AZG Armenian Daily #162, 10/09/2005
Report
ARMENIA RATED 83RD IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2005
Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and the diplomatic corpse of Armenia took
part yesterday at the introduction of “International Cooperation at
Crossroads: aid, trade and security in an unequal world” chapter of the
Human Development Report 2005. Vartan Oskanian took the floor to say that
Armenia’s position is not that bad from the first sight but stated that
globally there is still much work to be done. According to human development
index, Armenia is rated 83d among 177 states which is good perhaps but, as
Oskanian said, “it should be no relief for our conscience and mind” as we do
not live so far as we would like to do.
Permanent UN representative, Consuelo Vidal, stressed the importance of the
HDR 2005 as it includes the issue of global cooperation.
Aghasi Mkrtchian, economist of the Human Development Project, represented
the HDR 2005. He said that the report highlights inequality in the world,
which should be considered a primary issue for every state while setting a
policy. Mkrtchian cited Armenia’s example, according to which poverty
outside Yerevan is 70 percent more. In four Armenian provinces –
Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Shirak and Armavir – poverty is getting up the
curve, report of 2003 says.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #162, 10/09/2005
Science
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ARMENIAN PHYSICISTS OPENS IN YEREVAN
RA National Academy of Sciences, RA Education and Science Ministry, the
Yerevan State University, Physics Institute after Alikhanian, and Armenian
Physicists’ Union will hold the first international congress of Armenian
physicists on September 11-15. The participants will discuss the current
situation in the field of physics, particularly, in astrophysics,
radiophysics, nuclear and laser physics, as well as the latest researches
made in other branches of this science. The organizers of the arrangement
believe that the congress will help RA government to define the primary
directions of the science and emphasize the importance of physics.
According to June 16, 2004, decree of the UN General Assembly, 2005 was
announced international year of physics, dedicated to 100th anniversary of
Albert Einstein’s three biggest discoveries. It was decided to hold
arrangements in all countries, including Armenia.
Over 150 Armenian physicists from Russia, the US, Canada, France, Great
Britain and other countries will participate in the congress.
By Ruzan Poghosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #162, 10/09/2005
Human rights
OMBUDSMAN’S FIRST SPECIAL REPORT ON VIOLATION OF PROPERTY RIGHT
Citizens Keep on Complaining of Compensation
Human rights advocate of the Republic of Armenia, Larisa Alaverdian, told a
press conference September 8 that her first report on mass violations of
property rights of Armenian citizens are available at
The special report being first of its kind came as a result of the current
situation in the country and as fulfillment of the ombudswoman’s promise to
release reports on various cases of human rights violations beginning from
autumn. As Mrs. Alaverdian put it, they chose the most painful issue –
property rights violation. Though her annual report highlighted this issue,
as she said, there were no expected results. Despite this fact, the
ombudswoman still believes that the problems caused by the reconstruction of
Yerevan can find easy solution.
Mrs. Alaverdian rebuffed the widely circulating idea that the authorities
are guided with the principle “Armenia is not only Yerevan and Yerevan is
not only the downtown”. She thinks that the same process can be carried with
respect to citizens’ rights by simply paying the market price for the flats
and houses.
At any rate, the human rights defender thinks that her special report will
assist but not stymie that process. Mrs. Alaverdian called the report an
analysis which points out to the violated legislative regulations but
meanwhile offering the steps to take for solving the problems caused by
property rights violation. The report also includes the cases of concrete
families, that is to say evidence of violation.
On the occasion of the UN’s International Literacy Day on 8 September,
Larisa Alaverdian said that international days should be marked in Armenia
not to isolate ourselves from the world community. Highlighting the issue of
literacy, Mrs. Alaverdian added that there are children in rural areas of
Armenia who do not attend school. She welcomed Armenian government’s steps
in this direction, stressing the aid to the children of poor families.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

Pan Armenian News
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS IN UKRAINE NOT TO TELL ON RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
10.09.2005 02:42
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia follows with attention the developments in Ukraine
and attaches much importance to stability in that country, stated Armenian
MFA Press Secretary Hamlet Gasparyan when answering a question on the
possible impact of the governmental crisis in Ukraine on the
Armenian-Ukrainian relations. The MFA of Armenia expressed confidence that
President Yuschenko would be able to form a new Government within a short
period of time and to overcome the temporary hardships. `The
Armenian-Ukrainian relations are based on mutual trust of states and
centuries-old friendship between our peoples. Today our bilateral relations
are at a stage of dynamic development. We are convinced that the domestic
developments in Ukraine will not tell on our relations in any way,’
emphasized Press Secretary of the Armenian MFA, reported IA Regnum.
From: Baghdasarian

Pan Armenian News
ALIYEV: «OUR MILITARY POWER SHOULD BE EQUAL TO ARMENIA STATE BUDGET»
10.09.2005 03:08
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan will soon become the leading country in the
region and will maintain that title, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev stated.
«Our military power should be equal to Armenia’s state budget,» he noted.
«Azerbaijan has strengthened its position in the region. We excel Armenia in
the Karabakh issue. Our relations with neighboring states are based on
mutual respect, I. Aliyev assured. In his words, in 2006, 2007 and 2008
strong impulses aimed at development of the Azeri economy will take place.
In conclusion of his speech the President stated that democratization of
Azerbaijan is of huge importance: «Where there is no democracy, there can be
no development,» reported IA Regnum.

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INCLUDED IN BELGIAN SENATE AGENDA
09.09.2005 08:53
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Genocide was again included in the agenda of
the Belgian Senate. The bill calls for opening of all the archives for the
investigators of the fact of Armenian Genocide. The document also urges
Belgium to undertake measures fir raising public awareness of the Genocide.
Besides, the bill says that the uncertainty about the Armenian Genocide
issue impedes the development of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Pan Armenian News
REASONING OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH TURKEY JUDGES FOR STATEMENTS ON ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
09.09.2005 06:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Minister reacted to the arousing
condemnation of the trial of Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk scheduled for
December 16. `Our courts are independent and people in Turkey are free to
write and say what they think’, Gul stated. To note, criminal persecution of
Pamuk was initiated in February, 2005 when during an interview with Tages
Anzeiger daily he stated that a million of Armenians were killed in Ottoman
Empire and `no one but me dares to say about it.’ According to the Turkish
criminal legislation, Pamuk can be sentenced to deprivation of liberty with
the term of 6 months up to 3 years. The trail set for December 16 has
already aroused indignation of the European community and EU officials. `No
decision has been taken yet. However we would like to tell the whole world
that Turks enjoy freedom of speech. People are free to voice their opinion
unless it is propaganda of violence,’ Andullah Gul said noting that the
positive atmosphere has created thanked to the reforms carried out for EU
membership. Well-known newspapers attended to the legal proceeding initiated
against Orhan Pamuk. Los Angeles Times writes that this court examination
proves `the deliberate attempts of the conservators of the Turkish
government to foil Turkey’s accession to the EU.’ `Turkey should count with
its history. There is hardly a more fundamental principle for the European
Union than freedom of speech’, Financial Times writes, reported by RFE/RL.

Pan Armenian News
TIME FOR KARABAKH CONFLICT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT MAY BE RUNNING OUT
09.09.2005 06:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ All sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict need to prepare
their people for peace much better if the seeds of their high-level
negotiations are to bear fruit. Nagorno Karabakh: Viewing the Conflict from
the Ground, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, explores
how the Armenians and Azeris from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding
districts live and how they view the resolution of the conflict. Despite
signs of progress at internationally mediated negotiations (to be discussed
in a subsequent report), rising military expenditures and increasing
ceasefire violations are ominous signs that time for a peaceful settlement
may be running out. The brutal war over Nagorno Karabakh killed some 18,500
people and displaced over a million before settling into a shaky cease-fire
in 1994. Eleven years on life in Nagorno Karabakh has regained some sense of
normalcy with a developing economy and elected institutions. Yet nothing has
been done to restore rights of war victims. The creation of mono-ethnic
institutions in Nagorno Karabakh, the destruction of Azeri property, and the
privatisation of land and businesses pose significant obstacles to Azeri
return and reintegration. Many displaced persons have become highly
dependent on the Azerbaijani state, with few opportunities to participate
fully in political life and determine their own future. Refusing to allow
dialogue and demonising Armenians through the state-sponsored media and
schools, Baku has hardened anti-Armenian feeling among average citizens. The
Azerbaijanis and Armenians are as separated as they have ever been. “There
is need to counter the hate propaganda and unlock the potential for
confidence building and dialogue between average Azeris and Armenians”, says
Sabine Freizer, Director of Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project. “This has to
happen before the memories of cohabitation fade and the divide becomes
unbridgeable”. Neither community appears prepared to agree to the kind of
settlement being considered by the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers in the negotiations sponsored by the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). “The vast majority of those affected by the
conflict have been kept in the dark about the details of the negotiations”,
says Alain Deletroz, Crisis Group’s Vice President for Europe. “But there is
no way for any peace process to succeed unless leaders from all sides start
actively selling the idea to their people”.

President: Azerbaijan is strong enough to solve Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict by force
.c The Associated Press
LYANKARAN, Azerbaijan (AP) – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev said
Thursday that while the ex-Soviet nation still hopes for a peaceful
solution to the long-running Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it has enough
military strength to solve it by force.
Aliev made the statement while campaigning for the ruling Yeni
Azerbaijan (New Azerbaijan) party in the run-up to the Nov. 6
parliamentary elections in an apparent response to the opposition’s
claim that a change in government is necessary to win back control
over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed enclave that has been under the
control of Armenian separatists since the early 1990s.
“We are creating a strong military potential, and the enemy must know
that Azerbaijan is capable of liberating its lands at any moment,”
Aliev said in a speech in the town of Lyankoran, some 270 kilometers
(170 miles) south of the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
He said the oil-rich Caspian nation, which budgeted over US$300
million (euro240 million) for defense this year, will double its
defense spending next year.
Tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains high more than a decade
after a 1994 cease-fire ended a six-year war that left
Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenian hands. Some 30,000 people were killed and
a million displaced, and the lack of resolution of the enclave’s
status has impeded economic development in the region.
09/08/05 14:51 EDT

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIA BELIEVES IRAQI NEW CONSTITUTION WILL SERVE NATIONAL INTEREST
10.09.2005 03:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «Armenia follows with attention the process of adoption of
the Iraqi constitution,» said Armenian Deputy FM Arman Kirakosyan. He stated
it when speaking of the referendum on the new constitution scheduled in Iraq
this October – taking into account Armenia participates in the restoration
of Iraq. «In a multi-confessional and multi-ethnic country like Iraq
political processes and especially those referring to the formation of a
Constitution are as important, as complicated and problematic. We value the
urge and will of Iraqi political forces to that end. We believe that the
commitments of Iraqis to establish stability and prosperity will promote the
forming of a Constitution that will serve the vital interests of the people
of Iraq, A. Kirakosyan stated.