ARMENIAN FM AGAINST TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP

ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian disapproved today the European Union’s intention to start
talks on Turkey’s accession process, saying it did not deserve the
membership. Speaking at a joint news conference with the visiting
foreign minister of Norway, Jan Petersen, Oskanian blamed Turkey
for the continued closure of its border with Armenia and a law that
criminalizes mentioning of the Armenian Genocide. Oskanian also
rejected any possibility of Turkey’s involvement in the Karabagh
regulation, proposed lately by a Russian co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
group, but admitted that Turkey is one of the major regional countries.

Jan Petersen, who is the Council of Europe’s chairman of the Committee
of Ministers, said his government could not express an opinion on
Turkey’s membership since Norway is not an EU member.

Norway’s foreign minister also said his government will continue its
projects in Armenia, singling out the Norwegian Refugee Council’s
project of building houses for refugees. He then said Armenia
and Norway should work hard to raise their relations to a higher
level. He said Norway can help Armenia develop its energy system,
particularly, hydro-power stations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KOCHARIAN MEETS EURASIA FOUNDATION DELEGATION

ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: President Kocharian met today with
members of a visiting Eurasia Foundation Board of Trustees delegation,
led by its chairman Charles Mains, William Frenzel, Vice-Chair and
Ara Nazinyan, Country Director of the Armenia Program. Kocharian was
quoted by his press office as saying that he was satisfied with the
volume and efficiency of projects, carried out by the Foundation
in Armenia. He also cited cooperation between the Foundation and
Izmirlian Foundation as an apt illustration of cooperation with a
Diaspora Armenian foundation.

The ten-year activity of the Foundation in Armenia encompasses
virtually all areas. Eurasia representatives said the Foundation will
continue its projects in Armenia, focused on strengthening of local
management bodies, support to small and medium-sized businesses and
community development.

The Eurasia Foundation delegation is on an official tour of the
South Caucasus. After Armenia they will visit also Azerbaijan and
Georgia. While in Armenia the delegation will visit Mother See
Holy Etchmiadzin; meet with John Evans, Ambassador of the United
States; and representatives of international and Diaspora donor
organizations. The Board will also visit several Eurasia Foundation
grantee sites throughout Armenia.

Delegation members were received today by foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian.

INDIAN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE ON DISPLAY IN YEREVAN

ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: An exhibition of Indian products and
services opened in the Armenian capital Yerevan on October 10 featuring
products and services of 17 companies, engaged in manufacturing of
garments, pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic medicines, jewelry, tea, coffee,
herbal cosmetic products, engine mounting and others.

Parallel to the exhibition Armenian and Indian businessmen will
meet to look into possibilities for establishing new contacts. The
exhibition is organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry,
Indian embassy in Yerevan and Armenian Commerce and Industry Chamber.

Speaking to reporters India’s ambassador to Armenia, Deepak Vohra, said
Indian capital is safe in Armenia thanks to its political stability and
friendly and open trade legislation. He said many Indian businessmen
want to start business in Armenia. He added that Armenia is becoming
one of the biggest India’s trade partner in CIS.

According to the ambassador, Armenian-Indian trade grows annually by
30-40 percent. “These are the official figures, but Indian products
arrive here also from Russia, United Arab Emirates and other countries
and the real trade volume is bigger, “he said.

According to figures of Armenian statistics committee, Indian-Armenian
trade in the first six months of this year went up 47 percent, mainly
due to Indian exports to Armenia. Armenian exports are still very
small, mainly synthetic rubber and medications.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Editorial: Turkey’s chance / The Muslim country deserves a bid to join the EU

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Oct 12 2004

The European Commission recommended Wednesday that talks begin next
year on whether to admit Turkey to the European Union.

A final decision on whether to hold talks won’t be made until
December when the 25 EU heads of state meet, but they are expected to
accept the commission’s recommendation unanimously.

That’s good news for Turkey, but it does not mean the country is in.
Negotiations could take as long as 15 years. That is as it should be,
given both the gravity of the decision and the reservations held by
some EU leaders and their nations’ people.

Here is why Turkey is a hard case. It has a population of 71 million
and, if admitted to the EU, would be second in size only to Germany.
It is also 99 percent Muslim, and some Europeans see the EU’s at
least nominally Christian orientation as important to its nature.
Turkey is also relatively poor, at a time when the EU is wrestling
with the economic challenges of adding 10 new countries last May —
countries whose standards of living were below EU levels.

The admission of Turkey has geopolitical ramifications as well.
Adding it will give the EU common borders with difficult countries
like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Armenia and Georgia, presenting new potential
problems for the organization.

Just the same, there are good reasons for the EU to include Turkey.
Europe needs the large, young population of Turkey to help it remain
productive; labor is short in most of Western Europe. Turkey wants
very much to join the EU and has already made important changes to
try to meet the EU’s requirements.

More importantly in global terms, adding Turkey, a democratic Muslim
country, to the EU — in effect, to Europe — could be helpful in
steering the world away from increasing polarization between
Christian and Muslim societies.

The war in Iraq, Western inattention to the problem between the
Israelis and Palestinians and friction between Muslim immigrant
groups and governments in Western Europe have opened the West to
charges of religious and racial discrimination. Turkey as a member of
the EU would help drive a stake through the heart of that old,
unwelcome ghost.

The European Commission was right to recommend the beginning of talks
and we encourage the EU heads of state to approve its recommendation
in December. At the same time, the process should unfold at a
measured pace, permitting thorough negotiation of issues that might
lead, ultimately, to a more perfect union between Turkey and the rest
of Europe.

PanArmenian News
Oct 12 2004

TODAY FIRST TRIAL AGAINST TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN PARIS FOR
DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WILL BE HELD IN FRANCE

PARIS, 12.10.04. Today the first trial against the Turkish Consulate
General on the suit of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) will be
held in France. As reported by Zaman Turkish newspaper, for the first
time the Turkish diplomat will be brought up due to `the so-called
Genocide ideas.` It should be noted that in its suit in June this
year the ANC demanded to call to account the Turkish Consulate
General in France for publishing materials on its web site, denying
the Armenian Genocide, and to close the site. Official Ankara hopes
for the French court not to allow the suit, taking into account the
diplomatic immunity. Otherwise, the court decision may tell on the
Turkish-French relations very negatively.

Edmonton Journal (Alberta)
October 10, 2004 Sunday
Final Edition

Canadian soprano achieves gutsy Baroque experiment
by Bill Rankin, The Edmonton Journal

CD: Cleopatra

Artists: Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano, with Tafelmusik Baroque
Orchestra, led by Jeanne Lamon

Label: CBC Records

Rating: 5(of five)

Isabel Bayrakdarian has followed her Juno award-winning Azul–o with
a recording that should make her international reputation grow even
faster.

Taking arias from four German Baroque operas featuring the ancient
Egyptian power-broker and seductress Cleopatra, the Armenian-Canadian
soprano demonstrates an expressive ability that makes it no stretch
to use her name in the same breath as Cecilia Bartoli’s. If anything,
this CD reveals a confidence that makes such comparisons almost
pointless.

Bayrakdarian delivers an effervescent melisma and defiant-sounding
attack in Carl Graun’s Tra le procelle assorto from 1742 Cleopatra e
Cesare. Tafelmusik generates a stunningly propulsive accompaniment.
The Toronto-based singer’s control of the precipitious Baroque
momentum is as

impressive as her wondrous vocalese talents.

She also takes some expressive risks, drawing hard breath and even
growling and theatrically sighing to create dramatic musical effects.

In quieter moments, as in Johann Mattheson’s 1704 Cleopatra (this is
a world-premiere recording of the excerpts), where it’s just singer
and continuo, Bayrakdarian reminds us of what a fine singer of
simple, moving melodies she is where ease of production and unadorned
presentation impress as much as any pyrotechnic display of roccoco
ornamentation.

There isn’t a disappointing moment on this disc, and although the
repertoire is relatively obscure — there is some Handel from his
1724 Giulio Cesare in Egitto — the music contains all the typically
attractive Baroque features, and Tafelmusik knows its way around them
as well as any musicians.

Reviewed by Bill Rankin, Journal Culture Writer
From: Baghdasarian

Cargo detention on Russia-Georgia border harms Armenia-min
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
October 11, 2004 Monday

YEREVAN, October 12 — The detention of cargoes bound for Armenia on
the Russian-Georgian border has serious consequences for the republic,
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan said in an interview on
the country’s Public Television.

According to Oskanyan, “a rather complicated situation has developed”
currently on this border. “Numerous motor vehicles that cannot drive
through to Armenia have crowded there,” the minister said.

Oskanyan stressed that talks at the very top level are being held in
order to solve the issue. He said, “There is an agreement to let pass
the crowded vehicles if only to ease the tension of the situation.”

In the minister’s view, “the developed situation is disadvantageous
to Russia, Georgia, Armenia and also to Azerbaijan.”

Oskanyan is positive that “the issue will be settled finally soon.”

After the terrorist attack in Beslan when automobile traffic was
stopped through the Russian-Georgian border, over 1,000 trucks bound
for Armenia amassed in Verkhny Lars.

The border closure resulted in serious difficulties for the economy
of Armenia that has no common border with Russia.

Verkhny Lars is the only land road linking the republic with Russia
by transit via Georgia.

Itera holding negotiations on selling 10% in Armenian gas
distributing company

RosBusinessConsulting Database
October 11, 2004 Monday

Itera is holding negotiations on selling 10 percent in Armrosgazprom,
a source close to the company said. A large European investment
holding is among the potential buyers of a 10-percent stake in the
Armenian-based company, the source reported. The 10-percent stake
is valued at $28m, the source said. The press department of Itera
confirmed information about negotiations and declined to disclose
probable participants of the proposed deal.

Gazprom and the Armenian government both have 45-percent stakes in
Armrosgazprom. As Itera does not deliver gas to Armenia, the company
considers the possibility of disposing of this non-core asset, Itera
representatives said. Analysts believe that Gazprom may be interested
in acquiring Itera gas assets. Armrosgazprom controls Armenian gas
distributing networks.

Armenia’s govt wants ArmenTel to vacate some GSM 900 channels

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
October 11, 2004

EREVAN, Oct 11 (Prime-Tass) — Armenia’s national telecommunications
company ArmenTel might have to vacate some of its GSM 900 channels for
the use of a new second mobile operator and allow it to use ArmenTel’s
fiber-optic communications line, Armenia’s Justice Minister David
Arutyunyan told a press conference on Monday.

The government and ArmenTel have been discussing these and other
proposed measures aimed at depriving the company of its ‘exclusive
rights’ rather than stripping it of its monopolistic status, Arutyunyan
said. The talks are expected to be completed by October 28.

Arutyunyan said that ArmenTel’s giving up some of its GSM 900
frequencies for the use of the second mobile operator was meant to
create conditions for effective competition. He added that ArmenTel
currently occupies most of the GSM 900 frequencies, and given the
current situation the second operator would not have enough frequencies
to provide services.

Neither would it be able to operate without using the fiber-optic
communications line to which ArmenTel has exclusive rights, Arutyunyan
said.

There are also dozens of other issues that the government and the
company still have to agree on, Arutyunyan said.

Arutyunyan said the government and ArmenTel have agreed that two
mobile operators are enough for Armenia’s telecom market. A larger
number of operators might lead to a slowdown in the development of
the market, since smaller companies might not have enough funds to
invest in networks.

While the coming of the second operator should lead to a decrease in
tariffs, the government is to ensure that operators do not engage in
price dumping to squeeze out competitors, Arutyunyan said. This does
not mean, however, that telecom tariffs will be fixed, he added.

The Armenian government decided last year to amend ArmenTel’s license,
which stipulates the company’s right to a monopoly for 15 years, but
postponed introducing the amendment from October 12 to October 28,
according to the government press service’s report on October 7. End

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part A (Russia)
October 11, 2004, Monday

WHO IS TO BLAME? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
SOURCE: Novoye Vremya, No. 33, October 3, 2004, p. 16

by: Nikolai Popov

The Beslan tragedy continues to stir up public opinion. People
wish to know who was behind this terrorist attack, who ordered and
organized it, and where the next blow might be expected. According
to the latest polls, most respondents are inclined to agree with
the official version of the story: that behind the latest terrorist
attacks, including the slaughter in Beslan and explosions aboard two
airplanes, are “international terrorists, Al Qaeda and so on” – 43%
of respondents agree. Along with this, a significant number of people
(32%) hold a more traditional point of view: this is the matter of
“Chechen separatists.” A further 18% say that whether they are local or
international, they are “Muslim fanatics and Wahhabi fundamentalists.”

According to the poll, 20% of respondents have more politicized
opinion: 13% of respondents that there are “oligarchs” standing
behind the latest terrorist attacks and 7% say that these are Western
countries. Although it may seem strange, people in the Southern
federal district are inclined to blame international terrorism than
the neighbors-separatists from Chechnya for the terrorist attacks
more than anywhere in the country (50%). Rural residents are more
inclined than others to see a “Chechen link.”

While the supreme authorities are thinking whom they need to punish
and whom to award for Beslan, the public has formed its own notion
about “who bears the biggest responsibility for allowing the terrorist
attack to happen in Beslan.” The major part (32%) of respondents says
that the biggest responsibility lies with “the security agencies
of North Ossetia.” President Putin unexpectedly took second place
(15%). The next culprits are Federal Security Service (FSB) Director
Nikolai Patrushev (15%), Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev (9%) and
President Dzasokhov of North Ossetia (9%). According to the poll,
5% of respondents laid the blame for the terrorist attack in Beslan
on newly-elected President of Chechnya Alu Alkhanov.

The larger a city, the more residents are inclined to blame President
Putin for letting the terrorist attack happen. In cities with a
population over 1 million people, 21% of respondents blame Putin,
and 25% blame the security agencies of North Ossetia. People with a
higher education (18%) and high income (20%) are also more inclined
to blame the president.

In Russia respondents estimate the danger of terrorism much higher
than in the neighboring countries. Back in August, before the latest
series of terrorist attacks, 36% of respondents said that “danger of
terrorism is very high for our country” and 49% believed that this
danger “is fairly high.” The number of respondents with such opinion
in Kazakhstan amounted to 11% and 36%, in Lithuania to 3% and 21%
and in Armenia to 4% and 14% respectively.

Apprehensions have grown since then. Now 41% of respondents “are
very much afraid” that they or members of their families “may
become victims of terrorist attacks” and 40% are afraid of this
“to some extent.” This means that the overwhelming majority of the
population is afraid. Only 13% of respondents “are not very afraid”
of terrorist attacks and only 5% “are not afraid at all.” The lowest
level of fear is registered in Siberia and in the Russian Far East. The
highest level of fear of terrorist attacks is registered in cities of
over a million people. There, 50% of respondents “are very afraid”
of becoming victims of terrorists. The level of fear among women is
50%, in comparison to 31% among men. Young people are less afraid of
terrorism than elderly people; wealthy people and people with higher
education are afraid more often than poor and less educated people.

Unlike the international community, Russian citizens are inclined to
favor radical and harsh methods of combating terrorism, for example,
towards restoration of death penalty for terrorists: 72% of respondents
“fully support” the “introduction of the death penalty for terrorists
and their accomplices” and 18% “mostly support” this measure. Only
9% of respondents do not support introducing the death penalty
for terrorists. The number of supporters of the death penalty for
terrorists is highest in the Southern federal district and lowest
in Siberia.

Unexpectedly, we turned out to be among the most “advanced” countries
of the world according to the level of terrorism. This is a poor
achievement.

Along with this, it is impossible to say that the terrible
events changed the views of the people on order in the society and
reliability of the political system. Despite that a noticeable number
of respondents (15%) put the blame on the president for letting the
terrorist attack happen in Beslan, in general approval of Putin’s
activities on the post of the president and confidence in him did not
change significantly. There are still 73% of respondents who trust
Putin, as shown by a poll done between September 17 and 19. Along with
this, 21% of respondents “fully trust” him and 52% “rather trust than
distrust” – while only 6% of respondents “do not trust him at all.”

Translated by Pavel Pushkin