Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
January 18, 2005, Tuesday
ELIZABETH JONES: THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A DICTATOR
SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, January 18, 2005, pp. 1, 8
by Andre Terekhov
Question: Have you taken into account a forecast made recently by
Morgan Stanley analysts, claiming that Putin will be forced to resign
this year? Are you predicting regime change in some CIS countries?
Elizabeth Jones: First, I don’t think this particular forecast will
come to pass. Secondly, the best way of replacing governments is by
means of elections. Moreover, elections should be free and fair.
Unfortunately, the elections in Georgia and Ukraine were not fair –
much to the disappointment of the citizens of these countries. That
disappointment was precisely what sparked the changes. The United
States and the international community aim to ensure free and fair
elections, and to have the changover of governments be a tranquil
process, as it has been in many countries lately. Romania is a fine
example of that. Elections in Moldova and Kyrgyzstan are expected
later this year. We hope they will be free and fair. And if the free
and fair elections result in new governments, then so be it. The
international community should support that.
Question: What do you think of the controversy over the hypothetical
sale of Russian-made missile systems to Syria? Washington has
threatened Moscow with sanctions.
Elizabeth Jones: It is very important for everyone – including Russia
and any other country – not to take any steps that would promote
instability in the Middle East. We all should be seeking ways to
continue the peace process, of which the United States and Russia
alike are co-sponsors. We count on productive cooperation with Russia
within the framework of the Middle East quartet – particularly now,
after elections in the Palestinian autonomy.
Question: There have been reports that Washington intends to revise
its policy with regard to Moscow. What effect might this have on
bilateral relations?
Elizabeth Jones: As for the “revision,” reporting it as a sensational
piece of news is not entirely correct. The way we work in Washington,
our policy is in a state of constant change. There won’t be any
dramatic revision of policies with regard to Russia or any other
country.
I disagree with the assumption that policy changes should be expected
in the course of President Bush’s second term. The general agenda in
U.S.-Russian relations is quite clear. The global war on terrorism is
a major effort we have undertaken. It is of paramount importance for
all of us, not only for the United States or Russia alone. I know
that both the Russian and American leaders want constructive
cooperation.
Question: Presidents Putin and Bush will meet in Bratislava soon.
Which topics will be raised there?
Elizabeth Jones: Preparations for the summit are under way. We have
established effective cooperation in addressing issues connected with
nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. Special attention will be
paid to joint efforts in the field of non-proliferation. We also hope
to discuss all sorts of economic matters – like Russia’s application
for membership of the World Trade Organization.
Another group of issues concerns state control, particularly in the
energy sector. For example, the YUKOS affair. We want to know
Russia’s true intentions in this matter and the actual situation. For
the time being, the impression is that tax legislation is being
misused and the rule of law doesn’t apply at all. We would also like
to discuss the process of democratic changes in Russia.
We will also discuss the situation in the territories bordering on
Russia where separatist attitudes are present. We believe that these
trends undermine security, including Russia’s security. There are two
such territories in Georgia and one in Moldova. There are problems
with Nagorno-Karabakh as well. Russia can be instrumental in a
solution to all these problems. It is not in Russia’s own interests
to tolerate a continuation of these criminal activities in
territories located so close to Russia’s borders. It is not in the
interests of the United States or Europe either. None of us would
benefit if these areas turn into arms transit points. We must find a
political solution.
We know that Russia needs to overcome its difficulties with Chechnya.
The United States and Europe are ready to offer assistance in
political resolution and the restoration of Chechnya.
Question: Which aspects of democratic changes in Russia are causing
concern for the United States?
Elizabeth Jones: The United States, and many people in Russia as
well, are concerned about the growing disparity between society and
the authorities. Many are concerned about excessive centralization of
power. It doesn’t seem that there are valid reasons for total
concentration of control in the hands of the state.
Question: Putin recently said that Russia was working on new nuclear
weapons and described Washington’s foreign policy as dictatorial.
What did the United States think of that?
Elizabeth Jones: Putin’s statement about new missiles with nuclear
warheads wasn’t exactly a surprise. The matter has been discussed for
some time now. As for viewing America’s foreign policy as
dictatorial, that is an incorrect assessment, of course. Dictatorial
methods are not what we use. I’m sure Putin is aware of that.
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 18 2005
Putin, Bush to discuss Garabagh conflict in Bratislava

US and Russian presidents George Bush and Vladimir Putin will discuss
ways of settling the Upper Garabagh conflict in Bratislava in
February, along with other issues, says US Assistant Secretary for
European and Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones.
The two presidents will call for stepping up activity in the area of
resolving conflicts in the former Soviet Union countries, including
the Garabagh conflict, she said.
Jones also indicated that the Bush administration is concerned over
the lack of influence on part of Moscow in settling the conflict.
`We believe that Russia should be interested in the resolution of
conflicts over Upper Garabagh, North Ossetia, Abkhazia and Dnestr.’

Winter tales in warm halls
By Hovhannes Yeranian
Yerkir/arm
January 14, 2005
Due to the shaped tradition, the year ends and starts with theatrical
performances for children. Of course, the year actually ends for
theaters in summer so that a new season of performances start in
September.
New Year-related performances really boost theaters, since at these
occasions halls are usually full of children. Sometimes, New Year
tales are performed twice a day.
Today, the theaters are well-repaired and heated due to the Lincy
foundation. So the children no longer have to wear jackets, coats and
hats during the performances.
However, the Paronian theater, which did not experience a repair, this
year has not performed for children, sparing their health, since it
has no heating system. The Sundukian theater had a great success with
children, performing` The Magic Night’ play.
Different cultural centers have been trying to create mood for
children at the New Year> If we also add the performances and relevant
events organizedat schools, as well as the major event on the Republic
square, we shall get a picture of a New Year start full of fun for
children.

Russian foreign minister to visit Azerbaijan on 18-20 February
Trend news agency
18 Jan 05
Baku, 18 January, Trend correspondent A. Raufoglu: Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan on
18-20 February, Trend news agency has found out from diplomatic
sources.
The visit will take places as part of the Russian minister’s regional
tour. Lavrov will come to Bake from Tbilisi and will then head for
Yerevan. “Russia has sent an official note about the visit to Baku,”
the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press centre told Trend. The exact
schedule of the visit and technical aspects are being sorted out
through diplomatic channels, the press centre said.
During his stay in Baku, Lavrov will meet Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, Milli Maclis parliament Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov, Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and other officials. Regional cooperation,
prospects for developing Russian-Azerbaijani relations, the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict and the status of the Caspian Sea will be priority
topics during the talks.

Kurdistan Observer, MI
Jan 19 2005
Fethullah Gulen: Turkey, Terror, and Racism
By: Amed Demirhan
Jan 19, 2005
Mr. Fethullah Gulen is a very interesting and powerful personality in
Turkey. He has about five-six million followers and commands billions
of dollars in Turkey and abroad. His followers’ control major news
media, as well as schools and universities in many countries,
including in the USA. However, in last few years the Turkish military
has become uncomfortable with his growing power especially with his
influence in the police force and police intelligence organizations,
therefore he had to move to the USA in unofficial exile. Mr. Gulen
has been presented as a tolerant, moderate, enlightened religious
leader and involved in interfaith dialog, and a peaceful person.
Nevertheless, his recent speeches are totally contradictory of this
image, and one wonders if Mr. Gulen is showing his true face with his
new remarks: racism, Xenophobia and anti-Semitism? If it is so, it’s
very disappointing, but he is not alone with this type of remarks.
In November 18, 2004 Mr. Gulen warned Turkey that “some foreign
Intelligence organizations are preparing to turn Turkey in to a
bloodbath. ‘From now on mystery killings could occur.'”[1] This so
called “mystery killing in Turkey”, in 1990s about 20,000 citizens of
Turkey, predominantly Kurds and some high ranking Turks and well
known intellectuals, lost their lives and the murderer went free. Mr.
Gulen went on claiming, `In last 300 years some secret organizations
have been controlling this nation.” This is clearly a reference to
“Shabbetai sect.” The followers of Shabbetai Zevi (1625 – 1676) who
were converted to Islam, by force of Sultan, from Judaism in late
1600s. However, some anti-Semitic groups claim this sect still
practices Judaism in secret and never became Turk and Muslim and they
are controlling the Turkish state and they have been the source of
Turkish problem in last 300 years. In last two years Shabbetains
become the target of many political groups in Turkey from old school
Marxist to variety of Islamist, because of their Jewish ancestry.
Mr. Gulen not only warned the nation against foreign conspiracy and
their fifth column in Turkey; he claimed: “If Turkish Intelligent
Service (MIT), Police Force, and JITEM (Turkish Gendarmeries
Intelligence Service) collaborates together they will over come these
plots against Turkey.” (HaberX 11/18/2004). It is very interesting
that he names Gendarmeries Intelligence Service (JITEM) because this
organization had been premier responsible for not so mysterious
“mystery killing” in Turkey and protector and trainer of the Turkish
Hizbullah which had been responsible for major terrorist attacks
against Kurds, bombing Jewish and British targets in Istanbul, and
many more.
I am not the only one who says JITEM has been primarily responsible
for the mystery killings and founder and supporter terrorist Turkish
Hizbullah organization, among many others the well known
Turkish journalist, writer, and politician Ms. Nazli Ilicak[2] has
been writing about that for many years like me. In addition, many
international observers, organizations, and the USA state
department’s human right reports have pointed out these
relationships. It is a well-known fact by observers and researchers
about Turkey.
Mr. Gulen in a later interview with Turkish Daily Milliyet, and
later published in his own web page, made some racist remarks about
Kurdish intellectuals and politicians and demanded Ms. Leyla Zana,
long time jailed Kurdish parliamentarian, apologize to the state for
“making a mistake by signing a declaration for Kurdish human rights”
(1/14/05).[3] In the same interview he claimed, “The trouble makers
are not more than 500 people in South East” (Meaning Kurdistan). A
euphemism for Kurdish patriots and human right activists, but most
observers of Turkey could easily testify that Mr. Gulens’ statements
are baseless. The pro-Kurdish parties, despite all restrictions and
government threats, get more than one million votes and it is the
dominant party in Kurdistan area. One wonders why such knowledgeable
and well informed person is making these kinds of statements? Mr.
Gulen had been a student of a Kurdish thinker and philosopher
Said-eKurdi (Later called Said-e Nursi) for years, but still this
doesn’t hinder him from racism.
Recently Dogu Perincek in his weekly journal “Aydinlik” claimed that
the Worker Party of Kurdistan (PKK)/Kurdish Peoples Congress (Kongra
Gel) will create provocations and terror on behalf of the USA[4].
Interestingly, Mr. Perincek used to closely cooperate with PKK during
the most intense civil war in Turkey in 1991 – 1993. Later he claimed
he was with PKK on behalf of Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and he is
closely related to TAF, even though he was a Maoist and now a
Kemalist. The head of Nationalist Movement Party (NMP- in Turkish
MHP) and former Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Devlet, Bahceli in 1/15/05
issued a warning to Greek and Armenia Orthodox Christians in
Istanbul, if they continue practice certain religious traditions,
they will be target of the nationalist (Ulkucu). Mr. Bahceli’s party
is infamous for its terrorist past in Turkey, and even by many Turks
it’s considered a fascist party, but this
movement, too, has been related to TAF. At least one Turkish
Journalist Mr. Ismet Berkan in daily newspaper `Radikal’ reacted to
Mr. Bahceli’s treat. Mr. Berkan stated: `Is Bahceli want terror?’ And
he thinks Mr. Bahceli want terror.[5]
What make these peoples statements important? On the surface they are
representing different ideologies, but all three of them, Mr. Gulen,
Mr. Perincek, and Mr. Bahceli, are connected with different branches
of the military and police, and their targets are Kurds, Armenians,
Jews, Greeks, and of course foreign conspirators (America and
Israel). Clearly they are preparing the ground for terror, especially
with Mr. Gulen calling JITEM for duty, this is a call for civil war
and not so mysterious “mystery killings”.
Why do they want to create terror in Turkey if they are related to
the state? Historically, whenever civilian government and civil
society gets strong in Turkey, terrorism and anarchy increases. Guess
what? Then people need liberators to protect them from the terror and
TAF is ready to take over directly or indirectly in order to protect
the “nation”. Therefore, this author has been saying time and again
that everyone who believes and want to transform Turkey into a
pluralistic Federal Western style democracy should strongly and
unconditionally be opposed to every kind of violence and terror in
Turkey.

Amed Demirhan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US insurance company begins payment to heirs of Armenian “genocide” victims
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
17 Jan 05
[Presenter] The New York Life insurance company has started to pay the
heirs of Armenian genocide victims. The first 3m dollars has already
been transferred to American-Armenian charity organizations.
To recap, the applications of the genocide victims’ heirs who had an
insurance policy with the New York Life insurance company will be
accepted up till 28 February.
The working commission set up by the Armenian Justice Ministry said
that 540 people have already applied, but 2,300 names are still on the
lists of the New York Life insurance company.
[Passage omitted: the press secretary of the Armenian Justice Ministry
Ara Sagatelyan and employees of the Armenian State Archive explain
which documents the victims’ heirs need to get compensation]
[Correspondent] The New York Life insurance company which under a
court settlement has to pay 20m dollars, has paid the first 3m dollars
to American-Armenian charity organizations.
Anna Vartanyan, Karen Grigoryan, “Aylur”.

Obituary: Felix Aprahamian
The Independent – United Kingdom
Jan 18, 2005
Lewis Foreman

THE MUSIC critic Felix Aprahamian was a remarkable self-made man, an
amateur who became a professional, whose enormous influence in musical
circles was deeply founded in his practical experience of promoting
music in London, notably by British and French composers.
The son of an immigrant Armenian family – his father, Avedis
Aprahamian (who had been born Hovhanessian), was naturalised at the
turn of the century – Felix lived until the end of his life in the
family home in Muswell Hill, London, to which they moved on 1 January
1919, after Felix recovered from diphtheria. There he accumulated the
unique library which survives him.
Felix attended the local Tollington High School, and, becoming
interested in the organ, had lessons from Eric Thiman, whom he
assisted at Park Chapel, Crouch End. Felix Aprahamian would explain,
half-jokingly, “I failed Matriculation because I discovered music”,
and otherwise only acquired formal education from evening classes,
notably at the Working Men’s College in Crowndale Road, where he later
lectured. His father’s carpet business was adversely affected by the
crash in 1929, but even so he was able to use his contacts to find
Felix a position in the City. He became an office boy in Fenchurch
Street and Mincing Lane, but had no interest in the metal exchange or
the produce markets, and at the same time was developing his musical
interests by constant concert-going and by moonlighting with various
organisations.
He worked for the Organ Music Society, of which he was assistant
secretary from the age of 17. In this capacity he was soon in
correspondence with the leading French names of the day – Andre
Marchal, Charles Tournemire, Maurice Durufle and the young Olivier
Messiaen, even in his teens arranging their visits to London. When the
society announced a series of improvisations in London, Aprahamian
wrote to the leading composers of the day asking them to write themes,
his respondents including Jean Sibelius, Benjamin Britten, Albert
Roussel, William Walton and Constant Lambert.
Aprahamian’s enthusiasm led him to strike up acquaintance with many
composers, and he never lost an opportunity to have his copies of
their scores inscribed. In August 1933, the 19-year-old Aprahamian
with two friends visited Frederick Delius at Grez-sur-Loing, and while
in Paris, with his London organ credentials, inveigled himself a seat
in the organ loft beside the aged Charles-Marie Widor, the old man
obligingly autographing Felix’s copy of the score.
Thanks to his surviving diaries, these events are documented in
amazing detail. Aprahamian could make a slim reminiscence go an
enormously long way, and once, in the 1980s, to a group of visiting
London press correspondents, he gave the full range of his
contacts. One journalist said as he left the room: “That must the be
most amazing example of sustained name-dropping I have ever heard!”
Quite where Aprahamian acquired his fluent French he never revealed,
though he did well in the subject at school, and he would recall his
father first taking him to Paris in 1923. Yet during the Second World
War he was able to broadcast in French from Bush House and certainly
conversed fluently with his French friends and colleagues,
interpreting for others where necessary. When, in the late 1980s, a
French radio team visited London preparing a programme on British
composers, he was far from pleased when they stopped him in full flow
and insisted on recording his contribution in English, over which a
French actor later read a translation.
Working for ARP, he spent the war as concert director of the London
Philharmonic Orchestra, and had vivid memories of the ruins of Queen’s
Hall the night after it was bombed – he kept one of the posters taken
from the smouldering ruins. This took him to visit Keith Douglas, who
for two years (1940, 1941) ran the Proms on behalf of the Royal
Philharmonic Society from the Victoria Hotel, Rickmansworth. His work
with the LPO led to an association with Sir Thomas Beecham, the
conductor responding to Aprahamian’s knowledge of Delius and the
French repertoire, Aprahamian becoming an informal assistant.
Aprahamian’s sympathy for and knowledge of French music led him to
become in 1942 the organiser of the Concerts de Musique Francaise for
the Free French in London, working with Tony Mayer, Conseiller
Culturel from the French Embassy, which gave him access to all the
leading French performers and composers of the day. He presented 104
concerts in all. On one occasion, he found the Princesse de Polignac
standing in the queue outside the Wigmore Hall and was able to usher
her inside.
After the liberation of Paris, a wide circle of outstanding French
musicians and composers included Francis Poulenc, Messiaen, Pierre
Bernac and Pierre Fournier, many of whom became personal
friends. Aprahamian worked from 1946 to 1984 for United Music
Publishers, the principal agent for French music in the UK, his job
described as “consultant”. In fact he promoted French music in the UK,
from a delightful office in Bloomsbury lined with photographs of the
greatest French artists of the day inscribed to himself and dominated
by a piano piled with music. Aprahamian’s energy at this time was
prodigious, one former colleague describing him as “effervescent”.
In 1982 Marchal’s chamber organ was brought from the Basque country
and installed at Muswell Hill specifically for Aprahamian’s protege
the organist David Liddle. Aprahamian was particularly concerned with
the promotion of Messiaen and Poulenc, and later became associated
with the organist Jennifer Bate, facilitating the arrangements for the
London premiere of Messiaen’s Livre du Saint Sacrement and playing
host to Messiaen and his wife. When in waggish mood, he would take one
to the door of his house pointing out a tree against which, in a
moment of emergency, Poulenc had relieved himself.
Aprahamian claimed his first contribution to the musical press was in
1931 and his first in the newspapers in 1937. He had his first by-line
as a critic when he was asked by the Daily Express to review a concert
he had not attended and, by managing to find a way of evoking Faure’s
Ballade which he described as “evergreen”, without actually describing
the performance, found himself a working critic.
He made his name as Deputy Music Critic on the Sunday Times where, for
41 years from 1948 to 1989, he was required reading, notable for his
literate and humane commentary, and for his desire to cover the
breadth of London music-making rather than always the plums, and for
his championship of the British and French music of the early 20th
century at a time of serial extremes.
Aprahamian also contributed erudite and well-judged record reviews,
writing for Gramophone from 1964 until 1975. In his later years as
critic he found it increasingly difficult to meet deadlines, and
Gramophone dropped him. His end as a critic came when he published a
review of a Gennadi Rozhdestvensky concert on the night Rozhdestvensky
was ill.
Aprahamian’s innumerable programme notes set new standards for
literacy and elegance, and his accounts notably of his favourite
French repertoire deserve collection. He also wrote a great many
articles, reminiscences and introductions to books, and edited and
translated Claude Samuel’s Conversations with Olivier Messiaen
(1976). Nigel Simeone has published collections of his correspondence
with Messiaen and Tournemire. Aprahamian was delighted when
commissioned by John Murray to write his autobiography (“Byron’s
publisher,” he would say), but was never able to make progress.
The warmth of London music’s appreciation of Aprahamian was all too
apparent when on June 1994 the Nash Ensemble presented an 80th
birthday concert for him at a packed Wigmore Hall. The programme
consisted largely of French music.
Aprahamian was celebrated for the brilliant detail of his recall, and
once when engaged in conversation with Lady Bliss on the subject of
butterflies impressed her and everyone present with his knowledge of
the Latin names of all species mentioned. Thus, when he suffered a
stroke in 1993, his characteristic tap of a finger on his temple with
the remark “The old clockwork’s still OK” was so reassuring. This,
too, made his final illness so distressing when, after a succession of
small strokes, he often would not recognise his visitors or
remember. He also lost most of his hearing, which became distorted,
organ music being most painful.
Felix Aprahamian was a showman, an autodidact and a complete
one-off. He helped many young musicians develop their careers and was
associated with many associations and musical organisation, perhaps
being most proud of his presidency of the Delius Society. In 1996 he
was appointed Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in
recognition of his contribution to French culture.
Felix Aprahamian, music critic and concert organiser: born London 5
June 1914; Honorary Secretary, Organ Music Society 1935-70; Concerts
Manager, London Philharmonic Orchestra 1940-46; Deputy Music Critic,
Sunday Times 1948-89; died London 15 January 2005.

Agency quotes Secretary Powell on support for Azeri territorial integrity
Turan news agency
18 Jan 05
BAKU
US Secretary of State Colin Powell sent a letter to Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on 10 January.
The letter expressed the [US] stance on the UN General Assembly
discussions of the situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, as well as on the bilateral negotiations at the highest
level between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Foreign Ministry’s press
centre has reported.
Powell described as “hopeful” the “important steps” taken in the
course of the Prague talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers, and during the meetings between the two countries’
presidents in Astana and Warsaw.
Powell also writes that Washington “unequivocally” supports
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and is glad to take part in a
mission to monitor the situation on the ground, and “impatiently”
awaits the expert conclusion.

Slovenia hosts meeting of MPs from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Television Slovenia web site, Ljubljana
18 Jan 05
The session of the 3rd plenary assembly of the South Caucasus
Parliamentary Initiative, hosted by the [Slovene] National Assembly
and the [Slovene] Foreign Ministry, is starting in Ljubljana.
It represents a framework for cooperation between the parliaments of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The participants will first be addressed by the hosts, National
Assembly Speaker France Cukjati and Foreign Minister and OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel. Addresses by the representatives of
invited organizations, among them representatives of the Council of
Europe and heads of parliamentary delegations, will follow.
The South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative is a mechanism for
dialogue, exchange of opinions and joint analyses, and represents a
framework for cooperation between the parliaments of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Armenian leader appoints new envoy to Bulgaria
Mediamax news agency
18 Jan 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has relieved Sevda Sevan of the
position of Armenian ambassador to Bulgaria and appointed Sergey
Manaseryan to this post, the presidential press service reported
today.
Until recently Sergey Manaseryan has been the Armenian ambassador to
Egypt.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress