ARMENIAN MP INSISTS ON BRIBERY OF JUSTICE MINISTER BY ARMENTEL

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The developments around the
telecommunications monopolist in Armenia, Armentel company, is a
complete farce and fraud, Leader of the party Bloc of National
Democrats, MP Arshak Sadoyan said at a press-conference at the
Discussion Club “Azdak,” Saturday.

He said that the statement of Justice Minister David Haroutiunyan that
the resolution of London Arbitration has not been applied in Armenia
as it could cause $300 mln damage is an evident lie. Sadoyan once
more levered harsh criticism at the activity of ArmenTel, pointing
out that in the course of its activity ArmenTel caused $170 mln damage
to the country’s economy. At the same time, the Government singed an
anti-people agreement with the company, hereby confirming that it has
no financial claims to it. Arshak Sadoyan again accused the justice
minister of protecting ArmenTel’s interests, bringing the fact that
the minister prevented the inter-department commission from adopting
the decision on imposition of $150 mln fine on ArmenTel.

Besides, Sadoyan said that David Haroutiunyan signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with ArmenTel in the Athens. If the Memorandum came into
effect, it would cause $150 mln damage to the country. The Memorandum
was not put into effect only due to the efforts of the Communications
Minister of that time, Eduard Madatyan, who was released from his
post after, Sadoyan said. He said that the Government’s statements
that it can appeal to London Arbitration in case of need does not
correspondent to reality. According to data of Arshak Sadoyan, London
Arbitration has recently informed the Armenian Government that it has
no intention to consider the claim against ArmenTel. In his opinion,
the Government will start the process of deprivation of ArmenTel of
its monopoly for the telecommunications in the nearest future.

Sadoyan said that in private conversation with him, ex-head of
ArmenTel, Nicos Georgoulas, and other officials of the company stated
that they were bribing several members of the Armenian Government in
the course of their activity. “I have also information that before
the beginning of one of the trials of the Government against ArmenTel,
an unknown handed over a case full with money to Justice Minister
David Haroutiunyan. The latter left the court and then the court
made a resolution in favor of ArmenTel,” Sadoyan said. He added that
well-informed sources informed him that as a result of the last deal of
the Government and ArmenTel, a plenipotentiary representative of the
Armenian Government snatched a large sum at some $5-$7 mln. Sadoyan
said that he has video records telling about secret deals of the
Armenian Government and the monopolist. However, he refused to make
them public not to endanger his life and the lives of those people.

At the request of ARMINFO, Press-Secretary of the Justice Minister Ara
Saghatelyan commented on the aforementioned statements of the deputy,
calling Sadoyan’s behavior groundless. “I think Arshak Sadoyan needs
assistance of the specialists of definite profile. He needs a qualified
assistance,” Saghatelyan said.

EX-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TOFIG ZULFUGAROV POSITIVELY ASSESSES REPORT OF DAVID ATKINSON

BAKU, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO-TURAN. In the whole the report of David
Atkinson “realistically classifies” the present situation around
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. This is the opinion expressed by
Tofig Zulfugarov, the ex-Foreign Minister in his interview to TURAN,
commenting on the answer of reporter of PACE for Nagorno Karabakh
David Atkinson.

He stated with regret that the report did not have concrete proposals
concerning Armenia as the country-aggressor. At the same time, the
emerge after such along silence of the international organizations
of this document giving “realistic estimation” is very positive ,
Zulfugarov believes.

Reference to the relevant resolution of the of the UNO Security Council
is a “good signal” for the OSCE Minsk group so that it should follow
this way for obtaining of political settlement, T. Zulfugarov said.

The report of Atkinson has positive significance also from the point
of view of coordination of European structures. Thus, in case of
PACE session adopts the report it will be signal for the rest – for
European parliament, EU, OSCE and NATO. Besides, relevant resolution
of PACE will become the main document for the countries of the CE in
their attitude to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

Commenting on the provisions of the report concerning appeal to
the International Court in case of failure in settlement within the
frameworks of the Minsk Group , Zulfugarov doubts reasonability of
such variant for Azerbaijan. He explains that the International Court
considers arguable questions and in such case the sides delegate
to the court authorities and undertake in advance to fulfill its
decision. And in case with the Armenian-Azeri conflict the sovereignty
of Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh is not the subject of argue and
it has been accepted by the international community.

Responding the question on the practical significance of the accepting
of the report in PACE for the settlement of the conflict Zulfugarov
said that they should not re-estimate the role of international
organizations.

He thinks that settlement depends not only on the international
organizations but also on the will and readiness of Azerbaijani state
to obtain fair resolution of the problem.

NAIRIT’S RESTARTING UNREAL

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The present statements that the
chemical giant of Armenia Nairit will be restarted soon are unreal
as the plant’s has no owner, says the director general of Electrical
Power Networks of Armenia CJSC Yevgeny Gladunchik.

If the plant is restarted in 2005 Armenia will begin to consume more
electricity but still less than in 2004. “If Nairit starts operating
we are ready to discuss restructuring its debts. We are ready to
negotiate with the real operator. But there is no such operator yet,”
says Gladunchik calling not serious the proposal that his company can
become Nairit’s shareholder in exchange for debt annulment. “Nobody
says how many shares we may be given.”

The main thing for a buyer is to know what he is buying, says
Gladunchik. He says that Nairit is now buying as much electricity as
he needs for ensuring its technological security. But even if the
plant resumes its work it will face the problem of sales as he has
lost his key sales markets. The plant’s three suspensions have lost
it its real clients to other more reliable producers of rubber even
if they sell it at higher price. “I don’t think that Dupond or Bayer
will be happy that Nairit is restarted and will begin to battle for
the markets they already have,” says Gladunchik.

PACE MAKES DECISION ON CONTINUATION OF MONITORING OVER SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe regrets that, more than a decade after the armed hostilities
started, the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region remains
unsolved. Hundreds of thousands of people are still displaced and
live in miserable conditions. Considerable parts of the territory
of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces, and separatist
forces are still in control of the Nagorno- Karabakh region, it is
said in the PACE draft resolution prepared by PACE Rapporteur for
Nagorny Karabakh David Atkinson.

According to the document, the Assembly expresses its concern that
the military action, and the widespread ethnic hostilities which
preceded it, led to large-scale ethnic expulsion and the creation
of mono-ethnic areas which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic
cleansing. The Assembly reaffirms that independence and secession of a
regional territory from a state may only be achieved through a lawful
and peaceful process based on democratic support by the inhabitants
of such territory, and not in the wake of an armed conflict leading
to ethnic expulsion and the de facto annexation of such territory
to another state. The Assembly reiterates that the occupation of
foreign territory by a member state constitutes a grave violation of
that state’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, and
reaffirms the right of displaced persons from the area of conflict
to return to their homes safely and with dignity.

Therefore, the Assembly urges both governments to refrain from using
armed forces against each other as well as from propagating military
action. The Assembly calls on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to take
immediate steps to conduct speedy negotiations for the conclusion
of a political agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict,
the implementation of which will eliminate major consequences of
the conflict for all parties and permit the convening of the Minsk
Conference. The Assembly calls on the government of Azerbaijan
to establish contacts with the political representatives of
both communities from the Nagorno-Karabakh region regarding the
future status of the region. The Assembly condemns any expression
of hatred portrayed in the media of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The
Assembly calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to foster reconciliation,
confidence-building and mutual understanding among their peoples
through schools, universities and the media. The Assembly resolves
to continue monitoring on a regular basis the peaceful resolution of
this conflict and decides to revert to considering this issue at its
first part-session in 2006.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refers to its
Resolution :. (2005) on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk
Conference and recommends that the Committee of Ministers: i. urge the
parties concerned to comply with the United Nations Security Council
Resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), in
particular by refraining from any armed hostilities and by withdrawing
military forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan; report
to the Assembly on the efforts undertaken by member states for the
peaceful settlement of the conflict in accordance with the Resolutions
of the United Nations Security Council including whether member states
refrain from the supply of any weapons and munitions which might lead
to an intensification of the conflict or the continued occupation
of territory in violation of Resolution 853 (1993) of the United
Nations Security Council; allocate resources for specific training
programmes for teachers and journalists from both countries aimed at
better mutual understanding, tolerance and reconciliation.

FIRST SECRETARY OF COMMUNIST PARTY OF ARMENIA FAINTS DURING CPA CONGRESS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The first secretary of Communist Party
of Armenia Ruben Tovmassyan fainted while making a report during
today’s 36th congress of CPA.

Journalists managed to enter the building with great difficulty. The
congress was interrupted to give Tovmassyan first aid. Some congress
participants began shouting at journalists demanding that they
not shoot the scene. Tovmassyan has been brought to his senses and
sent home.

In the meantime supporters of expelled second secretary Sanatruk
Saakyan continue their rally outside.

36TH CONGRESS OF COMMUNIST PARTY OF ARMENIA STARTS WITH SCANDAL

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The 36th congress of Communist Party
of Armenia has started with a scandal.

The supporters of Sanatruk Saakyan and Khoren Sargsyan earlier expelled
from the party have gathered near the government building demanding
that they be let in “as they are also delegates.” They are holding
posters “Tovmassyan Betrayed Communist Party!” The police are not
letting them inside saying they were given such an instruction.

Sargsyan told journalists that the present first secretary of CPA Ruben
Tovmassyan and his supporters “have been bribed by the government”
particularly by Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan. He can even say how
much they got – $50,000. The tensions are growing nobody outside is
being let inside.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Paper reports details of Azeri, Armenian foreign ministers’ Berlin talks

Source: Ekspress, Baku
20 Nov 04

The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers held a meeting in Berlin
yesterday [19 November]. The sides discussed options for the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict and the break in the peace process [after
the Astana meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
in September 2004].

The talks were held with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen in
attendance. It was [Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar] Mammadyarov’s
fifth meeting with his Armenian counterpart. Their last meeting took
place in Prague on 30 August [2004].

A 15-minute meeting

The Berlin meeting lasted for just 15 minutes. The one-to-one talks
started at 1130 Baku time [0730 gmt] and continued at 1140 [0740 gmt]
with the co-chairmen in attendance. Following that, the sides ended
the meeting with no public statements.

A press release by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press centre
simply says that “the sides exchanged views on the issues that topped
the agenda of the Prague talks”.

Following the talks, Minister Mammadyarov left Berlin for New York
to attend the 23 November discussions of point No 163 on the agenda
of the UN General Assembly session entitled “On the situation on
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories”.

[Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan] Oskanyan is accompanying
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan who is on a working visit to
Germany. Briefing the Berlin media, Oskanyan said that during the
meeting with Mammadyarov, the sides made “a number of successful
and objective decisions” to continue the dialogue “based on existing
realities”.

“Specific issues were spoken about and discussed during the talks,”
Oskanyan told the journalists in Berlin commenting on his talks with
Mammadyarov (ArcNews). “We decided that we can continue the Prague
process again,” he added.

The meeting touched upon the upcoming discussion of the Karabakh
issue at the UN General Assembly as well. Oskanyan said that the
“possible impact” of this issue on the peace talks “should be taken
into account” and made a number of proposals, Ekspress newspaper
learnt from diplomatic sources. These proposals included “initiatives”
like setting the date for the next meeting of the heads of state and
rejection of the UN discussions.

In addition, in Berlin Oskanyan admitted for the first time that
during their meeting in Prague, the ministers discussed the return
of a number of Azerbaijan’s [occupied] districts: “It was simply
impossible to arrive at a common conclusion because of the variety
of scenarios. In addition, our talks have not fully ended yet and
discussions in this direction may continue”.

The meeting also discussed the recent tension on the front line
and the so-called youth forum held by separatists in Karabakh. The
Azerbaijani side expressed its protest to Yerevan on both issues.

“It was decided to take these issues seriously and to take into account
their impact on the talks. I hope that cases of this kind will stop,”
the French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Henry Jacolin, said
after the meeting.

The dialogue is resuming

In his interview with A-Info news agency before the meeting with
Mammadyarov, Oskanyan said that the conflicting sides were “close”
to settling the problem several times, but there were disagreements
on the status of Nagornyy Karabakh.

[Passage omitted: details of Oskanyan’s interview with A-Info]

Henry Jacolin’s office reported that during the Berlin meeting, “the
co-chairmen received a signal on the continuation of the dialogue”
between Mammadyarov and Oskanyan. Presumably, the ministers’ next
meeting may be held within the framework of the OSCE foreign ministers’
meeting in Sofia on 7 December.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iran: Bomber of Revolution Court building appeals against death sentence

Baztab web site
0 Nov 04

Tehran, 20 November: After investigations into the dossiers of two
people responsible for bombing the building the Islamic Revolution
Court in Tehran, the Branch Six of the court has condemned one of
them to death.

Iran daily reported that Hojjat Z., a member of the Monafeqin [i.e.
Mojahedin-e Khalq] Organization, is accused of bombing the building of
the Revolution Court on 12 khordad 1377 [2 June 1999] and martyring
three people – Haj Hasan Salehi, Mozafar Nikzad and Wilhelm Aton
(an Armenian compatriot) – and injuring 22.

At the end of the trial the court found the two guilty. As the main
element responsible for the bombing Hojjat Z. was condemned to death
and his culprit condemned to imprisonment.

The dossier has been sent to the Supreme Court with the appeal of
the accused.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Demonstrations staged in Turkish cities against US military operations in Iraq

Anatolia news agency
19 Nov 04

Ankara, 19 November: Nongovernmental organizations have staged protests
against the US military operations in the Iraqi town of Al-Fallujah.

The Intellectual Hearths Kayseri Branch protested against the
occupation of Iraq at the Surp Kirkor Lusovoric Armenian Church in
Kayseri. Kayseri Intellectual Hearths Chairman Kemal Tekden issued
a statement there saying that the bullying carried out by the United
States against the civilian people in Iraq in the name of freedom and
democracy had turned into violence and barbarity in Al-Fallujah. Tekden
said that the killing of a wounded Iraqi in a mosque by American
soldiers would go down in history as the “most shameful episode in
the history of mankind”.

Noting that at no time in the history of the world had the holy
sites of any great and civilized state been violated Tekden said:
“Holy sites like mosques, churches and synagogues are inviolable
places. Even the primitive Aborigines respected holy sites. The
Ottoman State never showed the slightest disrespect to the holy sites
on the three continents it ruled over, which is why it is recalled as
a great state. Respect for holy sites is part of the glory of being
a great state. We invite the United States to stop being a powerful
and bullying state and become a state that respects humanity and
human rights.” [Passage omitted].

Adana

In a press statement issued by a group that had gathered outside the
Adana Sabanci Centre Mosque to protest the operations in Iraq it was
stated: “By pointing out that Muslim lands are being occupied one by
one the objections to bullying will grow with each passing day and
the voices will grow louder.”

Those in the group then held funeral prayers for the dead in
Al-Fallujah before dispersing.

Administrators of the Adana branch of the Human Rights Association
and a group of members held a protest in Inonu Park where they stated
that many civilians had died in the US army operation mounted in
Al-Fallujah. They said: “What is being killed is not just the people
of Iraq but all of mankind. Yet, the whole world is watching what is
going on as if it were a movie.” They called on workers and artisans
not to sell US goods and for the citizens to boycott them.

Bursa

Speaking at a press conference staged by the Confederation of
Turkish Public Sector Labour Unions (Kamu-Sen) Bursa Representation
the Provincial Representative Ramazan Karakoc said: “We strongly and
with hatred condemn this violence and wish that this bloody occupation
would end as soon as possible.”

Karakoc said that the US occupation of Iraq had gone on for a year
and a half and that during this time US President George W Bush was
“no better than” the Saddam regime.

Asserting that over 100,000 Iraqis had been murdered in Iraq
in one and a half years, Karakoc said: “What the US soldiers,
who exhibited monstrosity in murdering injured people in mosques,
did is no coincidence. The US authorities’ explanations are not
convincing. The real aim is to strike fear into the world.”

Izmir

Chairman of the Izmir Bar Association Nevzat Erdemir in a written
statement asked for an end to the inhumane and illegal coalition
forces’ attacks against the people of Iraq.

Erdemir said that for the UN and all of mankind and the world states
to remain silent and do nothing was “a huge disgrace to mankind” and
that those carrying out crimes against humanity ought to be brought
to justice.

Konya

The group that had set off from Sanliurfa on 22 October aiming to
get the headscarf ban lifted today arrived in Konya. After issuing a
statement in front of the Mevlana Museum they took part in a funeral
prayer for the dead of Al-Fallujah at the Serafettin Mosque.

Following the funeral prayer an anti-US protest was held. During the
protest anti-US slogans were chanted, and a US flag was doused in
gasoline and burn.

Trabzon

Ahmet Kilic, Trabzon provincial representative for Turk-Is [The
Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions], spoke at a press conference
held by the Trabzon Journalists Association on behalf of the Labour
Platform Trabzon Component. Asserting that the United States was
ignoring international law he said: “The United States and its allies
attacked Iraq before the eyes of the whole world ignoring international
law and international institutions. With these attacks they have
committed a crime against peace according to international law.”

Ahmet Kilic called on the Turkish government and public opinion to be
more aware of what was going on in Iraq and to act with more reaction.

Elazig

Elazig representatives of the Anadolu Youth Magazine together with
members of the Islamic Education and Solidarity Foundation held a
funeral prayer for the dead in Al-Fallujah.

After the funeral prayer, held at the Izzetpasa Mosque, Muhammet
Bakir issued a statement on behalf of the group at the mosque. He
said that the United States was murdering people regardless of women
and children in the Al-Fallujah operation, and that this situation
was an affront to humanity and to Islam.

The group later walked to PTT Square chanting slogans on the way. After
holding a prayer for the dead the group silently left the square.

WORLD BANK ALLOCATES FIRST THEME OF POVERTY REDUCTION SUPPORT CREDIT TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). The World Bank will allocate the
first theme of a Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC) for Armenia
worth $20 mln. Roger Robinson, the Director of the WB Yerevan Office,
and RA Minister of Finances and Economy Vardan Khachatrian signed
the credit agreement on it in Yerevan on November 19. Roger Robinson
said during the November 18 press conference which followed the
signing that the Board of Directors of the World Bank completely
approved this new credit program consisting of four themes. It
is directed at the implementation of the RA government’s Poverty
Reduction Strategy program. A total of 75 mln dollars (the whole
sum of PRSC) will be allocated to Armenia during four years. The
credit will be made to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including 40
years maturity and a 10-year grace period. It will be given at 0.75%
annual interest rate. According to R. Robinson, the credit will be
transfered to the state budget and will contribute to the government
in poverty reduction. The first theme recognizes that a continuation
of Armenia’s exemplary macroeconomic performance over the past five
years is necessary to underpin high rates of growth. Moreover it
is supposed that the governance reforms will improve the climate of
public sector investment. The second theme of sharpening competition
and entrenching property rights – sutting across trade, utilities
regulation, property and contract law, banking and capital markets
and rural sectors – adrresses the key weaknesses in the competition
environment. According to V. Khachatrian, it became possible to
approve the program owing to a number of complex arrangements carried
out by the RA government. In particular, business atmosphere improved,
and it is expected that the work directed at the regulation of the
finacial market and the development of rural infrastructures will
be carried out next year. The Minister expressed hope that the first
part of the credit will be given to Armenia this December. A grant of
4.3 mln euros allocated by the Netherlands government will be also
directed at the implementation of the program. Vardan Khachatrian
also mentioned that Armenia’s work with international organizations
was very effective this year. He assured that the RA government is a
hopeful partner for international organizations and donor countries:
they work with Armenia in quite an active way and without doubts. Since
joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the commitments to
Armenia make total approximately US $841 million for 37 operations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress