A1 Plus | 20:49:11 | 20-09-2004 | Politics |

NEW TIMES REACTED TO BABAYAN RELEASE BY ISSUING NEW STATEMENT

On Friday, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s president Arkadi Ghukasyan
granted amnesty to Karabakh war hero general Samvel Babayan convicted
of masterminding the president assassination attempt and being kept in
jail for 4.5 years.

New Times party came up with a statement Monday reminding another
statement issued recently by the party’s leader Aram Karapetyan
together with Constitutional Right party chair Grant Khachaytryan. The
statement demanded immediate release of the general from
detention. “Refusal to release Samvel Babayan will be taken as another
move against creation of unity and atmosphere of tolerance”, the then
statement said.

In its new statement, New Times party is welcoming the authorities’
retarded but cautious decision.

The party hopes that “proposals made by us beforehand on political and
economic reforms, a part of which are now at the stage of
implementation, will be put into reality quicker than before”.

Washington Times, DC
Sept 20 2004

Response gone awry

By Ariel Cohen

Three days after the tragedy of Beslan ended, we sat for more than 3½
hours with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Between picking up the pieces of the worst terrorist attack to
date in Russia and planning a massive power consolidation, the
energetic Russian leader still found time to meet with leading
Western scholars and journalists, answering our questions at length,
totally unscripted.
Unfiltered, Mr. Putin was a strange mix of tough pragmatism and
Soviet nostalgia. He was shaken by Walkie-Talkie intercepts of
terrorists shooting children in Beslan “for fun” and by the horrible
conditions in northern Russian camps to which Josef Stalin exiled the
Chechens 60 years ago. “The first Chechen war was probably a
mistake,” Mr. Putin said. But what about the second war he started in
1999?

Mr. Putin repeatedly bemoaned the passing of the Soviet “great
power” – 13 years after its demise. He recognized Soviet ideology
suppressed real ethnic conflicts, and that new secure borders have
not been erected. Yet he also questioned the sovereignty of
neighboring countries such as Georgia. Today, Russia is slowly
absorbing its constituent parts, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while
thwarting Chechen bids to secede.
President Putin missed an opportunity to reach out to the U.S.
after the horror of Beslan. In response to my question, he launched a
long tirade about the Soviet Union and United States releasing the
jinni of terror from its bottle.
He believes the Western powers want to keep Russia down by
supporting Chechen separatism, noting Britain and the U.S. granted
asylum to some Chechen leaders, and that Western intelligence
services maintain contacts with Chechen fighters.
As an intelligence professional, Mr. Putin should appreciate the
difference between information gathering and operational support.
Instead, he overstated his view of the West’s desire to create an
irritant for Russia. In an earlier speech to the nation, Mr. Putin
went further, saying foreign powers are interested in dismembering
Russia and neutralizing it as a nuclear power. Nevertheless, he is
open to antiterrorism cooperation, and indicated “professionals” on
both sides are thus engaged.
President Putin left enough common ground to believe cooperation
is possible with the West in the war on terror. He called President
Bush a “good, decent man,” a reliable and predictable partner,
someone he can “feel as a human being.”
From his remarks, it is clear Mr. Putin genuinely likes George
Bush and wants him re-elected, something media at the event
studiously ignored. After all, doesn’t John Kerry say foreign leaders
are support him?
Mr. Putin three times mentioned Russia, the U.S. and Western
Europe belong to “Christian civilization and European culture,” to
which a prominent French writer for Le Monde commented maybe Russia
does but not the United States.
Mr. Putin has the global geopolitics right, especially when it
comes to connections between the Chechen and other radical Islamist
terrorists in the Northern Caucasus, to global jihadi sources of
funding, political-religious indoctrination and volunteer recruitment
and training.
He criticized the West for allowing fund-raising for the Chechen
cause from Michigan to London to Abu Dhabi, but seemed unaware the
U.S. Treasury recently busted Al Haramain, a Saudi global “charity”
connected to Osama bin Laden, involved in supporting the Chechens.
Mr. Putin also correctly noted the West shouldn’t want to see
terrorists come to power anywhere on Earth, should not demand anyone
negotiate with child killers, and that it is not in Western interests
to see the Russian Federation dismembered.
It is the Russian president’s actions after Beslan, more than his
rhetoric, which point to missed opportunities in the wake of Russia’s
September 11. Instead of revamping, retraining and reorganizing
Russia’s antiterrorist and security services, Mr. Putin has opted for
massively recentralizing power. In doing so, he is taking the country
back to a future reminiscent of the czarist era. Mr. Putin
essentially is applying the 19th century Russian imperial model and
the Soviet security state apparatus to a 21st century state rife with
terror and corruption.
Nostalgia for the Soviet past may beget new authoritarianism, as
Presidents Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev warned in their Sept.
16, 2004 interviews. In this crisis, the Russian president has
empowered himself and his inner circle, not the people of Russia.
Presidential appointment of Russia’s 89 regional governors instead of
popular elections, and establishment of a disempowered and toothless
“public chamber” to oversee security services instead of effective
civilian controls will not solve Russia’s terrorism problems.
The security services that failed to prevent or resolve the
Beslan tragedy and Mr. Putin has not reformed after five years in
office are still a Soviet-style, quasi-totalitarian political control
mechanism. They are not the hat Russia needs to wear in confronting
modern local and global terrorism.
Islamist jihadi terrorism is a new enemy – not the old enemy of
the Cold War. In response, Russia’s antiterror approach needs
rethinking and revamping, with new structures for the 21st century
set up to deal with global terrorism.
A new anti-terror doctrine and effective organizational structure
to coordinate intelligence and operations are needed. The U.S., Great
Britain and Israel can offer help. The time for cooperation against a
common enemy is now.
The Bush administration, however, faces a real challenge in
Russia’s questioning of Georgia’s sovereignty in the Caucausus and
playing fast and loose with her post-Soviet borders.
By trying to pull South Ossetia and Abkhazia into Moscow’s orbit,
the Kremlin also may strengthen Chechen separatism. This policy opens
the doors to revising other borders, such as Northern Kazakhstan,
Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, and even Nagorno-Karabakh.
Undermining the territorial integrity of neighbors is unacceptable to
the U.S. and dangerous for Russia.
In crises, countries and leaders fall back on their time-tested
political instincts and patterns. Mr. Putin’s recentralization proves
Russia after its barbaric terrorist trauma is no exception.

Ariel Cohen is research fellow in Russian and Eurasian studies at
the Heritage Foundation. He had tea Sept. 6 with Russian President
Vladimir Putin and a group of foreign policy experts.

Major oil pipeline to be built on time despite Georgian public protest
– BP chief

A-Info news agency, Akhalkalaki
13 Sep 04

Akhalkalaki, 13 September: Despite the existing problems with
residents of Georgia’s Borjomi and Akhalkalaki Districts, the
construction of the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, in general, will be finished at the end of October, the
president of BP Azerbaijan, David Woodward has said.

He said that neither the residents’ protests nor the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict would have an influence on the pipeline
construction. ”Enough people are working on the construction of the
pipeline, which will allow us to finish it on time,” Woodward said.

But it cannot be ruled out that the residents of Borjomi and
Akhalkalaki Districts will attempt to hinder the construction.

National Geographic
Sept 20 2004

Noah’s Ark Quest Dead in Water — Was It a Stunt?

Stefan Lovgren
for National Geographic News

In April businessman and Christian activist Daniel McGivern announced
with great fanfare a planned summer expedition to Mount Ararat in
Turkey. The project, he said, would prove that the fabled Noah’s ark
was buried there.
Explorers have long searched for the ark on the Turkish mountain. At
a news conference in Washington, D.C., McGivern presented satellite
images, which he claimed show a human-made object – Noah’s ark – nestled
in the ice and snow some 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) up the mountain.

“We are not excavating it,” McGivern told the audience. “We’re going
to photograph it and, God willing, you’re all going to see it.” If
successful, he said, the discovery would be “the greatest event since
the resurrection of Christ.”

Noah’s Ark Quest Dead in Water — Was It a Stunt?

Stefan Lovgren
for National Geographic News
September 20, 2004

In April businessman and Christian activist Daniel McGivern announced
with great fanfare a planned summer expedition to Mount Ararat in
Turkey. The project, he said, would prove that the fabled Noah’s ark
was buried there.
Explorers have long searched for the ark on the Turkish mountain. At
a news conference in Washington, D.C., McGivern presented satellite
images, which he claimed show a human-made object – Noah’s ark – nestled
in the ice and snow some 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) up the mountain.

“We are not excavating it,” McGivern told the audience. “We’re going
to photograph it and, God willing, you’re all going to see it.” If
successful, he said, the discovery would be “the greatest event since
the resurrection of Christ.”

UP THE MOUNT ARARAT

Azg/am
21 Sept 04

Vahagn Gurzadian and Sver Aarset Repeated the Route of Parrot and
Abovian

On August 10 two members of the British Royal Astrological
Association, Vahagn Gurzadian and Sver Aarset, climbed the Biblical
mount of Ararat. Aarset managed to reach 3.800 m whereas Gurzadian
reached the top. They repeated the scientific expedition of professor
Parrot and Armenian writer Khachatur Abovian made 175 years ago in
1829.

The Northern slope of the mount has been a closed military zone since
1920, no foreigner was permitted. But the Turkish authorities gave
permission to the Aarset-Gurzadian expedition in view of their
scientific researches.

The English scientist, Sver Aarset is a prominent specialist in the
field of modeling the dynamics of the galaxies.

Vahagn Gurzadian is professor of the University of Rome, head of the
“Cosmologia” group in the Institute of Physics in Yerevan, board
member of “Euroscience”, organization elaborating the European
science. He is an editor of the US International Journal of Modern
Physics D and the British Advances in Astronomy and Astrophysics book
series.

The scientists had some experience of mountain climbing but the idea
of Ararat expedition came to them during Aarset’s visit to Yerevan
forcooperation with Gurzadian and his group.

During our short meeting Vahagn Gurzadian shared some interesting
details of the expedition with us.

“It was not an easy journey, there were several problems mainly at the
foot of the mount not up there”.

Before climbing Ararat we were on Aragats and then we left for
Kars. When we approached Ararat, the territory facing Armenia turned
to be a military zone with lot of armors and helicopters circling
above. At first they were very suspicious about us but in a while,
after finding out who we were and what our mission was, they suggested
to stay and set off the next day.

We chose the Abovian-Parrott route because it is the most natural one
from the Armenian side. Abovian and Parrott managed to climb just
after the 3-d try because of problems with aclimization. Our second
try was successful. The night before the climb we were wondering
whether our equipments would stand the glacier. Parrott’s diary that I
had with me helped me much, we could see that we were following their
route. I left Aarset on the height of 3000 m and continued up to 4.800
m. Even the professional mountaineers don’t take the risk of climbing
so up high at one stroke because the so-called mountain sickness
starts. I felt dizzy and decided to go back. It was not an easy
decision as I was not sure to make the second try.

Next morning we set off at 4.15. On 3.800 m Aarset decided not to
continue feeling that he is holding us back. He knew that Ararat was a
special symbol for me.

I feel kind of guilty that most of my friends in Armenia didn’t have
this chance. Even if they were here no one would let them join us. I
could never imagine that the climb to Ararat would be possible only
due to my scientific activity. I am very thankful to all those
contributing to our expedition, especially to Arax Gold company.

Besides the fact that we were on Ararat I think that our materials on
ancient monuments are not less important. We took the pictures of an
Armenian church situated at the altitude of 2.100 m, an Armenian
castle and other monumentsof archeology and architecture.

On our way back through Etchmiadzin we told His Holiness Karekin II
about our journey. By the way, Parrott also visited Etchmiadzin but
before the climb, and there the Catholicos presented the 20-year-old
interpreter, Khachatur Abovian.

By Melania Badalian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 13:27:22 | 20-09-2004 | Social |

FREE HEALTH CARE FOR JOURNALISTS

On Monday Armen Soghoyan, chief of Public health and social security
department of Yerevan’s municipality, told journalists all health care
clinics announced open house for media representatives on September 25
to provide them with opportunity of free medical examination.

Journalists wondered why media representatives? Maybe they are
reckoned to be among the low-income members of society living in
reduced circumstances?

Journalists were surprised when Soghoyan said the idea had been
conceived in journalists’ trade union – nobody has ever heard about
that institution.

The municipality official also says this year the medical clinics’
budget is to rise from current 24,9 billion to 31,7.

A1 Plus | 13:50:38 | 20-09-2004 | Politics |

ARMENIAN MP DIED

Member of Armenian National Assembly Mushegh Movsisyan, who was
severely injured in car crash on May 28, died this Saturday after four
months in hospital without recovering consciousness.

Funeral will be held Monday in his native village of Aygek.

Parliament speaker and Movsisyan’s colleagues expressed their
condolences to his relatives.

EU: Caucasus states cannot join Europe before rows settled

20.09.2004

Yerevan. (Interfax) – The South Caucasus states cannot integrate into Europe
before they resolve disputes between them, European Commission President
Romano Prodi said on Sunday.

Prodi told a news conference in Yerevan that was unclear today whether any of
the South Caucasus countries had a chance of ever becoming a full European
Union member.

But he said that six months ago he could not even dream of the possibility of
Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Georgia being invited to join the EU New Neighbours
program.

He said the extent to which the EU would carry its relations with each of the
three countries would depend on the nation’s economic and democratic
development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 16:32:42 | 17-09-2004 | Politics | author: Lena Badeyan |

A1+ STILL MENACING THE ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES

PACE N 1374 resolution in April set strict demands to Armenia. “A1+” TV
Company problem was particularly stated in the resolution. At the sitting of
PACE Monitoring Commission in Paris where implementation of Armenia’s
commitments was discussed, at attempt was made to relax the requirements to
Armenia and to remove “A1+” issue out of discussion.

Q: Armenia’s delegation member in PACE Shavarsh Kocharyan having partaken in
the sitting in Paris is answering our questions.

A: In fact, an attempt was made to connect solution to “A1+” problem with
change of the members for TV and Radio National Committee. And that could
mean foiling of “A1+” issue. It is senseless to wait until the staff is
changed. It was a success that those 2 issues weren’t combined – “A1+” and
change of Committee members.

Q: Actually, does “A1+” problem remain actual and is it stated in a special
plank of the report?

A: Naturally, it is. The document again mentions “A1+” problem. It is not a
final resolution. The final one will be in January. Thankfully the attempt
to take “A1+” issue out of agenda failed.

Q: How is the point regarding “A1+” phrased in the official paper?

A: I will give the wording to you later. There were 2 suggestions concerning
the issue, mine and the one by a Ukrainian MP. In fact, we joined our
suggestions and reached the point that Commission voted for our joint
proposal.

Q: What will be if “A1+” problem is not settled by January resolution?

A: Unfortunately, PACE has no key factors. Abeyance of the delegation
commissions is the only one. There is no other instrument, except the
uninterrupted mentioning of the problem. In general, Strasburg Court is more
essential. If there is a proper decision of Strasburg Court, it means the
decision must be fulfilled.

Q: In one of the interviews Tigran Torosyan said that Jaskernia had thanked
the Armenian Authorities for cooperation. Opposition wasn’t mentioned. Didn’
t you cooperate with Mr. Jaskernia?

A: No, Jaskernia stated that Opposition had allowed him information, too.
Opposition has given much more information than Authorities.

Armenian defence minister, US envoy discuss Karabakh

Armenian Radio First Programme, Yerevan
20 Sep 04

The secretary of the National Security Council under the Armenian
president and defence minister, Serzh Sarkisyan, today received the
newly-appointed US ambassador to Armenia, John Evans.

John Evans said that he was ready to cooperate with the Armenian
Defence Ministry as well as with the government. The sides also talked
about the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents’ [Robert Kocharyan and
Ilham Aliyev] meeting in Astana [on 15 September], stressing that
these bilateral meetings have a positive impact on the peaceful
settlement of the [Karabakh] conflict.

Speaking about the activity of the OSCE [Minsk Group] co-chairmen,
Minister Serzh Sarkisyan stressed: “I consider that the last 10 years
of peace is also the result of the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts.”

Both sides expressed their regret over the cancellation of NATO’s
Cooperative Best Effort 2004 exercises in Baku. The sides also
discussed a peaceful settlement to the Karabakh conflict and issues of
regional security.