Turkey: EU Enlargement Commissioner Says Talks Must Not Be Delayed
By Ahto Lobjakas
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Tuesday, 13 September 2005
(AFP)
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told the European Parliament’s
Foreign Relations Committee today that Turkey has cleared all hurdles
necessary to start accession talks on 3 October, as planned. However,
he said EU member states, which must make the final decision on
Turkey’s eventual EU membership, are still hotly debating the issue. A
key point in this debate is when and if Turkey should recognize the
Greek government of divided Cyprus, an EU member.
Brussels, 13 September 2005 (RFE/RL) — Commissioner Rehn repeated his
long-held view that the EU has no grounds to delay launching accession
talks with Turkey.
He said EU member states gave Turkey two conditions at a summit last
December, both of which Ankara has now fulfilled.
`There was a unanimous decision by the European Council that they
expected Turkey to fulfill two conditions: the entry into force of the
six pieces of legislation that were essential for the legal and
political [accession] criteria, and the signature by Turkey of the
adaptation protocol of the Ankara agreement [creating a customs union
with the EU] knowing that this would not amount to an explicit, formal
recognition [of Cyprus]. These two conditions are now met,’ Rehn said.
However, Rehn conceded that EU member states are still locked in what
he described as `heated’ debates. These are expected to culminate in
an unscheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on 26
September.
Before negotiations can start with Turkey, the EU must adopt two key
documents.
One is the so-called `negotiating mandate’ allowing the European
Commission to start talks. The other is a `counter-declaration’ to a
statement last July in which Turkey said its extension of the existing
customs union with the EU — the so-called Ankara Protocol — to the
10 new EU members does not amount to a recognition of Greek Cyprus.
A previous draft of the counter-declaration urged Turkey to normalize
its relations with Nicosia. Turkey is the only country to formally
acknowledge the Turkish side of Cyprus as an independent state.
The wording of these two EU documents will be crucial. Diplomats in
Brussels say the EU’s British presidency has struck a deal with France
effectively removing the threat of a formal EU stipulation that the
talks could lead to a `privileged partnership’ rather than full
membership.
Rehn today sought to allay the latent anxiety many member states feel
about the long-term consequences of Turkish membership. He noted that
as all member states need to unanimously approve all of the 35
chapters into which accession talks have been divided, opportunities
to put a brake on the process abound.
`The member states will have to approve unanimously all the documents
[concerning] the negotiations on each and every chapter. That means
that there will be 35 decisions to be taken concerning the opening of
chapters and 35 decisions concerning the closing of chapters, and
perhaps in 10 or 15 years’ [time] a decision concerning the possible
closing of negotiations. This means that after the opening of the
negotiations has been decided there will be all together 71
`veto-points’ for each member state,’ Rehn said.
Rehn said some EU policy areas would remain closed for Turkey, while
permanent safeguard measures would be put in place to block
immigration from the country. Also, he said, Turkey would be subject
to rigorous monitoring by the European Commission. The commission is
issuing annual `progress reports,’ the next of which is due on 9
November.
However, Cyprus remains a stumbling block. Turkey’s overt repetition
of the fact it does not recognize Cyprus continues to raise hackles in
the EU. To add insult to injury, Turkey also refuses to implement the
extended customs union with the EU when it comes to Cyprus. Its ports
and airports remain closed to Cypriot boats and planes.
The Cypriot government today warned it is ready to veto the start of
accession talks with Turkey.
Rehn sought to steer a cautious course. He said the issues with Cyprus
do not have to be resolved before 3 October. He said Turkey would be
forced to accept Cypriot transport or find itself unable to end talks
on some chapters.
Rehn said it is `evident’ Turkey must recognize Cyprus by the time it
accedes to the EU.
But Rehn also sought to pressure Cyprus. He noted that it was the
Greek part of Cyprus that voted down a UN compromise last year in a
referendum. Had they not done so, Rehn noted, the problem of
recognition would not exist today.
He obliquely criticized Cyprus for single-handedly blocking an EU aid
package to the Turkish part of Cyprus worth hundreds of millions of
euros.
`It is regrettable that those who have in fact suffered from the
current situation are in the first place the Turkish Cypriot
community, because regardless of our decisions more than a year ago,
we have not been able to provide the package on financial assistance
and direct trade, which would help in ending the economic isolation of
the northern part of Cyprus and enhancing economic development and
trade relations in that part of the island — which is also necessary
to facilitate a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus,’ Rehn said.
Currently, the EU views northern Cyprus as EU territory where EU laws
are suspended.
Responding to criticism voiced by some European Parliament deputies
today, Rehn said the recent indictment in Turkey of the celebrated
author Orhan Pamuk is `clearly in breach of the principles of the
European Convention on Human Rights.’
Pamuk was indicted earlier this month after he spoke of the `genocide’
of Turkey’s Armenian population during World War I. A prosecutor in
Istanbul said his remarks amounted to a “public denigration” of
Turkish identity.
Rehn said the decision by an Istanbul district judge to set 16
December as the trial date is a `provocation’ — as it was on that day
last year that the EU summit decided to authorize accession talks with
Turkey.

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.
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CONFLICTS
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ARMENIAN AND OSSETIAN KIDNAPPED IN JAVA NEIGHBORHOOD
————————————- —————————————
Source: `Alia’ newspaper (Georgia) [September 12, 2005]
Author:

In Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, two residents of Vladikavkaz were
kidnapped – one of them Ossetian, the other one Armenian. As reported
by regional police of Shida Kartly, relatives and friends of
Khachapuridze brothers, kidnapped in Tskhinvali two months ago, are
involved in this kidnapping.
The crime was committed in the Big Liakhv gorge. The perpetrators
stopped the car and detained the five people inside. `Due to timely
interference of the Georgian police, three hostages got an immediate
release; negotiations are conducted on the liberation of the rest. By
their actions, the relatives and friends of the kidnapped
Khachapuridze are trying to get attention of the authorities in
Tskhinvali and Tbilisi. They demand official declaration of their
relatives’ fate’, regional police department informed `Alia’.
Further on, staff of Georgian peacekeeping battalion interfered. As
reported by battalion commander Mamuka Kurashvili, the negotiations
with the kidnappers were a success – release of both kidnapped did not
face any problems or preconditions. `We still have no information on
the Khachapuridze brothers missing for two months’, Kurashvili said.
Later on, for unknown reasons Minister of Interior of self-proclaimed
South Ossetia Republic, Mikhail Mindzaev refuted the information that
there was an Armenian among the kidnapped. According to him, the
majority of the passengers appeared to be citizens of
Azerbaijan. `When the kidnappers found it out, they released them. The
crime was committed half a kilometer away from Kurta village police
department. As soon as we were informed about the crime, we
immediately contacted Kurta police department and notified the
law-and-order bodies of Gori region, and the people were released’,
Mindzaev stated. He put emphasis on the fact that quick operations on
release of the hostages were due to coordinated and simultaneous
activity of the Georgian and South Ossetian law-and-order
bodies. `Recently cooperation of the law-and-order bodies assumed
efficiency necessary in the conflict zone. The Georgian and Ossetian
bodies launched several successful operations’, Mindzaev emphasized.
RUPEL LEFT – THE `MESSAGE’ STAYED
—————————————————————————-
Source: “Novoye Vremya” newspaper (Armenia) [September 08, 2005]
Author: Sergey Shakariants

Blitz visits of OSCE Chairman-in-office Slovenian Dimitrij Rupel to
the capitals of Azerbaijan and Armenia showed that nothing is likely
to change in the conflict settlement process for the time to come.
If we compare the statements of Slovenian Foreign Minister, made in
Baku and Yerevan, his words about `an open message from Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev’ attracted attention. This statement of Rupel
extremely surprised the Azerbaijani political elite. Baku started
`fortune-telling on coffee ground’ as to the possible content of
I. Aliev’s confidential message to his Armenian colleague. It should
be noted that there might be two basic opinions `developed’ around the
same idea. The idea is the following: I. Aliev allegedly offered open
`bargaining’ to R. Kocharian. Further on we come to nuances. The
proponents of the first viewpoint are confident that `the bargaining’
is around the ideas of political nature, the supporters of the second
one hold that I. Aliev again offered Armenia to `forget its
principles’ for economy reasons (more precisely, communication,
particularly `agreement’ of Baku not to build Kars-Akhalkalak
railway…) at the expense of MKR independence and political interests
of Transcaucasus Armenians…
By the way, Azerbaijan noted with regard to Mr. Rupel’s statement
about `open message’ that after the negotiations with Aliev in Baku,
OSCE Chairman-in-office did not imply anything of the sort. Further
on, there is a usual reference of Azerbaijani media to the fact that
one more representative of the European structures promised a
resolution of the conflict `in accordance with the principle of
territorial integrity and the peoples right for self-determination – I
do not see a principle contradiction here, however the details should
be worked out’. In Yerevan, D. Rupel added one more phrase to this
statement, `Today these two principles may be accorded’. Well, we
cannot but agree with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who
noted after the meeting with D. Rupel, `I do not want to publicize the
details, however I may confirm Dimitrij Rupel’s words that common
ground emerges on principle issues. I cannot concretize which ones but
still they are in place. As you know, the devil is in the
details. When Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan start
discussing the details, we may possibly face serious obstacles’. The
Devil really hides his `plots’ in the small points – the details, the
concrete. However as you remember, all the sides, both conflicting and
`interested’ parties, are persistently silent about the details.
It is a fact that on September 6, D. Rupel was received by our
President. In the course of the meeting, issues of the negotiations on
conflict settlement process and its current stage were
discussed. However, no details were reported to Armenian media on the
transfer of the same I. Aliev’s `open message’ by OSCE
Chairman-in-office to R. Kocharian. Is there any such `message’ at
all? In fact, now we will not try to find out if the Azerbaijani
President wrote anything to Yerevan, and even if he did what it
actually was, to be on the hot trail. We better pay attention to the
response of MKR President A.Ghukasian. At a quite late hour on
September 5 after his meeting with D. Rupel, the Artsakh leader
specially emphasized that he does not view the prospects for conflict
resolution in the course of 2005 as realistic. `There are still many
issues to be agreed upon’, Head of MKR stated. Alongside this, he gave
a positive assessment of the fact that official Baku `speaks of
referendum and Mountainous Karabagh status’. According to Ghukasian,
previously Azerbaijan did not raise these issues. `Today, Azerbaijan
works in a more constructive plane, however, no tangible progress is
still visible’. Meanwhile, A. Ghukasian once again reminded that the
meetings on the level of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents, also
Foreign Ministers of these two countries are unable to replace the
format of OSCE Minsk Group that implies participation of Stepanakert
representatives in the negotiations. Giving a positive assessment of
any contacts between the heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan, President of
MKR emphasized, `Without participation of Mountainous Karabagh, it is
hard to resolve the issue of Mountainous Karabagh. The fact that OSCE
holds meetings with the authorities of Mountainous Karabagh means that
we are a part of this format’. Finally, he informed Armenian media
that he got the attention of OSCE Head to `the militaristic statements
of Azerbaijani President’. `I think Aliev thus resolves internal
political problems, but on the other hand, it does not impede the
general process, since by the solution of internal problems, Aliev
falls captive to his own statements’, Ghukasian noted. `To resolve the
conflict, the sides should take a certain risk – to give up something
for another. Today Azerbaijan is not ready to such risks. They think
they can get anything, but it is impossible’.
Raising the assumption that the MKR status may be a `step below
independence’, A. Ghukasian replied, `I do not even imagine such an
option – it is equal to being half pregnant’.
However, now it is a fact that in a number of cases the political
domain does not only accept the possibility of being `half pregnant’
but even welcomes and encourages the intentions of those who agree to
admit of such nonsense. There may be numerous examples in
international politics of the recent years – no hurry no `fuss’, etc.
Now about the current concerns. `We realize that unpopular decisions
may be taken. However, these unpopular decisions should concern all –
not only us. We are ready to go our part of the way if Azerbaijan does
the same’, Ghukasian stated. Answering the question what may become an
unpopular decision for Artsakh people, Ghukasian stated, `Today
Mountainous Karabagh has a category of people for whom even
negotiations with Azerbaijan are unpopular’.
Truly, isn’t it the time for us to understand what `unpopular
decisions’ are? In other words, it is time for Armenian and MKR public
to voice, primarily with respect to the reaction of the international
community, what is the limit of compromise for Armenian sides in the
settlement process.
To take up V. Oskanian’s assessment of D. Rupel’s visit to the region,
Armenian Foreign Minister noted that in the negotiations the
Azerbaijani and Armenian sides show equal willingness to
compromise. At the same time he noted, `We cannot discuss options that
fail to ensure the right of Mountainous Karabagh people for
self-determination’. This idea is immediately related to the thesis on
popular and unpopular decisions. In our opinion, today we cannot
ensure a possibility to factually postpone the negotiation process for
8-9 years. Yerevan and Stepanakert are not only to publicly declare
but also to prove through all concrete foreign policy steps to various
international structures that the right of Artsakh people for
self-determination is understood and interpreted only as a large-scale
and full recognition of the fact of MKR independence – with all the
political and legal consequences that ensue.
===========================================================================
REGION
===========================================================================
NOTORIOUS `DARK POWERS’
—————————————— ———————————-
Source: “Zerkalo” newspaper (Azerbaijan) [September 08, 2005]
Author: M. Yasharoglu

The Georgian authorities see them looming behind the fair demands of
our countrymen
Georgian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurab Gumberidze stated yesterday
in his interview to ANS TV, `Official Tbilisi puts emphasis on the
issues related to the situation of Azerbaijani community in
Georgia’. `It is important that no forces lie behind the protest
actions, in this case the problems of Azerbaijanis in Georgia will
finally be solved”, the Georgian diplomat stated. He noted that if the
demands of the residents of Kvemo-Kartly region are objective in
nature and this issue is not instigated by media to harm interstate
relations, the problems will be much easier to solve. “In any case,
the Georgian side will take all necessary measures to this effect’,
Z. Gumberidze emphasized.
Meanwhile, in the conversation with `Zerkalo’ correspondent, leader of
`Heyrat’ movement Alibala Askerov qualified the statement of the
Ambassador as `unclear’. He noted that after Mikhail Sahakashvili’s
accession, the situation of Azerbaijanis did not improve; on the
contrary it grew worse, despite the fact that Azerbaijan and Georgia
are strategic partners.
A. Askerov expressed his opinion also over the remark of the Georgian
Ambassador that `it is important that no forces lie behind the protest
actions’. `I may state we have no one standing up for us, Georgian
Azerbaijanis, except ourselves. I do not understand implications about
`any forces’. Since independence, the Georgian authorities have never
heard the Azerbaijanis in Georgia even hint to separatist
intentions. We, Azerbaijanis, have always supported the Georgian
authorities and statehood of the country. The conducted elections are
a proof of that’, A. Askerov stated.
In his opinion, each new authority in Georgia gave empty promises to
Azerbaijanis, so it is not surprising that they should have come to
the limit of their trust. The new Georgian Law `On land’ aggravated
the concerns of Azerbaijanis still more. A. Askerov thinks that the
Georgian authorities should understand that until Georgian citizens –
Azerbaijanis – own their land, the discontent will steadily grow.
“Today, the basic employment sphere of Azerbaijanis is the
land. However, the new law stipulates that Azerbaijanis residing in
Georgia are not eligible to own it. Moreover, the land for purchase
will primarily be suggested to its current tenants. It means that 70%
of the population without land will still be deprived of it. Moreover,
the nationalistic forces of Georgia will not allow an Azerbaijani to
own land. For instance, in the Bolnis region, agreements between the
state and the tenants were annulled unilaterally. Later, small
organizations, administered by the Georgians, were set up. That is,
Azerbaijanis did not gain anything from the so-called reform. I am
confident that Ambassador Gumberidze is aware of that but he tries to
shift the responsibility on some unknown forces’, the speaker stated,
adding that `Sahakashvili’s revolution’ has not yet led to general
improvement of the country’s economy and employment situation.
In his opinion, the fate of Georgia is now in the hands of large clans
in power. `For two years, not a single cent was invested in the
regions populated by Azerbaijanis. There is not a semblance of
conducting regional economic projects’, A. Askerov asserts.
Head of `Heyrat’ also expressed his position on the incident of the
disappearance of aksakal of Sadahli village hadji Sadraddin Palangov,
also known as Mullah Gara. To remind, several months ago Mullah Gara
disappeared under strange circumstances. `Tension in Sadahli village
is still preserved, though the Georgian law-and-order bodies, zealous
at the start, have lost their interest in the investigation. We are
told that investigation is still underway but it strongly reminds
sheer disregard. How often should people assemble in front of village
administration?’ A. Askerov wonders.
He thinks that our countrymen in Georgia do not demand `bread’ from
Azerbaijani authorities. `We are just asking moral support for the
Georgian officials to feel the state stands up for them. It will goad
them into solving our problems through action and not empty talk’, he
noted.
A. Askerov holds that the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Georgia
started since this country’s independence, having increased in the
past two years. `There are villages with dozens of people, even whole
families leaving in search of a job. They make their daily living not
only in Russia but also in Azerbaijan with its own refugees’, the
community leader noted with concern.
At the same time, the Georgian authorities apply double standards
towards Azerbaijanis. For instance, he, being a citizen of Georgia,
may easily cross the border with Armenia. Meanwhile, on the border
with Azerbaijan there is a mass of artificially created problems with
the customs, frontier guards and police. Besides, the Georgian
authorities invest much more money in restoration of
Samtskhe-Javakhetia region, where Armenians live, and totally ignore
the territories populated by Azerbaijanis.
‘This is so-called current reality of the Azerbaijanis residing in
Georgia. If our countries are strategic partners, we have the right to
ask the Azerbaijani authorities what is this notorious `strategic
partnership’ all about? May be through the assistance of chauvinistic
circles of Georgia, it is all about setting of unbearable conditions
for Azerbaijanis residents’, A. Askerov asked a rhetoric question in
conclusion.
Well, the situation described by A. Askerov is quite `vivid’. We have
to express regret over the fact that representatives of official
Tbilisi have not yet clarified who stands behind the demands of the
Georgian citizens of Azerbaijani nationality. May be it is time to do
it alongside finding out what is the reason for such an attitude to
the Georgian citizens of Azerbaijani nationality?
Herein, I would like to remind the words recently addressed to `Trend’
agency by Chairman of State Committee of work with the Azerbaijanis
living abroad, Nazim Ibragimov about the problems of Azerbaijanis in
Georgia. In his opinion, they are multilateral. `Part of the problems
is conditioned by social-economic situation, and this should be
naturally accepted. However, there are problems raised by quite
different factors. Azerbaijanis clashed with unfair attitude to them
like land division, serious deficiencies in education, their
representation in the governing structures, law and order system. Al
this certainly raises discontent and sets the impression that the
Georgian authorities conduct a policy of national discrimination”,
N. Ibragimov noted. Head of the State Committee also expressed hope
that the Georgian authorities will consider this issue and solve the
problems of our countrymen in complex.
On our behalf, we will add that Azerbaijanis living in Georgia cherish
the same hopes. However, to prove the fairness of their demands, first
and foremost they will have to prove they are `non-politicized’.
===========================================================================
NEIGHBOURS
===========================================================================
TURKICIZATION OF TURKEY: INTO THE WEST
——————————————— ——————————-
Source: “Radikal” newspaper (Turkey) [September 08, 2005]
Author: Ismet Berkan

We often use the same method of defense: when the French put on the
agenda the issue of Armenian Genocide, we point to Algeria. When the
Americans do it, we answer, `What about your attitude to the Indians?’
At the same time, we ignore one more circumstance. All the countries
we ask for counter-explanation are not silent about these events –
they freely discuss them, whereas those bringing their apologies for
the past do not face the threat of death or imprisonment.
What is happening in Turkey? Of all the shameful events of the past,
relatively calm we may speak only about September 6-7 (on September
6-7, 1995 there were Armenian and Greek massacres in Istanbul – Ed.)
. However, we could not even get over the photo exhibition devoted to
the fiftieth anniversary of these events. The left fascists first
launched protest actions, and then right fascists protested the
exhibition. The latter ones were not satisfied with the action and
crashed the show room.
Recently I overheard the conversation of a group of my colleagues in
the editorial office. They discussed `Into the West’ series now shown
on CNBC. One of them said, `That’s how the Indians were massacred!’
Today in US it is not accepted to call this ethnic group `Indians’ or
`red-skinned’. The phrase `native Americans’ is considered most
proper. It is common knowledge that the people we call Americans
originated as a result of the migration of Western Europeans to North
America. The series is mostly about colonization of the state of
California, the history of those who reached the western coast
starting their journey from the Eastern… We, the Turks, also came to
the West from the East. Our presence in Anatolia does not yet count a
thousand years.
Long before us, Anatolia was populated by other peoples. Certainly,
the history of Armenians and Greeks has started from ancient times on
these lands. When Aya Sophia cathedral was being built, our ancestors
were still in the process of settling around Central Asia.
In contrast to Americans, we did not exterminate the peoples
populating the region; we lived and even assimilated with them. This
merging lasted till the emergence of nationalism. It is notable that
nationalism originated with the Turks much later than with other
peoples of Anatolia.
For Turkey, the basic and biggest problem of turkicization is its
duration, which is uncertain. Everyday we come across many people for
whom the process of turkicization is justified and essential. Because
of this, we cannot make ourselves face the past, accepting its
mistakes. It is impossible to become a great nation without it.
We may write in the Constitution that `nation is an indivisible
whole’, however the nation itself doubts it, looking for traitors
inside. Before we have thought about facing history on September 6-7,
there come people who disappoint us with their actions.
***************************************************************************
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Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
September 13, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY ARAMAC ACTIVISTS URGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT ARMENIAN ISSUES
Washington, DC – In a push to increase House and Senate support for
Armenian issues, Assembly grassroots activists met with several
lawmakers in their home districts during the month-long congressional
summer recess.

Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue and Western Office
Director Lena Kaimian led community meetings in California, Colorado,
Illinois, Minnesota and New York to encourage legislators there to
support the pan-Armenian genocide resolution, as well as legislation
that would bar U.S. funding for a railroad connecting Turkey, Georgia
and Azerbaijan.
Beginning in California on August 4, activists met with Armenian
Caucus Member Rep. Joseph Baca (D-CA). The Assembly delegation briefed
Baca on current legislation and encouraged his future involvement on
community issues. As a result of the meeting, Baca agreed to
cosponsor both the Armenian Genocide resolution and the rail measure.
The following week, Kaimian had an hour-long meeting with
newly-elected Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) to urge him to join the Caucus
while Hiteshue and activists met with Armenian Caucus Member
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and her staff. The group thanked the
Congresswoman for backing the Armenian Genocide resolution,
H. Res. 316, which would reaffirm the U.S. record on the crime against
humanity.
“The Congresswoman once again pledged her support for reaffirmation of
the Armenian Genocide and her desire to continue strengthening ties
between the U.S. and Armenia,” said ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota
Lou Ann Matossian who participated in the meeting. “Congresswoman
McCollum has been a great friend of the Armenian community in our
state.”
Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian also led a community
meeting with Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), who agreed to cosponsor
the Armenian Genocide resolution at the group’s request.
Assembly activists also met with Representatives Susan Davis (D-CA)
and Gary Miller (R-CA), as well as staff members from the offices of:
Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Barack Obama (D-IL) and
Representatives Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Rahm Emanuel
(D-IL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), John Salazar (D-CO), Thomas Tancredo
(R-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO). Armenians of Colorado joined the
Assembly delegation for meetings in their state.
In conjunction with the district meetings, ARAMAC held a Midwest
Regional Issue Briefing and Advocacy Workshop on August 20 at
St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul, MN. Board of Directors Vice
Chair Lisa Esayian shared with participants her impressions of Armenia
from her recent trip and discussed the importance of grassroots
advocacy. Hiteshue also led a workshop on increasing the Assembly’s
outreach efforts in the Midwest. Kansas State Chair Alex Kotoyantz,
along with ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian and Vice
Chair Aram Desteian, were among the participants.
On August 23, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown, and
her husband Stanley, hosted a reception for community activists at
their Boulder, CO home. The event included a legislative update from
Kaimian.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2005-088
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
CAPTION: L to R: ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian,
Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Associate
Trustee Kathy Cafesjian Baradaran, Representative Betty McCollum
(D-MN) and ARAMAC State Vice Chair for Minnesota Aram Desteian during
their meeting in St. Paul, MN on August 17.
CAPTION: L to R: Dr. Sarkis Broussalian, Western Office Director Lena
Kaimian, Vasken Imasdounian, Diane Cabraloff, Congressman Gary Miller
(R-CA), Rita Topalian, Vahe Charkhutian, Anoush Cabraloff and Assembly
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian during their meeting
on August 8.
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, Betty
Ohanessian, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown,
former Assembly intern Kim Christianian and Stanley Brown during a
community reception hosted by the Browns.
CAPTION: L to R: Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian,
Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Supporting Affiliate
Vartan Paylan, Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Former Assembly Intern
Arpi Paylan and Haiganoush Paylan.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
13-09-2005
Newly Appointed Portuguese Ambassador to Armenia Presents Copies of
Credentials to Deputy Minister Arman Kirakossian
On September 13, Manuel Marcelo Monteiro Curto, the newly appointed
Ambassador of Portugal to Armenia (with residence in Moscow), presented a
copy of his credentials to Deputy Minister Arman Kirakossian.
During the discussion that followed the protocol ceremony, the two attached
importance to the Armenian-Portuguese relations. They noted that there are
favorable conditions created for further extension of relations. Within this
context, they stressed the importance of high-level bilateral visits and the
necessity of shaping the legal framework between the two countries.
Deputy Minister Arman Kirakossian presented to the Ambassador the recent
developments of Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution and the current state
of the Turkish-Armenian relations.

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 458a05
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:
The STAGE Project: cultural policies to foster increased democratic
stability in the southern Caucasus
Strasbourg, 12.09.2005 – “Culture and cultural policies for development”
will be the main theme of a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the
south Caucasian countries held by the Council of Europe in Kyiv on 15
and 16 September at the invitation of the Ukrainian authorities.
This is the 5th ministerial colloquy to be held as part of the STAGE
Project (*), which is intended to promote cultural exchanges between
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and help strengthen democracy there. In
this year in which we have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the
European Cultural Convention, the colloquy will be open to all 48
signatories.
It will be opened by Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the Deputy Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, and Joaquim Duarte, the Portuguese
Ambassador to the Council of Europe (representing the Council of
Europe’s Committee of Ministers), at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 15 September.
Cultural diversity and social cohesion, cultural funding and cultural
tourism are some of the items on the agenda of the colloquy, during
which the Ministers of Culture present will also be reviewing the STAGE
Project’s progress since 2004 (on the basis of an evaluation report
drawn up by Terry Sandell, the project’s main advisor) and will decide
on the main lines of the follow-up activities to foster the development
of national cultural policies.
The colloquy will be open to the press and will take place in the
Ukrainian House arts centre (Khreshchatyk 2, Kyiv) on Thursday, 15 and
Friday, 16 September from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A final declaration will be adopted at the end of the colloquy and
presented at a press conference to be held on Friday 16 September at
6.30 p.m.
More information is available on and
(see site for accreditations).
Contacts:
Alisa Moldavanova, press officer, Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and
Tourism
Tel./fax +38 044 235 22 33, e-mail [email protected]
Estelle Steiner, press officer, Council of Europe
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 33 35, mobile +33 (0)6 08 46 01 57, e-mail
[email protected]
——————-
(*)The STAGE Project (Support for Transition in the Arts and Culture in
Greater Europe) involves the three participating south Caucasian
countries and observer and donor countries (Germany, Austria, Greece,
the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine).
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.

DER “MUSA DAGH”
Claudia Kuehner
Tages-Anzeiger, Deutschland.
10. September 2005
Im Sommer 1929 verbrachte Franz Werfel einige Zeit in Damaskus. Dort
traf er in einem Kaffeehaus auf einen Armenier, der begann, ihm
vom Schicksal seines Volkes zu erzaehlen. Es war der erste Genozid
der modernen Zeit. Mitten im Ersten Weltkrieg, 1915/16, vertrieb
die tuerkische Armee auf Befehl der Jungtuerken Enver Pascha und
Talaat Bey die in der Osttuerkei lebenden christlichen Armenier
in die mesopotamische Wueste, unter dem Vorwand, sie stuenden auf
der Seite von Russland, mit dem die Tuerkei im Krieg war, und sie
wollten einen eigenen Staat ausrufen. Mit unvorstellbarer Barbarei
gingen sie gegen die Armenier vor, in der Absicht, das ganze Volk
auszurotten. 1,5 Millionen kamen um, Frauen, Maenner, Greise,
Kinder. Die meisten starben auf den Todesmaerschen; viele wurden
erschossen, erschlagen, ihre Koepfe auf Speere aufgespiesst. Alles
ist fotografisch dokumentiert. Die Armenier, die im 4. Jahrhundert als
erstes Volk geschlossen zum Christentum uebergetreten waren, zumeist
als erstklassige Haendler und Handwerker lebten und eine reiche Kultur
geschaffen haben, waren ueber die Jahrhunderte immer wieder tuerkischer
Verfolgung ausgesetzt. In vielem glich ihr Schicksal dem juedischen.
Werfel war so erschuettert, dass er beschloss, einen Roman zu
schreiben. Er betrieb ausgedehnte Studien, 1933 erschien der Roman
“Die vierzig Tage des Musa Dagh” – ein gewaltiges Werk von vielen
hundert Seiten, doch fesselnd von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite.
Bis heute ist er d a s literarische Monument der armenischen Geschichte
geblieben. Im Mittelpunkt stehen einige wenige Dorfbewohner, die
vor den anrueckenden tuerkischen Truppen auf diesen “Mosesberg”
(die Uebersetzung von Musa Dagh) – am Mittelmeer, in der Naehe des
heutigen Iskanderun gelegen – fliehen konnten und nun heroischen
Widerstand leisten. Angefuehrt werden sie von dem Aristokraten
Gabriel Bagradian, der einst in der tuerkischen Armee als Offizier
gedient und viele Jahre in Paris gelebt hat, und dem Priester Ter
Haigasun. Ihnen gelingt es trotz ihrer Unterlegenheit dreimal, den
tuerkischen Ansturm abzuwehren. Die Rettung kommt schliesslich von
einem alliierten Flottengeschwader, das die Armenier aufnimmt. Gabriel
Bagradian aber ueberlebt nicht.
Werfel geniesst bis heute die dankbare Verehrung dieses Volkes. Der
Roman des christlich getauften Juden wurde 1933 von den Nazis sofort
verboten und von den deutschen Juden umso mehr gelesen, die die
Schicksalsgemeinschaft erkannten. Von Hiler wiederum wird kolportiert,
er habe vor SS-Offizieren gesagt, wer sich denn noch an die Vertreibung
der Armenier erinnere.
Zu den vielen Figuren, die den Roman bevoelkern und alle Facetten
menschlichen Verhaltens und Fuehlens in solch auswegloser Lage zeigen,
gehoert auch ein protestantischer deutscher Pastor, gezeichnet nach
der realen Figur Johannes Lepsius. Er gehoerte zu jenen Deutschen –
das Kaiserreich war mit den Tuerken verbuendet -, die verzweifelt
versuchten, zu Gunsten der Armenier auf die tuerkische Fuehrung
einzuwirken. Der andere Deutsche, den die Armenier aehnlich wie
Werfel verehren, ist der Schriftsteller Armin T. Wegner (1886 -1978),
der als Sanitaetssoldat Zeuge des Voelkermordes wurde und in einem
offenen Brief an den amerikanischen Praesidenten Woodrow Wilson
protestierte. Auch er verarbeitete das Erlebte spaeter literarisch in
“Weg ohne Heimkehr” und “Der Knabe Huessein”. Ihn erbitterte vor allem,
dass das mit der Tuerkei verbuendete deutsche Kaiserreich gegen den
Massenmord nichts tat.
Auch Wegner musste 1934 aus Deutschland fliehen, nachdem er Hitler
aufgefordert hatte, der beginnenden Judenverfolgung Einhalt zu
gebieten.
Bis heute hat jede tuerkische Regierung den Voelkermord geleugnet,
doch genau dadurch geraet er nicht in Vergessenheit, wie auch der
juengste schweizerisch -tuerkische Streit um den rechten Parteichef
Perincek wieder zeigt. Wer sich den Hintergrund literarisch aneignen
will, muss den “Musa Dagh” lesen.

RATING ROCKS EGOYAN’S TAWDRY SHOWBIZ TALE
by Michael D. Reid, Times Colonist
Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia)
September 12, 2005 Monday
Final Edition
It wasn’t listed alongside the Tandoori Chicken pizza, salmon burger
or other items being served, but surrealism was very much on the menu
when I caught up with Atom Egoyan over lunch at the Central Bar and
Grill almost two years ago.
It began when he revealed he had optioned Where the Truth Lies,
a tawdry tale of showbiz intrigue written by, of all people, Rupert
Holmes, the singer-songwriter best known for his hit The Pina Colada
Song.
Wow. Making a slick Hitchcockian drama about a 1950s Jerry Lewis and
Dean Martin-type comedy duo who become involved with a young woman
who’s later found murdered in their hotel room — a mystery set in
hotspots like Miami, London and Los Angeles, no less — seemed an
unlikely departure for an auteur best known for his dark meditations
on alienation.
That wasn’t nearly as surreal, however, as Egoyan’s lunchtime
recollection of a bizarre foul-up during a Mexican film festival’s
retrospective of his works. The program included Next of Kin, but
instead of his 1984 drama about a troubled 23-year-old who passes
himself off as an elderly Armenian couple’s long-lost son, a different
Next of Kin was advertised.
It was the 1989 vigilante action flick starring Patrick Swayze as a
Chicago cop who avenges his hillbilly brother’s murder.
“The audience was treated to this bizarre concept that my career
began with this big Hollywood movie with Patrick Swayze, and then I
did these tiny movies,” laughed Egoyan the other day, recalling one
of the most surreal episodes in his career.
But that was then, this is now, and it’s been eclipsed by his
experiences with the Motion Picture Association of America.
Egoyan is talking about his trip to Los Angeles last week to state
his case during an appeal, launched by THINKFilm, the Toronto-based
distributor of Where the Truth Lies, of the NC-17 rating the film
had received from the MPAA.
The rating was reportedly rendered because of “explicit sexuality”
generated by the use of camera angles for a threesome involving actors
Colin Firth and Kevin Bacon as the decadent vaudeville entertainers,
and Rachel Blanchard as their ill-fated sex partner. The film also
stars Alison Lohman as a journalist who investigates the mysterious
death years later.
To Egoyan’s dismay, the board upheld the restrictive rating that means
moviegoers under 18 can’t see the film in the U.S. (An NC-17 is the
kiss-of-death, since some media outlets will refuse to run ads and
certain theatres won’t even show it.)
“Last Wednesday was one of the most bizarre moments of my career. It
was just weird,” recalled Egoyan, hastening to add that “we won,
technically” since the board voted 6-4 to overturn the rating.
That wasn’t enough, however, since the rules state a two-thirds
majority is required. Now there’s talk of the film, like The
Aristocrats, being released unrated in the U.S.
Egoyan says when he first chatted about his movie over lunch, he never
expected there would be such a surreal outcome. “What’s surreal is the
added tension from the MPAA thing. The movie is certainly disturbing,
but because it features well-known actors people aren’t expecting to
see those kinds of things,” he said. “If it was a grainy low-budget
film that wasn’t widely distributed it wouldn’t have attracted any
attention.”
Egoyan doesn’t buy claims that the MPAA’s rating was not about
censorship. He said his theory was validated when he was informed at
the last minute that Episcopalian and Catholic church representatives
would be sitting in on the hearing.
“It’s the result of a very conservative climate. They kept saying
they weren’t part of the decision-making process, that they were only
there as a presence. I’m sorry…come on,” he says incredulously.
Egoyan says he finds it “particularly absurd” given the reality of
our culture and an age in which there’s virtually no way to prevent
people from accessing whatever they want that censors would try to
ban filmgoers under age 18.
It’s a measure usually taken when a film is considered “hardcore,”
which he stresses Where the Truth Lies is not.
“Now, because of all the noise around it, it’s going to be fetishized
and the scene will be traded back and forth without any context at
all,” he says of the integral scene. “As a parent you should be there
with your son or daughter to talk about it.”
That’s why Where the Truth Lies would be released in the U.S. with an
R-rating if Egoyan had his way. “An R allows parents to assess the
maturity of their own child and accompany them if they feel their
child is prepared,” he says. “It doesn’t mean any child should see it.”
While he doesn’t think children the same age as his son Arshile, 12,
should see the film, he says he’d be comfortable taking a 17-year-old,
putting the action in context and having a discussion about the issues
it deals with, like adoration and the nature of celebrity. “These
are pertinent issues for young adults to be dealing with.”
Egoyan says he’s confident most people will enjoy the film and
hopefully not take it too seriously.
“It’s a film I had a lot of fun making. It’s tonally different,
although all my obsessions are there.”
Canadian moviegoers will get the chance to decide for themselves when
Where the Truth Lies opens Oct. 7.
It makes its North American premiere Tuesday at the Toronto
International Film Festival and opens in the U.S. Oct. 14.
GRAPHIC: Colour Photo: Atom Egoyan: Surprised at the NC-17 rating
for latest movie.

NATIONAL CURRENCY TO BE PUT INTO CIRCULATION IN NKR IN NEAR FUTURE
Pan Armenian news
12.09.2005 02:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ National currency – Dram – will be put into
circulation in Nagorno Karabakh in near future. The information has
been already confirmed by the Central Bank of Armenia. As it was
reported earlier, it is not ruled out that the Karabakh Dram will
be recognized as official means of paying in Armenia. The number
of the Karabakh drams issued made 1 million banknotes, valuing in
2 and 20 drams and coins valuing in 1 and 5 drams as well as 50
lumas. The Central Bank of Armenia via the Karabakh branches of
Armenian commercial banks will launch the circulation. Meanwhile
the Azerbaijani authorities appeared oversensitive on learning this
news. Official Baku addressed a protest to the U.S. Department of
State and the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the currency
was printed by an American company and the Austrian State Printing
Plant). The Azeri MFA demanded the currency be conveyed to it. The
U.S. State Department promised to assist, however the money remained
in Karbakh. To note, among the unrecognized states the Transdnesrt
only has issued its national currency, reported by IA Regnum.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER LEAVES FOR NEW YORK TO ATTEND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12. ARMINFO. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan has left for new York today to participate in the 60th
session of UN General Assembly.
Armenian Governmental press-service reports to ARMINFO that the
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan is also in the delegation.
According to the source, the plenary sitting at the highest level
is fixed for September 14-18 at UN headquarters. In the course of
the plenary sitting, Prime minister Margaryan alongside with foreign
high-ranking officials will participate in a special meeting on the
topic “Financing for Development,” in a meeting of francophones and
other events. Premier Margaryan is expected to speak at the plenary
sitting on September 16.
Within the framework of his visit to New York, Andranik Margaryan is
to meet with the leadership of Millenium Challenges Corporation,
Executive Director of UN Population Fund Thoraya Ahmed Obaid,
Coordinator of UN Development Programme Kamal Dervish, Executive
Director of UNICEF Ann Veneman. The prime minister is expected to
visit the Ground Zero Memorial for the victims of September 11.
Andranik Margaryan is also to meet with the local Armenian Diaspora.
Prime Minister Margaryan and his spouse are expected to participate
in a reception held by George Bush and his spouse. The delegation
will return to Armenia on September 18.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: POLICY OF SQUABBLE IS EXHAUSTED
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12. ARMINFO. “The boycott by the opposition is of
political nature, but it does not mean that oppositionist MPs must
boycott parliamentary sittings for 4 years,” Armenian Parliamentary
Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryanm said at a press conference today.
Expressing respect for the political position of all the forces,
the speaker called on the opposition to return to the parliament.
Baghdasaryan promised to meet with all the parliamentary forces
shortly to find out their position on the ongoing boycott by the
opposition. “The policy of squabble has been exhausted, all the
political forces should be consolidated to solve the country’s current
problems and to ensure its active participation in regional process,”
the speaker thinks.
Several minutes after the press conference, the parliamentary faction
of the Justice opposition bloc confirmed its decision to boycott
parliamentary sittings, at the same time enlarging the circle of
discussions to be attended by the faction. Another opposition faction
National Unity participates in the sittings. In this connection,
Representative of the Justice bloc Vazgen Manukyan thinks the
difference in the positions will not affect the cooperation of the
two forces.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress