OSCE.org
June 22 2005

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

OSCE Parliamentarians meet in Washington to debate international
security and human rights topics

/noticias.info/ COPENHAGEN, 22 June 2005 – Nearly 300
parliamentarians from the 55 OSCE participating States will meet in
Washington, DC, from July 1-5, to debate issues affecting the OSCE
area, including gender equality, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia
(Georgia), trafficking in human beings, and respect for human rights.

The 14th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be
addressed by senior officials including the US Secretary of State,
Condoleezza Rice, and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign
Minister Dimitrij Rupel. The current President of the Assembly is US
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings of Florida.

Coming from all parts of the OSCE, parliamentarians from North
America, Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia will meet to debate
current issues. In addition to the resolutions prepared by the
Assembly’s Rapporteurs on political, economic, environmental and
human rights issues related to the Session’s theme ’30 Years since
Helsinki: Challenges Ahead’, supplementary resolutions on specific
issues have been prepared.

Consideration will be given to topics such as piracy, trafficking in
human beings, standards of conduct by international humanitarian
workers, combating terrorism, trafficking in small arms, the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, gender equality, co-operation with
Mediterranean states, Abkhazia (Georgia), money laundering and
corruption, Moldova, anti-Semitism, election observation activities
and OSCE reform. The Final Document, to be adopted on the last day of
the meeting, will include recommendations on these and other issues.

Meeting for the first time in the United States, this will also be
the first opportunity for the OSCE parliamentarians to meet and hear
an address by the newly appointed Secretary General of the OSCE,
Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. The Assembly will also honour
Ukraine Television Channel Five with the tenth OSCE Prize for
Journalism and Democracy, to be awarded on the first day of the
Session.

The meetings of the Assembly will take place in the premises of the
JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. All documents and forms for the
Session, including press applications, resolutions and other general
information, can be found on the Assembly’s website:

The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, created by the CSCE Summit in
Paris in 1990, is the parliamentary dimension of the 55-nation
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The primary
task of the 317 member Assembly is to facilitate inter-parliamentary
dialogue, an important aspect of the overall effort to meet the
challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area.

Karabakh leader upbeat on elections despite Azeri protests

Arminfo, Yerevan
22 Jun 05

STEPANAKERT

Any elections in the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR] cause the
concern of the Baku government. Yet in spite of Azerbaijan’s protests
at the current parliamentary elections in the NKR, Azerbaijani
politicians are nevertheless closely following them, the NKR
president, Arkadiy Gukasyan, has told journalists.

The international community does not want the NKR to be a totalitarian
state, he said. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and international
observers understand that Azerbaijan has always taken a destructive
stance regarding the elections in the NKR, but for fear of worsening
relations with the Baku government, they display some formal
restraint.

The situation on the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border was calm on election
day, Gukasyan said.

He does not believe that the balance of power in the region will shift
when the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is built. He recalled that
when Azerbaijan unleashed a war against Nagornyy Karabakh, it had
hundreds of tanks, armoured vehicles and military aircraft, whereas
the defence army of the NKR had only three tanks. “However, everyone
is well aware of the outcome of that war,” Gukasyan said. He added
that the basis of the victory of the Karabakh people was that they
realized their goals.

“We live in our land and we know very well what we are defending,
which cannot be said for the most of the Azerbaijani soldiers,” he
said. The NKR is ready for any challenge. “We know perfectly well that
a long and difficult road awaits us on the path towards the
recognition and confirmation of our independence,” Gukasyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005

Turkey-Armenia

‘BORDER WITH ARMENIA SHOULD OPEN’

European Commission Warns Turkey

On June 22, Turkish public television and press informed that the European
Commission warned Turkey to open its border with Armenia. The warning
concerning Armenian issues came from European Enlargement Commissioner Oli
Ren who backs Turkey’s accession to EU.

Answering parliamentarians’ questions at the Commission for External
Relations, Oli Ren said, “I think the Turkish government should open border
with Armenia. That’s important”. Meanwhile, he positively assessed Turkish
prime minister’s proposal of a “joint group of historians from both
countries” and pointed out that the European Commission attaches special
importance to implementation of laws on freedom of speech, national
minorities and laws on estate.

“I sent a written appeal to foreign minister Abdullah Gul two days ago
concerning these laws. We think the present draft laws are insufficient. We
demanded that they revise them. If there are still derelictions, we’ll have
to take appropriate steps”.

By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005

Region-OSCE

CO-CHAIRS AWAITED IN JULY

On July 10-11, the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen will arrive in Azerbaijan,
Turan agency quoted Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister, Araz Azimov, as
saying. Reportedly, he said that the co-chairs will leave Baku for Yerevan.
The regular meeting of foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will
follow and in August the heads of the states will meet in Kazan, Russia, on
the sidelines of CIS summit. Azimov thinks that it is necessary to proceed
from one-day meetings of the presidents to long-term negotiations of experts
aiming at working out the texts of concrete issues.

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005

Armenian Genocide

THOSE DENYING THE GENOCIDE TO FACE TRIAL

German-Armenian lawyer Stepan Tashchian submitted a petition to start a
legal action against Berlin’s Turkish community. Tashchian said over the
phone that during the rally in central Berlin on June 19 (German public TV
counted 1.500 participants) the protesters carried insulting banners,
distributed leaflets urging not to distort history and chanted that what
happened to Armenians in 1915 was not a genocide as it was not organized by
the state, thus it cannot be defined as genocide. This very statement made
Tashchian turn to the police official supervising the rally. Allegedly the
trial will begin in 2-3 months. The 130th article of German Penal Code and
the 189th article of Civil Code administers punishment and fine for the
aforesaid actions, Stepan Tashchian said.

By Anahit Hovsepian in Germany

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005

Armenian Genocide

PAVILION DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT OSLO GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Milliyet wrote in its June 22 that Holocaust and Religious Minorities Center
and History Chair of the Bergen University, led by professor Odd-Bjorn Fure
established Genocide Museum in Oslo, Norway. The newspaper informed that
besides the Holocaust, the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and the Balkan
Mountains, the museum also has separate pavilion dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide in 1915. Moreover, the museum will be officially opened on August
30, on the Victory Day celebrated in Turkey.

According to Milliyet, learning about the pavilion of the Armenian Genocide
in the Oslo Genocide Museum, Abdullah Gul, Turkish foreign minister, and Ali
Taygun, head of Department, applied to Kim Traavik, state secretary at the
Foreign Ministry of Norway, who pays a working visit to Ankara. “You should
know that the museum is a great insult for our people. We expect that it’s
opening will be hindered,” the Turkish officials warned. In response, The
Norwegian State Secretary said the following: “The museum will be opened not
by the state assistance, but at private initiative. We can’t interfere as
members of government.”

By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005

Court

TRIAL OVER MAZIYEV CONTINUES

The 3d sitting of the court acknowledged material evidence against Andrey
Maziyev charged with spying for Azerbaijan.

The 4th sitting of the court yesterday made public additional materials on
the case, documents, particularly Maziyev’s application for Azeri passport,
the protocol of his apartment’s search, calligraphic analysis of the
defendant’s autobiography and Maziyev’s political and social portrait.

After the statements of the accuser, judge Tigran Petrosian closed the
sitting. The sides will deliver their speeches at the next sitting on June
24.

By Gohar Gevorgian

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05

The parliamentary election in NKR took place. The high turnout of
voters proved that promotion of democracy in the country is going
on. On the day of the election we visited several polling stations.
The voters were obviously active. At the polling station 4/4 in
Stepanakert no irregularities were reported by the proxies and
observers. Like in the previous elections there were problems with the
electoral registers; many voters did not find their names on the
rolls. They were allowed to vote only after going through the
procedure of registering. The international observers did not report
any particular irregularities either (they preferred to state their
opinions after the polls). Certain observers, for example, Pascal
Bockers, refused to give an interview. From his words it was felt that
he feared his comments could cause problems with Azerbaijan. There was
a high turnout of voters at the polling station 1/1 in Stepanakert.
There was a big group of observers and journalists there. The head of
state and his wife were voting in this polling station. President
Arkady Ghukassian said that hopefully all the problems and tensions of
the campaign were behind, and the election would pass in accordance
with the law. We have to think more about the ideas and goals which
unite us and not the ones which divide, he said. According to the
president, taking into account the attitude of Azerbaijan towards any
event in Karabakh and avoiding complicated relationships with
Azerbaijan, the observers are somewhat reserved in expressing their
opinions. But A. Ghukassian believes that they are attentively
following the polls. A lot depends on this election. The mediators
know that the alternative to the election is the totalitarian regime
(naturally, they are not interested in establishing a totalitarian
regime here). There is no alternative to our elections. The formal
discretion of the co-chairs and the international observers are, in my
opinion, determined by the wish of not spoiling relationships with
Azerbaijan, said the president of NKR. The head of state shares the
opinion that the presidential election 2005 will be important for the
settlement of the Karabakh issue. Today we must prove that we are a
democratic state and differ from totalitarian Azerbaijan. And
democratic Karabakh has no place in the totalitarian republic of
Azerbaijan, he said. The journalists were interested to know the
attitude of A. Ghukassian toward the opposition. He said he is for
constructive opposition, for there is no development without
opposition. The head of state expressed commitment to cooperate with
the opposition in case it wins the polls, adding that he is ready for
constructive cooperation with any force. In reference to the
statements of Azerbaijan on promoting dialogue between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani communities A. Ghukassian said Karabakh is ready for
any kinds of relationships with Azerbaijan, but Azerbaijan should
first organize such meetings with the Greek, Ukrainian, Russian and
Portuguese communities in Karabakh. I approve all kinds of
relationships but creating an illusion that Karabakh is not a conflict
party but a mere community (which Azerbaijan is attempting to do)
which must set up relationships with another community is not a
serious step. This proves the unserious approach of Azerbaijan.

Reluctant to negotiate with Karabakh, they delay the resolution of
many problems that worry people. Generally, I do not see any problems
in setting up relationships. On June 19th the speaker of the National
Assembly of NKR Oleg Yessayan voted at the electoral district 5 in
Stepanakert. Then he met with the journalists. Mr. Yessayan, what are
your expectations from the new parliament? O.Yessayan: Great will and
seriousness is what we expect from the parliament of the fourth
convocation. I say this also in the name of the parliament. We will be
pleased if in five years our colleagues of the parliament of the
fourth convocation report that they have outdone the activities of the
National Assembly in all aspects. This will be genuine evidence to the
progress of our country, the people and the authorities. Why arent you
standing for parliament this time? O.Y.: This time I take part in the
election as a voter. I do not want to give different answers to this
question because I was already asked the question. The parliament in
Karabakh is 14 years old, and I have been in the parliament for 12
years. I think this is enough for one and it is time to occupy myself
with something else and let other people work. What are, in your
opinion as an experienced parliamentarian, the priorities of the
parliament? O.Y.: The activity of the parliament is enclosed in the
circle of its jurisdiction, maintained by legislation. First of all, a
large number of laws have been enacted in the country and, thanks God,
in our country the laws perform their role, revealing the drawbacks of
the existing legislation and existing laws, because a law which is not
applied has no disadvantages. Therefore, I think, one of the main
activities of our colleagues will be adopting amendments to the
existing legislation. We have many laws to which dozens of amendments
were adopted. I think it is time to adopt the revised projects of
these laws. Of course, the other direction will be the adoption of new
laws. Finally, one cannot say that the entire system of public,
political, social and economic relationships has been regulated. New
laws need to be adopted. Naturally, one of the main functions of the
new parliament is parliamentary control. I think everybody realizes
the importance of raising it to a higher level. Were there
irregularities in the election campaign? I do not have any information
because I am not running for parliament myself. At least, the
parliament did not receive complaints. But if there are such problems,
I believe, these will be discussed at the meetings of parliament by
the political forces and the authorities. If we say that the
authorities are responsible for fair and transparent elections, why
not say then that they are interested in it most of all. Will your
further activities be connected with Artsakh? O.Y.: Several days ago I
would have given a different answer. But there is already the decree
of the president of the Republic of Armenia; I think, I will deal with
politics to the extent determined by my occupation. As a native of
Karabakh I have never placed Karabakh Armenians above other Armenians
living in other places but I have always been proud to be a native of
Karabakh. At least, from this point of view I will always be concerned
about Karabakh. At 11.30 the prime minister of NKR Anoushavan
Danielian came to vote at the polling station 4/4. A. Danielian
described the election as one of the best elections held in the
post-Soviet space. The flow of people to polling stations early in the
morning, according to him, means that the people and the authorities
are united by the idea of having a democratic independent state and
aspire to achieve this goal. The event is truly historical; it is an
important step towards a free, independent and democratic state. I
have already talked to international observers and I think their
evaluation of the election will be high. This is one of the best
elections held in the post-Soviet space. We have done our best to
achieve such results, he said. The prime minister is optimistic about
the next parliament.

AA.
22-06-2005

DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS BEING STRENGTHENED

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05

On the eve of the parliamentary election the representatives of the
mass media of Nagorno Karabakh met with the observers of the British
Helsinki Human Rights Group and other monitoring missions at the Press
Centre of the Central Election Committee. The meeting was special
because instead of the journalists asking questions the international
observers asked questions to the representatives of the official
newspaper Azat Artsakh, and the newspapers Demo and Aparazh to find
out their standpoint concerning the parliamentary election. All the
previous elections in Karabakh presidential, parliamentary, local were
held on a high level, which allows to hope that the results of this
election will be reassuring as well. The fact that there are observers
from different countries of the world to monitor the parliamentary
election proves once again that strengthening of democratic
institutions in Karabakh is going on, and on the other hand, the
interest of the world towards Nagorno Karabakh is increasing, said the
representative of Azat Artsakh, adding that hopefully after the
election the international community will take definite steps to
recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. The international
community will, indeed, take into consideration the opinion of
Karabakh and finally become convinced that Karabakh is not part of
Azerbaijan but an independent entity, a newly independent state with
all the typical attributes, said the journalist. He also informed that
as a journalist he visited the electoral districts of the regions of
Hadrut, Martakert, Martuni with the chairman of the Central Election
Committee. My impression was that the preparation work in the
electoral districts was highly organized. No irregularities were
reported, and from the talks with the voters one felt that they would
be active at the parliamentary election, said the representative of
AA, adding that the people of Artsakh are politically mature people
and, therefore will make the right choice, proving by their votes that
they are the real masters of NKR. The representatives of the
oppositionist press mentioned about irregularities in the election
campaign, and certain candidates involved in bribery. In answer to the
question of the observers if AA had received complaints from
candidates or voters about irregularities, the representative of the
official newspaper said AA had received no complaints.

AA.
22-06-2005

INTERVIEW WITH THE OBSERVER

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05

The head of the Chair of Armenian Language and Literature of Tehran
University Andranik Simonian was invited to Nagorno Karabakh to
monitor the election. After the polls we had a talk with him. N.O.: Mr
Simonian, first of all, I would like to know your point of view about
the parliamentary election, an important political event for Nagorno
Karabakh. Andranik Simonian: This is Artsakh, therefore, everything
should be perfect here. I am in Karabakh as an observer, and being an
observer means assuming moral responsibility for this extremely
important political event. That is to say, when observing
irregularities he or she must point them out. But I did not come
across such cases. Why? It is not through mistakes that the people of
Artsakh have gained independence now. I am happy to have participated
in such an important event for the people of Artsakh, and I hope that
the candidates to parliament, independent of which party they belong
to, will place the interests of Artsakh above all. I wish the heroic
people peaceful life. N.O.: Will, in your opinion, the attitude of the
international community towards Karabakh change after the election?
Can this election act as an incentive for the international community
to recognize Karabakh? A.S.: The tendency of the 21st century is that
the world live a peaceful life; it is also felt that the small peoples
with no rights are able to stand up for their rights. The people of
Artsakh are already self-determined, and have achieved what they
aspired to. That is to say, there is no need to serve anything to
Artsakh on the tray. The problem is that these small highlands want
the world to recognize its achievement. And this will take time. It
does not matter that the recognition is late; this will not change
anything for the Artsakh people. Today there are observers from many
countries here. Here are my colleagues who work for scientific
research institutes. Most probably they will present their reports on
the results of the elections in the form of scientific works. As a
result we will achieve the ratification of the act of recognition of
Karabakh. N.O.: Is this your first visit to Karabakh? A.S.: No, I have
been here for several times. For the first time I traveled to Artsakh
with my wife, child and friends to participate in the ceremony of
opening of the monument to Monteh Melkonian. Monteh was my close
friend; in Yerevan we lived in the same house. He used to persuade me
to come to Karabakh but I was very busy and could not come. After his
death I travel to Artsakh often. This is a special occasion, a special
day and atmosphere. Stepanakert is flourishing and prospering, life is
in full swing. That there are controversies in the election programmes
means that the Artsakh people are politically mature. Why not, let the
candidates have different programmes, oppose to one another,
dispute. Let the person win who tells the truth, has a clear programme
and has a clear vision of prospects for its realization. Let the
people win.

NVARD OHANJANIAN.
22-06-2005