TURKISH CITIZEN ONLY ACCEPTS CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED SMUGGLING
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Ektan Turkyilmaz, a Turkish citizen,
accepted partly the charge brought against him. Responding a question
asked in the court, he stated at the August 12 court sitting that he
accepts a charge of attempted smuggling but not a charge of smuggling.
“My guilt might have come from ignorance of the Armenian laws, I never
intended to break the Armenian laws and do any harm to the Armenian
people,” the accused said. The witness Hayk Meliksetian, a customs
employee at Zvartnots Airport, stated that there is a list of items
subject to declaration at the entrance of the customs zone, and any
citizen carrying an item indicated in the list must go through the
so-called red zone. The Turkish citizen, however, went through the
green zone. In the witness’s words, E. Turkyilmaz was just “ignorant
of the law.” Several booksellers, from whom the Turkish citizen had
purchased books, testified in the court. In particular, the witness
Babken Sakanian said that E. Turkyilmaz was interested in books of
the 1600s-1700s and made purchases (in drams) of a total of 3,200
dollars. Another bookseller Arsen Harutyunian confirmed his
preliminary evidence, according to which the Turkish citizen was
showing interest in books on the Armenian Genocide, Armenology as well
as books printed early. According to the witness, E. Turkyilmaz
admitted the fact of the Armenian Genocide in a private talk they
had. The accused made a gesture in the courtroom showing that he
recognizes the Armenian Genocide. The witnesses will continue
testifying at the next court sitting on August 15. To recap, on June
17, 2005, the employees of the RA national security bodies found, as a
result of operative measures at Zvartnots Airport, 110 books printed
in the 17-20 centuries, manuscripts, maps, magazines, brochures,
including 89 ones of historical and cultural value, in the luggage of
Ektan Turkyilmaz, a Tirkish citizen of Kurdish descent, 33, a
post-graduate student at the “Duke” University, who was going to take
a Yerevan-Stambul flight. He made an attempt to smuggle the
abovementioned items out of Armenia, trying to hide them from customs
control.

SWEDEN WILLING TO ASSIST IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, NOYAN TAPAN. At the August 12 meeting between the
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and the delegation headed by
the Swedish Prime Minister Staff’s State Secretary Lars Danielsson
Gunnar, the sides underlined the necessity for further development of
the Armenian-Swedish relations and the importance of paying mutual
visits. According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the
delegation is in Armenia within the framework of a regional visit.t
V. Oskanian appreciated Sweden’s assistance to Armenia with the aim of
ensuring the maximum involvement of Armenia in the EU Program
“European Neighborhood Policy”. He also pointed out the successful
process of the technical programs implemented in Armenia since 1995
with funds of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). At
the request of the guest, the Armenian Foreign Minister presented the
current programs on Armenia’s cooperation with the EU and the NATO, as
well as issues related to the relations between Armenia and Turkey.
Speaking about the process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,
Lars Danielsson Gunnar noted that his country is interested in seeing
the region conflict-free in the shortest possible time. He also
stressed his country’s willingness to provide both political and
economic assistance in order to help reach agreements aimed at the
conflict settlement.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN-SWEDISH POLITICAL RELATIONS DEVELOP DYNAMICALLY
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, NOYAN TAPAN. At the August 12 meeting with the
Swedish Prime Minister Staff’s State Secreatry Lars Danielsson, Vice
Speaker of the RA National Assembly Vahan Hovhannisian noted that the
political relations with Sweden are developing dynamically.
V. Hovhannisian briefly described the political situation in
Armenia. The issues of the constitutional reforms and the opposition’s
boycott were the pivotal ones during the meeting. NA Vice Speaker
expressed an opinion that the most realistic figures of the opposition
will return to parliament in order to amend the Constitution of the
country since it is quite obvious that the amended Constitution will
increase their rights and opportunities. Although the draft
constitutional amendments have been revised and improved, becoming
acceptable for European experts, V. Hovhannisian attached much more
importance to their being accepted by the people. According to the RA
National Assembly PR Department, the sides underlined the necessity of
keeping the public informed about the Constitutional amendments. The
main activities in this direction will be carried out after the
special session of the NA to be held on August 29 when the draft will
be passed in the second reading. The Swedish official showed interest
in the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani interparliamentary
cooperation. V. Hovhannisian explained that parliaments of the two
countries cooperate indirectly – within the framework of various
interparliamentary organizations. He said the Azerbaijani side rejects
the proposals for cooperation made by Armenia. He expressed concern
that this position of Azerbaijan may endanger the implementation of
the Wider Europe. New Neighborhood Program. The NA Vice Chairman noted
with satisfaction the Armenian-Swedish cooperation in various
international organizations. He assessed the report on the issue of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement made by G. Lenmarker, a Swede by
nationality, as a great assistance for its realistic and balanced
nature.

IN ORDER TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS, ARMENIA AND TURKEY SHOULD FORGO FROM
PUTTING FORWARD ANY PRECONDITIONS, ACGRC HEAD SAYS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The Analytical Center of
Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC) and the Fridrich Ebert
Fund held on August 11 a seminar to discuss the current state and
perspectives of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the problem of the
recognition of the Armenian genocide. In the opinion of Arsen Avagian,
an advisor of the RA Ministry of Interior Affairs, today some change
regarding the issue of the recognition of the Armenian genocide can be
observed in the Turkish society. In particular, a mood has become more
pronounced among the Turkish intelligentsia, according to which the
problem of the Genocide cannot be solved by its constant denial.
According to A. Avagian, “many in Turkey speak in favor of taking the
issue of the Armenian genocide off the international agenda and making
it a subject of the bilateral Armenian-Turkish discussion.”
A. Avagian considered it desirable that the Turkish government would
recognize the Genocide under the pressure of the Turkish society
itsdelf, from which the truth about the tragic events of the beginning
of the 20th century was concealed for many years, rather than under
the influence of the international community. According to the ACGRC
Head Stepan Grigorian, the problem of the Genocide recognition should
be taken off the agenda of Armenia’s foreign policy, and only experts
and the Armenian Dispora should deal with it. “The experience of the
past ten years shows that the Armenian genocide has been recognized by
states either procceding from their own interests or thanks to the
activities of the Diaspora. It has no relation to the position of the
RA state institutions and the activities of the political elite.” In
the opinion of S. Grigorian, the issue of the Genocide recognition
should become a subject of the bilateral Armenian-Turkish
discussion. He noted that Armenia should clearly differentiate the
Armenian-Turkish relations and the Armenian-Azerbaijani ones in order
to normalize the relations with Turkey. Besides, both countries shou!
ld forgo from putting forward any preconditions and not take steps
that may lead to further escalation of the tension in the bilateral
relations, which actually took place as a result of arresting Ektan
Turkielmaz, a Turkish scientist, on smuggling charges.

Pan Armenian News
TURKISH PRESS ACCUSES FRANCE IN LYING IN ARMENIAN ISSUE
09.08.2005 08:36
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish press accuses France in lying and asserts the
country that comes against Turkey’s accession to the EU «lies to the world
in the issue of the Armenian Genocide.» According to the Zaman newspaper
writes that there are documents in French sources allegedly proving the
opposite «just Armenians had organized massacre of thousands of Muslims in
Ottoman Turkey.» Naturally, the newspaper does not cite any facts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

California’s congressional clout increases
Friday, August 12, 2005 – 9:38:18 PM PST
news.com
By 1:By Lisa Friedman, Staff Writer
WASHINGTON – From the Iraq War to tensions in the Mid east to the
extradition of criminals hiding in Mexico, California’s influ ence on
U.S. foreign policy is intensi fying. About 25 percent of the House
com mittee overseeing international af fairs hails from the Golden
State, leading some aides to jokingly refer to the panel’s “California
cabal” even as Congress’ foreign policy de mands increasingly reflect
the state’s diversity and global economic ties.
Twelve of the panel’s 50 members represent California, including the
leading Democrat, Tom Lantos of San Mateo, one other Northern Cali
fornian, one from the Central Valley, and nine representing various
parts of the Southland. Three Californians chair subcommittees on
issues rang ing from Europe to State Department oversight to
international terrorism.
“California members are very active in international relations because
the state is an economic powerhouse,” said Matthew Reynolds, acting
assis tant secretary of state for legislative affairs, a liaison
between Congress and the State Department.
Reynolds said California “is on the threshold of a lot of things. Its
inter ests are political, human rights, there’s interest in security
issues, and I think you’ve probably got every group covered in
California.”
With the largest delegation in Con gress, California might be expected
to be represented in large numbers everywhere — but isn’t.
Californians make up fewer than 10 percent of nearly every other panel
in Congress — just five members serve on Transportation, six on Armed
Ser vices and five on Appropriations. Only the Resources Committee,
which oversees federal land and wa ter policy, comes close with nine
Californians making up about 18 per cent of the panel.
Lawmakers say the state’s relation ship as a trade partner with more
than 220 countries, and the fact that Cali fornians trace their roots
from more than 100 nations, primarily account for the Golden State’s
disproportion ate involvement in foreign affairs.
“There’s a natural interest in interna tional affairs, perhaps even
greater than other parts of the country,” said Rep. Howard Berman,
D-Van Nuys. “California’s economy, its interna tional dimension, plays
a huge factor, as well as the part that so many Californians come from
other coun tries.”
But California interests are, of course, anything but
homogenous. Orange County’s Vietnamese com munity, for example, may
press for human rights in Vietnam while Los Angeles’ Armenian
community urg es an end to Turkey’s blockade of Armenia.
Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, uses her position to encour
age better relations between the Unit ed States and Latin America,
while Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Hunting ton Beach, wields his influence
to highlight long-standing human rights concerns in China. Rep. Adam
Schiff, D-Pasadena, meanwhile, fo cuses his committee efforts on curb
ing nuclear proliferation.
“Foreign policy issues are now inter twined with national security is
sues,” he said.
Israel and the Palestinian territories also are frequent points of
conten tion, even within the California dele gation.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, for example, recently worked
language into a bill calling for an end to U.S. aid to the Palestinian
Authori ty as long as its government-spon sored textbooks deny the
existence of Israel. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, in a counteramendment,
softened the provision so that only aid to Palestin ian education
programs would be affected.
Overall, though, lawmakers say the foreign policy bills emerging from
Congress tend to have an overarch ing California theme: active engage
ment in global affairs.
“Mostly it reflects a recognition of an internationalist approach
rather than an isolationist approach,” Ber man said. “What goes on
around the world has an impact on us, and we need to be engaged.”
And engaged they are. For example, two laws about to go into effect —
one authorizing the U.S. State Depart ment for another two years and
an other approving international U.S. assistance — are filled with
provi sions authored by Californians.
Among them:
— One by Sherman blocking World Bank loans to Iran until the country
abandons its nuclear program.
— About $4.5 million in scholarship funds for students in Muslim coun
tries to attend U.S. schools as part of a program championed by
Berman to expose more students to American ideas and values.
— Demands from Reps. Elton Gal legly, R-Thousand Oaks, and Darrell
Issa, R-Vista, for the State Depart ment to submit detailed
statistical reports regarding Mexico extradition requests.
Meanwhile, the panel will vote next month on whether the killing of Ar
menians in Turkey during the Otto man Empire should be declared
“genocide.” That’s a direct result of Schiff, whose district is home
to many of California’s estimated 400,000 Armenians.
Armen Carapetian, spokesman for the Armenian National Committee of
America’s western region in Glen dale, said that for Armenians, having
a lawmaker on the International Re lations Committee is as important
as having one on a bread-and-butter panel like Appropriations.
“It certainly helps to have your local congressman represent you in
places where it matters,” Carapetian said.
Added former Los Angeles Rep. Mel Levine, now head of community re
lations for the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, “It’s very important,
and there’s no doubt that the pro-Israel community pays a lot of
attention to this committee.”
Levine, who served on International Relations himself when in
Congress, also noted that with more than 15 lawmakers representing a
portion of Los Angeles County, no one law maker bears the sole burden
of bring ing home federal money. That, he said, frees up politicians
who want to exercise their own intellectual inter ests in world
affairs.
“Our constituents tolerate it, even encourage it,” Sherman agreed. “A
Nebraska congressman might go home (after joining the foreign af fairs
panel) and his constituents would say “You gave up the Agricul ture
Committee for that?’ ”
Gallegly said he also thinks Califor nia constituents want their
represen tatives in Washington to be tuned in to the world.
“Let’s face it,” he said. “We live in a global society. People are a
lot more interested in what’s going on around the world and how it
affects us at home.”
Lisa Friedman can be reached by e-mail at lisa.friedman@lang news.com
or by phone at (202) 662-8731.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

President Vows to Ensure Democratic Parliament Poll
Baku Today / Assa Irada 13/08/2005 11:11
President Ilham Aliyev has vowed to ensure equal conditions for each
candidate running for the parliamentary elections due in November.

`We want to provide equal conditions for each candidate,’ President
Aliyev told the inaugural ceremony of a monument to the former
Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev in Sumgayit, 30 km west of Baku,
on Friday.
Aliyev called on local executive authorities not to interfere with the
election process. The pre-election situation in the country must be
more democratic and suitable conditions provided to hold rallies, he
said.
The President said that the international community is closely
following the upcoming legislative poll due to Azerbaijan’s being the
leading country in the region.
`We want the elections to be transparent. The Election Code and the
May 11 presidential decree on improving election practices allows
this.’
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh,
President Aliyev said that defense spending increased by 76% in 2005
and will go up next year as well. `Not a single patch of Azerbaijan’s
territory will remain under Armenian occupation,’ he said.

Armenpress
“MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES” PROGRAM TO PROVIDE 56.5 MILLION USD FOR
RECONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE ROADS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS: The Millennium Challenges program will
provide 56.5 million USD to Armenia for the reconstruction of the village
roads.
A road specialist of the task group Hakob Petrosian said 1,100 km long
roads of local and state importance are included in the program. More than
300 communities will be joined to roads having inter-state importance. He
said constriction of new roads is not expected.
According to him, the task group has thoroughly studied the state of the
roads and bridges and on the basis of the collected information the program
will be finally assessed with the participation of US experts. The road
specialist said the main aim of the program is the reduction of poverty by
economic development. The roads are infrastructures which have important
role in the development of agriculture. According to the initial estimates,
the program will promote the reduction of poverty by five percent and solve
social-economic issues as well as the ones connected with road
communication.
H. Petrosian said in September a memorandum will be signed which will
witness that the American side will surely finance the program. Then the
negotiations over the agreement will start and it will be ready at the end
of the year. In 2006 projecting works will launch and competition for
construction will be held. The construction will last 2007-2010.

Armenpress
ARMENIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT AJARIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian delegation of businessmen
headed by the co-chairman of the Armenian-Georgian Business Association,
member of parliament Volodya Badalian will pay visit to the Ajarian
Autonomous Republic August 13-16.
The Armenian delegation will be received by the Ajarian Prime Minister
Levan Varshalomidze. The aide to the co-chairman of the Association Ghazar
Muradian said the Armenian delegation will also meet with the Georgian
President Mikhail Saakashvili in Batumi. The officials from the Ajarian
Finance and Economy Ministry will present to the delegation the industrial
and tourism institutions of the Autonomous Republic.

Pan Armenian News
Explanations of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy concerning the
`Millennium Challenges’ Program
12.08.2005 05:51
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The August 5 Publication of the PanARMENIAN.Net with a
link to the Regnum Information Agency – `D. Avetisyan: We expect that
Armenia receives a WB Credit of $20 Million by the end of the year’ –
contained some mistakes as for the content and the negotiation process of
the `Millennium Challenges’ program. The RA Ministry of Finance and Economy
has provided explanations to the correspondents of the PanARMENAN.Net. The
draft program handed by the Armenian Government to the American Corporation
of `Millennium Challenges’ includes 2 components – investments into the
infrastructure of irrigation and the infrastructure of community roads. The
project does not cover the spheres of social welfare, public health and
education. According to the Armenian proposal of `Millennium Challenges’,
the total investment volume is equal to $175mln., not $60mln. as stated
before. $118mln. of overall $175mln. is intended for the irrigation
infrastructure and the other $57mln. – for the community roads. As for the
negotiation process, it is currently on the stage of joint practical
discussions between the MCA team and the Transaction team of the MC
Corporation. The discussions will cover the realistic possibility of poverty
reduction through economic growth during the implementation of the two
components of the MCA Program. The Compact negotiation phase will follow
current discussions, becoming a next step towards the realization of the
Program. The MCA team informs that the RA population will receive periodical
updates on further developments.