leonid Kuchma and visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian said on Wednesday.
During a meeting in Kyiv, the two also discussed prospects for further
cooperation between their two countries in the sphere of education,
the presidential press service reported.
Kuchma also thanked the Armenian government for attentively attending
to the needs, and improving conditions at the Yerevan department
of the Ternopil Academy of Agriculture – the only Ukrainian higher
educational institution with a department in the southern Caucasus.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MAY 7-13, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
RESEARCH ON KARABAGH PROBLEM AND REGIONAL RELATIONS PRESENTED
TWO OF THE EGG-THROWERS INTERROGATED
BROADCAST LICENSING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
“ARAVOT” ON AIR
HCA VANADZOR BRANCH WINS SUIT VERSUS MUNICIPALITY
RESEARCH ON KARABAGH PROBLEM AND REGIONAL RELATIONS PRESENTED
On May 10 at the Journalists Union of Armenia Yerevan Press Club held the
presentation of “The Karabagh Conflict and Prospects for Settling It” book
published under the project “Possible Resolutions to the Karabagh Conflict:
Expert Evaluations and Media Coverage”. The project was implemented by
Yerevan and Baku Press Clubs with the support of OSI Network Media Program.
Stepanakert Press Club was also involved in the project.
The book presents the findings of the sociological surveys and media
monitoring, administered in 2001-2003 in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Mountainous
Karabagh. “The surveys of the population and decision-makers in 2001 as well
as focus-group discussions in 2002 allowed to reveal the sentiment and the
major priorities in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Mountainous Karabagh on the
conflict-related issues”, the Armenia project coordinator Ashot Melikyan
said. “The Delphi research of the experts in 2003 showed that despite the
significant discrepancies between the Armenian and Azerbaijani parties,
there is a certain potential for rapprochement which can be used during
political decision-making in the conflict resolution process.”
The media monitoring coordinator in Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh Elina
Poghosbekian pointed out the main distinctions of the coverage of Karabagh
problem by the media. The findings of the monitoring studies of Armenian,
Azerbaijani and Karabagh media, held by unified methodology and in
practically identical timeframes, showed that in 2001-2003 the most actively
discussed issues were those of peaceful or military solutions to the
conflict. At the same time the majority of publications was devoted to the
need for peaceful resolution. Unlike the Karabagh media that for three years
has been displaying generally steady attitude and a greater interest to the
subject in question, its coverage in the media of Armenia and Azerbaijan
significantly reduced in 2003. The “frozen” interest to Karabagh issue is
explained by the stagnation in the negotiations process, but it is primarily
due to the elections last year that kept the media attention focused in the
two countries. Thus, during presidential and parliamentary election
campaigns in Armenia the “Karabagh factor” was either not used or little
used (along with other economic, social and other issues) in the pre- and
post-election political debate. Year 2003 was marked by presidential
elections and the problems of power succession for Azerbaijan and its media
as well.
At the presentation Yerevan Press Club also publicized the monitoring data
on the coverage of the relations of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey by the
media of the three countries. This research has been conducted by Yerevan
Press Club and “Yeni Nesil” Journalists Union of Azerbaijan since 2002. The
“election fever” of 2003 also told on the attention of Armenian and
Azerbaijani media to the relations within Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkey
triangle. A characteristic feature of the Armenian media coverage in
2002-2003 are the Armenian-Turkish (with an emphasis on the 1915 issue) and
Armenian-Azerbaijani (with an emphasis on the Mountainous Karabagh problem)
relations. The relations of Azerbaijan and Turkey are the least popular
subject. In Azerbaijani media three priorities can be steadily traced:
Azerbaijani-Turkish and Azerbaijani-Armenian relations as well as the
Karabagh problem. The bilateral relations of Armenia and Turkey receive very
little attention. As to Turkish media, they display permanently low interest
to Turkish-Armenian and Turkish-Azerbaijani subjects, focusing on other
foreign policy aspects.
The findings of the researches mentioned can be viewed in detail on YPC web
site:
TWO OF THE EGG-THROWERS INTERROGATED
On May 12 the Public Relations and Information Department of the RA General
Prosecutor’s Office communicated that two of attackers on journalists during
an opposition rally of April 5 have been interrogated. According to the
General Prosecutor’s Office, these are a resident of Yerevan, unemployed
Ashot Avetisian, born in 1965, and a resident of Artashat city, unemployed
Hrair Harutiunian, born in 1957. According to release, these people “made a
complete confession and gave appropriate testimony”.
As it has been reported, on April 5 the media representatives were attacked
by a group of “strong guys” while attempting to record them throwing eggs
at the rally participants (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8,
2004). On May 5, a month after the incident, the General Prosecutor’s Office
informed about the transfer of the criminal case, instituted on April 8 by
the RA Police, to Yerevan Prosecutor’s Office. A week after the public
learned about the first steps of the investigative bodies. In this context
it is important to note that right after April 5 the scene of the assault
on one of the cameramen was shown on air, and the photographs of several
“egg-throwers” were published in the press. Here a question arises: has it
not taken the law enforcement bodies too long to identify only two of the
attackers and interrogate them? Hopefully, having finally set off, the
investigation will proceed at greater speed to find and punish people who
exerted violence against journalists at duty.
BROADCAST LICENSING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
On May 11 the National Commission on Television and Radio announced a
broadcast licensing competition for 33rd UHF in Nor Hajn town of Kotayk
region. The deadline for the bid submission is August 9, 2004. The
applications will be considered by the National Commission on August 18.
Currently “Nor Hajn” TV company broadcasts on this frequency.
“ARAVOT” ON AIR
On May 10, after the technical break announced due to the change of the
owner and the title, “Aravot” TV company went on air. As it has been
reported, after the sale of “Kentron”, the TV company, renamed to “Aravot”,
was headed by Aram Abrahamian, also the Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 23-29, 2004). Despite the assurances of Aram
Abrahamian that he will continue to assist the return of “A1+” TV company on
air (Abrahamian hosted “PostScript” program on “A1+”), his consent to head
“Aravot” TV encountered very negative response from “A1+” management. (Two
years ago, by the decision of National Commission on Television and Radio
the opposition channel “A1+” lost the competition for its frequency to
“Kentron”, presently “Aravot” TV.)
On its behalf the Board of opposition party Armenian National Movement (ANM)
announced that it refuses to appear on the air of “Aravot” TV. On May 6,
with a reference to anonymous source in the ANM Board, “Haikakan Zhamanak”
daily reported that the governing body of the party does not want to
participate in the imitation of freedom of speech.
In an interview to “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” newspaper of May 7 Aram
Abrahamian expressed his perplexion at the fact that “a political force
refuses to state its position on live air out of fear that it will be an
imitation of freedom of speech”. “In any case I regret that this part of the
political spectrum will not be represented on our channel, however, I am
positive that this is temporary”, Aram Abrahamian added.
HCA VANADZOR BRANCH WINS SUIT VERSUS MUNICIPALITY
The Vanadzor branch of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly won a case versus the
administration of Vanadzor city at the court of primary jurisdiction of Lori
region. The reason for the suit was the refusal of Mayor Samvel Darbinian to
provide HCA Vanadzor branch copies of all the resolutions passed by the
municipality and the Senior Council of the community in 2002-2003.
According to the head of HCA Vanadzor branch Artur Sakunts, the Mayor
referred to the provision of the RA Law “On Legal Acts”, by which the legal
acts for internal use and personal purpose are only provided to their
addressees. The remaining documents, as the Vanadzor administration head
said, were published in the periodical books of communal legal acts. The
human rights activists were unable to find them even at the municipality
itself. Thinking that the representatives of the local authorities violated
the RA Law “On Freedom of Information” the HCA Vanadzor branch filed a suit.
During the hearing the respondent did not have objections on the essence of
the case but he noted that out of 2,614 resolutions a part cannot be
provided as it contains information not to be publicized. To get the
remaining documents the plaintiff must pay a local duty of 1,000 drams
(about $2) for each copy.
At the session of April 30 the suit of HCA Vanadzor branch was secured. The
court obliged the municipality to provide the organization with copies of
all the resolutions of city administrations and the Senior Council of the
community for 2002-2003 except those constituting a secret. The total amount
of duty to be paid for the documents was defined to be only 1,000 drams.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

Armenian President visiting Russia
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 13 2004
RBC, 13.05.2004, Moscow 09:34:46.Armenian President Robert Kocharian
will be on a working visit in Moscow from May 13 to May 15, 2004 at
the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the press service
of the Russian President reported. It is planned that at a meeting
with Putin and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Kocharian will
discuss the whole range of questions of bilateral cooperation between
Russia and Armenia.
In addition, it is planned that the Armenian President will
meet with Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Itera head Igor Makarov.
Kocharian will also meet with the association of Russian-Armenian
business cooperation.

Armenia’s ruling coalition says happy to talk to opposition
Interfax
May 13 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia’s ruling three-party coalition announced
in a statement on Wednesday that it was open to conducting a dialogue
with the opposition.
The coalition, which holds the majority of seats in parliament,
expressed readiness to discuss a proposal from the opposition to end
“the situation that has taken shape in Armenia after the presidential
elections in 2003.”
The coalition proposed four more items for the dialogue’s agenda –
changing key points in the Armenian constitution, changing the election
law and bringing it into line with international democratic standards,
and taking action against corruption and measures to meet Armenia’s
commitments to the Council of Europe.
Galust Sahakian, parliamentary leader of one of the ruling parties,
the Republican Party, told reporters the coalition’s main task was
“to bring the Armenian opposition back into the political field.”
He said the coalition and opposition would start discussing the
opposition’s proposals on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the opposition plans for Friday the next in its series of
rallies to demand the removal of President Robert Kocharian.
Two opposition parties represented in parliament, Justice and National
Unification, have formed a provisional alliance to work toward a
change of power.