A1 Plus | 22:23:45 | 07-10-2004 | Politics | PACE FALL SESSION |

PACE NEW RESOLUTION ON ARMENIA

Implementation of Resolutions 1361 (2004) and 1374 (2004) on the
honouring of obligations and commitments by Armenia

Resolution 1405 (2004)[1]

1. Armenia was the subject of Assembly debates on its democratic
future on 27 January 2004 and 28 April 2004 respectively and the
country embarked upon further reforms following Resolutions 1361
(2004) and 1374 (2004). {BR}

2. The Parliamentary Assembly expresses satisfaction at its excellent
co-operation with the Armenian authorities, their open-minded attitude
and the quality of the ongoing dialogue on compliance with obligations
and commitments.

3. The Assembly is pleased to note that Armenia has complied with the
request to submit a report on paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi of Resolution
1374 (2004) and takes note that :

i. authorities have refrained from interfering with the conduct of
assemblies and, after the law “On gatherings, assemblies, rallies and
demonstrations” entered into force, a legal basis has been established
for holding them only by notification;

ii. the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement and laws provide
for maintenance of public order;

iii. the investigations on the incidents and human rights abuses
reported during the recent events, including assaults on journalists
and human rights activists, were led and information was provided to
the Assembly on a case of legal action against persons responsible for
assaults against journalists;

iv. the persons detained for their participation in the demonstrations
were released and an end to the practice of administrative detention
is expected as the Administrative Code is in the process of being
amended;

v. in this period one frequency has been freed, without contest, on
the basis of an intergovernmental agreement and within the framework
of the law “On Television and Radio”, a frequency which was given to
the Russian “Kultura” TV Channel for rebroadcasting;

vi. the authorities have taken note of the fact that the immunities of
members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are
valid for the whole year (Resolution 1325 (2003) and Recommendation
1602 (2003)).

4. Despite Armenia’s declared wish to reach a peaceful solution with
Azerbaijan to the Nagorno-Karabakh situation, the Assembly is forced
to conclude that no tangible progress has been achieved for the past
year, whether at the level of the direct talks between the presidents
of the two countries, which are continuing, or at the level of the
Minsk Group.

5. The Assembly recalls that it had asked for a thorough investigation
into electoral fraud in the 2003 elections and for an end to the
judicial impunity of those responsible. In this connection, the
Assembly considers that it has not received a convincing reply from
the authorities. It is confident, however, that the process of
revising the Electoral Code will soon be completed, in keeping with
the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

6. It notes that legislative measures have been taken in order to
introduce into the Criminal Code a provision on conditional release
for all persons convicted of serious offences, including persons with
life sentences.

7. It notes that the constitutional revision needed to ensure that
certain commitments are fully honoured is making good progress. It
asks that the authorities should rapidly prepare draft amendments to
the Constitution, present them to the Council of Europe in 2004 for
expert appraisal and organise a referendum as soon as possible and in
any event by June 2005 at the latest.

8. The Assembly takes note of the timetable for effective
implementation of the basic reforms concerning the judicial system and
the independence of the judiciary and of the intention to adopt the
law on the status of judges, the law on the judicial council and the
law on the judiciary before the end of 2004.

9. The Assembly notes that the last amendments to the Law on Radio and
Television request that the National Broadcasting Commission should
add arguments when awarding broadcasting licenses, thus preventing the
adoption of arbitrary decisions.

10. With regard to its other requests, the Assembly notes the steps
taken to:

i. continue discussion of the question of administrative detention in
the Administrative Code in co-operation with the Council of Europe’s
experts in order to end administrative detention;

ii. adopt a law on demonstrations and public assemblies in
co-operation with the experts of the Council of Europe and the Venice
Commission;

iii. amend the Criminal Code in order to introduce the possibility of
conditional release for prisoners serving life sentences;

iv. revise, in co-operation with the Council of Europe’s experts and
with due regard to the recommendations already made and those yet to
be made, Articles 135, 136 and 318 of the Criminal Code in order to
remove any possibility of making insult and defamation subject to a
prison sentence ;

v. revise the law on the police in co-operation with the Council of
Europe’s experts;

vi. adopt a law on the status of Yerevan, a law on territorial
autonomy, a law on local government staff and a law on local
self-government;

vii. combat corruption and sign the Civil Law Convention on
Corruption; it asks that this Convention be ratified within the
shortest possible time;

viii. grant an amnesty to conscientious objectors who are serving
prison sentences and release those who refused to perform military
service.

11. Furthermore, the Assembly is expecting rapid progress concerning:

i. the revision of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in accordance with
the standards of the Council of Europe;

ii. improvements to conditions of detention and, in that connection,
the implementation of the recommendations of the European Committee
for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CPT);

iii. the developments in the media sector in Armenia: it expects that,
on the basis of the recent amendments to the Law on radio and
television, the composition of the National Broadcasting Commission
will be renewed as soon as possible and that fair conditions for
awarding broadcasting licenses to televisions, in particular to A1+
television channel, will be created;

iv. the excessive length of the period of alternative civilian
service, which has been set at 42 months;

v. the registration of the association of Jehovah’s Witnesses;

vi. the creation of an independent body representing all Armenia’s
religious organisations and communities;

vii. in accordance with Resolution 1374 (2004), paragraph 9.iv, the
end to the practice of administrative detention until the
Administrative Code is amended;

viii. the amendment, no later than March 2005, of the law on
demonstrations and public assemblies to bring it into full conformity
with Council of Europe standards to ensure freedom of assembly in
practice.

12. In the light of the foregoing, the Assembly calls on the Armenian
authorities to continue to take appropriate measures to honour the
remaining obligations and commitments set out in Resolutions 1361
(2004) and 1374 (2004).

Azeri minister in Italy discussing development of cooperation

Assa-Irada
8 Oct 04

Baku, 7 October: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who
is on an official visit to Italy, has met representatives of the
authorities and the Venice Chamber of Commerce. The meetings discussed
the current stage and prospects of developing cooperation between
Italy and Azerbaijan, integration into Europe and Armenia’s
resettlement of its residents in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan.

Also, Mammadyarov spoke about the social-political processes, reforms
carried out in Azerbaijan and the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict at a business forum yesterday. Answering questions
from business people, the minister told the forum, which was attended
by representatives of about 60 companies, that favourable investment
conditions had been created in Azerbaijan.

JAZZ

Irish Times
Oct 08, 2004

Ray Comiskey

Latest cds reviewed

JAN GARBAREK
In Praise of Dreams
ECM

Garbarek’s first album in six years unites the great Norwegian
saxophonist with a remarkable Armenian-American violist, Kim
Kashkashian, and a fine African percussionist, Manu Katche, for some
beautiful music. With a focused fascination with melody and sound,
there’s a folk-like, deceptive simplicity to what they do. Garbarek
and Kaskashian weave around each other with such intuitive mutual
appreciation that it’s hard, at times, to separate the written from
the improvised. Regardless of instrument, Garbarek, on tenor and
soprano here, has always had a signature, arresting sound, but
Kashkashian’s is also strikingly personal and expressive. Sampling and
some lovely synthesiser (by Garbarek) provide an aural carpet for
their unabashedly lyrical encounter. Is it jazz? Who cares?

EU’s yes to Turkey draws mixed response

Irish Times
Oct 08, 2004

Derek Scally

EU: There were mixed reactions yesterday among commentators in Turkey
and Germany, home to some two million Turks, to the European
Commission recommendation to open EU entry negotiations with Turkey.

The front page headline of H’rriyet, Turkey’s best-selling newspaper
was clear: “Dankeschön Verheugen” it said in gratitude to the EU
enlargement commissioner, Mr G’nter Verheugen.

The page was all-blue, surrounded by EU and Turkish flags.

Summoning the founder of modern secular Turkey, a front page editorial
said “Ataturk should have seen this day”.

But inside, columnist Emin Colasin had mixed feelings.

“We shouldn’t try to please the EU too much. There is no country that
has done this until now,” he said, choosing to focus on the
Commission’s “but”.

“The outcome of the discussions is not clear and there are no
guarantees. There are lots of places with shadows.

“Some politicians in Brussels were still talking about Cyprus and the
Armenian genocide. Such things were never said to any country on this
path.This is only the beginning.

“They are caressing our cheeks and giving us a finger of honey so we
don’t run away and cause a scandal.”

Germany’s conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine, called it a “fateful
day” for the EU, adding that Turkey’s accession could “destroy the
European house aswe know it”.

“One should say honestly to the European people: this is not about an
‘enlargement’ of the EU but a ‘transformation’.”

Austria’s Die Presse agreed, calling the Turkey debate “absurd”.

Germany’s Die Tageszeitung praised the Commission’s “good and right”
recommendation, adding it would have preferred a “slightly smaller
‘but’.”

Azeri, Bulgarian clerics discuss religious freedom

ANS TV, Baku
7 Oct 04

[Presenter] The chairman of the Board of Muslims of the Caucasus,
Sheikh ul-Islam Haci Allahsukur Pasazada, and Bulgaria’s Metropolitan
Dometian of Vidin have focused on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
during their meeting. Allahsukur Pasazada especially underlined US
efforts to reach a speedy solution to the conflict. It was noted at
the meeting that Azerbaijan is one of very few countries where
religious freedom is ensured. About 20,000 Armenians live in the
country.

Metropolitan Dometian of Vidin talked about the cultural and
historical ties between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. The guest expressed
satisfaction with the level of religious freedom.

[Video shows the meeting]

FACTORS OF POTENTIAL INSTABILITY OBSERVED IN CAUCASIAN REGION
ALONGSIDE WITH POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: FORIEGN MINISTERS OF ITALY AND
AZERBAIJAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7. ARMINFO. Factors of potential instability are
observed in the Caucasian region alongside with positive
development. Foriegn Ministers of Italy and Azerbaijan, Franco
Frattini and Elmar Mamedyarov, made such a statement during their
meeting in Rome yesterday, Day. Az reports, referring to the Italian
Foriegn Ministry.

According to the information spread by the Italian Foriegn Ministry,
the visit of the Azerbaijani FM is within the framework of the
implementation of a policy of strengthened dialogue with the Caucasian
states, which was initiated by Franco Frattini in June, 2004 in
Tbilisi. It will be continued in the course of the forthcoming visit
of Armenian Foreign Minister to Rome within the coming weeks. The
recent decision by the EU to expand its policy of new neighborhood in
the Caucasian region considerably strengthens the relations of the
countries of this region and the European continent. It is another
stimulus for Italy to intensify its bilateral relations as well, the
Italian Foriegn Ministry reports.

SAME AZERBAIJAN WHICH PROMISED SOVEREIGNTY TO KARABAKH

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
08 Oct 04

Azerbaijan demands applying sanctions against the foreign companies
working in the territory of Nagorni Karabakh. They will not be allowed
to do business in Azerbaijan. This is what the Azerbaijani newspapers
have been writing about recently. The vice foreign minister of
Azerbaijan Araz Azimov mentioned,` Azerbaijan cannot overlook the
illegal use of the natural resources in the` occupied
territories’. Among the companies on the black list of theforeign
ministry of Azerbaijan may appear as well the Lithuanian company which
prints the postal stamps of the Republic of Nagorni Karabakh. The
state company â=80=9CAzermarka’ of the Azerbaijani Ministry of
Communication and Information Technologies managed to make the Postal
Union warn all over the world that the stamps of Karabakh are not
legal and valid. The Baku newspaper Day.Az writes, â=80=9CSoso
Pavliashvili who took part in the celebration of independence of `NKR’
announced about his peacemaking mission and although the Ministry of
Culture of Azerbaijan boycotted him, he is going to visit Baku again.’
Member of parliament of the Milli Mejlis Anar Mamedkhanov said in this
reference, `Peacemaking is a good thing. But first I would like Soso
Pavliashvili to conciliate the Georgianswith the Osetians and
Abkhazians. Let him start his peacemaking activities with this. I
would like to advise him to sing in the concert in Sukhumi devoted to
the day of Abkhazian independence from Georgia to prove that for him
his nationis above everything.’ At the same time, the Conference of
Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan appealed to the
international organizations to cancel the consultation `The activity
of the youth in the areas of confrontation: human rights, democracy
and cooperation’ which will take place in NagorniKarabakh on November
15-19. The consultation is organized by the International Panarmenian
Fund. The statement of the Conference points out `the illegality of
holding this undertaking in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by
the Karabakh separatists.’ The Conference of Non-Governmental
Organizations of Azerbaijan involves more than 400 organizations of
the country. They even threaten to take legal action against the youth
organizations which wanted to visit Karabakh. And the leader of the
so-called Committee for Liberation of Karabakh Akif Naghi
characterized the upcoming visit of the Armenian parliamentarians to
Baku as the essential problem of Azerbaijan. According to him, before
the settlement of the Karabakh problem they will not stop struggling
against the visit of the citizens of the aggressor country of
Armenia. In particular, the Committee is going to start a new campaign
of protest against the Armenian parliamentarians who intend to
participate in the seminar of the NATO parliamentary assembly in
Baku. At the same time, A. Naghi characterized the consistent wish of
the Armenians to visit Baku as a provocation. According to him,
similar actionsare dictated by their aim to involve Azerbaijan in a
conflict with international organizations, thereby causing
tensions. Baku also reacted to our information on adopting the law on
ombudsman by the Karabakh parliament. The head of the press centre of
the Azerbaijani foreign ministry M. Mirza told the Baku newspaper
`Echo’, `The following can be said in this situation: generally, all
the institutions created and to be created in NKR have no legal basis
for factual existence. That is to say, in fact they do not exist as
either they, or their ` state’ have not been recognized by anyone in
the world.’ Extremism in Azerbaijan is already practised on the level
of the president. This statement was made by the vice speaker of the
National Assembly of Armenia Vahan Hovhannissian during his press
conference. The vice speaker is worried by the anti-Armenian moods in
Azerbaijan. `Quite recently the road Kirants – Voskepar has been
bombed. I do not think that Mr. Aliev would dare to make a direct
order to start war, but an uncontrolled spark may cause fire.’
According to Vahan Hovhannissian, the diplomatic task of Armenia today
is `to prove that we recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
but it has no relation to the problem of Nagorni Karabakh.’ The
president of Azerbaijan stated at the UN that NKR is a persisting
source of threat for peace and security in the region. Ignoring the
four resolutions of the UN Council for Security, trying to maintain
the results of the military aggression and remaining unpunished,
Armenia actually fulfilled a policy of illegal mass settlement of
Armenian population in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. According
to him, the situation is aggravated by using these territories for
illegal circulation of drugs, transportation of weapon, illegal
economic activities, smuggling, terrorism. He stated that the
aggressors of Armenia and the Karabakh separatists try to involve
foreign companies in illegal business thereby exploiting the natural
resources of the occupied Azerbaijani territories. The president of
Azerbaijan appealed to the UN members to make their citizens and
companies respect international law and stop their illegal activity in
the territory of our country. He also mentioned that Armenia falsifies
the history of the Azerbaijani region of Nagorni Karabakh,
appropriates its cultural and architectural heritage. According to
him, Thereligious and historical monuments of Azerbaijan were ruined,
plundered and the ancient manuscripts, as well as other valuable
objects were stolen. In his address at the 59th session of the General
Assembly of the UN the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian
stated that we would like to deal with an Azerbaijan which recognizes
its place and acts according to the international law, andnot with the
country whose policies, actions and statements threaten the fragile
peace and stability in the region. In the post-Soviet territory
Azerbaijan was the first to introduce the practice of torturing people
for their nationality, to involve mercenaries and international
terrorists in the army, and to ignore the international law, mentioned
Vardan Oskanian. Azerbaijan managed to get rid of Armenians in
Nakhijevan who formed more than the half of the local
population. There is not a single Armenian there. In the Soviet years
more than 400 thousand Armenians lived in Baku, Sumgait and at other
places in Azerbaijan. Today there is not a single Armenian there. The
Azerbaijani attempt of extermination of a nation was a success,
continued the foreign minister of Armenia. According to him, ten
years ago Azerbaijan used mercenaries and international terrorists to
`fight’ against the Armenian men and women defending their land. The
terrorists were defeated and the Armenians won. Mentioning that the
Armenians overcame the confrontation with a victory after their
peaceful claims for self-determination had been met with swords,
Vardan Oskanian emphasized that the Armenians had occupied those
territories 2000 years ago and not in the recent ten years, as the
Azerbaijani president insists. Azerbaijan excludesthe mediation of the
international community directed at blocking drug businessrun in its
territory. Azerbaijan also nullifies the efforts of the EC and other
monitoring groups which try to visit the region and see themselves
thousands of ruined historical and cultural monuments, said the
minister. If in the past century Armenians and Azerbaijanis were
obliged to live side by side, in this century we obtained the right to
decide our fate and thereby we may decide ourselves to coexist
peacefully, said the foreign minister of Armenia.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN.
08-10-2004

COUNTRY IS STRENGTHENED FROM INSIDE

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
08 Oct 04

After the earthquake in 1988 and then the war in Artsakh many charity
organizations started their activities in Armenia and
Karabakh. However, itis a fact that very few of these companies do
charity as many of them try to develop their business under the guise
of charity, which becomes clear partly from press and from direct
acquaintance with this or that organization. Among the few real
charity organizations is the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU).In the first meeting of the 83rd conference of the AGBU at the
beginning of this week the president of NKR Arkady Ghukassian
participated as well. Mr. Ghukassian said that in the past four years
40 million dollars were invested in Artsakh in the spheres of
telecommunication, industry, agriculture. `Only in the sphere of
industry the share of the private sector is 80 per cent, whereas in
1999 it did not surpass 23 per cent.’ According to him, the role of
the AGBU is very significant, which opened its office in Stepanakert a
month ago. â=80=9CIn my opinion, we have entered a new stage which
requires a new level of relationships and a new degree of
cooperation. In Artsakh they remember well many of you because you
were with us both in hardships and in the time of joy,’said Arkady
Ghukassian in his address. The road Goris-Stepanakert, Alek Manoukian
Street in Stepanakert, the old people’s home on the same street were
repairedowing to the AGBU. Soon the school N 7 in Stepanakert will be
repaired, and in the village of Norashen, Hadrout, settled by 22
families, the nursery school and polyclinic operate with the
assistance of the French branch of the AGBU. The Union also funds the
chamber orchestra of Artsakh. Then Arkady Ghukassian presented to our
compatriots, 350 Armenians who had arrived from 24 countries, the
problems that Artsakh faces today. `In many settlements there are no
water pipelines, medical centres, nursery schools, 60 villages do not
have schools.’ Despite these problems, the president stated, there is
no emigration from Artsakh and the main problem of the authorities is
the peaceful settlement of the conflict, where much depends on the
assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is also important to inhabit
Artsakh with Armenians, which requires serious investments for
providing employment. The conscientious work of similar organizations
would quickly improve the state of our country and people and would
contribute to the peaceful and fair resolution of the conflict.

CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
08-10-2004

CHARITY UNDERTAKING FOR VAZGENASHEN

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
08 Oct 04

At the initiative of the public organization `Youth Centre’the youth
union ` GAKHEX’, Republic of Armenia, provided a large number of books
fromits library to the school of the village of Vazgenashen. Also a
certain number of books was provided by the scientific and educational
foundation `Noravank’. Several days ago the members of `Youth Centre’
and the expert of the department of relationships with public
organizations of the mentioned foundation Karen Avetissian visited
Vazgenashen to deliver the donation to the school. The other part of
the books will be delivered later. At the meeting in the study of the
director of the school the head of the community Andranik Babayan was
also present. The young people were interested to know about the
problems and development programs of the village at the same time
expressing their will to help them within their abilities. The
director of the school Mher Poghossian and the head of the community
thanked the youth organizations. It should be mentioned that this is
not the first undertaking of the `Youth Centreâ=80=9D. Several months
ago the organization acquired clothes and shoes and provided to the
resettlers of the village. The chairman of the centre Lousine
Grigorian assured that the process will be continuous. The
organization also delivered a souvenir and sports equipment to the
school.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
08-10-2004

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 8, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Receives the Newly Appointed Ambassador of Finland

On September 14, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, received Mrs. Terhi Hakala, newly appointed Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland to the Republic
of Armenia. Mr. Vladimir Karmirshalian, Ambassador of Armenia to the
Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway,
accompanied the Ambassador on her visit to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

Wishing the Ambassador success and productive service in her new position,
His Holiness discussed the cooperation between Armenia and Finland in
various spheres. The Pontiff of All Armenians expressed hope that the
cooperation and relations between the two countries would continue to grow
and develop for the benefit of both nations. During the course of the
meeting, His Holiness reflected on his recent visit to Finland and to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, which was upon the invitation of the
Most Reverend Dr. Jukka Paarma, Archbishop of Turku and all Finland.

Thanking the Catholicos for the warm reception, Ambassador Hakala remarked
on the implementation of projects which would contribute to the fostering of
relationships and cooperation between Armenia and Finland.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress