Human rights in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and referendum in Belarus on
agenda of Venice Commission Plenary Session

Strasbourg, 06.10.2004 – Proposals for new human rights review mechanisms
for Kosovo, the constitutional situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the
forthcoming referendum in Belarus will be discussed at the 60th plenary
session of the Venice Commission (8 and 9 October, Scuola Grande di San
Giovanni Evangelista in Venice).

The Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional
issues, will also debate:

* Armenia’s law on public meetings,
* the Georgian draft law on restitution of housing and property to the
victims of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict,
* Ukrainian draft laws on the protection of indigenous people and on the
public prosecutor.

The Commission will look at two projects to amend the Armenian constitution.
Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan will attend the
debate.
Lord Ashdown, the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will
present the situation on the country.

Also attending the meeting are Deputy Special Representative of the UN
Secretary General for Police and Justice Jean-Christian Cady and Chief Legal
Adviser of KFOR Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Toussaint; Chief Justice of
England and Wales the Rt. Hon. Lord Woolf; President of the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Korea Young-chul Yun and Deputy Chief Justice of
the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt Adel Omar Sherif. Ambassadors
Pietro Lonardo (Italy) and Johannes C. Landman (the Netherlands), Permanent
Representatives to the Council of Europe, will also be present.

All the adopted opinions are public and will be available on the Venice
Commission’s website shortly after the session:

Contacts in Venice during the session:
Gianni Buquicchio, mobile +39 338 347 85 76
Tatyana Mychelova, mobile + 33 676 72 0402

PRESS RELEASE
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A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common
responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46 member states.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE

02 October 2004

Minister Oskanian Receives Mayor of Grenoble Michel Destot

On 2 October, Minister Oskanian received a delegation of France’s Isere
canton and Grenoble city headed by Grenoble’s Mayor Michel Destot. The
delegation visited Armenia in the framework of developing Armenia-France
bilateral relations at a local level.

During the meeting, the parties expressed their appreciation for
Armenia-France relations aimed at development of South Caucasus countries
and European integration. In this context, they also addressed the priority
of development of cooperation at the local level. The parties also exchanged
ideas on formulation of specific cooperation programmes in areas of
education, healthcare and tourism development. The Mayor of Grenoble
informed the Minister that on October 3, a cooperation agreement will be
signed between France’s Grenoble and Armenia’s Gegharkunik region.

Grenoble maintains traditional ties with Armenians; this center of Armenian
community of Isere canton hosts several Armenian organizations. Michel
Destot, who is also a member of France’s National Assembly, informed the
Minister that several years ago, a monument symbolizing Armenian-French
friendship and commemoration of 1.5 million victims of 1915 Genocide was
installed at a square adjacent to the municipality of Grenoble.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE

04 October 2004

Bulgaria’s New Ambassador Stefan Dimitrov Hands Copy of His Credentials to
Minister Oskanian

Bulgaria’s newly appointed Ambassador, Stefan Dimitrov handed a copy of his
credentials to Minister Oskanian on 4 October. Prior to this appointment,
Stefan Dimitrov was the Charge d’Affaires of Bulgaria’s diplomatic mission.

During a meeting that followed the protocol ceremony, Armenia’s Foreign
Minister congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of his new appointment
and wished success to his high mission. The Minister expressed hope that new
ambassador will further strengthen the traditionally friendly relations
between the two countries which are important both for Armenia and the
entire region.

In his turn, Bulgaria’s new Ambassador highly appreciated the established
traditions of friendly relations between Armenia and Bulgaria and noted that
the present period offers favorable conditions for further development of
these relations. The Ambassador expressed confidence that the forthcoming
official visit of Bulgaria’s President to Armenia will render new momentum
to bilateral relations.

Information Note. Dr. Stefan Dimitrov was born in 1943. In 1969 he
graduated from geography and history department of the university. In 1984
he graduated from history and diplomatic relations department of Diplomatic
Academy in Moscow and received a doctoral decree in history in 1988. Since
1975, Dr. Dimitrov has held various positions in Bulgaria’s Foreign
Ministry. He worked in Cuba and Nicaragua, served as Charge d’Affaires in
Columbia. Since 2003, Dr. Dimitrov served as a Charge d’Affaires of Bulgaria’s
embassy in Armenia.

ATAYAN READINGS

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

Every year on these days Atayan Readings are held in NKR. Ivan Atayan,
the first and last teacher from Artsakh honoured as Soviet People’s
Teacher, the director of the village school, was famous in the union
for training excellent specialists of physics. During this traditional
gathering the participants remember the great teacher and the
excellent specialist of physics, as wellas make practical steps to
improve the educational system, which was especially obvious this
year. At the gathering in the Artsakh State University were present
the best specialists of physics and mathematics of all the regions of
the republic, as well as the participants of the fourth conference of
young physicists from Armenia who are in NKR on these days. In his
address the minister of education, culture and sport Armen Sarghissian
highly praised this undertaking which has already become a tradition
being held for the forth time. The Ministry awarded the medal
`I. Atayan’ to a group of physicists from Artsakh and Armenia. The
rector of the ArSU H. Grigorian, emphasized the achievements of I.
Atayan not only as a teacher, and also pointed out his political
activity. He was among the avant-garde of the Artsakh movement and was
involved in the delegation that went to Moscow on the question of
Artsakh. And in the period of ` safanovshina’ his home became the
secret place of gathering for theleaders of the movement. There were
reports by specialists of Artsakh and Armenia on the sphere of cadres.

SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.
06-10-2004

NEW BOOK OF PROBLEMS

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

There is need for specialized literature in the field of physics in
the Armenian language. This time the specialist were presented with
the first volume of the book `Problems in Physics: Types and Methods
of Solutionâ=80=9D, co-authored by Kamo Atayan and his colleagues from
Yerevan. The presentation of the book was held in the framework of the
fourth conference of young physicists and Atayan Readings, and the
four co-authors of the book were present. The bookis of great
importance for the teachers and students of physics. Each type of the
problems is preceded by a theoretical part where examples are observed
as well. The book contains more than 900 problems with keys to their
solution. The book also contains tables. The second volume of the book
will come out next year.

SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.
06-10-2004

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA IS A PRIORITY

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

On September 30 the art director and conductor of the Artsakh
Symphonic Orchestra Gevorg Muradian gave a press conference for the
local and foreignmass media. The problems and aims of the orchestra
were also presented by concertmaster Ashot Jenterejian and the
director of the orchestra Simon Sarghissian. Gevorg Muradian pointed
out that the arrival of the 12 musicians from Yerevan does not pursue
mercantile aims. The aim is to create a strong and integrated team,
and also establish a quality school of violin (if possible also alt
and cello) in Artsakh. `That our ideas, problems and aims were
approvedand assisted by the NKR government and the Armenian General
Benevolent Union is the evidence to the fact that the creation of the
state symphonic orchestra is of national importance.’ The conductor of
the orchestra believes that the mass media can contribute to this
undertaking by covering the activity of the orchestra not only in
Artsakh but also in Armenia and the Diaspora. `If the orchestra is to
make achievements, these should be displayed to public, as we consider
thisto have a political context as well,’ said Gevorg Muradian. In
reference to the establishment of the school of violin in Artsakh
Ashot Jenterejian emphasized that these two years (the term of the
contracts of the musicians) are not enough for such an important
process which will take at least 5-6 years. Mr. Jenterejian said that
three musicians already work at the Shoushi Music School after
D. Ghazarian. Gevorg Muradian said that as distinct of the Shoushi
Music School the music schools of Stepanakert did not apply to
them. The conductor has not met yet with the director of the musical
college to decide on the worksof the musicians from Yerevan. In
reference to the local musicians, Mr. Jenterejian did not hide that
there are problems with them, mainly of professional character which
will be solved by all means. According to him, these are purely the
problems of the experienced musicians and they are ready to do their
best for overcoming similar difficulties. In reference to the question
of how the problem of musicians will be solved after the expiry of the
two-year contract, the concertmaster and the conductor mentioned that
the problem may be solved through cooperation of the both ministries
of culture, by either alternative military service, or arrangement
between the ministries and the conservatoire of Yerevan to send
graduates of the conservatoire to work in the orchestra.

SUSANNA BALAYAN.
06-10-2004

Armenia and Bulgaria to boost cooperation in transport

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
5 Oct 04

[Presenter] Armenian and Bulgarian businessmen discussed economic
cooperation between the two countries during a business forum held in
Yerevan today. The Armenian and Bulgarian presidents [Robert Kocharyan
and Georgi Purvanov] also took part in the forum. Robert Kocharyan
gave assurances that the Bulgarians would find reliable partners in
the form of Armenian businessmen. The president also stressed that
Armenia has a special attitude to the development of economic
relations with Bulgaria because of Bulgaria’s world position and its
experience along the road to European integration.

[Correspondent over video of forum] Several hundred businessmen
including the Bulgarian delegation today visited various Armenian
enterprises. The agreements signed during these meetings, as President
of the Armenian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen
Kazaryan said, exceeded all expectations. Agreements were signed in
the spheres of machine building, the production of beverages,
cosmetics, pharmacology.

[Kazaryan] We attached great importance to the Bulgarian SOMAT [road
haulage] company’s intention. This company is supplying us with
ferries to transport vehicles between Georgia and Russia.

[Correspondent] The Bulgarian ports of Varna and Burgas are the main
road and window to the European markets for Armenia. Therefore the
Bulgarian company’s assistance is of great importance. They promise to
restore the ferry and to put it into operation from 15 to 25 October.

[Bulgarian Transport and Communications Minister, Nikolay Vasilev,
captioned, in Russian with Armenian voice over] This is also a part of
the TRACECA [Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia] programme which
is of great importance for the European Union, as this road is an
alternative road to Russia. I am sure that as a result the volume of
import and export will be increased.

[Correspondent] The Bulgarian minister said that with his Armenian
counterpart [Armenian Communication and Transport Minister Andranik
Manukyan] they agreed on the main issue, the opening of a direct
airline route between our capitals [Sofia-Yerevan], which will be
implemented next year.

[Passage omitted: Kocharyan and Purvanov interested in further
improving cooperation]]

Azeri foreign minister urges OSCE to stop sitting on fence over Karabakh

MPA news agency
6 Oct 04

Baku, 6 October: “The resettlement of Armenian families in occupied
Nagornyy Karabakh goes against international law, and the OSCE should
express its attitude to this fact,” Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov said at a meeting with the heads of the OSCE missions in
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, Maurizio Pavesa, Roy Reeve and
Vladimir Pryakhin respectively. Mammadyarov hoped that that the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict would be settled peacefully with the
help of the international community, including the OSCE.

[Passage omitted: Mammadyarov met German expert]

Council of Europe urges Azerbaijan to honour commitments

Assa-Irada
6 Oct 04

Baku, 5 October: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
today discussed a resolution on Azerbaijan’s commitments to the
Council of Europe. The resolution says that serious reforms have been
conducted in the country following Ilham Aliyev’s election as
Azerbaijani president in 2003, and this was important from the
viewpoint of honouring Azerbaijan’s commitments as a member of the
Council of Europe. As far as foreign policy is concerned, the
resolution points out that Azerbaijan has been conducting a
pro-European independent foreign policy. At the same time, the
resolution stresses the possibility of tension within the government
which could lead to slowing down the pace of the current reforms in
the face of the president’s wish to have them speedily implemented.

In addition, the resolution demands that the government and parliament
resolve a number of issues. These demands include clearing up cases of
human rights violations during and after the presidential elections,
pardoning seven opposition activists arrested after the elections,
resolving the issue of political prisoners in full, eliminating
problems with regard to freedom of the press, publishing the
presidential election results in every polling station and punishing
those guilty of election fraud.

There was a discussion on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as
well. Rapporteur Mevlut Cavusoglu [Turkish MP] said that while being a
Council of Europe member, Armenia occupies one-fifth of the territory
of another Council of Europe member country, Azerbaijan. The Council
of Europe should take serious measures to address this issue, he
added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Finnish foreign minister discusses disputed enclave during visit to Armenia

AP Worldstream
Oct 05, 2004

A disputed enclave whose status has prevented Armenia and neighboring
Azerbaijan from normalizing relations topped discussions between
Finland’s foreign minister and top Armenian officials, Armenia’s
foreign ministry said Tuesday.

In meetings with Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Erkki Tuomioja
also discussed Armenia’s efforts to strengthen economic and political
ties with Europe and Armenia’s relations with its giant neighbor and
historic adversary to the south, Turkey, according to the Armenian
ministry.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war in the early 1990s that ended with
a cease-fire in 1994. No final settlement has been reached, however,
as the two countries remain at odds over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave,
which ethnic Armenians seized after heavy fighting.

Tuomioja and his Armenian counterpart, Vardan Oskanyan, also signed
new agreements on defense and investment, the ministry said.

Before coming to Yerevan, Tuomioja was in Baku, the Azerbaijani
capital, meeting with top officials for discussions on
Nagorno-Karabakh and bilateral trade.