85,000 EUR REQUIRED TO SAVE LIFE OF BOY SICK WITH LEUKAEMIA: JANUARY 5, 2005 DEADLINE

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. To save the life of a 16-year-old
citizen of Armenia Arshak Haroutiunyan, 85,000 EUR are required for
operation on marrow transplantation at Benjamin Franklin Hospital in
Berlin (Germany).

Speaking at a press-conference, Wednesday, a relative of the boy
Ninnel Vardanyan stated that the deadline for operation is Jan 5,
2005. The necessary sum must be collected by this date. The relatives
and friends of Arshak have managed to collect only 1 mln 800,000 AMD
(3,600 USD). His parents sell their real estate, which is estimated at
15,000 USD. Ninnel Vardanyan noted that the head of a number of medical
establishments of Yerevan, Artyom Kushyan, promised a considerable
financial assistance, but has not helped by anything in practice.
The First Lady of Armenia, Bella Kocharyan, who is President of the
National Marrow Register, could not render financial assistance,
but she promised to negotiate with the German party for reduction
of the sum. Ninnel Vardanyan noted that numerous calls by Mass Media
for assistance proved to be in vain.

Informed of Arshak’s disease, the country’s Health Ministry, first
of all, “took an interested in how he had occurred in Germany.” No
real assistance is rendered to the boy, referring to financial
difficulties and lack of ties with the Association of Medics of Berlin,
she stated. For conclusion, Ninnel Vardanyan noted that a donor for
Arshak has already been found in Armenia, but his life is hanged by
a thread which may break on January 5, 2005. All those who want to
help the boy, can transfer money to the accounts with ARMSAVINGSBANK
in AMD – 160485273918, in USD – 160482127398 and in EUR – 160482227396.

AZERBAIJANI MPs ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND COOPERATION
WITH ARMENIAN SPECIAL SERVICES

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. Azerbaijani parliamentarians accused
each other of cooperation with Armenian special services and of
homosexuality, at Tuesday session of Milli Mejlis, Zerkalo newspaper
reports.

MP Ahad Abiyev stated that he had enough facts that Leader of PNFA
Ali Kerimli receive financial assistance by Armenian special services
in exchange of data of state secrecy, besides has been absent from
parliamentary sessions for already one year. He urged the parliament
for depriving Kerimli of his deputy mandate, calling him an Armenian
agent. Then Abiyev again began insulting Kerimli, stating that the
flag of PNFA was to be dyed in “blue” long ago in conformity with
the sexual orientation of its leader. However, talking to Zerkalo,
Abiyev could not properly answer the question concerning his facts
testifying to Kerimli’s cooperation with Armenian special services. He
just stated that these data he had received from a PNFA-member.

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Artak Harutyunyan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Eduardo Eurnekian increases his donation
——————————————————————————–

22 December, 2004

Eduardo Eurnekian, the Armenian donor from Argentina has increased his
donation made during the “Hayastan” Fund’s annual Telethon. With his
donation of $1,5 million Mr. Eurnekian was among the major donors
of the Telethon. Now, he has made another donation of 300,000
USD in addition to the previous one. Thus, along with making
solid investments in his homeland, he also has great share in the
“North-South” highway project.

ARZUMANIAN: THE SIDES WERE OFFERED STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION IN ASTANA

Azg/arm
23 Dec 04

At his last press conference the foreign minister of Armenia told
journalists that the public’s opinion should be decisive in choosing a
solution alternate for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. “If there is people’s
demand to take, say, the step-by-step solution, then the issue should
be discussed at the parliament and it will decide whether we are on
the wrong path and should we take the step-by-step alternate or not”,
Vartan Oskanian said. The former foreign minister of Armenia, Alexander
Arzumanian, thinks that Oskanian and the authorities are preparing
the public opinion to make a turn to the step-by-step solution.

– Mr. Arzumanian, the former Armenian president stated recently that we
cannot get today what we could get in 1997. Do you agree with such a view?

– Situation in 1997 was more favorable for Armenia and the options
on the table made it possible to reach a solution that would be in
interests of Armenia and the Karabakh people. Levon Ter-Petrosian was
considering that the time is playing into Azerbaijan’s hands and that
we should use the chance to negotiate, that there will be no better
chance in future. I think that the past 7 years show that he was right.

– In 1997 they were suggesting to withdraw the armed forces without
saying what will Nagorno Karabakh get. Do you call this success?

– The suggestions of 97 were covered by the media. What I mean is
that there were two opposite approaches, one proposed by Azerbaijan,
the other by Karabakh. As the two conflicting approaches could not
be brought together, we decided to pick out separate issues for
discussion, to switch to the step-by-step solution, which supposed,
as first steps to be taken, signing a peace treaty, withdrawal of
forces from several territories, return of the refugees against which
the people of Karabakh would be guaranteed security, Armenia would
be recognized a guarantee for Karabakh’s security and the status of
Karabakh would be discussed separately. I used to say at the time
and now I repeat that each conflict’s solution lies in accomplishing
gradual steps. The fact is that the so-called step-by-step solution
plans of Astana, that are on the table today, are the same plans
only modified. There is no argument over this today, and I am glad
that your newspaper is wishful to speak of it. The authorities
were obstinately claiming before the OSCE Ministers’ meeting in
Sofia that the sides were offered nothing. Moreover, Armat NGO was
condemned in disorientating the public, in depreciating Armenia’s
“great diplomatic success”, in encouraging the Azeri side and a number
of other things. But in fact, the organization has issued a report
informing that it became clear during Karabakh issue discussions
at the UN that there were offers to the sides. Armat was referring
to US representative to the UN, Susan Moor, who noted in her speech
that the sides received offers two months ago and the co-chairs are
waiting for their answer and for that reason the Azeri formula cannot
be put to vote at the General Assembly. In Sofia the OSCE Ministerial
Council stated that the sides received offers in Astana and called
on to continue negotiations leaning on the offers. Besides, there
is another sentence that is not spoken of much. The statement by the
OSCE Ministerial Council also notes that it became possible to review
all the criteria of the conflict at the Prague process (something
that is put to silence). This means that the modified step-by-step
solution is likely to return to the agenda.

The sides were offered in Astana to withdraw Armenian forces from all
Karabakh’s neighboring Azeri territories against which referendums
would be held in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. This is nothing
else but a step-by-step solution offer.

– Are you still an adherent of the step-by-step solution?

– We again return to favorable conditions. I was for the step-by-step
solution possible in 1997. But what have we got during these
7 years. The only thing we have is the total blockade by the
international community. I mean in 1997 we had only economical
blockade but today there is also a political blockade. The world
community’s understanding of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has
changed in essence. If they used to speak of Karabakh people’s
freedom for self-identification then today we hear talks about a
territorial argument between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Karabakh
has dropped out of the negotiations decisive for its own fate. The
step-by-step solution we have today differs from that we had in 97
and the conditions today are less beneficial for the Armenian side.

– Mr. Arzumanian, have you read the offer that the sides received in
Astana, if there is a document on that at all?

– Certainly no, because they were not published, and I think that’s
right as all the details of essential offers should be discussed
confidentially. But I don’t speak of the details now but of the
principles that lie as offers’ foundation. From this viewpoint, the
information I now possess allows me to claim that what they mean is
a modified step-by-step solution.

– You mentioned of Armenian’s total political isolation. Don’t you
think that Armenia appeared in such isolation in 1996, after the
Lisbon, when all the OSCE states marched against Armenia?

– Not at all. In Lisbon there was an attempt to impose on Armenia
a solution variant that was unacceptable and was not in national
interests of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. For that reason Armenia
used its veto right not to let an unacceptable option pass. Armenia
was not isolated and was able to clearly formulate its standpoints
and approaches to the world community. Today’s Armenia is unable to
veto as the atmosphere has changed. Today’s Armenia is in a situation
when it is viewed as an occupant of Azeri territories. Armenia has
never been blamed for conquering foreign lands, for inhabiting and
for carrying out ethnic cleansing.

By Tatoul Hakobian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRANCE REPLACES ITS KARABAKH MEDIATOR

Turan news agency, Baku
22 Dec 04

Baku, 22 December: Bernard Fassier has replaced Henry Jacolin as a
new French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, the French embassy
in Baku has told Turan.

The embassy said Jacolin has stopped his work as a co-chairman in
connection with his retirement.

‘Chirac, the head of state, supports Turkey’s EU bid’

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
22 December 2004

‘French public opinion has anxieties concerning Turkey’s EU bid,
that’s why the President decided on a referendum,’ says Poudade

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

French Ambassador to Turkey Paul Poudade said yesterday in Konya that
France was actually in favor of Turkey’s European Union membership;
however, French Public opinion still had a skeptical attitude
concerning the issue, reported Anatolia news agency.

Poudade visited historic places in Konya including the Mevlana Dervish
Lodge (Mevlana Dergahý), presently used as a museum. Jalal-ud-din Rumi,
known as “Mevlana” meaning “our guide,” advocated unlimited tolerance,
positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love.

Responding to a question related to Mevlana’s doctrine of tolerance
and Turkey’s bid to the EU as a Muslim dominated country, Poudade
rejected the assumption that the greatest resistance against Turkey’s
EU bid in the Christian dominated member states was observed in France.

“Our President supports Turkey’s accession to the EU. For the French,
president is the head of the state. French public opinion has anxieties
on this issue, that’s why the President decided such a thing like
referendum,” Anatolia quoted Poudade as saying.

The public opposition against Turkey is rather strong in France and
the French parliament was set to debate yesterday Turkish membership
in the union. The alleged Armenian genocide at the start of the last
century was also expected to be discussed at parliament as a matter
related to Turkey’s EU process.

Chirac, soon after the EU leaders agreed at a summit last week in
Brussels to open accession talks with Turkey, said that Turkey would
have to address a number of issues before entry.

–Boundary_(ID_W2tQNIa1n6KzaTjoiZMoCQ)–

CEREMONY OF WELCOMING DEFENSE MINISTER OF IRAN HELD
[December 22, 2004, 22:33:24]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 22 2004

A ceremony of welcoming of the defense minister of the Islamic Republic
of Iran Admiral Ali Shamkhani was held at the Defense Ministry of
Azerbaijan.

At the meeting of defense ministers of two countries, defense minister
of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar Abiyev the meeting would serve
much more strengthening of the relations between Azerbaijan and
Iran. After the official visit of nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
President Heydar Aliyev to Iran in 2002, bilateral relations have
acquired a new level and now is developing with constant reciprocal
visits, he underlined.

Admiral Ali Shamkhani thanked for invitation to visit Azerbaijan and
invited his Azerbaijani counterpart to pay a visit to Iran.

Expressing gratitude for invitation, Mr. Abiyev updated the guest
on current military-political situation on the South Caucasus,
on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, stating that
historically there has not been Armenian state in South Caucasus.

Defense minister of Abiyev said Azerbaijan hopes for support of Iran
in fair solution of this problem, emphasizing that Azerbaijan would
not cede a sod of its lands.

Admiral Ali Shamkhani said Iran stands ready to assist Azerbaijan.
Iran backs territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and would do ahead.

The sides had comprehensive exchange of views on a range of questions,
including defense affairs.

Will USA Re-Introduce Draft?
By Sasha Uzunov

Reality Macedonia, Macedonia
Dec 22 2004

In recent weeks we have heard of the growing number of United States
military personnel deserting or threatening to sue their government
unless it stops extending their tours of duty in Iraq. It seems the
US military is having problems with manpower. Could it be possible
the Bush Administration will re-introduce the draft, conscription?

Scott Taylor, Canada’s foremost war correspondent and ex-Canadian
soldier, believes so.

“The invasion has left American soldiers and generals overworked and
at risk in the midst of an enraged Iraqi population, and citizens at
home all but certain to face a draft after the November presidential
election to shore up a mission they were told would be over in six
months,” he said.

Mr Taylor has been to Iraq over twenty times and in September of this
year was taken hostage and tortured by Iraqi militants for five days,
before being released.

The Iraq war was supposed to be short, sharp and sweet. US Defence
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was telling the world of his “shock and awe”
strategy by using a small and mobile force to knock over the Saddam
regime. But it has been nearly two years since the US ousted the
Iraqi dictator and is still battling to mop up the insurgency. In fact
Washington has realised that it needs more men to secure the “peace.”

The US Armed Forces are a volunteer professional force bolstered by
National Guard or reservists on full time service. President Nixon
abolished the draft at the tail end of the Vietnam War (1962-72),
a divisive conflict in American society.

Pundits have been quick to draw parallels between the quagmire of
Vietnam, which dragged on for a decade, and Iraq. But Iraq is more
like a disintegrating Yugoslavia of the early 1990s.

In Vietnam, 60,000 Americans lost their lives. That means 6,000
were being killed a year. So far in 18 months, US deaths in Iraq are
over 1200.

But will the Bush Administration have the political will to
re-introduce the draft? And will mainstream America accept such a
decision? Will the youth of that country comply with the call up? Is
it fair for politicians such as President George Bush and his cabinet
members, many who did not fight in Vietnam, to be sending others to
war? Ironically, the only warrior is outgoing US Secretary of State,
General Colin Powell, who served in Vietnam and was opposed to the
Iraqi adventure. Conversely, is it fair for only a small section of
society, the professional armed forces and reservists, to be carrying
the burden for the rest of society?

If the draft is introduced, will Australia follow? Militarily and
politically conscription is not needed by Australia at the moment.
Our commitment in Iraq is miniscule. It is highly improbable that
the Howard Coalition government would re-introduce National Service.
Conscription as an issue is too politically divisive.

How long is America prepared to stay in Iraq? History, and Vietnam in
particular, demonstrates that the US military has trouble fighting a
counter-insurgency or anti-guerrilla war. Can the US secure victory?
And what kind of victory will it be?

Iraq reminds me of the former Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, both
communist federations consisting of various competing ethnic groups.
Both of these nations lasted about 70 years before fragmenting
violently into a multitude of new nation states in the early 1990s.

Iraq is a hodge-podge consisting of an ethnic Arab majority, many
of whom are Shiite or Sunni Muslim. A very small number are Arab
Christians. Add to this mixture, millions of Sunni Muslim Kurds and
Turkmans in the north of the country. Kurds are non-Arabs, whilst the
Turkmans are closely related to the Turks. Not forgetting the Assyrian
Christians, who were the original inhabitants of Iraq before being
swamped by an Islamic Arab invasion in 637 AD, more than 1300 years
ago. There are also tiny numbers of ethnic Christian Armenians, and
two little known sects, the Sabia, who worship water, and the Yazidi,
mistakenly referred to as “devil worshipers.”

Iraq has Yugoslavia written all over it. Can such a country survive
intact? Can the west, in particular the United States-lead coalition
of the willing, hold it all together? Would it be better to partition
Iraq as a long-term solution?

So many question. Only time will tell. As the old Chinese curse goes:
“may you live in interesting times!”

Sasha Uzunov is a freelance journalist who has covered the Balkans
region and is an ex-Australian soldier who served in East Timor.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WE OWE NO ONE FOR KARABAKH VICTORY

Azg/arm
23 Dec 04

Following the statement of president Kocharian that Armenia is not
jealous about Turkish-Azeri relations, the chairman of the National
Assembly declared: “The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign state and
cannot be an outpost of any country. Armenian-Russian relations are
gradually developing, and Azeri president’s statement must be viewed
in this context”, Artur Baghdasarian said.

“Recently, the head of Russian State Duma was paying a visit to
Yerevan during which he said that Armenia is Russia’s outpost. We
always considered Armenia an independent state. It turns out that it
is only an outpost, and now we do not know who to negotiate with, the
outpost or its master”, Azeri president, Ilham Aliyev, said on Friday.

We think that Mr. Baghdasarian could be faster in responding to
Boris Grizlov’s, speaker of the State Duma, statement (it come on
December 15 when Grizlov mentioned about the outpost) and not wait
for president Kocharian’s comment.

Ilham Aliyev’s statements addressed to Armenia’s possibilities question
Armenian leaders’ ability to implement an independent state policy and,
particularly, the victory of the Armenian people in Karabakh.

Whereas it’s a fact that the Armenians won the imposed war also because
they believed in themselves. It’s hard to predict what would be the
end of the war if the Armenians had pinned their hopes on Russians’
help. It was Azerbaijan and not Armenia that served as an outpost
for Russia (or Soviet Union) in 1990-1991 when the Russian’s headed
the troops that massacred the population of Getashen and Shahumian
and cruelly murdered Armenian militiamen in Voskepar village of
Noyemberian region.

By Tatoul Hakobian

Azeri court convicts 21 over Nagorno-Karabakh guerrilla plot

Agence France Presse — English
December 22, 2004 Wednesday 3:52 PM GMT

BAKU Dec 22 — An Azeri court on Wednesday handed down jail sentences
to 21 men found guilty of trying to set up a guerrilla movement with
the aim of wresting the disputed enclave of Nagorno Karabakh from
Armenian control.

The group’s leader, Rovshan Badalov, was sentenced to 10 years
imprisonment on charges of creating an illegal armed group and
purchasing and carrying weapons, according to an AFP correspondent.

Five others, all of them Azeri nationals, were handed suspended
sentences ranging from two to four years. All five were allowed to
walk free at the end of the trial.

Several Azeri non-governmental organisations had urged Baku to release
the men, describing them as “fighters for the country’s sovereignty.”

Azerbaijan fought a war with Armenia in the early 1990s over
Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in the heart of
Azerbaijan, that left 35,000 people dead and a million civilians
displaced.

The conflict ended with a ceasefire in 1994 that kept the enclave
under de facto Armenian control. But Baku still claims the territory,
which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Peace talks have been taking place intermittently for 10 years, under
the mediation of the Minsk Group, to hammer out a permanent solution.