PACE APRIL SESSION INCLUDES TWO REPORTS OF INTEREST FOR ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
27.03.2006 18:05

The agenda of the April 10-13 session of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe includes two reports of interest for
Armenia. These include reports on “Refugees and displaced persons
in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan” and ” Human rights of members of
the Armed Forces.”

In today’s press conference Head of the Armenian delegation to
PACE Tigran Torosyan expressed his opinion about the statement
of PACE Secretary General Terry Davis, according to which the
Committee of Ministers will also send experts to Old Jugha and
Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Tigran Torosyan, this parallel is not
proper first of all because these territories have different statuses.

AZERI LEADER THREATENS ARMENIA WITH WAR AS HE OPENS MUSEUM AT SECURITY MINISTRY

ANS TV, Baku
27 Mar 06

[Presenter] Despite Armenia’s nonconstructive position, the peace
potential has not yet been exhausted. But Armenia must know that
Azerbaijan can regain its territories through war at any moment,
President Ilham Aliyev has told the opening of the Heydar Aliyev museum
at the Heydar Aliyev Academy of the National Security Ministry as he
presented a military banner to the academy.

[President Aliyev, shown speaking to the ceremony] I think that the
peace potential has not yet been exhausted. Therefore, we will of
course remain faithful to the peace process.

But at the same time, we must be ready for any eventuality and that
is why Azerbaijan has stepped up its army building efforts in recent
years. Our military spending has increased over the past years, and
it will increase further. This is our sovereign right, this is our
job. Our country is in a state of war.

Our territorial integrity has been violated. Our sovereignty has
been violated. Therefore, the increase in military spending is only
natural. [Azerbaijan’s] economy should be strong in order to achieve
this. And, as you know, we are paying a lot of attention to economic
reforms.

Therefore, I would like to reiterate that the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict depends on diplomatic, political,
economic and military factors.

The opposite side must know that Azerbaijan is capable of securing
its territorial integrity through war at any moment. This is what
they should know.

DAILY SAYS OUTGOING US ENVOY FAILED TO ESTABLISH DEMOCRACY IN AZERBAIJAN

Zerkalo, Baku
25 Mar 06

Excerpt from Rauf Mirqadirov’s report in Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo
on 25 March headlined “Reno Harnish leaves an unenviable legacy”.

Reno Harnish is very satisfied with his work as the US ambassador
to Azerbaijan. His mission had to expire in the summer. However,
in connection with his appointment to a higher post in the State
Department, he will end his mission before the due date, the head of
the embassy’s public relations department, Jonathan Henick, has told
APA news agency.

[Passage omitted: about former US envoys to Azerbaijan]

As for Reno Harnish, one can assume that most likely he has failed
to “live up” to the expectations. The diplomat tried to be on both
sides of the fence, which is impossible in countries with “transition
democracies”, just as it is impossible to be “half-pregnant”. As a
result, [he] has often been caught in the “crossfire”.

>From the point of view of the global geopolitical interests of the
USA, the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline can be regarded
as his achievement, even though to be precise, the implementation
of the project is rather the achievement of the untiring Steven Mann
[US envoy on Caspian issues].

And now more details about, let us say, shortcomings.

First, Reno Harnish failed to realize the idea of establishing
democracy in Azerbaijan through evolution. Both the 2003 presidential
election and the 2005 parliamentary election ended in a post-election
confrontation between the opposition and the ruling elite with
very harsh consequences, that is with an ordinary brawl. It must
be mentioned for the sake of justice that the 2003 events cannot be
entirely “credited” to the incumbent US ambassador because he came
to Azerbaijan literally on the eve of the presidential election. But
the 2005 parliamentary election which practically all international
organizations described as “wasted opportunities” is fully Harnish’s
“achievement”. The US ambassador was one of the active and extremely
interested political players on whose “advice” mass rallies were
scheduled and cancelled.

Before the [6 November 2005 parliamentary] election representatives
of the ruling elite criticized him bitterly and some members of
parliament even proposed to declare the US ambassador persona non
grata. Subsequently, the opposition also decided to “boycott” its
former “patron” but it did not last long. In a nutshell, Azerbaijan
did not set an example of an evolutionary development of democracy
to the whole world. Democratic processes in Azerbaijan following the
parliamentary election turned out to be at the same level or most
likely even at a much lower level than at the time when Reno Harnish
took the helm as US ambassador in Baku.

Second, attempts have failed to involve Azerbaijan fully in the
US sphere of interests. On the contrary, during Harnish’s tenure,
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy became more “balanced”, that is more
pro-Russian. What is important is that efforts have failed, at least
for now, to convince Baku to sign a peace agreement on the settlement
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagornyy Karabakh, which
is the main obstacle to achieving Washington’s geopolitical aim of
bringing the South Caucasus under complete US control.

Third, plans to establish a powerful pro-American, pro-democracy lobby
within Azerbaijan’s ruling elite have completely failed. Harnish’s
“protege”, [former] Minister of Economic Development Farhad Aliyev,
who was “put in charge” of this role, is on “lengthy leave” [jailed]
now. Therefore, it is a bit surprising that “Mr Reno Harnish is fully
satisfied with his work as the US ambassador to Azerbaijan”. Briefly,
Reno Harnish has left an unenviable legacy to his successor.

But we should note for the sake of justice that Harnish is one of a few
US ambassadors who was very open for the press. He, unlike Escudero,
at least tried to explain Washington’s actions and statements,
including those that were highly unpopular in Azerbaijan, even though
most often he tried to behave like a real “governor-general”.

AZERI LEADER PRAISES SECURITY SERVICE AS HE UNVEILS HIS FATHER’S BUST

Turan news agency
27 Mar 06

Baku, 27 March: President Ilham Aliyev today visited the academy of
the National Security Ministry and addressed its students on the
occasion of the 87th anniversary of establishment of the security
service. Before that he

he presented a military banner to the academy and inaugurated a hall
of fame and unveiled a bust of [the late President] Heydar Aliyev.

National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov told the ceremony that the
ministry’s priority is to maintain stability and regain the occupied
land. Positive changes have taken place in the work of the National
Security Ministry lately, he said. Its material-technical base has
been upgraded and the staff’s social security has been improved. The
ministry is actively fighting against terrorism and organized crime.

In his address, President Ilham Aliyev described the sociopolitical
situation in Azerbaijan as “very good”. The security service plays
a significant role in securing the country’s successful development
and achievements.

“The National Security Ministry has been particularly successful
recently,” he said, noting the elimination of gangs of dangerous
criminals and terrorists.

The president said the ministry’s material-technical base should be
upgraded and brought in line with international standards.

Once the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
gas pipeline are put into operation, “pressure” on Azerbaijan will
increase. Baku is aware of this and is ready to take appopriate
measures.

“We are not interfering in others’ internal affairs and will not let
others interfere in our affairs,” Aliyev said.

The president confirmed Azerbaijan’s committment to the antiterrorist
coalition and the fight against international terrorism.

[Passage omitted: Aliyev on Karabakh]

SLOVENIA TO STAND FOR SEAT ON NEW UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

STA news agency, Ljubljana
27 Mar 06

New York, 27 March: Slovenia is to run for one of the six
seats reserved for countries of the East European group in the
newly-established United Nations Council of Human Rights. Eight
countries from the group have already announced their candidacy.

According to a diplomatic source in New York, Slovenia is to present
its candidacy to the other countries from the group this week.

The country’s chances in winning a seat are said to be as good as those
of other states in this region with a good human rights record. Its
chances are enhanced by its EU presidency in the first half of 2008.

In the East European group, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Ukraine, Romania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Lithuania and Russia have
either already announced their candidacy, or intend to do so.

The Slovene Foreign Ministry has welcomed the establishment of the
new body. It said that the country would endeavour towards making it
act in a credible manner and consistently in advocating the dignity
and freedom of every individual.

The new Council will in June replace the much-criticised Human
Rights Commission. It was established on 15 March, with 170 votes in
favour. The US was one of the countries voting against, claiming that
UN reform was not radical enough.

The elections to the new 47-strong body are scheduled for 9 May,
when the candidate countries will try to get 96 votes of 191-strong
UN General Assembly. The outcome of the vote is expected to indicate
whether the UN reform has truly brought any kind of change.

‘YOU COUNTRY IS WAITING FOR YOU’: VAHAN HOVHANNISSIAN’S MEETING WITH ARMENIAN STUDENTS IN MOSCOW

Yerkir.am
March 24, 2006

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member and Vice-Speaker
of the National Assembly Vahan Hovhannissian met Armenian students in
Moscow on March 15. The meeting was organized by “Mitk” Youth Union
with support of ARF’s Hay Dat Office in Moscow.

Representatives of the Association for Intellectual Cooperation of
Armenian Youth, the Association of Armenian Students at Moscow State
University, the Youth Association of the Union of Armenians in Russia,
Moscow State University for Foreign Affairs, Moscow Medical University,
Armenian Youth Unions in Podolsk and Dolgoprudni as well as Russian
students studying Armenian language at the Armenian Cultural Center
at Moscow State Linguistic University.

Officer in charge of the Moscow Hay Dat Office Yuri Navoyan opened the
meeting noting that by supporting the organization of the meeting the
Office had aimed at encouraging engaging the potential of the Armenian
students in Moscow in the cooperation projects between Armenia and the
Armenian communities in Russia. Chairman of the “Mitk” Youth Union
Mikael Harutyunian stated that this meeting was the first in the
series of discussions to be held this year with Russian and Armenian
political leaders and intellectuals.

Vahan Hovhannissian presented an analysis of Armenia’s internal
and regional political developments and answered the participants’
questions.

Commenting on the Armenian-Russian relations Hovhannissian noted that
these relations unfortunately depend not only on Russia and Armenia
since these countries do not share a common border.

There are two countries between Armenia and Russia, one of them has
hostile relations with Armenia, the other has unsolved issues with
Russia. These factors often influence the bilateral relations between
Armenia and Russia.

Commenting on Russia’s policies in the energy sector Hovhannissian
noted that Armenia has to learn from it. People in Armenia start
understanding that they always should have an alternative.

Hovhannissian presented ARF as a socialist party and a member of the
Socialist International. He noted that it is difficult to develop
inter-party relations with the political parties in Russia since
there are no stable socialist parties in this country.

Hovhannissian spoke about the political activities of Hay
Dat Offices and Committees. The students participating in the
meeting asked questions about the Karabagh settlement process, the
situation in Javakhq, the probability of another war launched by
Azerbaijanm the social issues of youth in Armenia, dual citizenship,
organization of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia, and a number of
other issues. Answering their questions Hovhannissian stressed that
Azerbaijan cannot solve the Karabagh problem with another war wince
Armenia has adequate defense resources.

Hovhannissian viewed the situation in Javakhq from the perspective
of ethnic minorities in Georgia. Since the issue of Georgia’s
administrative territorial division is currently being discussed the
Armenian in Javakhq are also aiming at consolidation of their rights
in the form of autonomy.

Hovhannissian informed the meeting participants that after the ban
on dual citizenship was eliminated in the new constitution a separate
law on dual citizenship must be adopted.

ARF’s faction has already developed the concept for this law, and the
concept will be discussed with the Diaspora. Hovhannissian called on
the meeting participants to actively participate in a seminar on dual
citizenship to be held in Moscow in near future.

Answering the question what can serve as a national ideology for the
Armenians Hovhannissian noted that the Hay Dat is the axis of this
ideology: uniting around Hay Dat we can realize our national goals.

A series of proposals were made by the organizations represented
at the meeting. It was suggested to develop a national program for
returning of the Armenian youth to Armenia, to create a database of
specialist needed in Armenia.

Concluding the meeting, Hovhannissian noted, “Today we have a
developing country that is waiting for you, for your opinions and
your proposals”.

TURKS AIM TO ENGAGE ARMENIANS IN DISPUTE OVER GENOCIDE

Yerkir.am
March 24, 2006

Conferences summoned by Turkish historians have one single objective
to engage Armenians in a dispute over the Armenian Genocide to find
out whether it really took place, ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political
Office Director Kiro Manoian told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his
words, Armenian historians are absolutely right to reject invitations
to forums of the kind.

“Armenian historians have nothing to talk about with the people
representing the viewpoint of the Turkish state. Another matter
when they communicate with the representatives of Turkish scientific
circles recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Our historians meet with Taner Ancam, Murad Belge and some others. I
should say that these people receive invitations even later than
Armenians do and sometimes they do not manage to arrive in time at
a conference organized at a state level,” Manoian underscored.

EUROPE WON’T STAY IN SHADE OF US AND EUROPE
By Gayane Movsisian

Yerkir.am
March 24, 2006

Karabakh settlement process has been paused. On March 20, the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs met in Istanbul to discuss the settlement but
there us news from them so far.

One more report by the International Crisis Group released recently
says the South Caucasus countries are currently engaged in a
no-war-no-peace situation which could transform into military
operations, and Europe will not be prepared for an adequate reaction.

The report says to ensure its own security Europe should engage in
the conflict settlement more actively to avoid wars near Europe’s
borders. “Only recently did Brussels react strongly to those
challenges. Several promising steps were taken but there is still a
long way to go,” said Sabina Fraizer, ICG’s Caucasus Program director.

With a reputation of fair mediator and having both soft and tough
leverage methods, the European Union is in a position to play a greater
role and add to the efforts of the United Nations and the OSCE, the
ICG believes, which suggests that settling the sides should presume
the obligations to settle the conflict through peaceful means only.

Besides, the ICG suggests that a special observer’s status be given
to EU special representative in the talks for Abkhaz, South Ossetian
and Karabakh conflicts.

“The EU has contributed greatly in the work to restore Abkhazia and
South Osetia. It should evaluate what it could do in Karabakh and
adjacent regions,” the report says.

Judging from the statements EU Special chairman Peter Semnebi mad
in Baku during his recent visit the European Union is preparing for
a new role. “My mandate is extended to include large authority to
settle the ‘frozen conflicts.’ I will be carefully watching all the
aspects of conflict situations and then submit recommendations for
the leadership,” said Semnebi, adding also that the EU’s contribution
could be in sending observing missions, peacekeepers or rehabilitation
of the territories. Besides, beginning March 1, 2006, the office of
the OSCE South Caucasus office moved from Finland to Brussels which
is due to growing interest in the region.

Peter Semnebi is set to visit Armenia in April. It is likely that
the EU would assume more active role in the region by then.

‘THE RETURN OF THE POET’: THE NEW VICTORY OF ARMENIAN CINEMA
By Ruzan Zakarian, Media-7 Cultural Center

Yerkir.am
March 24, 2006

Before the screening in Yerevan, Harutyun Khachatrian’s film “The
Return of the Poet” first appeared on the screen at the International
Film Festival in Rotterdam. It was then presented at the film
festival in Tehran. The film attracted the attention of critics and
art workers alike.

The film received positive comments in European press and internet
publications. It was announced one of the best three films screened
at the Rotterdam Festival.

The author of the film, Harutyun Khachatrian has already received
invitations to present his film and lecture at a number of
international festivals. The cinema centers in the Netherlands and
Japan have organized a retrospective screening of the works of four
Armenian film directors – S. Parajanov, A. Peleshian, A. Egoyan and
H. Khachatrian.

In the third millennium when the intolerance towards cultural monuments
leads to violence, when destruction of cultural monuments leads to
wars, when inter-religion cultural relations are becoming war fronts,
the success of Harutyun Khachatrian’s film means a victory in this
conflict.

“The Return of the Poet” is about someone who carries the wisdom of
the nation, who is a poet, a philosopher, a gussan. This film tells
about Jivani. It’s a film that asks questions so relevant for our
times, and the author tries to find answers traveling with Jivani.

The director of the film simply watches how Jivani’s statue created
in Yerevan is transported to Javakhq, the poet’s place of birth. And
the travel from Yerevan to Javakhq is not merely travel. It is a
saga about Armenia. It reveals to what extent Jivani’s songs have
been preserved and how up-to-date they sound.

The film shows that the people have kept in their hearts Jivani’s
simple melodic songs that came from his heart. Jivani’s songs flow
as the life itself. And this is why people have always listened to
his songs and continue listening to them.

Khachatrian takes up another line in his film: the road that takes
from Yerevan to Javakhq, the road by which Jivani’s statue is
transported, passes through Armenian cities, town and villages. The
director manages to tell about the hard lives people live in these
places. He draws parallels between the past and present making you
think about the constant and temporary values, about the national
identity thus creating a portrait of Armenia, a collective portrait
of the Armenian nation.

ARE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL IN ARMENIA HONORED?

Lragir.am
27 March 06

Two reports on Armenia will be heard at the PACE Spring Session on
April 11-13 in Strasbourg, which will be in the focus of attention of
the Armenian delegation. Two question directly connected with Armenia
will be discussed, said Tigran Torosyan, Deputy Speaker, the head of
the Armenian delegation in the PACE, to the Armenian news reporters
before the session. The first is the report on the refugees and the
displaced persons in the South Caucasus, which had been introduced in
December, but was moved to the agenda of the spring session because
the winter agenda was tough.

The second is the draft report on human rights of the military
personnel in Europe, which does not directly concern Armenia, but some
points of it regard Armenia. Tigran Torosyan says the draft report
includes the assessment of the human rights of the Armenian military
personnel in 2001-2003. The deputy speaker of the National Assembly
said this document had been extended to the Ministry of Defense to
get acquainted with the assessment of the European reporter.