Georgia denies knowledge of Russian-Armenian deal to reopen border

Kavkasia-Press news agency
6 Oct 04

TBILISI

“We have not received an official notification with regard to an
agreement allegedly reached between Russia and Armenia allowing the
passage through the Georgian-Russian border of cargo either belonging
to Armenia, or being transported from Armenia to Russia,” Nika
Laghidze, a senior aide at the prime minister’s office, told
Kavkasia-Press.

According to Armenian news agencies, the Armenian and Russian
presidents had agreed in a telephone conversation that Russia would
allow the passage of Armenian cargo through the Lars checkpoint on the
Georgian-Russian border, which is closed. Armenia is also reported to
have been negotiating with the Georgian authorities an unimpeded
passage for its cargoes.

“In any event, the Georgian government will not allow discrimination
against its citizens. As regards transit issues, they can only be
addressed through tripartite talks, especially as they involve the use
of Georgian territory,” Laghidze said, adding that Georgia is
“nobody’s backyard” and it would not allow others to agree behind its
back on transit through its territory. “However, I repeat that this
information about the Russian-Armenian agreement has not been
officially confirmed and should be double-checked,” Laghidze
said. [Passage omitted]

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
October 7, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE CHALLENGES AZERI PRESIDENT’S REMARKS ON NK CONFLICT
DURING A FORUM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America commended one of its own
for challenging Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to explain his
mischaracterizations of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and blaming Armenia
for the stalled peace talks.

Christina Lehmejian-Karaszewski, the Assembly’s volunteer representative to
the United Nation’s NGO Human Rights Committee, questioned the Azeri leader
on September 24 following a speech at Columbia University in New York City.
In his prepared remarks, Aliyev focused heavily on the territorial dispute,
naming Armenia as the aggressor and demanding the withdrawal of Armenian
troops who he claims are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. He
also touted the progressiveness of his government, citing its economic and
social reforms and integration in the international community.

Lehmejian-Karaszewski particularly took issue with Aliyev’s statements
regarding Azeri society which he called “tolerant and conscientious,”
despite several damaging reports from international watchdog groups who have
identified the country as one of the most corrupt and oppressive regimes in
the world. Aliyev was evasive in responding to Lehmejian-Karaszewski on
this as well as the Karabakh issue, steering clear of the question regarding
Azeri society altogether and once again tagging Armenia as the aggressor in
the NK conflict.

According to the Columbia Daily Spectator, Aliyev, who is the son of former
President Heydar Aliyev, also said that the NK “negotiations cannot go on
forever,” and that Baku reserves the right to restore territorial
sovereignty “by any means.” He was also critical of the international
community, who he blamed for failing to intervene in the conflict and
enforce the resolutions that the Security Council passed more than a decade
ago.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-089

Animation company sets up a film festival

UK Newsquest Regional Press – This is The Lake District
October 7, 2004

BY: Gazette News Desk

A KIRKBY Stephen-based animation company is lending its talents in organising
a major film festival for young people.

Sisters Bryony Cadi and Linnhe Catlow the directors of film company 3 Bear
Animations have helped organise this year’s Co-operative Young Film Makers
Festival.

The annual celebration of cinema is targeted at young people aged 21 and
under and aims to give a new understanding of TV and film productions.

This year’s festival will take place at the National Museum of Photography
Film and Television in Bradford. A programme brimming with activities boasts
more than 30 events for children and young people aged five to 21.

“We’re particularly proud of the programme this year said joint event
coordinator Bryony Catlow.

We have Nick Dudman coming up from the set of Harry Potter Four to talk about
his work as special effects supervisor on films such as Star Wars and Harry
Potter which we are very excited about.”

In addition to the workshops and talks there will be screenings of films made
by young people from places as far flung as Armenia and Australia.

“We received around 400 entries this year and selected 100 for screening. The
filmmakers are of all ages and abilities ranging from five and six year olds
to 21 year olds producing films of almost professional quality said Cadi
Catlow.

Some of the films will receive awards from organisations and companies
involved in the film industry including 3 Bear Animations, BBC Blast and the British
Film Institute.

We decided to present an award at the festival because we want to encourage
the next generation of animators said Linnhe Catlow.

We used to enter Co-Operative Young Film Makers ourselves when we were
younger and the festival definitely inspired us to continue to produce animation. We
know from experience how important it is to have encouragement when you’re
starting out she added.

Co-operative Young Film Makers 2004 is open to everyone and will run today
(Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). Entry to the majority of the events is free.
For a full programme see or call the festival
office on 0161-2462216.

JOINT POSITION IS NECESSARY OVER KARABAKH ISSUE
A1 Plus
07-10-2004

Resignation of Robert Kocharyan, Serj Sargssyan and Vardan Oskanyan is
the only possible way to avoid settlement of Karabakhi conflict in a
manner unfavourable for Armenia and they have a few months for
that. Aram Sargssyan, Chairman of Democratic Party of Armenia, has
today announced this in `Azdak’ Club.

‘Now Armenia has to resume the negotiations with minus. Azerbaijan is
ahead in the propaganda aspect’, Aram Sargssyan reminded adding the
worldaccepts the arguments of Azerbaijan regarding the territorial
integrity.

DPA Chair Aram Sargssyan, ex Defence Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan
and Vice-Chair of Constitutional Right Union Hayk Babukhanyan together
with NKR representatives and Azerbaijan’s delegation have partaken in
Dortmund 7th conference. It was held under the chairmanship of
American and Russian co-chairs.

At the conference the stage-by-stage and package version for the
conflict settlement was suggested, in other words, to find a package
solution which will be implemented step-by-step. Azerbaijan side even
agreed to negotiate over the intermediate status of NKR. But at the
end of the conference the Azeri part started dwelling on the same old
subject on `returning the territories’, and the meeting ended without
reaching any results.

Aram Sargssyan finds that the Armenian side has 6 versions for
Karabakhi conflict settlement to start negotiations with each and to
reach the solution favourable for Armenia – political, legal, military
and economic variants, reservation of status quo and establishment of
a common union. Mr. Sargssyan is surprised why the Authorities have to
protect or justify themselves insteadof appearing at the position of
initiators.

Aram Sargssyan thinks hearings must be held in Parliament, joint
position and state conception must be formed. We asked if Opposition
having 23 MPs was ready to share responsibility with Authorities in
the present conditions unfavourable for Karabakhi conflict
settlement. Aram Sargssyan said if Authorities don’ t share the same
standpoint with Opposition, no joint stance will be set and Opposition
won’t accept responsibility.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 1-7, 2004

HIGHLIGHTS:

“PRESS CLUB” ON AIR

HEARINGS ON THE CASE OF ATTACK ON PHOTOJOURNALIST STARTED

COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT REPORT OF THE PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE

MDI SEMINAR: NGOs AND MEDIA

YSU JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT IS FIVE YEARS OLD

“PRESS CLUB” ON AIR

On October 4 on the evening air of the Second Armenian TV Channel the “Press
Club” program cycle was launched. The cycle is organized by Yerevan Press
Club under “Strengthening Democracy by Free Expression in South Caucasus”
project, implemented jointly with “Article 19” international organization
with the assistance of Open Society Institute. Once every two weeks, on
Mondays the heads of leading Armenian media and journalistic associations
will gather in the studio of the Second Channel to discuss the topical
issues, also of information sphere.

One of the main subjects of the first “Press Club” show was the
media-related legislation, in particular laws “On Mass Communication”, “On
Freedom of Information” and “On Television and Radio”. The second issue
discussed referred to the documents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe that have recently been at the focus of media attention:
two draft reports, on Mountainous Karabagh (rapporteur Terry Davis) and that
of the Monitoring Committee on the fulfillment of Armenia’s commitments to
the Council of Europe (corapporteurs Jerzy Jaskiernia and Rene Andre).

HEARINGS ON THE CASE OF ATTACK ON PHOTOJOURNALIST STARTED

On October 7 in the court of primary jurisdiction of Kotayk region of
Hrazdan city hearings on the case of attack on the correspondent of
“Photolure” news agency Mkhitar Khachatrian and the obstruction of
professional activities of Mkhitar Khachatrian and the correspondent of
“Aravot” daily Anna Israelian started. As it has been reported, the incident
occurred on August 24 in Tsaghkadzor, where the journalists were preparing a
piece on the forest cutting in the vicinity of sports complex for the
construction of summerhouses of high-ranked officials. After the end of the
shootings the memory chip of Khachatrian’s camera was taken away by force
(see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, August 26 – September 2, 2004).
Charges of public disorder (part 1 of Article 258 of the RA Criminal Code)
and the obstruction of legitimate professional activities of journalists
(part 1 of Article 164 of the RA Criminal Code) were introduced to a Yerevan
resident, formerly twice convicted Gagik Stepanian.

At the first session the court started the interrogation of the parties. The
next session is scheduled for October 11.

COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT REPORT OF THE PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE

On October 4 in Yerevan the Partnership for Open Society Initiative, uniting
over 40 public organizations, held discussions of the draft report of the
PACE Monitoring Committee on implementation of Resolutions 1361 (2004) and
1374 (2004) on the honoring of obligations and commitments by Armenia
(corapporteurs Jerzy Jaskiernia and Rene Andre), to be heard on October 7 at
the PACE session. At the discussion comments on the report developed by the
Partnership for Open Society Initiative were presented, too.

In the beginning of the comments the Initiative points out the preferability
of a more detailed examination of the situation in Armenia and their taking
into account the opinions not only the state representatives but also of the
NGO-community. “We work together with the government, international
organizations and civil society towards achieving the common goal of
democratic reforms in Armenia”, the comments read. “This will happen only if
accurate information and analysis is provided. Unfortunately, lack of
accurate information and thorough analysis of the situation is manifest in
both the points that the rapporteurs highlighted as positive and also in
those that they present as negative.”

The omissions named are also present in the reference the corapporteurs make
to the media situation. Thus, in item 3 iii of the draft report of the
Monitoring Committee it is noted that “the investigations on 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 their findings and of any legal action taken
against persons responsible”. Yet, as the comments of the Partnership note,
the corapporteurs do not specify that the investigation of many such cases
was stopped, and it was not conducted at all on the abuse of journalists by
the police on the night of April 12-April 13, 2004. The events of April
12-April 13 were not reflected in the report at all, even though in them
several journalists were injured. Only the punishment imposed on two
attackers for violence against journalists on the rally of April 5, 2004 is
mentioned (the punishment left the journalistic community and the public
discontent, the comments note).

In the opinion of the Monitoring Committee, the request to the National
Commission on Television and Radio to add arguments when awarding broadcast
licenses, as stipulated in the last amendments to the RA Law “On Television
and Radio”, will prevent “the adoption of arbitrary decisions” (item 9). The
corapporteurs also hope that the expected renewal of the composition of the
NCTR, proceeding from the same amendments to the broadcast law, will
contribute to the creation of “fair conditions for awarding broadcast
licenses to televisions, in particular ‘A1+'” (item 11 iii). Firstly, the
comments of the Partnership stress, the mere giving additional arguments is
not a guarantee for preventing arbitrary decisions. This requires other
methods of open and public discussion, too, also involvement of NGO
representatives and experts into the process of bid evaluation, as allowed
by Article 26 of the RA Law “Statutes of the National Commission on
Television and Radio”. Such a proposal was made by a number of NGOs to the
NCTR Chairman during the last broadcast licensing competition, however, it
was rejected. Secondly, the comments of the Initiative say, the amendments
to the broadcast law do not stipulate changes in the NCTR composition: they
only refer to competitive appointment to vacancies. And, finally, the
comments note, the corapporteurs link the creation of fair competition
conditions with the changes in the NCTR composition, whereas attention
should be drawn to its formation procedure which “does not ensure the
independence of the body and makes it a tool in the hand of the executive”.

When quoting negative examples, the comments of the Partnership note, the
report of the Monitoring Committee has a number of mistakes. Thus, item 30
of the report says: “The situation regarding media still gives cause for
concern. Newspapers are regularly found guilty in court and ordered to pay
heavy fines for publishing defamatory articles about prominent figures in or
close to the government.” Yerevan Press Club and the Committee to Protect
Freedom of Expression monitor the media situation, also the media-related
litigations, and during the past year, fortunately, nothing has been
recorded, the Initiative writes in its comments.

Among the most vivid examples of information lack, in the opinion of the
Partnership, was the mentioning of the corapporteurs that “Kentron” TV
company stopped broadcasting and was replaced by “Aravot” TV company. In
reality, the comments explain, “Kentron” did not stop its activities, it
only changed the air name. As the corapporteurs note, “Yerkir Media” TV
company that got a broadcast license is managed by Armenian Diaspora. In the
Partnership’s comments this statement is characterized as “irresponsible”.

MDI SEMINAR: NGOs AND MEDIA

On October 4-6 in Yerevan a training seminar for non-governmental
organizations representing various society groups and minorities and for
journalists of Armenia was held. The training on NGO relations with media
was organized by the London-based Media Diversity Institute under “Minority
Empowerment and Media Development in South Caucasus” project, implemented
with the financial assistance of the European Union and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The practical activation of relations of
the “third sector” and the “fourth estate” were discussed in the mode of
interactive communication, moderated by Tim Grout-Smith and Lily Poberezhska
(“Media Player International” consultancy partnership, UK) and Elina
Poghosbekian (Yerevan Press Club).

YSU JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT IS FIVE YEARS OLD

On October 1 the Journalism Department of the Yerevan State University
celebrated the fifth anniversary since it was founded. The Journalism
Department grew out of the journalism major groups of the YSU Philological
Department. The greeting address of the Yerevan Press Club noted the
progress of the study process, the availability of technical facilities and
wished the school success, conscientious students and open-minded graduates.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 29 2004

Armenia Wants to Postpone Talks on Karabagh

30/09/2004 08:46

After the Astana meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents the
official Yerevan has come out with an initiative to postpone the
talks over the settlement of the Karabagh conflict.

AssA-Irada — Commenting on the Armenia’s initiative, Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov confirmed the fact that the Armenian side has
requested to be granted a delay to analyze the results of the talks
held so far. The date for the next talks with the Armenian side has
not been ascertained yet, he said.

Azimov underlined there is no need for a meeting of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents’ special envoys as all issues related to the
conflict settlement are discussed during the regular meetings of the
two countries’ foreign ministers.

At the Astana summit official Baku called on Armenia to recognize
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and withdraw its armed forces from
the occupied lands.

Azimov stressed that the government of Azerbaijan is ready to ensure
the security of the Armenian community in Karabagh if Armenia accepts
the conditions laid by the Azerbaijani side.

Armenia occupied former autonomous Nagorno-Karabakh region and also
seven other Azerbaijani districts in 1991-94 war, forcing over
700,000 Azerbaijanis to leave their homes. Despite an armistice
signed in May 1994, no final solution has been achieved to the
conflict between the two countries.

Boston Herald, MA
Sept 30 2004

Style calendar
By Raakhee P. Mirchandani

Join the Armenian International Women’s Association’s New England
affiliate for a fashion show featuring the latest designs from the
Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts in Armenia. The event on Oct. 10
begins at 5 p.m. at the National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road,
Lexington. The fashion show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information
or to buy tickets, call 781-729-6457. Tickets are $50 and include an
Armenian buffet.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 30 2004

Parliament’s Decision May Impede Armenian MPs’ Participation In NATO
Seminar

30/09/2004 09:03

The participation of Armenian parliamentarians in the “Rose Roth”
seminar of NATO Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Baku in November
depends on the decision to be adopted by the Milli Majlis
(Azerbaijan’s parliament).
AssA-Irada — This statement was made by Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign
Minister also the Azerbaijani President’s special envoy on Karabagh
issue. Azimov noted that the Azerbaijani MPs’ position will play a
particular role in impeding the visit by Armenian parliamentarians to
Baku as well.

“The Azerbaijani parliament is the organizer of the seminar and
should express its position on the matter,” said Azimov, adding that
Armenians won’t be able to attend the seminar if Azerbaijani
parliamentarians reject their participation.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 30 2004

RELATIONS WITH COMPATRIOTS LIVING IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
STRENGTHENING
[September 30, 2004, 13:49:13]

Employees of the State Committee on Work with the Azerbaijanis living
in foreign countries have visited Australia and New Zealand.

As was told AzerTAj from the State Committee, at the meetings carried
out within the framework of visit with chairman of the Azerbaijan
Association of Australia Mikayil Oyta, and also members of the
organization, the consul of Turkey in Sydney Nihat Ershen, discussed
were problems of our compatriots living in this country, and
underlined the importance of consolidation of efforts in bringing
into the notice the realities about Azerbaijan and Turkey is
underlined.

At the general session of the organizations of the Azerbaijan,
Turkish and Turkmen Diasporas, discussed were prospects of joint
activity.

At the meeting in Canberra with chairman of International festival
committee Dominick Miko, it was decided to provide participation of
the Azerbaijan masters of art in forthcoming international festival
in February next year and also carrying out during same time in three
cities of Australia of Days of Culture of Azerbaijan.

At the press conference for local mass media, was presented
information on the economic situation in Azerbaijan, its position in
region, the Nagorny Karabakh conflict and occupation by Armenians of
the Azerbaijan lands.

A number of other important meetings also have been carried in New
Zealand.

The Setonian, NJ
Sept 30 2004

Protestors criticize Peres’ visit, honorary degree conferral

Elizabeth Hendler
Editor in Chief
[email protected]

Article Body >>
Activists from New Jersey Solidarity, a Rutgers-based group,
protested former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ speech
Wednesday outside of the university gates. About 10 individuals
unaffiliated with Seton Hall held signs reading `Shimon Peres = War
Criminal’ and waved a `Free Palestine’ flag.

Peres is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

He spoke as part of a World Leaders Forum held in the Walsh Gymnasium
at 4 p.m. He was conferred an honorary degree.

The group was told to leave campus, where it first wanted to protest
on the university Green. Patrick Linfante, director of Public Safety
and Security, asked them to leave, saying Seton Hall sits on private
property and is not required to allow outsiders to protest.

`This is a ticketed event with invited guests, students,
administrators, staff and faculty,’ Linfante said. `Mr. Peres is here
to have a conversation with our community. If New Jersey Solidarity
wants a conversation with Mr. Peres, they can have him visit their
events.’

For the event, Seton Hall had additional security help from South
Orange police, New Jersey state police, the Essex county sheriff and
the county prosecutor.

A county narcotics and counter-terrorism task force was also on hand.

A state police helicopter surveyed the campus. Peres arrived via
motorcade.

One protester was arrested soon after arriving on campus because of
an outstanding warrant.

Protesters allege Peres is responsible for the Qana bombing in
Lebanon and occupation and expulsion of Palestinians from holy land.

They also critized Peres’ comments that the mass murder of Armenians
in 1915 was a tragedy `but not a genocide,’ made in a Turkish
newspaper in 2001.

`Palestinians, all arabs, all Muslims, are treated as terrorists in
this country,’ protester Noel Winkler said. `We support the right of
return to the homeland. A two-state solution is not a means for
lasting peace.’

Several protesters were Catholics who said the university is honoring
a politician who is responsible for violence against Palestinians.

`In America, it’s hard to understand this situation because we did
the same thing (to Native Americans), taking their land and killing
them,’ former South Orange resident Mary Costa said.

Protester David Hungerford, a teacher in Newark, said he believes the
Nobel Peace Prize has lost its value as it has been awarded to people
like Peres.

Vincent Fisher, of Teaneck, commented, `This is one of the most
pressing moral imperatives of our time.’

He alleges the university chose Peres to speak for political reasons.

`Catholic Palestinians are suffering horribly under occupation,’ he
said, noting the bombing of the Catholic Bethlehem University in 2002
in the West Bank.

Sophomore Ibrahim Khaddash commented, `The protest shows the students
he’s a war criminal, and he shouldn’t be honored by a Catholic
university.’

He said both Muslims and Christian Palestinians have died in bombings
like those in Lebanon in 1997.

Junior Romi Saleh is in favor of a two-state plan and was glad to see
Palestinian supporters outside of the campus gates.

`I’m pro-freedom,’ he said. `I support everyone enjoying the quality
of life we have in this country. That means no occupation.’

Caity Fodor contributed to this article.

Elizabeth Hendler can be reached at [email protected].