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| 16:45:30 | 29-09-2005 | Politics |
ARMENIA SUFFERS BECAUSE OF AZERBAIJAN
The European Union will not launch the New Neighbors Program with Armenia
because of Azerbaijan. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Haeikki Talviie without going into detail informed that Azerbaijan has
problems with one of the EU member-states and the program will not be
launched until these problems are settled.
Mr. Talvitie hopes that during 1.5 month the problem with Azerbaiajan will
be resolved. `The EU intends to pursue balanced policy in the region’, he
said adding that the regional cooperation proceeds not only from the EU
interests but also from the interests of the Transaucasian states. According
to the EU Special Representative, today the EU member-state pay much
attention to the region.
During today’s joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Heikki
Talvitie touched upon the constitutional reform. In his words, the
international community does not persuade Armenia to adopt the amendments,
but it would be advisable to adopt them.
Vartan Oskanian and Heikki Talvitie positively assessed the demand on the
Armenian Genocide recognition by Turkey advanced by the European Parliament
yesterday. The Armenian FM voiced hope that the EU-Turkey negotiations will
be useful for Armenia and the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will be
also discussed.
Upon completion of the press conference Mr. Talvitie noted that Turkey’s
accession to the EU depends on the negotiation process, which should `start
and finish’, adding jokingly that Armenia may join the EU even earlier than
Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIANS IN EUROPE URGE TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT EU-TURKEY TALKS
29.09.2005 08:38
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of Europe welcomed the
Europarliament resolution urging Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide
as a compulsory precondition for accession to the EU. «The decision, passed
before the beginning of the talks on Turkey’s accession to the EU, should be
a guiding line for the Council of Europe and the European Commission,» says
a statement of Hilda Tchoboian, the President of the Armenian National
Committee of Europe (CDCA Europe). «We urge the FMs of EU member states to
address the Genocide issue during the Luxembourg meeting October 3,» the
statement runs. Out of the EU states only France has demanded for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide to be a precondition of Turkey’s
accession to the EU. Last December President Jacques Chirac said he hoped
Turkey would work in that direction. It should be reminded that the
resolution «gave OK» to the launching of the talks on Turkey’s accession to
the EU October 3. The resolution simultaneously urges official Ankara to
recognize the Armenian Genocide. It should also be noted that the resolution
was passed with 356 MPs for, 181 against, and 125 abstained. Meanwhile
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, «The Europarliament Resolution is
not obligatory.» «No matter what a resolution they have passed, we will not
surrender our position,» the Turkish PM said.
From: Baghdasarian

Pan Armenian News
BAKU WANTS PEACE IN CAUCASUS, ALIYEV ASSURES
29.09.2005 08:12
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan’s defense expenses will equal Armenia’s budget
next year, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev stated in an interview with
Yleisradio Finnish State TV and Radio Company reporter, made public in Baku
Thursday. Speaking of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Aliyev
said, `We want to solve the issue via peaceful talks.’ `However, when we see
it is not possible, we do not have any other choice,’ he said. `Thus,
military expenses grow in Azerbaijan. Next year we increase defense spending
two times and it will be a large sum,’ the Azeri President remarked. `Next
year our defense spending will equal Armenia’s budget,’ he emphasized. `We
should not be impelled or made to resort to steps like those,’ the Azeri
President said. `We do not want it, we want peace in the Caucasus, we want
to normally develop our country – both economically and politically,’ he
remarked. `However, we cannot put up with occupation,’ he emphasized. `Thus
the OSCE and its Minsk Group have a key role in settlement of the conflict,”
Aliyev said. Speaking of the opportunity of coming to terms with Armenia,
Aliyev noted that `opportunities are of course available for that and coming
to terms is very easy. It is merely necessary to concentrate and base
oneself on the international law.’ Territorial integrity of any country is
an essential element of the international law,’ Aliyev emphasized.
`International law is on our side, political processes are on our side,’ the
Azeri President is convinced.’ `Thus the solution of the problem is very
simple – the Armenian leaders should find will and withdraw from occupied
territories, form normal life conditions, including for their own people,’
Aliyev supposes. `When communications, borders open, transportation of loads
through territories of our countries will start and the normal process will
begin,’ he noted. `I hope we will see the day it happens soon,’ the Azeri
leader said, reported RIA Novosti.

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| 21:37:14 | 29-09-2005 | Politics |
VENICE COMMISSION TO EXPRESS OPINION ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN ARMENIA
Commission and representatives from other international organizations are to
hold a round table with representatives of Armenian political parties, media
and civil society on constitutional reform.
They will discuss the proposed new constitution at a meeting in Yerevan at
4pm on Friday 30 September 2005, at the offices of the National Assembly.
This text, which was finalized by the National Assembly on 28 September, is
the result of five years of continuous efforts. It will be put to a
referendum at the end of November.
The Venice Commission considers the proposed constitution to be a decisive
step forward for a number of reasons:
* It provides a much better balance between the powers of the President and
the Parliament
* It also provides for the abolition of the death penalty and for better
recognition and protection of other human rights
* A more independent judiciary and a stronger local self-government are
among other major improvements.
The Venice Commission’s positive assessment of the draft constitution is
shared by the European Union and the OSCE. At the same time certain issues
are not considered to be addressed clearly by the current draft and the
international experts attending the round table are ready to explain how the
proposed new constitution can nevertheless provide viable solutions.
Among the Armenian participants will be representatives of civil society and
a large spectrum of political groups, including those who oppose the
referendum and who are not represented in the National Assembly.
The round table is open to the press.

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| 21:36:16 | 29-09-2005 | Official |
RA AND GEORGIAN PREMIERS MET
Today the Georgian delegation headed by Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli
arrived in Yerevan on two-day visit. The meeting of the Prime Ministers of
both states has already taken place.
The parties positively assessed the active dialogue on Georgia’s state debt
to Armenia. Andranik Margaryan expressed satisfaction with the opening of
ferry communication between the ports of Caucasus and Poti. In this context
the Armenian Prime Minister reiterated Armenia’s position on opening of the
Abkhazian sector of the Georgian railway, what in his words, will be more
efficient from economic viewpoint.
The interlocutors also touched upon the current situation in Javakhk and
stressed the importance of elaboration and implementation of programs aimed
at improvement of the social and economic situation in the region. Andranik
Margaryan confirmed the position of the RA government to cooperate with the
Georgian authorities on the issue.
The parties also touched upon the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railway, establishment of the Georgian-Armenian
University, construction of schools in Javakhk, development of cooperation
and a number of issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was followed by the fourth sitting of the Armenian-Georgian
interparliamentary commission on economic affairs.

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| 20:04:58 | 29-09-2005 | Regions |
GEGHARKUNIK PREPARING FOR LGB ELECTION
Candidates running for community head as well as those wishing to serve on
the community council have already prepared for the election to the local
self-government to be held in Gegharkunik region October 23.
Incumbent Mayor Gevorg Malkhasyan was the only to nominate for the post. The
number of candidates for the community council is 34. 4 of them represent
Republican Party of Armenia, 2 – ARFD, 5 United Labor Party, 1 – People’s
Party of Armenia, 1- Democratic Party and 21 are independent candidates, STV
1 reports.
The registration of the candidates will last September 28- October 3.

Pan Armenian News
EU-BAKU DIFFERENCES SHOULD NOT HAMPER ARMENIA’S PROMOTION
29.09.2005 07:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie, who
arrived in Armenia on a working visit, reported the Armenian MFA Press
Service. In the course of the meeting 4 directions were generally discussed:
EU-Armenia relations, Karabakh settlement process, Armenia-Turkey relations
and constitutional reforms in Armenia. The parties confirmed their
reaffirmed their determination to undertake steps to work out Armenian Plan
of Actions within the European Neighborhood Policy. It was specifically
noted that differences Azerbaijan and EU have within the framework of the
program should not hamper promotion of Armenia. Oskanian and Talvitie
exchanged opinions over the current stage and prospects of settlement of the
NK conflict. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of the
Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the talks over Turkey’s accession to
the EU. V. Oskanian and H. Talvitie indicated the importance of
constitutional reforms in Armenia, considering these a good opportunity for
development of democracy.

Pan Armenian News
BRANCH OF UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA TO OPEN IN YEREVAN
29.09.2005 05:50
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian met with Chairman of the
Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) and the World Armenian Congress Ara
Abrahamyan, reported the Press Service of the Armenian MFA. In the course of
the meeting A. Abrahamyan presented the 5-year activities of the UAR and
programs being implemented in Armenia. UAR joint programs with the National
Academy of Sciences of Armenia and Union of Writers of Armenia, as well as
numerous educational and cultural institutions were also presented. A.
Abrahamyan informed the Armenian FM that aiming at coordination of the
programs being implemented in Armenia he intends to open a branch office in
Yerevan. In his turn V. Oskanian noted the need for adjusted work of
Armenian Diaspora organizations. The parties also discussed active
participation of organizations led by A. Abrahamyan in the Armenia-Diaspora
forum, planned next year. At the instance of A. Abrahamyan V. Oskanian
briefed him on regional developments.

AZG Armenian Daily #175, 30/09/2005
Turkey-EU
ANKARA SPEAKS A LANGUAGE OF THREATS TO EU
Turkish Delegation Will Not Leave for Luxemburg if the Phrase ‘Privileged
Partnership’ Is Not Removed from Documents
Speaking about European parliament’s resolution, Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan said: “This resolution is not mandatory. No matter what
resolution they passed, we shall not renounce our stance”. The International
Herald Tribune referred yesterday sources standing close to PM Erdogan
writing that the Parliament’s resolution was in fact a sting for him despite
PM’s outwardly calm response. The paper says that Erdogan at first wanted to
boycott the negotiations.
The representatives of EU member states tried to set the format of Turkey-EU
talks in Brussels yesterday. The EU ambassadors failed to come to a
unanimous decision. Meanwhile Austria proposed the status of “privileged”
partner, which Ankara rejected. Austria’s chancellor Wolfgang Schlussel
declared yesterday that his country will agree to start negotiations for
Turkey’s full membership if the EU reopens talks with Croatia halted because
of Zagreb’s refusal to hand a war criminal over to the Court of Hague.
The Great Britain, which holds the EU presidency, confirmed yesterday that
foreign ministers will meet on Sunday. In effect, the ministers will try to
save EU-Turkey talks slated in Luxemburg, October 3.
Abdullah Gul, Turkey’s foreign minister, called his British counterpart
earlier threatening that the Turkish delegation will not leave for Luxemburg
unless final negotiation documents lay bare on the table. According to
Hurriyet, the Turks will not leave for Luxemburg if EU does not remove
“privileged partnership” wording from the documents and does not withhold
Cyprus’ right for veto on Turkey’s participation in international meetings.
The September 28 speeches at the European Parliament as well as opinion
polls in different EU countries show that the Europeans are not inclined to
accept Turkey as a full member of the European family. Most of the French,
Germans and Austrians are against Turkey’s membership and the Danes would
prefer Ukraine to agricultural, Islamic Turkey. One of Greek deputies said
in his speech: “It’s inadmissible to make a positive decision hoping that
Turkey will some day become a democratic country. Following that logic we
can admit to EU countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iran and other
undemocratic states”.
The International Herald Tribune writes that pessimism in Europe about
Turkey will deepen in near future. In case Angela Merkel wins the elections
in Germany her government will not go beyond “privileged partnership” with
Turkey. Presidential candidate in France, Nikola Sarkozy, is also against
Turkey’s membership.
By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #175, 30/09/2005
Turkish FM’s letter
TURKISH FM ABDULLAH GUL’S MESSAGE TO CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS
Turkey’s foreign minister Abdullah Gul sent a letter to the organizers of
the September 24-25 closed-door conference on Armenian issue. Bellow we
present the minister’s letter extracted from Turkish Daily News September 26
issue:
The last years of the Ottoman Empire are subject to discussion and research
in academic circles, with increased interest. Nearly every day new documents
from that era emerge and new books, articles and research papers are
published. Yet it is not possible to say that all data and documents related
to those times have been properly analyzed. With the aim of helping redress
this shortcoming, our government is in the process of taking important steps
to enable the Ottoman archives to serve researchers under modern conditions.
Our archives have begun to serve scientists through documents converted to a
digital medium since 2003. Within this context many researchers, coming from
75 different countries, have completed their research in the Ottoman
archives. These activities are ongoing. We want not only our own archives
but at the same time all other archives that will shed light on the history
of the day to be opened in an organized fashion that will serve all
researchers. We believe that deeper research into that era will bring new
historical facts to light and will facilitate an improvement in relations
between countries and peoples. Thus, we have proposed to the government of
Armenia the establishment of a historical commission between our two
countries that will research joint Turkish-Armenian history and which will
make its findings public. We hope to reach a conclusion on this subject.
The history of Turkish-Armenian relations is one of a coexistence and common
life of almost 1,000 years. During the course of this period, the Turkish
and Armenian peoples have contributed to each other’s culture, prosperity
and security. We should not ignore this reality when we examine the tragic
period when the Ottoman Empire was crumbling and the Turks and Armenians
were suffering deeply, like all other peoples of the empire.
It is a fact that in some chapters of history, or even today, some societies
cannot tolerate one other’s language, religion, identity or even very
existence. It is an unfortunate reality that such intolerance can turn into
deep-rooted and destructive ideologies or prejudices that become ingrained
in the social subconscious. Some serious and very dangerous trends, from
xenophobia to racism and from anti-Semitism to attitudes against Muslims,
are present and are on the rise today, even in societies that represent the
highest level of contemporary civilization.
It is a source of pleasure that such a psychology does not exist between the
Turks and Armenians. This also constitutes a major advantage for the future
of relations between the two peoples.
Another issue I want to draw your attention to is that many studies carried
out so far on the theme of “Ottoman-Armenians during the Breakup of the
Empire,” particularly outside Turkey, have been conducted with political
motivations in a manner inconsistent with scientific ethics and objectivity.
Regretfully, humanitarian issues have been sacrificed to political designs,
and double standards have been applied in determining and presenting human
suffering. There have been attempts to impose subjective, non-legal and
artificial claims upon Turkey and the Turkish people, with political
motivations. Furthermore, there have been situations in which some foreign
circles could not even tolerate scientific skepticism. Young generations
from all nations must know and draw lessons from the facts that during the
last years of the Ottoman Empire the imperialist-colonial powers ruthlessly
exploited peoples’ ethno-religious sensitivities for their own interests and
that some elements, knowingly or unknowingly, became instruments to these
provocations. I hope your conference will be a contribution to raising
awareness on this issue as well.
The Turkish people are at peace with themselves and with their history. The
approaches of our government and our people towards our past, including
Turkish-Armenian relations, constitute an indication of our confidence in
ourselves and our future.