VARTAN OSKANIAN TO MEET WITH CO-CHAIRS ON SEPTEMBER 12 IN PARIS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian will have a meeting with OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chairs on September 12 in Paris. Radio Liberty was informed about it
by Vladimir Karapetian, Acting Spokesperson of RA Foreign Ministry. No
details relating to the meeting are mentioned.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: CONSISTENCY IN SOLUTION OF DOMESTIC PROBLEMS IS ON THE SOCIETY’S AGENDA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Ideological
distinctness, consistency, adherence to its principles, also
consistency in solition of national problems have always been typical
of the Dashnaktsutyun,” the Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
stated during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th Supreme
Meeting of the ARF’s Armenia organization on September 7. At the same
time, the minister underlined that today on the society’s “agenda is
consistency in solution of domestic problems, consistency that will
allow us to build our society in line with today’s requirements,
consistency that will enable law and order to rule in our country,
consistency to make democracy an irreversible lifestyle, consistency
to make our government system function more efficiently, consistency to
allow us to fight more efficiently against corrution and protectionism,
and finally consistency so that the moral and psychological image
of our nation, the Armenian individual will become healthier and
take roots.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: ASSAULTS TOWARDS “ZHARANGUTIUN” ARE INSTRUCTED BY HIGHEST RULING INSTANCES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The “Zharangutiun”
(Heritage) party addressed to the Prosecutor’s Office on September 6,
appealing the decision of the Yerevan City Department Central Office
of the Police, in which they refuse to bring a criminal action on
the presented materials on an unknown person’s illegal usage of the
property belonging to the party according the property right. “I,
as a citizen, whose rights are twice defied, demands bringing of
the criminal action and investigation towards all those people who
related or may relate to it, starting from the acting President and
his different employees, and ending with all our ministries, including
forced executors and theater administration,” party board member
Raffi Hovannisian stated in the “Pastark” club the same day. Vardan
Khachatrian, the newly elected chairman of the “Zharangutiun” board
and attorney Zaruhi Postanjian also participated in the meeting with
journalists. The Police refused to bring an action, reasoning it by
absence of corpus delicti. But the party representatives insist that
during the period of time from March 4 to May 29 of the current year,
when the administration of the Hakob Paronian State Theater of Music
Comedy prohibited party members’ entering the territory rented in
the administrative building of the theater, a regular illegal action
took place.
Particularly, an unknown person, rounding the password, entered
the computer memory and copied from the computer on a memory
holder information, including the party members’ base data, close
analyses. Experts of the National Bureau of Experts found out that
the monitor of unknown mark was connected up to the party office
computer for 22-24 minutes. Affirming that the defensive system of
the computer was broken, the experts, at the same time, concluded that
“in the consequence of that breaking, no change of computer information
arose, as neither modification of the structure, translation, change
of the initial appearance of the information in the computer nor
difficulties in using them were found out.” In their words, there
are no enough bases to insist that information was copied from the
computer. “I may insist that closing of our office, entering computer
memory in four days, on May 30, and then our regular expulsion from
the office in July were instructed by the highest ruling instance,”
Raffi Hovannisian stated. In his words, the “stolen” information was in
future used “for frightening, calling to police and different actions”
towards party active members and co-thinkers.

EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS TO START IN ARMENIA FROM ZVARTNOTS HISTORIC-ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE-MUSEUM
Noyan Tapan
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the European Heritage
Days will officially start on September 21, at Saint Petersburg
Hermitage museum.
Armenia will join this European cultural event on September 9,
with the event to be held at the Zvartnots historic-archaeological
museum. The European Heritage Days will be held in Armenia under the
heading “Glance at the Middle Ages.”
As RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Gagik Gyurjian
informed journalists at the September 7 press conference, this
year Armenia will not take part in the events to be held in Saint
Petersburg. In Gagik Gyurjian’s words, the European Heritage Days
held under the aegis of the European Union since 1999 every year
from August to November unite 48 country members of the European
Cultural Convention. Thanks to joint work of 15 years this initiative
is indisputable success. In his words, only last year 37 thousand
monuments and sights appeared in the pivot of this All European
cultural campaign uniting 21 mln 700 thousand citizens who familiarized
themselves and became witnesses of European cultural values common
to everybody. The deputy minister said that the first and foremost
aim of the European Heritage Days is to propagandize tolerance among
neighboring countries and peoples in order to prevent any kind of
vandalism and extremist actions. Last year manifestations of vandalism
and extremism towards Armenian historic-cultural values took place
in Armenia’s neighboring countries, which were condemned by the EU
member countries.

CONCERT OF ARMENIAN ETHNO-JAZZ-ROCK TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
MOSCOW, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The concert of
the Armenian ethno-jazz-rock group Vahagn Hayrapetian and Katuner
(Vahagn Hayrapetian and Cats) will be held on September 9 in
Moscow. This was reported by the Yerkramas (Krai) newspaper of
Armenians of Russia. Vahagn Hayrapetian is one of the most famous
and popular jazz musicians of modern Armenian stage. For many years
he was known as follower of the style of swing and bop and performed
with his trio for many years, but in 2005, changing his musical image
Hayrapetian engaged a new collective from seven musicians under the
name Vahagn Hayrapetian and Katuner. The septet has already started
to successfully perform at at the annual Jazz Appreciation Month
organized for the 5th year by the U.S. State Department, as well as
to present its art at the First and Second International Festival
of Vanguard Folk Music in Yerevan, at the Third International Jazz
Festival Yerevan-2006. The collective has had many solo concerts at
concert grounds and clubs of Yerevan. In early summer of 2005 the
collective took part in the South Caucasus Music Conference (Tbilisi,
Georgia) and successfully performed at the Noa-Noa club there. The
ensemble has lately recorded its debute album with 7 compositions
composed by it.

SUPREME MEETING OF ARF’S ARMENIA ORGANIZATION STARTS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The opening
ceremony of the 10th Supreme Meeting of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s
Armenia organization took place in the RA Governmemt Sitting Hall on
September 7. Following the ceremony, the ARF members left for Sevan
to hold a secred closed meeting there.
Speeches of welcome were made by Hrant Margarian, representative
of the ARF Bureau, Andranik Margarian, RA Prime Minister, Chairman
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Vartan Oskanian, RA
Foreign Minister, Mher Shahgeldian, Vice Chairman of the Orinats
Yerkir Party, NA deputy, and Paruyr Hayrikian, leader of the
National Self-Determination Union. Among those invited were the
current and former heads of the RA President’s Staff, government
members, including the Defence Minister Serge Sargsian, leaders
of the pro-government and opposition parties and representatives
of the authorities. Hrant Margarian noted that corrupion, social
polarization, poverty, injustice – the phenomena that hinder Armenia’s
economic development may be overcome by a political force that has
its program, world outlook and prospects, also its political will,
determination, unbiased rigorousness. Saying that the ARF is the
political force needed, he made an appeal to his co-partisans:
“Let’s repair our will at this meeting and let’s win our people’s
confidence manadate by hard work and fair elections.” Expressing a
high opinion about the long-standing cooperation between the ARF and
the RPA, Andranik Margarian said that there are problems, on which
the two parties have “common, close positions”, but their positions
differ with respect to some problems, “but it will not create such a
situation between the two parties or within the coalition that will
prevent us from proceeding along a common path.” Armen Rustamian,
representative of the ARF’s Armenia Supreme Body, Chairman of the
National Assembly Standing Committee of Foreign Relations, made a
large political report at the conclusion of the opening ceremony. He
spoke about the last 15 years, during which Armenia was independent,
addressed the current problems, noting that in some cases the speed of
their solution is not satisfactory. During Armen Rustamian’s speech
when participants expressed their opinions about the opposition’s
actions after the 2003 national elections, Aram Karapetain, leader
of the New Times Party and Grigor Harutyunian, member of the ruling
body of the People’s Party of Armenia, secretary of the NA Justice
facuion, left the hall. In response to NT correspondent’s question,
Grigor Harutyunian said that he left the hall in protest as he does
not agree to A. Rustamian’s opinions concerning the April 2004 events,
for which the ARF also bears responsibility. A. Rustamian particularly
said that the post-election tension became apparent a year after
the elections: “The opposition tries to substantiate its attempts
to carry out a shift of power through straining the home political
sitaution and making calls for disobedience by the existence of a
social demand and by making its own comments on the Constitutional
Court’s decision”. In reality, according to ARF SB representative,
“being inspired in some sense by the revolution in the neighboring
country, the opposition comments the existence of unsolved problems
and some difficulty related to it as the people’s order for the
opposition to carry out an immediate shift of power.”

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
MEDIA ALERT
September 6, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
Schumer Calls on Hoagland to Clarify Position on Armenian Genocide
Washington, DC – On the eve of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
consideration of Richard E. Hoagland as America’s next Ambassador to
Armenia, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), sent a letter to Hoagland
criticizing the Administration’s policy on the Armenian Genocide and
urging the nominee to clarify his position on the matter.
In his letter, Schumer also expressed concern that the current
Ambassador, John M. Evans, is being prematurely replaced for properly
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. “I am concerned that the Senate
is reviewing your nomination for this post as a result of Ambassador
Evans’ departure, possibly because of statements he made which,
in my view, accurately describe the Armenian Genocide as such,”
Schumer wrote.
“We commend Senator Schumer for his critical examination of
Ambassador-designate Hoagland and his strong support of reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide,” said Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. “We have a fundamental policy disagreement with the
Administration. The U.S. should squarely affirm the historical truth
of the Armenian Genocide.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2006-077
Editor’s Note: The text of the letter to Ambassador-designate Hoagland
follows:
September 6, 2006
The Honorable Richard E. Hoagland United States Department of State
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Hoagland:
I write regarding your nomination to replace Ambassador John M. Evans
as Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.  I am concerned that the
Senate is reviewing your nomination for this post as a result of
Ambassador Evans’ departure, possibly because of statements he made
which, in my view, accurately describe the Armenian Genocide as such. 
As you are well aware, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed
and forced into exile between 1915-1923.  Armenians, including women
and children, were driven over mountains and deserts. Others were
deported to relocation centers in Syria and Mesopotamia.  Armenia was
shrunk to less than a one-fourth of its original size.  On July 24,
1915, US Consul Leslle Davis wrote to Ambassador Henry Morgenthau,
“It has been no secret that the plan was to destroy the Armenian race
as a race…”  The history and facts surrounding the events between
1915 and 1923 clearly show that the Armenian Genocide was the first
of the 20th century. I am concerned that the United States’ official
position on this issue does not reflect these facts.
To further assist me in the consideration of your nomination, please
provide answers to the following questions:
1.   The U.S. Government acknowledges the “mass killings” and “forced
exile” of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians at the end of the Ottoman
Empire.  What distinguishes these terms from “genocide”?  Why is this
not officially recognized as genocide?
2.   In your written testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, you state many times that, “the U.S. believes that
establishing a productive dialogue on these events is the best way
to achieve reconciliation, peace and stability in the region…” 
Please explain how a “productive dialogue” on this topic furthers
peace and stability.
3.   You also wrote that, “This tragedy is of such enormous human
significance that its historical assessment should be determined
not on the basis of politics, but through heartfelt introspection
among civic leaders, scholars, and the societies at large.”  In 1998,
a group of 150 scholars and writers, which included a Nobel Laureate,
professors of history, theology, and law, honored the 50th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, and encouraged it be recognized as such. 
Please explain how “introspection” rather than historical analysis will
persuade the US Government to finally recognize the “mass killings”
as genocide?
4.   Under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide, which the U.S. is a party, it was decided that
genocide occurs when three criteria are met.  Please explain how the
killing and exile of the 1.5 million Armenians do not establish at
least three of these criteria.
5.   Please describe your education and training on the Armenian
Genocide, including, but not limited to, listing all the books and
literature you have read on the matter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to
hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, Charles E. Schumer   United States Senator
–Boundary_(ID_72H+7BrZ0sT8YWJp+wo4Hg)–

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:
PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2006
ARTSAKH MARKS 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone Send Congratulations
Washington, DC – On September 2, 2006 the people of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, Artsakh were joined by an ever-expanding circle
of friends around the world to celebrate fifteen years of liberty,
perseverance and progress in Artsakh. In 1991, after suffering from
over seventy years of discrimination and oppression by Soviet
Azerbaijan and the Soviet regime, the people of Artsakh boldly and
fearlessly stepped up their struggle for freedom and democracy,
shaking off the shackles of subjugation.
The decision to establish a sovereign state came as a continuation
of the national liberation movement that began immediately after
Joseph Stalin’s infamous and arbitrary decision to include Nagorno
Karabakh within Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921. The NKR Declaration of
Independence, formally adopted on September 2, 1991 at a joint
session of local legislatures – Nagorno Karabakh Regional and
Shahumian District Councils of Peoples Deputies, said in part:
“Expressing the popular will supported by a documented referendum …
striving for freedom, independence, equality and good neighborly
relations … recognizing Azerbaijan’s policies of apartheid and
discrimination [against its] Armenian population … striving for
restoration of good neighborly relations between Armenian and
Azerbaijani peoples … abiding by the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights … and trusting in the understanding and support of the
international community … declares [the establishment of] the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.” (The full text of the document appears
below.)
Fifteen years later, Artsakh is justifiably proud of its impressive
achievements: successful defense of its freedom against Azerbaijani
military aggression, nearly complete restoration of its
war-devastated economy, continued strengthening of its democracy,
unprecedented economic growth and constructive partnership with the
international community to bring about lasting peace and stability
to the South Caucasus.
Foreign dignitaries and friends traveled to Stepanakert to
participate in the Independence Day celebrations and to express
their solidarity with the people of Artsakh. In his address, NKR
President Arkadi Ghukasian thanked the Republic of Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora around the world for their vital, steadfast and
ongoing support of Artsakh. He also thanked Artsakh’s international
friends and well-wishers, including elected officials, international
organizations and individuals, who supported Artsakh during the most
difficult years of Azerbaijan’s attack and post-war reconstruction
efforts.
President Ghoukasian particularly underscored the unparalleled
support and commitment of the Vice-Speaker of the British House of
Lords Baroness Caroline Cox. For their significant contribution to
Artsakh’s development, the President especially thanked benefactors
Louise M. Simone, Kevork Hovnanian, Hirair Hovnanian, Vahakn
Hovnanian, Albert Boyajian, Gerard Cafesjian, Eduardo Eurnekian,
Vahe Karapetian, Levon Hairapetian, Ara Abrahamian and George
Pagoumian.
Joining the people of Artsakh on this milestone anniversary were
also the two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), who sent a joint letter to the NKR President.
In their letter the Congressmen said in part, “We are writing to
congratulate the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh,
your Government, and yourself, on the 15th Anniversary of
Independence. This historic anniversary represents an important
milestone in your struggle for liberty. On September 2, 1991, the
people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their intention to create their
own independent state. With declaration [of independence] the
courageous people of Artsakh expressed their determination to live
in freedom.”
The Co-Chairs also said, “for the past 15 years, the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has proven its vitality, its strong
commitment to universal values of freedom, peace, democracy and
protection of human rights.”
They voiced strong support for Nagorno Karabakh’s struggle for
freedom, saying that the U.S. Congress stood by the people of
Nagorno Karabakh along their path to liberty. “We continue standing
with you in your noble effort to achieve formal, international
recognition of your independence,” concluded the letter.
NKR Representative to U.S. Vardan Barseghian thanked Mr. Knollenberg
and Mr. Pallone for their ongoing, critical and multifaceted support
of Artsakh.
“Artsakh’s friends around the world make a big difference in the
lives of our people. Most of our achievements would not have been
possible without their support. During last 15 years, Artsakh has
indeed proved its vitality and we look to our future with great
optimism. I have no doubt that liberty, democracy and progress will
continue guiding us toward new victories for Artsakh, Armenia and
the world,” said Barseghian.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
* * *
To request photos from Independence Day celebrations in Artsakh for
publishing with this press release, send an email to [email protected]
* * *
Full text of the Co-chairs’ letter follows:
September 2, 2006
H.E. Arkadi Ghukasian
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
20th February Street, 3
Stepanakert, NKR
Dear President Ghukasian:
We are writing to congratulate the people of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, Artsakh, your Government, and yourself, on the 15th
Anniversary of Independence. This historic anniversary represents an
important milestone in your struggle for liberty. On September 2,
1991, the people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their intention to
create their own independent state. With this declaration the
courageous people of Artsakh expressed their determination to live
in freedom.
You have successfully defended your right to live in freedom against
Azerbaijani military aggression. Many of your brave sons and
daughters laid their heads to ensure the triumph of liberty on the
land of Artsakh. The unwavering faith in your righteous cause and
your commendable perseverance led you to many more victories in
restoring your war-torn economy, strengthening your democracy and
creating a firm foundation for continued development and prosperity.
For the past 15 years, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has
proven its vitality, its strong commitment to universal values of
freedom, peace, democracy and protection of human rights.
We have stood with you along your path to liberty and we continue
standing with you in your noble effort to achieve formal,
international recognition of your independence. We assure you of our
strong commitment to Karabakh’s security and development and we look
forward to the day when the flag of an independent Artsakh proudly
beckons all over the world as a testament to the realization of your
democratic dream!
Sincerely,
/signed/
Joe Knollenberg Frank Pallone, Jr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
* * *
Full text of the NKR Declaration of Independence:
ration_independence.shtml
PROCLAMATION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC
(Adopted at a joint session of legislative bodies)
With the participation of delegates from all levels of councils in a
joint session of peoples’ deputies of the Nagomo Karabakh (NK)
regional and Shahumian district councils, by the expression of the
popular will supported by a documented referendum, and by the
decision taken by the authorities of the NK autonomous region and
the Shahumian district between 1988-91 concerning its freedom,
independence, equal rights, and neighborly relations;
Noting specifically the Azerbaijani Republic’s declaration of
restoring its national independence according to its 1918-20
boundaries;
Recognizing that Azerbaijan’s policies of apartheid and
discrimination have created an atmosphere of hatred and intolerance
toward the Republic’s Armenian population, and led to armed clashes,
casualties, and the deportation of Armenian civilians from peaceful
villages;
Establishing itself on the basis of the current constitution and the
laws of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), which,
upon the secession of a union republic from the USSR, allow the
peoples of autonomous formations and coexisting ethnic groups the
right to self-determination of its national-legal status;
Noting that the territory of the Shahumian district was forcibly
detached from Nagorno Karabakh, and recognizing the intentions of
the Armenian population to reunify as commensurate with the norms of
natural and international law;
Intending that neighborly relations between the peoples of Armenia
and Azerbaijan be restored based on mutual respect for each other’s
rights;
Taking into consideration both the complexity and controversial
nature of the situation in the country, the future of the [Soviet]
Union, and the uncertain future of the [Soviet] Union structures of
ruling authority and government;
Respecting and abiding by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
the principles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, and trusting in the understanding and support of the
international community;
Declares:
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic within the current boundaries of the
NK autonomous region and the adjacent Shahumian district, the NKR
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, basing itself on the authority given
to republics by the constitution and legislation of the USSR,
reserves the right to decide independently its legal status as a
state on the basis of political consultations and negotiations with
the leadership of other countries and republics.
Prior to the acceptance of the constitution and laws of the NKR, the
constitution and legislation of the USSR, as well as other existing
laws shall be in effect on the territory of the NKR unless they
contradict the purposes and principles of this declaration and the
specific nature of the republic.
/Signed by delegates of all levels participating in the joint
session of the NK regional and Shahumian district council’s peoples
delegation/
September 2, 1991
* * *
This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S.
Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.

RUSSIA AND THE FROZEN WARS
Prepared by: Lionel Beehner
Council on Foreign Relations, New York
Sept 6 2006
Separation anxiety abounds in the former Soviet Union. The empire’s
dissolution led to turmoil in parts of the north and south Caucasus,
and the status of a number of important enclaves remains unsettled.
Some call for more autonomy from Moscow, while others want closer
ties. As on-and-off wars in Chechnya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and northern
Georgia illustrate, at times, these so-called “frozen conflicts”
have heated up; more often, though, they simmer beneath the surface,
leaving restless nationals in their wake. Experts agree on one thing:
The road to resolve these conflicts goes through Moscow.
Yet with ethnic Albanian Kosovars calling for independence from
Serbia, Russia finds itself in a bind, writes Chris Stephen of
the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. On one hand, Moscow
supports, both with money and manpower, the struggles of separatists
in Moldova’s Trans-Dniester and Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia
regions. Yet there is an obvious “wariness about encouraging separatism
elsewhere.” Russians are worried that if Chechnya breaks away from
the federation, then Dagestan, Tatarstan, and other Russian republics
would follow in domino-like fashion. Not to mention Russia does not
want to anger its best friend in the Balkans, Serbia, which refuses
to accept statehood for Kosovo.
For its part, Georgia is keen to come to an understanding with Russia
on its separatist problems. The leaders who took office after the Rose
Revolution struck a quick deal with Russia to resolve problems with
the breakaway Ajaria region but Moscow-Tbilisi ties have deteriorated
with Georgia’s unification push. Moscow has jacked up the price of
its gas, as well as embargoed exports like Georgian wine and mineral
water. Relations are also tense over Tbilisi’s bid to join NATO. Yet
Georgia can ill afford to provoke Moscow because, as the Economist
reports, “it would in effect be war against Russia.”
These frozen conflicts have far-reaching ramifications beyond
their immediate regions. Many of them (Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia)
are situated on important energy corridors. That partially explains
recent Western calls for an international police force to monitor
northern Georgia and the $295 million grant doled out by the U.S.
Millennium Challenge Corporation. Meanwhile, Trans-Dniester remains
a popular route for traffickers of drugs, arms, and sex workers (BBC).
Perhaps the most potentially hazardous of these conflicts is
Nagorno-Karabakh. Ethnic Armenians took control of the enclave and
a chunk of Azerbaijan in 1993 after a war that killed some 25,000
people and displaced hundreds of thousands. “This barely frozen
conflict threatens a hot war that would devastate the region,” write
Ana Palacio and Daniel Twining in the Washington Post. They propose
a “mini-Marshall Plan” to remove Russian bases from the southern
Caucasus and end outstanding sanctions by some Western states against
Azerbaijan.
Vladimir Socor of the Jamestown Foundation says Moscow has a “major
incentive” to leave conflicts unresolved, knowing the West will not
be interested in strategic partnerships “with rumps of countries
that are open to Russian-orchestrated pressures” (Word doc). Hence,
Russia’s preferred strategy is to maintain the status quo, writes Nicu
Popescu of the Centre for European Policy Studies. “The conflicts are
not frozen at all,” he says. “It is their settlement that is frozen.”

PALESTINE DIARY: PART 3
Selma Sevkli
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Sept 6 2006
1 August 2006, Jerusalem
I went back to Bir Zeit University the next morning, to bid goodbye to
everyone I know. I first found the camp coordinator Gadah, she said,
“You couldn’t even visit my house, I was going to cook for you!” and I
could just say, “Next year I will, hopefully”.Both of our eyes filled
with tears. I said, “You should visit Istanbul”, he gave me university
T-shirt as a present. I called Ahmed and Lauri as they were showing 2
people around, people who came for the camp though it’d been cancelled,
one from Romania, one from the US. I asked Amanda, the American girl,
what her family thought about her visit to Palestine and she said that
they didn’t know that she was here. She told her mother that she was
going to Egypt and her father didn’t even know about the imaginary
Egypt journey. And these two wanted to come and see it here despite
everything. We had lunch together and chatted.
We started mentioning Jewish Palestinians who are living in a northern
town. They all voted for Hamas.Then we started comparing the PKK
and Hamas. Neither foreigners nor Palestinians regard the PKK as a
terrorist organization. What is Hamas is the same as the PKK to them.
It took me hours to go to the dorm and pack; for some reason I didn’t
want to leave this place, I didn’t want to leave Ramallah even if my
destination was Jerusalem. I bid goodbye to everyone and set out.
Actually I had 16 km to go but it took me more than one hour becuase
of the checkpoints on the way. We had a chat with Namir, who was
sitting next to me. Namir, who is a student at Bir Zeit and travels
from Jerusalem to Ramallah for school. She lost his mother 2 years
ago; and as she is the eldest of 5 siblings and as an elder sister,
she has the responsibility of taking care of the household. While
she was talking about these, an Israeli soldier stopped the bus and
ckecked the ID cards. I realized that Namir’s eyes filled with tears.
When I saw her like this, I couldn’t stand that. I asked, “Don’t you
ever get used to this? Are you still affected so negatively?” She said,
“Neither will I get used to this, nor will the situation get better,
I don’t believe that the problem will ever be solved!”. We were in
Jerusalem now and I could feel that I was no longer in Palestine,
I was in Israel now. The local teleophone line I bought in Ramallah
went dead, now occasionally it comes and goes. I got off the bus at
the Damascusgate and started to look for the hostel I was going to
stay at. But both the bags on my back and the ones in my hand were
so heavy that I could hardly walk. I took a taxi but the driver told
me that he couldn’t take me to the hostel because, all the roads had
been blocked. Desperately I got off, took a look around and saw a
grocery store. I asked the Palestinian shopowner about the hostel
and he said it was just a 15- minute walk from there. But it was
rather difficult with those bags. They let 10-year old Ahmad, their
son or the apprentice, help me for money in return, so we set out. I
followed Ahmad, noticing ultra-Orthodox Jews, Palestinians, priests,
policemen, soldiers around and finally we arrived at a public square.
Hundreds, thousands of Israeli people, including kids were heading
towards a direction with Israeli flags in their hands. Because of
the heavy burden on my shoulders, our inability to find the hotel,
and lack of communication (because Ahmad couldn’t speak English, and
I couldn’t speak Arabic), I gave up and entered a hostel.I thanked
Ahmed and dismissed him. My reservation started tomorrow morning at
the hotel anyway, so I was going to spend the night at this hostel. I
left my bags and went out in order to mingle with the Jews I had just
seen. Meanwhile, I learnt that all of them were going to the Wailing
Wall (the western Wall) both to pray and to spiritually support the
war. Also that day it was the anniversary of Israeli settlers being
dismissed from Gaza. I was stunned when I heard the words: “support the
war”. Thousands of Israeli people of all kinds, old and young, kids and
adults, had come to that spot for this demonstration by buses from the
North, South, everywhere. Some teenagers were wearing orange headbands,
some were seated at a corner with a book of prayer in their hands,
praying while moving back and forth, some are running around. And I,
confused, sometimes walk sometimes stop. I pass by churches, hearing
call for prayer from the mosques. There are Armenian restaurants
along the road. It is rather difficult to describe the atmosphere and
my feelings. At last we arrive at the Wailing Wall. There is tight
security at the entrance, they look inside the bags.
I guess there wasn’t any Muslim among them other than me. They didn’t
feel the need to do body search on me, thinking that I was one of
them. And I entered the area. The rabbi is uttering words in Hebrew,
sometimes loudly sometimes in a crying voice, people are saying
them along with him, listening to him. I felt strange. How come all
these people, all these faithful people support the war? I took a
few photos, recorded a few scenes and I couldn’t wait any more to
set out and go back.
Passing through covered shopping arcades, I walked and walked in the
old city, and at last I got lost. I was so impressed by the things I
saw that I forgot the name of the hostel I was staying. I was looking
for the public square I first saw when I came to the city but all the
streets looked alike. Buildings and pavements made of stone, hundreds
of narrow streets… It had got dark already, and all the shops were
closing. I walked into a market and learnt the name of the square,
and started walking again. The Jews had finished their demostration
and now they were going home-it was crowded around. Palestinian
shop owners were staring around with surprised looks. Yes, everone
lives here together but not in peace, they ignore one another. It’s
full of Israeli gunmen around anyway. Finally I found my hostel,
had something to eat and now I felt really confused after the things
I had seen that day.
3 August 2006, Jerusalem
Unfortunately, the internet here is far more expensive than Palestine,
I cannot write that often. I am about to end my travel, herefore I
am running short of money but everything’s alright. As soon as I got
up yesterday, I moved into the hostel I had booked a room at. It’s
much more comfortable here, it is thounds of years old, looks like
an old castle and also it is in the middle of the old souq. There
are people from Finland, Czech Republic, Canada, Palestine, Israel,
Ireland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, England and Slovakia. I had a chat
somehow with all of them, and everyone favours Palestine, including
the Israeli people. War and politics are in every conversation.
At the entrance of the Hz.Omar Mosque (Dome of the Rock), which many
people confuse with Al Aqsa, you have to prove that you are Muslim.
The entrance is denied to non-Muslims. First I enter the Omar Mosque,
it is the time for noon prayer, it’s crowded in the mosque. Then I go
to Al Aksa and something incredible happens. I start crying as soon
as I enter the place, even before I take a look around. I sit at a
corner with a tissue in my hand, I almost sob, bewildered at myself,
asking”why are you crying!”. Later on I notice that is because of the
magnificant spiritual atmosphere this place has. The construction is
simplistic, there is nothing around that will make you cry. I mean,
nothing visually impressive, but the atmosphere is indescribable.
Words would not suffice, one needs to exprerience. I don’t want to
go out, I sit there for a long while. Then I see the basement floor,
which is older; finally I go out, fascinated. I pass through covered
shopping arcades again and walk towards Jaffa Gate to visit the Museum
of the Tower of David. The tower consists of several sections- I mean,
there is a minaret in the museum, but now it isn’t open to public,
maybe the mosque has been destroyed, I have no idea. The museum
tells the history of Jerusalem. In each section you can see various
historical periods. The Ottoman period seems pretty small and dull
when compared with other sections, although the Ottomans ruled over
this land for 400 years. For this period there is also an interactive
“film”. At the beginning, there is a depressing piece of music and
the descent of the Turkish flag and the ascent of the English flag,
later on a joyful melody starts and 1948, the ascent of the Israeli
flag, happy ending! But, English ruling is depicted as more positive
than the 400-year reign of the Ottomans.All the walls in the “old town”
part were built by (the Ottoman emperor) Suleyman the Magnificent. When
the Palestinians learn that I am a Turk, they talk about it in pride
but the museum doesn’t give that much attention to Turks.
I meet a rabbi in the evening, a rabbi whom I had a contact with
before I came here. His name is Jeremy Milgrom. He is an opponent
liberal Israeli rabbi at his 50s. At the time we meet, a group of
Jews are walking towards the Wailing Wall but not to protest anything
this time, for prayer. They aren’t carrying Israeli flags. It is
one of the important religious days of the year and all of them are
fasting, from yesterday’s sunset till today’s sunset. We also walk
along with them and I listen to Milgrom’s ideas about Israel, the war,
and all that’s happening and I get amazed. “What is happening between
Israel and Lebanon cannot be called a war”, he says, “It’s an unfair
attack by Israel. It’s a raid and an unfair occupation” he adds. He
tells me about his worries about his children’s doing their military
service right now, and criticizes Israeli policies. At this moment,
a radical Jew, dressed up in a black jacket and wearing a hat, asks
for donation and Milgrom starts speaking in Arabic, just to see the
his reaction. He says, “I thank God” and walks away. Milgram says,
“This city could have been a peaceful city, but now one can live
here this way only under security precautions.Actually there is no
communication among various communities”. By the way I learn that in
the whole country there are only 3 or 4 schools that both Israeli
and Palestinian children can attend. Even this seems to be a big
improvement to me.
Then I learn that Jews will try to get into Al Aqsa today. According
to Judaism, this is on the Moria Hill where Solomon Temple was built,
in other words, where Prophet Abrahamwas born. Jews gained admission
to this place, but the police may do anything. No Muslim man between
the ages of 20-45 is admitted. The last time they tried to do so
in 2000 Ariel ªaron also joined them, they say it was in the second
intifada. They say a big opposition may occur.
I found it strange when I saw that Palestinians’ Jewish accessories,
key holders, and even T-shirts that read “Don’t worry, be Jewish”
on them are sold at the market here. I asked about this to Fahmi, an
employee at the hostel, “They need money, what else can they do?” he
said, and I said, “Then it means they accept failure, they cannot
claim Jerusalem any more, it is all words and no action”.
I haven’t lived through a war in Turkey but in the case of an
earthquake, all people unite, everyone collects money and helps people
far away from them. I couldn’t see such mutual support here.
It seems as though no one cares about what is happening in Jerusalem
and no one opposes to the Israeli demonstrations supporting the war.
I asked why it is this way and he said they have given up, they have
been forced to give up. Once you find a job and save your life, you
try to support your family and grow individualistic. One more thing,
when you are young, you are more active and you have faith in change;
but then you see how powerful they are and that it is impossible for
you to stand up and fight. He says he sometimes feels suspicious of
even his friends, are they spies or so? Everyone is “sold”, one by
one. Enterprises to set up an association, or unification are blocked,
they have no leader here. The ones living in Jerusalem don’t even have
their citizenship. They get a special travel document when they travel
abroad. The situation is rather complicated, and multi-dimensional,
what is more, saddening. It all seems hopeless to me now.
3 August 2006, Jerusalem
I thank God that the police didn’t let the Jews to enter Al Aqsa
and the possible events have been prevented. I got up early in the
morning and went to Betlehem. Ittakes 15 minutes to arrive at the
“wall” by the vehicles that depart from the DamascusGate. Then you
arrive at a big terminal that reminds one of an airport and you show
your passport three times, you get searched twice, you go through
X-ray machines and go to West Bank. Betlehem is a Palestinian city
with its population of 22.000-half Muslim and half Christian. The
Church of Nativity, where Jesus Christ was born is downtown. It is a
very old big church, there aren’t many tourists around. Tourism has
been affected badly due to the current events. I visit another Omar
Mosque and have a chat with the officers here to get their ideas.
They complain about the decrease in tourism. There are people who
haven’t been paid their salaries for months. I ask whether they
collect money for Gaza or not, but no! They transferred all their
responsibility and right to Hamas. Okay, I say, “I want to donate
some, but how could I be sure that Hamas won’t buy weapons? I want
this money to be used for food and medicine”. They say, “Just trust”
and they promise, but I don’t find them very reliable. Therefore,
I donate just a little sum. The streets are full of beggars, and kids
asking for ice-cream.
Then I take a taxi to go to Heroid Palace, 10 kms from here in
Palestine, but it is in an Israeli military zone. The driver
accompanies me, greets an Israeli officer and then I buy a ticket
and walk around the palace-I mean the remains, taking photos. When I
come down, I get happy to see a scene: the Israeli officer chatting
with the Palestinian driver. Then again way back to Jerusalem through
painful borders. I take photos of the slogans and graffitis favouring
peace and freedom on “the wall”, reading things like, “let it go down”,
“the wall can’t hide the truth” etc.
In Jerusalem, at the spot where I get off the bus, I see the sign of
Garden of Tomb and I walk in. According to Protestant belief, this
is where the tomb of Jesus Christ is. It looks like an open air church.
As opposed to Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox people believe
that his tomb is in the Church of Holy Sepulchre, which I will try
to visit tomorrow.
For the first time I am visiting West Jerusalem. It looks like a
European city with its stores. Life seems quite normal, modern and
based on consumption. It is really different than the Old City. It is
full of police officers and soldiers here, too. I can see around 500
policemen or soldiers in just one day. Security guards check bags at
the entrance of even small shops.
By the way, I just realized that I have been staying at an Armenian
district. Right next to that, there is the Muslim section, then
the Christian one and the Jewish. These districts are next to one
another. There is a little bit of interaction between the Christians
and the Muslims but the Jews are totally isolated. This is the divison
in this old city, which is enclosed by the city walls once built by
Suleyman the Magnificent [email protected]
–Boundary_(ID_O/lW2CV8jT13 Z9ULqmWD9A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress