Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)
Date: 08 Sep 2005
Armenians choose independent path
Delegates at a conference on Armenia’s future voted for an independent
development, rather than placing too much reliance on Russia or Europe.
By Ara Tadevosian in Yerevan (CRS No. 303, 08-Sep-05)
Armenians meeting to discuss their country’s future have rejected the idea
that they should place all their hopes in Europe — and, more surprisingly,
Russia.
The 500 delegates at the unique conference held in Yerevan came from all
walks of life – teachers, students, small business owners, manual workers
and the unemployed – concluded Armenia should instead pursue its own path,
increasing economic activity and productivity, fighting corruption, and
ensuring the 2008 presidential election is free and fair.
“I think it isn’t right to go with one country,” said college student Gevorg
Stepanian. “You have to be more cunning and be able to manoeuvre in a number
of directions.”
The event was part of “Armenia 2020” — a campaign led by several prominent
figures from the Armenian diaspora, including businessman Ruben Vardanian,
who is president of the Russian Troika-Dialog group of companies, and Nubar
Afeyan, general director of the American group Flagship Ventures.
The results may come as a surprise to some western observers who think of
Armenia as primarily pro-Russian in orientation. However, organisers said
the results of the Yerevan gathering, held at the capital’s main stadium,
mirrored those at similar events in Idzhevan and Ekhagnadzor, where the idea
forging stronger links with Russia was also rejected.
As one participant said, “Because of its geopolitical situation, Russia will
always be interested in a weak Armenia and will keep us in slave-like
dependence.”
“Historically, Russia has betrayed Armenia repeatedly and that likelihood
exists today too,” said another.
A third person added, “Do you know of any other nation, other than the
Armenians, who have such a strange attachment to Russia? I think not – this
is just another example of our national irrationalism.”
Full integration into Europe also received the thumbs down from many of the
delegates, with that option getting only 120 votes compared with 136 for
preserving the Russian alliance and 210 in favour of a dynamic independent
path, the so-called Singapore model which organisers dubbed “Dare to Excel”.
Those unconvinced of Armenia’s need to integrate more fully with Europe gave
various reasons, with one person expressing fears the country would be
forced to change its constitution, and another saying, “We’re Armenians, and
Europe is not our home.”
A third participant put this view more pithily,”Europe is an old woman in
civilised make-up. There’s no need for us to fall for her charms.”
Sociologist Lilit Arutyunian said the conference showed that the
government’s talk of integration with Europe had been ineffective.
“It’s been 10 years now that the government has been talking almost daily
about its enthusiasm for European integration,” said Arutyunian. “But these
are just empty words. The government, intentionally or unintentionally,
places no emphasis on the fact that the principal European value is human
life, which now as before is worth little in our country.”
Many participants said Armenia’s relations with neighbours like Georgia and
historical enemy Turkey was more important than European integration. This
despite the fact that Turkey, with which Armenia has no diplomatic
relations, was not included in any of the possible development options
offered by the organisers.
“Today the question of Turkey’s entry into the Europe Union is being
discussed. But do we want to enter the European Union with Turkey? Just
imagine, the Armenian border opens and three million Turks rush in. What
would happen then?” asked one participant.
But another took a different view, said, “We must strive to normalise
relations with Turkey, as this will be extremely useful to us on the path of
independent development.”
Armenian relations with Azerbaijan, which are still hostile because of the
unresolved dispute over Nagorny Karabakh, remain too sensitive an issue for
conference participants even to discuss them as part of a picture of
shifting regional alliances.
The country’s other near neighbour Georgia, however, was viewed as a partner
by many participants. Rather than Europe, one person suggested that Armenia
focus on Georgia in order to gain access to that country’s ports. The two
have been trying to forge closer ties, and this summer tens of thousands of
Armenians took holidays in Georgia’s Black Sea resorts for the first time in
many years.
While the conference organisers admitted the current Armenian government was
unlikely to pay attention to many of the findings, the strong emphasis
placed on fair elections and the war on corruption may yet be reflected in
future voting patterns.
Even in the best-case scenario, Armenia has a long way to go to meet the
aspirations articulated by conference participants. According to Artashes
Kazakhetsian, manager of the Armenia 2020 project, if the ideas behind the
Singapore model were implemented in full, the country would take the next 15
years to attain the same level of development that another former Soviet
republic, Estonia, is at today.
Ara Tadevosian is the director of Mediamax, an independent news agency in
Yerevan.

The Sunday Times (UK)
September 11, 2005
Booker novelists denounce Turkey for charging author
Tom Pattinson and Alice Jones
TURKEY has been condemned by Kazuo Ishiguro, the novelist, and fellow
Man Booker prize nominees over a threat to imprison one of its leading
writers for highlighting his country’s role in the 1915 Armenian genocide.
Orhan Pamuk, 53, who has written several award-winning books, was
charged last week with `denigrating national identity’ with comments in
a Swiss newspaper. If found guilty at his trial, set for December 16, he
could be jailed for up to three years.
Publicity surrounding the case has thrown the spotlight on Turkey’s
human rights record as it prepares to begin negotiations next month on
joining the European Union.
Ishiguro, who won the Booker prize in 1989 for The Remains of the Day
and is on this year’s shortlist for Never Let Me Go, said: `I’m
astonished and horrified to discover such a situation can arise in
Turkey today – and to a writer who has done so much to enhance his
country’s reputation. I hope the Turkish government does all in its
power to bring this misguided prosecution to an end.’
John Banville, nominated this year for The Sea, said Pamuk was right to
remind compatriots of past crimes committed in their name. `It will be a
disgrace if Pamuk is jailed, and Turkey should realise the damage that
will be done to its reputation if it goes ahead with this injustice,’ he
said.
Sebastian Barry, shortlisted for A Long Long Way, agreed. `A grown-up
country like Turkey can afford to open the book fully on every aspect of
its interesting and challenging history,’ he said.
John Sutherland, chairman of the Man Booker judges, said: `It seems
wholly inappropriate that statements of political opinion should be
regarded like that. You can deny it (Pamuk’s comment) but you should not
deny their freedom.’
The charges against Pamuk followed remarks made in February to a Zurich
newspaper. `Thirty thousand Kurds and a million Armenians were killed in
these lands and no one dares to speak out on this but me,’ he said.
Turkey is extremely sensitive over its role in what is known as the
Armenian genocide. Between 600,000 and 1.2m Armenians are thought to
have been killed between 1915 and 1917 during a forced evacuation. The
Turks say the figure is much lower and was the result of ethnic
conflict, the first world war, disease and famine.
Pamuk’s case has been an embarrassment for the Turkish government, which
is fighting opposition, especially in France and Germany, to its
attempts to join the EU.
Abdullah Gul, the foreign minister, said of the charges: `There is no
decision yet. I would like to announce to the world that there is
freedom of expression in Turkey. People voice their opinions comfortably
as long as they do not promote violence.’
Additional reporting: Gareth Jenkins, Istanbul

TIME OUT IN KARABAKH RESOLUTION

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
08 Sept 05
The CIS summit in Kazan, Russia, and the longed-for meeting of the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan marked the end of the summer
holiday in the diplomatic camp of Armenia. One thing is obvious
today. The opinion of the political scientists who insisted that the
meeting in Kazan would be a turning point in the resolution was, to
put it mildly, exaggerated. However, as the foreign minister of
Armenia states, although the longed-for turning point did not occur,
the meeting was useful to the process. Remaining faithful to the
principle of confidentiality of the process, the foreign minister did
not give any detail of the meeting, mentioning only that there is
always the danger of reaching a deadlock which did not happen in
Kazan: `We are not deadlocked.’ Most probably, the Azerbaijani side
is not discontent with the meeting in Kazan either. Moreover,
according to the foreign minister of Azerbaijan E. Mamedyarov, the
talks in Kazan are a step ahead; however it is early to consider real
progress. By the way, if after the meeting in Kazan the Armenian
foreign minister mentioned that the present stage in the resolution of
the conflict does not allow giving more detail about it to the people
of Armenia and Azerbaijan and though the meeting of Kocharian and
Aliev was not a turning point, the talks were positive, the
Azerbaijani side was of a different opinion. Following the tradition,
the Azerbaijani side again neglected the confidentiality of the talks,
and the Foreign Ministry announced that the parties allegedly
discussed 7 ` 9 elements of the resolution, namely `the liberation of
occupied areas, the return of refugees and restoration of
communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan’ and there is progress
in reference to certain elements too. According to the foreign
minister of Armenia, there was progress for the Armenian side as well,
however, unlike his Azerbaijani colleague, Vartan Oskanian does not
give details except that the concern that the sides may reach a
deadlock rising before each meeting of the presidents, did not come
true. And, most probably, the next meeting of the ministers will take
place no sooner than in a month because Yerevan and Armenia need time
to analyze the results of the meeting in Kazan. Before this the
foreign ministers of the two countries will share their opinions with
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the foreign Minister of Slovenia Dimitrij
Rupel who is visiting Armenia on these days. The department of press
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informed that the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office is to meet with the presidents of the Republic of
Armenia and NKR, the prime minister of Armenia, as well as the foreign
minister of Armenia. The results of the meetings are to be summed up
at the press conference on September 6. After the visit of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office to Yerevan and Baku the co-chairmen will prepare
the recurrent meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, which may take place at the end of September or at the
beginning of October.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
08-09-2005

RESOLUTION COMING NEARER

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09 Sept 05
At the meeting with NKR President Arkady Ghukassian the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, the foreign minister of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel
visiting Baku and Yerevan on September 5 and 6 said the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be reached by the end of the
year. According to the president of NKR, during the meeting which
lasted longer than it had been scheduled, not all the questions were
discussed because they were very many. Dwelling on the details of the
meeting, President Ghukassian commended the work of the OSCE Minsk
Group and mentioned that two visits of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Dimitrij Rupel in a year show that the process will be accelerated.
However, it will not be over by the end of the year. The foreign
minister of Slovenia shared his opinion. According to him, the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is probable this year despite
the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan in November, and the
referendum on the Constitution of Armenia, and it is obvious that the
elections are not a good motive, said Dimitrij Rupel. Nevertheless,
he said, the election will not affect the talks. The NKR president
also discussed the boldness of the Armenian party to make compromises,
which is not the case with Azerbaijan. Arkady Ghukassian mentioned
that the Armenian party is aware of the fact that during the talks one
does not get what they want. Of course, it is necessary to sacrifice
something to attain another thing. As to the president, he cannot see
that the Azerbaijanis are brave enough to accept compromise. According
to Arkady Ghukassian, he is interested in the results of the talks
rather than the talks itself. `We always take into account the problem
of security of Nagorno Karabakh, and any decision, any process is
first of all to be determined by the problems of security of Nagorno
Karabakh for us,’ said the president of NKR. As to the variants of
resolution, be it a package or a stage by stage resolution, according
to the president, they are not important. `We agree to the stage by
stage resolution if Azerbaijan agrees to settle first the issue of the
status of Artsakh and only then solve its own problems. This is
acceptable for us. ‘ Arkady Ghukassian was quite brief on the new
model of status which consists in partial independence of Karabakh:
`It is like being partly pregnant. I cannot imagine such a status.’
The NKR president said he drew the attention of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office to the fact that while the Armenian party views the
issue in the light of the peace process, the Azerbaijani party does
the opposite. Azerbaijan regularly considers the militaristic
resolution of the conflict and increasing the budget of the army.
Arkady Ghukassian explains Aliev’s statement by the fact that the
latter is trying to solve domestic problems but, on the other hand,
the president is anxious because by solving domestic problems Aliev
becomes the slave of his statements and thereby hinders the general
process. According to the NKR president, the resolution is also
delayed because Nagorno Karabakh does not take part in it. In his turn
the foreign minister of Armenia did not forget to mention that this
gap will be filled in very soon `when we arrive at a certain level in
discussing the details.’ In this case, according to him, it will be
necessary to restore the Minsk process, and the government of Nagorno
Karabakh will be automatically involved in the process. After the
meeting with the NKR president the foreign minister of Slovenia
Dimitrij Rupel met with the president of Armenia Robert Kocharian and
the prime minister of Armenia Anoushavan Danielian. President
Kocharian and D. Rupel discussed the talks for the resolution of the
conflict and its present stage. Here is one more interesting detail;
Dimitrij Rupel extended the message of Ilham Aliev to the president of
Armenia. Despite the curiosity of the journalists, the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office did not say anything about the content of the
message. He merely said that hopefully the meetings of the foreign
ministers of the two countries will go on.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
09-09-2005

MINSK GROUP IS NOT DEAD

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09 Sept 05
According to him, it is waiting for the instructions of the presidents
of Armenia and Azerbajan. After the meetings with the presidents of RA
and NKR on September 6 the chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group met with
the foreign minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian. As Mr. Rupel said he
had a lot of questions to discuss with his old friend Vartan Oskanian.
Certainly, the issue of resolution of the Nagorno-Karbakh conflict was
the most interesting of all. According to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
there are already points in common in the standpoints of the both
parties, which is commendable. Dimitrij Rupel said he is not partial
and tries to understand and support the process. Accoding to the
European diplomat, to assist to the process he is ready to meet with
all the parties, be it Armenia, Azerbaijan or Nagorno Karabakh. He
described the position of the chairman-in-action as an administrative
official whose task is to listen to the parties and his visit to the
region is the evidence to this. I visited the region to listen rather
than to speak, he mentioned. In fact, In Baku and Yerevan D. Rupel
listened to many, and relying on what he had heard, told the journalists
that there are more points in common between the standpoints of the
parties concerning the Karabakh resolution. However, he noticed that
the similarities are only in principle issues, whereas problems occur
connected with the details. The foreign minister of Armenia Vartan
Oscanian also asserted this idea. `If we start to open these
ideantical principles and go into detail, we shall face serious
difficulties. We cannot discuss any variant of resolution which does
not provide for the right of self-determination of the people of
Nagorno Karabakh,’ stated V. Oskanian. As to the weakening of the
Minsk Group and the rumours about taking away the issue of resolution
from the Minsk Group and solving it under the auspices of another
organization, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office denied these. According to
him, the Minsk group is not dead. What is more, Dimitrij Rupel is
convinced that the meetings of the conflict sides in the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group will resume. The chairman explained the silence
of the Minsk group by the lack of instructions on the part of the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Vartan Oscanian added that when
we reach some level in discussing the details, it will be necessary to
resume the Minsk process in which the Karabakh government will be
involved automatically. In the end the foreign minister of Armenia
touched upon the recent militaristic statements of Azerbaijan (which,
by the way, the OSCE Chairman said not to have ever heard), once again
warned the present government of Azerbaijan and the authors of the
statements. Even if Azerbaijan increases its military budget, it will
not be able to bias the balance with Armenia. We are not afraid of
this way because we have once won already.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
09-09-2005

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE PARTICIPATES IN WCC DISCUSSIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Possibilities for establishing an international ecumenical organization
responsible for development programs were discussed during meetings held in
the regional bureau of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on September 1
and 2 in Beirut. The meetings were convened by WCC.
Participants included delegates from the region’s churches, WCC, the General
Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and from MECC’s
various units.
Dr. Nora Bairakdarain-Kabakian, chairwoman of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
ecumenical committee participated in the meetings on behalf of the
Catholicosate.
In light of the growing gap between the North and South countries, the plan
aims at creating an international ecumenical network that would
professionally implement development plans.
The participants reviewed the development programs already being implemented
in the region, the activities carried out by churches and MECC in this field
and discussed what needs to be done in the region.
The plan is still in the planning and consultation phase. It is expected
that the next General Assembly of WCC, to be held in February 2006 in
Brazil, will finalize the plan.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

A1+
| 19:43:55 | 09-09-2005 | Politics |
KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARIS
With this first substantive meeting of a special PACE ad hoc sub-committee
on the conflict on September 12 in Paris, representatives of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, members of the OSCE Minsk Group and an EU representative will
discuss the latest situation in the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. It is already known that the discussion will not be open to the
press.
According to the revised draft program, the works will start at 9.30 a.m.
with the opening speech of Lord Russell-Johnston, Chairman of the Ad-hoc
Committee. First the historical background of the conflict will be
represented by the Executive Director of the London Information Network on
Conflicts and State-Building (LINKS). Within the framework of the
discussions Armenia will be represented by Mr. Varoujan Nersissian, Head of
Department on OSCE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Azerbaijan will be
represented by Mr. Araz Azimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan. Besides the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Mr. Goran Lenmarker,
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Nagorno-Karabakh
Conflict and Mr. Heikki Talvitie, EU Special Representative for the South
Caucasus will participate in the discussion.
According to the agenda, the work of the Committee will last a day.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN ATIME’S ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of the Association of Theological Institutes in the
Middle East (ATIME) was held on September 2 in the University of Balamand.
Rev Meguerditch Keshishian participated in the meeting on behalf of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Seminary.
The participants discussed the future plans of the union. Proposals were
made regarding the budget, enriching the libraries of ecclesiastical
institutions, reviewing the codes of conduct of student committees and
providing up-to-date information about each institution.
ATIME’s next meeting will be held in Seidnaya, Syria, on September 4-6.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

A1+
| 19:11:12 | 09-09-2005 | Social |
THE SPORT-CONCERT COMPLEX SOLD
Today the RA authorities sold the sport-concert complex after Karen
Demirchyan for 5 million 700 thousand USD. The contract was signed today
between the RA Government and the Russian organization BAMO.
After the signing the organization rendered a 40-minute press conference.
The head of the BAMO holding Mourad Mouradyan started the meeting with the
journalists with these words, `We are residents of Martouni, and we were
born and educated in Armenia…’. In one word, the new owners of the Complex
tried to soothe the negative attitude towards them created in the Republic
and introduced themselves as patriots.
According to the BAMO head, the RA President has put forward two conditions:
the name of the Complex must not be changed, and it must preserve its
functional meaning. The organization has agreed. According to the contract
the area of 19.5 hectares including the fountains and the stairs has also
been sold. The organization has taken up the commitment to make an
investment of 9-10 million USA in 3 years.

A1+
| 17:14:15 | 09-09-2005 | Official |
THE U.S EMBASSY EXPRESSES ITS GRATITUDE
The U.S. Embassy, on behalf of the American people and the U.S. Government,
would like to express its heart-felt gratitude for Armenia’s generous
donation of $200,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
The American people are touched and deeply grateful for the generous offers
of help we have received from the Armenian Government, and from governments,
individuals, and private organizations around the world.