GOVERNMENT AGENCY CALLS ON TURKEY TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST WRITER
The Associated Press
10/13/05 18:03 EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. government human rights group is calling
on Turkey to drop charges against Orhan Pamuk, a writer indicted for
speaking openly on the Armenian question.
The appeal was made by commissioners of the U.S. Helsinki Commission,
which monitors rights issues, mostly in Europe.
They sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
urging him to authorize the removal of charges against Pamuk.
Pamuk is charged with “public denigration of the Turkish identity.”
“A stable democracy cannot blossom until the government ends the
practice of stifling free speech and removes the clouds of deception
and censorship from a true telling of history,” said Commission
Co-Chairman Rep. Christopher Smith.
The commission, known formally as the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe, monitors progress in the implementation of
the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords.
The Commission consists of 18 members of the U.S. Congress and
representatives from three cabinet agencies.
Eastern Turkey was once a heartland of Armenian culture but was
consumed by ethnic conflict as the Ottoman Empire splintered at the
end of World War I.
Yerevan says Turks slaughtered 1.5 million Armenians. Turkey strongly
denies there was any genocide, saying Armenians were killed due to
civil unrest.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION IMPORTANT
MECHANISM OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS: ARMENIAN
PRESIDENT
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. Intergovernmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation is an important mechanism of development of
Armenian-Russian relations. It has always been significant by its
effective activity. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan made this
statement today, during his meeting with Russian Transport Minister,
Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for
Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, Igor Levitin.
The presidential press-service reports the sides as discussing the
programs of bilateral cooperation, focusing on the energy, transport
communication issues. The sides are reported to touch upon the
activation of the Abkhazian branch line of the Georgian railway and
the participation of Russia, Georgia and Armenia in its construction.
According to the source, Robert Kocharyan said that reactivation of
the branch line will open new possibilities of cooperation. The sides
also discussed activation of the Armenian enterprises transferred to
Russia under the program “Property for Debt.” In his turn, Levitin
said: “Russia is also interested in activation of the enterprises.
For this purpose, working groups have been formed.”

TRIAL OF SOLDIER COOPERATED WITH ARMENIAN INTELLIGENCE STARTED
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
BAKU, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. Preparatory hearing on the soldier Zaur
Veisov, who served in the military unit in Tovuz garrison located on
the Armenian border, started yesterday at the Court for War Crimes
under chairmanship of judge Mamedbagir Zeynalov. He is charged with
Article 274 (high treason) and 338.1 (violation of the rule military
duty).
“In the summer 2004 he was recruited by the Armenian intelligence.
Armenians were holding him during one hour and forced him to work
for Armenian intelligence and supply them with military information
using violence and blackmail. They also gave him $1,000. Later on the
soldier provided military information to Armenians while on duty. One
of the soldiers noticed that and informed commander. Veisov confessed
to the commander, but the commander took away $1,000 from him and asked
him to keep silence. The soldier continued providing information to
Armenian intelligence. After a certain period the soldiers informed
higher command about this fact. The soldier has again confessed to the
high command, but they failed to inform higher instances. After several
months security services arrested Zaur Veisov and instituted a criminal
case against him in June 2005. Trial will be closed and about 20
people will be interrogated as witnesses,” the 252th newspaper reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TURKEY SHOULD FOLLOW GERMANY’S EXAMPLE OF HOLOCAUST
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. The recognition of the early XX events
in Ottoman Turkey meets the interests of Turkey itself, the head of
the European Commission delegation to Georgia and Armenia, Ambassador
Torben Holtze says in a talk with ARMINFO.
The events are the problem of both Armenia and Turkey. Turkey should
follow the example of Germany who recognized the Holocaust after
WWII. What heppened in 1915 is not acceptable to civilized societies
and to the EU in particular. Turkey’s recognizing the events is a
very complex issue. This is not just a matter of recognition. The
Turkish authorities say: you can adopt a resolution on the events,
make statements but you cannot change our people’s understanding of
the issue, says Holtze.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN LEADER, RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DISCUSS RESUMPTION OF ABKHAZ RAILWAY SECTION
Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
Yerevan, 13 October: The resumption of the Abkhaz section of the
railway “will open new opportunities for cooperation and development”,
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in Yerevan today.
The Armenian president said this at a meeting with Igor Levitin,
Russian transport minister and co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission, Mediamax news agency reports.
It was noted at the meeting that the conditions for the opening of
the Abkhaz section of the railway was being studied at present.
Robert Kocharyan and Igor Levitin discussed the opportunities of the
Armenian-Russian-Georgian cooperation in the restoration of the Abkhaz
section of the railway.
The meeting also discussed the problem of proper work of the
Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia within the framework of
the property-for-debt deal.
Igor Levitin said that Russia wanted to rapidly resume the enterprises
and set up a special working group for this purpose.

ARMENIANS OF GEORGIA ASK MAYOR OF TBILISI TO ERECT A KHACHKAR IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. On the initiative of the Association
of Georgian Georgian Armenians, the “Nor Serund” (New Generation)
organization has prepared a petition to the Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi
Ugulava for erecting a khachkar (cross-stone memorial) in memory of
the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
According to the report of the Assocuiation, a symbolic number of
1915 signatures has been gathered. The Association also reports that
over 1,5 million Armenians were assassinated in the Ottoman Empire in
1915, and thousands of refugees were accepted by the friendly people
of Georgia. The descendants of the refugees of 1915 now reside in
various regions of Georgia.

POLITICAL COALITION COMES TO PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT ON COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES AND INDEXATION OF DEPOSITS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The issue of deposit compensation
was discussed tt the October 12 meeting of the Political Coalition
Board. The government confirmed its position and is ready to allocate
1 bln drams (about 2.2 mln USD) to compensate, within the framework
of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, for the deposits of those
depositors who have been put on the list of beneficiaries. RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian stated this on October 12 at the joint
sitting of the National Assembly standing committes to discuss the
state budget. He assured that the process will be a continuous one,
but it is not yet clear how long it will take. It was noted that the
government will include the issue of paying compensation to depositors
in its future medium-term expenditure programs.
Prime Minister said that the examination of relevant information,
including international expertise, allowed the coalition to come to
an agreement on indexation. It is envisaged to pay a sum in drams
equivalent to 200 US dollars against 1 thousand Soviet rubles;
– for 1-3 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 70%
of the basic sum (i.e 140 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles
– for 3-5 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 40%
of the basic sum (i.e. 80 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles
– for 5-10 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 20%
of the basic sum (i.e. 40 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles
– for a sum exceeding 10 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US
dollars plus 10% of the basic sum (i.e 20 dollars) for each next
thousand rubles above 1,000 rubles.
At the same time the government requested that it be given 6 months to
clarify the data base on beneficiaries and depositors. Neither the NA
ad hoc commission that examined the issue nor the working group set
up by RA President have informatiom about it, so the government has
not been provided information either. According to the preliminary
agreement, pensioners over 70 (later also pensioners under 70),
single pensioners, the families of the servicemen killed during the
Great Patriotic War and the Artsakh freedom war, disabled persons,
as well as citizens living in the disaster zone and border areas will
be the first to receive compensation. A. Margarian said that the
principles of compensation will be stipulated more clearly in the
2006 draft state budget to be submitted at the NA 4-day session to
start on October 24. The order of compensation will be defined later.
A. Margarian considered it inexpedient to discuss the draft laws
on deposit compensation currently in circulation at the National
Assembly. He noted that the present government is resolute to deal with
the problem of beneficiaries-depositors, and the future governments
will identify other vulnerable groups entitled to compensation. He
added that the experience of 14 countries that have paid such
compensations shows that there is no common principle regarding this
issue and the process has not been completed in any of these countries.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER $120.4MLN IN 1ST HALF OF 2005
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. In the 1st half of 2005, Armenian-Russian
trade turnover increased by 31% and totaled $120.4mln. This statement
was made at RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan’s meeting with
RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin. The sides expressed their
satisfaction with the increase in the trade turnover over the past
two years. Margaryan stressed that Russia remains Armenia’s largest
trade partner, and over 160 intergovernmental agreements allow the
countries’ to develop all-round cooperation. The sides stated that
numerous arrangements held as part of the Year of Russia in Armenia,
which will be continued as part of the Year of Armenia in Russia,
greatly contribute to the bilateral cooperation as well. The RA
Premier pointed out the importance of intensifying contacts between
administrative units. He said that transport communication an seriously
contribute to further expansion of bilateral cooperation, and Armenia
attaches high importance to the re-operation of the “Poti-Caucasus”
ferry service. Margaryan also pointed out Armenia’s interest in the
re-operation of the Abkhazian section of the Georgian railway. The
sides discussed the possibility of trilateral (Russia, Georgia and
Armenia) involvement in the construction project.
According to Margaryan, the Armenian side regularly addresses this
problem at meetings with the Georgian colleagues.
In his turn, Levitin expressed a hope that the RF Prime Minister’s
planned visit to Armenia will give an impetus to the development of
Armenian-Russian political and economic relations.

RUSSIAN SIDE INTERESTED IN OPERATING ARMENIAN ENTERPRISES TRANSFERRED TO IT IN SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Underlining the high level of
cooperation between Armenia and Russia in various spheres, RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian and Russian Minister of Transport, Chairman
of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic,
Scientific and Technical Cooperation Issues Igor Levitin highlighted
the Commission’ role in all this at the October 13 meeting. The sides
noted with satisfaction the recent growth in commodity turnover between
the two countries – according to the data of the first half of 2005,
commodity turnover grew by about 31% over the same period of 2004
and made 120.4 mln USD.
The interlocutors indicated that establishment of closer relations
between Armenia and Russia is significantly promoted by the holding
of various events in Armenia within the framework of Year of Russia
Program, which will be continued by carrying out Year of Armenia
Program in Russia in 2006. RA Prime Minister attached importance to
development of contacts and cooperation between various administrative
subjects of the two countries, and to mutually beneficial agreements
which are reached during visits.
A. Margarian said the establishment of efficient transport
communication can help to further expand the trade and economic
partnership between Armenia and Russia, and in this connection
Armenia attaches special importance to the regular functioning
of Poti-Kavkaz ferry link, a plan which has not been yet fully
put into practice. He stressed that Armenia is interested in the
re-operation of the Abkhazian section of the Georgian railway, which,
according to A. Margarian, is much more profitable and opens new
development opportunities in the relations with Russia and the whole
region. The interlocutors discussed the possibilities of a three-sided
participation (Russia-Georgia-Armenia) in the construction of the
railway. Armenian Prime Minister noted that in an attempt to make the
process more active, the Armenian side always addresses the issue of
reoperating the railway during meetings with the Georgian authorities.
According to RA Government Information and PR Department, during the
meeting A. Margarian and Igor Levitin also discussed the problem of
relaunching the Armenian enterprises transferred to Russia. I.
Levitin assured the Armenian side that the working groups set up to
deal with this problem are carrying out their work, and the Russian
side is also interested in putting these enterprises into operation
in the shortest possible time. At the conclusion of the meeting,
both sides expressed a hope that the Russian Prime Minister’s visit
to Armenia scheduled for late 2006 will provide a new stimulus for
further development of political and economic relations between
Armenia and Russia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON COOPERATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONS MECHANISM BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. The Armenian-Russian intergovernmental
commission on cooperation is the most important relations mechanism
between two countries, the RA President Robert Kocharyan stated
during the meeting with the Russian Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission on economic and scientific-technical
cooperation Igor Levitin, according to the RA PREsident’s Press
Service. According to the press release, programs on cooperation were
discussed in the course of the meting, and the issues of development
of energy and transport communications were paid special attention.
With regard to re-launching the Abkhaz part of the Georgian railway,
it was noted that the state of the railway and factors necessary
for the reconstruction of the railway are being studied as well as
possibilities of trilateral participation (Russia -Georgia -Armenia)
in the construction work. According to Kocharyan, the re-launching of
the railway will provide new opportunities for cooperation. The sides
touched upon the issue of re-launching of the Armenian enterprises
passed to Russia in the framework of Property for Debt Program.
According to Levitin, the Russian side is also interested in the
quickest re-launching of the enterprises, and a special work group
is formed for this purpose.