Armenian minister hopes European countries to recognize genocide in 2005

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
22 Dec 04

[Presenter] The Armenian foreign minister believes that the fundamental
decision adopted by the Council of Europe will pave the way for the
recognition of the Armenian genocide by the parliaments of the EU
member states. Vardan Oskanyan said he is confident that 2005 will
see progress in the recognition of the Armenian genocide by some
countries and in the demands that Turkey lift its blockade of Armenia.

[Oskanyan] The Council of Europe’s decision is in our hands now. The
decision seriously demands that Turkey recognize the Armenian genocide
and open its borders with Armenia. I think these two demands will
be high on the agenda when Turkey starts its EU membership talks
on 3 October. I am sure of this, because these conditions have been
determined beforehand. This serious decision by the Council of Europe
has already yielded its first results. The Netherlands recognized
the Armenian genocide after long negotiations yesterday.

The EU members are also members of the Council of Europe. And the
Council of Europe has recognized the Armenian genocide on behalf of
all its members and has urged Turkey to do so. And this, I think,
will pave the way for the parliaments of those countries to speed
up the recognition of the Armenian genocide. We achieved the first
positive result yesterday.

CENN – DECEMBER 22, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Evaluation of CENN Activities During the Period of 2004-2005
2. CENN Launches Environmental Trainings/Workshops
3. BTC: No Need for Additional Financing
4. Contract on Transfer of Vanadzor Chemical Plant to Slovakian Company
SLZ TOL be Concluded on January 10, 2005
5. State Budget of Armenia for 2005 Envisages Over 1 mln Drams for
Solution Housing Problems in Lori Region: Armenian President
6. 10% GDP Growth Registered in Armenia in Jan-Nov, 2004

1. EVALUATION OF CENN ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD OF 2004-2005

CENN – Caucasus Environmental NGO Network is conducting evaluation of
its activities for the period of 2004-2005 and would like to ask you to
participate in the study by answering this checklist as accurately as
possible. The information will help us assess the CENN activities and
improve our work in the future. We ask you to answer the checklist and
return it via e-mail till December 27, 2004.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The English and Russian versions of the checklists are available on the
following address:

2. CENN LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS
within the framework of the project “Raising level of public
environmental awareness and information in the transboundary region of
the South Caucasus Countries” implemented by five partner organizations

CENN launched first cycle of environmental trainings / workshops within
the framework of the ENVSEC Initiative project “Raising level of public
environmental awareness and information in the transboundary region of
the South Caucasus Countries” implemented by GTZ (GTZ Food Regional
Cooperation and Security (FRCS) project) and supported by the ENVSEC
Initiative (OSCE, UNEP, UNDP).

The trainings / workshops are focused to provide the participants with
the information on:
ž Natural resource and their use;
ž Sustainable development;
ž Environmental problems- result of non-sustainable use of natural
resources;
ž Environmental security as the cross-cutting aspect of human and
national security;
ž ENVSEC Initiative;
ž “Cause-Problem-Solution” of the local environmental problems;
ž Elaboration of environmental action plans for solution of the
environmental problems.

The project includes two cycles of trainings / workshops and
implementation of environmental actions / campaigns to take place in
transboundary districts of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. After the
workshops in a later stage, the local community associations will
establish Public Environmental Information Points / Centers. The Public
Environmental Information Points / Centers will work in close
cooperation on solution of local and regional environmental problems and
implementation of the Aarhus Convention on the local and regional levels
together with other organizations in the neighboring districts (e.g.
CENN Public Environmental Information Centers in Bolnisi, Kazakh and
Akhtala supported by the Eurasia Foundation).

For further information on the project, please contact: GTZ FRCS office:
[email protected]

For information on the environmental trainings and workshops, please
contact the CENN office: [email protected]

3. BTC: NO NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING

Source: The Messenger, December 22, 2004

British Petroleum and its partners in the Baku- Tbilisi- Ceyhan (BTC)
pipeline project will not ask international financial institutions for
an extra loan to cover the 10% increase of the project cost, BP
Azerbaijan President David Woodward said at a press conference in Baku
on Tuesday, December 21, 2004. The shareholders borrowed USD 2.6 billion
from foreign credits this February. Mr. Woodward said they borrowed more
than needed, so an extra loan was unnecessary. He said the stakeholders
would bear any extra expenses.

Projects like BTC always imply a 10-15% change from the initial estimate
and the increase of the Baku- Tbilisi- Ceyhan pipeline project cost does
not go beyond that, Mr. Woodward said.

He said over 90% of work had been done in the Azerbaijani sector of the
pipeline, over 85% in the Georgian section of the pipeline and 85% in
the Turkish sector.

4. CONTRACT ON TRANSFER OF VANADZOR CHEMICAL PLANT TO SLOVAKIAN COMPANY
SLZ TOL BE CONCLUDED ON JANUARY 10, 2005

Source: Arminfo, December 20, 2004

A contract on transfer of Vanadzor chemical plant to Slovakian company
SLZ will be concluded on January 10, 2005. Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan made this statement at a press conference after his visit to
Lori region on December 18, 2004.

He says that next year it will become clear whether it is possible to
exploit the plant with profits on the investments the Slovakian party
intends to attract. The transfer of the plant does not mean that its
work will be guaranteed as it is connected with a possibility of
receiving profits the following year, the president says. He emphasized
that the owner of Vanadzor chemical complex has invested funds in the
plant, but failed to put it into exploitation. “One should not make rash
steps in the big business, everything must be well-calculated here,” the
president says.

It should be noted that SLZ intends to reactivate the plant on February
15, 2005 and to restore the production of carbide, corundum and acetate
ribbon. For this purpose, the company intends to invest $880 mln for
purchase of raw materials and $600,000 for current expenses. The owner
of 100% of the plant’s shares is the OJSC “Zakneftegazstroy Prometey,”
which belongs to the Russian businessman, Armenian by origin, Senik
Gevorgyan. Vanadzor chemical complex consisting of the chemical plant,
the chemical fibre plant and Vanadzor thermal power plant was privatized
in the May of 1999 for $1.5 mln. It has been idling since then. The
owner has already invested some $20 mln in the enterprise.

5. STATE BUDGET OF ARMENIA FOR 2005 ENVISAGES OVER 1 MLN DRAMS FOR
SOLUTION HOUSING PROBLEMS IN LORI REGION: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Source: Arminfo, December 20, 2004

The state budget of Armenia for 2005 envisages over 1-mln drams for
solution to housing problems of rural residents of Lori region for the
first time. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan made this statement at a
press conference in the town of Vanadzor.

In his words, next year large-scale construction is planned in the rural
areas. Active construction in regional centers will start with various
facilities to be erected in the town of Spitak. Construction of dwelling
houses in Spitak will be continued as well. A special stress will be put
on the certificates due to which the above 1-bln drams will be
distributed. The logic is as follows: a flat in Gyumri costs some 3 mln
drams, while construction of the given flat requires 10 mln drams – due
to distribution of the certificates, the problem of the families which
have not received flats will be solved. The methodology of the given
action already exists. In Armenia it was introduced by Urban Institute
and USAID, the president says.

He notes that the roads Stepanavan-Tashir, Stepanavan-Odzun-Alaverdi,
Armavir-Gyumri (along the boundary), Gyumri-Amasia and Aparan-Artik will
be constructed within three years in the regions of Shirak and Lori.
Next year, funds will be allocated for reconstruction of the roads of
regional importance. By increasing the financing year by year, we shall
achieve a progress in the sphere, Robert Kocharyan says.

The president says that due to reforms in the taxation sphere, more
predictable conditions in the sphere of entrepreneurship have been
created. A great attention is paid to improvement of the living
conditions of the region’s population. As regards gas supply to the
country, on the whole, and in the region, in particular, the president
notes that the gas users in the country number more than 80,000 and
8-10,000 in Lori region. The same indicators are observed in Shirak
region. As regards water supply to the region, project works are in
process and 24-hour water supply will become real both in Vanadzor and
Gyumri within the coming 2-3 years. In Vanadzor 3 of 5 operating ATXs
are digital, the remaining two are being digitized. Considerable changes
are expected in the sphere of telecommunications, with the existing
inconveniences felt earlier because of the monopoly of ArmenTel company
were connected not only with its monopoly but also with poor management
and irresponsible attitude to its obligations. However, as compared to
many CIS member-countries, Armenia is among leaders, as to introduction
of digital tele-phone network, which can be called an achievement, the
president notes.

Besides, Robert Kocharyan informs that the budget for 2005 envisages
rather big sum (some 1 mln drams) to upgrade the level of social
well-fare of refugees as this issue is one of the priorities of the
program of refugees. The budget plans a rise in the wages of teachers,
militaries and medical personnel. Another 1 bln drams will be allocated
for construction work in the communities, including 800 mln to Lori
region as majority of the villages in that region have remained
unnoticed by the government. A community center will be built in
Stepanavan, and construction of a new municipality building and regional
center in Gyumri will start in 2006.

The results of 2004 will be summed up by the Statistical Service after
January 20, 2005. However, one can state that the government has
fulfilled its commitments for 2004, the president says in conclusion.

6. 10% GDP GROWTH REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-NOV, 2004

Source: Arminfo, December 20, 2004

The highest GDP growth in Armenia was registered in Jan-Nov, 2004 –
10.0%. ARMINFO was informed in the press service of the National
Statistical Service of Armenia, according to preliminary data, in
November as against October the economic drop made up 22.2%. By the end
of November 2004 the GDP totaled 1,672.1 bln drams or ($3,109.5). The
GDP index-deflator grew by 6.0%. In January – November the AMD/USD
exchange rate was 537.74 drams against one U.S. dollar.

In January – November of the current year the volume of industrial
produce totaled 473.9-bln drams or $881.4 mln (or 27.2% out of GDP –
ARMINFO), increasing by 1.6% as against the same period of last year, in
Nov as against Oct it increased by 1.1%. Electricity generation in
January – November increased by 8.6%, and in Nov as against Oct it
increased by 16.5%, totaling 5,341.5-mln kW/h.

In January – November of the current year the Gross agriculture produce
increased by 14.3% as against the same period of 2003, totaling 412.5
bln drams or $767.1 mln and in Nov as against Oct it decreased by 41.5%.
Volume of construction increased by 9.1% in Nov as against Oct, and in
Jan-Nov it increased by 16.2%, reaching 229.3-bln drams or $426.5 mln.
Retail trade turnover totaled 699.9 bln drams by the end of Nov,
increasing by 9.2% in Jan-Nov as against the same period of last year,
and in Nov as against Oct it increased by 2.5%.

By the end of Nov, 2004 foreign trade turnover totaled $1.9 bln (1,001.6
bln drams), increasing by 4.5% as against the same period of 2003, and
in Nov as against Oct it decreased by 6.3%. In its structure the exports
increased by 3.2% in Jan-Nov as against the same period of 2003, and in
Nov as against Oct it increased by 14% totalling $645.9 mln. The imports
totaled $1,219.3 mln, increasing by 5.3% during the first eleven months
of the current year, and in Nov as against Oct it increased by 16.2%.
Negative trade balance was $573.4 mln by the end of Nov.

—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

–Boundary_(ID_i4zaofQp3DKnB8UPskpZHA)–

Azeri court sentences would-be Karabakh guerrillas to various prison terms

ANS TV, Baku
22 Dec 04

[Presenter] The trial of 21 people accused of establishing an illegal
armed group [to fight in Karabakh] ended today. The judge read out
the verdict.

[Correspondent, over video of trial] At the Grave Crimes Court
today judge Azar Orucov announced the sentence for those accused of
establishing the illegal armed group, possessing the large number
of arms and ammunition and smuggling. Thus, the leader of the group,
Rovsan Badalov, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, other members of
the group, Musviq Qurbanov and Xizir Marqusvili to nine years. Mammad
Mammadov and Adalat Agayev received eight years in prison. Seven
defendants received six years in prison, one defendant five years,
two defendants four years and two more defendants three years.

Four defendants were given suspended sentences. Etibar Zeynalov and
Firuz Rasulov were given a two-year suspended sentence and were set
free in the courtroom. Rovsan Pasayev and Telman Orucov were given
a six-year suspended sentence and were set free as well.

Rasad Isgandarov, Ramil Yaqubov, ANS.

Armenian paper accuses Azeri leader of provocative comments on ties with Russia

Ayots Ashkhar, Yerevan
22 Dec 04

Text of unattributed report by Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkhar on
22 December headlined “Aliyev’s provocation”

We would not have paid attention to the statement made by the chairman
of the Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, in Yerevan that Armenia is
Russia’s outpost in the South Caucasus, if it were not for [Azerbaijani
President] Ilham Aliyev’s comments.

Aliyev’s attempt to describe Boris Gryzlov’s idea as something that
allegedly casts a doubt on Armenia’s independence was a well-thought
out and careful provocation addressed to the world community, as well
as to relevant “listeners” of the “Armenian audience”.

Addressing the world community, Ilham Aliyev first aimed to attract
Western countries’ attention to the word “outpost”. As is known, in
the recent period, the main trend in processes in CIS countries has
been a certain limitation of Russia’s influence on the post-Soviet
area. So within the framework of this process of forming a negative
attitude towards Armenia, it was advantageous to Aliyev to change
intentionally the meaning of the word “outpost” used by Gryzlov,
describing it as something that questions Armenia’s independence.

But the point is that the word “outpost” means that a certain state
in any specific region is a reliable point of support for this or
that superpower. For instance, for tens of years Israel has been
considered to be the USA’s outpost in the Middle East, but this does
not at all mean that Arab countries are dealing with a state that
has lost its independence.

Incidentally, the West did not bother to reply to Aliyev’s
comments, while some forces in Armenia are speculating on them with
pleasure. They even tried to assess this fact as a slap in the face
of independent Armenia from the Azerbaijani president and as an
obvious disgrace.

Incidentally, how will they respond if these forces and functionaries,
which have obvious pro-Western orientation, come to power tomorrow and
if any American official says for instance that “Armenia is the USA’s
outpost in the South Caucasus” or “Armenia is an outpost of the West”.

Certainly, it was absolutely expectable that a member of the Armenian
Pan-National Movement, David Shakhnazaryan, commented on this, saying
that not Armenia, but its current authorities are Russia’s outpost
in the South Caucasus. But how should we understand the statements
of some top officials that “the Republic of Armenia is a sovereign
state and cannot be an outpost of any country”? And they make such
statements at the moment when, for instance, the leadership of Georgia
is trying to prove by all means that Georgia is an outpost of the
West in the South Caucasus. Can we conclude that Georgia is trying
to give up its sovereignty? Or is it really advantageous to Georgia
to have such status?

Incidentally, for many years Armenia has been an outpost of the West in
the whole of Asia. Maybe time has come for us to think that remaining
Russia’s outpost in parallel with the improvement of Russia-West
relations, we shall be able to restore our traditional status of the
West’s outpost as well and strengthen our own positions.

These responses to Ilham Aliyev’s simple provocation testify that due
to our politicians’ different orientation they do not understand or
do not want to accept the simple fact that in the modern world, being
an outpost of any superpower that has strong nuclear potential is not
only a serious security guarantee, but also an obvious advantage in
comparison with neighbours.

Iran seeking pact with Baku against US attack – Azeri daily

Ayna, Baku
22 Dec 04

Iran seeks to ensure Azerbaijan’s neutral stance in the event of a
US invasion, the Azerbaijani daily Ayna has quoted military sources
as saying. In return, Azerbaijan may receive credits, grants and
support in the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the paper
said. Commenting on the report, a military expert pointed out that
a deal with Iran will be of no benefit to Azerbaijan as the USA will
respond to Iran’s rapprochement with Azerbaijan and the country may
be cornered in the international arena. The following is an excerpt
from Sumarinli’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ayna on 22 December
headlined “Iran lures Azerbaijan into a secret military pact” and
subheaded “In return for some ‘services’, the Persian regime wants
Baku to take a neutral stance in America’s ‘Iran agenda'”. Subheadings
have been inserted editorially:

A “turn” in Iran’s policy

Iranian Defence Minister Adm Ali Shamkhani is paying a two-day visit
to Azerbaijan, a spokesman for the [Azerbaijani] Defence Ministry,
Capt Ilqar Verdiyev, has told Ayna newspaper.

Shamkhani is scheduled to have the following meetings during the
visit: with Defence Minister Safar Abiyev, with Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov and with President Ilham Aliyev. No documents are
expected to be signed during the visit, Verdiyev said.

This is the first visit of Shamkhani to Azerbaijan. So far, his
name has figured only in controversial statements aired against
Azerbaijan. He has threatened to carry out strikes on border
territories if there is any threat to Iran, and he has demanded that
Azerbaijan should not provide the military forces of a third country
with access to its territory or to the Caspian (Turan news agency).

Such a turn in the Tehran government’s policy can be explained by
Iran’s serious concerns about prospective US military pressure on the
mullah regime and by its attempts to prevent Azerbaijan’s participation
in the operation. To recap, Iranian Minister of Information
[Intelligence] Ali Yunesi visited Baku on 19 December. However,
Verdiyev said that he disagrees with such reports.

Mooted Iran-Azerbaijan agreements

During his meeting with Abiyev, Shamkhani will discuss a range of
“significant” military and political topics, Ayna has found out
from military sources. Some sources said that several agreements
may be signed during the meeting. Abiyev recently expressed his
concern that military cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan is not
at the necessary level. During a meeting with the outgoing Iranian
ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ahad Qaza’i, Abiyev said he was dissatisfied
with the level of bilateral military cooperation. Abiyev said then
that Azerbaijan expects more from Iran in the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

When we consider all this, it becomes clear that Shamkhani’s visit
is not a “factfinding” one. Experts reckon that during the visit,
Iran will try to reach an agreement with the Azerbaijani leadership on
some issues. Certainly, they will clear up some issues regarding the
possibility of Azerbaijan’s participation in a US plan to attack Iran.

What can be promised to Baku in exchange for a neutral stance? Experts
believe that Tehran is ready to offer Azerbaijan cheap credits,
financial assistance grants and so on.

The most important aspect concerns the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict. Iran will announce at international organizations that
it completely supports the Baku government’s position on settling
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, and will restrict its economic,
military and political cooperation with Armenia. In return for these
“services”, Azerbaijan will take a neutral stance on the US plan to
attack Iran. However, will the West, especially the USA, accept such
an accord? The probable course of events is likely to become clear
in the coming months.

In addition to this, Shamkhani’s visit may serve to reinforce
Iran-Azerbaijan military cooperation. Verdiyev shares this view and
does not rule out that Abiyev may visit Iran in the future.

Expert says no benefits for Azerbaijan

“Shamkhani’s visit to Baku was unexpected. By sending its officials
one by one to Azerbaijan, Tehran is presenting Baku with a fait
accompli in the run-up to a US military attack against Iran,” Lt-Col
(retd) Uzeyir Cafarov has told Ayna in an interview. In his opinion,
Baku will come to feel the pain of such relations.

“Granted, Iran is our neighbour. But it is Armenia’s strategic
ally. Let me remind you that during the first Armenian-Azerbaijani
war Armenian servicemen adjusted their artillery from Iran,” Cafarov
said. In Cafarov’s view, the USA is bound to respond to Tehran’s
policy of getting closer with Baku. “The consequences will surface
later. Azerbaijan may be cornered in the international arena,” he said.

Since the South Caucasus is an extremely sensitive region, Azerbaijan’s
foreign policy must be balanced. “One could better see a balanced
policy under [the late president] Heydar Aliyev. However, now this
policy has been ruined,” Cafarov said. No military or political
agreement with Iran will benefit Azerbaijan, he said.

[Passage omitted: Iran’s reaction to statements by American officials]

Armenia among countries mostly violating human rights

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 22 2004

Armenia is among the countries mostly violating human rights, the
US Freedom House human rights organisation said in its annual report
last week.

According to analysts of the organisation, although Ukraine and Georgia
have achieved progress in defence of human rights, the situation in
this field has become worse in Belarus and Lithuania. According to
the report, citizens in Russia cannot properly enjoy their rights to
freedom, as the power has been monopolized, independent press is put
pressures on and executive authorities have been involved in political
affairs in the country.

The organization’s analysts believe that the existence of such cases
may lead to authoritarianism in Russia.*

Hadra: Turkey Should Continue Relations With Arab Countries

Anadolu Agency
Dec 22 2004

MERSIN (AA) – Turkish-Arab Businessmen Association Chairman Mehmet
Hadra said on Saturday that Turkey, who got a date from the European
Union (EU) to start full membership negotiations, should continue
relations with Arab countries.

Hadra told a press conference that the target of their association
was to improve trade as well as cultural and art relations between
Turkey and Arab countries.

Meanwhile, commenting on Turkey’s getting a date from the EU
for membership negotiations, former Parliament Speaker Husamettin
Cindoruk said, “yesterday’s result is neither a success nor failure.
Getting October 3rd, 2005 is an acquisition.”

Addressing a seminar, Cindoruk said, “the EU neither accepts us nor let
us go. EU will make a decision according to the performance of Turkey.”

Cindoruk said there were two difficulties in agreement reached with
the EU. “One in negotiations’ being ‘open-ended’ and the second is
the Cyprus issue.”

Cindoruk defended that Turkey could not start negotiations if Ankara
Protocol is not signed till October 3rd, 2005.

Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), said
when the newspaper headlines were considered, this was seen as a
success, but that it was not definite what would be brought in front
of Turkey till October 3rd, 2005.

Defending the word derogation as “limitation, prohibition”, Aygun said
Turkey would meet various limitations even if it becomes an EU member.

Aygun said Cyprus issue was a “question mark”, stating that, “it
is not definite what will be brought in front of us till October
3rd. Armenian issue, ecumenicalism, opening of Armenian border pass,
and allegations on Armenian genocide were not brought onto the
agenda. We can not know that would be asked from us from now on.”

Zafer Caglayan, Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Industry, said the
decision to start full membership negotiations with Turkey till October
3rd, 2005 was pleasing, stating that, “today is a new starting for
Turkey. However the efforts actually start today.”

Caglayan said Turkey entered a new period from now on, noting that all
sections of the society should undertake important responsibilities
from now on.

Meanwhile, the Motherland Party (ANAP) Headquarters issued a statement
and said a success was made in “making concessions” during the December
17th summit.

The statement said the demands, which have not been asked from any
country since the foundation of the EU, was imposed to Turkey.

Recalling that in the previous statements of Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Gul, it was reported that a negotiation process would be taken without
any condition and that Cyprus issue would never be brought onto the
agenda, the statement said, “we think that Mr. Erdogan does not
accept those as condition.”

Dogu Perincek, the leader of Labor Party, said the commitments made
by the government would not bind Turkey.

Perincek told a news conference at his party center in Istanbul
that, “we do not recognize the commitments made by the government.
We announce to the whole world that those commitments would not
bind Turkey.”

Mehmet Agar, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) said, “we
consider the point that was reached as positive for continuation of
the EU process.”

Agar told a news conference that EU presented opening of full
membership negotiations with Turkey as a favor, stating that Turkey
was exposed to a treatment that was not shown to any country before.

Asked if DYP had a study in following EU process, Agar said DYP had
a special study group, and that this would be improved.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian parliament to mull country’s failure in EU

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 22 2004

The special session of the Armenian parliament to be held on Friday
has sparked confusion among the public.

Although the Armenian authorities explain the move with discussion
of several current issues, the local press have reported that the
public don’t believe in it. According to the Armenian press reports,
opposition circles relate this step by President Robert Kocharian to
withdrawal of the issue on recognition of the “Armenian genocide”
by Turkey for this country’s admission to the European Union (EU)
from the agenda of the last session of the organisation.

Member of the “Justice” bloc Sh. Kocharian has told the local press
that the fact that the EU has not raised the issue on recognition of
the “Armenian genocide” in front of Turkey testifies to weakness of
the Armenian authorities.

Although the Armenian President’s administration has not officially
elaborated the reasons of the special parliamentary session, the
opinions by the country’s opposition leader disclose the genuine
sense of the upcoming gathering.*

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12/22/2004
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1) Dutch Parliament Adopts Motion on Armenian Genocide
2) Azeri Press Responds to New ‘US-Drawn Map’ Labeling Karabagh as ‘Arguable
Territory’
3) Armenian Foreign Minister Sums up Progress on Karabagh
4) Ceremony Marks Opening of Aerial Tramway at Tsakhkadzor Resort
5) Melkonian Students Excel in Exams, Defying Closure Threat

1) Dutch Parliament Adopts Motion on Armenian Genocide

THE HAGUE (FAON)–The Dutch Parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a
motion on recognition of the Armenian genocide, reported the Federation of the
Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands.
Introduced by the Chairman of Christian Union faction André Rouvoet, the
motion specifically directs Dutch government officials “to bring up
recognition
of the Armenian Genocide continuously and expressly in [their] dialogue with
Turkey.” The motion was backed by all political parties in the Parliament.
It was introduced during a debate on the outcome of last Friday’s summit of
European leaders who decided to begin EU accession talks with Turkey. In that
debate, nearly all Dutch political factions addressed the absence of the
Armenian genocide issue in the EU’s Presidency Conclusions. The Dutch,
ironically, currently hold the EU Presidency.
Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, nevertheless, assured the Parliament that the
Armenian question has always been brought up in meetings with Turkish
colleagues.
The Armenian community of The Netherlands has consistently pushed the Dutch
Parliament and government to recognize the Armenian genocide–especially in
the
run-up to and during the Dutch presidency of the EU.

2) Azeri Press Responds to New ‘US-Drawn Map’ Labeling Karabagh as ‘Arguable
Territory’

(Azg)–A new US-drawn map, which reportedly labels Karabagh as “arguable
territory,” has caused a stir in two Baku newspapers who responded to the
issue
in their latest editions.
In an article titled “Azerbaijan without Karabagh?” Zerkalo claims that the
map was drawn by the ‘US National Geographic Center.’ Other states which also
bear the label “arguable territory,” according to the paper, are the West bank
of the Jordan River, Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia, and Southern Ossetia.
Zerkalo also reports that Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has urged its embassy
in Washington to inquire about the motivation behind not labeling Karabagh as
an Azeri region.
Another Baku newspaper, Yeni Zaman, alleges that after Armenia, Karabagh is
second in line receiving direct aid from the US. According to the paper,
American annual aid to Karabagh will amount to $3 million by 2005.
The paper also refers to a 1970s CIA top-secret document which “considered
Karabagh a historic Armenian territory, and highlights the fact that “Karabagh
was a semi-independent unit for centuries and was ruled by Armenian rulers
even
in times when other Armenian regions were under Turkish and Persian yoke.”

3) Armenian Foreign Minister Sums up Progress on Karabagh

YEREVAN (A1+, RFE/RL)–Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian on Wednesday
summed up 2004, saying that Armenia had both sudden surges as well as
falls–achievements along with failures.
Speaking about negotiations on the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, he stressed
the importance of maintaining political stability in Armenia in order to
advance that process.
Convinced that certain progress has been registered during negotiations, he
said, “Today, we are at more advantageous position than were in 1997,” but
cautioned that the success of those negotiations is not a forgone conclusion.
“What we are trying to do today, and I see the possibilities of that, is to
get the international community to recognize the Mountainous Karabagh people’s
right to self-determination with an agreement resolving the problem,” he
told a
news conference on Wednesday. “The implementation of that self-determination
may not necessarily be immediate.”
The Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers are expected to resume their
face-to-face meetings in the Czech capital next month.

4) Ceremony Marks Opening of Aerial Tramway at Tsakhkadzor Resort

TSAKHKADZOR (President.am)–President Robert Kocharian participated in the
opening ceremony of the newly renovated aerial tramway at the Tsakhkadzor
resort.
Kocharian hailed the completion, adding that the last section of the tramway
would be ready by next year, meeting all international standards. “The new
aerial tramway is built on a higher level than Tsakhkadzor’s entire
infrastructure. We should encourage businesses and investors to build new
hotels here, introduce services and leisure places to make Tsakhkadzor a true
tourist attraction. Only in that case can we claim that we reached our goal,”
Kocharian stressed.
The 2500 meters long aerial tramway has been renovated by a prominent Swiss
company specializing in assembling aerial tramways and other construction
works. The Tsakhkadzor resort is on the eastern slope of Mount Teghenis and is
famous for its numerous lodges and sport facilities.

5) Melkonian Students Excel in Exams, Defying Closure Threat

NICOSIA (Financial Mirror)–Two Melkonian students were among the 135
recipients of the High Achiever awards given out to students who gained top
international marks at an award ceremony in Nicosia last week.
Together with their schoolmates, they overcame the troubles caused by the New
York based administrators’ announcement on March 16 to shut down the school
and
continued with their external examinations.
Hovhannes Atabekyan, a 2004 graduate of the school, was one of only ten
students in Cyprus to gain straight A’s in five Advanced Level subjects, while
only three other Cypriots gained six A’s. Elizabeth Torossian notched up the
highest Ordinary Level international subject mark in Armenian, an award
achieved in only ten other subjects worldwide.
“These outstanding results cast a shadow over the true intentions of the
school’s administrators to shut down the Melkonian and sell off the land,” the
Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus said in an announcement.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

French PM Raffarin Uses ‘Genocide’ Term in Turkey-EU Debates

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Dec 22 2004

French Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin has followed the lead of
his Foreign Minister, Michel Barnier, in using the expression
“Armenian Genocide” publicly.

At a session organized at the French Parliament to discuss the
opening of membership negotiations between the European Union (EU)
and Turkey, Raffarin disclosed that they have prepared a law on
“Armenian Genocide” at the parliament and that the Armenian and
Kurdish issues will be raised with Turkey.

Raffarin pointed out that Turkey’s EU perspective was assigned in
1963 and that no French administrations have considered Turkey’s EU
membership as a subject worth discussing since then.

He emphasized that nothing can keep Turkey out of Europe once Turkey
fulfills all the requirements and it will become an EU member.

There is a strong Armenian diaspora in France and the radical
Armenian lobbying groups make pressure on the French Government.
Turkey does not recognise the Armenian ‘genocide allegations’ and
condemns France for its attitude on the Armenian issue.

Turkish officials argue that it is not understable French Government
gives more importance to the events claimed happened about 100 years
ago than the current hot issues, like the Armenian occupation of the
20 per cent of Azerbaijani territories. Gulcan from ISRO saida “it is
strange, for the French politicians the only problem with Turkey’s EU
bid is the 1915 events. French Government just focuses on the
Armenian allegations instead of cultural dialogue, minority problems
in France, French-Turkish economic and political relations etc. If
France considers 3 million Armenia is more important than 75 million
Turkey, so, there is no problem then. Today’s France simply igonres
Turkish reality. Theye are talking about history, but if they
continue to lose time, cultural harmonization and European security
will be history”.

22 December 2004
JTW