ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2005
INTERPOL SECRETARY GENERAL RATES HIGHLY PROFESSIONALISM OF ARMENIAN
POLICE
YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. Interpol Secretary General Ronald
Kenneth Noble has rated highly the professional level of Armenian
police. At his meeting with RA President Robert Kocharyan he stated
that the Armenian police take an active part in Interpol’s
activities. He also said that Interpol has introduced a new passport
control system in Armenia, which will be a serious help to Armenia’s
police.
In his turn, the RA President pointed out Interpol’s important role
in battling international crime, expressing a hope that the Interpol
Secretary General’s visit will contribute to further development of
our country’s cooperation with this organization. Kocharyan pointed
out the importance of crime control, especially in conditions of
globalization and growing challenges. The RA President singled out
technical equipment and personnel training as the main problems of
Armenia’s police. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2005
EXHIBITION OF FRENCH LITERATURE OPENS IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, September 27. /ARKA/. The exhibition of the French
literature opened in Yerevan at the National Library of Armenia,
Vice-Director of National Library of Armenia Nerses Hayrapetyan told
journalists. He reported that 33 exhibits of French literature of
1580-1800s are presented at the exhibition. He also said that the
library has 2,450 French antique books. He said that presented books
relate to various spheres of French art, particularly painting and
music.
French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny, who was present at the
exhibition, gave special importance to original publishing of
Encyclopaedia of dramatic critic Didro of 1715. He said this book is
the “pearl” of the exhibition. “The fact it is kept at the National
Library of Armenia speaks about spirituals relations between France
and Armenia”, Cuny said. He also reported that currently the
exhibition “France as seen by Armenian painters” is held at the
French Embassy.
The exhibition of French Literature has been organized within Days of
France in Armenia ands it will be open till October 7, 2005. It is
organized by the French Embassy in Armenia and the National Library
of Armenia. A.A. -0–

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
AZERBAIJAN’S DEFENCE EXPENSES WILL BE EQUAL TO ARMENIA’S WHOLE
BUDGET: AZERI PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. In the future Azerbaijan’s defence
expenses will be equal to Armenia’s whole budget, Azeri President
Ilham Aliev says in an interview to YLE (Finland).
Speaking about the Karabakh peace process Aliev says that Baku wants
to settle the conflict peacefully but sees that this is impossible
and has no other choice. That’s why Azerbaijan’s military spendings
are growing – next year the country will redouble them and in the
future they will equal the whole budget of Armenia. “We still want
peace in the Caucasus but can put up with occupation,” says Aliev.
He says that OSCE MG is the key player in the Karabakh peace process.
Aliev says that there are many ways to settle the conflict provided
that the international law is applied and territorial integrity is
part of this law. “On our side are the international law, political
processes and economic potential so we will get what we want,” says
Aliev.
The solution is simple – the Armenian leadership should pluck up
courage to leave the occupied territories and to create normal living
conditions including for its own people. This will lead to the
opening of communications and borders and the normal process will
resume. “I hope that we will see this day soon,” says Aliev.

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED DURING NEGOTIATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU
ARMINFO, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. “According to the text of European
Parliament resolution, the Armenian-Turkish relations will be
considered in the framework of negotiations between the EU and
Turkey,” reported Mr. Heikki Talvitie, the Special EU Representative
at South Caucasus.
In his turn the Minister for Foreign Affairs of RA, Vardan Oskanian,
appreciated the European Parliament initiative of including the
“Armenian questions” in the agenda of EU-Turkey talks. “If Turkey
wants to join the EU, it has to open the borders and to reconsider
the historical events of 1915,” he said.-A-

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Sept 30 2005
Solana: EU Should Keep Its Promises To Turkey
BRUSSELS – EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security
Policy Javier Solana said on Friday that EU should keep its promises
to Turkey.
Giving an exclusive interview to RTL Radio channel of Belgium and
Luxembourg, Solana said that EU had economic relations with Turkey
for a long time and EU had also undertaken responsibilities towards
Turkey in 1999.
The date of accession talks for full membership was determined as
Oct. 3rd, 2005, Solana said, adding that he hoped the talks would
start at that date.
“We gave promises, and our obligations are very clear, we should
fulfil them,“ said Solana.
“I don`t know when and how will the negotiations will start,
certainly the accession of one country into the EU will come true
unanimously. I don`t think that it is time to bring onto agenda the
Armenian genocide issue. Turkey will recognize `Cyprus Republic`
before being a full member,“ commented Solana.

Caucaz.com, Georgia
Sept 30 2005
The South Caucasus seen from Brussels: betwixt pressure and good
marks
Article published in 30/09/2005 Issue
By Anne-Marie MOURADIAN in Brussels
Translated by Michèle-Ann OKOLOTOWICZ
The European Union is getting ready to negotiate action plans with
each of the South Caucasus republics, which will allow it to
implement its new neighbourhood policy in the region. These plans are
custom-tailored to reflect the specificities of each country and to
serve as an incitement for democratic and economic reform.
The idea of the future action plans can be summarised in a nutshell:
treat each country on its own merits, by `rewarding’ those that
progress the most rapidly. But on the front of economic, legal or
social reforms, each of the three Caucasian republics differs widely.
`If in five years’ time we observe that the partner country has
progressed well, we can move on to a form of closer partnership’,
Brussels explains. No further details are supplied.
For its part, Georgia has already officially declared that its
ultimate aim is to become a fully-fledged member of the EU. Armenia,
which has always felt a European calling, has expressed the same
desire. But for the EU, the subject is not on the agenda. Its
objective for the time being is limited to stabilising a circle of
friendly countries on its boundaries.
Tbilisi’s efforts at reform are encouraged, in spite of everything
Today, Georgia is at the top of the charts of the South Caucasus
republics. The EU’s presence there is also the most visible. The
delegation of the European Commission in Tbilisi, numbering some 40
individuals, covers its smaller Yerevan sister, which is run by a
chargé d’affaires and the delegation in Baku, which will open
`shortly’. Moreover, Georgia is the only country to have benefited
from an international donors’ conference, held in Brussels.
In June 2004, during the international donors’ conference it was
co-chairing with the World Bank, in the wake of the `Revolution of
the roses’, Europe doubled its aid to Georgia, in support of the new
government.
Since then, Brussels has observed a positive evolution and a manifest
desire among its leaders to fight corruption, clean up the State
apparatus and public accounts, and to enact the rule of law.
Although the institutional structure is still slightly unstable,
improvements are visible on the political level. `This encourages us
to have an ambitious action plan for Georgia’, explains Hugues
Mingarelli, director at the European Commission for Central Asia and
the South Caucasus.
Measures implemented by the government have translated into changes
in everyday life, such as the great sweep in the police force, which
had grown accustomed since the Shevardnadze era to extorting money
from the population.
Sylvie Pantz, the French judge who from July 2004 to July 2005 headed
the European `Rule of law’ mission, is also in agreement. Titled
`Eujust Themis’, the mission, carried out at the Georgian
government’s request, constitutes a first within the framework of the
European security and defence policy.
Around ten European experts, judges and advocates-general have helped
the Georgian authorities reform the judicial system where it was the
most urgently needed, in penal and criminal law, at penitentiary
level.
`On site we found serious corruption problems with very vulnerable
judges, who are not mature, don’t stick together, are not protected,
and have no sense of professional pride. I have had to swallow a lot
of guff’, explains Sylvie Pantz. `But we brought in ideas on how to
create a new kind of judge. The mission was a great success. The
Georgians were very interested in our advice and expertise. They have
achieved a great deal within a very short timeframe. All they need
now is assistance to implement the new strategy.’
The economic outlook is not so optimistic. The country lacks natural
resources and public coffers are close to empty. The fallout from
activity from the Tbilisi-Baku-Çeyhan pipeline could translate into a
significant rise in GDP, but economic difficulties are aggravated by
the instability linked to the question of the two secessionist
republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Brussels notes that as long
as these two problems are not resolved, it will be difficult to
concentrate on the economy.
European experts, under the authority of Heili Talvitie, EU Special
Representative for the Southern Caucasus, are examining ways to help
the Georgians manage their border with Russia and to train border
guards.
In order not to upset Russian sensitivities, the Europeans are based
not on the border but at the more discrete location of Tbilisi, from
where they carry out return trips.
Armenia has been congratulated… but there are misgivings
>From the political reform standpoint, the situation in Armenia is far
from ideal and Brussels emphasises that Armenian leaders have a long
way to go to come close to European standards, and it hopes that the
forthcoming elections will be more democratic than the previous ones.
However, the Europeans have complimented the country for its very
good economic performance. `Armenia’s leaders have undertaken
structural reforms in many sectors and have been able to stabilise
the country’s financial situation’, notes Hugues Mingarelli.
In spite of its land-locked position and the blockade imposed by
Turkey, the Armenian economy has seen its GDP progress spectacularly,
rising from 3.3% in 1999, to 12.9% in 2002, and to 13.9% in 2003. But
the economy still remains in the hands of `clans’ and a significant
proportion of the population does not have access to the growing
riches.
Brussels also hopes that the Armenian authorities will be `flexible’
in negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh, reminding Armenia in the
meantime that the Turkish blockade is a heavy price to pay.
The EU is not planning to increase pressure on Turkey to open its
borders. Likewise, the denial of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish
state is not considered to be a human rights issue. Brussels
restricts itself to calling on Ankara to seek reconciliation with
Armenia. And to Armenians who invoke the duty of remembrance,
European officials generally point out `the difference between
`little’ Armenia and the geostrategic weight of its Turkish
neighbour’.
Another subject under discussion is the nuclear power station of
Medzamor, which supplies 40% of the country’s electricity but whose
venerable age makes it dangerous. Europe has said it is ready to
organize a donors’ conference and to put 100 million dollars on the
table if Yerevan commits itself to a date for the definitive closure
of the station. `But the Armenians do not want to replace cheaper
nuclear power with thermal or hydroelectric energy which would be
more costly for their economy. They have asked us to pay for the
difference but we cannot on the one hand help them to develop
alternative energy sources and on the other pay their surplus costs.
They are asking for too much’, Brussels says.
On 23 September however, Yerevan let it be known that it intends to
close down Medzamor and to build a new plant with the help of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Moreover, the construction of the gas pipeline between Iran and
Armenia should cover, upon its completion in 2007, a third of
Armenia’s gas requirements. The EU has not been involved in financing
the pipeline, explaining that `the Armenians did not ask for any help
and we do not want to do anything which might upset the Americans too
much’. However, the Europeans are backing Yerevan’s denunciation of
the project by Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaidjan to build a new
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway designed to circumvent Armenia. Brussels
believes the new railway would be surplus to requirement since a rail
link already exists between Kars and Gumri (Armenia), which is
currently closed due to the Turkish blockade.
Baku is feeling the heat, but is less dependent on European financing
Regarding political and economic reform, Azerbaijan has a long way to
go to catch up. The November general elections will constitute a
decisive test. The EU is attempting to exert pressure on the
authorities for them to guarantee democratic elections, to take steps
allowing opposition and media to no longer feel threatened and
equally ensure press independence.
The European Commission sees President Ilham Aliyev as `reasonable’.
`He wants to play the democratic card and is moving in the right
direction. He’s trying to improve the electoral law somewhat and has
an action plan for human rights. However, Ilham Aliyev is not alone
and must take into account his entourage’.
The EU is insisting that the government steps up its fight against
its still endemic corruption and wants it to use its oil revenue to
fight poverty and strengthen social cohesion. It has invited the
authorities to diversify the economy by developing sectors other than
oil and gas. A Special Fund has been created to that effect but
progress is still slow in coming.
`Within the framework of its action plan, Baku has to expect strong
pressure from us’, Brussels says, recognising that thanks to its
energy resources Azerbaijan has greater room for manoeuvre than the
other two South Caucasian republics. Neither does it share their
financial constraints. `Azeris are far more relaxed’, notes Hugues
Mingarelli. `They are less dependent on European largesse than
Georgia and Armenia’.

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
DETERMINATION OF KARABAKH STATUS AND ITS SECURITY ARE THE MAIN TOPICS
OF NEGOTIATIONS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. The issues of the status of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and its security are the main topics of the
negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement,
Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan stated in an interview to
“Golos Armenii”.
The legal status of Nagorno Karabakh will be determined as a result
of creating mechanisms guaranteeing the NKR security, he noted.

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
ACTION WITH DEMAND TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN
TBILISI
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. An action supporting the adoption of
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 as an obligatory
condition for Turkey’s accession to the EU will take place at the
European Commission building in Tbilisi, Sept 29, at 17:30 PM.
As ARMINFO was informed in the press-service “New Generation” Union
of Georgian Armenians, the action organizer, they plan to light out
candles in memory of Genocide victims. About 100 people will
participate at the action. They will carry posters with thanks in all
the state languages of the EU member-countries, including in Georgian
and Armenian.
From: Baghdasarian

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
UNION OF GEORGIAN ARMENIANS: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS MISDEED AGAINST THE
WHOLE MANKIND
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. “Armenian Genocide is the misdeed not
only against Armenian people, but also against the whole mankind”,
says the appeal of the co-chairmen of “New Generation” Union of
Georgian Armenians to the EC delegation head in Georgia Torben
Holtze.
“We welcome the EU position as we hope that it will help Turkey to
humble its past and overcome the complex that is passed across the
generations and causes problems with neighbors. On behalf of all the
Armenian community of Georgia let me to express the deepest
confession for this constructive decision, as well as for the exerted
efforts in recognizing Armenian Genocide”, the appeal says.

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005
VARDAN OSKANYAN AND ARA ABRAHAMYAN DISCUSS ISSUES OF AUR ACTIVITY
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan and Chairman of the World Armenian Congress, Head of the
Armenian Union of Russia (AUR), well-known Russian businessman Ara
Abrahamyan discussed Thursday the issues of the AUR activity.
As ARMINFO was informed in the FM, Abrahamyan reminded Oskanyan about
youth, cultural and educational Centers created at the AUR, as well
as about the Institution engaged in both foreign policy and Armenian
Genocide recognition problems. He acquainted Oskanyan with projects
realized by the AUR in Armenia in educational sphere. Abrahamyan
informed about his intention to establish the AUR branch in Armenia.
They discuss the AUR participation in the forthcoming
Armenia-Diaspora forum in 2006, as well as the problems of the South
Caucasian region.