GEORGIAN OFFICIAL SAYS MORE “PROVOCATIONS” WILL FOLLOW NATO MEMBERSHIP PROGRESS
24 Saati, Tbilisi,
3 Oct 06
[Question] Has the withdrawal of Russian bases been delayed? Is Russia
fulfilling the 2006 agreement?
Russia’s troop withdrawal suspension announcement “propaganda”,
withdrawal continuing
[Mamuka Kudava, deputy defence minister] No delay can be seen in
this respect. In accordance with the “Agreement between Georgia
and the Russian Federation on the timeframes and rules for the
temporary functioning and withdrawal of the Group of Russian Troops
in the Transcaucasus, the Russian military bases, and other military
facilities on Georgian territory” signed in Sochi on 31 March 2006, 737
units of equipment and more than 2,600 tonnes of materials have been
withdrawn from Georgian territory this year (358 units of equipment
and more than 1,600 tonnes of materials have been withdrawn to the
Russian Federation and the rest went to the Gyumri military base in
Armenia). A total of 25 special trains and 28 convoys of military
vehicles have left Georgia.
Forty-five tanks, 162 armoured vehicles and 52 artillery installations
as well as more than 500 units of military equipment have been
withdrawn from our country.
The Akhalkalaki military base has been completely emptied of military
equipment and weapons. The weapons and equipment restricted according
to the 19 November 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
have also been withdrawn along with other equipment.
We have always emphasized that Russia is conscientiously fulfilling
its obligations linked to the withdrawal. All those conditions
of the agreement that covered the year 2006 have been met (I hope
international inspections will check on the spot and confirm all
this in the future). As regards the statement about suspending the
withdrawal, it was propagandist in nature and far removed from reality.
[Question] According to the plan, when are the remaining equipment
and military personnel to be withdrawn from Georgia?
[Kudava] The withdrawal of the Russian heavy military equipment
remaining at the Batumi military base on Georgian territory should be
completed before 1 October 2007. Military personnel will be withdrawn
from the Akhalkalaki base during 2007. The withdrawal of the Russian
military base in Batumi and the headquarters of the Group of Russian
Troops in the Transcaucasus [in Tbilisi] will end in 2008.
[Question] Is there any real threat in connection with the bases?
[Kudava] In my opinion, rumours about the threats linked to the bases
are exaggerated. There are two explanations: First, two-thirds of
the withdrawn weapons were useless. The same is true of the remaining
equipment and the infrastructure there. A second important aspect is
that Georgia has all necessary means to avert any provocation. The
main thing is that the decision made on the withdrawal of the bases
is political and not only Russia and Georgia have signed it. The
agreement is valid in the framework of the overall European mechanism.
“Threats are growing” in South Ossetia, Abkhazia
[Question] Given Russian-Georgian relations and the political situation
in general, what are the most realistic and dangerous threats among
those faced by our country at this stage?
[Kudava] Even the untrained eye can see that the threats are growing in
comparison to previous years. Provocations in the conflict zones have
become extremely frequent. The OSCE monitoring group (never mind us)
is finding illegal armoured vehicles, antiaircraft installations,
or grenade launchers almost every week. We could also spend quite
a long time discussing shooting incidents, never mind shooting at
helicopters. The same thing is happening in Abkhazia. Someone is
being killed almost every week.
NATO membership, conflict settlement linked
The closer we draw to NATO, the more frequent such provocations will
become. Integration with NATO and the restoration of this country’s
territorial integrity are equally important for us. These two processes
facilitate one another. Our aspiration towards NATO will motivate
foreign partners to become more active and, vice versa, successes in
conflict resolution will facilitate the process of our integration into
NATO. Some Russian political analysts are saying that Georgia should
first resolve these conflicts and join NATO only after that. However,
that is really not correct. Starting with statements by the NATO
secretary-general, an unequivocal position on the recognition of
Georgia’s territorial integrity is outlined at every meeting. It is
being emphasized in NATO that no third factor or country can hinder
Georgia’s accession to the North Atlantic alliance. [Passage omitted]

GEORGIAN DM WARNS RUSSIA TO “THINK CAREFULLY” ABOUT SANCTIONS
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi,
3 Oct 06
[Presenter] The Russian Defence Ministry will have to seek agreement
for the transit of military personnel and equipment to and from the
[102nd Russian military] base in Gyumri [Armenia] through Georgian
territory. The Georgian Defence Ministry has drawn up new rules under
the agreement signed earlier this year. Russia will only be able
to move personnel and equipment from the 102nd base through Georgian
territory with permission from the Defence Ministry, [Defence Minister]
Irakli Okruashvili said in Gori.
[Okruashvili] Those who think they can make life difficult for
Georgia’s people should think very carefully about similar levers that
we have. The fact that we are introducing new rules for transit to
the 102nd military base does not mean that we are going to completely
ban movements [of Russian military traffic], but we will strictly
control the movement of things that present a danger to our citizens,
such as sources of radiation, explosive materials and other dangerous
materials. This refers to the Gyumri military base and there will be
requirements and rules based on the standards of civilized countries,
so that they do not get the impression that they are coming and going
in some kind of banana republic.

EU OFFICIAL PRAISES ARMENIA’S DEVELOPMENT
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
2 Oct 06
[Presenter] The window of possibilities for the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict remains open and the European Union entirely backs
the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki
Tuomioja, who heads the delegation of the EU Troika, said at a joint
news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in
Yerevan today.
[Correspondent] The EU-Armenia Action Plan within the framework of
the [EU’s] Neighbourhood Policy has been signed [as heard]. This is
a historic event, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said.
[Oskanyan] This is a very important document for us. By means of this
document, Armenia is invited to enter into intensified political,
security and economic relations with the EU.
[Correspondent] The plan will be officially signed at an annual session
of the Armenia-EU cooperation commission in Brussels. The document
sets a five-year term during which each event [in the Action Plan]
will take place. Vardan Oskanyan said that this is a document of
intentions and specific actions to bring Armenia’s socio-economic
and political systems into line with those in Europe.
[Tuomioja, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over] Armenia
has accepted and is developing according to European values of human
rights and democracy. We hail Armenia for continuing to go along the
path they have chosen and urge greater democratization. We hope that
the forthcoming elections in 2007 and 2008 will be fair and honest.
In this way, they will prove that Armenia is a democratic country.
[Correspondent] After the successful implementation of the first stage
of the programme, the EU will be open to Armenia, the EU president
said. He said that the deepening of Armenia-EU relations depends
on Armenia.
The Armenian foreign minister said that Armenia is at present not ready
to speak of full EU membership. Vardan Oskanyan said that Armenia is
ready to expand regional cooperation, which is the main part of the
Action Plan.
[Vardan Oskanyan] There are obstacles in cooperation between the
three Caucasus countries. These are obstacles created by Azerbaijan.
As you may know, Armenia has no problem and we consider that regional
cooperation will contribute to the resolution of the conflict. The
Karabakh conflict settlement and regional cooperation should take place
at the same time. However, Azerbaijan does not agree to cooperate.
We are ready to cooperate with Georgia, as well as Turkey if it opens
the borders.
[Correspondent] The EU supports the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and backs the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. The EU officials said
that the conflict still can be resolved.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BRYZA: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS CHOSEN THE ROUTE OF THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 3 2006
During the meeting with the US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Safar Abiev
expressed regret that “for many years the talks on the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict have yielded no results, Press Service of the
Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan told “Trend” agency.
Abiev noted that the main obstacle in the further development
of strategic US-Azerbaijan ties is the Karabakh conflict’s being
unsettled.
In his turn Matthew Bryza noted that “the international community
has chosen the route of the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

ARMENIAN PM PLEDGES TO SUPPORT FRENCH BUSINESS
Shant TV, Yerevan,
30 Sep 06
Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan today received a group of known
French businessmen at the Mariott-Armenia hotel. The businessmen
arrived in Armenia together with the French president to take part
in the opening of the Year of Armenia in France [as well as Year
of France in Armenia]. Those who are in Armenia for the first time
want to get acquainted with our country’s economy, the investment
atmosphere and possibility of cooperation.
On behalf of the Armenian government, Markaryan expressed readiness
to support French businessmen in starting mutually beneficial activity
in Armenia.

FRANCE WANTS TO HELP ARMENIA BUILD LAW-GOVERNED STATE – PRESIDENT
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
29 Sep 06
In an interview with Ayastani Anrapetutyun newspaper prior to his
visit to Yerevan, French President Jacques Chirac said that France’s
friendship with Armenia is binding. France wishes to accompany Armenia
in the process of political modernization and to support its will to
build a law-governed state.
France wants to help Armenia develop its economy in order for Armenia
to be able to shape a bright future for the next generations. Chirac
said that young Armenians should be proud of having been born in
such an ancient country and are capable of building the country in
a new style.

OSCE MEDIATORS, ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP DISCUSS NK SETTLEMENT
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
29 Sep 06
The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group have arrived in Yerevan
from Baku. They met Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today.
The co-chairmen will visit Stepanakert [Xankandi] tomorrow to meet the
Artsakh [Karabakh] leader. The US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Matthew Bryza, said in Baku that the main goal of the current visit
to the region is to resume direct contacts between the conflicting
parties to the Karabakh conflict.
But the Russian co-chairman [Yuriy Merzlyakov] said that if the
negotiations continued, the document that was submitted to the
presidents in Rambouillet and re-edited in Bucharest would be offered
to the conflicting sides for discussion. But now it will be offered
at the next meeting with some changes.

FRENCH FM MEETS STUDENTS IN YEREVAN
Armenia TV, Yerevan,
30 Sep 06
The French foreign minister [Philippe Douste-Blazy] visited French
University of Armenia today. One of the students of the university
asked him if it was possible for France to be the first to recognize
Karabakh as an independent state. The minister gave a diplomatic
answer. He said that this was a provocative question as the conflict
should be settled in a diplomatic way via talks and dialogue, on the
basis of which there should be aspiration for peace, and the OSCE
Minsk Group is an effective format for its settlement.
Concerning French University, he said that the university was a bridge
for Armenian-French friendship and they waited for its students in
France as good specialists.
[Video showed the meeting]

ARMENIAN LEADER, EU OFFICIALS DISCUSS TIES, KARABAKH
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
2 Oct 06
President Robert Kocharyan today received the delegation of the EU
Troika headed by Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. The president
noted that Armenia-EU institutional relations were established in 1999,
when Finland was the EU chair.
Stressing the importance of the successful completion of consultations
on the EU-Armenia New Neighbourhood Action Plan, Robert Kocharyan
noted that Armenia is seriously committed to carrying out consistent
and coordinated reforms.
The Armenian president hopes that the EU’s aspiration to include
the whole region in the programme [EU’s Neighbourhood Policy] will
not prevent the sides from officially adopting the programme in
November 2006.
The Finnish foreign minister said that the EU attaches great importance
to progress and democratic development in South Caucasus.
The sides stressed the importance of conducting free and fair elections
in Armenia.
They also exchanged opinions on Armenian-Turkish relations in the
context of Turkey-EU membership talks. The Armenian president and the
EU Troika also discussed developments in the Karabakh peace process.
Robert Kocharyan said that conflicts like the Karabakh one can be
resolved exclusively by talks and discussions and never by resolutions
and voting.
[Video showed the meeting]

EU WARNS TURKEY TO STEP UP REFORMS TO AVOID ‘TRAIN CRASH’
by Sibel Utku Bila
Agence France Presse — English
October 3, 2006 Tuesday 4:30 PM GMT
Turkey faces a “train crash” in its relations with the European Union
if it fails to step up democratic reforms and resolve a trade row
with Cyprus, EU enlargement chief Olli Rehn said here Tuesday.
The stern warning came on the first anniversary of the inauguration
of Turkey’s accession talks and just weeks before the EU issues
on November 8 a crucial report on the country’s progress towards
membership.
“I want to make sure that the first anniversary (of the talks) is
not the last one,” Rehn told a news conference. “I want to work for
avoiding a train crash in Turkey-EU relations.”
Highlighting the benefits of Turkey’s EU membership, the enlargement
commissioner said it would ease mounting tensions between the West
and Muslim countries if Turkey carries out the necessary reforms and
meets all EU criteria.
“In the current situation when… relations between Europe and Islam
is the greatest challenge of our time, it simply won’t make sense to
allow the things to lead to a train crash,” he said.
Rehn urged Ankara to pass reforms to ensure freedom of speech,
a major area of concern after dozens of intellectuals were charged
with denigrating the Turkish nation under a penal code article, and
to grant trade priviliges to Cyprus under a customs union agreement.
“Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our common democratic
values. I cannot even imagine a member of the EU that will not
respect such a fundamental European principle,” Rehn said earlier at
a conference on trade union rights.
A string of intellectuals, including best-selling writers Orhan Pamuk
and Elif Shafak, have stood trial under Article 301 of the penal code,
which envisages up to three years in jail for insulting “Turkishness”
and state institutions.
No one has yet been imprisoned under the provision, but the
appeals court in July upheld the suspended six-month sentence of
a Turkish-Armenian journalist, setting an alarming precedent for
pending cases.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is open to proposals
to amend the article, but no action has been taken so far amid vocal
opposition by nationalist-minded Justice Minister Cemil Cicek.
Speaking after talks with Rehn, Cicek rejected EU pressure to
amend Article 301 before the crucial November 8 report, arguing that
“parliament is not under the government’s command,” and that an upsurge
in Kurdish rebel violence this year was making it harder for Ankara
to expand freedoms.
He also charged that freedom of speech was being breached in EU
countries, pointing to a French draft law that would make it a
punishable offense to deny that the massacres of Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide.
“While asking why freedom of expression is being restricted in Turkey,
one cannot turn a blind eye to a draft law that will be taken up on
October 12 in an EU country,” he said.
On the row over Cyprus, Rehn said he was hopeful that a formula
proposed by the EU’s Finnish presidency would resolve the stalemate.
Turkey is under pressure to open its air and sea ports to the
internationally recognised Cyprus government under a customs union
agreement with the EU, or face a suspension of its membership talks.
Ankara insists that Cypriot ships and planes will remain barred from
Turkish ports unless the EU unless delivers on its promise to ease
trade restrictions on the island’s breakaway Turkish Cypriot state,
recognized only by Turkey.
“The Finnish formula has not been rejected by any of the parties so
far, including Turkey,” Rehn said. “I trust all parties sense the
seriousness of the issue and try their best to find a solution.”
He also called on Ankara to improve the rights of women and non-Muslim
religious communities as “other very important issues of urgency.”
In another sticking point, Rehn urged the government to keep up reforms
to strengthen civilian control over the influential Turkish military
“like in any European democracy.”
On Monday, chief of staff Yasar Buyukanit angrily rejected EU criticism
of its influence in politics, saying that the charges had exceeded
“the limits of tolerance,” and asserted the army’s right to have
a say on issues concerning national security and the protection of
Turkey’s strictly secular system.
Rehn was scheduled to meet with Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul as well as other officials before he wraps up his visit Thursday.