Armenians Demonstrate in Brussels

Zaman, Turkey
Dec 17 2004

During today’s European Union (EU) summit, a group of Armenians held
a protest around the EU Council building in Brussels.

According to the police, nearly, 2,300 Armenians demanded Turkey to
recognize genocide allegations. The group handed out flyers before
the beginning of full membership negotiations with Turkey.

The Armenians also demanded Turkish recognition of Greek Cypriots
and an immediate evacuation of the northern part of the island.

Protesters said they oppose Turkey’s membership negotiations because
Turkey does not share the European ideal.

DECREES OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ON AMNESTY HIGHLY ESTIMATED
[December 17, 2004, 20:01:34]

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Dec 17 2004

On December 16, session of the Legal Affairs and human Rights
Committee of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was held
in Paris. Members of Committee have discussed the project of the
Convention on struggle against financing terrorism, condition of
human rights in Kosovo, execution of the resolution number 1359
connected to prisoners in Azerbaijan, the concept of “nation”,
election of judges in the European Court on human rights and other
questions.

Deputies have noted importance of revealing and attraction to the
responsibility at the international level of persons and the
organizations secretly financing terrorism, and have suggested that
all this has found reflection in the project of the Convention.

At discussion of the question connected to Kosovo, has been
underlined importance of preparation of a special mechanism of the
control over protection of human rights in region.

Participants of session have noted that up to date has not be given
exact definition of concept “nation”, similar and distinctive
features between concepts of “nation” and “people” owing to what in
many accepted documents there is a mess.

The English deputy Malcolm Bruce who has acted with the report on
execution of the resolution number 1359, connected with prisoners in
Azerbaijan, highly has estimated cooperation between the government
of Azerbaijan and the Committee, and also the fact, that on the basis
of three Decrees on pardoning, signed by President Ilham Aliyev this
year, had been released hundreds person.

M. Bruce has noted, that now in the list of persons directed to the
Council of Europe there are people which experts do not recognize as
“political prisoners”, but they are presented by the non-governmental
organizations, names of 10 person are mentioned, has expressed hope
that shortly and they would be released and by that the question on
prisoners in Azerbaijan will be completely solved.

Acted on discussions, MP Gultekin Hajiyeva has positively estimated
cooperation between the government of Azerbaijan and the Rapporteur,
has noted, that from specified in the list of the Council of Europe
of 716 prisoners, now are in custody only 10 person.

Ms. G. Hajiyeva has told: ”In our country, there are no people
arrested on only political reasons. But there are people, which are
to some extent deprived of freedom for concrete criminal actions.
These people are specified in the list of the Council of Europe. On
the basis of Decrees of President Ilham Aliyev on pardoning, the
majority of them have been let out on freedom. The said humane
policy, serving to establishment of reconciliation in the society and
creation of national solidarity between various layers, will be
continued in the years ahead.

Cyprian deputy M. Purgurides presiding at the session who at
discussion of the questions connected both with political prisoners,
and with the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, for some
reason always takes a prejudiced position, and this time was acted as
earlier. M. Purgurides has told: ”In case that the question of
prisoners in Azerbaijan will not be solved up to the end of year, it
should be discussed at PACE session. However, the Rapporteur and
other members of Committee, resolutely protesting M. Purgurides,
highly have estimated the processes ongoing in Azerbaijan,
cooperation between the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan, have
emphasized confidence that the problem connected to prisoners will be
shortly resolved.

–Boundary_(ID_r8nzB2ppjUJE6S18G3SylA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“STOP DESTRUCTION OF YEREVAN” – DISCUSSION CONCERNING PROBLEMS OF PROTECTION
OF HISTORICAL-CULTURAL HERITAGE OF YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. “Stop the destruction of Yerevan” –
under this motto a discussion was held concerning the problems of the
protection of historical-cultural heritage of the capital of Armenia.

As Doctor of architecture Marieta Gasparian mentioned, year by year
Yerevan loses its historic look and it will soon there will not be a
building which presents a historical value of a some era of life of the
Armenian capital. Wide-scale constructions result in destruction of
the buildings of historical-cultural importance for Armenia. According
to her, the department for protection of historical-cultural monuments
of the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs of Armenia has already
formed the list which includes 16 buildings of the main avenue of
Yerevan, in particular, from the streets of Pavstos Byuzand, Arami,
Pushkin and Teryan, liable to dismantle and transfer to another
territory.

As Architect, Academician Varazdat Haroutunian mentioned, the principle
of privatization of the buildings, without pre-condition to keep the
outward appearance of the building, cannot remain unpunished. The
parliament must include this issue in the agenda when adoption of a
relevant law aimed at protection of the city attractive for tourists
from the point of view of its rich historical-cultural heritage.

“NEW TIMES” PARTY AGAIN EXPRESSES PROTEST ON OCCASION OF DISPATCH OF ARMENIAN
PEACEKEEPERS TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. “New Times” party again expresses its
protest on the occasion of the dispatch of Armenian peacekeepers to
Iraq. It is said in the statement of the party sent to ARMINFO.

According to the statement, the decision of Armenian government on
dispatch of peacekeepers to Iraq should be considered nothing else as
myopic. The authors of the statement remind that after the genocide
of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century
hundred thousands of Armenians found shelter in Arab countries
including in Iraq. They mention that the dispatch of the Armenian
peacekeepers to Iraq will imperil the safety of Armenian communities
of Arab countries. The party “New times” understands the aspiration of
the authorities of Armenia to involve the republic in the international
programs on fight against terrorism, but the participation in these
programs must not contradict the interests of the state”, said in
the statement. The party “New Times” proposes to find alternative
variants of Armenia’s participation in international programs on
fight against terrorism. In particular, the party proposes to take
part in anti-terrorist programs being implemented under the aegis of
UN, in other hot spots where the interests of Arab countries and the
Armenian community collide. The party insists on holding a voting
concerning the issue on the dispatch of Armenian peacekeepers to Iraq.

THERE IS NO OPPOSITION IN ARMENIA

A1 Plus | 19:30:46 | 17-12-2004 | Politics |

There is the Rubicon that can’t be crossed by political forces even
by the opposition, said MP Mher Shahgeldyan at a discussion over the
role of the opposition held by Political Disputes Club.

Shahgeldyan who represents Orinats Erkir, one of three governing
parties, in parliament said if left-, right-wing and centrist forces
were not formed in the nearest future, then political area would
face stagnation.

The club’s another guest National Democratic Union leader Vazgen
Manoukyan thinks the full-fledged opposition is impossible in a
country where parliament plays a minor role.

“That’s why our country is constantly standing on the edge of
revolution”, he said.

In his opinion, both Armenian opposition and leadership are more
compliant than those of any other country.

There is no ideological struggle in Armenia. What is going on in the
republic today is struggle for money, levers and positions, he said.

Wrangling over Cyprus mars historic EU Turkey deal

Expatica, Netherlands
Dec 17 2004

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s breakthrough invitation to Turkey
for the start of historic membership negotiations – a goal sought by
Ankara for over 40 years – came only after last minute wrangles over
Cyprus almost scuppered the accord.

The deal to open talks with Muslim Turkey is a major turning point
for European Union, which until now has been a mainly Christian club.

For Turkey the move is a landmark recognition of a decades old drive
to be seen as a European nation.

But celebrations after a two-day summit in Brussels were marred by
an unseemly, eleventh-hour battle over EU demands that Turkey give
fast-track recognition to Cyprus

via the signing of a customs union deal.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected this and instead
forced a compromise under which he verbally pledged to sign the
agreement by the 3 October, 2005 start for accession talks, diplomats
said. EU leaders welcomed Turkey’s declaration.

The skirmish was a less than auspicious start for what were always
going to be tough negotiations to bring Turkey – with its far poorer
much more rural population – into the EU.

Even pro-Turkey leaders such as German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
say negotiations with Ankara may drag out until 2019.

The squabbles at the Brussels summit once again reflected the EU’s
complex decision-making machinery where one member state – in this
case tiny Cyprus – can make nationally driven demands.

Although it had never previously been a condition for starting talks
with Turkey, Cyprus, which only joined the EU last May, swiftly
objected to the fact that Turkey refuses to grant it diplomatic
recognition.

Turkey, until now, has only recognised the self-styled state of
Turkish northern Cyprus.

This led to hours of shuttle diplomacy at the summit with Turkey
supporters Germany and Britain being called in to mediate.

Erdogan dug in his heels due to fears that voters at home and the
ever-sensitive Turkish parliament would rebel if he was seen to be
caving in on the spot to last-minute EU demands.

Turkey has been knocking at Europe’s door since 1963 and the goal of
EU membership has spurred unprecedented reforms under Erdogan which
have won wide admiration in the EU.

For Europe, taking in Turkey makes sense for a host of economic and
geo-political reasons.

EU leaders such as Chancellor Schroeder point equally to the huge
market provided by Turkey’s booming economy and population of
70 million as well as the security advantage of making Turkey a
democratic, secular beacon for the Islamic world.

Taking in Turkey will also boost the morale of the 15 million Muslims
already living in the EU who still face tough integration challenges.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has long seen enlargement of the EU
as a way both to weaken the Franco-German dominance of the bloc and
to boost transatlantic ties. The US has long been a strong backer of
Turkish EU membership.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende – who holds the rotating
EU presidency – said the goal of negotiations beginning next year was
full accession of Turkey but cautioned: “We’re going to negotiate to
see if membership is possible. There’s no guarantee it is possible.”

Should negotiations fail, he said, Turkey must remain firmly anchored
in EU structures. This, however, is not the same thing as the offer
second class membership – dubbed a “privileged partnership” – which
was rejected by EU leaders.

Despite Friday’s EU deal with Turkey, Ankara’s path to membership
will be difficult.

Turkey faces a huge task in meeting standards of what European
Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso earlier stressed was a “very
demanding Union.”

Erdogan’s reforms are seen by the EU as just a start and Ankara’s
lengthy “to do” list includes major improvements in political and
economic structures. EU leaders say Turkey must make additional effort
to meet the bloc’s “Copenhagen Criteria” which include strict standards
for human rights, minority protection and rule of law.

More challenging for Erodgan are Europe’s calls for what many in
Turkey will see as a social revolution.

Women’s rights, religious freedom and difficult historic questions
from Turkey’s past, including the fate of Armenians during World War I,
still need to be addressed.

Asked about calls by France for Turkey to recognise the killing of
up to 1.5 million Christian Armenians under the Ottoman Empire in
1915 as a genocide, Barroso said the question would have to be up
for frank discussion.

But he underlined this should take place at a later date. Turkey
rejects the label of genocide with regard to the Armenians.

GEORGIA SIMPLIFIES CUSTOMS AND ROAD PROCEDURES FOR ARMENIAN CARGO TRANSIT

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. In Mar 2005 Georgia will significantly
simplify its customs and road procedures for Armenian cargo transit in
terms of both quoting and taxation, says Levan Jagarkava, the chief
of the customs control and methodology department of the customs
department of Georgia’s Finance Ministry.

Jan 1 2005 Georgia is enforcing its new tax code envisaging only 8
instead of 18 taxes. The code cuts the tax tariff for individuals
crossing the border and is unifies cargo and vehicle clearance
procedures for them. Georgia is not only simplifying its customs
procedures but is also improving its customs infrastructure. The
customs service personnel has been cut from 2,500 to 900 people in
the last year while the customs duty collection has grown from $15-17
mln to $40 mln a year.

The president of the Center for regional Development Transaprency
International Amalia Kostanyan says that Georgia’s reforms will
tangibly boost the trade between Armenia and Georgia.

In Jan-Oct 2004 the Armenian-Georgian trade turnover totalled $59.7
mln which was 3.6% of Armenia’s foreign trade and 38.6% more than
in Jan-Oct 2003. The Armenian exports was $20.49 mln the Georgian
imports $39.2 mln.

GROSS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES OF ARMENIA INCREASED BY $3.6 MLN IN JAN-OCT, 2004

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. Gross international reserves of Armenia
increased by $3.6 mln during Jan-Oct of the current year, and in Oct as
against Sept they increased by $8.1 mln, totalling $513.8 mln. Gross
international reserves privatized funds exclusive totaled $491.6 mln
by the end of Oct, 2004, increased by $7.7 mln as against Sept, 2004,
and compared with Dec 2003 it decreased by $10.4 mln.

SDR in IMF decreased by $10.4 mln in Jan-Oct of the current year as
against the same period of last year, and in Oct as against Sept it
decreased by $2.4 mln, totaling $8.4 mln. Currency assets increased
by $14.0 mln in Jan-Oct of the current year, and in Oct as against
Sept it increased by $10.5 mln, totalling $505.4 mln.

It should be noted that the share of gold in gross international
reserves was nulled in Dec 2003. By Jan 1, 2004 Gross international
reserves totaled $510.2 mln. SDR in IMF was $18.8 mln. Currency
assets totaled $491.4 mln. Gross international reserves privatized
funds exclusive totaled $502.0 mln by the beginning of 2004.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU HAS NO INTENTION TO ADVANCE ISSUE OF RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE BY TURKEY AS PRECONDITION TO OPEN EU ENTRY TALKS

BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. Asked whether the EU would press for
Turkey to recognize a genocide of Armenians early in the last century,
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said there were
no plans to add new hurdles to Ankara’s bid to open EU entry talks,
Reuters reports.

“We can’t introduce new political conditions. it wouldn’t be fair to
do that… That was not one of them, so neither today nor tomorrow
are we going to come up with new political provisos,” he said.

But he stressed that the topic was not taboo but rather one that
would be dealt with in the future: “The issue raised and possibly
many others must be the subject of open and frank dialogue.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BY THE END OF 2004 SANIR COMPANY TO ANNOUNCE TENDER FOR SUBCONTRACTOR WORK ON
ARMENIAN SECTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17. ARMINFO. By the end of this year the Sanir
company from Iran will give start to a tender to enroll subcontractors
for laying the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline,
says the director general of ArmRosGazprom company Karen Karapetyan.

He says that his company will certainly take part in the tender and
has quite good chances to win it. “Even if we lose the winners will
be forced to cooperate with us considering that we have domestic gas
market monopoly,” says Karapetyan. He notes that after the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline is built and the Abovyan underground gas depositary is
restored Armenia will have almost no energy security problems.

Sanir is the general contractor of the project. Iran will lend Armenia
$30 mln for laying the Armenian section of the pipeline – from Megri
to Kajaran. The loan will be given for 7.5 years at 5% a year. The
project will be finished in two years to be launched Jan 1 2007.