Category: News

Azerbaijan determined to get back occupied territory – president
Interfax
May 13 2004
Nakhichevan. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said Azerbaijan will not put up with the occupation of its
lands and will ensure they are liberated.
“The Azerbaijani army is strong and is capable of solving any problem,”
Aliyev told servicemen while opening a new garrison in Nakhichevan
on Wednesday.
“Our people can restore the country’s territorial integrity at any
moment. International law gives us this right,” he said.
Aliyev said the army must be strengthened, given that part of the
country’s territory is under Armenian occupation.
Azerbaijan’s economic development will make money available for
enhancing the army’s combat readiness, Aliyev said.
He said that as before Azerbaijan believes the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict can be settled peacefully.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 13 2004
Parliament News
Speaker meets German MPs
On Monday, Murtuz Alasgarov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (parliament),
received members of the German-Caucasus parliamentarian group of
the German Bundestag who visited Baku on Sunday. Pointing to the
successful economic cooperation between the two countries, Alasgarov
stressed the necessity to increase the turnover of goods.
The speaker also elaborated on the problems that the country is
currently facing. K. Berger, head of the German delegation, noted
that the close cooperation between the two countries would continue
in the future. During the meeting it was also mentioned that Germany
had rendered Euro 270 million worth of assistance to Azerbaijan so far.
Of the sum, Euro 130 million was allocated as part of bilateral
cooperation and the remainder as part of cooperation with the European
Union. The German delegation left Baku on Tuesday first for Georgia
and then Armenia.
Monument to Heydar Aliyev unveiled A monument to Heydar Aliyev
was unveiled in a ceremony at the building of the Milli Majlis
(parliament) on Friday attended by President Ilham Aliyev. Addressing
the event, Murtuz Alasgarov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Ali Ahmadov,
Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, and MPs spoke
about Heydar Aliyev’s activities in the protection of the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, its comprehensive development and recognition
by the international community, as well as in the implementation
of huge economic projects. President Aliyev stressed that the
aim of Heydar Aliyev’s policy was to turn Azerbaijan into the most
dynamically developed country of the region. He also underlined that
the country would not encounter serious problems if Heydar Aliyev’s
policy continued. The monument to the late Azerbaijani President was
designed by sculptor Omar Eldarov.
Draft law “On alternative military service” discussed Despite
widespread public disapproval, a draft law “On alternative services”
will be passed shortly in compliance with Council of Europe
recommendations, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis
and Chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on defense
and security issues Ziyafat Asgarov. The draft law is expected to be
put on the parliament’s agenda shortly. The bill proposes alternative
military service in private institutions instead of regular military
service. The new bill also envisions extending the duration of military
service. The draft law has triggered the disapproval of the public
and many military men in view of the fact that a number of Azerbaijani
provinces remain under Armenian occupation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 13 2004
PACE rapporteur welcomes presidential amnesty
President Ilham Aliyev received Malcolm Bruce, the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur on political
prisoners, on Tuesday.
Expressing his pleasure with the May 10 presidential decree to pardon
363 prisoners, Bruce appreciated President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings in
Strasbourg and his speech at the spring session of PACE on April 29.
Stressing that the democratization process in the country and the
latest amnesty act will help in the settling of the Upper Garabagh
conflict and the gaining of acceptance and support for Azerbaijan’s
standpoint towards the conflict, the PACE rapporteur said that
Azerbaijan was taking constructive steps in this respect.
Appreciating the discussion of different issues, including the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Garabagh at the Council of
Europe (CE) over the past three years, President Aliyev said that the
conflict presented a serious threat to not only to Azerbaijan, but
also to the region. Stressing that his country will continue to
cooperate with the CE in the future, Aliyev said: “The constructive
cooperation testifies to our deserved partnership.” On the first day
of his visit, the PACE rapporteur visited some jails to meet with
those considered as political prisoners. Bruce will wrap up his Baku
visit on Wednesday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Brussels offers favoured status to boost former Soviet republics
By Stephen Castle in Brussels
The Independent, UK
May 13 2004
The European Union reached out to three former Soviet republics in
the Caucasus yesterday, promising new ties to boost economic growth
and tackle illegal migration and organised crime.
The European Commission said Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia should
be given status as “near neighbours” which could develop into a
free trade pact. But they were also told they had no prospect of EU
membership for the foreseeable future. Belarus was singled out for
arms-length treatment because of its dictatorial government.
In 2007, the EU is due to expand again, admitting Bulgaria and Romania,
while Croatia is expected to start membership negotiations shortly. A
decision on talks with Turkey will be taken in December and a bloc
of Balkan nations is vying to join.
But the EU wants to dampen expectations that it can enlarge
indefinitely. The commissioner for enlargement, Günter Verheugen, said:
“With the exception of the Baltic states [which joined the EU on May
1], the western border of the former Soviet Union will be, for a very
long time, the eastern border of the EU.”Though Poland has invested
much in improving relations with Belarus, Mr Verheugen was scathing
about the leadership in Minsk. “I do not think it is time to discuss
contractual relations with an authoritarian government that does not
respect human rights and is violating European standards,” he said.
The EU already has a programme of co-operation with Russia, Ukraine
and a host of other nations.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
May 13 2004
Greek-Turkish relations mending for EU
Cyprus accession puts added strain on historical enemies
By Sarah Khoury
Special to The Daily Star
ATHENS: December 2004 will be known as a new stepping-stone in the
triangular Greek Turkish Cypriot relations. It is when the European
Union will accept or reject accession negotiations with Turkey. If
the green light is given for consultations between both parties,
Turkey will be on a concrete path toward becoming an EU member. But
will southern Cyprus, a new EU member, veto Ankara’s entrance? And
how is this going to affect Greek-Turkish ties?
To satisfy EU demands for its entrance into the union, drastic
changes have to be made based on the 2002 Copenhagen summit criteria
that stipulates Turkey must complete a series of economic political
and human right reforms before the December due date.
The EU council will judge notably progress on human rights issues and
democratization. If the feedbacks are positive, the commission will
recommend start of accession negotiations. Athens, an EU member since
1981 has taken the initiative to offer technical assistance to its
neighbor.
In an interview with The Daily Star, director of the Greek-Turkish
relations department at Greek Foreign Ministry Vassilis Pistinis said
that, in its support for Turkey’s orientation into the EU, Greece has
created a task force to help Ankara establish or re-model its
legislations and economic cooperation to fit
EU criteria’s.
During his historical trip to Greece last week Turkish Premier Recep
Tayyip Erdogan pledged to seek “new horizons” with Greece. Greek
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis repeated his backing for Turkey’s
bid to join the EU.
Analysts have seen Turkey’s public debt as a burden to its entrance
to the EU. But in an interview with The Daily Star, Turkish
Ambassador to Greece Yigit Alpogan took the opportunity to compare
his nation to Greece.
“Greece is an EU member. It has a population of 10 million and a
public debt of $60 million. Turkey has a population of 70 million
with $120 billion public debts. This is not an issue.”
After Cyprus’s entrance into the EU on May 1, Nicosia is now one step
ahead of Ankara, as it can stall and veto Turkey’s path toward the
EU.
Consequences of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s failed blue print
in a bid to end Cyprus’s 30-year separation have topped discussions
among concerned parties. Both Pistinis and Alpogan have reiterated
the failed referendum will not strain bilateral ties.
Pistinis reiterated Athens stance on the need to avoid negative
consequences to the failed referendum. But Greek media have predicted
Cyprus would be sidelined from the diplomatic spotlight, especially
after Annan warned his blue print would not get a second chance.
Alpogan hailed Annan’s plan as an optimum compromise and said “in
modern diplomacy there must be some compromise a party can not get
all its demands fulfilled.” He said if Annan’s plan had passed it
would have been a “win-win” situation for all parties involved but
stressed Turkish-Greek relations would remain intact despite the
referendum.
Pistinis, for his part, added the EU would economically assist the
needs of Turkish-Cypriots. According to a draft EU document the union
pledged nearly $305 million to boost the economy of northern Cyprus
after the referendum left it out of the EU’s enlargement. Among
Turkish Cypriots some 65 percent approved Annan’s plan, which called
for a reunification of the island that would have abolished sanctions
and embargos on the northern part of the Cyprus.
Turkey is the only country that recognizes Turkish enclave on the
island.
When asked how Turkey felt about Greek Cypriot’s acceptance into the
EU, Turkish Ambassador to Greece Alpogan stated their application was
illegal because it only represents a portion of Cypriots.
“This government only represents the Greek side, so from the legal
sense the government did not and still does not represent all of
Cyprus that will one day unilaterally apply for EU membership. This
should be a legal application,” he said.
Alpogan added that according to the 1960 Zurich and London agreement,
Cyprus can only become a member of an organization in which both
Greece and Turkey are in. “Turkey is not a member of the EU,
therefore in 1990 that was one of our basic points of our objection
that this could not happen.”
He accused the EU of not listening to Ankara’s objection.
Director of the Greek-Turkish relations department at Greek Foreign
Ministry Pistinis agreed that under the agreements Cyprus could only
enter an organization in which both Greece and Turkey are part of. He
stressed NATO was an example of such an organization, but that the EU
did not fall under that specific legal definition.
Cyprus is not the only disagreement issue linking the two historical
enemies, but in recent years efforts have been made from both sides
to mend ties. Alpogan highlighted the 1999 rapprochement policy
drafted by Athens and Ankara, which he hailed as the beginning of “a
new era” in Turkish-Greek ties.
On a closer to home level, Greek and Turkish stances on the Aegean
Sea issue have been an ongoing difference between both Mediterranean
countries. Turkey says some Greek islands are situated on its
geographical shell calling it a “political issue,” while Greece
disputes that according to the 1975 delimitation of the continental
shell such a problem should be solved by the International Court of
Justice.
Pistinis hailed exploratory talks that are being held between both
countries and stressed: “Their purpose was to find common agreements
to solve problems and the delimitation of the continental shell.”
Pistins and Alpogan declined to give information on the
“confidential” content of discussions but expressed improvement and
optimism.
Another topic weighing down Greek-Turkish relations is the status of
minorities in Turkey which includes not only Greek Orthodox, but also
Assyrian, Armenians and Kurds.
Greek official Pistinis emphasized the right of religious freedom
under the Copenhagen agreement. He stressed Greece was concerned for
all non-Muslim minorities and not just for Greek Orthodox.

PRESS RELEASE
REF: PR/04/05/011
Assembly of Armenians of Europe
Rue de Treves 10, 1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 647 08 01
Fax: +32 2 647 02 00
CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE IN BRUSSELS
Brussels, 13/05/04 – On May 7th 2004 at the CIVA (Centre International
pour la Ville, l’Architecture et le paysage) in Brussels, the Assembly
of Armenians of Europe organized a conference dedicated to Armenian
Medieval Architecture. Mr. Bernard Coulie (orientalist, rector of the
Catholic University of Louvain,), Mr. Sarkis Shahinian (co-chairman
of the Swiss Armenian Association, researcher at the EFP, Zuirch) and
Mr. Patrick Donabedian (PhD in the history of fine arts and fellow
worker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France) contributed to
the conference, to which architects, members of the cultural units
of the European Commission as well as students and professors were
invited. The idea behind inviting the latter group was to introduce
European specialists and academics to Armenian cultural heritage,
emphasize its role in world heritage and reveal the unknown traditions
of Armenian Architecture.
At the opening of the conference Mr. Bernard Coulie expressed his
condolences to the Belgian Armenian Community on the occasion
of the decease of Arbak Mkhitarian, famous Egyptologist,
armenologist-orientalist and active member of the Armenian community.
Mr. Bernard Coulie gave the audience insights into Armenian history,
culture and Christianity, which became the integral part of the
Armenian identity, while Mr. Sarkis Shahinian presented in detail the
architecture of Armenian Churches in the Middle Ages and revealed the
connection between the Armenian pagan and Medial Christian cultures,
as well as presented a glance to Modern Armenian architecture, in
particular the urbanism of Yerevan, capital of the Republic of Armenia.
Mr. Patrick Donabedian elaborated on the subject of ‘khatchkars’,
cross stones, in which the Armenian valley is abundant. This
conference came to highlight the fact that the majority of those
Armenian monuments concerned are in the territory of Turkey and are
in danger of disappearance. Moreover, none of the mentioned monuments
are under the protection of UNESCO.
The conference was followed by the photo exhibition on Armenia by
the French photographer Wojtek Buss. It was in Armenia that Wojtek
Buss discovered his vocation of photographer and some years later he
returned there in order to realize his dream. His book publish in Paris
in 1998 was entitled “Armenia, Splendour of a secret country”. His
wonderful photos of Armenian monasteries, churches and landscapes
bear witness to the love, mysticism and courage of Armenians.

GEORGIAN FIRST LADY VISITED SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETIA
13.05.2004 17:37
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ May 12 spouse of the Georgian President Sandra
Saakashvili visited the Samtskhe-Javakhetian region mostly populated
by Armenians. She visited the market of Akhalkalaki town, familiarizing
herself with local prices. Then Sandra Saakashvili visited Poka village
of Ninotsminda region, where she met with acolytes of Georgian cloister
complex recently founded on the Parvana lakeside.

WNNE-TV, VT
May 12 2004
Developer Hopes To Buy Church To Give To Other Church
NASHUA, N.H. — A real estate developer plans to buy a Catholic
church for $1 million and then donate the property to the Armenian
Orthodox Church.
Vatche Manoukian, of Hollis, N.H., has entered an agreement with the
Catholic Diocese of Manchester to buy St. Francis Xavier Church and
give the property as a gift to his church, said Manoukian’s lawyer,
Gerald Prunier.
The sale faces several obstacles, however, including a lawsuit filed by
former St. Francis Xavier parishioners who argue that church officials
have no right to sell the property. A century-old deed at the center
of the debate states that the property must always hold a place of
religious observance.

Azerbaijan Ready To Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
May 12 2004
12 May 2004 — Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev today marked the 10th
anniversary of the end of fighting with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh
by saying Azerbaijan was trying to settle the still-unresolved dispute
by peaceful means, but if that failed, Azerbaijan was ready to go to
war “at any moment” over the territory.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan needs to increase its military potential in
order to “restore its territorial integrity.”
More than 30,000 people were killed and 1 million were left homeless
during five years of war over the territory. The 1994 cease-fire left
ethnic Armenian forces in control of Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan
still wants control of the territory.
Internationally mediated talks have so far failed to convert the
cease-fire into a permanent political settlement.

The Age, Australia
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
May 13 2004
Mistake burdens officials
The president of the Australian Weightlifting Federation, Sam Coffa,
has accepted part of the blame for an “outrageous” blunder that
resulted in Australia having just one men’s representative in the
sport for Athens.
The men’s team finished second to the tiny island nation of Nauru
at last week’s Oceania championships in Fiji and will take its
smallest-ever weightlifting team to an Olympic Games.
The Australian women’s team finished first in Suva and qualified
one lifter.
The ignominy of the men losing out to a country of 11,300 people was
compounded by the fact coaches left behind a lifter ranked No. 1 in
the world – because they thought Australia would qualify first anyway.
“The one or two lifters needed to get us over the line were left
behind,” Coffa said yesterday.
“This was following advice from our coaching panel that we had enough
buffer to take us over the line and it didn’t prove to be the case.
“I won’t apportion the blame to anyone in particular but we are all
guilty and that includes me.”
Sergo Chakhoyan, currently training in Armenia and rated world No. 1
in the 85 kilograms class, was the weightlifter told he was not
required.
With his bronze medal in the clean and jerk at last year’s world
championships, he pre-qualified for the Games and he’ll now fill the
sole men’s spot for Australia. Nauru will take two lifters.
The bungle left Chris Rae, who won the 105 kilograms-plus class in
Suva, a shattered man.
The 23-year-old Sydney Olympian was in line to fill the second spot
pending results at the Games selection trials in Melbourne in June.
“It’s a huge error. It’s devastating for me and it has cost me the
chance of making the Olympics,” Rae said.
“The coaching staff said we didn’t need him (Chakhoyan) but the result,
where no athlete performed exceptionally badly and we still lost,
has proved the coaching staff has made a mistake.
“I thought it was odd – even on paper (before the Oceania
championships) it looked like the Australians weren’t going to win.
“For us to lose the position is a massive blow to me and it hurts to
know not picking the best team has probably cost me a chance to go
to a second Olympics.”
Rae is second in the Australian selection criteria for Athens and was
confident of qualifying for the Games, at which he said a top-10 spot
had been on the cards.
Australian coach Luke Borreggine refused to comment about the selection
mistake yesterday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress