A SOCIETY IGNORANT IN JUDICATURE
By Susanna Margarian
AZG Armenian Daily #150
25/08/2005
Concern
“Most of the citizens applying to courts are illiterate and are
unaware of their rights and obligations”, Razmik Tovmasian, first
instance judge in Malatia-Sebastia borough of Yerevan, says. This
fact, he argues, immensely complicates the procedure, as neither
plaintiff nor respondent are able to convey their thoughts. “Though
we have convenient compound and good working conditions, the citizens’
ignorance of judicature throws us into despair”, says the judge adding
that citizens having applied to the court often get sidetracked,
going into unimportant details, even absurdities.
The judge cites evil tongues saying that there are even ignorant judges
in Armenia and asks: if this is the case, what should we expect from
common people? The reason our society is so ignorant in legal matters
is in its low standard of life, my interlocutor says with concern in
his voice. Most of the civil cases that Mr. Tovmasian investigates deal
with arguable issues connected with debts, apartment and land deals,
alimony payment, divorce etc. Most of criminal cases are minor theft
and drug taking.
It’s not hard to guess that most of Armenian citizens do not turn
to private lawyers to help them understand their interests and
laws. Though various international organizations try to promote basic
literacy in judicature, their work is reminiscent of spooning out
water from the sea.

CONSTRUCTION AT YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily #150
25/08/2005
Education
New Building of University to Be Built Soon
The construction of the Yerevan State University~Rs new compound
will be completed in less than two months. Sargis Shahazizian,
pro-rector of the Yerevan State University, said in the interview to
Azg. At present, the interior works are being done in the building,
the auditoriums are being renovated. Afterwards, the yard, as well
as the auxiliary buildings will be renovated.
The new compound is situated in Abovian Street and is near the oldest
building of the university built in 1922. Mr. Shahazizian said that
the new building is built on the place of the old sports complex
and the auxiliary buildings. The new building keeps in line with all
modern criteria. It is being built thanks to the financial assistance
rendered by the U.S. Union of Yerevan State University~Rs Friends, RA
Government and the University. The construction works cost about $1,5
million and the bigger part of the financial sources were allocated
by the Yerevan State University. The new building has three stories,
about 70 rooms, chairs and deans’ offices. It is envisaged for 1500
students. The faculties of philosophy, psychology and philology will
be moved to this new building. “We want to decrease the congestion of
the buildings. There are buildings that aren~Rt capable of standing
the large number of students,” Mr. Shahazizian stated.
They need to renovate only the physics and chemists faculties in the
main building of the Yerevan State University that is in Alek Manukian
Street. Thus, the construction works of the university launched in
the course of the latest two years will be completed. The biology
faculty also needs to be renovated. Mr. Shahazizian added that the
students should also take care for the buildings they are studying in.
The Yerevan State University envisages to renovate its resorts
in Dilijan. In autumn the graduate students of the university will
gather and the administration of the university plans to accumulate
the required sum and replace the old cottages of the resort with new
ones as soon as possible.

FIRST VISIT OF ARMENIA’S SUPREME PATRIARCH TO JAVAKHK IN LAST 110 YEARS
AZG Armenian Daily #150
25/08/2005
Visit
On October 1, Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, will arrive
in Armenian-populated region of Javakhk, Georgia, A-Info agency of
Akhalkalak informs. The Supreme Patriarch of Armenia will take part in
the opening ceremony of representative office of Armenian Apostolic
Church in the region, in re-consecration of an Armenian church in
village of Aragvi and will meet the Armenian flock.
A-Info reminds that the last Armenian Catholicos to visit Javakhk
was Khrimean Hayrik in 1986.

TURKS TRY TO INTIMIDATE THIS WRITER BY THREATENING HIM WITH LAWSUIT
By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier
AZG Armenian Daily #150
25/08/2005
Armenian Genocide
While Turkish leaders are desperately trying to convince the world
that their country is civilized enough to join the European Union,
they are actually proving the exact opposite with every passing day.
Despite the fact that the Turkish leaders are supposed be on their best
behavior in order to impress the Europeans, they have yet to grant
equal rights to Turkey~Rs many religious and ethnic minorities. They
also refuse to return to Greek and Armenian charitable foundations
in Turkey their properties confiscated by the Turkish government
decades earlier.
In an attempt to fool the international community, on the one hand
Turkish officials have advocated the setting up of a joint commission
with Armenians ostensibly to study the facts of the Armenian Genocide,
while on the other hand, they have forced the cancellation of a
symposium organized by three leading universities in Turkey, thereby
preventing the discussion of this issue even among Turkish scholars.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has boldly announced that
his government is ready to admit the Armenian Genocide if sufficient
proof is presented, while Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is bragging
that Turkey has inundated journalists, scholars, universities,
libraries and parliamentarians worldwide with revisionist books on
the Armenian Genocide.
As the human rights of millions of Turkish citizens are violated on
a regular basis, it comes as no surprise that the Turkish government
is prosecuting Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist in Turkey, for
allegedly insulting Turks in an article he wrote in his newspaper,
AGOS. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a 1-6 year jail term.
Turkish officials and their agents are so used to silencing,
intimidating and jailing anyone who disagrees with them that they
dare to bully also their opponents overseas who are beyond their
reach. No dissent is tolerated!
This writer is quite familiar with the Turkish practice of suppressing
free speech. As the author of a weekly column that is very critical of
Turkish denialist and oppressive policies, I receive a lot of abusive
e-mails from Turks from around the world. Most of these Turks forget
that the despotic methods they practice at home to bully people or
force them into silence do not work in Western countries where freedom
of expression is basic right.
Last week, when a young Armenian lady, Maral Der Ohanesian, sent
a couple of e-mails to Dr. Sedat Laciner, editor of the Journal
of Turkish Weekly in Ankara, an on-line Turkish propaganda site,
complaining about the distortions in one of its articles, he
shamelessly accused her of “fabricating” arguments.
The JTW had cleverly edited an Swiss info wire story by including
revisionist statements on the Armenian Genocide and deleting criticism
of the Turkish position, thereby giving the false impression that
Peter Briner, the President of the Senate foreign affairs committee
of Switzerland, had made statements which he had not.
When Maral forwarded to me her exchange of e-mails, I sent a strongly
worded private e-mail to JTW, castigating the staff for accusing
Maral of fabrication when they themselves had distorted the original
news item beyond recognition. Within hours of my letter, the JTW
published on its front page a “press release” with the following
sensational title: “JTW Condemns The California Courier Publisher
Harut Sassounian.” Not happy with my criticism, the JTW resorted to
calling me an extremist Armenian and threatened that “the JTW will
start a legal action in California” against me. The JTW also posted
my e-mail on its web site.
I received dozens of e-mails and phone calls from around the world,
from both Armenians and non-Armenians alike, among them several
attorneys and judges, who assured me that there was nothing illegal
in what I had written to the JTW. Criticizing a publication is not
against the law in civilized countries. That, apparently, is not the
case in Turkey.
A reader from Canada wrote: “The prospect of a lawsuit against you
by the JTW in California must be extremely encouraging. They silenced
their own in Turkey. They try to silence foreign parliaments and now
they~Rre trying to silence an American journalist. It~Rs wonderful
the way they are keeping the issue alive. A lawsuit would provide
a superb opportunity for a US court to pronounce itself definitely
on the Armenian Genocide.” Another reader from Armenia wrote:
“Congratulations on being vilified by the Turkish press! It~Rs an
achievement, and I consider it a badge of courage. Keep on pissing
them off.” A fellow publisher wrote in his newspaper: “Turks have
unwittingly made [this writer] an even bigger hero.”
The real issue is not these empty Turkish threats. As we do not
live in Turkey, no one in this country is scared or intimidated by
such tactics.
What~Rs more important is that these Turkish propagandists had
apparently started celebrating a little prematurely. The JTW, quoting
Peter Briner, had gleefully reported that the Armenian Genocide
issue would “never” be taken up by the Swiss Senate. Dogu Perincek,
the leader of the Turkish Labor Party, who had been interrogated
by Swiss prosecutors last month for denying the Armenian Genocide,
also claimed credit for this false report. He gave a press conference
to announce that his outspoken statements on this issue as well his
testimony in Switzerland had influenced the Swiss Senate to withdraw
a pending resolution on the Armenian Genocide. Perincek called his
antics “a great success.”
Here is a more accurate report of what really transpired: To begin
with, Perincek~Rs bombastic statements not only got him in legal
trouble in Switzerland, but helped generate great publicity for
the issue of the Armenian Genocide in Switzerland and throughout
Europe on the eve of a decision by the Europeans to consider starting
negotiations for Turkey~Rs membership in the EU. Turkey then decided to
deliver a note of protest to Switzerland and cancelled the scheduled
visit of the Swiss Economics Minister Joseph Deiss to Turkey. These
foolhardy Turkish actions made the genocide issue even more newsworthy
throughout the world.
Erwin Jutzet, the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Swiss
Parliament reacted sharply to the Turkish bullying tactics by stating:
“Turkey has to stop reacting so sensitively to such events. It
would be better to recognize once and for all the genocide of the
Armenians.” Jutzet said it was up to Turkey to make a positive move
rather than “always taking offense and resorting to blackmail. If
Switzerland were to turn its back on Turkey, it would be a bad sign
for EU entry.”
More bad news surfaced for the cocky Turkish propagandists, when
Sen. Peter Briner denied having said that the Armenian Genocide would
“never” be debated in the Swiss Senate. He countered that these false
reports were “based on either a misquote or a misunderstanding.” He
added: “I can never be sure what will be on the Senate~Rs agenda, of
course, but right now the postponement of Economics Minister Joseph
Deiss~R invitation to Turkey will certainly be discussed” during the
Foreign Affairs Committee~Rs next meeting on August 23. At that time,
any member of the Committee could raise the issue of the Armenian
Genocide. Should that happen, the self-declared premature Turkish
victory could end up being a defeat, thanks to the boastful behavior
of Mr. Perincek and his band of incompetent propagandists.
Even worse for Turkey, the Swiss government declared that its law
against denial of genocide also applies to the Armenian Genocide. The
Swiss Foreign Ministry (DFA) issued a formal statement following a
meeting between Ambassador Jean-Jacques de Dardel, the head of the
Political Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry, and the Ambassador
of Turkey in Switzerland, in connection with the proceedings against
Perincek. The Foreign Ministry stated:
“During the meeting, the DFA underlined the applicability of Swiss law
in this matter and recalled that article 261 bis of the Swiss Penal
Code stipulates that any person who denies, minimizes or justifies a
genocide or other crimes against humanity is liable to prosecution. It
is the task of the Swiss judicial instances to decide on the modalities
of the application of the legal provisions of our country.”
Despite the boastful and threatening statements emanating from various
Turkish propagandists, the fact remains that ever fewer countries
are going along with Ankara~Rs denials of the Armenian Genocide. The
Turkish officials have less than six weeks to come to their senses and
realize that they have to make a bold move on the Armenian Genocide
issue if they have any hope of salvaging their sinking prospects for
the start of EU negotiations on October 3.

THREAT OF REVOLUTION AND KARABAKH ISSUE MAKE ALIYEV TURN TO MOSCOW
By Tatoul Hakobian
AZG Armenian Daily #150
25/08/2005
Karabakh issue
Vartan Oskanian, foreign affairs minister of Armenia, and his Azeri
counterpart, Elmar Mammediarov, held yesterday a meeting in Moscow,
which was witnessed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. “Within the
frameworks of the Prague Process, the ministers discussed all elements
of peaceful settlement of the conflict, some of which are supposed to
top the agenda of Kazan meeting between Armenian and Azeri presidents
this weekend. Discussions, already informal, continued at lunch
with the participation of Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov”,
press service of RA Foreign Ministry informs.
Oskanian and Mammediarov had another informal meeting on August 23.
According to Regnum agency, positions of the sides essentially
disagree. Mammediarov said particularly after the meeting that
“Karabakh has to remain within the structure of Azerbaijan”, adding
that the sides try to come to some kind of agreement over these
issues. The Azeri minister, who labeled the idea of a referendum to
decide the status of Nagorno Karabakh a provocation against Azerbaijan
only a few weeks ago, stated in Moscow that the sides discuss the
possibility of holding a referendum. “It’s quite another matter how
we will hold it”, Mammediarov said.
Elmar Mammediarov also stated several days ago that Armenian and Azeri
sides disagree over 7-9 issues. Ever since the mediators visited region
in July, Baku has been skeptical over the expected “breakthrough” as
the Kazan meeting approaches. In this regard, Russia is also doubtful,
contrary to the US co-chair who is still moderately optimistic. It
may happen that the Russian side is not interested in comprehensive
and final regulation, as that will even more undermine its positions
in South Caucasus.
This is, perhaps, the reason of noticeable thaw in Russian-Azeri
relations. Ilham Aliyev, whose perception was one of a pro-Western
only 1.5 year ago, has turned to the Moscow. Two factors the least –
the Karabakh issue and the threat of a velvet revolution – made the
Azeri President reconsider his foreign policy priorities. This is,
certainly, for the time being, as Ilham Aliyev sees the place of
Azerbaijan in Euro-Atlantic structures, beside the USA.
In an interview to British Sky News, Aliyev stated that they are not
planning to locate US military bases in Azerbaijan, nor they negotiate
on this issue. He called such information rumors that often come about
on purpose. Earlier, in an interview to News Week, Aliyev declared
that Azerbaijan is no outpost to any state.
Suchlike statement may well aim to make the Americans understand
that Baku is not satisfied with Washington’s policy in Karabakh
issue. In his statements to Sky News Aliyev complained in effect
of the international community, which urges Azerbaijan to keep back
from “forcible liberation of territories that are under Armenian’s
occupation for over 10 years”. Aliyev cannot be also satisfied with the
statements of American officials about parliamentary election November
6. The US and European organizations threaten the Azeri President
that another rigged election can turn into a real trial for Azerbaijan.
Only 2 years ago Azeri officials used to declare of their wish to
join NATO but their voices have subsided recently. Saying Azerbaijan
is no outpost Baku apparently means no outpost for the NATO or
US forces. While paying a working visit to the US capital in early
August, Elmar Mammediarov never spoke of Azerbaijan joining NATO. A
few months ago when Donald Rumsfeld visited Baku, the Azeri President
avoided to meet him and left for Pakistan.
>>From the point of view of tactics, Moscow’s stance in Karabakh
issue is more acceptable for Aliyev today; President Putin describes
it in the following way: there should be no winners and losers,
Russia will exert no pressure on the sides. Positions of Russians and
Azeris coincide in the issue of velvet revolutions either. Moscow’s
response is edgy to West-supported revolutions in post-soviet terrain,
traditionally considered zone of Russian influence.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA TO SELL CEMENT AND WINES TO RUSSIAN PROVINCE
Armenpress
August 24, 2005
YEKATERINBURG, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: Under an agreement signed today
in Russian Yekaterinburg by its governor Eduard Rossel and the governor
of Armenian Ararat province the Armenian province will sell cement,
wines and brandy to the Russian region.
Rossel was quoted by Itar-Tass as saying that during the visit of the
Armenian delegation, headed by Ararat governor Alik Sarkisian, the
two regions signed several agreements. Rossel said that the Armenian
province has a plant producing high quality cement and its wines are
also known for their quality.
The trade between the Russian province and Armenia in the first half
of this year amounted to $1.5 million, a 3.7 percent higher from a
year ago.
The Russian province sells to Armenia machines, food and
metals. Armenia sells there machines and food.

U.S. DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ARMENIA TO REVIEW MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES PREPARATIONS
Armenpress
August 24, 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: The US Embassy in Armenia said
three staff members from the United States House of Representatives
International Relations Committee are arriving today in Armenia for
a three-day visit. The delegation members are visiting Armenia to
review plans for the country’s pending development compact with the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
In addition to meetings regarding the Millennium Challenge Account
process, the delegation will discuss the full range of political and
economic development issues in Armenia and the region with high-level
government officials, NGOs, political leaders and diplomats.
The delegation, whose members have already been to Georgia for
a similar visit and who will visit Ghana and Benin following
Armenia, includes staffers Matthew McLean, Samuel Stratman, and Paul
Oostburg-Sanz. These un-elected staff members advise the Congressmen
who serve on the House International Relations Committee, which is
the standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that
is in charge of legislation related to the foreign affairs of the
United States. During their visit to Armenia, the delegation members
will meet with Millennium Challenge-Armenia representatives and will
visit project-sites throughout Armenia that may receive assistance
if Armenia’s MCC proposal is accepted.
The delegation will also meet with various NGOs and donor community
representatives, as well as with Armenian officials, including Minister
of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Agriculture Davit
Lokyan, National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan, Presidential
Senior Advisor Armen Gevorkyan, Minister of Regional Administration
and Infrastructure Hovik Abrahamyan, and Deputy Minister of Finance
and Economy Khachatryan.
The U.S. Government continues to implement a development assistance
program in Armenia that is aimed at strengthening democracy and civil
society, promoting broad-based economic growth, and fostering regional
stability. To date, the U.S. Government has provided over 1.6 billion
dollars to help the people of Armenia.

Agency WPS
The Russian Business Monitor (Russia)
August 24, 2005, Wednesday
OPIC TO INVEST UP TO $100 MILLION IN FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS
Overseas Private Investments Corporation (OPIC, US) plans to invest
up to $100 million in the former Soviet republics through funds of
direct investments, reports the company. OPIC is prepared to invest
up to $100 million in projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,
Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
The corporation is also ready to act as a partner and participant of
the newly established funds of direct investments oriented at the
former Soviet republics and to invest up to 33% of the overall
capital of the funds in them.
OPIC plans to spend the money on investments in projects with high
risks including private companies, new business projects, development
of the already existing companies and programs for restructuring and
privatization of companies.
Source: polit.ru, August 23, 2005

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2005 Wednesday
Nigerian president to keep eye on Russian sailors case
By Yelena Volkova
MOSCOW
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said he will continue to pay
attention to the fate of the Russian sailors who are kept in custody
in his country on charges of oil contraband.
Obasanjo said so in his answer to the appeal by good-will ambassador
Ara Abramyan.
The president said he was taking into consideration Abramyan’s
concern and his wish to quickly resolve the situation.
After completion of judicial procedures and the announcement of the
verdict it might be possible to make political moves or consider the
prisoners exchange option, the president said.
Abramyan, a UNESCO good-will envoy and head of the Union of Armenians
of Russia, is taking an active part in the efforts to secure the
return of the sailors.
Russia passed to the Nigerian lawyers all the necessary documents for
their release under the embassy’s guarantees.
“Russia has completed the formalities demanded by the Nigerian
court.” The documents now need to pass through Nigerian judicial
bodies, a Foreign Ministry official said.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2005 Wednesday
Moscow sees hopeful signs in Karabakh settlement
By Ksenia Kaminskaya
MOSCOW
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday “hopeful signs have appeared
in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.”
“This may see further development at the upcoming meeting between
Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilkham Aliyev,” a diplomatic source
said.
Wednesday reports said the meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian leaders would take place in Kazan on August 27.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his
colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan and his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov held consultations in Moscow which were
attended by international mediators – the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
group /Russia, the United States and France/.
Lavrov underscored Moscow’s intention “to create all the conditions
for achieving progress in settling the Nagorno Karabakh problem.”
He underlined that he could not comment on the negotiations which are
steered by the co-chairpersons of the OSCE Minsk group.
They certainly have ideas, the Russian minister noted.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan said Yerevan and Baku can
hopefully find “common denominators” in resolving the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.
“There is hope that we’ll find common denominators; it would bring
peace and stability to southern Caucasus,” Oskanyan said.
Oskanyan said the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh is the
priority in settling the conflict, which should manifest itself in
the right of its population to take care of their fate on their own.
The remaining issues such as the elimination of the consequences of
the conflict, the territorial problem and the return of refugees stem
from this priority and will follow it, he noted.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov gave a positive
valuation to the Moscow meeting. However, he believes it is premature
to talk about any headway in resolving the conflict.
It is necessary to actively work on the settlement. There is an
opportunity “to arrive at a common denominator for this problem,” he
said.
The negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
began on September 23, 1991 and involved Russia, Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan and Armenia.
In February-May 1992, the OSCE joined the settlement efforts.
The fighting in the conflict zone ceased on May 12, 1994. The
negotiations are held within the framework of the Minsk group,
co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France.