PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
11 October 2005
RA FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH HIS AUSTRALIAN COUNTERPART
Sydney, Australia – His Excellency Mr Vartan Oskanian, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia met with his Australian counterpart the
Hon. Alexander Downer MP yesterday in Canberra to discuss the prospect of
future relations between their respective countries. During the meeting,
the RA Foreign Minister familiarised Mr Downer on Armenia’s relations with
its neighbouring countries and both Minsters observed the possibilities of
strengthening bilateral relations and establishing trade and economic ties.
Throughout the course of the day, Mr Oskanian met with a number of
Government Ministers and Senators including the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP,
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Minister for Vocational and
Technical Education; the Hon Joe Hockey MP, Minister for Human Services;
Senator the Hon Sandy MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Trade; and Senator Marise Payne, Chairman of the Armenian-Australian
Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In the evening, Mr Oskanian attended a dinner at Parliament House given by
the Australian Foreign Minister. Among Government Ministers and fellow
parliamentarians was Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock MP who was the
first Australian Government Minister to visit Armenia in 2003 and the Hon
Joe Hockey MP who will make an official visit to Armenia in November. Also
at the invitation of the Minister was a group of Armenian-Australians that
included His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand. The RA Foreign Minister
returned to Sydney the same evening.
Today, Mr Oskanian attended a breakfast at Parliament House in New South
Wales hosted by Ms Gladys Berejiklian MP, Member for Willoughby. He later
met with the Hon John Watkins MP, Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for
Transport, and Minister for State Development.
After a busy scheduled morning, the RA Minister enjoyed a relaxing luncheon
cruise on Sydney Harbour departing Sydney in the afternoon to continue his
official duties in the Asia-Pacific region that will see him meet with his
counterparts in Indonesia and Singapore over the coming days.

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 800-888-8897
Fax: 818-243-7222
News Advisory
October 11, 2005
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
Email: [email protected]
Armenia Fund Welcomes Ambassador Markarian to California
-Ambassador Markarian Urges Community Support-
Los Angeles, CA – In an effort to generate greater community
involvement, Armenia Fund, Inc. hosted a pre-sale dinner event for its
upcoming Telethon 2005 Gala at the Tarzana home of Mr. and Mrs. Berj and
Belet Shahbazian on Friday, September 30.
With the help of the gala co-chairs Lily Ring Balian, Jasik Jarahian,
Janet Mirzayan, Anahid Sarian, and Julia Aghishian, Armenia Fund
successfully sold the tables of the November 18 event at the Millennium
Biltmore Hotel. This year’s annual gala will feature special guests H.E.
Arkady Ghoukasian, President of Karabakh, and H.E. Vartan Oskanian,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
The pre-sale event brought together prominent community members and
officials including special guests H.E. Tatoul Markarian, Ambassador of
the Republic of Armenia to the United States, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America, and H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, prelate of the
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
`Armenia Fund has empowered Armenians from throughout the world to take
advantage of the historic opportunity to be a part of Armenia’s
nation-building,’ said Markarian.
The evening also honored the Shahbazian family for their generosity and
commitment in sponsoring the renovation of Etchmiadzin School #5 in
Armenia. The first phase of the project was completed in May, with the
final phase scheduled for completion in 2006.
Maria Mehranian and Ara Agishian, Chairperson and Vice-Chair of Armenia
Fund respectively, granted the Shahbazian family Armenia Fund Honorary
Membership. The honor is bestowed to major donors of the organization.
`It is people like the Shahbazians who make a difference in the everyday
lives of so many throughout Armenia and Karabakh,’ said Mehranian.
Mehranian also outlined the theme and focus of this year’s Telethon –
Redevelopment of Martakert. The project entails four major initiatives
— Healthcare, Education, Drinking Water and Agricultural Development.
`In the past ten years Armenia Fund has concentrated on areas that are
in the most need. Proceeds from this year’s Telethon among other
projects will benefit the complete renovation of the Martakert Regional
Hospital; including the purchase of five ambulances, a communications
dispatch center and medical equipment that meets U.S. standards as well
as training and education for hospital personnel,’ said Mehranian.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. For more information on Armenia Fund, the Annual
Gala, or Telethon 2005, please call 818-243-6222 or e-mail at
[email protected]. Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale
humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NPR : Orhan Pamuk: Turkey’s Controversial Faulkner
php?storyId=4954114
Day to Day, October 11, 2005 . In his native Turkey, Orhan Pamuk is
considered the of contemporary fiction. His novels cover topics from
Euro-Turkish conflicts during the Renaissance to love, politics and
exile. His latest book is Istanbul: Memories and the City, a memoir
about growing up in Istanbul. Frank Browning talks with the writer in
Istanbul about his relationship to the ever-changing city and his
controversial opinions on Turkey’s history.
*Order a text transcript of this story*
<;

Genocide not the only crime against Armenians, Armenian official says
11.10.2005 12:15
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s letter to
the Armenian President Robert Kocharian, proposing to set up a joint
commission of historians to study the Armenian issue, was a smart attempt to
trick the international community, Armenian National Assembly Vice-speaker
Vahan Hovhannisian said in his report last week at the NATO-organized
Rose-Roth seminar in Yerevan.
Hovhannisian, who also is a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Bureau, said that besides the 1915 Genocide, Turkey has committed another
crime against Armenians when in 1919, it unleashed a war against the
independent Republic of Armenia.
Before the Turkish aggression — supported by the Russian Bolsheviks —
Armenia’s territory was 70,000 square kilometers, and as a result of the
war, Armenia lost the regions of Kars, Ardahan and Surmalu as well as the
populations of those regions. Hovhannisian said it was an aggression against
a sovereign state, and many of the issues currently destabilizing the South
Caucasus region have been stemming from that very aggression.
Those issues include the Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish
confrontations. Therefore, Hovhannisian concluded, it would be more
effective to set up an intergovernmental commission, as proposed by
President Kocharian in his response letter, rather than a commission of
historians. Speaking of Turkey’s aspiration to join the European Union,
Hovhannisian said the Turkish society is not yet ready to accept such
European value as admitting guilt. “The Turkish society must first change
itself,” he indicated.
Hovhannisian also hailed Turkish historian Halil Berkta’s position that 1915
events should be qualified clearly as genocide. “His speech would be rather
useful for those Armenian politicians who repeat the Turkish official
position that the Armenian Genocide was a result of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation’s activities,” he added.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
Catholicos Aram I Calls for U.S. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
His Holiness Says Reconciliation Cannot Begin Until There is Confession
First

(Los Angeles, CA – October 11, 2005) – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia, made a firm statement calling for proper U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide during a special prayer service in
honor of the victims of the Armenian Genocide held on October 8 at the
Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California. The Catholicos stated
that the United States has always stood on the side of justice and human
rights and therefore should take a principled stand by properly recognizing
the Armenian Genocide.
The special ceremony was organized as a reaffirmation of the community’s
commitment to proper genocide recognition on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. There were several hundred members of
the community in attendance as well as many local public officials including
State Assemblyman Ron Calderon, Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari, Pico Riviera
Mayor David Armenta, Montebello Police Chief Gary Couso-Vasquez and a
representative from Montebello Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s office.
“Reconciliation is based on forgiveness; however, there cannot be
forgiveness until there is acceptance of the truth and real confession,”
said the Pontiff during the event referring to the Turkish government’s
continuing campaign of denial and the lack of official U.S. recognition of
the genocide. “While this monument stands in memory of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide, it also symbolizes the struggle against evil, the quest
for justice, peace and human rights.” His Holiness also emphasized the
point that the United States should show greater leadership on this issue by
officially recognizing the genocide based on the fundamental principles of
freedom and human rights for which the country stands.
The Catholicos went on to say that the Genocide Monument in Montebello is a
living monument and should be viewed as the bell that tolls reminding the
Armenian community to continue the just struggle for the Armenian Cause and
remain loyal to the memories of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The
Pontiff ended his remarks by telling the story of how on April 24 of this
year he journeyed to Der Zor to the Euphrates river where many Armenian
women and children had died during the genocide and he christened two
Armenian children and “the river that had symbolized death for the Armenian
people turned into a river of life,” he said.
After the ceremony at the Armenian Genocide monument, His Holiness traveled
to the Holy Cross Church in Montebello to meet with Armenian youth from the
Montebello community.
Catholicos Meets with Armenian Students in Glendale
On the previous day, Friday, October 7th, His Holiness held a meeting at
Glendale High School with approximately 1,000 students from the 11 Los
Angeles area Armenian schools. His Holiness stressed that students should
carry on the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people. He
also emphasized the importance of living life with high moral values and
stated that the students should serve as role models in the community.
After the Pontiff’s remarks, the program included poetry recitations, choir
ensembles and other instrumental performances by various students.
His Holiness Aram I Presides Over 1600 Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
Celebration
On the evening of Friday, October 7th, His Holiness was present at the
Glendale Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapters special event celebrating the Armenian
alphabet. In addition to the hundreds of community members present, also
attending were Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale City Councilman Frank
Quintero, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and Glendale School Board member
Greg Krikorian.
During the official remarks, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the
Armenian language in defining the Armenian culture and encouraged the youth
present to make the effort to learn the language as a means to living their
identity.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/11/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Catholicos Aram I Calls for US Recognition of Armenian Genocide 2) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Reviews Armenian Genocide 3) Council of Europe Encourages Citizens to Support Proposed Constitutional Reforms 1) Catholicos Aram I Calls for US Recognition of Armenian Genocide His Holiness says there can not be reconciliation before confession LOS ANGELES--His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, made a firm statement calling for proper US recognition of the Armenian Genocide during a special prayer service in honor of the victims of the Armenian Genocide held on October 8 at the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California. The Catholicos stated that the United States has always stood on the side of justice and human rights and should therefore take a principled stand by properly recognizing the Armenian genocide. The special ceremony was organized as a reaffirmation of the community's commitment to proper genocide recognition on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. There were several hundred members of the community in attendance as well as many local public officials including State Assemblyman Ron Calderon, Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari, Pico Riviera Mayor David Armenta, Montebello Police Chief Gary Couso-Vasquez and a representative from Montebello Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's office. `Reconciliation is based on forgiveness; however, there cannot be forgiveness until there is acceptance of the truth and real confession,' said the Pontiff during the event referring to the Turkish government's continuing campaign of denial and the lack of official US recognition of the genocide. `While this monument stands in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, it also symbolizes the struggle against evil, the quest for justice, peace and human rights.' His Holiness also emphasized the point that the United States should show greater leadership on this issue by officially recognizing the genocide based on the fundamental principles of freedom and human rights for which the country stands. The Catholicos went on to say that the Genocide Monument in Montebello is a living monument and should be viewed as the bell that tolls reminding the Armenian community to continue the just struggle for the Armenian Cause and remain loyal to the memories of the martyrs of the Armenian genocide. The Pontiff ended his remarks by telling the story of how on April 24 of this year he journeyed to Der Zor to the Euphrates river where many Armenian women and children had died during the genocide and he christened two Armenian children and `the river that had symbolized death for the Armenian people turned into a river of life,' he said. After the ceremony at the Armenian Genocide monument, His Holiness traveled to the Holy Cross Church in Montebello to meet with Armenian youth from the Montebello community. Catholicos Meets with Armenian Students in Glendale On the previous day, Friday, October 7, His Holiness held a meeting at Glendale High School with approximately 1,000 students from the 11 Los Angeles area Armenian schools. His Holiness stressed that students should carry on the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people. He also emphasized the importance of living life with high moral values and stated that the students should serve as role models in the community. After the Pontiff's remarks, the program included poetry recitations, choir ensembles and other instrumental performances by various students. His Holiness Aram I Presides Over 1600 Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet Celebration On the evening of Friday, October 7, His Holiness was present at the Glendale Homenetmen `Ararat' Chapters special event celebrating the Armenian alphabet. In addition to the hundreds of community members present, also attending were Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and Glendale School Board member Greg Krikorian. During the official remarks, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the Armenian language in defining the Armenian culture and encouraged the youth present to make the effort to learn the language as a means to living their identity. 2) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Reviews Armenian Genocide YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--The Armenian genocide was on the agenda of a NATO Parliamentary Assembly seminar that took place in Armenia last week. Addressing the NATO Rose-Roth Seminar held in Yerevan October 6-9, Halil Berktay, professor of history at Sabanci University, specifically said, `I say that the Genocide was committed. The only question is how to come to its recognition.' He suggested studying various approaches in order for Turkish society to first `realize' that genocide has been committed, `then to recognize it.' Otherwise, he warned that tension among nationalist forces in Turkey would escalate. The Turkish historian also alluded to a proposal by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to create a joint commission of Armenian and Turkish historians to `examine the events of 1915-1918' and determine if they indeed constituted genocide. Armenian leaders had categorically rejected that idea, saying that the Genocide is a proven fact that can not be disputed. In an April letter responding to Erdogan, Armenian President Robert Kocharian wrote: `Your proposal to address the past can not be productive unless it addresses the present and the future as well.' Kocharian stressed the two countries should instead form an `intergovernmental commission' to tackle this and other problems hampering their relations. In his report to the NATO Seminar, Armenian Parliament Vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian echoed President Kocharian's suggestions, and called Erdogan's offer to `a clever attempt to fool the international community.' Speaking of Turkey's aspiration to join the European Union, Hovhannisian said Turkish society is not yet ready to accept European values, including the ability to admit guilt. `Turkish society must first change itself,' he stressed. Hovhannisian commended Berktay's clear position of qualifying the events of 1915 as genocide. Sixty parliamentarians from 22 countries also discussed the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, among other topics at the Seminar. The Rose-Roth program was launched in 1990, with the initial aim to strengthen the development of parliamentary democracy in Central and Eastern European countries. Today, the Program also addresses regional security issues, particularly in the Balkans and the Caucasus. The Assembly usually holds three Rose-Roth seminars each year, covering a wide range of subjects such as civil-military relations, regional security, and the fight against terrorism. 3) Council of Europe Encourages Citizens to Support Proposed Constitutional Reforms YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The top decision-making body of the Council of Europe urged Armenians on Monday to vote for constitutional amendments at next month's referendum, saying that they are `vital' for Armenia's democratic future. `The referendum, to be held on November 27 on this reform, will be vital for Armenia,' Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Portugal's foreign minister and the chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, said in a statement. `By turning out to vote, the people of Armenia will indeed be deciding on changes of fundamental importance for their future,' he said, adding that the proposed changes would shore up Armenia's weak judiciary and create a `more balanced distribution of power between the executive and the legislative branches.' Amaral emphasized that the reforms have been endorsed by the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on legal reform which has been actively involved in the Armenian process. The head of the commission, Gianni Buquicchio, called for a `yes' vote at the referendum during a recent visit to Yerevan. The European Union and the United States have also expressed support for the draft amendments. Western officials say that as well as curbing sweeping powers vested in the Armenian presidency, the proposed reform would facilitate Armenia's integration into pan-European structures. A similar statement was adopted on Monday at a conference of an organization representing various-level Armenian judges. `The constitutional draft is close to being a perfect legal document,' stated the chairman of the Union of Judges, Hovannes Manukian. Armenia's leading opposition groups, meanwhile, remain adamant in rejecting the amendments as insignificant and irrelevant to the country's democratization. In a joint statement last month, 17 opposition parties said their enactment would only `legitimize the regime and prolong its life.' They pledged to work together in trying to scuttle the referendum. But the opposition leaders disagree on whether they should urge Armenians to boycott the referendum or vote against the draft amendments. 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) 2005 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.

PACE organises public hearing on gender equality in the South Caucasus
Strasbourg, 11.10.2005 – Parliamentarians from Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia will join with women’s groups in the three countries, as well as
experts from the UN, to discuss gender equality in the South Caucasus at
a public hearing in Tbilisi (Georgia) on Friday 14 October 2005.
“Not enough attention has been paid to the situation of women in the
South Caucasus,” said Rosmarie Zapfl-Helbling (Switlzerland, EPP/CD),
Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and
Men of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (APCE), which is
organising the event in collaboration with the Parliament of Georgia.
“This hearing – and the report which will flow from it – aims to
highlight the difficult situation many women in the area face, and to
push for gender equality to be made a priority.”
Participants will hear an overview of the situation in each of the three
South Caucasus countries before discussing topics such as women’s
health, violence against women and the role of women in conflict
prevention and resolution.
The conclusions of the hearing will form part of a report being prepared
by Vera Oskina (Russia, EDG) on the situation of women in the South
Caucasus.
A day earlier, on Thursday 13 October 2005, a regional parliamentary
seminar will look at ways in which national parliaments in the South
Caucasus can help promote equality. The event will be opened by the
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Nino Burdjanadze. Although the
seminar is closed to the press, a press conference will be held at 6
p.m. on Thursday 13 October in the Georgian Parliament.
Link to the programme of the hearing
The hearing, which is open to the press, will be held in the “Ilia
Chavchavadze” Room of the Georgian Parliament (8 Rustaveli Avenue,
Tbilisi) on Friday 14 October 2005, beginning at 9.15 a.m.
Contacts:
Tanja Kleinsorge and Jannick Devaux, PACE Secretariat, mobile + 33 6 63
49 15 62.
ED130a05

Yerevan Press Club of Armenia presents `MediaDialogue” Web Site as a
Regional Information Hub project. As a part of the project web site is maintained,
featuring the most interesting publications from the press of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on issues of mutual concern. The latest
updates on the site are weekly delivered to the subscribers. ***************************************************************************
===========================================================================
REGION
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AZERBAIJAN’S CRITICAL ELECTION
—————————————– ———————————–
Source: “Turkish Daily News” newspaper (Turkey) [October 11, 2005]
Author: Suat Kiniklioglu
On Nov. 6 Azerbaijan will conduct an important parliamentary
election. The election is critical as the stability of this strategic
country has become a concern to a number of regional and
extra-regional players. Azerbaijan occupies a strategic location in
the South Caucasus, its resource-providing role in the energy game has
regional implications and its perceived willingness to cooperate with
Euro-Atlantic structures has attracted an unprecedented level of
international attention. Azerbaijan’s past electoral record is notorious and has been
criticized extensively by the international community. No wonder that
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is
planning to send 500 election observers to the upcoming election — a
substantial number of observers in light of the size and population of
Azerbaijan. There is no doubt that the Rose and Orange revolutions in
Georgia and Ukraine respectively have generated expectations among the
opposition of whether a similar evolution could take place in
Azerbaijan. International organizations, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and national governments also have expressed a
keen interest in the election. A total of 125 new members of
Parliament will be elected, and, although the Parliament does not play
a significant role in the Azerbaijani political system, the election
matters because it will provide a signal as to what direction the
country is heading. The presence of a meaningful opposition in the
Azerbaijani Parliament could be the beginning of a democratic process
that would help build domestic legitimacy and allow Azerbaijan to
develop its infant democracy. I led a U.S. German Marshall Fund (GMF) delegation that visited
Azerbaijan last month and we heard repeatedly from Azerbaijani
officialdom, including President Heydar Aliyev as well as the
influential Ramiz Mehtiyev, that the presidential apparatus as well as
the governing Yeni Azerbaycan Partiyasэ (New Azerbaijan Party)
was doing everything to ensure a free and fair election. Indeed,
Aliyev’s decree of May 11, which stipulates a good number of measures
for a fair election, has been recognized as a constructive step, but
there are significant shortcomings in the implementation of these
measures. Furthermore, recent events surrounding the opposition’s desire to
organize rallies in Baku and the surrounding regions do not bode well
for the election. The idea to use inking — commonly used in Turkish
elections — as a method to avoid multiple voting has been refused by
the authorities. Plans to hold exit polls are also meeting stiff
resistance. The OSCE’s attempts to establish a workable dialogue
between the government and the opposition have failed so far. Azerbaijan is increasingly becoming under the spotlight as its
strategic location is critical to the United States, its abundant
energy resources constitute a significant alternative to volatile
Middle Eastern resources and its proactive role in the war on terror
has been appreciated in Washington. Azerbaijan’s oil and gas resources
are also important for Europe and will help the diversification of
Europe’s energy imports. The Azerbaijani economy is also showing
significant signs of recovery as the Aliyev years have provided
comparative stability. The coming years will see considerable
increases in oil and gas revenues to the Azerbaijani economy and Baku
appears to be cognizant of the need to diversify its economy. Azerbaijan is a special country for Turkey as well. This is not only
due to the significance attached to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
pipeline and the Baku-Erzurum natural gas project, but also due to
cultural and linguistic factors that have made Baku a domestic
political factor in Turkey. Azerbaijan always occupies a special place
in the domestic scene. The events surrounding the expected Azerbaijani
recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) in the
aftermath of the referendum on the Annan plan in April 2004 underlined
the intricate details of the Turkish-Azerbaijani relationship. The
impact of Azerbaijan’s flip-flopping on the issue has been remedied
with the `timely’ flight of a private Azerbaijani airline from Baku to
the KKTC in July. This trip was then reciprocated by a Turkish Cypriot
Airlines flight to Baku in August, which constituted the first-ever
direct flight by Turkish Cypriot Airlines to a foreign country. Many
speculated that the gesture from Baku was motivated by Aliyev’s desire
to enlist Turkey’s support in the upcoming parliamentary
election. Whatever the motivation, Baku’s gesture was duly registered
in Ankara and was demonstrated as such by subsequent visits by Justice
and Development Party (AKP) representatives to Baku. What is at stake here is not only the procedural implementation of a
free and fair election in a post-Soviet country. What is really at
stake is the internal stability of a strategic country whose
opposition should be able to find a legitimate place in Azerbaijan’s
Parliament. Azerbaijan’s stability cannot be solidified with elections
that do not reflect the will of the Azerbaijani people. On the
contrary, Azerbaijan can only become a more stable country by allowing
its legitimate opposition to take part in its infant democracy. The
commonly but quietly used argument that Azerbaijan is not ready for
democracy yet is simply invalid. This is not only a view held by
political observers but also pronounced by a growing number of
investors who are concerned about the Azerbaijani opposition being
pushed onto an illegitimate plane, or, worse still, that political
Islamists may become the people’s opposition in the coming years. The international community is watching with great interest what will
happen in November, and so are we here in Turkey. Nov. 6 should become
the beginning of a new and confident democratic process in
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan deserves it and is ready for it. “SAHAKASHVILI’S ACCESSION CREATED MORE PROBLEMS FOR AZERBAIJANIS IN GEORGIA”
—————————————————————————-
Source: “Zerkalo” newspaper (Azerbaijan) [October 10, 2005]
Author: F. Teymurkhanli
Businessman Fazil Aliev, anxious for his personal safety, had to ask
for political asylum in Azerbaijan. Our newspaper had many publications on the problems of Azerbaijanis in
Georgia. There is an impression that the Georgian authorities either
miss or deliberately ignore the desperate situation of our compatriots
today. Moreover, infringement on the rights of Azerbaijanis, residing
in Georgia, is not of occasional nature; rather it is a massive
occurrence. The press conference, held by our compatriot Fazil Aliev
yesterday, was devoted to the problem of persecution of Azerbaijanis
by certain high-ranking Georgian officials. Speaking about his past, F. Aliev noted that he used to take an active
part in national liberation movement in Georgia, being a follower of
deceased Zviad Gamsakhurdia. During the presidency of Zviad
Gamsakhurdia, F. Aliev held the position of the First Deputy Governor
of Kvemo Kartli. After Edward Shevarnadze’s accession, he moved to
Azerbaijan but soon returned to Georgia and launched a natural gas
business. Former Governor of Kvemo Kartli, Levan Mamaladze had a strange dislike
for F. Aliev and demanded that he pass the company over to the
state. Naturally, F. Aliev would not give up his business that easily
and refused to obey. Despite numerous control commissions, the company
was not engaged in any illegal activity, so the local authorities
decided to apply other methods against F. Aliev. In his opinion, the law-and-order bodies, jointly with the mafia,
started to persecute his family. F. Aliev got repeated threats about
kidnapping his children. He noted that in December 2000, a group of
masked persons attacked the school in Ponichali village, where his
three sons studied, and started shooting. Only due to the courage of
the teachers, who hid F. Aliev’s children, they were saved. He stated
that many children are still in the state of shock. `An incident
similar to Beslan events missed the attention of the Georgian
authorities. Georgian Ministry of Interior only issued a statement
that the Ministry did not launch any special operations that day”,
F. Aliev noted. F. Aliev stated also that a while later a group of armed men assaulted
his office and beat his personnel. Besides, F. Aliev’s father had his
eye beaten out with the butt of the submachine-gun by
strangers. F. Aliev said he was arrested but the Azerbaijanis of
Ponichali village stood up for him in indignation, so the Ministry of
Interior had to release him. F. Aliev notes that during Mikhail Sahakashvili’s presidency, the
Azerbaijanis residing in Georgia were so naïve as to suppose that
the new President of the country will take steps for solving their
problems. `I made a statement to General Prosecutor about the
lawlessness I was exposed to during Shevarnadze’s presidency. Criminal
proceedings were initiated, however no concrete steps were taken’,
F. Aliev stated. With M. Sahakashvili’s accession, the situation not only failed to
improve but grew worse. Georgians of Armenian origin were appointed
for high positions, and they started a deliberate policy on deporting
Azerbaijanis. In February 2005, F. Aliev’s office was again assaulted
by strangers, whereas on the night of 3-4 June, 2005, armed and masked
men attacked F. Aliev’s house. According to our compatriot, they took
his three children hostage. However, the kids asked their father not
to leave the house since the armed men would surely kill him. Shooting started between F. Aliev and the attackers, lasting over an
hour and a half. F. Aliev stated that he had a gun of Makarov brand
and two hunting rifles, for which he had a license. As stated by
F. Aliev, it is only after the relatives ran up for help that the
attackers had to leave the place. F. Aliev also noted that he
repeatedly stated to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia that
the village executive authorities were engaged in corruption and drug
trafficking but no counter-measures were taken. At the same time, F. Aliev stated that the Georgian human rights
activists and the ordinary citizens render considerable support to the
Azerbaijanis. “If not for their support, the number of Azerbaijanis in
Georgia would be considerably reduced’, F. Aliev emphasized. He noted
that a while ago he moved to Baku with his family and 3-4 days ago met
the Georgian Ambassador to Azerbaijan. He informed him about the
lawlessness in Kvemo Kartli. `The Ambassador was horrified over the
story. Yesterday (the day before yesterday – Ed.) I got the
information that a group of policemen, having ties with mafia, were
arrested. My meeting with the Ambassador must have helped”, F. Aliev
emphasized. By the end of the press conference, he urged the Georgian authorities
to punish those responsible for his misfortunes. `While the current
regime is still preserved in Georgia, my family and I can’t feel
safe. Therefore, I am asking for political asylum in Azerbaijan’,
F. Aliev concluded. KAZAKHSTAN EYES GEORGIA’S TRANSIT ROUTES
—————————————————————————-
Source: Civil.Ge online magazine (Georgia) [October 05, 2005]
Author:
Visiting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on October 3 in
Tbilisi that Kazakhstan’s major interests in their relationship with
Georgia is the latter’s transit capabilities to transport Kazakh oil
and other freight to Europe. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
hailed relations with Kazakhstan as `free from any problems’ and
supported the Kazakh bid for OSCE Chairmanship. The Kazakh President arrived in Georgian on October 2 for a two-day
official visit. His Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili hosted
Nazarbayev in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic, where the Kazakh
leader toured the local port. `Economic cooperation [with Georgia] is of major interest for
Kazakhstan. On the shores of the Caspian Sea we have built the largest
port in the Caspian Sea – Aktau – which is currently capable of
handling 15 million tons of oil [per year]… Another port of this
kind is being constructed, designed to obtain access from Kazakhstan
via the Caucasus and Black Sea to Europe. To become acquainted with
the [Black Sea port’s] capacity was very important in this regard and
I want to thank Mikheil Saakashvili and the Adjarian leadership for
giving us opportunity to see the capabilities [of the Batumi port],’
Nazarbayev said at a joint news conference with Saakashvili after
talks in Tbilisi. `Secondly, the railway link between Baku [Azerbaijan] and the Black
Sea [in Batumi] is also very important and interesting for us in
respect to transportation of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other
freight,’ the Kazakh President added. While visiting Batumi, Nazarbayev noted that Kazakhstan also plans to
transport its oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. According to the Georgian Economy Ministry, Kazakhstan exported a
total of 3,300 tons of freight through the Georgian railway to the
west in 2004 (the latest data available). The total amount of cargo
transported through the Georgian railway, including those imported to
Kazakhstan via Georgia, totaled 38,000 tons in 2004. Kazakhstan transported a total of 332,800 tons of oil through the
Georgian railway in 2004. Saakashvili said that this figure will
double in 2005. The Georgian port in Poti handled a total of 15,800
tons of Kazakh freight in 2004. President Saakashvili said at the joint news conference in Tbilisi
that a new terminal and port in Kulevi, which is currently under
construction, will make it possible to increase these figures. But bilateral trade between the two countries is low. According to the
Georgian Economy Ministry, bilateral trade decreased in the first half
of 2005. Total trade volume was up to USD 30 million in 2004, against
USD 8.7 million in the first half of 2005. But officials say that recent investment projects being implemented by
the Kazakh side in Georgia can help increase these figures as well. Kazakh BankTuranAlem (BTA), which holds assets of USD 5.5 billion, has
recently opened a branch office in Tbilisi and launched, in
cooperation with its local partner the Silk Road Group, the
implementation of a USD 100 million investment project, involving
reconstruction of the hotel Iveria, in downtown Tbilisi, into a
five-star hotel, as well as renovating all of Republic Square, where
the hotel is located. The two Presidents visited Republic Square on
October 3 and attended a presentation of this project. Nazarbayev said at a news conference that Kazakhstan is also
interested in investing in Adjara’s tourism industry. The two Presidents also discussed a possible supply of Kazakh gas to
Georgia, which desperately seeks an alternative gas supply source to
decrease its dependency on Russia in this regard. But in the event
that Georgia begins importing gas from Kazakhstan, Russia would still
play the role of transit country. Nazarbayev said the he thinks Russia
will not oppose this project. Saakashvili said that all three states – Georgia, Russia and
Kazakhstan – will benefit from the gas supply from Kazakhstan. “I
think Russian and Georgian interests coincide here, as Russian
enterprises also operating in Georgia consume gas,’ Saakashvili said. Both, Saakashvili and Nazarbayev spared no words to praise the reforms
going on in each others’ countries. The Georgian President said that
the Kazakh experience of economic reforms is an example for Georgia. `We have the most pleasant experience of relations with Kazakhstan and
this has been observed through the past decade. Kazakhstan never
creates any problems for anyone… And Kazakhstan’s participation in
international processes is welcomed and we count on them [the Kazakh
side],’ Georgian President Saakashvili said at the joint news
conference, adding that Georgia supports Kazakhstan’s OSCE
Chairmanship bid in 2009. Nazarbayev, who has led Kazakhstan since 1989 and who is accused by
opponents of suppressing any dissent, has, on several occassions,
expressed skepticism towards the regime changes which took place in
Georgia and Ukraine through peaceful revolutions. But in Tbilisi he said: `Now I am convinced that there is a stable
situation in Georgia… I am now convinced that the Georgian
authorities are on the right path of [economic] reforms. I was
pleasantly surprised.’
During this visit, Georgian and Kazakh officials signed a number of
bilateral agreements, including one outlining economic cooperation
targets for 2006-2010. ===========================================================================
INT. STRUCTURES
======================================= ====================================
AZERBAIJAN FACES TROUBLE THROUGH TURKEY’S INITIATIVE
———————————————————————- ——
Source: “Azg” newspaper (Armenia) [October 08, 2005]
Author: Tatul Hakobian
EU makes concessions to Turkey but not Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has experience in blocking regional initiatives of European
and Euroatlantic structures. In September 2004, Baku did not tolerate
the presence of several Armenian officers on its territory, thus
causing NATO to cancel `Cooperative Best Effort’ annual military
operations, which were organized quite successfully in 2002 and 2003
by Georgia and Armenia. Currently, Azerbaijan has problems with EU and
its member state Cyprus. EU member Latvia supports implementation of New European Neighborhood
Policy in the two Republics of the Transcaucasus – Armenia and
Georgia, without waiting for a third country to join. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, on her official visit to
Yerevan, emphasized at the joint press conference with President
Robert Kocharian yesterday that, `If by certain reasons negotiations
are not started simultaneously with all the countries of the region,
they should be started with those willing to join’. Cyprus put a veto on discussing the activity under `Enlarged Europe:
New Neighbors’ program: starting from late July Azerbaijan has
established air communication with the Turkish section of the
unrecognized Cyprus. Since 1974, Turkey occupied about 40% of Cyprus,
however this did not impede EU to start membership negotiations with
Turkey on October 3. Meanwhile in Azerbaijan’s case, establishing only
air communication with the so-called Turkish Cyprus (Turkey is the
only country that recognized Turkish Cyprus), EU will not start
neighborhood negotiations with Baku until Baku-Nicosia problems are
not settled, as demanded by the Republic of Cyprus. On October 5, EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations Benita Ferrero
Valdner warned Azerbaijan that if its relations with Cyprus are not
settled, the European Commission will start negotiations with Armenia
and Georgia. `I made it clear to the Azerbaijanis that if they don’t
change their attitude and don’t find a solution, we will continue
cooperation with Armenia and Georgia. We hope the Azerbaijanis will
find a solution within a week or two, since I cannot keep Armenia and
Georgia waiting’, Ferrero Valdner stated. Most probably, it is through Turkey’s friendly recommendation that
Baku has established air communication and economic cooperation with
the Turkish section of Cyprus. Considering the Karabagh conflict as
well, Ankara has not lifted the Armenian blockade for over 11
years. So, if Turkey makes the sacrifice of blockading Azerbaijan’s
enemy Armenia and thus getting the pressure of US and Europe, why
shouldn’t Ankara demand that Azerbaijan assist her in the issue of
Northern Cyprus. Last year in Ankara, President Ilham Aliev implied
that Baku might recognize Lefkosha. Probably, Azerbaijan later changed
its intention, understanding that it might have serious consequences. Receiving Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Baku in late June, Aliev promised,
`Azerbaijan is ready to do its utmost for withdrawing Northern Cyprus
from isolation’. Azerbaijani President said he discussed the issue of
removing the isolation of Northern Cyprus with Turkish Prime
Minister. Azerbaijani newspapers and polit! ical circles discussed
the warning by EU. In particular, one of the officials of the Foreign
Ministry Tayir Taghizade stated to `Zerkalo’ newspaper that
Baku-Lefkosha flights have a commercial nature and are in no way
related to Azerbaijani foreign policy. ***************************************************************************
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OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:
NKR REPRESENTATION LAUNCHES DAILY NEWS SECTION OF ITS WEBSITE
PRESS RELEASE
October 11, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United
States today announced the launch of a new section of its website
, where NKR-related news articles from various international
sources (including Armenian, Azerbaijani, U.S., Russian, and European) are
posted daily.
Articles are grouped under three main topics: Security & Foreign Affairs,
Politics, and Economy & Society. The material covers political and economic
developments in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) and other countries of the South
Caucasus, official statements and speeches. Important articles on Azerbaijan
appear in a separate category. Special attention is given to the current
developments in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process.
Visit and make the Daily News your
destination for English-language news on Nagorno Karabakh.
* * *
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in
Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public
representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.
This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The
NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent
Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of
Justice, Washington, D.C.

PRESS RELEASE
Bible Society of Armenia
6/26 Zakiyan St.
Yerevan 375015, Armenia
Tel: (+374 -10) 58.55.09, 56.49.06
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.24.39
E-mail: [email protected]
October 11, 2005
BRINGING THE BIBLE TO SCHOOLS, SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI REGION
YEREVAN — Within its four-day trip September 25-29 to
Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Southern Georgia, a delegation of the Bible
Society Board members met with 200 school principals, teachers and
students. The delegation had the opportunity to be in four cities and
some villages of this Region. The project called “Bringing the Bible to
Schools” was a part of the long run program, implemented in Armenia
during the years 2002-2004, and in Diocese of Artsakh in August, 2005.
This project has been implemented owing to the
generous support of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, the Armenian
Evangelical Church and the Armenian Catholic Church and also with the
cooperation of the UBS representation in Georgia. Among the delegation
were Arshavir Kapoudjian, the BS Board Secretary; Fr. Samvel, parish
priest of the Armenian Apostoloc Church of Holy Cross, Akhalkalaki; Fr
Grigor Mkrtcian, the representative of the Armenian Catholic Church;
Revd Valeri Zakarian, the representative of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches; Rune Hansen, the representative of the Danish Bible Society.
The four meetings with the school principals were held Monday to
Wednesday, September 26-28, 2005, consecutively in the cities of
Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminta, Aspindza and Akhltskha. Fr Samvel from the
Armenian Apostolic Church warmly greeted the delegation and expressed
his joy and gratitude for such kind of initiative and the generous
support of the Bible Society of Armenia. During these meetings the
delegation was welcomed by the city mayors and the heads of Education
Departments who expressed their thanks to the BS Armenia for this unique
support extended and for the gifts to be delivered to the local schools.
In his keynote address the Board Secretary presented the gathered people
with the 200-year history of the United Bible
Societies, the 14-year history of the Bible Society of Armenia and its
mission in Armenia, and the sets of nine books to be given to schools (a
Bible, 6 different volumes of Guides, Opening Up the Bible, The Bible in
the Armenian Tradition). Based on their witnesses, the principals
revealed that this was something new which happened in their life.
Receiving their packages, a lot of principals invited the BS members to
their own villages and schools for such kind of spiritual and uplifting
meetings. The delegation accepted this invitation and had the
opportunity to visit some schools separately and met with hundreds of
students in their classrooms.
The delegation had also the chance to visit a 19th century village of
Abul=85 a village without electricity, without roads, a village far from
Akhalkalaki 12 kilometers. The road took one hour and half=85 It was
already sunset when the delegation first met a shepherd and a lady
coming from the mountains. They were curious who these people were and
where they came from. They were lucky to get their own Bibles. The place
was empty and at first glance it was hard to meet people. Ten minutes
later the entire village surrounded the Society’s van loaded with
books. The driver had the difficulty to pull the gathered people and
explained that they will get a copy. They were crying. Someone was
shouting `I have a patient,’ another one `I have a grandchild; I
need a Children’s Bible.’
Another such visit was to Tamala! The delegation turned the way to
Akhlskha. The only school of this village has 600 students. The meeting
took place in several classrooms, with students of 1st to 10th grades.
The conversation with different ages of students was very interesting.
The teachers made it clear that during and after the communist regime
they didn’t have such visitors. `We are Christians, but 90% of us
are not baptized. We survived through our faith, but now we have no
access to the knowledge of the Bible.’ Another teacher who found this
visit common with swallows making their nest, stated, `This is the way
how we shall build our spiritual house.’ This year is the 1600th
anniversary of the Invention of the Armenian Alphabet. When the students
asked the reason of the invention of the alphabet the answer was very
clear: The Bible!
Apart from these meetings, the delegation had the opportunity to meet Mr
Arthur Yeremian, the representative of the Georgian President in the
Region; several youth organizations and people in the streets, who were
interested in the Bible Society and the Bible work everywhere.
This was the end of the project called `Bringing the Bible to
Schools,’ which has begun in 2002.
The Bible Society of Armenia was established in 1991 when the late
Catholicos Vazgen I and representatives of the United Bible Societies
signed a memorandum of understanding, regarding the translation,
publication and dissemination of the Holy Bible in Armenia. The Bible
Society of Armenia is committed to the widest possible meaningful and
effective distribution of the Holy Scriptures in languages and media
which meet the needs of people, at a price they can afford. The Board of
Trustees of The Bible Society of Armenia consists of representatives of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church and the
Union of Armenian Evangelical and Baptist Churches.
For further information on Bible Society of Armenia and its activities,
call
(374-10) 58-55 09 or 56-49-06; fax (374-10) 54-24-39; e-mail
[email protected], and visit the Bible Society’s homepage
###