ARMENIANS SHOULD SQUEEZE CONCESSIONS OUT OF TURKEY DURING EU NEGOTIATIONS
By Harut Sassounian; Publisher, The California Courier
AZG Armenian Daily #185
14/10/2005
Turkey-EU
Turkey finally embarked on a journey that it had been anxiously
awaiting for more than 40 years. The long and arduous negotiations
for Turkey’s membership in the European Union officially started last
week and are expected to last 10 or more years.
Armenians are of two minds over the benefits of Turkey joining
the EU. Some of them are of the opinion that Armenia is better
off if its old nemesis is kept under check by EU’s strict code of
conduct. Armenians in this camp believe that a “civilized Turkey”
is more apt to recognize the Armenian Genocide, lift its blockade of
Armenia, and conduct peaceful relations with its neighbors.
Other Armenians believe that Turkey is simply going through the
motions of transforming itself, without having any honest intentions
of doing so.
Besides, these Armenians believe that there are no guarantees that
“an enlightened Turkey” would be more inclined to recognize the
Genocide. Turkey could well become an EU member, and like Britain,
still refuse to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Even worse,
should Turkey not change its denialist policy after joining the EU,
Armenians would be deprived of whatever clout they may have had
in creating obstacles for its EU membership. Furthermore, Turkey
would have by then the largest population among the EU countries,
and thus be entitled to have the largest number of votes in various
EU councils. Turkey could thus block pro-Armenian initiatives and
help pass pro-Turkish and pro-Azeri resolutions in the EU.
Therefore, the time to get any possible concessions out of Turkey is
now, before it joins the EU.
Whether or not Turkey eventually becomes an EU member in 10 or 15
years from now is very difficult to determine in advance. To begin
with, no one really knows with any degree of certainty the domestic
and foreign developments that would shape Turkey’s decisions and as
well as the attitudes of Europeans about Turkey years from now. Here
are some of the factors that could influence the outcome of Turkey’s
EU membership negotiations:
1) The social, economic and political conditions within Turkey that
would impact its government’s desire to make the extensive changes
required by the EU negotiations framework;
2) The stability of neighboring Iraq and the repercussions on
Turkey arising from Iraqi and Turkish Kurds pursuing their national
aspirations;
3) The social, economic and political conditions within various EU
member states, particularly the attitude of their citizens towards the
influx of more foreign workers at a time when they may be suffering
from high unemployment and social unrest;
4) The state of negotiations on the settlement of the Cyprus problem;
5) The clout of the US government in terms of its ability and
willingness to influence the EU on Turkey’s membership;
6) Whether or not more terrorist acts are committed by radical Islamist
groups, particularly in Western Europe;
7) The results of the referendums that are to be held in several
European countries on whether to allow Turkey to join the EU; and
8) The status of Armenian-Turkish relations that are partly linked
to the outcome of the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict.
While Turkey will most probably have to lift its blockade of Armenia,
since “the EU-Turkey negotiation framework” document requires that it
unequivocally commit to “good neighborly relations,” the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is not certain at all. Aside from the
repeated non-binding resolutions adopted by the European Parliament
demanding Turkey’ s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the EU
itself has not made such acknowledgment a part of its requirements
for membership.
It would be naïve, if Armenians believe that they could block
Turkey’s EU membership because of its non-recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. If several years from now, Turkey successfully
fulfills all EU requirements and settles the conflict in Cyprus, its
EU membership would be just about guaranteed. Armenians should not
expect European countries to rise to their defense, at the expense
of their own self-interests. The Europeans would care about Armenian
issues only when they happen to coincide with or serve their own
national interests.
To be able to squeeze the maximum concessions out of Turkey, Armenia
and the Diaspora would need to make common cause with the majority of
Europeans who are strongly opposed to Turkey’s EU membership. Turkish
officials must realize that unless they sit down at the negotiating
table with Armenians and try to accommodate some of their grievances,
Armenians would work tirelessly for the next 10 or more years to
ensure that Turkey’s membership is delayed indefinitely. It is not in
Armenians’ interest to block Turkey’s EU membership, but to drag it
out as long as possible. The longer the negotiations take, the more
concessions can be squeezed out of Turkey. This is the logic behind
the positions of Cyprus and Greece. Despite the fact that they could
have vetoed the start of Turkey’s EU talks, Cyprus and Greece allowed
the talks to go forward with the aim of extracting concessions from
Turkey during the negotiating process. Had they used their veto last
week, they would have deprived themselves of the opportunity to get
any concessions from Turkey.
The interest of Armenians requires that, on the EU issue, Turkey remain
a bridesmaid, as long as it refuses to pay the dowry to become a bride!
–Boundary_(ID_AtGDPK30A5oGa3ASpByHbA)–

KOCHARIAN: REFORMS DRIVING FORCE OF COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT
Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 23:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met
with members of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), reported the Press Service of
the Armenian leader. R.
Kocharian noted with satisfaction that the EBRD-Armenia relations
are converting to a more actual level. He specially noted EBRD active
work with the private sector. Reforms are implemented in Armenia with
confidence that they are the driving force of country’s development,
Kocharian stated. In his words, reforms resulted in a rather impressing
economic growth and the joint programs with the Bank have a certain
role in it. The parties also discussed possible directions of future
cooperation. R. Kocharian said he would like the EBRD to participate
in development of Armenia’s economy more actively.

RUSSIA HAS NOT MET ALL CONDITIONS DETERMINED AT RECEIVING ARMENIAN ENTERPRISES
Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 23:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “I consider that up to now Russia has not fulfilled
all conditions, based on which the Armenian enterprises were conveyed
to it within the framework of the Property for Debt Agreement,” said
Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin. The
Minister stated it when answering the question on fulfillment of
obligations to run the enterprises Armenia had conveyed to Russia
within the framework of the Property for Debt Agreement. In his words,
Russia has not determined yet whether to produce military or civil
destination output at these enterprises. “Thus, we agreed to create
a working group over launching these enterprises,” Levitin said.
He informed that “yesterday and today the working group held its first
meetings and they have also reached a specific plan of measures over
production types.” He hoped for the group to report to the co-chairs on
the type of the production in the course of the next meeting. “Russia
understands its responsibility for these enterprises, we were to
organize their functioning and it is one of the points Russia has not
fulfilled yet,” I. Levitin said. The protocol of the working group
first session titled “For securing efficient work of enterprises
Armenia conveyed to Russia” is available, he also reported. “The
first document is signed today,” he reported. Answering the question
whether the enterprises will produce military items, Levitin said
“when assuming ownership of these enterprises we did not plan to launch
works on producing military destination goods there.” At the same time
he noted that the enterprises are property of the Russian Federation,
“thus a question like that will not prevent production of these goods.”
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND USAID SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 23:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan and US
Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director for
Armenia Robin Phillips signed a Memorandum of Understanding between
the NA of Armenia and the USAID, reported the Press Service of the
Armenian Parliament. In the Baghdassaryan’s words, the signing of
the document is an important event, as it will promote enhancement
of the Armenian Parliament’s role, activation of its relations with
people. The Armenian Parliament has already become more open, the NA
of Armenia is visited by representatives of various social groups, the
parties said. Besides, it was noted that the program costs $2 million,
which will be spent to re-train specialists of the NA of Armenia,
technical re-equipment, international exchange. A. Baghdassaryan
thanked US authorities for assistance to Armenia. The parliament plays
a key role in democratic government by passing laws and controlling
their fulfillment, Robin Phillips stated. According to him the
Memorandum is the keystone of cooperation USAID-Armenian NA.

ARMENIA SUPPORTS KAZAKHSTAN INTENTION TO PRESIDE OSCE IN 2009
Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 22:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia expresses “solid support of Kazakhstan’s
intention to preside the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
European in 2009,” stated the Armenian party upon completion of the
talks between Deputy FM of Kazakhstan Nurlan Onjanov and Armenian
MFA leaders in Yerevan. The first session of the Intergovernmental
Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and
Armenia was held in Yerevan October 12.
The Commission determined strengthening the contractual basis,
increasing Kazakh investments in the economy of Armenia, support of
joint venturing, promotion of transport community and interaction
in agriculture as priority directions. An inter-departmental
Agreement on Cooperation in Archiving was signed in the course of
the meeting. According to the Kazakh MFA, the Armenian Government has
expressed readiness to provide copies of Kypchak manuscripts of 14-16
centuries being kept at Matenadaran treasury of ancient manuscripts,
reported Kazakhstan Today.

ARMENIA AND RUSSIA DID THEIR BEST FOR KAVKAZ-POTI TRAIN-FERRY FUNCTIONING
Pan Armenian
14.10.2005 00:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Armenia is a participant of the North-South
corridor and we devoted much time to develop the transport corridor,
specifically its Iranian party, which is not used enough in my
opinion,” stated Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Inter-Governmental
Commission for Economic Cooperation, Russian Minister of Transport
Igor Levitin during a briefing in Yerevan today. The Commission meeting
discussed various transport directions that may pass through Armenia,
but avoid doing it “due to political considerations,” he reported. “Not
using these directions is not right in my opinion. We discussed it
as well,” he reported.
As of resumption of communication via the Abkhaz part of the Georgian
railway, Levitin noted an act on examination of the Abkhaz segment
with participation of Russia, Georgia and Abkhazia will be signed
in October. The sitting of the Russian-Georgian Inter-Governmental
Commission will be held in Tbilisi next week, he reported. “A goal of
our visit to Tbilisi is to provide for Georgian party confirming its
agreement to restore traffic through the Abkhaz part,” he stated. In
Levitin’s words, some 2 years may be necessary for restoration of
the part of the railway and Russia, Georgia and Armenia still have
“strength and means to restore it.”
Touching upon the question of Kavkaz-Poti train ferry passage and
answering a question on prospects of its development, Mr. Levitin
stated, “the Ministries of Transport of Russia and Armenia should
form conditions for attraction of rolling stock and additional load
for transit transportation.”
“Up to now that states have done everything for the functioning of
the passage. It should be done by the business, thus not everything
depends on Armenia and Russia,” he explained. Georgia is a participants
of this transport direction, he also remarked. “We have questions on
the tariffs to be discussed in Georgia,” however, the states have done
their best for the functioning of the passage and it’s the business’
turn, Levitin concluded.

LEVITIN: RAO UES WILL FURTHER PROMOTE ENERGY GRIDS OF ARMENIA
Pan Armenian
14.10.2005 00:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The matter of RAO UES participation in development
of energy grids of Armenia was discussed in the course of meetings
of Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitinwith
Armenian President and PM, Levitin reported at a Press briefing in
Yerevan today. He reported RAO UES is a participant of an energy
holding, operating in Armenia. RAO UES will continue dealing with
development of energy grids and generation of additional electric
power, he also confirmed. “As of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the matter
was also discussed and we understand Armenian party’s actions. I
consider these logical and correct in the situation that is available
between Gazprom and RAO UES and the Armenian party,” I. Levitin stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USA GRANTS 2M DOLLARS TO ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT REFORMS
Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
Yerevan, 13 October: Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Artur
Bagdasaryan and the head of the Yerevan office of the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID), Robin Philips, today
signed a memorandum on cooperation programme totalling 2 m dollars.
Artur Bagdasaryan said that the programme is aimed at carrying out
effective reforms in the Armenian parliament, increasing contacts
between people and parliament and strengthening democratic institutes.
Robin Philips noted that cooperation between the National Assembly
and USAID, which started in 2004, will continue. He expressed the
hope that the programme will help strengthen the role of parliament
in Armenia’s political life.

GEORGIAN COUNTERINTELLIGENCE MAY PROBE ANTI-ARMENIAN POSTER INCIDENT
Imedi TV, Georgia
Oct 13 2005
[Presenter] The hour of revenge has come; Armenians, we are coming and
whoever stands in our way will die; even Russia will be unable to help
you because their time on our land is over – such posters appeared on
almost every house in the main street of Akhalkalaki [mostly ethnic
Armenian town in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region] in the last
two days. The authors of the posters call themselves Akhaltsikhe
[administrative centre of Samtskhe-Javakheti] Liberation Brigade.
According to the chief prosecutor of Akhalkalaki, Suren Barekyan,
evidence is being gathered and the case is being referred to the
counterintelligence service for further action.
All the posters have now been removed.
There have been no such incidents in Akhaltsikhe.
Van Baiburt, an ethnic Armenian member of the Georgian parliament,
has said that this is an act of provocation by people who do not want
peace in Georgia.
[Baiburt] This is an act of provocation. They think that Armenians
will now rise up. The likely aim of the perpetrators was to provoke
residents of Akhalkalaki into staging another rally, so that what
happened could be discussed.
[Question] Do you think Russia may be behind this?
[Baiburt] I am sure of one thing. Who else could have done it? Who
is against peace in Georgia?

RUSSIA PLEDGES TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS OF IDLE ENTERPRISES IN ARMENIA
Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
Yerevan, 13 October: Igor Levitin, Russian transport minister and
co-chairman of the Russian- Armenian intergovernmental commission,
admitted in Yerevan today that Russia has not fully met conditions
of the property-for-debt deal.
Speaking at a news conference on the outcome of the sitting of the
commission in Yerevan today, Levitin said that the main problem was
that Russia did not identify the types of goods to be manufactured
by the enterprises handed over to Russia within the framework of the
repayment of Armenia’s state debts.
The Russian minister said that a joint working group had been set
up for the full resolution of the issue of the enterprises and it
will submit its proposals to the chairmen of the intergovernmental
commission in early 2006. “Russia understands its responsibility for
the fate of these enterprises,” Levitin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress