BTA INVEST BANK PRESENTATION HELD IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, August 22. /ARKA/. BTA Invest Bank presentation took place
in Yerevan on Monday. Rasul Kosanov, Chair of the BTA Invest Bank’s
Board, said at the presentation that the bank intends to make its
contribution in the development of Armenia’s financial sectors, to
introduce innovative banking products, to advance Armenian companies
and Armenia as a whole in the international investment community,
stimulating offshore investments flows into the country. In his
words, one of the most important directions in the bank’s activity in
Armenia will be mortgage lending and small- and middle-scale business
crediting. In particular, the bank is planning to create joint
co-branded and discount program implementation (offering discounts in
the best restaurants and shops of Yerevan to BTA Invest plastic cards
owners). The bank will offer its clients to make their payments for
utilities and cellular communication services through cash machines.
The bank also intends to offer one of advanced banking technologies
for regional internet-banking network development.
Yerik Sultankulov, Chairman of the Bank’s Council and Financial
Director of Bank TuranAlem, said presumed amount of BTA Invest Bank
investments for 2005 will make about $ 30mln. Mortgage lending is
planned to total $10mln.
Bank TuranAlem, one of Kazakhstan’s biggest banks, acquired 48.9%
shares in authorized capital of International Investment Bank later
renamed into BTA Invest Bank. The bank’s other shareholders are ZRL
Austrian company (31.1%) and MOBILEX Kazakh-Armenian company (20%).
According to the bank’s regular reports, BTA Invest Bank’s assets
totaled AMD 1118.9mln as of June 30, 2005, total capital made AMD
878.8mln and authorized capital AMD 1105mln. Credit investments made
AMD 181.7mln as of June 30, 2005.
TuranAlem is a system-making bank of Kazakhstan and the leader in
creating banking network in CIS member countries. The bank’s assets
reach $5.5bn and own capital exceeds $600mln. The network of the
bank’s strategic partners includes Slavinvestbank, Omsk-bank,
Agroincombank, BTA Kazan (Russia), BTA Transbank (Ukraine),
Astana-Eximbank (Belarus), BTA Silk Road Bank (Georgia) and BTA
Investbank (Armenia). M.V. -0–

CBA CHAIRMAN: THERE IS QUITE HIGH COMPETITION IN THE BANKING SYSTEM
OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, August 22. /ARKA/. There is quite high competition in the
banking system of Armenia, as CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsyan stated at
the BTA Investbank presenting ceremony. In his words, new bank’s
entering Armenia and having quite serious ambitions testifies to even
higher competition in this sector. “It’s very important that the
rules adopted in the banking sector of Armenia proof to be stable,
and the new bank could organize in new conditions profitable
business”, he said. He emphasized that in any case strivings of CBA
to canonize banking relations has exactly this goal. “We welcome
toughening of competition, since clients will profit from it”, he
said assuring the Kazakh colleagues that strivings of CBA are to
create equal conditions for all banks in Armenia.
In May 2005 one of the largest banks of Kazakhstan – TuranAlem Bank
purchased 48,9% of shares of International Investment Bank CJSC,
lately renamed into BTA Investbank. The rest shareholders of the bank
are ZRL Austrian company (with 31,1% stock) and Kazakhstan -Armenian
MOBILEX company (20%). Currently 21 banks operate in Armenia. A.H.
-0–

A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE RA NA TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 29
YEREVAN, August 22. /ARKA/. Taking into account the initiative of 46
deputies of the RA NA and guiding by Article 70 of the RA
Constitution, RA President Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on
convocation of a special parliamentary session on August 29.
According to the RA NA Public Relations Department, the agenda will
include the project of amendments to the Constitution made in the
second reading.
The project of constitutional reforms offered by the ruling coalition
was adopted in the first reading on May 11, 2005. The referendum on
amendments to the Constitution should be held in Armenia in November
2005. A.H. -0-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ganguly finishes off with a win
FROM OUR CHESS CORRESPONDENT ABU DHABI, AUG 23 (PTI)
Indian Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly scored a comprehensive
victory over Russian GM Mikhail Ulibin in the ninth round to finish
13h in the Master’s section at the 15th Abu Dhabi International Chess
festival that concluded here today.
Grandmaster Ashot Anastasian of Armenia won the title after playing a
quick draw with GM Alexei Federov of Belarus. Anastasian finished
with a tally of seven points out of a possible nine and pocketed the
first prize of USD 4,000.
Grandmaster Dmitry Bocharov of Russia defeated Ukrainian GM Alexander
Goloshachapov.
Bocharov and Uzbekistan’s International Master Sergey Kayumov tied
for the second spot scoring 6.5 points each while Ganguly finished
13th with six points.
Ganguly yet again showcased his superior endgame technique to outplay
Ulibin who played the black side of a French defence game.
Playing the Winawer variation, Ganguly got an advantage in the
opening itself and nurtured it well to win a pawn.
Ulibin found some solace in an exchange sacrifice for some optical
attack but Ganguly was on his guard and timely trading of queens led
to a difficult endgame for black.
Ganguly wrapped up the issue in 55 moves after tying black pieces to
passive defence.
The final round saw another spurt from Eesha Karavade who beat
Grandmaster Vladimir Dobrov of Russia. With this victory, Karavade
secured another Woman Grandmaster norm scoring 5.5 points in the
event.
International Master D V Prasad also finished on 5.5 points after
settling for another draw. GM Sergey Grigoriants of Russia failed to
break the solid defence of the Indian and had to split the point
despite playing white. Abhijeet Gupta was on the receiving end
against third seed and former Russia champion Sergei Volkov. Playing
with black, Gupta could not produce the form that helped him amass
important points in the first seven rounds. Despite losses in the
last two rounds, the Bhilwara based youngster is expected to gain
some important ELO rating points from this tournament.
Parimarjan Negi struck some late form and grounded Mesgen Amanov of
Turkmenistan in a fine game with black pieces.
Amongst other Indians in the fray, Akshat Khamparia and Krutika Nadig
were on the receiving end going down to GM Stefan Djuric of Serbia
and Meilis Annaberdiev of Turkmenistan respectively.
M B Muralidharan drew with Sergei Simonenko of Turkmenistan while
Tania Sachdev shared the point with Elshan Moradiabadi of Iran.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/23/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Instanbul Conference on Armenian Genocide Back on Calendar 2) My Killings Are Much Bigger Than Yours... 3) Colorado Congressman Tancredo Extends Support to Constituent Appeals 4) Kick-off Party Officially Announces Pontifical Visit by Aram I 5) Bella Darbinian Dies 1) Instanbul Conference on Armenian Genocide Back on Calendar Justice Minister Cicek takes `wait and see' attitude ISTANBUL (Combined Sources)--A Conference on the Armenian genocide that was abruptly postponed last May, seems to be back-on, reported the Istanbul-based Armenian Daily Marmara. The three-day conference, which was to open on May 25 at Istanbul's Bogazici University, but was cancelled under government pressure, has been rescheduled for September 23-25 at the same university. The original conference, "Ottoman Armenians during the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy," was organized by a group of Turkish historians challenging the official line on the issue. Turkish academics and intellectuals from throughout the world who dispute Ankara's version of the 1915-1917 genocide of Armenians, were to have lectured at the conference organized by Turkey's three most prestigious universities. This time around, organizers are refusing to release any details. Bogazici University rector Ayse Soysal, through a spokesman, revealed that he simply does not want to talk about the subject. Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek had condemned the original initiative as a blow to government efforts to counter a mounting Armenian campaign to have the Genocide recognized internationally. "This is a stab in the back to the Turkish nation... this is irresponsibility," Cicek told parliament. "We must put an end to this cycle of treason and insult, of spreading propaganda against the [Turkish] nation by people who belong to it" This time, however, Cicek told journalists, `They did not ask for my input in either organizing or canceling the original conference. They did not ask for my opinion this time either. When the time comes, we will see together just who will say what.' The cancellation drew worldwide criticism from scholars, politicians, organizations, and the media. Tosun Terzioglu, the President of Sabanci University, one of the organizers of the conference, expressed his disapproval through a formal statement that read, in part: `Those who oppose these meetings can criticize them in one way or another. But what is most important is the freedom to be able to hold such meetings. In addition to being educational institutions, the universities also serve as the guarantors of and as an umbrella for free and creative discussions on topics that are of interest to the country and the world. In the final analysis, they can contribute to societal progress by virtue of their members' total possession of the freedom of research, thought and expression. It is extremely distressing and dreadful that, in opposition to these universal values that have also been assimilated in Turkey, the 25-27 May conference at Bosphorus University was brought, because of prejudices and serious accusations, to the point of not being actualized. Not only does this consequence seriously harm the development of the freedom of thought, democracy and civil society, but I worry that it will also become, in the future within the international arena, a significant impediment to Turkey.' 2) My Killings Are Much Bigger Than Yours... ANKARA--Israel's Ambassador to Turkey seems to have rediscovered the measuring stick yet again, saying that it is inappropriate to link the Holocaust of the Jews and the Armenian genocide. Turkish Daily News quoted Ambassador Pinhas Avivi as saying in an exclusive interview to Hurriyet, `It is wrong to draw similarities between the Armenian genocide and Jewish genocide. The Holocaust was a political decision to eradicate an entire people from the earth. I really respect the decision of the Turkish Government and Turks to leave the issue to the historians. Not the politicians but the historians should discuss the matter. Turkey opened its archives and this is vital.' He also gave assurances that Israel was not acting against Turkey's interests in northern Iraq. `If a Kurdish state is established in the North, a Shia state is also established in the middle, and we do not want to see that. We want a democratic and united Iraq' he added. 3) Colorado Congressman Tancredo Extends Support to Constituent Appeals CASTLE ROCK--In response to constituent requests for support of Armenian Genocide legislation pending in Congress, Republican Representative Thomas G. Tancredo (CO-6) has told voters, `I believe that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people is worthy of the term `genocide.' It was carried out the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916, and large numbers of Armenians were methodically massacred.' Colorado Armenian American community leaders and activists began receiving response letters from the Congressman this month, and expressed their appreciation for his candid remarks. Among them were long-time ANCA-WR supporter and community leader, Dr. Garo Chalian, and ANC activist Simon Maghakyan who said that they were encouraged by the Congressman's clear and unambiguous statement. The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) also praised Tancredo for his firm moral stance. `Congressman Tancredo voted for passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution in 2000,' said ANCA-WR Chair Steven Dadaian.` Having his support again is critical as he serves on the House International Relations Committee.' Last week, ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian thanked members of the Representative's Washington, DC staff and also reviewed pressing foreign affairs matters that concern Armenian Americans. The State of Colorado has a growing and vibrant Armenian American community. Armenians of Colorado, an organization dedicated to advancing understanding of Armenian history, culture, religion, language, and heritage, has consistently maintained strong ties with Colorado state officials and its Congressional delegation. In 2003, the Colorado General Assembly permanently designated April 24 `Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide' and urged US Congress to likewise act to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. Two resolutions on the Armenian genocide have been introduced in the 109th session of the House of Representatives. With strong bi-partisan support (112 and 83 cosponsors, respectively, to date) the resolutions have been referred to the House International Relations Committee and are currently pending markup in the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, on which Rep. Tancredo serves. 4) Kick-off Party Officially Announces Pontifical Visit by Aram I STUDIO CITY--Hosted by the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a Kick-Off Party to officially announce His Holiness Aram I's visit to the United States, drew more than 200 religious brothers, community activists, benefactors, and devoted sponsors to Bistro Gardens in Studio City, California on August 21. The Pontifical visit of the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia will begin on October 5, under the theme, `Towards the Light of Knowledge.' `Inspired and empowered by the caliber of supporters and believers in the Armenian Apostolic Church, we did not find it necessary to organize a Kick-Off Party for the Official Banquet in honor of His Holiness Aram I,' Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian told supporters. `This Kick-Off was organized to thank our life-long supporters as well as officially announce the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness.' The evening's program began with Banquet Committee Chairman, Shant Haytayan and Second Chairman, Peklar Pilavjian, welcoming distinguished guests, and inviting Archbishop Mardirossian to deliver his message. Archbishop Mardirossian highlighted several key events of the Catholicos's Visit, including a pontifical mass at St. Mary's Church in Glendale on October 9, a youth forum in Fresno on October 10, a major address on `Christianity in the Middle East' to be delivered at the World Affairs Council on October 14, and a symposium on the `Christian Response to Violence' to be held at the University of Southern California on October 15. The Archbishop explained that this Pontifical Visit will coincide with the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet and solemn programs marking the 90th commemoration of the Armenian genocide. The evening concluded with great surprises, including the immediate request for more than 1000 tickets after guests were told about the October 9 Gala Banquet to be at the Universal Hilton. As inspiring and important were the several large donations that were made to benefit the ongoing work of the Western Prelacy, including the blessing of the Western Prelacy's headquarters, and the opening of St. Sarkis Apostolic Church in Pasadena. `The Western Prelacy is dedicated to the community as it works diligently to revitalize the physical, economic, cultural, spiritual, and educational conditions of its churches and schools,' said Archbishop Mardirossian. `The Western Prelacy has and will continue to make a substantial impact on expanding its reach to the Armenian-American community as long as it has supporters and believers as benevolent and dedicated as evidenced at this showcase Kick-Off celebration.' 5) Bella Darbinian Dies YEREVAN (Armenpress/Narek.com)--An icon in Armenian popular music for more than three decades, Bella Darbinian, who also helped define the genre with a sultry voice and a style all her own, died on the evening of August 22 in Yerevan, after a long and debilitating illness. Classically trained in Yerevan and Moscow, Darbinian gave up opera for a career that would be more in tune with the pop sensibilities she grew up with in Armenia's Lori region. She entered the spot-light in the early 60s when she became a soloist with the Armenian State Ensemble. Her popularity soared after joining the Symphonic Ensemble of Armenian Radio and Television in 1966. For the next 30 years, Darbinian's numerous recordings and performances to packed houses introduced a new level of legitimacy to modern Armenian pop songs. Darbinian also performed in Russian, to gain immense popularity throughout the states of the former Soviet Union. Despite a prolonged absence in the 90s, Darbinian was back in 1998, with a slew of new recordings and tour dates in the works. As evidenced by her latest works, her resolve and passion for singing were forever spirited. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Darchinyan gets no respect
By Peter Kogoy
24aug05
ARMENIAN-born Australian world champion Vic Darchinyan has vowed “to
bash” Colombian flyweight contender Jair Jiminez into early
retirement at the Sydney Entertainment Centre tonight.
Jiminez will aim to score an upset in the IBF contest, but faces a
formidable task.
“I will bash him badly,” said Darchinyan, before spending yesterday
afternoon in a sauna to shed more than 1kg to meet the 50.8kg weight
limit.
“Jiminez has shown me no respect. I am undefeated and the world
champion. He should show me more respect than to mouth off about me
to the media.”
Darchinyan’s battle with the bulge came after the title defence had
to be postponed for four weeks when Jiminez had trouble securing a
visa.
“I did plenty of running, but the weight still kept going up. But
time in the sauna will see my bodyweight come in right on the limit.”
Darchinyan, who boasts a 23-0 record, is a hot favourite against the
ninth-ranked Jiminez (24-4-1).
“I have the IBF and the IBO flyweight titles and my next goal after I
beat Jiminez is to unify the division,” Darchinyan said.
However, Thailand’s formidable Pongsaklek Wonjongkam stands in his
way.
Jiminez has the services of veteran trainer Roberto Quesada of Cuba.
Darchinyan won the title from another Colombian, Irene Pacheco, in
December.
Quesada said Jiminez, 26, had sparred 120 rounds over three months in
preparation for tonight’s fight.
He claimed Jiminez would put Darchinyan under more pressure than the
champion received in his last fight.
“Darchinyan has a (unbeaten) professional record, but he’s still an
amateur,” Quesada said.
“It’s no secret that Jiminez will put too much pressure on
Darchinyan. Jiminez moves his head and Darchinyan doesn’t.”
Jiminez boasts 16 knockouts in his 24 wins, but has lost his past two
fights, to Gerson Guerrero. Quesada said both were at the
super-flyweight, or 52.16kg, limit.
“When Jiminez is fighting at flyweight he’s good, at super-flyweight
he’s not so good.”
The undercard for tonight’s promotion features three unbeaten boxers:
super-featherweight (58.97kg) Billy Dib; featherweight Ahmed Elomar
(57.15kg) and super-middleweight (76.20kg) Victor Oganov.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 23 2005
Azerbaijani, Armenian FMs to meet over Nagorno-Karabakh in Moscow

MOSCOW, August 23 (Itar-Tass) – Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers will discuss the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh settlement in
Moscow.
`At first, an informal meeting with the Armenian counterpart, Vardan
Oskanian will be held,’ Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov
said on Tuesday. `On Wednesday, an official meeting will take place.
It is necessary to work actively,’ he said. `At present, we see light
at the end of the tunnel and we have an opportunity to find a common
denominator in dealing with this problem.’
Asked whether Azerbaijan was satisfied with the role of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Mamedyarov said that he could
not be satisfied, as the conflict was still smoldering. He pointed
out that `at present, the talks became very active and it is
necessary to continue to make steps in this direction.’
The two ministers took part in the meeting of CIS foreign ministers
in the Russian capital on Tuesday.
`In contrast to previous meetings, this one was more active and more
interesting,’ Mamedyarov said. He pointed out Azerbaijan `refrained
from signing several documents.’
`We cannot accept the documents bearing `supra-national elements,’
because they affect the country’s sovereignty,’ he said.
As for the CIS future, Mamedyarov pointed out that `the CIS is rather
alive, than dead.’

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 23 2005
Nigeria president pledges to UNESCO to take care of Russia sailors

MOSCOW, August 23 (Itar-Tass) – Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
will take care of Russian sailors who are kept in custody in this
country. He made these pledges in a message addressed to the Paris
UNESCO headquarters after an address of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Ara Abramyan.
`I bear in mind your concerns and intention to quickly settle the
situation,’ the president emphasized. He noted that after the
proceedings and the pronouncement of the sentence `political steps
may be made or possible exchange of prisoners may be considered.’
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and head of the Union of Russian Armenians
Ara Abramyan is taking part actively in the efforts to return the
sailors to the homeland. The Russian side handed over to Nigerian
lawyers all necessary documents for their release under guarantees of
the embassy.
`The formalities that the Nigerian court demanded from the Russian
side are fulfilled,’ the Russian Foreign Ministry said. `At present,
the point is that these documents should pass through relevant
Nigerian instances,’ the ministry said.
The Russian sailors are kept in custody in the strict regime prison
Kiri-Kiri. They are accused of oil smuggling. The tanker African
Pride flying the Panamanian colors and belonging to the Greek company
Azora-service was detained on October 8, 2003, 18 miles off Lagos on
suspicions of crude smuggling.
The hearings of the case began in the Nigerian federal court in March
2004. Only some crewmembers of the tanker, including 12 Russian
sailors were charged with attempted oil smuggling from the country.
The defendants refused to plead guilty.
The youngest crewmember is 25 years old, and the oldest is 65 years
old. All of them need qualified medical aid. They recovered from
malaria, are exhausted and sick with gastroenteritis.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/22/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Sense of Justice Has No Equal 2) Truth First, Then Reconciliation Says Visiting Howard Dean 3) Lake Sevan Sets Stage for Kocharian, Saakashvili Informal Talks 4) Kurdish Rebel Ceasefire Meets with Chilly Reaction in Turkey 5) ECHR Fines Turkey for 'Freedom of Expression' 1) Sense of Justice Has No Equal Azeri Oil Money Does Not Intimidate Armenia Says Oskanian YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--In a strongly worded statement released over the weekend, Armenia said that Azerbaijan's planned military buildup would not force Armenia into making increased concessions in negotiating the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. The statement came in response to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev's pledge to boost his country's military budget by 70 percent through multimillion-dollar proceeds from its soaring oil exports. Aliyev said in a speech last Tuesday that increases in Azeri military spending will eventually force Armenians to make more compromises on Karabagh But in his written statement, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian point-blank stated: "They can neither seduce nor, worse, scare us with their oil. Armenia always has the ability to militarily counter any Azerbaijani military budget. In fact, the advantage that Armenians have over Azerbaijan is not in military expenditures or arms, but in the justness of the cause." Oskanian also said that Azeris will always lack the motivation to win back Mountainous Karabagh, and that the international community has come to terms with Armenian control over Karabagh. "Armenians believe that the Mountainous Karabagh cause is just, and in case of war, they will be fighting for their own homes and land. This is not what the Azerbaijanis did or would do," he said. "It would be better for Azerbaijan to compete not militarily, but engage in healthy economic and political competition," said Oskanian. "And in those realms, today, Azerbaijan is far from challenging Armenia or even Mountainous Karabagh." The chief of the Armenian army staff, Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, also brushed aside Aliyev's threats on Monday. "I think they ought to invest that money in the socio-economic development of their country and people who are poor and starving," he said. Harutiunian also warned that the Armenian side "will not stay idle" either. "We are also preparing and although we are not going to invest big money, we will invest enough," he said without elaborating. The latest round of war of words between Armenia-Azerbaijan comes on the eve of Aliyev's talks in Russia with President Robert Kocharian, which international mediators say could mark a turning point in the long-running efforts to broker a solution to the Karabagh dispute. Oskanian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will meet in Moscow on Wednesday to prepare for those talks. Speaking to journalists in Baku on Friday, Aliyev said although the conflicting parties have made serious progress towards a peaceful settlement there are still "serious differences." He claimed that they have been discussing a "step-by-step" peace accord that would indefinitely delay agreement on Karabakh's status. But Oskanian denied this, saying that the Armenia is only ready to accept a "package" deal that "may be implemented in stages." He also said the international community is "assessing the situation more realistically" than Azerbaijan. "The international trend regarding conflicts--East Timor, developments around Kosovo, the Sudan Agreement--all these developments demonstrate that the international community today is leaning towards greater respect for the right of peoples to self-determination," he said. 2) Truth First, Then Reconciliation Says Visiting Howard Dean YEREVAN (ANCA/RFE-RL)--Former US presidential candidate Howard Dean ended a two-day visit to Armenia this weekend with a pledge to drum up greater support among fellow Democrats in US Congress to pass legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide. Dean, who now heads the Democratic National Committee, criticized the Bush administration for its failure to publicly refer to the 1915-1918 mass killings and deportations of Armenians as a genocide. He said Washington should not fear antagonizing the government of Turkey, a key US ally, which strongly denies the Genocide occurred. "The truth is that the Armenian genocide took place 90 years ago," the former governor of Vermont told reporters after laying a wreath at Yerevan's hilltop memorial to some 1.5 million victims of the genocide. "Over a million people were killed. There is no question that the United States should recognize this." "Sometimes facts are inconvenient," he said, commenting on the Bush administration's stance on the issue. "It is true that the Turks are great friends and allies of ours, but every country does things wrong once in a while. Our country enslaved millions of Africans for a long time. So we have to look back at the past. If you want to have reconciliation, you first have to have the truth." Dean pledged to recognize the Armenian genocide during his unsuccessful campaign to secure the Democratic Party's nomination in the last elections. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who unexpectedly defeated Dean in the Democratic primaries, gave similar promises. Dean grinned when asked whether he thinks the US would have already recognized the genocide if Bush had failed to win reelection. "There is no way of knowing that," he said. "I believe that the Democratic Party has to deal with what the facts are. And the facts are that a genocide occurred. You can't pretend that it didn't happen." Dean went on to express his support for a draft congressional resolution that calls on Bush to "accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide" in his annual messages to the US-Armenian community. "The Democrats do not control the House [of Representatives] or the Senate or, unfortunately, the White House," he said. "But when I get home I will be speaking with the Democratic leadership of the House and ask them to support this resolution. And if we get a few Republicans we can pass it." The Armenian Genocide Resolution, which was formally introduced on June 14 by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), calls on the President Bush to ensure US foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution includes thirty detailed findings from past US hearings, resolutions, and Presidential statements, as well as references to statements by international bodies and organizations. Dean, who many Democrats hope will help to revive their party's fortunes, said that the existence of the influential Armenian-American community was a key reason for his decision to visit Armenia. His meetings on Friday with President Robert Kocharian and other senior officials in Yerevan were organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The meetings focused on US-Armenian relations and the situation in the region. "It is very important for us in the United States to have a strong Armenia," said Dean. "We want Armenia to succeed as a democratic state and I think Armenia has done well in the last ten years. There is more that needs to be done, but I'm very pleased by the progress and I hope the progress will continue." 3) Lake Sevan Sets Stage for Kocharian, Saakashvili Informal Talks LAKE SEVAN--President Robert Kocharian met with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili at a popular Armenian resort on Monday for informal talks, according to a presidential source. Sources in the Armenian presidential administration said that Saakashvili arrived in Yerevan on Sunday and joined Kocharian at his summer retreat on the shore of Lake Sevan. His Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili later joined them. The last meeting between the two leaders took place at a Georgian ski resort last April, when they discussed tensions in Georgia's impoverished Javakhk region, which is mostly Armenian-populated. According to a Russian news agency, the situation in Javakhk was again on their agenda. The Armenian and Georgian prime ministers paid a joint visit to the restive region late last month, promising joint efforts to alleviate socioeconomic problems. The Georgian premier Zurab Noghaideli announced his government will use additional U.S. assistance that will be provided to Georgia to rebuild the local roads and other infrastructure. Speaking to a group of Armenian journalists last week, Saakashvili called for the establishment of closer economic ties between the two neighboring countries. "Developing without each other would not be rational, natural or right," he said. 4) Kurdish Rebel Ceasefire Meets with Chilly Reaction in Turkey ANKARA (AFP)--Turkish officials snubbed a decision by the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for a one-month ceasefire, as analysts predicted no breakthroughs in the conflict that continues to burden Ankara as it prepares for accession talks with the European Union. The PKK's decision to stop armed action until September 20 followed a landmark pledge by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week to resolve the Kurdish problem with "more democracy" and mounting calls by civic groups on the PKK to lay down arms. Government officials refused to comment on the cancellation of a news conference by the PKK's political wing KONGRA-GEL, which was scheduled to take place in Belgium. Kurdish sources, however, described the move as Turkish pressure on Belgium. The PKK has fought Ankara since 1984, and is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Turkey as well as the EU and the United States. "It is out of the question for us to comment on this issue," said Akif Beki, Erdogan's spokesman. A senior foreign ministry official, who requested anonymity, stated that "those people are terrorists and it is not possible for us to qualify their actions either as positive or negative." Ankara has meticulously avoided any move that could imply recognition of the PKK. "We will closely watch the developments in this one-month period. We will give time to Prime Minister Erdogan's well-intended efforts," KONGRA-GEL head Zubeyir Aydar told the pro-Kurdish MHA news agency. The PKK has markedly intensified attacks on the army in the past several months since calling off a five-year unilateral truce in June 2004 on the grounds that Ankara did not respond in kind. Turkish officials have also blamed the PKK for several deadly bomb blasts in Istanbul and tourist resorts, but the rebels have denied responsibility, putting the blame on a radical splinter group. In Diyarbakir, the central city of the mainly Kurdish southeast, Kurdish activists who had urged an unconditional truce expressed disappointment with the one-month ceasefire but kept their hopes alive that it could help build confidence between Ankara and the rebels. "The announcement falls short of our expectations, but a partial ceasefire will end the fighting and should be seen as a beginning, an opening for a resolution of the conflict," Mesut Bestas, a senior local politician, told AFP. Analysts were less optimistic. Political scientist Dogu Ergil said the PKK move was "political blackmail" aimed at extracting concessions from Ankara as it gears up for accession talks with the EU on October 3. "The PKK has no genuine political agenda," he said. "Its real concern is to secure an amnesty for its militants and get [jailed PKK leader Abdullah] Ocalan out of prison." Ismet Berkan, editor-in-chief of the Radikal daily, said the army was unlikely to stop cracking down on the PKK, which would give the rebels an easy pretext to renew armed action. "It is inconceivable for the army to stop operations against militants up in the mountains who possess hundreds of kilograms of explosives and mines," he wrote in anticipation of the ceasefire announcement. The conflict has claimed some 37,000 lives since 1984, when the PKK took up arms for Kurdish self-rule in the southeast. The brutal state response led to gross human rights breaches on both sides and opened a wide confidence gap between Ankara and the Kurds, who make up about a fifth of Turkey's 70-million population. Anxious to boost its EU membership bid, Ankara has ended 15 years of emergency rule in the southeast and allowed the Kurdish language to be taught at private courses and used in public broadcasts over the past several years. Even though the reforms are believed to have diminished popular support for the PKK, Kurdish activists say Ankara should further expand the minority's freedoms. 5) ECHR Fines Turkey for 'Freedom of Expression' STRASBOURG (BIA)-- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) handed Turkey a fine of 400,000 dollars in damages so far this year in legal cases about freedom of expression and fair trial. The court fined Turkey 166,000 dollars in similar cases last year. The ECHR ruled that Turkey should pay 20,500 dollars in damages to Socialist Part (SP) leader Dogu Perincek; a total of 36,100 dollars to Gunluk Emek newspaper's chief editor Ahmet Ergin and owner Halit Keskin, and 116,200 dollars to Ilkay Adali, the wife of journalist Kutlu Adali who was killed in northern Cyprus, among other people. Since 2004, Turkey has been fined 557,554 dollars in damages for violating article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which oversees freedom of expression, article 6/1, which calls for a fair trial, and article 2, which concerns not "investigating enough" journalist deaths. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Open Democracy, UK
Aug 23 2005
Abkhazian futures
by Andrew Mueller

A small, little-known corner of the southern Caucasus resists
Georgia, relies on Russia, and is resolute for independence. Andrew
Mueller reports from Abkhazia.

Sukhum’s international airport must be the quietest such aviation hub
on earth. There are only a couple of passenger jets parked on the
runway, derelict Aeroflot planes that look like they haven’t been
airborne since Leonid Brezhnev was in power. There are no customs
formalities, just a bored security guard waving the few arrivals
through, and outside there are no taxis, no buses, no uniformed
chauffeurs holding up the names of their passengers.

Also on Abkhazia and Georgia in openDemocracy’s `Caucasian
fractures’ debate:
George Hewitt, `Sakartvelo: roots of turmoil’ (November 2003)
Nino Nanava, `Mikhail Saakashvili: new romantic or modern realist’
(December 2003)
Neal Ascherson, `Tbilisi, Georgia: the rose revolution’s rocky road’
(July 2005)
Chris Smith, `Baku-Ceyhan, the politics of oil’ (August 2005)
If you find this material valuable please consider supporting
openDemocracy by sending us a donation so that we can continue our
work and keep it free for all

The moribund status of Sukhum’s international airport is a by-product
of the fact that nobody outside Sukhum (sometimes rendered as
`Sukhumi’) considers it an international airport. Sukhum is the
nominal capital of Abkhazia, a region in the north-west of Georgia
which has been struggling for more than a decade to be recognised as
an independent, sovereign state. The cost, in money and human life,
has been incalculable: around 10,000 people are estimated to have
died in the little-reported 1992-93 war with Georgia, many of them
Abkhazians in a total Abkhaz population of only 90,000.
For most foreigners, coming here is possible only if they can gain
the necessary approval to travel on one of the United Nations’s
sporadic helicopter flights from the Georgian military airbase near
Senaki. The lumbering Russian-built Mi-8s fly straight to the coast
and then miles out into the Black Sea before turning back around to
Sukhum; the careful arc an acknowledgment that in October 2001, a UN
helicopter was shot down over Abkhazia, killing all nine people
aboard.
A shadow state
Abkhazia is visibly determined – despite the overt hostility of
Georgia, and the indifference of the rest of the planet – to make its
own way in the world. The territory’s public buildings, shops and
street stalls, fly Abkhazia’s own flag, rich in symbolism: green and
white stripes (representing Abkhazia’s mixed Christian and Islamic
heritage), a red panel emblazoned with an open palm (denoting
friendship), which appears to be juggling seven white stars
(representing Abkhazia’s provinces).
The formalities of independent status are everywhere. Abkhazia has
its own government, which collects its own taxes, and includes its
own foreign ministry (even if, by definition, this seems a bit like
Switzerland having a navy minister or the Netherlands a mountain
rescue service); its own police, operating according to Abkhazia’s
own laws; its own military, in which two years’ service is compulsory
for young men; its own postage stamps (though opinion about the
chances of postcards sent with them ever being seen again is mixed).
At the same time, the realities of dependency abound. Abhkazia plans
to issue its own passports, though an agreement to give all
Abkhazians the right of Russian citizenship in 2002 seemed to
compromise the goal of statehood. Russian troops guarantee the
country’s border with Georgia on the Inguri river to the east, and
are present in Sukhum itself – enviably billeted in tree-shrouded
dachas next to the beach in one of the old Soviet Union’s premier
holiday resorts (which must beat serving in Chechnya).
Abkhazia may shun the Georgian currency (lari), but it uses the
Russian rouble rather than any currency of its own. Russian is also
the most commonly heard language, though in recent years there has
been a revival of interest in the northwest Caucasian language of
Abkhazian, another marker of distinction from south Caucasian
Georgian (kartvelebi) and Mingrelian (megruli) of Georgia.
Abkhazians are fond of pointing out that the country’s modern
difficulties derive from a decree by a son of Georgia, Josef Stalin.
After the consolidation of Soviet power in 1921, Abkhazia enjoyed
(for want of a better term) the same constitutional status within the
Soviet Union as Georgia itself – that of an Autonomous Soviet
Socialist Republic.
Stalin’s regular holidays in Abkhazia inspired no fondness for its
people (with his chief henchman, Lavrenti Beria – a Mingrelian – he
would destroy Nestor Lakoba and the rest of Abkhazia’s political
leadership in the 1930s purges). In 1931, he decided to reduce its
status by incorporating it into Georgia. Georgian was made Abkhazia’s
official language, and thousands of Georgians were encouraged to
settle there. By the time the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
stopped answering to its own name in 1991, only around 20% of
Abkhazia’s population were ethnically Abkhazian.
War descended upon Abkhazia in August 1992. Post-Soviet Georgia had
lurched from the crazed misdirection of chauvinist zealot Zviad
Gamsakhurdia to the overlordship of ex-Soviet foreign minister Eduard
Shevardnadze, who – in face of Abkhazian moves to outright
independence – sanctioned a brutal invasion of the rebellious
province.
The thirteen-month war was largely ignored by a world then
preoccupied with the carnage in disintegrating ex-Yugoslavia. Yet
there are deep parallels between the conflicts – in the `ethnic
cleansing’ of populations, the state- and media-orchestrated
nationalist intolerance, and the impulse to cultural annihilation as
well as military victory.
Just as the Bosnian Serbs attempted to extinguish proof of Bosnia’s
national identity by destroying the national library in Sarajevo, so
Georgian bombs razed Abkhazia’s Institute of Language, Literature and
History, and used Sukhum’s monuments to local heroes as target
practice (the bulletholes are still visible in many cases, while the
statue of poet Dmitri Gulia has its head blown off).
It is hard to find a single Abkhazian who didn’t lose friends or
family members in the conflict with Georgia. Eventually, Abkhazia’s
hastily-convened irregular forces – abetted by various detachments of
Russians as well as Chechens and other `north Caucasians’ – drove the
Georgian military from Abkhazian territory. Around 250,000 ethnically
Georgian refugees fled with them, many to a hellish long-term
existence in the ruins of Tbilisi’s Hotel Iveria.
Abkhazia declared independence in 1994. It has been painfully
attempting to recover ever since. The territory still has no formal
transport links with the rest of Georgia, though discussions about
restoring the railway line have been held. Ships from Turkey call at
Sukhum, though they risk being impounded or fired on by Georgian
naval vessels. Increasing numbers of Russian tourists negotiate the
only open border crossing near Sochi to enjoy the beaches and hotels
of Gagra and Pitsunda, prestigious resorts during Soviet times.
No compromise
The potential wealth generated by tourism, against the backdrop of
one of the most fertile regions in the world, would certainly be
enough to sustain a workable Abkhazian economy. Yet in present
geopolitical circumstances it is difficult to see how Abkhazia’s
dreams can possibly come true.
It is inconceivable that any Georgian government will offer it
independence – aside from giving up miles of potentially profitable
coastline, recognising Abkhazia could only encourage Georgia’s other
restive regions (the Adzharian problem may have been solved, but
South Ossetia is beyond Tbilisi’s control and there is growing
discontent among the Armenian minority in the south).
Moreover, the United States has no conceivable interest in Abkhazian
statehood. It is developing closer military and strategic ties with
Georgia, and its interest in Caspian oil supplies is reflected in its
support of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline that runs through Georgia’s
territory.
The US has consistently made clear its positive view of Georgia since
the `rose revolution’ that brought its smart young president, Mikhail
Saakashvili, to power in late 2003 – even extending the honour of an
ecstatically-welcomed visit by George W Bush in May 2005.
Meanwhile, the present uncertainty over Abkhazia’s status and future
suits Russia rather well. As Tbilisi strives to move closer to the
west, Moscow can loom menacingly in Georgia’s wing-mirrors and
preserve its strategic options in the troubled region (fuelling more
febrile Georgians’ fears that Abkhazians may one day be used – like
Sudetenland Germans in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s – as a pretext for
military intervention).
Despite this apparent absence of hope for a diplomatic breakthrough
in Abkhazia’s recognition by the international community, there seems
no appetite – among Abkhazia’s government or public alike – for any
sort of compromise. Indeed, in a government riven with personal
rivalries (something that became dangerously apparent during the
contested, divisive, and occasionally violent electoral process
between October 2004 and January 2005), this may be the only unifying
factor. When examples of a middle way are suggested, such as the
Basque country’s autonomy inside Spain or Scotland’s and Wales’s
within the United Kingdom, they are swiftly dismissed.
`There are’, the foreign minister Sergei Shamba declares, `no models
which could bring us together with the Georgian state. Due to
history, and due to public opinion, we stand by our right to
independence.’
`It’s about us, now’, confirms Vice-President Raul Khadjimba. `We
have to create the conditions for the world to hear about us. We have
to use television, newspapers, the internet, to tell people more
about Abkhazia. Maybe one day these issues will touch someone’s
heart, and the world will give us a chance.’