Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Strong Future Of Turkish – U.S. Relations Confirmed By Gul & Rice
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice confirmed strong past and future of
Turkish-U.S. relations, sources said on Sunday.
Sources said that Gul and Rice stated that Turkish-U.S. relations
were not based on solely one matter, and stressed that matters on
which two countries had differences of opinion could not have a
central role in relations.
Underlining strategic partnership between two countries, Gul and Rice
also debated Iraq and Cyprus in their meeting.
In the meeting, Gul underlined importance of a continuous dialogue
between Turkey and the United States, and said that problems between
two countries could be solved by a common vision.
On the other hand, Rice also stressed importance of bilateral
relations, and expressed belief that these relations should be
further improved.
Also confirming that problems could be solved by mutual talks, Rice
said that what was important was the strategic goals of the two
countries.
-IRAQ-CYPRUS-
Ankara expressed its concerns over Iraq and Kirkuk during talks with
Rice, and stressed that Kirkuk’s special status should be preserved.
Expressing Turkey’s views that peace should be assured in Iraq and
Iraq’s territorial integrity should be preserved, Gul said that
Turkish lorry drivers continued to support the international forces
in the region, sacrificing their lives.
Diplomatic sources said that Washington once more understood Turkey’s
views. Touching on Cyprus problem, Gul reiterated that Turkey wanted
a lasting solution in the island, and said that Turkey and the United
States should have close consultations.
Gul said that Turkey expected the United States to take steps to lift
embargoes on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and stated
that thus, the Greek Cypriot administration would have to take steps.
On the other hand, Rice said that they were working on what they
could do to contribute to solution of Cyprus problem, and stated that
they did not want to see the Turkish Cypriot side as the suffering
party although it voted ”yes” to the Annan plan in (last April’s
simultaneous) referenda in the island.
Meanwhile, two countries stated that they would do their best to
eliminate misunderstandings between them.
Gul recalled Turkey’s sensitivities about Kirkuk and the terrorist
organization PKK, and said that if the United States did not take any
steps to eradicate the terrorist organization PKK in the north of
Iraq, Turkish people, who had suffered much from terrorism, could
think that the United States was not keeping its promises. Sources
said that Rice’s visit might contribute to elimination of
misunderstandings in Turkey and the United States.
Touching on developments in the Middle East, Gul briefed Rice on his
visit to this region, and expressed Turkey’s wish to make active
contribution to the peace process.
Rice said that Turkey’s contribution was necessary, and underlined
Turkey’s role in the Broader Middle East Initiative. She added that
Turkey was a good model for the Islam world with its democracy.
Gul and Rice also discussed Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy,
Afghanistan, Iran and Incirlik base in southern city of Adana during
their meeting.

Religious figures to discuss Garabagh conflict
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005
Baku, February 7, AssA-Irada — The Upper Garabagh problem will
be in focus at a meeting of religious figures in Moscow on March
10. Ways of preventing the conflict’s turning into a confrontation
between Islam and Christianity and the role of religious figures in
the conflict resolution will be discussed.
The event to take place within the Moscow conference of CIS clerics
will be attended by the Caucasus Clerical Leader Sheikhulislam
Pashazada, the Russian Patriarch Alekesey II and the Armenian
Cathalicos Gariegin.
While in Moscow, the clerical leaders are also expected to meet with
the Russian President Vladimir Putin.*

Next hearing on Azeri officer’s trial due Tuesday
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005
Baku, February 7, AssA-Irada — The next hearing of the trial of
Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, charged with murdering an Armenian
serviceman during the NATO training courses in Hungary, will be held
in Budapest on Tuesday. Two Hungarian lawyers Peter Zalya and Georgiy
Magyarsa will defend the Azerbaijani officer’s rights at the trial. A
contract has been signed with experienced Magyarsa, who has already
got familiar with Safarov’s case, according to lawyer Adil Ismayilov.
Safarov murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Markarian in a state of
affect after the latter insulted the Azerbaijani state and people.*

OSCE fact-finding mission completes monitoring in occupied Azeri lands
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005
Baku, February 7, AssA-Irada — The OSCE fact-finding mission has
completed its week-long monitoring on the settlement of Armenians in
seven occupied regions of Azerbaijan. The mission will elaborate on
the monitoring at a news conference in Khankandi and meet with the
leadership of the separatist regime of Upper Garabagh.
The fact-finding mission, which is due to leave Khankandi for Vienna,
will prepare a report on the results of the monitoring, to be further
presented to the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs.*

PREMIER OF AZERBAIJAN RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION
[February 08, 2005, 17:18:00]
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005
Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Artur Rasizade on February
8 received the delegation of Turkey headed by Chairman of the Grand
National Assembly of Turkey Bulent Arinc.
Head of the Azerbaijan Government, highly estimating the established
relations between two countries, expansion and widening of which were
in focus of the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar
Aliyev, has underlined that the wide and expedient course continues
now.
Artur Rasizade expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Republic
of Turkey, the first state to recognize sovereignty of Azerbaijan,
for constant support of the position of Azerbaijan in the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the international
arena.
Speaking of the ongoing economic reforms, the Premier Minister
emphasized necessity of activation of the work of the
inter-governmental economic commission.
Head of the Turkish delegation Bulent Arinc, noting that fraternity
between Turkey and Azerbaijan, with its centuries-old roots is
unchangeable, also expressed satisfaction with the negotiations held
in Baku.
Vice-speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament Ziyafet Askerov, Ambassador
of Azerbaijan to Turkey Mammad Aliyev took part at the reception.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Accompanied by 50 musicians of world renown – Fairouz in Concert this week at the Places des Arts
Canada NewsWire, Press Release
Feb 8 2005
MONTREAL, Feb. 8 /CNW Telbec/ – Fairouz, the Lebanese Diva of Arab
chanson, is in Montreal, the culturally unique city in North America,
where she will present two concerts at the Salle Wilfrid Pelletier
Place des Arts, on February 12 and 13, 2005.
Accompanied by 50 musicians and artists of international caliber,
directed by the chef d’orchestre Maestro Karen Durgaryan, Fairouz
will present a mix of her standard repertoire as well as new songs.
The audience will have the pleasure to hear the crystalline pure voice
of Fairouz, her well known but incomparable ballades, and songs from
her rich and varied repertoire. The new material from her recent albums
shows the evolution of Fairouz’s career toward a more jazzy style. The
strong program of the two concerts promise extra-ordinary moments of
enjoyment and musical ecstasy, whether due to the authentic delivery of
the voice of Fairouz, or for the virtuosity of the musicians directed
by the illustrated Maestro Durgaryan, whose credentials include the
function of the director of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and
the Symphonic Orchestra of Yerevan.
Fairouz in Concert is exclusively in Montreal, in two exceptional
presentations on 12 and 13 February 2005 at the Place des Arts in
the prestigious and famed Salle Wilfrid Pelletier.
For further information: Media Centre – Founoun, (514) 334-0909,
; Media Relations, John Asfour,
[email protected]

USINFO.STATE.GOV
06 February 2005
Turkey is Strong Partner in Broader Middle East Reform, Rice Says
Secretary of state discusses Iraq, Mideast, Turkey, NATO, EU in
interview Following is Secretary Rice’s interview February 6 in Ankara,
Turkey, with Metehan Demir of Turkey’s Kanal-D TV:
QUESTION: One short question and the last one. What should be done
for solving the dispute between Turkey and Armenia? Does the U.S. plan
any special initiative this year to solve this problem?
SECRETARY STATE: Well, we would certainly hope that Turkey and Armenia
would find a way to bridge the differences. We know the very difficult
history here. And we recognize the difficult history. But we are a long
time now into the future. And on the basis of democratic development
and the economic development and the need for stability, we would hope
and encourage the parties to find ways to bridge their differences.
QUESTION: How long will it take for Turkey to become a full member
of the European Union? In your opinion.
SECRETARY RICE: Well, unfortunately we are not members of the European
Union So we can’t say. We’ve been supporters of Turkey’s accession
and of that happening as quickly as possible. Obviously, there are
standards that Turkey needs to meet. And the European Union is well
within its rights to say that there are certain things that need to
be done in order to bring about Turkey’s accession. But I think we’ve
been a supportive as anyone for that accession to take place. And
given that we are not a member, it really is up to Turkey and the
European Union to find a way for it — with Turkey doing what it
needs to do and with Europe being welcoming of a Turkey that really
does have a rightful place in the world.
QUESTION: Secretary Rice, thank you very much for being with us. It
was a nice opportunity. Many thanks and enjoy your trip.
SECRETARY RICE: Thank you.
Released on February 6, 2005
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: )

NEW GROUP OF GEORGIA’S FRIENDS FOUNDED
by Vladimir Socor
Eurasia Daily Monitor
Monday, February 7, 2005 — Volume 2, Issue 26
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria founded
the “New Group of Georgia’s Friends” on February 4 in Tbilisi. The
specification “new” differentiates it from the decade-old “Group
of Friends of Georgia,” originally comprised of the United
States, Germany, Britain, and France. That old group became
collectively dysfunctional some years ago when it turned into the “UN
Secretary-General’s Group of Friends of Georgia” and allowed Russia
to join as a veto-wielding member. That group also has inevitably
been affected by the drift toward a Russia-First approach in Berlin
and Paris.
The New Group does not in any way intend to supersede the old one. It
is, rather, a different group with its own distinct mission, answering
to new requirements that could hardly have been anticipated when
the old group had taken shape. The New Friends propose to share with
Georgia their experience as formerly Communist-ruled countries that
have completed or are set to complete their Euro-Atlantic integration
processes, and now intend to promote such processes in the Black
Sea-South Caucasus region.
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salome Zourabichvili chaired the
New Friends’ founding meeting in Tbilisi, with her Estonian counterpart
Kristiina Ojuland attending, along with State Secretaries for Foreign
Affairs from the other five New Friends countries. The group is
open to new member-countries from among new members of NATO and the
European Union; and it hopes to bring in Azerbaijan and Armenia into
the group in the next stage.
The New Friends intend to assist Georgia’s internal reforms and
its efforts to qualify for eventually joining NATO and the EU,
as well as to support international steps to provide security for
Georgia. According to press releases from the Lithuanian and Georgian
Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and informal statements to journalists
in Tbilisi after the meeting, the New Friends’ goals include:
— assisting in the implementation of the Georgia-NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), the success of which can lead to a
Membership Action Plan (MAP, a goal implied but not stated on this
occasion); working to support NATO’s open-door policy;
— working within the EU to initiate the drafting, in a timely manner,
of an EU-Georgia Action Plan as part of the EU’s recently adopted
European Neighborhood Policy (in which the South Caucasus is now
included after having been omitted initially);
— providing the services of experts for drafting of Georgia’s
European integration strategy and for administrative capacity-building
in Georgia;
— jointly urging, within international organizations, the removal of
Russian bases and troops from Georgia, in accordance with Russia’s 1999
Istanbul Commitments; elevating this issue on the EU’s policy agenda;
— supporting Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recently
launched South Ossetia Peace Initiative (see EDM, January 27);
— calling attention to the importance of EU and NATO participation
in international efforts to resolve conflicts in the region.
As an urgent political priority, the New Group of Friends is urging
the EU to take over the Georgia Border Monitoring Mission, which the
OSCE has (at Russia’s insistence) given up.
Several programs are under way or getting started on a national
basis. Estonia (a European front runner in computerization of public
services) plans to launch one of its “Tiger Leap” programs for the
computerization of Georgia’s public services, as well as to open a
military liaison office in Tbilisi (an Estonian defense adviser is
already stationed there). Meanwhile, a Lithuanian heads the EU’s
rule-of-law advisory mission in Georgia; and a Latvian serves as
NATO’s liaison official for the South Caucasus, based in Tbilisi.
For effective implementation of direct assistance to Georgia from
their small resources, the New Friends intend to coordinate efforts,
avoid duplication, and provide lists of experts available to work
with Georgia. The New Group of Friends plans to hold meetings
several times a year. Romania has offered to host the next meeting
and to invite some additional countries, in keeping with the goal of
enlarging the Group’s format.
Two initiatives have converged into the founding of the New Group
of Friends of Georgia. One initiative is Romania’s, launched by
then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mircea Geoana in 2003, and continued
energetically by Romania’s new President Traian Basescu and new
government, reaching out to Black Sea countries on the new border of
the enlarged NATO. The other initiative, spearheaded by Lithuania,
seeks to impart the Baltic states’ successful post-Soviet transition
experience to Georgia and other Black Sea-South Caucasus countries.
Saakashvili’s October 2004 visit to the Baltic states (see EDM,
October 21) occasioned preparatory discussions on a 3 +1 and a 3 +
3 framework (Baltic-Georgia, Baltic-South Caucasus). The Group of
Friends now covers the Baltic-Black Sea space, anchoring the eastern
Black Sea shore.
Monday, February 7, 2005 — Volume 2, Issue 26
IN THIS ISSUE: *Georgia’s Friends: New Group, Added Value *Tymoshenko
announces her leadership team, emphasizing diversity *Increasing doubts
that Putin will ever visit Japan *PONARS scholars doubt longevity of
United Russia

Player to Watch: American Eskandarian makes papa proud
FIFAWorldCup.com
25 January 2005
With only one cap to his name, steadily improving striker Alecko
Eskandarian is primed for a big future with the U.S. national team. The
23 year-old D.C. United man may not be the biggest or the fastest,
but his understanding, eye for goal and undeniable pedigree have him
in frame for a fine run on the international stage.
After three years at the University of Virginia – a side brought to
prominence by current national team boss Bruce Arena – Eskandarian went
into Major League Soccer as the U.S.’ top collegiate player in 2003.
After coming into the league highly touted, he scored only three
goals for D.C. United in an unremarkable start to his professional
career. The squat forward looked sadly out of his depth. But willing
to pay his dues, the remarkably down-to-earth Alecko learned his
lessons well and 2004 proved another story altogether as he brought
the capital club back to greatness with a championship run.
In the run-up to the 2004 campaign, 14-year-old wunderkind and league
record-signing Freddy Adu was grabbing all the headlines. But it was
his teammate, Eskandarian, who got the job done for United once the
ball got rolling. The player capped off his fine run of form with
two goals in the MLS championship match against Kansas City.
D.C. United coach, former Poland captain and one of the finest-ever
MLS players, Peter Nowak, was amazed with the vast improvements on
display in Alecko’s sophomore season.
“Now when I ask him ‘how many goals will you score today?’ he has more
confidence and asks ‘how many do you want?'” the coach commented. Twice
Eskandarian was named player of the week and became the first D.C.
United player to score more than ten goals in a season since 2001. He
finished the year as the team’s top scorer, helping them to earn a
spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
“It’s pretty sweet to go to everybody that was doubting me and just
show them the trophy (MLS Cup) and just be like, ‘Shut up. I did it,'”
Eskandarian said of his triumphant 2004.
Family ties, football ties
The Eskandarian saga is a compelling and peculiarly ‘American’ tale,
screaming of long, arduous journeys and the intermingling of cultures.
Originally of Armenian origins, the Eskandarian clan was forced
to flee Europe for Iran to escape the horror of early 20th century
genocide. Alecko’s father Andarik went on to make his name playing
football in the mid-east. The hard-nosed, no nonsense defender lined
up for Iran at the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina, and his performances
were so impressive he was named to a Cup all-star team. And after
playing an exhibition match at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, USA,
his ample talents were noticed by the then managers of the New York
Cosmos. Almost at once, the player relocated to the East Coast of
the U.S. where he lined up alongside such icons as Pele and Franz
Beckenbauer for the legendary Cosmos of the North American Soccer
League (NASL) – the ill-fated precursor to MLS.
Andarik’s son Alecko was born in the ethnic hotbed of Montvale,
New Jersey in July of 1982 and almost at once showed an aptitude
for football. His father – who now owns a sporting goods store –
did all he could to nurture that talent.
“I have been playing soccer ever since I can remember,” Alecko recalls
fondly. “And my first soccer memory is kicking the ball around with
my brother and my dad in our backyard and going nuts when I scored
a goal.”
It did not take long for the stocky poacher to climb the ladder of
the American game, scoring goals with a predatory instinct. What he
lacked in size and speed, he more than made up for with creativity
and an uncanny nose for goal.
He was only 16 when the powers that be in U.S. Soccer noticed the
clever, cocksure Alecko. In 1999 he was called in to play with the
under-17 national team, went on to play four games with the under-20s
at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina in 2001, and led
the U-23 (Olympic) side in scoring in 2002.
It was only a matter of time before he got his chance with the big
boys in the senior squad. And it came on 26 May 2003, when he came
off the bench in a friendly against Wales.
Though he failed to score, it is surely just the beginning for the
young striker. With Bruce Arena alerted to Eskandarian’s substantial
ability, he has been called into the training camp for the final
six-team ‘Hexagonal’ of North, Central American and Caribbean Zone
FIFA World Cup qualifying.
The U.S. will take on Trinidad & Tobago on 9 February in their first
match of the final round.

FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS (FAON)
24 April Committee
Weesperstraat 91
NL – 2574 VS The Hague
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel. 070 4490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Meeting with Mr. Andre Rouvoet
the Chairman of Christion Union faction of the Dutch Parliament
Organized by the 24 April Committee of Federation of Armenian Organisations
of the Netherlands (FAON)
This is an invitation for an information evening concerning the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide by Dutch Parliament. The Chairman of Christian
Union faction Mr. Andre Rouvoet, who introduced the motion on the Armenian
Genocide will be present at this meeting. This evening will take place at
the Abovian Cultural Center of The Hague, The Netherlands, on Wednesday,
February 16, 2005 at 7:00 pm precisely, doors open at 6:30 pm.
Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2005
Time: 7 pm precisely, doors open from 6:30 pm
Place: ABOVIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – The Hague, The Netherlands
Subject: Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the Dutch Parliament
The Motion of Rouvoet of December 21, 2004
Admission: Free