ARMENIA TO FULFIL ACTIVE PROPAGANDA TO FORM “POSITIVE
ARMENIAN IMAGE” WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

YEREVAN, MARCH 25. ARMINFO. A conflict of Cossacks and Armenians
in Novorossiysk proves once again that Armenia should fulfil an
active propaganda and to form the “positive Armenian image” with
international community, stated Leader of ARFD party Levon Lazarian
at today’s briefing in Armenian National Assembly.

He expressed anxiety that the common conflicts develop into the
serious problems between local residents and Armenian peoples.
Lazarian stressed that Armenian government should maintain constant
contacts with representatives of countries having Armenian communities
and to solve emergent problems with them. -r-

Armenian leader says new ferry link to tackle “serious transport problems”

Mediamax news agency
25 Mar 05

Yerevan, 25 March: The Russian and Armenian presidents, Vladimir
Putin and Robert Kocharyan, stressed the importance of the Port Kavkaz
(Russia) – Poti (Georgia) railway ferry in Yerevan today.

Speaking at a news conference on the outcome of talks with President
Kocharyan, Putin said that the railway ferry Port Kavkaz – Poti
would open new “broad opportunities” for business circles in Russia
and Armenia. He also said that it is desirable to attract private
investment in this project.

Armenian President Kocharyan, in his turn, said that the launch of
the railway ferry is the beginning of a solution to “very serious
transport problems” and will help change the situation “radically”.

Kocharyan said that the two also discussed “serious energy projects
which could have fundamental consequences”. The leaders of the two
countries noted major potential for the development of bilateral
economic relations, especially in the area of investment, banking
and construction.

Putin stressed that a rise in Russian investments in Armenia has been
recorded recently. Armenia could also invest in Russia, he noted.

[Armenian Arminfo news agency reported at 1207 gmt 25 Mar 05 that
the Russian president said that the first ferry loaded with grain and
bound for Georgia had left Port Kavkaz for Poti two days ago. “We are
planning to use this ferry in the future for shipments to Armenia as
well,” Putin said.]

The Age , Australia
March 27 2005

Darchinyan retains flyweight title
March 27, 2005 – 10:54PM

Australia’s Vic Darchinyan wore his opponent down and eventually
broke his heart as he retained his International Boxing Federation
flyweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of South African
Mzukisi Fikali at the Sydney Olympic Park Sport Centre.

Armenian-born Darchinyan, who was making his first defence of the
title he won last December, was leading by one point on two of the
judges’ cards and by three on the third at the time of the stoppage.

Fikali retired himself just over half a minute out from the end of
the eighth round after soaking up some vicious blows in the preceding
couple of minutes.

Darchinyan’s superior power proved decisive as the 29-year-old
Sydneysider gradually sapped the resolve of his 33-year-old
challenger.

Darchinyan shaded the first couple of rounds with some eye-catching
flurries.

The challenger lifted his work rate in the third, though Darchinyan
landed some good body shots toward the end of the round.

Fikali finished the fourth round with a cut just above his left eye.

Darchinyan threw his punches selectively rather than trying to
dominate for the entirety of each round.

The South African landed with some jabs and occasionally beat the
champion to the punch, but he didn’t appear to have the power of
Darchinyan.

The Australian looked more effective when he fired his right jab and
followed up, especially with some powerful body punches.

Fikali proved a slippery adversary, making the Australian miss on a
number of occasions as he lunged in an attempt to push the pace.

The challenger’s corner did a good job with the cut as the flow of
blood was stemmed.

While Darchinyan appeared to land the bigger blows, Fikali enjoyed
some success in backing up the champion and opened up a cut close to
his left eyelid in the seventh round.

It was unbeaten Darchinyan’s 23rd straight win and his 18th KO.

Sikali, who came into the fight holding the much more
lightly-regarded National Boxing Organisation flyweight title,
suffered his sixth loss in 38 bouts.

Easter a time of rebirth, renewal

Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH
Sunday, March 27, 2005

Don’t let the miles or grudges keep you separated from friends,
loved ones

>>From turmoil comes an appreciation for life’s bounty. So too is it
that the harsh and barren winter gives way to spring as nature renews
the cycle of life.

Flowers start to bloom and farmers begin to till the soil that will
nourish life with fruits and grains.

As part of this renewal, Christians today celebrate Easter and the
resurrection of Christ. They mark the conclusion of his journey
from darkness into light and the Christian tenant that mankind has
been redeemed.

But, while Easter Mass and the Resurrection serve as the cornerstones
of today’s celebration, cultures around the globe magnify the day’s
significance in many special ways.

In Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red to symbolize and honor the blood
of Christ. In Germany and Austria, green eggs commemorate Christ’s
last supper. An Armenian tradition involves decorating hollowed out
eggshells with religious images significant to the holiday.

In the United States, the traditions also vary while still recognizing
the egg as the symbol of germinating life and the coming of spring.

Pennsylvania Dutch children are taught that if they are good, the
Oschter Haws will lay a nest of brightly colored eggs.

On Monday, children will descend on the White House to roll Easter
eggs down the South Lawn continuing a tradition that Congress outlawed
in 1877 because it was tearing up the grounds of the Capitol.

But, in 1878 President Rutherford B. Hayes issued an official order
that “should any children arrive to egg roll on Easter Monday, they
were to be allowed to do so.” Now, over 125 years later children still
flock to the White House dressed in Easter finery to hurriedly move
brightly colored eggs across the South Lawn.

In New Hampshire and southern Maine, communities have come together
to renew their celebration of life and family.

Bolduc Park in Laconia was the site of an Easter egg hunt.

The Center Harbor fire station played host to an Easter party

In Portsmouth, children enjoyed an indoor beach party at the Edgewood
Center.

Rochester came together for a potluck supper at the Roberge Center.

In Kittery, Maine, children and adults decorated Easter eggs at the
Community Center and Traip Academy high schoolers sponsored an Easter
egg hunt for their younger counterparts.

Such traditions celebrate Easter and the meaning of the Resurrection
by fostering a sense of community and of family, the foundation on
which civilizations are built.

Of course, there will be families which will not be able to come
together for an Easter celebration. Many are separated by war and
illness. Children are away at college, others have chosen jobs in
warmer climates.

But physical separation is no excuse. Through His resurrection and
ascension, Christ taught us that it is our spirit which is important.

The miles need not separate families and friends if they are united
in spirit.

Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Repair a damaged relationship. Renew
your life and the life of someone you care about.

That is the message of Easter.

Azeri, Armenian foreign ministers to meet in mid-April

Turan news agency
26 Mar 05

Baku, 26 March: The next meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers will be held in the middle of April in one of
the European countries. The date and venue of the meeting will be
determined in the days to come, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov told reporters today.

Commenting on the statement by [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that
the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents may meet in Moscow on 9 May,
Mammadyarov said the presidents may meet if the talks between the
two countries foreign ministers yield results.

Asked what steps Azerbaijan is going to take now that the report of
the OSCE factfinding mission on the illegal settlement of Armenians
in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories has been made public, Mammadyarov
said Baku is preparing for future actions.

The minister said the UN General Assembly should also express its
position on the issue.

Sydney Morning Herald , Australia
March 27 2005

Darchinyan adds to belt collection with victory in eight
By Brad Walter
March 28, 2005

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After stopping South African Mzukisi Sikali in the eighth round of
last night’s world flyweight unification bout at the State Sports
Centre, Vic Darchinyan immediately nominated World Boxing Association
champion Lorenzo Parra as his next target.

Darchinyan, one of just three Australian boxers to currently hold a
world title, added the World Boxing Organisation belt to the
International Boxing Federation version he won last December against
the previously undefeated Irene Pacheco when Sikali put his gloves up
to signal he had had enough.

It was another typical hard-hitting performance from the 29-year-old
Armenia-born Sydneysider, who has now won 18 of his 23 fights by
knockout since turning professional after the 2000 Olympics.

He said Sikali, who had not previously suffered a defeat since 1999,
was a tough opponent but that he had always felt in control.

“He took good shots, [and] he was giving some good shots, too,”
Darchinyan said.

“When I punch him I think he was maybe stopped or going down, so I
don’t go for repeat shots but he kept coming back.

“He was fit and he gave me a good fight.”

Having disposed of the fighter rated No.4 in the division, Darchinyan
– himself rated No.3 – said he now wanted to take on Venezuelan
Parra, considered the best of the flyweights.

“I want to unify all of the belts,” he said. “The next one I am
looking for is the WBA belt. Lorenzo Parra is rated No.1 so I want to
fight him next and win that title, too.”

Despite suffering a cut above his left eye, Darchinyan simply had too
much power for Sikali, and he said the 33-year-old had retired two
minutes and 28 seconds into the eighth round as an act of self
preservation.

While he was never knocked down, Sikali was rocked on a number of
occasions by repeated uppercuts from Darchinyan.

“He stopped because he was already going,” Darchinyan said. “He is a
very smart boxer, he is very experienced. He knew that one more punch
and he would be knocked out.”

After taking time to size up his opponent for the first minute or so,
Darchinyan then took the fight to Sikali and landed a number of heavy
body blows in the first round, including one powerful shot to the
ribs.

In the second round he managed to punch his way through the South
African’s defence, opening a small cut near his right eye.

The third round was a little better for Sikali but the relentless
Darchinyan continued to dominate and in the fourth he stepped up the
pace and intensity even further.

A cut in the corner of Sikali’s left eye bled profusely as Darchinyan
tried to finish off yet another fight quickly and in the fifth round
he rocked the visiting southpaw.

Fighting the rest of the bout with blood trickling into his left eye
provoked little mercy as Darchinyan kept pounding Sikali until he
quit.

“I felt like I had more power and strength,” he said.

“I maybe stopped one round but in the rest I picked it. I was too
fit.”

Earlier in the evening, Team Fenech stablemate Lovemore Ndou
successfully defended his IBF Pan Pacific junior-welterweight title
with a second-round knockout of Jesar Ancajas from the Philippines,
while Nedal ‘Skinny’ Hussein stopped Tanzania’s clearly outclassed
Obote Ameme after just 30 seconds of their junior-lightweight bout.

Candidates hail from around globe
By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Article Published: Sunday, March 27, 2005 – 12:00:00 AM PST

Election hopefuls reflect diversity

GLENDALE — City Council candidate Hovik Gabikian lived through
the shah of Iran’s monarchy, the Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime, the
Iran-Iraq war and Armenian socialism.

School board candidate Maria Prieto Rochart fled Cuba, where her
father had been imprisoned for four years for opposing Fidel Castro.

Although they appear to come from seemingly different backgrounds,
both now find themselves realizing democracy in action: They are
among more than 40 candidates seeking the eight offices on the ballot
in Glendale’s April 5 municipal election — the largest field of
candidates in the city’s 99-year history. That’s as many candidates as
ran for 17 offices on the ballot in the Los Angeles election March 8.

Aside from the sheer number of candidates, what distinguishes the
Glendale election from others is its diversity, with candidates from
Cuba, Iran, England, the Philippines, Lebanon, Germany, Armenia,
Nicaragua and Hong Kong.

It’s the American dream for those to whom America was a dream as they
grew up in countries where they were oppressed, denied basic rights
and prohibited from having a voice in government.

“When we first got here and were going through the immigrant
experience, we always put the finger of blame on the government,” said
Gabikian, a 35-year-old social worker at the Los Angeles Department
of Social Services.

“Then I realized, as I tried to understand this huge system, how it
tries to integrate people from different backgrounds and lifestyles
and ideologies in a powerful and amazing way.”

What the large turnout reflects is a thriving grass-roots democracy
in the city of 200,000 whose residents speak 67 languages, said
Harry Pachon, a professor of immigration policy at the University of
Southern California.

“What it does is it refreshes American democracy, because what you
have is persons in ethnic neighborhoods or barrios that believe in
the American system even more so than native Americans,” he said.

“It’s almost civic naivete that they believe what we Americans take
for granted.”

For most immigrants coming from countries that quash their voices and
ideas, their concept of America is simple: The land of opportunity
where anything is possible — and obtainable.

Mayor Bob Yousefian remembers when, at age 17, he arrived in New
York City from Iran, speaking only a few words of English, staring
in wonderment at the skyscrapers.

“If somebody were to walk over to me and say that one day you’re going
to be mayor of one of these cities, I’d think they were crazy because
you’re coming from a country where you either have to been born into
it or you need to be one of the privileged,” said Yousefian, now 48.

“When you’re able to accomplish such a goal, then you really realize
what America is all about. It’s all up to you. If you want it, and
you work hard for it, you can achieve it.”

It was the absence of freedom in her native Cuba that prompted Rochart
to get involved in the community in which she now lives — and where
she realizes it’s a privilege to be able to vote.

“I have a very keen interest in politics and to be involved on a
local level and make a difference in our community,” said Rochart, 41.

“And because I come from a dictatorship, over here we take free speech
and all the things that come with the freedom here for granted.”

Gabikian, one of 19 candidates for four City Council seats, said he
wanted to run to serve as an example to other immigrants to take a
more active role in their community.

There are also nine candidates for three seats on the school board
and nine running for city clerk.

As with the Irish, the Italians and the Polish decades before, the
large number of candidates could also indicate the political maturation
of the ethnic groups, who traditionally start their political careers
by voting, then running for local office.

It’s especially true for the Armenians, who account for seven of the
18 City Council candidates, five of the nine school board candidates,
four of the nine city clerk candidates — and 25 percent of the
city’s population.

Diversity among elected officials in California is already becoming
more common and will only continue to grow as populations become more
diverse, said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of California Target Book,
a nonpartisan report analyzing political campaigns and races.

Hoffenblum cited the change in the state Legislature, where 15 years
ago there were six Latinos and there are 27 now.

“It’s phenomenal. We’re on the cusp of possibly electing a Latino for
mayor of Los Angeles and you’re seeing more and more of it. I mean,
look at Arnold,” he said, referring to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“One of the reasons they’re here in America is the right to vote
and to determine one’s own agenda. What new immigrants particularly
recognize is the power government has over them and the best way to
achieve that power is to go and get elected.”

Victor King, seeking re-election as a Glendale Community College
trustee and the first Asian-American elected official in Glendale
history, said that his cultural background never informed his decision
to run for the position.

But, the Hong Kong native said, his experiences allowed him to feel
sympathetic to the plight of new immigrants and the challenges they
face in their adopted country.

Historically, Glendale has been a haven for the displaced — from
those escaping the Dust Bowl in the 1930s to those fleeing strife in
the Middle East in the 1980s — King said, so he’s not surprised that
the election boasts such a large number of diverse candidates.

“There’s a profound connection between the two. Glendale has
traditionally been a place for people who come hoping for a better
life,” he said. “From the Midwest to the Middle East, Glendale has
been a place where newcomers have been welcome.”

Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 [email protected]

Kentucky.com, KY

FOOD

Posted on Sun, Mar. 27, 2005

WINE REVIEW

Spicy white good with Southern fare

By Wendy Miller

CONTRIBUTING WINE WRITER

Just when you had conquered gewurtztraminer, along comes another
white wine — rkatsiteli (ar-kat-si-TEL-lee) — that rewards efforts
of pronunciation. I first tasted it in Tbilisi, Georgia, more than
30 years ago. It made such an impression that I still remember floral
aromas (that I now know are like some rieslings) and a spicy, herbal
flavor (that I now know is like some gewurtztraminers).

Although relatively unfamiliar in the United States, the grape has been
around for thousands of years, originating in the Caucasus Mountains,
and is planted widely outside the United States. On this soil, it
thrives in the Finger Lakes vineyards of the Dr. Konstantin Frank
winery in New York.

The Dr. Konstantin Frank 2002 Rkatsiteli bears enough resemblance
to an Alsatian gewurtztraminer that it would pair well with Thai and
Szechuan dishes. I served it with grilled chicken and crudites with
a creamy lime-chipotle dip. It was a marriage made in heaven.

Closer to the American Southern palate, it would be great with fried
chicken, sweet potatoes, a collard green gratin and a salad with
buttermilk dressing. Of course, dishes from Georgia and Armenia,
like satsivi — grilled chicken with a rich, spicy walnut sauce —
stuffed grape leaves, flat bread with mozzarella or Muenster or
a tomato-laced eggplant caviar would lend an exotic edge to this
fabulous American wine.

I found it in Midway for less than $20, but it might be on Lexington
shelves as well.

Turkish Daily News
Today is Sunday, March 27 2005 2:13 pm GMT+2 updated at 12:00 P.M.

Last week in perspective

Sunday, March 27, 2005

On Friday, March 18, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said Eric Edelman, the U.S.
ambassador to Turkey, resigned from his post, but the decision was a
personal one and had nothing to do with current troubles besetting
Turkish-U.S. relations.

The United Nations denied it had received an official request from the
Greek Cypriot leadership to restart talks on reunification of the divided
island of Cyprus.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan, along with other Cabinet members and
high-ranking military officials, attended a series of ceremonies in
Çanakkale for the 90th anniversary of the 1915 Çanakkale naval victory.

A bill dubbed the ~Sstudent amnesty bill~T went into effect following
approval by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and its publication in the Official
Gazette yesterday, news agencies reported.

Turkish diplomats and officials killed by terrorist attacks while on duty
abroad were commemorated during a ceremony.

Mustafa Sarýgül, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Þiþli mayor,
testified before the party’s Supreme Disciplinary Board (YDK), where he was
charged with violating party bylaws during the CHP’s 13th extraordinary
party congress.

Fifteen people were still buried under the earth after a landslide on
Thursday in the Koyulshisar district of Sivas.

On Saturday, the Motherland Party (ANAP) celebrated the inclusion of
deputies Erkan Mumcu, Mehmet Erdemir, Süleyman Sarýbaþ and Mehmet Sait
Armaðan into their fold.

At the initiative of a Turkish Rotary district governor, Turkish,
Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian Rotary clubs met in Ankara for an
unprecedented joint program titled ~SCaucasus Friendship Days.~T

On Sunday, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s southernmost
main island of Kyushu, killing an elderly woman, injuring up to 400 people
and forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

Turkish officials in their messages on the occasion of the Nevroz Festival
expressed hope that Nevroz, the coming of spring, would bring peace and
happiness.

Ankara articulated that there was neither a direct nor an indirect
connection between the issue of Turkey’s recognition of the so-called
Armenian genocide and Turkey’s accession to the European Union.

CHP Izmir deputy Canan Arýtman submitted a proposal that calls for three
years of imprisonment for those guilty of forcing girls to undergo virginity
tests.

On Monday, approximately 250 people including Leyla Zana, Orhan Doðan,
Selim Sadak and Ahmet Türk, former deputies from the now-defunct Democracy
Party (DEP) attended the Nevroz celebrations in Diyarbakýr held by the
Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP) and the Democracy Platform.

In Mersin, a flag-desecration incident occurred during Nevroz
celebrations. Two children dragged the Turkish flag on the streets of the
city.

Government spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Çiçek said neither the
present Turkish Penal Code (TCK), nor the new one included any articles that
would allow the retrial of terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK-Kongra-Gel) leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said Turkey should soon sign a
protocol extending its Association Agreement with the EU to the ten new EU
members, including Greek Cyprus.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy Faruk Çelik said
Turkish-American ties would grow to reach a much better stage in the future
and high-level contacts between officials of the two countries can resolve
problems between Turkey and the United States

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül once again dismissed charges
that his government had slowed down reform efforts to gain membership to the
EU, saying membership in the 25-nation bloc remained a top priority.

Greek government spokesman Evangelos Andonaros said 25 members of the EU
expected candidate Turkey to fulfill its obligations before the start of
Turkish accession negotiations with the union.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat urged Russia to ease the
isolation of Turkish Cypriots and contribute to a fresh negotiation process
in order to reach a resolution on the decades-long Cyprus dispute.

Turkey called on countries having upheld Armenian allegations of genocide
to take the challenge to prove the validity of the charges and maintained
the debate was manipulated by the powerful Armenian Diaspora.

Hrant Dink, editor in chief of the bilingual (Armenian-Turkish) Agos
weekly, accused the German conservative politician Angela Merkel of using
the issue of so-called Armenian genocide as a tool to score domestic
political goals.

Speaking at a news conference upon his arrival in Istanbul, Ammar
al-Hakim, the second-in-command of the largest Shiite party in Iraq, said
the Iraqi National Council would determine the status of the northern Iraqi
city of Kirkuk.

The Office of the Chief of General Staff said the Turkish Armed Services
was determined to defend the country and its flag to the last drop of blood,
just like its forefathers, warning those who misinterpreted its patience and
aloofness.

Parliament’s Justice Commission approved an amendment proposal to the TCK
that would come into force on April 1.

Members of right-wing lodges staged a protest in Mersin against a
flag-dragging incident on Tuesday, with the group causing disturbances.

Homeland Party (YP) leader Sadettin Tantan said the TCK contained various
gaps creating loopholes that would be used by organized criminal gangs,
terrorist groups and corrupt individuals.

On Wednesday, Veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaþ criticized the
AKP policy on Cyprus and said his disagreement with the AKP government was
the reason he had decided not to seek a new term as president in upcoming
elections.

Prime Minister Erdoðan justified his government’s pro-settlement stance,
which was publicly attacked by Turkish Cypriot leader Denktaþ.

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, ending a temporary cessation of
remarks opposing Turkey’s EU bid, said that full EU membership was not the
only option for Turkey.

Individuals, groups, political parties, unions, government
representatives, universities and various organizations continued to condemn
the flag-desecration incident in Mersin and rallies were held all around the
nation protesting the incident.

Human Rights Association (IHD) President Yusuf Alataþ said the ugly attack
made on the Turkish flag had upset everybody but noted that it was important
not to exaggerate the matter by getting carried away with such provocations.

Prime Minister Erdoðan filed charges against comic magazine Penguen,
demanding YTL 40,000 in damages for putting his face on an elephant, a
monkey, a frog, a camel, a snake, a cow and a duck on its first page.

On Thursday, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev resigned from office after
protesters stormed the presidential compound and seized control of the main
seat of state power following clashes with riot police.

The Foreign Ministry said Turkey was closely monitoring the situation of
Turks in Kyrgyzstan after street protests toppled the government there along
with work on a number of safety measures for Turkish citizens, including
possible evacuation.

Top government and military leaders assured Turkey’s Iraq policy was
coordinated among state institutions after a commander criticized the
government for not having a policy on developments in the neighboring
country.

Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos voiced his will to meet with
Turkish Prime Minister Erdoðan to discuss, ~Sthe international aspects of the
Cyprus dispute.~T

Turkish Cypriot leader Denktaþ struck back at remarks made by Turkish
Prime Minister Erdoðan and Foreign Minister Gül for criticizing his attitude
in resolution attempts for the decades-long Cyprus issue, saying that
Turkish governments have so far formed all policies of the Turkish Cypriots.

Professor Justin McCarthy, a renowned U.S. historian who came for a
several-day visit to Turkey at the invitation of the CHP, said the EU was
expecting Turkey’s confession on the so-called Armenian genocide as a
condition for accepting Turkey as a member to the club.

Journalists staged a protest in Ankara on Thursday, with the participation
of twelve different professional bodies, against the new TCK that stipulates
harsher sentences for journalistic misconduct.

The trial of former Prime Minister Mesut Yýlmaz and former Economy
Minister Güneþ Taner at the Supreme State Council continued with the
testimony of witnesses.

The editor in chief of daily Evrensel appeared in court to answer charges
filed by Prime Minister Erdoðan against his newspaper for a report published
covering protests at the SEKA paper mill.

Six independent deputies, led by Bitlis deputy Edip Safter Gaydalý, issued
a statement apologizing to the nation for a recent spate of unfortunate
incidents, including the beating of women by policemen and the dragging of
the Turkish flag on the street.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale shook Bingöl
shortly before midnight leaving seven people injured.

–Boundary_(ID_N/VzB8cgaC81CfC/oOdqWw)–

Protests sweep aside brittle CIS power structures

Turkish Daily News
Today is Sunday, March 27 2005 2:16 pm GMT+2 updated at 12:00 P.M.

Sunday, March 27, 2005

The Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan has become the third ex-Soviet
republic in two years — after Ukraine and Georgia — to see the established
order tumble in the face of opposition protests.

MOSCOW – Reuters

Popular revolts are changing the political landscape of the post-Soviet
world.
The Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday became the third
ex-Soviet republic in two years — after Ukraine and Georgia — to see the
established order tumble in the face of opposition protests.

The three have one common thread: the protests were triggered by elections
that the opposition said were rigged to ensure the continuity of the old
establishment.

These are brief profiles of the power structures in the other nine members
of the Russia-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which groups
most of the republics that once comprised the Soviet Union.

Almost all today’s leaders in these countries came to power in elections
criticized by international observers as flawed and in some cases
fraudulent.

Many leaders, particularly in Central Asia, have been in power for more
than a decade.

Russia:

President Vladimir Putin won a second term in March 2004 elections after a
campaign marked by tight Kremlin control of television channels. Putin is
popular and any discontent tends to be funnelled against the government
rather than him personally. Despite a separatist war in Chechnya, Russia is
by far the most stable member of the CIS, with the highest living standards
in the bloc. A largely compliant population makes mass street protests
against Putin’s rule unlikely.

Belarus: Many analysts see Belarus, which borders three new EU members, as
the next possible candidate for mass protests. President Alexander
Lukashenko, in power since 1994, is shunned by Western leaders. His
re-election in 2001 was denounced in the West as fraudulent and referendums
staged to extend his stay in power were also criticized. But he keeps tight
control at home and street protests are snuffed out quickly. The small,
disorganized opposition says he has put pressure on the courts and keeps a
stranglehold on the media.

Moldova: President Vladimir Voronin is the sole communist leader still in
power in the CIS but he is popular and should be re-elected for a second
term by parliament next month. Threats by the opposition to stage protests
over parliamentary elections won by the communists were blunted by
international observers saying the poll met most international standards.
Voronin has now allied himself with the revolutionary leaders of Ukraine and
Georgia and embraced pro-Europe policies.

Armenia: President Robert Kocharyan won a second five-year term with a 67.5
percent of the vote in a March 2003 election run-off against opposition
leader Stepan Demirchyan, son of a Soviet-era Armenian leader. Opposition
protesters at the time demanded a recount, alleging fraud. European monitors
and the United States said they were disappointed with the way the poll was
conducted, but stopped short of saying it was illegitimate.

Azerbaijan: President Ilham Aliyev was elected in October 2003, succeeding
his father Haydar in the first dynastic handover of power in the ex-Soviet
world. His election triggered bloody opposition-led riots and clashes
between protesters and police. Aliyev has since clamped down on dissent.
Azerbaijan is emerging as a hub of Caspian Sea oil production and both the
West and Russia wish to see stability there.Kazakhstan:

Former steel worker Nursultan Nazarbayev has run Kazakhstan since Soviet
times, keeping his grip on power through stage-managed elections, sidelining
some opponents and skilfully co-opting others. A former prime minister is in
exile, jailed in absentia after attempting to challenge Nazarbayev in a 1999
presidential poll. There have been many cases of intimidation of independent
media. The giant country has prospered by comparison with Kyrgyzstan thanks
to an oil boom — one reason why Nazarbayev feels secure from popular
protest. Nazarbayev said the Kyrgyz authorities had shown weakness by
“allowing rebels to do as they pleased”.

Uzbekistan:Uzbekistan’s Islam Karimov tolerates no public dissent in the big
Central Asian state he has ruled with an iron fist since Soviet times. He
has openly derided the revolutions that swept Ukraine and Georgia and has
said his country will follow its own path to democracy. Thousands of
dissidents are in jail and human rights groups say abuses are rife. But
Karimov has deflected potential criticism from the West by carving out a
role as ally in Washington’s war on terror and hosting a key U.S.
airbase.Tajikistan: Imomali Rakhmonov has led Tajikistan since 1992,
fighting a civil war with the Islamist opposition which ended with a
power-sharing deal in 1997. His Popular Democratic Party swept parliamentary
polls last month which were criticized by the OSCE as unfair. He himself
says he might run for another term in 2006. Tajikistan, where people survive
on less than one dollar a day, has so far avoided unrest, although a mystery
car bomb exploded outside the headquarters of the security service weeks
before the poll.Turkmenistan: Saparmurat Niyazov, known as Turkmenbashi
(Chief of the Turkmen), is the quirkiest of the region’s leaders. Now
officially president for life, 65-year-old Niyazov has already ruled the
gas-rich desert state for 20 years. He has fostered a huge personality cult
and is revered at home. He has barred the opposition from parliamentary
elections. There is no one on the horizon to replace him and leading human
rights groups have warned that his death could bring a violent succession
struggle. Niyazov survived an assassination attempt in 2002.