PACE Head Hopes For Clean Referendum In Armenia

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
Aug 18 2005

The freedom and fairness of the upcoming constitutional referendum
in Armenia is of “utmost importance” to the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE), its president, Rene van der Linden,
said on Wednesday.

In an interview with RFE/RL given ahead of his trip to Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, van der Linden stressed that the Armenian
authorities’ handling of the vote, expected to be held in November,
will be “a real test for the country’s democratic credibility.”

“They have to show that they are a full-fledged member of the Council
of Europe,” he said. “They have to show the international community
and the Council of Europe in particular that they are able to fulfill
their commitments. It’s one of the key elements in the discussions
between the PACE and Armenia, and I hope that we can have a result
which is also in line with the requirements of the Council of Europe.”

Constitutional reform was one of the conditions for Armenia’s
entry to the Strasbourg-based pan-European organization in 2001. Its
advisory body, the Venice Commission, has endorsed a revised package of
constitutional amendments drafted by President Robert Kocharian and his
governing coalition, urging Armenians to back it at the referendum. The
European Union and the United States have also called for their
passage, saying that it would facilitate Armenia’s democratization.

Van der Linden would not say if he will promote those amendments during
his visit to Yerevan which begins on Thursday and involves talks with
President Robert Kocharian, parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian
and leaders of the Armenian opposition. He said he expects a “tough
discussion” with opposition leaders.

Most of them are unlikely to endorse the proposed constitutional
changes, saying that they are not significant enough. They also
argue that an amended constitution would not automatically increase
the likelihood of free and fair elections in Armenia. The West, they
say, should therefore concentrate on ensuring a proper enforcement
of Armenia’s existing laws that provide for democratic elections and
guarantee human rights.

“It’s really important for me to hear all the arguments,” van der
Linden said. “They as well as the government have to know that we
are very keen on conditions for free and fair elections and the
fulfillment of the electoral law and the constitution.”

To pass, the draft amendments have to be backed by a majority of
referendum participants that make up at least one third of Armenia’s
2.4 million eligible voters. Some opposition leaders claim that the
authorities can not secure sufficient voter support for the reform
without massive vote rigging.

Saakashvili Crackdown Credited With Influx Of Armenian Tourists

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
Aug 18 2005

President Mikhail Saakashvili’s radical shake-up of the once corrupt
Georgian traffic police has been responsible for a surge in the
number of Armenians spending their summer holidays in Georgia,
a government-connected Armenian businessman said on Wednesday.

According to Vladimir Badalian, a co-chairman of the Armenian-Georgian
Association of Business Cooperation, at least 10,000 Armenian tourists
have traveled to Georgia’s Black Sea region of Ajaria this year and
many more are likely to do so next year. He said they were attracted
by not only the relatively low cost of the Ajarian seaside resorts
but also by the virtual eradication of police corruption on Georgia’s
roads.

“You can enter Georgia and drive all the way to the Black Sea coast
without any problems,” Badalian told RFE/RL. “Nobody will stop you
on the way. As a result of that, 10,000 vacationers went to Ajaria
by their own cars.”

The Georgian traffic police were notorious in the past for their
corruption and in particular routine extortion of bribes from the
drivers of Armenian cars and buses venturing into Georgian territory.
Saakashvili disbanded them and formed a new, Western-style road patrol
service from scratch shortly after taking office on the back of the
November 2003 “rose revolution” in Tbilisi.

Saakashvili welcomed last week the influx of holidaymakers from
Armenia, similarly attributing it to his crackdown on police
corruption. Speaking to Armenian journalists in the Ajarian capital
Batumi, he said he hopes their number will grow tenfold next year.
“We should also develop links to organize visits to both countries,
so that people who go to Armenia also come to Georgia and vice versa,”
he said. “There should be no border obstacles.”

Saakashvili also called for closer economic times between the two
neighboring nations. “I see with delight how rapidly the Armenian
economy is developing. Annual growth in Armenia is about 10 per cent,”
he said, according to the Georgian Imedi TV. “I think that there are
many things we should learn from Armenia, for example how to organize
the banking system, a system for micro-loans, a cooperative system
in agriculture and the export of agricultural produce.”

“I think Armenia emerged from this crisis earlier and Georgia is now
enjoying rapid economic growth. Developing without each other would
not be rational, natural or right,” he added.

Badalian, whose daughter is married to the older son of President
Robert Kocharian, was also in Batumi last week along with a group of
businessmen from Armenia. He said they are interested in investing
in the local tourism infrastructure and were encouraged to do so by
local authorities.

Badalian also noted growing Armenian business interest in Georgia’s
broader economy. “The manufacturing sector of Georgia has lagged behind
that of Armenia,” he explained. “Many businessmen here, for whom the
Armenian market is too small, are now looking for new markets.”

Canadian clergy to meet with Catholicos in Armenia

Canadian Christianity
Aug 18 2005

For the first time ever, leaders from four different Canadian churches
will discuss challenges facing their communities Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin in Armenia August 24. Archbishop Andrew Hutchison of
the Anglican National Church of Canada, Archbishop Sotirios of the
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien of
the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Prof. Dr. Richard
Schneider of the Canadian Council of Churches will go with Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Orthodox Church. For one week, they will discuss future
prospects of the role and mission of Christian churches and cooperation
between the Eastern and Western churches. They will also have the
opportunity to visit with government officials of Armenia.

UzReport, Uzbekistan
Aug 18 2005

Uzbek envoy to Azerbaijan says Uzbekistan has no relations with
Karabakh separatists

UzReport.com [12:20] 18.08.2005

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Ismatulla Irgashov sent
a response letter to the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO),
in which he said that Uzbekistan has no links with the occupation
regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, KLO told Trend news agency.

The report said the KLO chairman Akif Nagi applied to the
Uzbekistan Embassy and demanded to cease cooperation of this
country’s organisations with the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists in the
communication field.

In his return letter the Ambassador reported, the Unitel [mobile
operator] company, operating in Nagorno Karabakh is located in Tashkent
and is not Uzbek company. This company belongs to the Netherlands
and Greece.

The KLO chairman accepted the Ambassador’s explanations and noted,
the country took always an unbiased stand and even up to the moment
has not set up diplomatic relations with the occupation Armenia.

“We appreciate such a position of the fraternal Uzbekistan, anyhow,
we once again have to inform the government of Uzbekistan of our
concern over the setting up relations between the companies operating
in Uzbekistan with the occupation regime of Nagorno Karabakh,” the
KLO statement notes.

Chances high for progress in peace talks

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 18 2005

A high-ranking Azeri official expects progress from the upcoming talks
on the settlement of the long-standing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Upper Garabagh. The two countries’ foreign ministers will meet in
Moscow on August 24 and the presidents in Kazan, Russia on August 26.

“Chances are high for positive results in the talks… But much depends
on the extent of Armenia’s readiness for another step toward a peace
agreement”, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said.

Azimov told journalists on Monday that liberation of Azerbaijan’s
seven districts around Garabagh, the return of Azeri refugees
home, restoration of communications in the occupied districts and
determination of the status of Garabagh residents will be discussed
at the meetings.

“Freeing all occupied regions altogether is impossible. Liberation
of Upper Garabagh may be discussed only after the seven districts
around it are freed.”

Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group mediating the conflict resolution
stated during their recent visits to the region that the conflicting
sides’ positions have drawn closer due to mutual compromises.

Azimov seemingly confirmed that the Azerbaijani side has made
compromises. However, he chose not to mention the details, as
elaborating on the matter may impede peace talks.

Azeri and Armenian government sources said earlier that an agreement
envisioning ‘package and stage-by-stage’ conflict settlement was
deemed possible at the meeting of the two presidents.

The US OSCE MG co-chair Steven Mann earlier expressed optimism on
the prospects for signing a peace accord by the year-end.

Mann’s deputy Elizabeth Ruth told Radio Liberty last week that
there are ‘great hopes that conditions will emerge for reaching a
peace accord’. “We therefore consider the Kazan meeting of the two
presidents a real opportunity.”

Ruth noted, however, that no final agreement should be expected at
this point, and peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia should
continue. “Peace will be achieved either now or in distant future –
everything depends on the decisiveness and the will of both sides.”

A confidential source from the Azeri government said following the
visit by the mediators to the region in July that the sides reached
a final agreement on returning five occupied districts to Azerbaijan.

It also said that according to a plan agreed upon with Armenia, this
would be followed by signing of a peace agreement and subsequent
liberation of the other two districts occupied by Armenia.

An Armenian government source cited talks on holding a referendum in
Upper Garabagh in 10-15 years to determine its status. Both countries’
diplomats said that the sides are discussing opening communications,
return of Azeri refugees to their homes and stationing of OSCE
peacekeepers in the conflict zone.

Some analysts say that the course of talks shows that a settlement
remains a distant prospect. Despite the intensifying negotiations, the
Azeri and Armenian governments are restrained in taking ‘compromising’
decisions and pushing for a peace accord among the public in their
countries, as a compromise would not suit the ambitions of the
sides. On the other hand, a peaceful conflict resolution does not
appear possible without major concessions.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 18 2005

Ambassador of Uzbekistan Said His Country Has No Relations with
Karabakh Separatists

Baku Today / Turan 18/08/2005 10:46

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Ismatulla Irgashov sent
a response letter to the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO),
in which he reported, his country has no links with the occupation
regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, KLO told Trend.

The KLO chairman Akif Nagi applied to the Uzbekistan Embassy and
demanded to cease cooperation of this country’s organizations with
the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists in the communication field. In his
return letter the Ambassador reported, the “Daewoo Unitel” company,
operating in Nagorno Karabakh is located in Tashkent and is not
Uzbekistan company. This company belongs to Holland and Greece.

The KLO chairman accepted the Ambassador’s explanations and noted,
the country took always an unbiased stand and even up to the moment
has not set up diplomatic relations with the occupation Armenia.

“We appreciate such a position of the fraternal Uzbekistan, anyhow,
we once again have to inform the government of Uzbekistan of our
concern over the setting up relations between the companies operating
in Uzbekistan with the occupation regime of Nagorno Karabakh,” the
KLO statement notes.

PACE President to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 18 2005

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE), Rene van der Linden, is to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia from August 18 to 23. These will be his first visits to the
south Caucasus since being elected to office last January.

While in Georgia, on August 20 and 21 he will hold talks with Prime
Minister Zurab Noghaideli, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mikheil
Machavariani as well as representatives of parliamentary opposition
and civil society. A meeting is also scheduled with Patriarch
Ilia II. According to a statement from PACE, the constitutional
situation, the independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression
and association and media pluralism should be the focal points of
discussion.

Linden will give a press conference in Tbilisi on Sunday, August 21
at Parliament.

UEFA

Aug 18 2005

Football Europe: Pyunik poised for final furlong

Champions FC Pyunik are on course to retain their title after ending
the first stage of the Armenian season five points clear at the
summit.

New format

Pyunik have progressed relatively unhindered and are unbeaten in their
16 games, apparently unaffected by the turmoil that has gripped the
league. FC Lernayin Artsakh were excluded from the Premier League by
the Football Federation of Armenia last month and under a new format,
the division now splits with the top six sides contesting league
honours and European berths.

Healthy lead

Meanwhile, FC Shirak and FC Ararat Yerevan face a relegation play-off,
with the loser going down automatically and the winner having to
overcome the First Division runners-up to stay up. Points taken against
Shirak and Ararat now count for nothing for the top six, increasing
Pyunik’s advantage over second-placed FC MIKA from three to five.

Banants threat

It would have been more, had the champions not been held by
fourth-placed FC Kotayk in their last fixture before the one-month
break that separates the first and second stages. That will give MIKA
time to prepare for the run-in but they will also be aware that FC
Banants could threaten their hold on second spot, as they lurk just
a point behind.

Kotayk hope

Banants play Kotayk when the league resumes on 28 August and the
match may offer a clue as to Kotayk’s top-three credentials. The
sextet is completed by FC Kilikia and FC Dinamo-Zenit Yerevan and,
although they are out of the title running, these two could have an
impact on the final standings.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mine Explosion Kills Soldier, Injures Another

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 18 2005

A 19-year-old Azerbaijani soldier was killed and another one seriously
injured in a mine explosion on the Azeri-Armenian frontline.

Ilgar Nuraliyev died in a blast close to the Gapanly village of Terter
District, northwest Azerbaijan early on Wednesday morning.

The wounded soldier Zamig Aslanov, who is currently receiving treatment
in hospital, is in satisfactory condition, the Ministry of Defense
told AssA-Irada.

Armenian officials free Duke student

Chicago Tribune, IL
Aug 18 2005

Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published August 18, 2005

ISTANBUL, TURKEY — A Turkish scholar who was arrested in Armenia
two months ago was ordered freed after receiving a 2-year suspended
sentence for attempting to take old books out of the country.

Yektan Turkyilmaz, a doctoral student at Duke University whose plight
had prompted protests from intellectuals and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole,
was convicted Tuesday of two counts of smuggling.

At the request of prosecutors, the sentence was suspended. Authorities
said Turkyilmaz can leave Armenia after the verdict takes effect
Aug. 31. He has been held for almost two months in a former KGB
facility in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.

“I was, I am and I will remain a friend of the Armenians,” Turkyilmaz
was quoted as saying in the Armenian media as he announced plans to
continue studying the history of relations between the Armenians and
the Turks.

The Armenian government has not yet returned the computer disks on
which he had stored months of research from the Armenian national
archives.

Officials have said the research material will be returned to
Turkyilmaz when he leaves the country.