Soul-hunting legalized in Armenia
Yerkir/am
October 15, 2004
Protection of rights of minorities of all kinds and colors has been so
widely spoken about in Armenia that it seems that either the majority
will soon have no rights at all or that to protect one’ rights one
will have to join a minority.
The Ministry of Justice gave another reason to think so by granting
official registration to Jehovah’s Witnesses. This registration will
no doubt be presented to the society in the context of freedom of
speech and freedom of conscience, adherence to European and universal
values and democracy. Some will try to present the registration
granted to the Jehovah’s Witnesses as another step forward on
Armenia’s way to integration with Europe.
This pathos will conceal the fact that the activities of religious
sects, especially Jehovah’s Witnesses, not only go against the
interests of our state and nation but pose a direct threat to our
statehood. Soul-hunting and open anti-national propaganda will now be
perfectly legal.
Refusal to serve in the army is also being legalized. Aren’t the
leaders of the country that is still in a situation of possible war
worried about this? Maybe they think that in case of a possible
attack on Armenia the documents protecting the rights of minorities
will protect the country as well.

LIGHTING CANDLES AGAINST JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
A1 Plus
19-10-2004
‘Rebelling against `Jehovah’s Witnesses’ comes to prove love of people
towards the Armenian Apostolic Church and does not oppose the
sectariansâ=80=9D, Clergyman Zohrab Kostanyan, Vice-Director of
`Shoghakat’ TVCompany said at the round table in Araratian Diocese.
Registration of JW caused his anxiety. `Law is imperfect. There aren’t
instruments to control activity of JW’, he says.
Robert Makaryan, Chairman of Student Board of Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, thinks JW was registered because there was the connivance
atmosphere of the society. He is sure marches and demonstrations must
be held to struggle against JW.
Karen Avagyan, Chairman of Student Board of Medical University
suggests launching student pickets. `As a result of them a committee
from social organizations must be set up, which will control all
these’, he said. Karen suggests holding pickets mainly in front of
Justice Ministry that registered â=80=9CJehovah’s Witnesses’.
Hayk Akarmazyan, Chair of Student Board of Polytechnic University has
another point of view. `We must not have any demand from our
Authorities and Justice Ministry regarding the problem. It’s the CE
demand to register them’, he says. Hayk is against the version of a
picket or a demonstration since he thinks the society is sick and
tired of it. The young activist has his own suggestion: `We will fight
against Jehovah’s Witnesses and any kind of sects through our belief’.
Emin, a young man had a concrete proposal: `We can hold a peaceful
march to Saint Sargis Church and light candles there’.
Young people together with Press Service of Araratian Diocese will
work out the common strategy of fighting and the results will later be
made public.

RFE/RL President Thomas Dine Urges Armenian President To Help Return
“Azatutiun” To TV Airwaves
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-457-6900
Fax: 202-457-6992
CONTACT: Donald Jensen +1-202-457-6947
Sonia Winter +420-221-123-007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Prague/Washington — October 19, 2004) RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine
today sent a letter to Armenian President Robert Kocharian, denouncing the
“Soviet-style” cancellation of the new RFE/RL Armenian Service news and
analysis program, “Azatutiun” by the private Armenian television station
Kentron. Dine urges President Kocharian “to denounce this contemptible
Soviet-style act, and to help return “Azatutiun” to the air.”
In his letter, Dine asserts that he is “determined to get “Azatutiun”
back on the air and will make every effort to make that happen —
including raising this issue with the Bush Administration, the U.S.
Congress, the Council of Europe, and non-governmental organizations
worldwide.”
“Azatutiun,” a new television program created by and featuring news and
analysis from RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, was abruptly pulled from the
schedule of the local Armenian television station “Kentron” on October
13, three days after it debuted to rave reviews on Kentron. Although the
television station’s management has made no comment on the decision, it
is widely suspected that Kentron was pressured to suspend further
broadcasts of the program, either by official interests or local media
competitors.
The suspension of the “Azatutiun” program has been widely covered in the
Armenian press. On October 14, “Aravot” daily alleged that the head of
Armenian state television and radio, Aleksan Harutiunian, was
instrumental in the ban because he wanted RFE/RL to lease airtime from
his channel and pay for that. Harutiunian, in an interview published by
“Aravot” on October 15, denied any involvement in the suspension of
“Azatutiun”. In his letter to President Kocharian, however, Dine states
that he has been “personally informed that this cancellation was the
result of pressure from a high-level Armenian government official.”
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service broadcasts four hours of programming a day to
Armenia, produced in Prague and the service’s Yerevan Bureau and
transmitted to listeners via shortwave, satellite and FM, AM, Cable
Radio, UKV and longwave signals provided by local affiliate stations.
Armenian Service programming is also available via the Internet, at the
service’s website and at
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international
communications service to Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe; the
Caucasus; and Central and Southwestern Asia funded by the U.S. Congress
through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI TV SLATES BRITISH MP’S VISIT TO KARABAKH
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
19 Oct 04
(Presenter) Britain has on more than one occasion stated that it is
interested in the resolution of the Karabakh problem, it recognizes
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and condemns separatism. However,
regrettably, all these are verbal statements. A new visit by Baroness
Caroline Cox from Britain’s House of Lords to Stepanakert might cause
a diplomatic row between London and Baku.
(Correspondent) A person who is a member of the House of Lords,
Britain’s most influential and prestigious body, damages the influence
and dignity of the House. She is separatist Baroness Caroline
Cox. This woman has been in contact with the Karabakh separatists for
a long time. She completed her latest 55th visit to Karabakh
lately. Although the Azerbaijani government has repeatedly protested
against the visits by the high-ranking British parliamentarian, London
diplomats stress that Cox visits Karabakh at her own expense. However,
it is obvious this time that the British embassy could not keep to
itself its false peace-loving mission and decided to help the
separatist baroness and did this in an open fashion.
Certainly, we are speaking about the British embassy in Armenia. Today
Armenian web sites reported that Caroline Cox’s visit to Nagornyy
Karabakh was arranged precisely by the British embassy in
Yerevan. British diplomats may interpret this differently – allegedly
they organized her visit to Armenia, and Cox, in turn, went to
Karabakh herself, and they were allegedly unaware of Cox’s programme
and so on.
It is intriguing that Britain, which is a member of the UN Security
Council, has always stated that it recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity and is against separatism.
Nevertheless, the failure to see a British citizen who embraces
separatists in Azerbaijan is disrespect for Azerbaijan and the
manifestation of double standards, to put it in diplomatic terms. The
separatist baroness, who describes herself as a champion of the truth,
has never visited Azerbaijan despite numerous invitations. She refused
to come to Azerbaijan to eyewitness the situation in Azerbaijan and
the state of the refugees. In return, she voices the slogan Freedom to
Nagornyy Karabakh, which does not go hand in hand with official
London’s policy. This is British-style justice and truth.
Etibar Mammadov for “Son Xabar”.

DELEGATION OF USA’S ARMENIAN CONGRESS IN ARTSAKH
Azg/am
20 Oct 04
Delegation of America’s Armenian Congress, headed by Ani Totah,
arrived in Stepanakert on a three-day visit.
The delegation members visited the HALO Trust office, the Center of
Child’s Works in Stepanakert and then headed for Shushi.
Accompanied by first lady Inna Ghukasian, they visited secondary
school N2. On the initiative of Inna Ghukasian and AAC’s support $120
thousandwas gathered in Los Angeles for repairing the school. Repair
started on August of the current year. The guests learnt of the
working rate and handed out copybooks and pens to pupils.
Ani Totah said that an Armenian American promised to contribute $270
thousand to one of Stepanakert’s schools only in case it is named
after him.School N6 was chosen for this purpose.
Delegation visited Gandzasar and Stepanakert’s carpet weaving factory
yesterday. President of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasian and chairman of
National Assembly Oleg Yesayan received the guests at the end of the
day.
According to the schedule, AAC delegation will visit Stepanakert’s
Museum of History and Geology after which they will leave Artsakh.
By Kim Gabrielian from Stepanakert

ARMENIAN “HOSTAGES” OF SOUTH OSSETIA TURNING TO KOFI ANNAN AND PRESIDENTS OF
ARMENIA AND GEORGIA
3 Children and a Woman Taken Out of Ergneti
Azg/am
20 Oct 04
As the “custody” of dozens of Armenian citizens carries on in South
Ossetia, they turned to the Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan,
OSCE current chairman Solomon Pasi and presidents of Armenia and
Georgia.
“We, citizens of Armenia, are in a desperate situation on our way back
from Russia and ask for help. We are not allowed to continue our way
at the Ergneti police station. We have to live in a bus devoid of
primary needs. We appealto you for help. We want you to know that the
Armenian embassy’s and Armenian diocese’s efforts turned abortive. We
ask you again to help us”, the appeal reads.
Georgy Khosroev, Armenian ambassador to Georgia, informed Azg Daily
that employees of the embassy, with the support of Apaven good
transportation company and Armenian diocese, visited Armenian citizens
on Saturday for the second time bringing blankets, food, water and
medicine.
Ergneti is a settlement on Georgian-South Ossetian border where
gunshots are not a rare thing. Official Tbilisi considers border
crossing of Russian-Georgian border’s South Ossetian part as
illegal. Armenianstraveling back to Armenia from Russia have to try to
cross the border on this site, as the Russian-Georgian checkpoint of
Upper Lars remains closed.
Artur Sargsian, Armenian consul to Georgia, who visited Armenians in
Ergneti together with ambassador’s aide and a priest from St. Gevorg
Armenian church, informed that state of the Armenian citizens remains
desperate, they sleep in the bus, hygienic condition is disastrous,
few children ailed and were taken to hospital. If it keeps this pace,
humanitarian crisis will be unavoidable.
The embassy keeps on negotiating with Georgian officials to take the
Armenians out of South Ossetia to Armenia. They managed to get access
for 4adults and 3 children on Saturday. President Robert Kocharian is
going to visit Georgia on October 22-24. Perhaps, the Georgian border
will open allowing dozens of Armenians to pass on the days of
President’s visit.
The information spread by few Armenian and Russian media that the
Upper Lars border crossing is open is false. Kakha Mikeladze, head of
the Northern customs of Georgia, informed that the border never opened
again after October 10, either from Georgian or Russian side.
Russian mass media informs that the crowd at the Russian side
increases. Few dozens of Russian Defense Ministry’s trucks are among
others waiting for access to reach 102 Russian military base in
Gyumri.
By Tatoul Hakobian

KERRY IS RESOLUTE IN GENOCIDE ACKNOWLEDGING
Turkish Zaman Unconsciously Supports Him
Azg/am
20 Oct 04
While Armenian traditional political parties call on Armenian
Americans to give their votes to the Democrat’s candidate, Turkish
circles show signs of worry.
The Armenian community of America has no intention to vote for Bush,
as that will simply mean encouraging his negative approach to the
Armenian Genocide and justification of his broken promise (to
recognize the Genocide, given in 2000).
John Kerry used to carry out pro-Armenian policy for 20 years in the
Senate and in the state of Massachusetts thus supporting Armenian
Genocide acknowledgment formula. Therefore, Kerry’s electoral promise
to theArmenians is not the only reason of Turks’ worry: they surely
know about his pro-Armenian penchant. That’s the reason why the
former foreign minister of Turkey Ilter Turkmen speaks out in the
August 7 issue of the Hyuriet: “If pro-Armenian Kerry is elected a
president, it will be impossible to demolish Armenian formulae inthe
US”.
It’s interesting that while the Turkish diplomat was speculating
another Turkish newspaper, Zaman, denied Kerry’s readiness to
recognize theGenocide in its October 8 issue. The newspaper was
suspicious about Kerry’s letter to the Armenian community containing
his promise to “commemorate 2005 April 24 as the 90-th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide”.
We touched upon Zaman’s denial of Kerry’s suchlike statements in Azg
Daily’s October 12 issue. On October 12 Kerry refuted Zaman’s
statement concerning his denial to recognize Armenian Genocide.
These cases of falsification of reality by Turkish press reveal
Turkey’s fears and make Kerry more resolute in his decision.
Thus, Zaman does more harm than good to the Turks and that must be
reason why Turkish Nathaber news agency writes: “Who in this case is
inconstant, Kerry or our press which is painting the reality in colors
it likes?”
By Hakob Chakrian

ARMENIA RESUME SUPPLYING GEORGIA WITH ENERGY
Azg/am
20 Oct 04
It Won’t Be Dark in Javakhk This Winter
Armenian-Russian joined Hayrusgazard Company and Georgian United
Switch Energy Company signed an agreement these days according to
which Armenia will resume supplying Georgia with energy, Ministry of
Energetics of Armenia informed Azg Daily. According to the agreement,
Armenia will provide energy for Georgian Samtskhe-Javakhk and Kvemo
Qartli regions through Ashotsq-Ninotsminda and Lalvar medium-voltage
lines.
The Georgian United Switch Energy Company, which is run by American PA
Consulting Company, informed yesterday that energy supply from Armenia
willcontinue till April 1 of 2005. Georgia is going to pay 13 AMD per
kilowatt-hour. Around 60 megawatt of energy will be exported to
Georgia daily.
The price for consumers is uncertain so far. Georgy Ioseliani, head of
the Samtskhe-Javakhk line of the United Switch Energy, stated later on
that the population will pay 22 AMD per kilowatt-hour. The population
of Akhalkalak and Ninotsminda used to pay 30 AMD last winter.
Nika Gulauri, minister of energetics and fuel of Georgia, said to
Novosti news agency that Telasi Company (belonging to Russian RAO EES)
is also tending to import energy of 100 megawatts per hour from
Armenia. Georgia’s debt from previous energy supplies amounts to $4
million.
By Tatoul Hakobian

Xinhua, China
Oct 19 2004
Armenia, China to boost bilateral ties

ERIVAN, Armenia, Oct. 19 (Xinhuanet) — Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on
Tuesday that Armenia stands ready to further strengthen cooperation
with China.
Meeting Li in the Armenian capital, Kocharyan said his September
visit to China was a success, during which the two sidesreached
consensus on developing bilateral relations. Armenia stoodby China in
its choice of a development path suited to its own conditions and is
impressed by China’s active role in international affairs, he said.
In a separate meeting with the Chinese foreign minister on
Tuesday, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian echoed
Kocharyan’s remarks on enhancing bilateral ties. He said his
government is working to implement the agreements reached during
Kocharyan’s visit to China.
Cooperation in technology and agriculture between the two
countries had been fruitful and Armenia hopes to see broadened
cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises and more Chinese
investment in Armenia, Margarian said.
Both Kocharyan and Margarian reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment
tothe one-China policy. They reiterated that the Armenian
governmentbelieves there has always been and will be only one China
in the world.
Li told his Armenian hosts China is keen to develop friendly
cooperation with Armenia and his trip is an instance of China’s
concrete actions to implement what has been achieved in the consensus
established by the leaders of both countries. Li said heis optimistic
about further strengthening bilateral ties.
Li arrived in Erivan Monday on an official visit to Armenia. Heis
also to visit Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Agence France Presse
Oct 19 2004
Europe’s Greens meet to debate Turkey’s EU access
AFP: 10/19/2004
ISTANBUL, Oct 19 (AFP) – Europe’s Greens, once Turkey’s most vocal
critics and now the staunchest supporters of its EU membership, began
a three-day parliamentary group meeting here Tuesday with strong
criticism against any plans to hold national referendums on whether
Ankara should join the bloc.
“We are against holding referendums in one country about another
country,” Greens group president Daniel Cohn-Bendit said. “There are
seven million Turks living in Europe, so the real question in the
referendum will be, ‘Do you like Turks — do you like Muslims?'”
He singled out President Jacques Chirac, criticising his proposal to
amend the French constitution to allow referendums on future EU
members as “foolish” and “ridiculous.”
“How can a democratic president, even Chirac, say what will happen in
10 years’ time?” Cohn-Bendit asked at a press conference here opening
the meeting.
“Are they going to have referendums on the memberships of Romania,
Bulgaria, Bosnia? The French will go crazy!” he said. “This is
ridiculous. Don’t waste our time with what will happen in 10 years.”
Cohn-Bendit was flanked at the press conference by co-chair Monica
Frassoni of Italy, Dutchman Joost Logendijk and Germany’s Cem
Oezdemir, both of the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee.
Cohn-Bendit urged Turkey to accept the fact that it is different from
other candidate countries and that a special negotiating process is
needed to allow it into the EU.
A generally favorable European Commission report on October 6 advises
EU leaders to agree at a December 17 summit in Brussels to launch
membership talks with Turkey.
“When you say, ‘We want equal treatment,’ you do not mean it,”
Cohn-Bendit said. “Turkey is not Malta, it is not Romania, it is not
Bulgaria. It is a big country, it is a proud country, and its entry
into the EU will be an important event.”
He said the Greens had arrived in Turkey as “critical friends” in
hopes that many issues that remain to be ironed out — the situation
of the Kurds and other minorities, women’s rights, the Armenian
massacres — could be “openly discussed among friends.”
“We must have uncomfortable discussions on, for example, Cyprus and
the role of the army,” Frassoni said, adding: “The process of
building a European democracy is not finished.”
The Greens support Turkey’s EU membership, the Italian MEP said, but
so does Italy’s conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi — “his
reasons are not the same as ours,” she added.
“What is the Greens’ message to Turkey?” asked Oezdemir, who is of
Turkish origin. “The message is that we are here and not somewhere
else.
“If Turkey is today at another point than where it was several yuears
ago, it is also because of civil society, not only because of
politicians,” he said.
Another message from the Greens to Turkey’s politicians, Logendijk
said, is: “Don’t panic.”
He said the Commission report contained elements Turkey and the
Greens both disagree with, such as the open-ended nature of the talks
and mention of permanent derogations concerning this country, such as
barring its citizens from free circulation in Europe.
“But,” he said, “don’t lose your focus, don’t lose sight of the main
point: (membership) negotiations should begin next year.”
The meeting of the joint Greens/European Free Alliance group next
goes into a series of panel conferences covering aspects of Turkey-EU
ties.
Panelists include foreign ministers Joschka Fischer of Germany and
Abdullah Gul of Turkey, Kurdish activist Leyla Zana and Turkish
novelist Orhan Pamuk.