TOLL SYSTEM ‘WILL ADD TO BURDEN’
by Bassam Za’za’ and Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporters
Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
December 19, 2004
Motorists publicly denounced the proposed toll system yesterday,
saying the new fee would only add to their already rapidly rising
cost of living.
Armen Hagobian, an Armenian manager who works in the tourism industry,
said the proposed toll system was a bad idea.
“I don’t think I can pay any fils for entering or leaving Dubai. On
the contrary, I believe that I should be paid for promoting Dubai
and bringing in tourists.
“If that means any additional infrastructure, which makes my life
easier, then I would agree to pay. Otherwise, I live in Sharjah because
the rents are much more affordable and reasonable than they are Dubai.
“If the authorities install the toll system, I am ready to leave my
Dubai office and move elsewhere.”
Ayman, a salesman working in a company in Dubai, echoed the same
feelings. “I live in Ajman and work in Dubai. I have to travel to
Dubai four times a day. I cannot afford an apartment in Dubai because
the rents are high.
“So what will I do after the implementation of the toll system? How
much do I have to pay per month? Shall I travel by boat to reach work
every day?” Ayman asked.
“If they offer cheap flats in Dubai, I will be the first to live
there, but it is too expensive for low income families,” said Amir,
a Pakistani.
Haytham Al Shami, a traffic analyst, said the use of a toll tax will
reduce traffic but it should be used during peak hours only and not
on the weekends. “If it is applied in a fair way, with a fair toll,
it is a good way to reduce traffic,” he said.
“Such a toll system is adopted in London, Paris and many other European
cities,” he said.
Jad Mustafa, a 25-year-old Lebanese who works as an account executive,
disagreed.
“This toll will increase workers’ expenses by Dh250 to Dh300 a month.
This system will increase traffic congestion if motorists were required
to stop and pay.
“Many Sharjah residents will be forced to move to Dubai. Some might
even leave the country because the only reason that brought them
here is to earn a living and save. The toll system will make life
more expensive. It’s going to be a huge burden.
“In the past few years, the cost of living in the UAE has taken off
like a rocket. The daily living expenses are increasing, and our
salaries are not,” said Mustafa.
Jamal Saif, newly married UAE national and government employee,
said he is against the toll system.
“We cannot afford to pay for petrol, especially after it recently
increased. Prices of food, vegetables, beverages and clothing have
also increased.
“I cannot imagine myself paying the toll. We already pay taxes,
known as road fees, about Dh250 in Dubai and Dh150 in Sharjah, when
renewing our car registration.”
Saif lives behind Al Qasimi hospital. He spends about three to four
hours a day on the roads between Sharjah and Dubai.
“Before installing the toll system, the authorities should consult the
people. If this toll system goes ahead, it would be an unreasonable
and illogical decision.
“I believe the government should be more careful when issuing new
drivers’ licences. Selling new cars to new drivers should also be
monitored,” he said.
A merchant at one shopping complex in Dubai said the toll system
would have a negative impact on business in Dubai.
“Citizens from other emirates come to Dubai for shopping. The toll
on entering the city, no matter how little, will drive them away,”
he said.
“Before installing the toll system, the authorities should consult
the people.
If this toll system goes ahead, it would be an unreasonable and
illogical decision.”

Love, threats and a murder mystery
by ANGELA KAMPER
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
December 20, 2004 Monday
He was found bashed on the footpath. His van’s engine was still
running. Was the motive road rage, debt or retribution? ANGELA
KAMPER reports
IT is a mystery that has perplexed a coroner while giving a curious
insight into a slice of Sydney.
Akop Kishmishian, a 20-year-old refugee from Georgia, was bashed with
a steering-wheel lock in Liverpool St, Cabramatta, during the early
hours of April 19, 2001. He died from head injuries in hospital three
weeks later.
In the months leading up to his death, Mr Kishmishian ended a brief
relationship with Russian- born Anna Musicco.
The 28-year-old waitress met him through friends and dated him while
still sharing a Cabramatta apartment with her husband, Stephen Musicco.
Her parents had allegedly paid Mr Musicco $20,000 to marry their
daughter so that she could legally live in Australia.
For Mrs Musicco the affair she had with Mr Kishmishian “wasn’t really
a relationship, it was just casual sex,” she told Westmead Coroners
Court last week, but for the Armenian national it was much more.
He had allegedly followed her and phoned her repeatedly after the
break up.
In March 2001 he burst through the front door of a Kirribilli apartment
she was staying in looking for her.
That day Mr Kishmishian, a cleaner, was with his business partner,
Vardan Sahakian, who told the court he could not calm his colleague
down.
“I said forget about it, just forget about it but he was madly in
love,” Mr Sahakian recalled.
In his evidence he said Anna was rescued by her tall, large-framed
Russian friend Andrei Diatlov.
Mr Diatlov arrived at the apartment and allegedly warned Mr Kishmishian
not to return screaming the words: “I’m going to kill him”.
Mr Sahakian, who spent several hours driving around Sydney with Mr
Kishmishian for work, said his workmate had abused drivers several
times.
“I always told Akop this was not a sensible way of behaving in an
Australian environment,” Mr Sahakian told the court.
A Cabramatta resident who witnessed the murder about 12.45am on April
19, 2001, told the court he saw a man hitting Mr Kishmishian six to
eight times, however his vision was obscured because of the darkness
and shrubs on his front lawn.
“One of the voices sounded like a female,” the resident said.
“The female voice that I heard … the English was not that good.”
The witness said he also heard the attacker yelling: “That’s what
you get for not listening” and “I want my money”.
“I thought it was a hooker deal gone wrong,” the witness told the
court.
The same witness said he saw a white car leave the scene with the
letter “U” in the centre of the number plate.
On Friday Mr Diatlov denied any involvement in the murder and told
the court he was nowhere near Cabramatta that morning.
He said he was drinking vodka, eating Russian dumplings and watching
films at a friend’s Redfern apartment in the company of Mrs Musicco
and others.
“I remember the vodka, I pay $40 and the vodka was crap,” he told
the court. “We watch a movie, have a little bit of vodka and then go
to sleep.”
When asked by counsel assisting the inquiry Leesa McEvoy who else could
have murdered Mr Kishmishian he suggested it could have been “a Turk.”
“The Turkish will kill any Armenian they see” he said.
He also suggested it could have been the husband of a Muslim woman
that Mr Kishmishian was also having an affair with.
The court heard the Muslim woman had been interviewed by police
but insisted her husband knew nothing about her relationship with
Mr Kishmishian.
Deputy State Coroner Carl Milovanovich decided that Mr Kishmishian
had been murdered by an unknown person.
He will refer the matter to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Unit and
will be making recommendations for a reward to be posted in the hope
of further information coming to light.

Armenian official calls for Iran’s fuel
MehrNews.com, Iran
Dec 19 2004
TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) – Khachaturian, the governor-general of
Armenian Siunik Province on Sunday called for Iran to provide fuel
and fertilizers required by the farmers of his province. According
to ISNA, Khachaturian visiting governor-general of the Iranian East
Azarbaijan Province, Mohammad Ali Sobhanollahi said that Iran-Armenia
ties and East Azarbaijan-Siunik relations should be in the way to
represent a model for other provinces.
“We attempt to carry out the previously made contracts between the
two provinces coupled with fulfilling duties in implementation of
contracts signed by presidents of Iran and Armenia”, he stated.
The Armenian governor-general also said that dam construction and
the third electricity transmission line are among projects that are
presently being implemented between the two countries.
In his part, Sobhanollahi said, “Our cooperation in agricultural,
medical, and sanitary fields has been started, as presently Siunik
exports cement and meat to East Azarbaijan. In return, we can help
Siunik modernize its agricultural sector.”
In conclusion, the Iranian governor-general called for the
re-establishment of Tabriz-Yerevan airline as well as removing the
impediments in expansion of ties between the two provinces.

Head of Kazakh bank shot dead while hunting
Reuters
12/19/04 08:05 ET
ALMATY, Dec 19 (Reuters) – The head of Kazakhstan’s second largest
bank TuranAlem, Yerzhan Tatishev, died on Sunday in a shooting accident
while hunting wolves, the government spokesman said.
Government spokesman Murat Buldekbayev said Tatishev had died on a
hunting expedition in the Central Asian state’s southern region near
the border with Kyrgyzstan.
“He died at about noon,” he said. “His death was caused by a lethal
gunshot wound to his head, due to incautious use of firearms,” he
added. He gave no further details.
Three days ago Tatishev, 37, had unveiled during a visit to Russia
TuranAlem’s ambitious strategy to borrow $1.5 billion next year.
The rapidly growing bank, which has bought several banks in Russia,
Ukraine and Belarus and eyes new acquisitions in Armenia, Azerbaijan
and ex-Soviet Georgia, plans to issue a 7-year, $200-million Eurobond
in the first quarter of 2005.
Earlier this month the bank said it also planned to raise around $350
million via a rouble bond issue in Russia next year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘Aggressor unequivocally turned into object of reproach’ – President
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 18 2004
President Ilham Aliyev stated with regard to the closeness observed of
late in the Armenia-Iran relations that bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan, which pursues an independent foreign policy course,
and Iran should meet both countries’ interests.
The President pointed that the dialogue between the two countries has
intensified and that this country has repeatedly supported Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity with regard to the Upper Garabagh conflict.
As for Iran’s relations with other countries, Aliyev termed this as
this country’s prerogative.
He emphasized the importance of taking into account every process
that takes place in the region in maintaining relations.
“I hope that the aggressor has unequivocally turned into an object
of reproach for the sake of peace and stability, and international
organizations and regional states should state their position on the
issue as well.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
Dec 15 2004
The issue of improving transport communication between two states
discussed by RA Prime-Minister and RF State Duma Chairman
RA President and Chairman of Russian Duma discuss bilateral relations
Photo-exhibition of photographer Zaven Khachikyan “We are All from
Childhood” is opened in Yerevan
On Dec 15- 25 photo exhibition “The World as Children See It” to be
held in Yerevan
RA National Security Service is worried about frequency of the cases
of telephone terrors
The Chairman of State Duma of RF Boris Gryzlov has meetings in RA NA
*********************************************************************
THE ISSUE OF IMPROVING TRANSPORT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO STATES
DISCUSSED BY RA PRIME-MINISTER AND RF STATE DUMA CHAIRMAN
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. The issue of improving transport
communication between two states was discussed by RA Prime-Minister
Andranik Margaryan and RF State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov.
According to RA Government’s Press Service Department, Gryzlov
emphasized that Russian side holds active negotiations to involve
Armenia into North-South transport corridor, to open Caucasus-Poti
ferry crossing and to restore the Abkhazian part of the railway,
which is economically profitable to Armenia and Russia.
Speaking of involvement of Armenia into regional economic and
transport programs, Margaryan said that Armenia expects support from
Russian MPs in the issue of opening the Armenian-Turkish border and
restoring Tbilisi-Gyumri-Ghars highway communication.
The sides discussed the process of compliance with the commitments
stipulated in the agreement “Property for Debt”, noting mutual
interest in relaunching enterprises. MArgaryan and Gryzlov discussed
the possibility of developing cooperation in the sphere of SME, and
noted here the important role of the Association of Armenian-Russian
Business Cooperation.
Margaryan attached high importance to visits at high level for even
more strengthening and development of bilateral relations. In his
turn Gryzlov noted the efficiency of the visit of Margaryan to RF,
which took place in July 2004. The parties agreed that the
interaction between the governments would be difficult to establish
without the encouragement of two parliaments and expressed hope that
the efforts of the RF and RA government will find the support on the
part of legislators in future as well. A.H. –0—
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIAN DUMA DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian and
Chairman of Russian Duma Boris Gryzlov discussed bilateral relations
in the context of political, economic and international cooperation
and from positions of legal correspondence, RA President’s press
office told ARKA. Kocahrian noted that during 2004 structure of
goods’ turnover between the two countries seriously improved. And
Gryzlov added that high level of Armenian-Russian relations allow
achievement of big results in this direction. The parties paid
attention to oncoming sitting of Armenian-Russia interstate
commission that will take place in the end of Dec in Moscow.
The parties also exchanged views on activation of transport
communications between Russia and Armenia, namely railway
communication and ferry complex Caucasus. The parties also discussed
international and regional situation. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
PHOTO-EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHER ZAVEN KHACHIKYAN “WE ARE ALL FROM
CHILDHOOD” IS OPENED IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. Photo-exhibition of photographer Zaven
Khachikyan “We are All from Childhood”is opened in Yerevan today and
is devoted to the 10th anniversary of work of UNICEF. According to
Khachikyan, he tried to show the reality in which the majority of
children of the country lives. “We should remember one of the rules
of a theatre, when there is a balance between the scene and the
audience, and achieve such a dialogue in the society by this analogy
“, he said. According to the author of photos, in order to go
forward, it’s necessary to go back to childhood for some time and “to
see the real life of children in order to improve it in future “. He
emphasized the importance of the role of NGOs in it. About 30 works
of the author are exhibited. The exhibition will last till December
19.
In the framework of the exhibition a report “Social Monitoring-2004″
of the Innochenti” research center was presented. It was devoted to
the economic growth and poverty among children in Central and East
Europe, as well as in Baltic states and CIS.
The exhibition was organized by the Armenian representative office of
UNICEF and “West-East” center of photojournalism. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
ON DEC 15- 25 PHOTO EXHIBITION “THE WORLD AS CHILDREN SEE TO BE HELD
IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/ Photo exhibition “The World as Children
See It” of “Manana” Youth Educational Cultural Center is opened in
Yerevan. According to Rouzana Baghdasaryan, the art managerof the
center, the exhibition will last till December 25. According to her,
the arrangements of the center that were traditionally held on the
Children Communication International Day, have their certain goals.
“The photo exhibition aims to reflect the conditions of life of
children by means of the films shot by the students of the center, as
well as by means of hand-made produce and photos”, she said.
Baghdasaryan noted that 4 new films will be shown during the
exhibition, and some one-minute reels. Also sale of picture post
cards and photos will be organized and the finances gained from it
will go into the budget of the center.
The exhibition “The World as Children See It” is held with the
support of UNICEF.
“Manana” Youth Educational Cultural Center is an NGO, which develops
creative thinking among children at the age of 6-20. A.H.—0-
*********************************************************************
RA NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE IS WORRIED ABOUT FREQUENCY OF THE CASES
OF TELEPHONE TERRORS
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. RA National Security Service (NSS) is
worried about frequency of the cases of telephone terrors. According
to RA NSS’s press-release, “even pupils became infected with it”.
“Not understanding the rate of material and moral damage caused by it
and being sure that there will be no punishment, pupils try to be
heroes among children of the same age”, according to the
press-release. Thus, on Nov 27, a week later after the false call
telling about a bomb in the school after Chekhov, the Ambulancy
service received a similar call informing about a bomb under the
building. The operative –investigation operations conducted by NSS is
was found out that “the author of the call was a student of the 8th
grade, who found a new way for self-affirmation. NSS warns to refrain
from such activity. “We apply to parents and teachers with the
request to explain to children that such activity cause large damage
to the state and have an adverse psychological influence on the
society. Besides, such action is considered to be penal action”,
according to the press-release. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE CHAIRMAN OF STATE DUMA OF RF BORIS GRYZLOV HAS MEETINGS IN RA NA
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. The Chairman of State Duma of RF Boris
Gryzlov, who is in Armenia with an official visit, had meetings in RA
NA. According to RA NA Press Service Department, Gryzlov met the
Speaker of RA NA Arthur BAghdasaryan and discussed issues of
inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental cooperation. Then Chairmen
of standing committees, representatives of factions and deputy groups
of RA NA participated in the meting. The sides discussed cooperation
in the framework of CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly for the
development of model laws, enlargement of interregional relations,
cooperation in international organizations. They noted the efficiency
of work of Armenia-Russia inter-parliamentary commissions.
Baghdasaryan put emphasis on the necessity to launch 5 enterprises,
given to Russia in the framework of the agreement “Property for
Debt”, and noted that “people are looking forward to work places and
investments, as stipulated in the agreement”. The importance of
restoring railway communication between Russia and Armenia as well as
ferry crossing was noted. In return Gryzlov said that to make the
agreement enter force “everything possible” will be done. He stated
that the state budget 2005 assigns means for these purposes. He
promised that on returning to Moscow a special issue of discussions
will be that of restoration of railway and ferry communications.
Gryzlov evaluated the relations between RF and RA and friendly,
noting that Armenia is an advanced post in the South Caucasus. He
attached importance to developing even more inter-parliamentary
relations at the level of committees and commissions. It was noted
that in the end of December 2004 a session of intergovernmental
commission will be convoked, during which all the issues raised in
the parliament will be discussed to accelerate the process of taking
decisions. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
–Boundary_(ID_gMsRauBGPnHikUX+RpRk5w)–

Darchinyan wants a taste of Punch
December 20, 2004
Sydney Morning Herald , Australia
Dec 20 2004
Australia’s new flyweight world boxing champion Vic Darchinyan may
well go from receiving a pittance to a big payday for a proposed
first title defence against highly touted Brian Viloria in Hawaii.
Darchinyan, who moved to Australia and took out citizenship after
representing Armenia at the 2000 Olympics, returned to Sydney yesterday
from Florida where he took the International Boxing Federation title
with an 11th-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Colombian Irene
Pacheco.
“I always believed I could become world champion,” said Darchinyan,
who described himself as “an Armenian Australian”.
His trainer, Jeff Fenech, suggested economics would probably result
in Darchinyan’s first title occurring overseas.
Fenech revealed the 28-year-old fighter would probably finish up with
less than $20,000 from last week’s fight.
He said Darchinyan, and super-middleweight Danny Green, who
also received a small amount for his fight against Markus Beyer
in Germany last year, accepted small purses just to get a title
shot. However, Fenech indicated Darchinyan would make considerably
more for fighting Viloria, who has won all 16 of his professional
fights since representing the United States in the light-flyweight
division at the Sydney Olympics.
Advertisement AdvertisementFenech said a Florida-based promoter
who staged last Thursday’s fight wanted to match Darchinyan with
24-year-old Viloria, nicknamed the “Hawaiian Punch”, in a bout which
would be sure to attract the interest of American television.
“They [the promoter] are already talking about fighting in March in
Hawaii against Brian Viloria,” Fenech said. “They’ve made us an offer,
but now Viloria has to say yes.”
Fenech was confident about Darchinyan’s prospects against Viloria,
having seen his man spar the Hawaiian in his lead-up to the fight
against Pacheco. “We’d have no problem with Viloria but a fight is
different to sparring,” Fenech said.

Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2004
South Azerbaijan Human Rights Group addresses to the EP
Published: 19.12.2004
CASCFEN, Baku, 19.12.2004 — Shahin Ostajloo, Spokesman for South
Azerbaijan Human Rights Group (S.A.H.R) based in Europe has delivered
a copy of letter addressed to the members of the European Parliament
in regard to “strained relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia”
while the last has occupied about 20% of lands of the first.
Following is the text of the letter:
“We are a group of South Azerbaijan Human Rights who live in Europe.
We are in contact with our fellow countrymen in Azerbaijan, therefore
we have important informations about the strained relations between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is our belief that it is of the utmost
importance that EU or UN do interfere in the area now, before it is
too late to prevent another war to break out.
During summer 2004 we visited different refugee camps in Azerbaijan.
The people in the camps had fled from their homes when the Armenians
had occupied their country. More than 1 million people are living
under very bad conditions. They are in need of the most necessary
means to lead a decent life. Many of them are women and children who
have lost their husband/father during the war. They are totally
dependent of what help they can get from other people or
organisations. They are also a heavy burden for Azerbaijan.
People thought they were able to return to their homes after the war
stopped. But they were very wrong. Their hope of returning is
weakening as time goes by. Every day they receive bad news from
their homeland. Armenians have sacked their homes and sold their
belongings. The churchyards, historical and cultural monuments have
been destroyed. People feel that the western world don’t care much
about them. Nobody has spoken their cause in UN, and they are close
to loose faith in peace in the area.
They are living a life as a social bomb which can detonate any time
now. It is a huge tragedy to which the western countries close their
eyes. More than 20% of Azerbaijan is under Armenian occupation, and
there are no signs of them withdrawing. The Azerbaijan fugitives have
completely lost their faith in a peaceful solution. They now believe
that the only way to have their homes back is another war.
This is a disasterous development, because a new war in the area will
not be any good for any side in the conflict. On the contrary, it is
likely that a war will spread to more groups in the area. Therefore
it is necessary to prevent it and stop it before it starts.
That is why it is so important that democratic organisations in the
western world – especially the EU interfere in the conflict very
actively. Representatives from the EU ought to go to Azerbaijan
themselves to look into the conditions of the refugees on the very
spot. Pressure should be laid upon Armenia to withdraw from the
occupied areas. And the problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan
should be solved in a peaceful way.
The western world can do a lot to install peace right now, but it can
not do much, if another war breaks out in the area.”

King Vic wants to rule
By GRANTLEE KIEZA
Daily Telegraph, Australia
Dec 20 2004
VIC Darchinyan, Australia’s latest world boxing champion, returned
home to Sydney yesterday promising that the IBF flyweight title was
just the start of his world domination.
And Australia’s most powerful boxing official Ray Wheatley, who
orchestrated Darchinyan’s assault on the long-time IBF world champ
Irene Pacheco in Florida last Friday, says the new champ can keep the
crown for many years.
“Vic can dominate the flyweight title in the same way Kostya Tszyu
has ruled the junior-welterweights for nearly a decade” said
Wheatley, the IBF vice-president. “Kostya won the IBF
junior-welterweight title back in 1995 and then went on to crush the
champions of the other major boxing organisations – the WBC and WBA.
“I can see Vic doing the same thing.
“Irene Pacheco was a great champion who had held the title for five
years and had never lost in 30 fights dating back to 1993.
“He had been an exceptional champion for the IBF but with Jeff Fenech
calling the shots Vic came out and crushed him.”
Darchinyan, 28, used a series of left hooks to separate Pacheco from
his crown in round 11 and wants to apply the same brutal force to
Thailand’s WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wongjongkam, a pocket-sized
southpaw sharpshooter who shot down the title hopes of Fenech’s other
flyweight contender Hussein Hussein in Bangkok last year.
“I will crush Pongsaklek,” said Darchinyan, who was in Hussein’s
corner that night and has been licking his lips ever since for his
chance to tangle with the Thai terror.”
Darchinyan wants to make one defence of the IBF title – possibly
against Brian Viloria in Hawaii – and then go after the WBC champ.
He will enjoy a few weeks holiday with his parents who are coming out
from Armenia for three months to celebrate his triumph.
Then he will resume training with Hussein, who hopes to face WBO
champ Omar Narvaez of Argentina at Penrith Panthers on February 6.
It has been a remarkable rise for Darchinyan who lost in the
quarter-finals at the Sydney Olympics when representing Armenia and
using his real first name, Vakhtang.
Not long ago the fierce 51kg fighting force wanted to have his photo
taken with that other great Vic, Vic Patrick, but was too shy to ask.
Patrick was Australia’s great lightweight of the 40s and the pair
have a similar style, with a crab-like southpaw stance and awesome
power in both hands. But Darchinyan also boasts the intensity and
relentless aggression of his trainer.
“Vic is an incredibly strong guy,” said Fenech, who claims his
fighter can match his feats of three world titles at different
weights.
“Not only does Vic have tremendous power but he has great desire and
determination, too.
“He’d fight Mike Tyson if he had the chance and like Kostya he is
incredibly professional and focused on what he wants to achieve.”

Opposition Accused Of ‘Tempting’ Armenia’s Foes
By Hrach Melkumian 19/12/2004 08:54
Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
Dec 19 2004
Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian accused the opposition on Friday
of risking a military aggression against Armenia by portraying its
government as weak and illegitimate.
Sarkisian said “unfriendly states,” presumably Azerbaijan in the
first instance, are unaware of the political situation in Armenia
and therefore take seriously regular opposition predictions about
President Robert Kocharian’s imminent downfall.
“We pay a lot of attention to all those people who are trying to
blacken everything. Why am I saying this? Because this is a very
significant circumstance,” he told a round-table discussion of national
security issues in Yerevan.
“The temptation [among Armenia’s foes] is growing so much that they
think they can solve issues tomorrow with the force of weapons. You
see, a temptation is a very bad thing,” he added, apparently referring
to Azerbaijani threats to win back Nagorno-Karabakh by force.
The Armenian opposition, which does not accept the legitimacy of
Kocharian’s disputed reelection last year, tried unsuccessfully to
force him into resignation as recently as last spring. Some opposition
leaders now appear buoyed by the success of anti-government street
protests in Ukraine that are expected to lead to regime change. They
are reportedly regrouping for a fresh push for power.
A leading Azerbaijani newspaper claimed in a front-page article this
week that Armenia will likely become the next former Soviet republic
to have regime change as a result of a Western-backed “revolution.”
Sarkisian, who is widely regarded as the country’s second most powerful
man after Kocharian, also brushed aside the opposition’s pro-democracy
rhetoric, saying that the Armenian authorities are committed to free
elections and human rights. Democracy is vital for national security,
he added.
“We must definitely hold the best elections. We must definitely have
the most sophisticated society. We must be the most democratic and
humane country because the armies of such countries enjoy popular
love and respect. Such countries also have other powerful security
guarantees.”
Opposition leaders have repeatedly accused Sarkisian of being one of
the chief architects of serious fraud reported during last year’s
presidential and parliamentary elections. The defense chief was
Kocharian’s campaign manager at the time, a role which one Western
diplomat described as “at best questionable.”