PanARMENIAN.Net
Fascism and Xenophobia Issues More Acute in Russia, than Other CE
Countries
30.05.2006 14:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The issues of fascism and xenophobia are, of course,
more acute in Russia, than in other CE member countries, said Head of
the International Committee of the Russian State Duma Constantine
Kosachev. In his words, it is necessary to pay attention to
conclusions of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance
(ECRI) and «challenge it in no circumstances.» «It is hard to deny
that xenophobia, extremism and nationalism problems are urgent for
Russia. Solving nationalism and xenophobia problems is in our interest
first of all,» said Kosachev.
In his turn, Secretary General of the Union of Journalists of Russia
Igor Yakovekno supposes that European Commission calls should be
addressed to the executive and law-enforcement bodies first of all. In
his opinion, they are just those, who «do not implement laws or
implement them selectively.» Specifically, he noted «that in Russia
even a person, who committed murder on racial ground, is judged for
hooliganism, while for posting up transparencies one gets three
years,» BBC Russian Service writes.

Armenpress
ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY DELEGATION AVOIDS VISIT TO
BAKU
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS; The Armenian defense
ministry has decided against sending a delegation of
top officers to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan
that is to host a regular meeting of the CIS Defense
Ministers Council.
A spokesman for Armenian defense ministry, Seyran
Shahsuvarian, said the decision was made after the
secretariat of the CIS Defense Ministers Council
failed to receive Azerbaijani authorities guarantees
that they will ensure the safety of the Armenian
delegation.
A press release disseminated today by Armenian
defense ministry said this was another evidence of
Azerbaijan’s failure to respect its international
commitments-in this case to ensure the security of
participants of an international event held in its
territory.
The press release also said the CIS Council of
Defense Ministers should be able to provide equal
conditions for all participants of the meeting. ‘We
expect the official explanation of the CIS Defense
Ministers Council,” the Armenian pres release said.

Armenpress
“KOHAR” TO PARTICIPATE IN “ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE”
ALL-ARMENIAN FESTIVAL
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS: “KOHAR” Symphony
Orchestra and Choir of Gyumri with artistic director
and conductor Sebouh Apkarian will be participating in
the context of “One Nation, One Culture” All-Armenian
Festival which will kick off in Armenia on June 23 and
last till June 30.
The official closing of the festival, which will take
place at the Republic Square of Yerevan, is entrusted
to “KOHAR”.
At the end of last April, Kremlin State Theatre
witnessed KOHAR’s latest accomplishment during two
consecutive concert days. Almost 12,000 audiences were
present during these concerts, whereby KOHAR presented
its trademark “All Time Armenian Favourites” program
with 150 performing artists, musicians, choir members,
soloists, dancers and a pantomime. The two-day events
were labeled by Armenian Muscovites as an
unprecedented Armenian festivity of genuine music and
performance.
KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir has performed in
Nicosia, Beirut and Istanbul. Its “All Time Armenian
Favoutires” DVD and CD is the first Armenian musical
DVD through its rendition and recording of Armenian
music with interactive and state-of-the-art features
including subtitles of the songs, which has won the
International Intermedia Silver Award in Hamburg,
Germany and the “Anoush” Achievement Award during the
7th Armenian International Awards in Hollywood, USA.
The second DVD of KOHAR’s “All Time Armenian
Favoutires” new program will be released by end of
this year, and will include live recordings from
Istanbul and Moscow concerts.

Reasons of the A-320 crash may be known in a few days

ArmRadio.am
30.05.2006 16:22
There is hope that in 7-10 days certain information will be known
about the reasons of crash of the Armenian plane in the Balack
Sea. This suggestion comes from the statement of the head of the
technical commission to investigate the crash Leonid Kashevski. He
stated that the flight recorders are in a sufficient condition and are
fit for decoding. Last evening the Interstate Aviation Committee
started decoding the two black boxes of the crashed plane.
To remind, one of the black boxes was lifted on May 22, the other was
extracted from the bottom of the sea two days later. First these were
transported to Moscow, to the International Aviation Committee, later
to Paris for technical examination. After passing technical
examination in Paris the information microchips were conveyed to
Moscow.
On May 4 an account was opened at RA Ministry of Finance and Economy
to provide assistance to the families of the A-320 crash victims.
`Grand’ Company, responsible for paying insurance for the air crash
victims, told our correspondent that the compensation sum has not been
set so far.
To remind, on May 24 `Grand’ Insurance Company started reception of
documents. Up to now the Company has received 79 applications.

Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan

ArmRadio.am
30.05.2006 15:36
May 31 RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan will pay a two-day official
visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In Astana Minister Oskanyan is scheduled to meet the President of
Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev and Foreign Minister Kasimzhomart
Tokaev.
On June the 1st the Foreign Minister will deliver a speech at the
Diplomatic Academy of Kazakhstan. The same day Vardan Oskanyan will
leave for Almati, where he meet representatives of the Armenian
community on June 2.
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan will return to Armenia on June 2.

A1+
`STOP SMOKING AND YOU WILL WIN’
[03:49 pm] 30 May, 2006
The number of smokers in Armenia has `terribly’ increased. `A1+’ was
informed about it from the anti smoking program centre of the RA
Ministry of Health. Currently 90% of men smoke, as for Armenian women
they tend `to put away their gauze,’ that’s to say they are not
inclined to conceal the fact of smoking any longer.
By the way, the number of smoking women is about 4 – 5% in the whole
territory of the country. Their number may seem insignificant but if
we take into consideration the fact that Armenian women of many
regions don’t smoke at all their number is rather significant in
Yerevan. We can counter the same problem among children. The number of
smokers is comparatively larger among children of 13 – 16.
Though a law combating smoking was adopted in Armenia the society is
not ready yet to obey it. For instance, if it is forbidden to smoke
when in a public, and there are special rooms for smokers in many
establishments and buildings, the atmosphere of a café gives a
perfect ground for smoking, claim the specialists. But smoking in
cafes is not a breach of a law as the law prescribes such cases when
smokers `may’ make use of separate special places intended for
smokers. By the way, if the USA and Great Britain initiated the
smoking combat in 60 – 70s and only in 90s they registered positive
result; curtail of deaths caused by smoking, Armenia has much to do on
this score.
Armenia became a member of an international program titled `Stop
smoking and you will win’ in 2004. The program has about 100 member
countries. The essence of the program is that smoking people becoming
engaged in the program are liable to quit smoking for a month. The
contest is held with two years interval, and the winners are awarded
with 10 thousand and 2 500 USD. Many of the program participants
cannot withstand the temptation of smoking and give in. Those who
overcome the desire to smoke systematically undergo medical
examination in laboratories in order to prove the fact that they
finally stopped smoking. On May 31, after the medical examination, on
the international day `One day without smoking’ a competition is held
in all 100 member countries between the participants of the last phase
for the first and second places. Their names are later sent to the
capital of Finland, Helsinki, where the winners finally are made
public.
By the way, Armenia participates in the program for the second
time. Out of 450 participants of the program in 2004 only 35 stopped
smoking so far. This year 125 people from 588 will participate in the
finals.

Lawyer: youths kill Armenian teen while yelling ‘Glory to Russia!’ in Moscow
suburb

AP Worldstream; May 30, 2006
Prosecutors opened a hate crime investigation into the fatal stabbing of an
Armenian teenager at a Moscow suburban train station, a prosecutors’ official
said Tuesday.
Artur Sardaryan, 19, was killed Thursday in the latest in a string of
racially motivated attacks in Moscow and throughout Russia.
Yelena Rossokhina, a spokeswoman for Moscow regional prosecutors, said three
young men approached Sardaryan as he sat on a regional commuter train around
11:30 p.m. and stabbed him for no apparent reasons. He died later on the way
to a hospital, she said.
Lawyer Simon Tsaturyan told Ekho Moskvy radio that witnesses reported the
youths yelling “Glory to Russia!” and “Long Live Russia!”
Russia in recent years has seen an increase in racially motivated attacks on
foreigners and dark-skinned immigrants from the poorer Caucasus region and
Central Asia.
Last month, an apparent skinhead fatally stabbed an Armenian student on a
central Moscow subway platform.

Today, Azerbaijan
May 29 2006
MP Akram Abdullayev: “Key to solving Nagorno Karabakh is in Russia’s
hands”

29 May 2006 [20:14] – Today.Az

Azerbaijani parliamentarian Akram Abdullayev said that the Nagorno
Karabakh problem is a legacy of the Soviet Union to Azerbaijan and
Armenia and therefore the key to a solution rests in Russia’s hands.

Speaking to The New Anatolian in an exclusive interview, Abdullayev,
who describes himself as a close friend to Turkey, also dismissed the
efforts of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia towards finding a solution
to the disputed enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, saying that the issue is
more complicated than was predicted. He urged the big powers to work
in cooperation with Russia in order to find a solution.
Warning against the dangers of a failure to find a diplomatic
solution to the disputed enclave, Abdullayev said that the
Azerbaijani people might think of military options since it is
unacceptable for them to give these lands to Armenia. Citing the
growing Azerbaijani economy and military, and predicting that the
Azerbaijani military budget will equal Armenia’s in the years to
come, Abdullayev stated that time is on Azerbaijan’s side.
Abdullayev, a member of the Turkish-Azerbaijani Interparliamentary
Friendship Group, expressed his hope for further development and
strengthening of relations between the two countries in various
areas, calling on Turkey and other Turkic nations to bring the
genocide committed against the Turks to the agenda of European
parliaments in retaliation for Armenian genocide claims.
Touching on the Iranian nuclear standoff, the Azerbaijani
parliamentarian said his country favors a diplomatic solution to the
crisis, warning of the dangers of military action against Iran for
the region. Abdullayev also hinted at Azerbaijan’s readiness to act
like a bridge between the U.S. and Iran to bring the nuclear standoff
to an end, citing his country’s good relations with the U.S. and
historic ties with neighboring Iran.
Amid the current row between the Iranian Azeris and Tehran over an
Iranian newspaper’s publication of humiliating cartoons of Iranian
Azeris, Abdullayev stated that although the Iranian Azeris play an
important role in their country’s politics, they would not push for a
regime change in the country, despite the assertions of some U.S.
circles. Warning against any kind of foreign intervention in the
domestic affairs of a country, Abdullayev said, “The Iranian people
choose their presidents and their regime. Foreign intervention would
create dangerous results and many problems.”
Here’s what Akram Abdullayev had to tell us:
TNA: How do you see the level of relations between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, and what could be done to further develop relations?
Abdullayev: I see no problem in bilateral relations. During the
latest visit of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Azerbaijan,
the two sides had consultations on how to further develop relations,
and this visit was also the confirmation of strategic friendship and
cooperation between the two countries. Whenever Azerbaijan faces a
problem during Council of Europe (CoE) meetings, Turkey is the sole
supporter of Azerbaijan. The mutual support during the Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) meetings is another indicator of
our warm relations and friendship. I hope our relations will be
further developed in various areas.
TNA: What’s your idea about the Nagorno Karabakh problem? Are you
hopeful about a solution?
Abdullayev: Certainly, all the problems have solutions. Talks to find
a peaceful solution to the dispute will continue. President Ilham
Aliyev also discussed this issue during his meeting with U.S.
President George W. Bush in Washington. But should no peaceful
solution be found to the disputed enclave, the Azerbaijani people are
in favor of regaining these lands through military means. We won’t
give up these lands. We won’t present them to Armenia. If a solution
isn’t found through peace, the last resort for us is war.
TNA: What are your expectations from Turkey in this dispute?
Abdullayev: In this problem, Turkey is Azerbaijan’s political
partner. Turkey has an important role in the process of finding a
solution to the Nagorno Karabakh dispute but at the same time Turkey
has its own problems with Armenia. Armenians brought the Armenian
genocide claims to the agenda of the world in order to create a
headache for Turkey. Turkey has to work for the benefits of
Azerbaijan.
TNA: Could the process of normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia contribute to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno Karabakh dispute?
Abdullayev: This problem can’t be solved even if Turkey establishes
diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan or within the process of
normalization of relations because the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute isn’t
the problem of the region. The efforts of Turkey, Azerbaijan and
Armenia aren’t enough to solve the problem. We need the efforts of
big powers and organizations. The key to a solution is especially in
the hands of Russia. The Russian Army is in Armenia and if Azerbaijan
tries to find a solution through military means, it will face the
Russian Army.
It seems to me that finding a solution to the divided enclave is very
difficult. But time is on Azerbaijan’s side. This year Armenia’s
total budget is $1 billion, and the Azerbaijani military’s share of
the total budget is $600 billion. According to Aliyev’s estimates,
the Azerbaijani military’s share of the budget will be higher that
Armenia’s budget in the years to come. Azerbaijan is building up its
military but Armenia is unable to do that. Azerbaijan’s total budget
is more than $4 billion this year and it will be more than $6 billion
next year. As our country will develop economically, we will take our
deserved place among the world states and will have a big position.
TNA: Why aren’t Russia and other big powers working for a solution?
Do they have any interests in the continuation of the dispute in
Nagorno Karabakh?
Abdullayev: There are visible and invisible sides of politics. The
Nagorno Karabakh dispute didn’t start yesterday, it stems from the
1988 events while Gorbachev was president. Fifteen republics split
off from the Soviet Union. At that time the Soviet Union created
problems for each split-off republic in order to stop their
development. For instance, it created the Abkhazia problem for
Georgia, the Crimean problem for Ukraine and the Nagorno Karabakh
problem for Azerbaijan and Armenia. At that time nobody wanted the
dissolution of the Soviet Union but this process was inevitable in
general. The Nagorno Karabakh dispute is the legacy of the Soviet
Union to Azerbaijan. For these reasons, a solution could only be
found as a result of negotiations between Russia and other big
powers.
TNA: What is Azerbaijan’s position towards the Armenian genocide
claims and the French bill introducing prison terms for people who
question these claims?
Abdullayev: While bringing the genocide claims to the agenda of
European parliaments, Armenia aimed at creating an obstacle for
Turkey’s membership bid in the European Union. Those who brought the
issue to the French Parliament are the European parliamentarians well
paid by the Armenian lobby. Today, neither the Turkish genocide nor
the Armenian genocide is important for France.
Turks are a nation which faced a brutal genocide. But they didn’t
make their voices heard in the world. I think both Turkey and other
Turkic nations should bring the genocide committed against the Turks
to the world’s agenda and should work for the recognition of the
genocide by the international community.
TNA: What’s the position of Azerbaijan towards the nuclear standoff
between Iran and the West?
Abdullayev: Azerbaijan supports finding a diplomatic solution to the
nuclear crisis and it opposes military action against Iran.
Azerbaijan is a historic neighbor of Iran and the two countries have
good relations. There are some 20 million Iranian Azeris living in
Iran. Therefore, Azerbaijan can’t accept military action against Iran
and can’t stand to shed the blood of our brothers.
TNA: Can Azerbaijan play a mediator role between Iran and the U.S. in
the nuclear crisis, given the role of the Iranian Azeris?
Abdullayev: It might be or might not be. Since 2001 Azerbaijan has
become a member of the anti-terror coalition. It has good relations
both with the U.S. and Iran. Besides, it has cultural ties with Iran.
Iranian Azeris play a role in Iranian politics. For those reasons,
Azerbaijan can be a bridge between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. hasn’t
suggested that Azerbaijan play such a role yet, but the Azerbaijani
Parliament might consider debating this issue.
TNA: Can the Iranian Azeris be a catalyst for regime change in Iran,
as asserted by some U.S. circles?
Abdullayev: I don’t accept the interference of any country in the
domestic affairs of another. If the Iranian citizens want to change
the regime, they will vote in accordance with this aim. The Iranian
president and regime are determined by the votes of its citizens.
Therefore, this issue should be left to the citizens. Even if the
U.S. wants to change the regime, it would be very difficult, and
intervention in Iranian politics would create dangerous consequences.
/

URL:

AKI, Italy
May 29 2006
TURKEY: CIRCASSIAN MINORITY ASSERTS ITS IDENTITY

Istanbul, 29 May (AKI) – Long considered Turkey’s most integrated and
harmonious ethnic minority, the Circassians have recently started
claiming more community rights including own language schools and
want the international community to pressure Russia into recognising
what they say was a “genocide” carried out by Czarist troops in the
mid 1860s. The move coincides with the start of Turkey’s membership
talks with the European Union which has enshrined minority rights in
many of its policies.
According to estimates, some 120,000 Circassians live in Jordan,
45,000 in Syria, and 4,000 in Israel, but the bulk of the diaspora –
3.5 million – live in Turkey. This figure is four times more than the
population living in the Circassians’ traditional homeland in the
North Caucasus, a mountaneous region north of Georgia and Azerbaijan
consisting of several semi-autonomous republics in the Russian
Federation.
Circassians, who are mostly Sunni Muslim, annually commemorate May 21
in rememberance of the mass deportation of their compatriots
beginning on that day in 1864 following the end of the
Russian-Circassian War.
The war ended with the fall of Circassia and was followed by the
forced removal of between 1.2 and 1.5 million Circassians from their
lands. Up to 500,000 died of hunger and illness during the forced
exodus, a deathtoll that Circassian activists say formed part of a
genocidal plan by the Czarist troops to obliterate their nation.
“May 21” commemoration activities have steadily increased in recent
years in different parts of Turkey. The main event this year was an
international conference held in Istanbul last week and attended by
Circassian and Russian intellectuals to discuss the mass
deportations. Titled the International Caucasus Conference, the
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Foundation. Another major
event was a meeting in Kefken a town on the Black Sea coas where the
first Circassians, landed in Turkey after being deported. That
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Federation representing 51
Circassian associations
The recent upsurge in Circassian activism have led some observers to
associate it with attempts by Kurds in Turkey to assert their
autonomy and by Armenian lobbying the international community to
force Turkey to acknowledge as “genocide” the mass deaths of
Armenians during Ottoman rule between 1915-20.
“Circassians have begun realising their identity and painful history
in recent years. There were no such events five years ago,” says
Mehdi Nuzhet Cetinbas, honorary president of the Caucasus Foundation,
in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).
“We are discussing some possible initiatives on the recognition of
the Circassian ‘genocide’ by parliaments around the world. The
Turkish parliament hesitates recognising the Circassian genocide
because of Western pressure on [Ankara to] recognise the Armenian
‘genocide’.
“When the Duma (the lower house of Russia’s parliament) accepted a
proposal about Armenians last year, some Turkish deputies [by way of
retort] suggested recognising the Circassian genocide in return last
year, but it was impossible because of Turkey’s warm economic
relations with Russia,” Cetinbas told AKI.
Last year the Circassian Congress, a nongovernmental organisation
based in Maikop, capital of Adygea Republic (a north Caucasus
traditional home of Circassians), applied to the Duma and the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to
recognise the Circassian genocide. The Russian parliament has to date
given no response so far.
Fehim Tastekin, the founder editor of the Agency Caucasus, a news
agency based in Russia’s Caucasus region, says that Moscow is
increasing the pressure on Circassian’s living in ethnic group’s
traditional regions.
“Russia has recently abolished local constitutions in Circassian
regions such as Adygea, Karachay-Cherkes and Kabardino-Balkaria.
According to new Russia legislation, if Circassians returning home
apply for citizenship, they will only be able to have Russian
citizenship and not Circassian. They will need to speak Russian and
show they have lived in Russian territory for at least five years.
“Also Circassian regions are losing their autonomy rights. Now they
can’t choose their president directly. The Kremlin appoints local
leaders in accordance with the new law,” Tastekin told AKI.
Asked whether Circassians living abroad are seeking land compensation
from Russia, Cetinbas replied: “For now this is not on our agenda. We
know Russia will not help on this point and international communities
will not give their support. But if parliaments recognise that the
genocide took place, this will mark a start that will allow us to
talk about more tangible means of compensation.”
“The Circassian diaspora wants to return home. The young generations
do not speak our language. To change this it is crucial that the
Turkish government supports the opening of Circassian language
schools. It is not enough to give permission for private language
courses to be held. We want positive discrimination because
Circassians see Turkey like their own homeland, and are co-founders
of the modern republic,” Cetinbas said.
While current diplomatic barriers continue to frustate Circassian
attempts for international recognition, Cetinbas remains confident
that circumstances will change in the future. “I hope all nations
will know about the Circassian’s tragedy,” he said.
php?cat=Trends&loid=8.0.303906484&par=0

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
May 29 2006
Armenian Soldier Killed In Fresh Skirmish On Azeri Border

By Emil Danielyan
Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday that one of its
soldiers has been fatally shot in what it described as a truce
violation by Azerbaijani forces in the tensest section of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
The ministry said in a statement that Sergeant-Major Levon Adamian,
20, was wounded in the chest and died as he was rushed to hospital
late on Saturday. It said the incident occurred near the northern
Armenian town of Noyemberian. No other details were reported.
Adamian is at least the second Armenian soldier killed in the area
bordering Georgia since February. Skirmishes between Armenian and
Azerbaijani troops deployed there appear to have become more frequent
in recent months, with each side accusing the other of breaching the
ceasefire. The Azerbaijani military did not report any fighting in
the westernmost section of the heavily militarized frontier in recent
days, though.
According to the Azerbaijani news agency APA, an Azerbaijani soldier
was wounded and hospitalized on Saturday about 300 kilometers east of
the area, along the main Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact around
Nagorno-Karabakh. The information was not immediately confirmed by
the Defense Ministry in Baku. The ministry said earlier that a
19-year-old Azerbaijani army conscript, Egdar Hajigayibov, was shot
and killed by Armenian forces near a village just north of Karabakh
on May 17.
The latest upsurge in Armenian-Azerbaijani shootouts followed the
collapse of long-awaited talks between Presidents Ilham Aliev and
Robert Kocharian near Paris last February. The two leaders are
scheduled to meet again in Bucharest early next week amid fresh hopes
for a breakthrough in the Karabakh peace process.
High-ranking diplomats from France, Russia and the United States
sounded cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the summit as they
wrapped up a two-day visit to Baku and Yerevan last Thursday. In a
joint statement, they said the conflicting parties are now `at the
point where a mutually beneficial agreement is achievable.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress