MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
31-05-2006
Acting Press Secretary Vladimir Karapetian Replies to
Question by Arminfo News Agency
QUESTION: As a result of the referendum held in Montenegro on May 21, that
Balkan state has effectively become independent. It is notable that the
result of the referendum has been universally recognized which gives
additional legitimacy to Montenegro’s independence. What’s the reaction of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to the creation
of a new state in Europe?
MR. KARAPETIAN: We welcome the decision of the authorities and people of
Montenegro to create an independent state. We congratulate and wish the
Montenegrin people the best of luck in the process of state building.
In such a peaceful dissolution, Armenia attaches importance to the fact that
the Montenegrin people’s right of self-determination was expressed through a
referendum, which proves that in international relations, a referendum
remains a universally recognized and civilized means of resolving such
problems and of expressing a people’s right.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief’s Fellowship Alumni Association
29 Rubinyants Street,
Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Bella Grigoryan
FARFAA-Salzburg Medical Program Coordinator
Tel: (37410) 249677, 541128
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
OMI/FARFAA VIDEOCONFERENCE
“PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY ”
Yerevan, May 30, 2006
Salzburg Medical Seminars Program, the Open Medical Institute (OMI)
program of the American Austrian Foundation, together with FARFAA
(Armenia) and with the technical support of the <> Medical
Center organized a videoconference on “Pediatric Nephrology”.
All the equipment and technical support in Armenia was provided by the
<> Medical Center with the kind support of its chief Prof. Ara
Babloyan.
The videoconference took place on May 30th. 17 doctors from different
Yerevan hospitals have participated.
Dr. Kevin Meyers from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP),
USA led the seminar.
The lectures covered Chronic Kidney Disease (Dr. Jorge Baluarte),
Vitamin D Nutrition (Mary Leonard), Renovascular Hypertension (Kevin
Meters).
The goal of the videoconference was to present the latest information,
experience and knowledge of the international faculty members to English
speaking Armenian doctors.
This was our first videoconference experience with the Salzburg Medical
Seminars Program, (OMI). We hope that this activity will be continued in
the future and more and more Armenian specialists will be involved in
the Salzburg Medical Seminars Program to enhance their professional
level through theoretical knowledge and discussions.
Some quotations of the videoconference participants:
<< The videoconference helped me to get new approaches to the old, well-known pathologies>>.
<< The videoconference gave us a possibility to participate in some of the Salzburg seminar's lectures both passively as a listener and actively in discussions staying at home.>>
>.
We wish to acknowledge and to express our deep appreciation to Katharine
Aulitzky ,
Dr Kevin Meyers, Prof. Ara Babloyan, John A. Riehl, Dr Gevorg Yaghjyan,
Dr. Mary Leonard, Dr Jorge Baluarte without whom this teleconference
would never take place .
We extend special thanks to Arman Babloyan and Andreas Thauerer for
their help in the technical support of the teleconference.
Open Medical Institute (OMI) is a program of the American Austrian
Foundation (AAF) whose main goal is to educate physicians and health
care providers from countries in transition and foster their
professional growth ()
FAR FAA is a non-for-profit organization of medical professionals, aimed
at improving the health care system of the community and advancing
medical sciences in Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737/8
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
LORD, KEEP THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
SECURE AND STABLE
Prayed the Prelate
On Sunday, May 28, 2006, special prayers took place at all
Western Prelacy Churches in celebration of the 88th anniversary of the
independence of the Republic of Armenia.
At Glendale’s St. Mary’s Church, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and St.
Mary’s Pastors, offered special prayers and officiated over the blessing of
the Armenian flag.
Guided by the Holy Cross and accompanied by hymns, the flag was
brought into the church by H.M.E.M. scouts, where the Prelate blessed it and
offered blessings for the Republic of Armenia, and the Armenian people. The
Prelate prayed, `Extend your hand, Oh Lord, and bless the Armenian people,
our nation, and the Armenian Apostolic Church.’
In his sermon, the Prelate reminded the faithful that this first
Sunday after Ascension and the sixth Sunday of Eastertide is called Second
Palm Sunday, and symbolizes the entering of Jesus into heaven and inheriting
the heavenly kingdom. Thus, he prayed to the Almighty Lord to keep the
reestablished Republic of Armenia secure and stable, and to grant wisdom to
the leaders of our republic so that they may serve our people with honesty
and integrity. May the Lord enhance and strengthen the courageous spirit of
our commanders and troops that defend our nation, and bless and protect our
people, nation, church, Artsakh, and the Diaspora.
Following Holy Mass, requiem service was conducted for all the
martyrs of our nation and people.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
JUNE 1, 2006
V. REV. FR. ANOUSHAVAN TANIELIAN WILL BE
ELEVATED TO BISHOP THIS SUNDAY
V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy,
will be graced with the Episcopal consecration by His Holiness Aram I, this
Sunday, June 4, at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias,
Lebanon. Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate, is en route to Lebanon to
participate in the ceremony.
Hayr Anoushavan’s service to the Armenian Church spans more than three
decades. He was ordained to the rank of Deacon in 1968 by Bishop Karekin
Sarkissian; to the rank of celibate priesthood by Archbishop Ardag Manougian
in 1972. He received the Fourth Degree of Vartabed in 1974 by His Holiness
Catholicos Khoren I and the Fourteenth Degree in 1988 by Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian. In 1996 he was given the honor to wear the Episcopal Mitre on Feast
Days by Catholicos Aram I. A graduate of the Cilician See’s Seminary in
Lebanon, he holds degrees from the Near East School of Theology, Princeton
Theological Seminary, and Columbia University, where he received his PhD
degree in May 2003.
IRAQI PRIMATES VISIT CILICIAN SEE
His Holiness Aram I met with the primates of the Armenian and Syrian
communities of Iraq on May 30. His Holiness and the Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of Iraq, Archbishop Avak Assadourian and the Primate
of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Baghdad and Basra, Mor Severios Hawa,
discussed the situation in Iraq and particularly the difficulties that the
Christian communities face.
The Primates assured His Holiness that despite the ongoing lack of
security in Iraq, the country’s Christian communities are well organized.
They noted, however, that due to the dire economic situation in Iraq, they
need financial assistance. Although currently the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC) provides some assistance, the Primates asked His Holiness to
advocate for increased support by the MECC during these difficult times.
CATHOLICOS ARAM INVITED TO SPEAK AT NOTRE DAME
His Holiness Aram I has been invited to be the keynote speaker at an
international conference devoted to the theological-medical connection that
will convene at Notre Dame University in December. Participating in the
conference will be noted theologians, physicians, sociologists, and
psychologists. The conference is intended to focus on the growing interest
in the role of religion in medical care.
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN DOUGLASTON WILL CELEBRATE
16TH ANNIVERSARY THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, June 4, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will
celebrate the 16th anniversary of the new St. Sarkis Church and the first
anniversary of their new pastor, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian. Luncheon and
program will take place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. For
information: 718-224-2275.
SUMMER CAMP AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, NY, will provide a summer camp for
children ages 5 to 12, for one week this summer, July 10 to 14, 9 am to 3
pm. The program will include prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, Bible
classes, and arts and crafts. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For
information: 718-224-2275.
TWO NEW BOOKS AT THE BOOKSTORE
During the National Representative Assembly (NRA) two new books
published by the Prelacy were presented on two separate evenings.
On Tuesday, May 16, Light from Light: An Introduction to the History and
Theology of the Armenian Church, by Michael B. Papazian, was presented at
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, the hosts of the NRA.
Archbishop Oshagan presented the book and author, after which Professor
Papazian spoke briefly about how he came to write this book at the request
of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory. This soft-cover 216-page
book (including 16 pages of color photographs) is available at the Armenian
Prelacy Bookstore for $15.00, plus shipping and handling.
On Wednesday evening, May 17, delegates traveled to New York to visit
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and the Prelacy offices, where another newly
published book was presented. This book is the PhD dissertation of the late
Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, who was the first Prelate of the Prelacy.
Entitled, Historiography of Fifth Century Armenia, the book focuses on a
group of authors who formed Armenia’s fifth century literature, following
the founding of the Armenian alphabet. These include: Goriun, Agathangeghos,
Pavsdos Puzant, Movses Khorenatsi, Yeghisheh and Ghazar Parbetsi. Archbishop
Oshagan presented the book and expressed his thanks to Archbishop Hrant’s
family for their support of this project. Attending this poignant occasion
were relatives of the late Archbishop, including his brother, Antranig
Khatchadourian, nieces and nephews and cousins. This hardcover, 164-page
book is available at the Prelacy Bookstore for $15.00, plus shipping and
handling.
For information or to order either of these books contact the Bookstore,
212-689-7810.
SUNDAY IS PENTECOST (HOGEGALOUST)
This Sunday, June 4, is Pentecost (Hogegaloust), which is celebrated
fifty days after Easter. Jesus had commanded the apostles to, “Go therefore
to all nations and make them my disciples,” (Matthew 28:19). Christ
recognized the difficulty of this great responsibility and had advised them
not to begin their teaching mission until after the Descent of the Holy
Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost,
the apostles had gathered in one place, and that suddenly something that
sounded like a strong wind filled the house in which they were assembled:
“And there appeared to them flames like tongues of fire distributed among
them and coming to rest on each one. They were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to talk in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power of
utterance,” (Acts 2:2-4).
Many of the people in Jerusalem were from foreign lands. They marveled
at the fact that each one of them could understand the Apostles’ words in
his own language. The first gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles
was the ability to speak and be understood by people who came from many
different nations.
SUMMERTIME..
Although summer does not officially start until later this month, for
many people last weekend’s Memorial Day holiday signified the start of
summer.
Some of our parishes start Sunday services a little earlier than usual
during the summer. We suggest you check with your local parish.
Many of you have been kind to inquire about our vegetable garden. We
promise to give you an update next week.
Calendar of Event
June 4-16th Anniversary Celebration of the new St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.
June 4-Communion and Breakfast honoring high school and college graduates,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia. For
information: 215-482-9200.
June 4-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, will host a medical
workshop with members of the Armenian Association of Health Professions. A
light lunch will be served at 1 pm prior to the workshop. Q&A session will
follow. Have your blood pressure checked by the nurse on duty. All invited
to this free event. For information, 201-943-2950.
June 18-Fathers’ Day celebration at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City, following Divine Liturgy. Organized by the Cathedral’s
Ladies Guild. For information: 212-689-5880.
June 24-Siamanto Academy graduation.
July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.
August 8-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone
Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261.
August 20-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For
details: 508-234-3677.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
Visit our website at

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/01/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Deputy FM Discusses Secret Talks with Turkey 2) Armenian Parliament Elects Torosian as New Speaker 3) Grassroots Pressure Building for Congressional Hearings on Evans Firing 4) Turkey Cracks 'Plot' to Kill PM 1) Deputy FM Discusses Secret Talks with Turkey TSAKHKADZOR (Armenpress)Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Gegham Gharibjanian, responded Thursday to statements made by the Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry about secret meetings conducted between Armenian and Turkish diplomats on improving relations between the two countries. According to the Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Namik Tan, there have been three meetings between representatives of the Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry and "preparations are being made for the organization of further meetings." Referring to this statement Gharibjanian said that as of now, the Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister and his aides are not dealing with such issues. However, they are closely following these processes. "Last year meetings were conducted, but during this year no meeting took place," said the deputy minister. The Turkish press reported that the Turkish side proposed the establishment of two committees to simultaneously hold talks on political issues and the Armenian genocide, which Armenia rejected. "We have suggestions and everybody knows about them, including Turkey: they are--opening borders between Armenia and Turkey without pre-conditions, establishing diplomatic relations, and, of course, recognizing the Armenian genocide," Gharibjanian said. 2) Armenian Parliament Elects Torosian as New Speaker YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Armenpress)--Armenia's Parliament elected Tigran Torosian as its new speaker on Thursday, replacing Artur Baghdasarian after his Orinats Yerkir party withdrew from the ruling coalition. The National Assembly voted for him by 94 to 1, with a small number of opposition members boycotting the vote. Torosian, 50, is a senior member of Markarian's Republican Party (HHK), which has the largest faction in the parliament and is the biggest of the three parties represented in Armenia's Government. An engineer by training, he served as parliament vice-speaker until now. Baghdasarian said before the secret ballot that he and eight other lawmakers remaining in the Orinats Yerkir faction will unanimously vote for Torosian, praising his former deputy as "one of the few professionals in our parliament." "I think that his personal and professional qualities make him fit to run the National Assembly," said the ex-speaker. Opposition deputies who took part in a debate preceding the vote also commended those qualities, but claimed that Torosian will not make any difference in the Armenian political stage in his new capacity. They dismissed the parliament as a rubber stamp body that has little impact on government policies. "We are faced with very difficult problems and serious challenges," Torosian said in his acceptance speech. "I am sure that those of our colleagues who did not take part in the election agree that we are facing such challenges," he added, referring to the opposition minority that boycotted the vote. In his speech, the new speaker said one of the key challenges facing Armenia is to holding "democratic elections" next year and in 2008. He said Armenia is facing a serious challenge now of proving that it is moving in the right direction "The 2007 parliamentary elections will be of paramount significance to us in order to dissipate the international community's apprehensions that we are no longer able to ensure free and democratic polls. We have no alternatives, but fair elections, a key factor to improve our life," he said. He said that Armenian authorities have to revise the country's legislation to bring it in line with constitutional amendments adopted in last November's referendum. Torosian also pointed out the necessity of shaping a proper political climate in Parliament to win back the respect of citizens. 3) Grassroots Pressure Building for Congressional Hearings on Evans Firing WASHINGTON, DC--Tens of thousands of Armenians--in the United States and Armenia--have voiced their outrage over the Administration's firing of US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In Armenia, tens of thousands of Armenians took part in the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" to protest the Evans firing and, more broadly, to voice opposition to a number of recent instances in which foreign diplomats stationed in Armenia have denied the Armenian genocide. The campaign, which took place at the Dzidzernagapert Memorial to the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, started on April 24 with countless thousands of individual Armenians each tying a single yellow ribbons on 100-yard lengths of rope stretched along the walking path leading to the Genocide Monument. In the United States, Armenian American activists have called for Congressional hearings into the Government of Turkey's role in dismissal of this highly-respected 35 year Foreign Service veteran over his honest and accurate description of the Armenian genocide as a clear case of genocide. The ANCA WebFax system--on the web at been used by activists from throughout the United States--including a large number from state and districts represented by Members of committees with oversight responsibility of the State Department. In their WebFaxes, these concerned citizens have stressed that: "Ambassador Evans is, in effect, being punished for honoring his President's pledge to properly recognize the Armenian genocide--a promise that George W. Bush made on the campaign trail in February of 2000 but abandoned once in the White House. Ambassador Evans should be praised, not dismissed, for rejecting "gag-rules" imposed by the Turkish Government on the discussion of the Armenian genocide by America's leaders at home and diplomats abroad." In demanding hearings on the Evans firing, the WebFaxers note that these inquiries should "include testimony by all the key figures involved, including the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. Among the issues that should be explored is the role of the Turkish Government in exporting its suppression of free speech to the United States and the implications for the future of the Foreign Service if a senior American diplomat's career has been ended simply for acknowledging the historical record on one of the world's greatest human rights tragedies." Commenting on the lack of openness by the Administration in dealing with this matter, the WebFax letters note that, "the Administration has lacked the courage to speak honestly--either to Congress or the American people--about its reasons for firing Ambassador Evans. Hopefully, these hearings will provide the transparency that we, as citizens, have the right to expect of our government." The firing of Ambassador Evans was the result of his February 2005 statements at Armenian American community functions characterizing the Armenian genocide as a genocide. Following his statements, Ambassador Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the Armenian genocide were his personal views and did not represent a change in US policy. He subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a reference to the genocide with the word "tragedy." The American Foreign Service Association, which had planned to honor Ambassador Evans with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service, reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the State Department a few days before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush. Congressional Response: On the eve of the announcement of Evans' replacement, sixty Members of Congress, led by Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking for clarification of the reasons behind Ambassador Evans' recall. Earlier, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) had each officially called on Secretary Rice for a clarification of the State Department's position on this issue. They have yet to receive any response to their inquiries. Media Response: The Los Angeles Times, in a strongly worded March 22 editorial, made direct reference to Ambassador Evans' impending dismissal, calling on the Turkish Government and US State Department to end their policies of Armenian genocide denial. On March 24, the Fresno Bee, published a similarly strong editorial condemning Evans' firing. The Washington Times, on May 26, ran a story about the "geopolitical firestorm" created by Evans' remarks. Armenian Youth Response: At the Armenian Youth Federation Junior Educational Seminar, held in Western Pennsylvania over the Memorial Day weekend, over 400 young Armenian Americans designed, produced, and signed original petitions protesting the Administration's decision to fire Ambassador Evans for telling the truth about the Armenian genocide. 4) Turkey Cracks 'Plot' to Kill PM (BBC News)--Anti-terror police in Turkey are reported to have foiled a plot to kill Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish newspapers say nine people, including three soldiers, have been detained in the capital, Ankara. Police are said to have found grenades, explosives, a timer, and a sketch showing Erdogan's route home. There has been no official comment. Erdogan, whose party has Islamic roots, criticized last month the army's chief for encouraging popular protests. He attacked General Hilmi Ozkok for supporting demonstrations against Islamist militancy after a judge was murdered by a suspected Islamist gunman. The army sees itself as the guardian of secularism in predominantly Muslim Turkey. The Hurriyet and Sabah newspapers suggested Cuneyd Zapsu, one of Erdogan's advisers, was also the target of a possible attack. There has been no confirmation from the police, but the semi-official Anatolia news agency said the suspects were "allegedly planning an attack against a politician." All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

TENNIS PLAYER DAVID MINASIAN FROM YEREVAN AMONG TBILISI TOURNAMENT WINNERS
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
TBILISI, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. About 20 sportsmen of Armenia
participated in the international youth tournament of tennis held in
Tbilisi, in “Austrian Ways” Tbilisi cup tournament. David Minasian
from Yerevan, accompanying Georgi Khamidashvili from Tbilisi, became
the tournament winner in pair games of 16 years old boys. David came
to the semi-final in solo games where he lost finally and shared the
3rd-4th places. Ani Amirajian, a tennis player from Yerevan performed
in the 14 years old girls’ group presented the same result.

CAUSE OF PLANE CRASH TWO MONTHS LATER
Lragir.am
31 May 06
The deciphering of the information of the black boxes of A320, which
crashed in Sochi on May 3, will take two months, said the minister of
transport of Russia Igor Levitin May 31. He says the experts have to
analyze about 300 parameters. Levitin said Armenian specialists will
be involved as well because the crew talked in Armenian.

CIS TO REVIVE?
A1+
[02:43 pm] 31 May, 2006
On June 1-2 in Tsakhkadzor in the House of Writers a
scientific-practical conference will take place titled “CIS as a
new structure of cooperation between the states: achievements and
perspectives of development”.
Scientists, political figures and diplomats from different CIS
countries will participate in the conference. The CIS Executive
Committee will be represented by its deputy head Asan Kozhakov.
The opening of the conference will take place on June 1. RA NA
deputy Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan and deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanyan will make speech.

EU COULD ASSUME CAUCASUS PEACEKEEPING ROLE
By Thomas de Waal in London for IWPR
ISN, Switzerland
May 31 2006
The European Union’s new special representative for the South Caucasus
sees an enhanced role for the EU in conflict resolution.
The new European Union special representative for the Caucasus, Peter
Semneby, has suggested that the EU could in future lead a peacekeeping
mission if a solution to the Nagorny Karabakh dispute is found.
Semneby, a Swedish diplomat who has just taken up the post, said in
an interview with IWPR in London last week that he wants to use his
mandate to work on the region’s unresolved conflicts.
“It’s no surprise that the main priority of my work is to engage as
far as possible with conflict resolution,” he said.
Semneby emphasized that the European Union has no formal role in the
detailed negotiations over Abkhazia – where the United Nations plays
a mediating role – and in South Ossetia and Nagorny Karabakh, where
that role is played by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE).
However, the idea of an international peacekeeping force is known to
be under discussion in the current Karabakh talks, and should there
be a breakthrough, an international body will be asked to lead it.
This is where the EU could step in.
“We will be expected to make a major contribution when a solution
is found, and we are looking into the possibilities we have, both in
terms of post-conflict rehabilitation and also – if the parties should
so desire – in terms of contributing peacekeepers. And possibly even
leading a peacekeeping operation,” said Semneby. “I should mention
that this is very hypothetical at this stage. This is only one of
several options, but it’s one that is being considered.”
A recent report by the International Crisis Group entitled “Conflict
Resolution in the South Caucasus: The EU’s Role” was scathing about
the low profile the European Union has adopted on conflict resolution
in the Caucasus until now.
“[The EU] does not participate directly in negotiations on Nagorny
Karabakh, Abkhazia or South Ossetia,” said the report, published in
March. “In and around Nagorny Karabakh, it has done little for conflict
resolution. It has rarely raised the South Caucasus conflicts in its
high-level discussions with partners and has employed few sanctions
or incentives to advance peace.”
A subtle change in language in the mandate assigned to Semneby,
compared with that of his predecessor Heikki Talvitie, means the EU
special representative is no longer asked to “assist the resolution
of conflicts” but to “contribute to the resolution of conflicts”.
Semneby said this linguistic change was small but important, calling it
“a political signal that the conflicts are very high on the agenda”.
The post of special representative was established in 2003 and has
a broad mandate -but a small budget. Acknowledging that it would
be impossible to “engage across the board”, Semneby identified his
major priorities as contributing to peace processes and supporting
state-building in the region, through initiatives such as judicial
reform.
Semneby, 46, has spent most of his career in Eastern Europe. As a
Swedish diplomat he visited the Armenian earthquake zone in 1988,
and he was a member of the first OSCE mission in Georgia in 1992. He
also served as the last OSCE ambassador to Latvia and more recently was
the organization’s ambassador in Croatia – another post he says gives
him the right experience to engage with the conflict-riven Caucasus.
He confessed to a feeling of “deja vu” in returning to the region
after a long gap, “This is the most disappointing aspect of coming
back to the Caucasus after so many years. Of course there have been
changes for the better as well. But the conflicts are such an obstacle
to the normal development of societies in the Caucasus.”
Semneby will be called upon to tackle the image problem the EU has
in the region, with lower visibility than the United States.
The special representative has to talk on behalf of 25 countries,
many of which have their own individual interests in the region. He
acknowledged that the failure to adopt an EU constitution, which
would have led to the development of a more coherent foreign policy,
had made his job harder.
However, with Bulgaria and Romania set to join the EU next year and
Turkey beginning membership talks, the South Caucasus will inevitably
begin to figure larger in Brussels.
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are all members of the EU’s European
Neighbourhood Policy, a development that Semneby said was deepening
their relationship with Brussels and would also entitle them to
increased aid. “We’re talking about hundreds of millions of euros
for each country. The EU will also step up its representation in the
countries, which will mean there will be a larger degree of visibility
in the South Caucasus.”
“I will also spend some time trying to explain to the public in the
South Caucasus what the EU is about. There is not a whole lot of
knowledge to begin with. To the extent that the EU is known, there
are still a lot of misunderstandings about what [it] is about.”
“I think there is also lack of knowledge in the EU about the south
Caucasus and its particular problems and about the importance of this
region for the EU, and if possible this is something I would like to
engage on.”
Asked about the hopes of many people in the region who dream of
joining the EU one day, the special representative was careful to
reiterate that the European Neighbourhood Policy “does not contain
a membership perspective”.
“It does mean that the countries can achieve a lot of the benefits
of EU membership by working on the implementation of the European
Neighbourhood Policy,” he went on.
“There is a problem – and I am the first to admit that – that since the
membership perspective is not there as a big carrot at the end, this
deprives us of one of the most powerful levers we had in encouraging
the countries of Central Europe to carry out painful reforms.”
This article originally appeared in Caucasus Reporting Service,
produced by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).
Caucasus Reporting Service is supported by the UK Foreign Office and
the US State Department.

IVANOV: STATIONING OF RUSSIAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN ARMENIA CANNOT BREAK MILITARY-POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE REGION
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006
“Russia’s small amount of military equipment, mainly military
property withdrawn from the military base in Georgia is taken to
Russian military base in Gumru, Armenia.
This cannot violate military and political stability in the region.
Russia does not show incompliance with the commitments undertaken under
the contract on restriction of military forces in Europe,” Russia’s
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a news conference following the
meeting of the CIS Board of Defense Ministers in Baku today. He gave
this answer to the question whether there is a guarantee that the
military equipment stationed in Armenia after being withdrawn from
Georgia won’t be used against Azerbaijan (APA).
“Main part of the military equipment, including heavy equipment is
taken to Russia through Azerbaijan,” said Mr.Ivanov reporting that
the other military base in Batumi, Georgia, will be removed a little
bit later and the property of the base will be carried to Russia via
the sea.