DOES RUSSIA NEED A STRONG ARMENIA?
RIA Novosti, Russia
Oct 5 2006
MOSCOW, (Armen Darbinyan, rector of Russian-Armenian University and
member of the RIA Novosti Expert Council) – There is no doubt that
Armenia needs Russia to be strong. But does Russia need a strong
Armenia? This is not a rhetorical question.
It is believed that the countries of Commonwealth of Independent
States have been drawn into the zone of Russia’s influence as its
satellites. But if our goal is strategic partnership, Russia should
revise its relations with the former Soviet states, also because the
world offers us other options, including geostrategic ones.
The European Union and the United States are working hard to
demonstrate their possibilities to Armenia, trying to become a dominant
force there and in the whole of Caucasus.
Therefore, there are alternative forms of cooperation. But why start
from scratch when we have a long and positive history of spiritual
unity? Armenia is a multinational republic, but it is unique with
regard to Russia in that every Armenian is wholeheartedly devoted
to Russia. I have seen this attitude only in one other country,
Montenegro. However, this situation is not unchangeable, because both
sides have to work for strategic partnership.
It would be wrong to see Armenia as a political space and a zone of
Russian influence that will never look at other possibilities. A new
generation of young people in Armenia is now choosing what language
they should study to build a better life for themselves. And Armenian
businessmen are thinking with whom they can do better business.
Unfortunately, Russian-Armenian strategic partnership is mostly
limited to mutual visits by ministers and government officials that
usually take place in a friendly atmosphere. But maybe we have had
enough of them? Maybe we should encourage mutual visits by doctors,
teachers and young people?
I’m afraid the situation is almost the same in other former Soviet
countries.
Our sovereignty implies not only the freedom to choose, but also
the freedom to look for the real benefits of political or economic
integration. Armenia is not eager to join the common customs space
because it does not border on the EurAsEC countries, and becoming a
pro forma member, a name on the letterhead, would be unwise.
Armenia’s membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) has not benefited it either, especially in view of confrontation
with Azerbaijan in the disputed region, Nagorny Karabakh.
Armenia is a CSTO member, but Azerbaijan is not. However, Kazakhstan,
which is also a member of the CSTO, sometimes voted for anti-Armenian
and pro-Azerbaijani UN resolutions.
The CSTO in its present form may suit Asian states because they face
threats from Afghanistan and the risk of extremist attacks, and so
can benefit from collective security measures.
The Caucasus today is not a zone of common interests. With the
exception of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, there is no regional
cooperation to speak of. The Caucasian countries have different
perspectives of the future, and the main goal of their politicians
is to present their country in the best light in international
organizations. But we are expected to present common concepts and a
shared development vision. The international community is disappointed
every time our politicians put forth different approaches and clashing
interests.
No one needs Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan taken separately, because
each of them has a very small market and no transit capabilities. So
the Americans are right in saying that the Caucasus does not exist
as a political entity.
Russia has not indicated so far that it needs the South Caucasus as a
single whole. In my view, this is a losing stand for Russia, because
the regional countries may choose to drift towards an alternative
partner.
There are many reasons for the failure of the political project
called the CIS. At the same time, it offers a good chance to use the
humanitarian unity of our countries and nations. The new independent
states no longer see Russia as “the big brother”, although it should
definitely be the main player in this project.
We have been idling for too long, and we have probably lost a whole
generation that has not learned to speak Russian fluently. We must
not allow the area of the Russian language to be curtailed. We must
think seriously about finding proper employment for the graduates of
Russian-Armenian University, including such where they would have to
speak and write in Russian. We need strategic business projects that
Russian corporations would implement in our countries. The process
has begun, but we are not satisfied with its progress.
As soon as business starts speaking Russian, the demand for bright
and qualified specialists who know Russian will grow. It should be
more rewarding to learn Russian than English or French.
Thanks to Russian-Armenian University, many traditionally
Russian-speaking families and the Armenian intellectual class
have become convinced of the benefits offered by a Russian higher
education. The Armenian Diaspora in Russia is closely watching our
progress, and its members send their children here. They receive
Russian degrees and hence will be able to live and work in Russia
or Armenia, depending on their choice. This is expanding the area
of the Russian language, mentality and culture, and will eventually
strengthen Russian influence.
In my view, such important projects as the Year of Armenia in Russia or
of Russia in Armenia should be used to encourage long-term cultural,
humanitarian and research cooperation. It’s been a long time since
Armenian and Russian economists, sociologists and physicists worked on
a joint project. There is no information about achievements in Russia
or Armenia, without which no development is possible in professional
spheres.
The terms “competitive country” and “competitive society” are
fashionable in Russia now. How can one win in a competition?
Azerbaijan has a strong argument – oil. Armenia’s argument should be
the minds of its people. The younger generation needs a good education,
and Russian professors can help them receive it.
I am convinced that Russia needs a strong Armenia, which would be
able to do much for bilateral relations and play a significant role
in the region.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and
may not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI ENVOY: BAKU STUDIES LAST SOLUTION TO KARABACHOS
Fars News Agency, Iran
Oct 5 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Tehran said that
if the crisis of Karabachos is not solved through negotiations and
peaceful means, his country would study the last solution, meaning
that the Republic of Azerbaijan would resort to military option.
He said Azerbaijan is against war, but it does not allow an Armenian
state to be established on its soil.
The envoy stressed his country’s enthusiasm for the peaceful settlement
of the issue, but meantime reminded that if the present crisis is
not solved through diplomatic means, Baku will have to resort to the
last option.
Karabachos crisis started since 1988 which led to the outbreak of a
fierce war between the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia from 1992
to 1994.
The two northern neighbors of the Islamic Republic of Iran have kept
a very fragile truce ever since 1994.

GUL TO REHN: DO NOT IMPOSE NEW CONDITIONS
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 5 2006
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul warned EU Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn to adopt a more constructive and encouraging
position, and not to impose new conditions.
Olli Rehn met separately with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Rehn urged Turkey to fulfill
its obligations under the additional protocol, and open both sea
and air ports to Greek Cypriots. Rehn also sought support for the
Finnish Cyprus proposal. Noting that Turkey is ready to make a
constructive contribution, Gul further said that Turkey expects the
same attitude from the respective parties. Gul added that Turkey
would take positive steps if the isolation is lifted. According to
the reports, Gul “diplomatically” expressed Turkey’s complaints about
the recent demands of the EU. Noting that Turkey’s EU membership is
not a matter of urgency, Gul called on the EU authorities to consider
the long membership venture before setting new obstacles. Recalling
that Turkey is trying to complete its transformation, the foreign
minister, in reference to the progress report, said: “We constantly
receive political messages. Like France… Please note the membership
requirements once more. Assess our performance. Remove the political
considerations from the criteria. We are already trying to make
progress. Just remove the political ambiguity.” Rehn, who carefully
listened to Gul, reminded him that a period of a few months remains
to prevent a possible “train crash.”
When asked about his opinions concerning the contradiction between the
French draft that would penalize the denial of the alleged Armenian
genocide and the criticisms over the Turkish penal code’s controversial
article 301, Gul said the question should be addressed to Olli Rehn.
Polemics over “cucumber size” and freedom of expression
Recalling that Turkey was criticized for its slow progress, Chairman
of the Turkish Assembly’s EU Adaptation Commission Yasar Yakis said
the issue of freedom of expression was brought to the table at a
time when Turkey was negotiating “cucumber size” with the relevant
EU authorities. In response to Yakis, Rehn noted that cucumber size
was none of his business, and the only thing he was interested in
was freedom of expression.
Recalling the previous EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheguen’s
remarks that had referred to the outstanding progress Turkey had made,
Yakis asked the EU to be consistent. Citing Verheguen as famous for
his exaggerations, Rehn asserted that Turkey’s progress is greatly
exaggerated. At the meetings with Turkish parliamentarians, Olli Rehn
stressed the importance of freedom of expression, and the abolition
of the controversial article 301 of Turkish penal code.
Rehn, who also underlined that freedom of expression is the foundation
of the EU, used language that bothered the deputies.
Yakis, in response to Rehn who called for the resumption of religious
training at the Heybeliada Cleric School, said that in that case,
the other religious communities would seek to open their own schools.
Rehn also expressed his appreciation of the difficulties faced by
introducing further reforms in light of the country’s sensitivities
regarding reactionary and separatist threats.
Rehn opposed to privileged partnership
Rehn criticized those who proposed a “privileged partnership” for
Turkey instead of full membership in the EU. Speaking at Bilkent
University, Rehn asserted that this would erode the reliability of the
EU, discourage Turkey from making further progress and cause severe
reactions, and further stated that the EU should remain loyal to its
commitments with Turkey.

SWISS JUSTICE MINISTER SELF-CRITICIZES ARMENIAN BILL
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 5 2006
Swiss draft bill, which would penalize those who deny the existence
of the alleged “Armenian genocide” poses a predicament to freedom of
speech, said Swiss Justice Minister Christoph Blocher to his Turkish
counterpart Cicek in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Blocher visited Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek on Wednesday
in Ankara.
“There is a dilemma between this law and freedom of speech. This law
is giving us headache too,” said Blocher to Mr. Cicek regarding the
so-called Armenian genocide bill in his country.
Blocher also told Cicek that they can not recognize the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a “terrorist organization”, since
Switzerland has not recognized any organization as “terrorist” since
War World II, with the exception of the Nazi party and al-Qaeda.
Following the meeting of two counterparts, the visiting minister
delivered a speech at a conference held at Ankara University to mark
the 80th anniversary of Turkey’s adoption of Switzerland’s civil code.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION ATTACKS “CRIMINAL ELEMENTS” IN GOVERNMENT
By Emil Danielyan
Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
Oct 5 2006
Armenia’s main opposition forces have opened a new front in their
standoff with the government, launching a joint movement against
what they claim is the growing role of “criminal elements” in the
country’s political life. Influential Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian
and other leaders of the governing Republican Party (HHK), the main
targets of the campaign, have dismissed the accusations as an attempt
to discredit them ahead of approaching parliamentary elections.
For weeks this issue has dominated the discourse of the country’s
leading politicians, media commentators, and even prominent
intellectuals. The opposition allegations were sparked by a string of
high-profile murders and a recent influx of influential, but less than
law-abiding, individuals into the HHK. The latter development resulted
from the party’s far-reaching political alliance with Sarkisian,
which was formalized in late July.
Although the HHK continues to be officially headed by Prime Minister
Andranik Markarian, local analysts increasingly regard Sarkisian
as its de facto top leader. The defense minister, seen as President
Robert Kocharian’s most likely successor, is believed to have already
begun preparations for the next presidential election, due in 2008.
That vote will be preceded by parliamentary elections early next
year. Sarkisian has repeatedly implied that the HHK’s victory in
the polls is essential for his presidential ambitions. To that end,
he has bolstered Armenia’s largest establishment party, which already
controls many central and local government bodies, with over a dozen
loyal wealthy businessmen. Most of them represent government-connected
clans that hold sway in various areas of the country and have bribed
or bullied voters in previous Armenian elections.
Some are better known to the public by their notorious nicknames. By
“criminal elements” the Armenian opposition usually means them. “We now
see that mobsters or good fellows, as people call them, are entering
parties,” said former parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian.
“By beating and terrorizing people they are trying to further their
interests. A country like that has no future.” His Orinats Yerkir
(Country of Law) party was expelled from Kocharian’s governing
coalition in May, charged on August 12.
The allegations were picked up by other prominent oppositionists
who link the HHK’s increased reliance on “criminal elements” with an
apparent upsurge in the number of contract killings reported in Armenia
this year. Most of those crimes were committed in broad daylight and
have not yet been solved by the police. Their most recent victim, a
high-ranking official at the Armenian government’s main tax collection
agency, was blown up in his own car in downtown Yerevan on September
6. The car bombing came less than a month after the brutal murder
of a local businessman and the fatal roadside shooting of a reputed
crime figure that left one innocent bystander dead. A stray bullet
also killed an innocent woman in June when gunmen chased and shot
dead a notorious “good fellow” in the city’s western Malatia-Sebastia
district.
The police have urged the public not to draw far-reaching conclusions
from the killings, arguing that Armenia continues to have one of
the lowest crime rates in the former Soviet Union. Sarkisian, for
his part, has rounded on the detractors of his party’s important
new recruits. The fact that they usually lack education, use slangy
phrases, and have mobster-style nicknames does not mean they are
criminals, he claimed.
However, the opposition attacks continued unabated, and on September
28 15 opposition parties launched an “anti-criminal movement” that
is supposed to counter the “criminalization of the political field.”
According to the movement’s joint declaration, “Criminal acts in the
country are committed with the connivance and direct encouragement
of the Robert Kocharian-Serge Sarkisian duo.” The initiative was
joined the next day by Intellectual Forum, a radical organization
uniting prominent artists and intellectuals critical of the Kocharian
administration. In a written statement, they urged Armenians to
“declare war on this regime and return power seized by criminal
traitors to the people.”
Just how the declared “anti-criminal movement” intends to achieve its
objectives is unclear, though. Its leaders admitted that they have not
even begun discussing concrete plans. Uneasy relationships among them
may well scupper those actions. In particular, some oppositionists
make no secret of their distrust of the movement’s main initiator:
Aram Karapetian, the outspoken leader of the Nor Zhamanakner (New
Times) party known for his Russian connections.
While sharing the opposition’s concerns, some Armenian newspapers
have speculated that the initiative was masterminded by Russia. The
daily Aravot said on September 18 that a senior Kremlin official,
Modest Kolerov, had recently visited Yerevan for that purpose.
Another paper, Zhamanak Yerevan, claimed last week that Moscow is
preparing the ground for installing a more pro-Russian regime in
Armenia. A group of other renowned intellectuals more sympathetic to
the Armenian leaderships apparently had Karapetian in mind when they
warned their pro-opposition colleagues, in a September 22 statement,
against being manipulated by “foreign agents.”
(Haykakan Zhamanak, September 28-29, September 23; Zhamanak Yerevan,
September 28; Aravot, September 18; RFE/RL Armenia Report, September 6,
August 14)

TURKS IN NETHERLANDS REJECT POLITICS OVER ARMENIAN ISSUE
Playfuls.com, Romania
Oct 5 2006
The large Turkish minority in the Netherlands is considering a boycott
of the Dutch elections in November as a result of pressure on Turkish
candidates to acknowledge that Armenians suffered genocide in 1915,
the daily Volkskrant reported Thursday.
“Many of the 400,000 Turks in the Netherlands regard themselves as
no longer welcome and are turning their backs on politics,” Sabri
Kenan Bagci, chairman of the IOT organization that speaks for Turkish
interests, told the daily Volkskrant.
Bagci said he had called a national meeting of leading Turks in
Utrecht on Sunday in response to a growing crisis over the issue
within the community.
Turkish candidates for the November 22 elections have come under
pressure from their parties to publicly acknowledge the deaths of
hundreds of thousands of Armenians during World War I as an act
of genocide.
The largest party in the Dutch parliament, the Christian Democrats
(CDA), has pulled two Turkish candidates from its electoral list,
while the main opposition Labour Party (PvdA) has dropped one.
Over the weekend the CDA placed another Turk on its list, but was
immediately accused of “tokenism.”
Talip Demirhan, who spent eight years on the CDA’s management board,
expressed his anger over the pressure on Turkish candidates.
“We are being asked whether our great-grandfather was a mass
murderer. If he was, then as far as I’m concerned he can go to hell,
but why should I have to acknowledge responsibility to the average
Dutch citizen,” Demirhan, 63, told the Volkskrant.
He poured scorn on the notion that this had to do with Dutch “norms
and values.”
The issue is highly sensitive in Turkey itself. The European Parliament
last week voted to withdraw a requirement that Turkey acknowledge the
Armenian genocide as part of the conditions for Turkish membership
of the European Union.
Turkish public opinion has taken a keen interest in the controversy in
the Netherlands, where official statistics put the number of residents
of Turkish origin at 365,000 in a population of 16.3 million.

KOCHARYAN ALSO OPPOSES FRENCH GENOCIDE BILL
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Zaman Online, Turkey
Oct 5 2006
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan reportedly opposes the French draft
law that will penalize the denial of the alleged Armenian genocide.
The Turkish delegation, which recently traveled to Paris to make
contacts regarding the draft to be discussed at the French parliament
on Oct. 12, noted that Kocharyan told French President Jacques Chirac
during his visit to Yerevan that Armenia did not favor the adoption
of the draft. It has been reported that Kocharyan cited the draft
as possibly harmful to Armenia’s relations with Turkey. Meanwhile,
the delegation returned to Ankara with no hopes of preventing its
adoption by the French parliament.
The delegation, comprising deputies Mehmet Dulger, Onur Oymen,
Sukru Elekdag and Musa Sivacioglu, was unable to meet with the
Socialist Party parliamentarians, who have been pushing for
adoption of the draft. The Socialist politicians abstained from
scheduling an appointment with the Turkish deputies. A small group
of socialist deputies who accepted to meet the delegation cancelled
the appointment. The delegation could meet only with socialist deputy
Jack Lang, who had announced his opposition to the draft, People’s
Majority Alliance’s Assembly Group Chairman Bernard Accoyer, Chairman
of the Assembly Jean Louis Debre and the Chairman of the Parliament
Commission of EU Affairs Lequiller. Stating that the politicians
the delegation met with stressed their opposition to the draft, the
deputies in the delegation also observed that the draft was regarded
as an election ploy.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy will reportedly take
care of the situation following a phone call from Turkish PM Erdogan.
To this end, Sarkozy is expected to address a letter to Prime Minister
Erdogan. Elysee Palace, however, informed the Turkish Embassy in
Paris that there was no change in the position of Chirac, who had
urged Turkey to recognize the alleged Armenian genocide during his
visit to Armenia.

“PA OSCE CANNOT SUBMIT THE NK PROBLEM BECAUSE OF FEARS ARMENIAN LOBBY”
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Oct 5 2006
According to Eldar Ibrahimov, a chairman of MM Commission,
Nagorno-Garabagh cannot get a status higher autonomy “In connection
with settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh problem Joran Lenmarker held
a number of meetings. His activity in this field will serve for
his election as the chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
OSCE. First of all, he is very influential,” informed Eldar Ibrahimov,
a member of Azerbaijani delegation to the PA OSCE and chairman of
MM Commission.
“I want to inform you that we’ve repeatedly demanded an extensive
discussion of the Nagorno-Garabagh conflict at the PA OSCR with
participation of Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group. But our
all efforts failed. It means that PA OSCE is not able to urge the
co-chairmen to the process. Personally I was always against it,
considering that if the OSCE Minsk Group failed to settle the
problem, the rapporteur also could not do it. In spite of that PA
OSCE Chairman decided this issue, singing a specific decree. Anyway
available facts prove my case. In addition, as it is known,
international organizations’ members initially, upheld neutrality
that change in the favor of Armenians after their visit to Yerevan
and Nagorno-Garabagh. I can say with confidence that this organization
fears to submit the Nagorno-Garabagh problem to the agenda because of
Armenian lobby. That’s why Joran Lenmarker does not desire to submit
the issue to the agenda,” he said.
In addition, Armenian senior officials explain all their
actions that Azerbaijan supposedly agreed to hold a referendum in
Nagorno-Garabagh. As E. Ibrahimov informs, Azerbaijan won’t do it,
as Nagorno-Garabagh is an integrated part of Azerbaijan. During all
negotiations which held at international level this region is regarded
as an integrated part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the majority
of countries recognize territorial integrity of our State.
At one of the important arrangements Joran Lenmarker stated that the
Nagorno-Garabagh cannot get higher status than autonomy.
Sometimes it concerns efficient activity of Azerbaijani community. E.
Ibrahimov stated about his discontent with such opinion: “Equally
with the head of the community Nizami Bahmanov, I took part in many
arrangements. I know what position he holds. The point is not weakness
of Azerbaijani community but extremely efficient activity of Armenian
community. The reason of such efficient activity is that Armenia and
supporting forces that established a terror regime led by Gukasian
in this state, present their work done in the occupied Azerbaijani
territory and at international level as a merit of Gukasian’s regime.”
–Boundary_(ID_rlTkmV7Uu/Mwt3CQzVZn Dw)–

THE OSCE MISSION BEGAN MONITORING ON THE TERRITORIES OF THE AZERBAIJANI REPUBLIC AND NKR ARMED FORCES’ CONTACT LINE
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
In the morning of October 5, the OSCE Mission with the participation
of the NKR experts began its activity on assessment of the ecological
situation on the territories of the Azerbaijani Republic and Nagorno
Karabakh Republic armed forces contact-line. Currently the monitoring
is being carried out on the territories of the Azerbaijani side.
As it was informed earlier, at the request of the NKR leadership,
the monitoring had been postponed as the Karabakh side had put forward
definite demands on the format of conducting of the monitoring and sent
a corresponding note to the OSCE, the NKR MFA Press-Service reports.

TURKISH, SWISS JUSTICE MINISTERS VIEW TERRORISM, ARMENIAN BILL
Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
4 Oct 06
Ankara, 4 October: “The asylum demands of the terrorists are not
genuine, they don’t rely on real reasons. You have to act accordingly,”
said Turkish justice minister on Wednesday [4 October].
Cicek received Switzerland’s Chief of Justice and Police Federal
Department Christoph Blocher today, in Ankara. Holding a joint press
conference at the Justice Ministry, Cicek underlined the importance
of the international cooperation against terrorism and said every
country should do its best to fight against terrorism.
“The terrorists go to European countries after they commit a crime.
Because of the legal loopholes in those countries, they benefit from
the democratic rights,” Cicek said.
Cemil Cicek added that they expect the European countries to act
accordingly to the terrorists who seek asylum.
“Switzerland behave timidly to terrorist organizations”
“Switzerland as an impartial country behave timidly to the terrorist
organizations,” Switzerland’s Chief of Justice and Police Federal
Department Christoph Blocher stated. Blocher added that, Switzerland
only accepts Nazis and Al-Qa’idah as terrorist organizations.
Blocher mentioned that they cannot respond Turkey’s demand to accept
some of the organizations as terrorist organizations but there must
be a cooperation against terrorism. “Some governments apply us and
want us to help for a contact between them. Since we are an impartial
country we may be beneficial to help them,” he added.
So-called ‘Armenian genocide’
Cicek said that the Turkish government is finding hard to understand
why statements rejecting so-called Armenian genocide would constitute
a crime.
“When you take into consideration freedom of expression of ideas,
any penalty for rejecting so-called Armenian genocide can not be
accepted. I conveyed our approach to the subject. This is a matter
involving history. Historians, scientists and joint commissions
can conduct research on the matter. As the Turkish government and
administration, we have opened all archives. Trying to resolve
historical matters with political decisions only makes the matter
more complex to deal with and is not a realistic approach. I tried
to explain our uneasiness on the matter,” stressed Cicek.
Blocher reminded that Chairman of the Turkish Historical Society Dr
Yusuf Halacoglu and Turkish Labour Party leader Dogu Perincek faced
legal investigation for making comments that the so-called “Armenian
genocide never took place”. “We support the idea to establish a
commission of historians so that they can conduct research on the
matter,” noted Blocher.
“There is a law in Switzerland that originally was designed to punish
those denying the Jewish Holocaust of World War II. We could not
have imagined that this law could be applied to so-called Armenian
genocide. This law is a headache for us. My ministry will research
ways to handle the matter without interfering in Halacoglu and Perincek
cases,” stressed Blocher.
Blocher added that he invited the Justice Minister Cicek to Switzerland
and if Cicek says “Turks did not commit genocide to Armenians” in his
country, nothing will happen. If Cicek goes to jail, he will also go
to jail with him, he said.