Azeri leader vows not to give up Karabakh, calls for “constructive”
opposition

ANS TV, Baku
13 Dec 04

Excerpt from report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 13 December

[Presenter] ANS’s special correspondent in London Ali Ahmadov is on
the line. He will give us the details about the [Azerbaijani]
president’s visit to Great Britain. Here you are, Ali.

[Ali Ahmadov, by phone] Good evening, Leyla. As you said before,
President Ilham Aliyev had his first meeting today with the Queen’s
representative [a member of the House of Lords], Baroness
Seccombe. That was just a brief meeting.

[Passage omitted: reported details of meeting with the British defence
secretary]

At a meeting [with Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon] they
discussed the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as well. President Ilham
Aliyev told the British defence secretary about the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and the consequences of it not being resolved. They exchanged
views on the ways of settling it.

The president’s meeting at Chatham House [the UK Royal Institute of
International Affairs], which ended a few minutes ago, was the most
interesting one today. Influential politicians use this organization
to exchange views. The president spoke about Azerbaijan and, in
particular, about Nagornyy Karabakh. Then the participants [in the
meeting] asked the president questions. The president said that the
main problem for Azerbaijan is the issue of Nagornyy Karabakh, 20 per
cent of which are under occupation. There are about 1m of refugees and
they live in appalling conditions.

The most interesting fact was that the Armenian ambassador to Britain
asked the president about a settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. It was a rather aggressive question. The president was asked
whether Azerbaijan intends to attack Nagornyy Karabakh. The president
strongly reacted to this. He said that Armenia is an aggressor state
and that it’s position in talks with Azerbaijan is not
constructive. This makes the talks fruitless. Azerbaijan does not want
to continue the talks just for the sake of them. Azerbaijan might stop
the talks if it sees that they yield no results. The president said if
the point is the liberation of lands, then the Armenians might check
the Soviet encyclopedia as many areas in Armenia have Azeri
placenames, but Azerbaijan lays no claims to any of them.

As for the liberation of lands, the president said if the talks with
Armenia yield no results and if Armenia refuses to vacate the lands
following the talks, Azerbaijan would, itself, liberate the
lands. Vacate our lands, otherwise we will do this ourselves, end of
quote.

The president clarified another issue as well. Commenting on the
freight transported to Georgia via Azerbaijan and the freight checks,
he said that when it joined the TRACECA [Transport Corridor
Europe-Caucasus-Asia] corridor, Azerbaijan set a condition that the
freight transported through Azerbaijan should never go to
Armenia. However, according to recent reports, the cargo has recently
been sent to Armenia via Georgia. The freight needed to be checked
thoroughly after Azerbaijan received this information. The cargo
mainly comes from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

The president said that as long as the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is
not resolved, not a gram of freight transported via Azerbaijan will go
to Armenia and that all the cargo and it’s final destination will be
checked.

Moreover, the president was asked about his internal policy,
specifically about democratic processes in Azerbaijan and his attitude
to the opposition. He said that the country needs a new opposition
force. He said the opposition should be more constructive and that the
existing opposition is destructive and cannot engage in constructive
negotiations with the authorities.

[Presenter] Thank you very much, Ali.

No similarities in Armenia with events in Ukraine, Georgia – OSCE envoy

Mediamax news agency
14 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The OSCE ambassador to Yerevan, Vladimir Pryakhin, considers
“inappropriate” the attempts to draw parallels between the political
situation in Armenia and the events in Ukraine and Georgia.

Vladimir Pryakhin said at a briefing in Yerevan today that the “OSCE
never supports either of the parties to conflict and we do not want to
be involved in the struggle for change of power,” Mediamax reports.

Vladimir Pryakhin noted that the main tasks for the OSCE in Armenia
are the assistance in building democratic society and human rights
protection. He said that in 2004 the OSCE office actively assisted in
the establishment of a dialogue between all Armenian political forces.

“Without defending either of the sides, we pursued only one aim – to
provide the protection of civil principles and human rights,” Vladimir
Pryakhin said.

He noted that the OSCE office in Yerevan is also active in the
realization of programmes of socioeconomic importance. In particular,
the OSCE office rendered assistance to the process of privatization of
Zangezur copper-molybdenum complex and financed the elaboration of a
programme of the socioeconomic development of Syunik Region [southern
Armenia]. Vladimir Pryakhin said that in 2005 the OSCE office is
planning to render assistance to the process of setting up the
community police in Armenia. In particular, the OSCE is going to
provide the community police with 50 cars, set up emergency centre and
train the policemen.

A1 Plus | 16:02:26 | 14-12-2004 | Social |

INDEPENDENT WHEN NO LONGER BEATEN

‘Joining the citizens concerned with the future of the country ‘New
Armenia’ Bloc keeps focus on the problems alarming society’, Eleonora
Manandyan, head of the `New Armenia’ social organization said at a
conference held today.

The probable forming of a new opposition bloc has widely been discussed
in the pres recently, and the pro-Western orientation is declared to be
the ideological base of it.

According to Eleonora Manandyan, the powers in opposition must first be
guided by settlement of numerous problems of the people and elaboration
of potential ways for establishment of statehood.

‘Horde sentiments now prevail in our country. We didn’t become
independent by declaring independence. There will be democracy in our
country only when we are no longer beaten during the elections’,
Eleonora Manandyan says.

‘We call upon political powers in Opposition to become mighty and to
stay away from obliged decisions to follow our national interests and
consolidation of statehood’, `New Armenia’ member Seda Arzumanyan says.

ARF Bureau representative meets with Cyprus president

14.12.2004 17:29

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian met on December 14 with Cyprus
President Tasos Papadopulos in Nicosia.

Cyprus claims Turkey should recognize the European Union’s 25 member
states, including Cyprus, if it wants the accession talks to
begin. Turkey refuses to recognize the Republic of Cyprus since its
1974 invasion of the northern part of the island, which it recognizes
as Turkish Republic of Cyprus.

The ARF delegation was comprised of the ARF Western Europe Central
Committee (CC) representative Murad Papazian, ARF Greece CC
representative Grigor Erjenian, European Armenian Federation
Chairwoman Hilda Choboian, ARF Cyprus organization representative
Vahan Ainejian, and Armenian National Committeeof Cyprus Chairman
Andranik Ashjian.

Margarian briefed the Cyprus president on the ARF’s position in
Turkey’s bid to join the EU and conveyed his party’s backing to
Cyprus’ stance in the issue. He also pointed out that the pressures on
Cyprus should be overcome.

The Cyprus president explained his country’s position and possible
moves concerning Turkey’s aspiration to join the EU.

Later, the ARF delegation met with Ianakis Omiru, president of the
Cyprus Socialist Party (EDEK) and other officials.

France raises Armenia issue ahead of EU decision on Turkey

EUbusiness
14/12/2004

Days ahead of a crucial EU decision on Turkish accession talks, Paris
has raised the highly sensitive issue of the Armenian “tragedy” — an
indication of the sharp divisions of opinion in France over Ankara’s
membership bid.

At a summit in Brussels this week heads of government from the 25
member states are to give a green light for the opening of membership
negotiations, probably some time next year, while at the same time
warning the process could take more than a decade.

On Monday French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier risked angering
Ankara when he unexpectedly announced France would ask it to
“recognise the Armenian tragedy of the start of the (last) century
… Turkey must carry out this task as a memorial.”

Asked Tuesday whether this amounted to a pre-condition for opening
talks on EU membership, Barnier this was legally not possible, but he
said it was “a question that we will raise in the course of
negotiations, and we have around 10 years to raise it.”

An estimated 1.5 million Armenians are believed to have died between
1915 and 1917 in the last years of the Ottoman empire, an episode
referred to by Armenians as their “genocide”. But the government in
Ankara disputes the scale and nature of the killing.

In France, which has a large Armenian community, the “genocide” has
become a highly politicised subject. In 2001 the then
Socialist-dominated National Assembly voted to recognise that
“genocide” had occurred — prompting Turkey to recall its ambassador.

Barnier’s decision to raise the Armenia issue was being interpreted
Tuesday as a bid to reassure a French public that remains by a clear
majority hostile to Ankara’s application to join the European Union.

While President Jacques Chirac has publicly stated his support for
Turkey’s eventual membership, he is opposed by a majority of his own
Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) as well as many in the opposition
Socialists. A recent poll showed that 56 percent of the public is
against Turkish membership, compared to only 38 percent in favour.

Promising to ensure that the Armenian “tragedy” is tabled during entry
negotiations is a way of signalling to the French public that the
government has not forgotten their concerns, commentators said.

Chirac is known to be worried that the prospect of Turkish admission
could sour French attitudes to the EU just ahead of a promised
referendum next year on the union’s proposed constitution, possibly
even leading to its rejection.

To reassure voters, the president has already undertaken to change the
country’s constitution so that all future applications to the EU —
including Turkey’s — would have to be approved by a national
referendum in France.

He and Barnier have also said that talks with Turkey may result in a
“privileged partnership” rather than full-scale membership — though
they insists this is France’s desired objective.

Armenian official says NATO decides against seminars in Azeri capital

Mediamax news agency
14 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The management of the working group dealing with cooperation with
partners from NATO’s Military Committee has decided not to hold a
seminar in Baku after the Azerbaijani authorities denied entry to
Armenian Defence Ministry representatives, Armenian Deputy Defence
Minister, Lt-Gen Artur Agabekyan said in Yerevan today.

The working group opened its seminar in Yerevan today. Representatives
of 34 countries – 23 NATO member states and 11 partners – are
participating in the seminar. The seminar was held in Tbilisi on 13
December.

Gen Agabekyan expressed regret about the fact that not only
Azerbaijani representatives protested against the Armenian officer’s
visit to Baku, but also refused to attend the seminar in Yerevan.

“We would have attended with pleasure the seminar of NATO’s Military
Committee in the Azerbaijani capital,” the Armenian deputy defence
minister said.

Agabekyan said that the expansion of military cooperation between NATO
member states and its partners within the framework of the Partnership
for Peace programme topped the agenda of the Yerevan-hosted seminar.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Dec 14 2004

New council candidate swells field to 10

By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer

GLENDALE — A new candidate — one who is being called the voice of
the youth — has entered the race for City Council.
Hovik Gabikian, 35, announced Monday that he would run for a seat on
the City Council — the 10th candidate to run for the four available
seats — and would fight for issues including affordable housing,
traffic regulation, environmental protection and expanding fire and
police services.

An eligibility worker at the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Social Services, Gabikian also serves as a leader with his labor
union.

“My intention is to expand and improve the quality of public life by
offering effective services,” said the graduate of the University of
California, Los Angeles.

Some race watchers believe that Gabikian, who helped organize more
than 70,000 people to march in Hollywood last year to commemorate the
89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, distinguishes himself with
his large following among Armenian young people.

“He’s highly respected by the youth who attend universities and
colleges, so he may not have name recognition in the political arena,
but he’s definitely known, especially in the Armenian youth circles,”
Mayor Bob Yousefian said.

In addition to incumbents Dave Weaver, Frank Quintero and Bob
Yousefian, those who have said they will run are Glynda Gomez, Ara
Najarian, Garry Sinanian, Steve Hedrick, Pauline Field and John
Drayman.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
For Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 (0) 2 732 70 26
Tel./Fax: +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
December 14th, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27

FRANCE CALLS ON TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In a dramatic move that will shape European
expectations regarding Turkey’s acceptance into the European Union,
France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michel Barnier, announced today
that his government will call on Turkey to recognize the Armenian
Genocide.

In his comments, Barnier, said that France “will ask, during the
course of negotiations [with Turkey], that they recognize the tragedy
which occurred at the beginning of the [20th] century and which
affected hundreds of thousands of Armenians.” Minister Barnier placed
this request within the historical context of reconciliation between
France and Germany, stating that the entire European idea is based on
reconciliation. He specifically stated that Turkey must “meet its
responsibility of remembrance, of reconciliation with its own history
and recognize this tragedy.”

The European Armenian Federation welcomes the French government’s
position as a reflection of the founding values of the European
Union. “Acknowledgement of the Genocide by Turkey should precede any
negotiations toward Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
However, we welcome France’s new approach, reaffirming that all
aspirants to participation in the EU must embrace principles conducive
to a sustainable, stable and secure political future for our
continent,” said Laurent Leylekian, the executive director of the
European Armenian Federation.

“We regard the statement of Mr. Barnier – which, unfortunately avoided
the use of the word genocide and which cited inaccurate figures
concerning the number of victims – as a clear expression of the French
government’s firm opposition to the denial of the Armenian Genocide,
and its commitment to progressively move Turkey toward acknowledgement
of this crime,” added Leylekian.

Mr. Leylekian also noted that France’s position should inspire
European policy-makers, who have previously been pressured into
silence about Turkey’s racist and ultra-nationalist genocide denial,
to coming out in support of placing this condition on Turkey’s
acceptance into the European Union.

“We will remain vigilant until December the 17th and in the weeks and
months to follow to ensure that the Minister’s statement is not simply
a bargaining chip or an effort to appease French public opinion, but
rather a principled stand on a core European value.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer

Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

DR. FARID El-KHAZEN MEETS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

Antelias, Lebanon – Dr. Farid El Khazen, the Dean of the Political Science
Department of the American university of Beirut, met His Holiness Aram I.
The agenda of the meeting covered issues related to the local political
life, the prevailing situation in Iraq and peace process, as well as the
question of membership of Turkey in European community. Dr. Farid El Khazen
is a well known politician and a key member of the opposition in Lebanon.
Dr. Khazen was accompanied by Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian, a member of the
Ecumenical Relations’ Committee of the Catholicosate.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, NY 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-Mail: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Web: <;

Armenia Fund USA’s Fundraising Efforts Resulted in Unprecedented Success
in the 2004 Telethon

Every Thanksgiving Day marks the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, and this
year was no different. Contributions poured in non-stop from around the
globe to volunteer and staff phone bank operators in The Fund’s New York
City and Glendale offices – Germany, Russia, France, England, Holland,
Brazil, Argentina, cities around the US, and even Armenia and Karabakh
are just some countries that got involved. It is a monumental
initiative that brings each and every one of us together, remembering
why we are so scattered, obligating us to rise up to the occasion and
help our homeland. This day echoes the words of William Saroyan from so
long ago, “.for when two Armenians meet anywhere in the world, see if
they will not create a new Armenia”. And, that is what the Telethon
proves to do again and again. The North South Highway, a much needed
infrastructure development project in Karabakh has been funded with an
additional $11 million dollars. Doubling the funds contributed in 2003
and putting us at the finish line for completing this bold $25 million
project that started a mere 5 years ago. That is 150 towns and villages
throughout the republic with access to food and other necessities so
basic, the rest of us don’t think twice about it. It’s no wonder
everyone refers to the North South Highway as the backbone of Karabakh.

Heading the charge of this major fundraising initiative is the
collaboration between Armenia Fund USA based in New York City, serving
all constituents in the Eastern United States, and Armenia Fund Inc.
based in Glendale and serving the constituency in the Western United
States. These are two of the 18 affiliated offices around the world to
Hayastan All Armenian Fund based in Armenia. Each affiliate office
serves the constituency it is indigenous to by adopting infrastructure
development projects in Armenia and Karabakh and directing their own
fundraising campaigns. The North South Highway is the one project that
brings each of these affiliate offices together every year in a
worldwide campaign. What went into the success, broadcasted via the
organization’s Thanksgiving Day Telethon, was a year’s worth of hard
work. Kevork Toroyan, Board Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the Eastern
United States affiliate of Hayastan All Armenian Fund reported that the
major fundraising campaign was more than just what was aired on
Thanksgiving Day. It involved inspiring major donation from noteworthy
leaders in the community, mass mailings, advertisements, phonations, and
regional events, all culminating with the global reach of the Telethon
to bring the viewership an interesting program and raise money for a
worthy cause. The program showcased new development footage direct from
Armenia and Karabakh, messages and performances from popular artists
like the MET Opera Singer Isabel Bayrakdarian and Zulal trio of a
capella singers, key note messages from political leaders like
Massachusetts Representative Peter Koutoujian, New Jersey Congressman
Frank Pallone, all among countless other supporters. Broadcasting
reached 45 million households in the US alone, with extended viewing
capabilities from satellite TV and web-casting garnering involvement
from smaller Armenian communities in the US like South Carolina and
Georgia.

This comprehensive campaign designed to direct positive change got off
to an amazing start with the pre-telethon fundraising initiatives hosted
by Armenia Fund USA with the much anticipated delegation visit headed by
Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan and accompanied in part by Himnadram
Executive Director Naira Melkoumian for special engagements and public
speaking appearances in Boston, Detroit, and the New York Metropolitan
area all to drive awareness for the telethon, before heading off to the
studios in Glendale, California. These regional events and other
meetings culminated with nearly $6 million in donations from notable
philanthropic leaders and all other supporters in various Eastern US
cities. On behalf of the Manoogian Simone Foundation, Mrs. Simone
contributed $1 million during pre-telethon fundraising initiatives, with
an additional $1 million pledged as a matching gift incentive. It was a
gracious effort on her part standing true to her convictions recognizing
that, “.the North South Highway is a crucial project to the future
development and stability of Karabakh, one that every Armenian must
extend themselves to help complete.” Notable contribution garnered from
other enthusiastic philanthropists include $1 million donations from
Sarkis Acopian, Hirair Hovnanian, and Kevork Hovnanian, $500,000 from
Carolyn Mugar, and $50,000 from Gerard Cafesjian and Hratch Kaprielian.
Over $11million dollars was raised by the end of the Telethon with
generous outpouring of support from all corners of the world – Eastern
United States $5.7 million; Argentina: $1.5 million; Western United
States: $1.4 million; Armenia and Karabakh: $1.1 million; France and
the rest of the world: $1.3 million.

Armenians worldwide should be proud of the teamwork-like effort
generated to “Make it Happen,” as the Telethon slogan directed, proving
that the Diaspora is as strong as ever in its support for building
infrastructure to sustain Armenia and Karabakh’s security and future.
Sending this kind of message of support only gives credence to “The
Economist” journal’s unbiased and unsolicited recent reports indicating
that investment from the Armenian Diaspora has boosted Karabakh’s
economy and that the roads of Karabakh may be the best maintained in the
Caucasus. This is all with thanks to you, our donors and friends. The
overwhelming results from the year-long effort indicate that Armenia
Fund has the mandate worldwide to go beyond the one-day Telethon to
raise money, but systematically cultivate its base of support for years
to come. Armenia Fund USA and its seventeen related affiliates promise
to continue promoting large scale initiatives to further build upon the
large imprint it has made, and as part of its mission, continue to
adhere to stringent processes of accountability that has enabled the
organization to be so successful.

Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia
Fund USA is a unique organization in that its sole purpose is to promote
Armenia’s growth in order to sustain itself for future generations.
Armenia Fund dedicates itself to supporting large-scale initiatives in
both Armenia and Karabakh and is supported by Armenians world-wide.
Endorsed by all major Armenian political and religious factions, Armenia
Fund maintains its independence from these umbrella organizations and
works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh building
roads, schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs,
upholding stringent project oversight measures at every juncture.

Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing
the support of Armenian Diasporans in the Eastern United States and was
the first of Hayastan All Armenian Fund’s 18 international hubs to help
the homeland. Armenia Fund USA has already helped build 138 miles of
roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission
networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions.
These and all projects initiated by The Fund are designed to not only
ease the hardships of the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current
time, but more importantly to ensure their continual growth and
productivity for the future.

Armenia Fund USA’s mission of accountability is built upon a pledge of
responsibility to benefactors and recipients alike. All contributions
are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, go to
<; , or
write/call for a free marketing packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 689-5307.