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]
ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS, MEMBERS CALL ON BUSH TO DENOUNCE AZERI WAR
RHETORIC AGAINST ARMENIA, NKR
Washington, DC – A congressional letter calling on President Bush to end
Azerbaijan’s ongoing war-mongering towards Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh has
the backing of more than 70 Members of the House of Representatives. The
letter, issued today by Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), is part of a
continuing effort by the Caucus to end Baku’s threats against Armenia and
NKR.
“We thank Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone for this principled response
and obtaining the support of lawmakers from both sides of the political
aisle,” said Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian. “We also commend the
Armenian-American community for backing the letter-writing campaign by
encouraging their representatives to sign on.”
The Assembly, for its part, has followed Baku’s actions and words closely,
starting with the brutal murder of an Armenian army lieutenant by an
Azerbaijani officer last winter at a NATO training facility in Hungary.
Since then, Azerbaijan, rather than condemn the killing, has hailed the
perpetrator as a hero and increased its anti-Armenian rhetoric.
In fact, an Azeri Defense Ministry spokesman has said, “As an Azeri, I would
have understood and supported [Lt. Ramil] Safarov’s actions.” Also,
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the Council of Europe said he would not advise
Armenians, “to sleep easy in their beds.”
The killing came a month after Azerbaijan refused to allow three Armenian
officers to attend a conference held in Baku under the auspices of the
NATO/PfP program. Last month, NATO officials canceled military exercises
scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan after Baku’s repeated attempts to bar
Armenia’s participation and refusal to allow Armenians on their territory.
Prior to the cancelled NATO exercises, an Azeri government spokesman called
for the takeover of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population
from the Caucasus. “In the next 25 to 30 years there will be no Armenian
state in the South Caucasus,” Ramiz Melikov said. “This nation has been a
nuisance for its neighbors and has no right to live in the region. Present
day Armenia was built on historical Azerbaijani lands. I believe that in 25
to 30 years these territories will once again come under Azerbaijan’s
jurisdiction.”
On September 28, Pallone denounced these and other remarks made by Baku on
the floor of the House of Representatives. Earlier, he and Knollenberg sent
a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging the government from
favoring the country with increased military funding over Armenia which
could undermine their fragile cease-fire.
Last month the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to reinstate military
parity, allocating $8.75 million in military aid to both countries. The
Senate mirrored the House on parity, but added $3 million in security
assistance funding.
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#2004-091
Editor’s Note: The Armenian Assembly will issue the complete list of
cosigners to the Bush letter on Friday, October 8.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/07/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Writer Paulo Coelho Receives Praise in Armenia 2) French Politicians Seek Debate, Vote on Turkey 3) Pallone Calls on Powell To Protest Turkish Law Criminalizing Discussion of the Armenian Genocide 4) CIS Parliamentary Assembly to Review Armenian Genocide Recognition 5) ANCA Urges Legislators To Adopt Key Pro-Armenia Trade Measure Before Congress Ends Session 1) Writer Paulo Coelho Receives Praise in Armenia YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Prominent Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho met with President Kocharian on October 7 to discuss the role of culture and literature in educating the new generation. Coelho, who is visiting Armenia at the invitation of the Hamazkayin cultural organization, is well-known for his powerful storytelling technique and profound spiritual insights. The president remarked that Coelho's works erode the boundary between reality and fantasy in the best traditions of Latin American literary heritage. The president also said the Armenian translation of one of his most acclaimed works, The Alchemist, has become accessible to Armenian readers. On October 5, the auditorium of the Armenian Writers' Union was packed to honor the author. Chairman of Armenian Writers' Union Levon Ananyan, praised The Alchemist as an outstanding piece of modern literature and presented a membership card of honor to Coelho. In his speech, Coelho spoke of the Armenia as a motherland which has children around the world, who come back to their motherland and enrich its culture with the elements of different civilizations. 2) French Politicians Seek Debate, Vote on Turkey PARIS (Reuters)--French politicians opposed to Turkey joining the European Union called on Thursday for a debate and vote in parliament before a December summit at which the EU will decide whether to start accession talks. The demand highlighted splits in France that could undermine Turkey's entry bid and increased pressure on President Jacques Chirac over the issue, one day after the European Commission recommended Ankara be allowed to open entry talks. Ignoring an appeal for calm by Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, about 50 deputies from Chirac's conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party and the center-right Union for the French Democracy (UDF) wrote to the president seeking a meeting with him on Turkey. They also demanded a debate before the EU's December summit. Prominent politicians seeking a vote in the 577-seat parliament, as well as a debate, include Laurent Fabius, a Socialist former prime minister and possible presidential candidate in 2007. "No negotiations have ever started without them ending up in a 'yes'," Fabius told reporters, reflecting the concerns of some French politicians that Turkey's entry is an accomplished and presumably irreversible fact and that they will not be properly consulted. UDF head Francois Bayrou said such an historic decision had to pass through parliament as well as be put to a referendum "as an elementary rule of democracy." Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the hard-right National Front, voiced his concerns too. "Once negotiations start, there'll be no turning back whatever happens," he said. Parliamentary speaker Jean-Louis Debre, a Chirac ally, has said a parliamentary debate on Turkey's membership can be organized but not a vote. Even a debate could embarrass Chirac because it would underline the divisions over Turkey. REASSURANCE BY RAFFARIN Raffarin seemed determined to head off controversy by saying there was nothing immediate or definitive. "Let's talk straight. Turkey's not going to be in a position to join the European Union in the coming years but we can't shut the door for eternity," Raffarin told Metro, a publication that is distributed free of charge in Paris and other big cities. "Let's not allow partisan politics to draw the curtains on a matter that needs time," he said, highlighting that Turkey would need big progress on reform before joining the EU and that there was a clause allowing suspension of talks after they opened. The Commission says Turkey has made substantial progress in political reforms but must improve implementation, notably in the fight against torture, and expand freedom of expression and religion, and rights for women, trade unions, and minorities. Chirac announced last Friday that France would hold a referendum on entry if the EU agrees to accession, despite the risk that France could block its membership. He made the move under pressure from his ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Although a referendum is unlikely for more than a decade, a recent opinion poll showed 56 percent of French people oppose Turkey's immediate entry because of fears over jobs and concerns about letting in a mainly Muslim country that straddles the divide between Europe and Asia. France, a predominantly Catholic country which is also home to Europe's biggest Jewish and Muslim communities, did not hold a referendum before the EU expanded to 25 members in May. French people are concerned that France's influence in the EU has been diluted by enlargement and that the entry of a country of 71 million people will water it down more. 3) Pallone Calls on Powell To Protest Turkish Law Criminalizing Discussion of the Armenian Genocide WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) this week called on Secretary of State Colin Powell to formally protest Turkey's adoption of a new penal code that criminalizes even the discussion of the Armenian genocide. Section 306 of new Turkish penal code provides for prison sentences of between three and ten years for remarks concerning the facts of the Armenian genocide or the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces from Cyprus. In his letter, Congressman Pallone noted that this action represents a "hardening [of Turkey's] anti-Armenian stance and undermines hopes for a reduction of tensions in the region." Commenting specifically on the Administration's opposition to the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193 and S.Res.164), Rep. Pallone said, "We have been told, recently and in the past, that the State Department and the Administration have fought so strenuously against this legislation, because its adoption would somehow harm progress in the region toward the normalization of ties between these two states. This line of reasoning is, in my view, deeply flawed. However, if the State Department were to seriously rely on this argument concerning improved Turkey-Armenia relations, it would stand to reason that the State Department should also publicly and privately condemn Turkey's patently hateful codification of its official campaign to deny the Armenian genocide." "Armenian Americans, having endured years of attacks on efforts to recognize the Armenian genocide, remain profoundly troubled by the hypocrisy of a State Department that never hesitates to openly protest--and strenuously work against--legislation before Congress commemorating this crime, yet seems perpetually unable to summon the will to utter even a single word of concern regarding Turkey's hateful and shameless campaign of genocide denial," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. The full text of Congressman Pallone's letter is provided below. Dear Secretary Powell, I write to you today to bring your attention to a recent troubling development in Turkey. Just this past week, Turkey adopted a new penal code that represents a dramatic display of the Turkish government's campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide and further inhibit a resolution to the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus. This new criminal code not only hinders improved relations between the Republic of Armenia and Turkey, but it is also an imprudent step on the part of a nation that is desperately trying to establish an image of having a free and democratic society. Section 306 of this new criminal code would punish individual Turkish citizens or groups that confirm the fact of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey or call for the end of the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus--with up to ten years in prison. Far from coming to terms with the Genocide or reaching out to Armenia-Turkey, in adopting Section 306 of its new penal code, is hardening its anti-Armenian stance and undermining hopes for a reduction of tensions in the region. I would like, for a moment, to discuss why I consider it important that the State Department not remain silent in the face of this extremely troubling restriction on freedom of expression mandated by a NATO ally. In the past, when the State Department has spoken out against an Armenian Genocide Resolution, it has argued that such legislation would not contribute to improved Turkish-Armenian relations. We have been told, recently and in the past, that the State Department and the Administration have fought so strenuously against this legislation, because its adoption would somehow harm progress in the region toward the normalization of ties between these two states. This line of reasoning is, in my view, deeply flawed. However, if the State Department were to seriously rely on this argument concerning improved Turkey-Armenia relations, it would stand to reason that the State Department should also publicly and privately condemn Turkey's patently hateful codification of its official campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide, the most recent attempt being in the form of a repressive and unjustified new criminal code. Section 306 of the new criminal code does nothing to remove barriers to bilateral cooperation and lower the level of distrust and tension in this critically important region. I urge you and the State Department to condemn this oppressive provision in the criminal code and do everything that is in your power to ensure that the government of Turkey, our NATO ally-cease to inhibit the rights of its citizens; remove its troops from Northern Cyprus; come to terms with its own history; and finally start living up to the expectations that the United States has of free and democratic nations. 4) CIS Parliamentary Assembly to Review Armenian Genocide Recognition YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--The permanent defense and security commission of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Parliamentary Assembly decided on Thursday to review recognition of the Armenian genocide during its 2005 session. The proposal came from the Russian Federation's Prosecutor General's office, and was approved by session participants. Parliamentary representatives of CIS member countries, who were meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, also reviewed a number of model legislative programs to combat crime and trading of illegal substances, as well as military-technical cooperation. Absent from the session were representatives of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. 5) ANCA Urges Legislators To Adopt Key Pro-Armenia Trade Measure Before Congress Ends Session --Urges Adoption of Provision as Part of Larger Trade Measure WASHINGTON, DC--With the 108th session of Congress coming to an end, the Armenian National Committee of America is urging legislators to include a pro-Armenia trade measure, spearheaded by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in the final version of a larger trade bill set to be approved before the end of this week. The US House, last November, approved Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status (PNTR) for Armenia, opening the door to expanded US-Armenia commercial relations. The Senate version of this legislation, known as the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 (H.R.1047), did not include the PNTR for Armenia provision. As a result, the Congressional leadership has assigned a "conference committee" to reconcile the two different versions of this legislation. The conferees include Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA); Trade Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Phil Crane (R-IL); Rep. E. Clay Shaw (R-FL); Ways and Means Ranking Democrat, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY); Trade Subcommittee Ranking Democrat, Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI); Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN); Finance Committee Chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), and; Finance Committee Ranking Democrat, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT). The ANCA has asked Armenian Americans to call on their Senators and Representative to urge the conferees to include PNTR for Armenia in the final version of the bill approved by Congress. The ANCA action alert can be found at: The sample letter for activists includes several reasons to support this legislation, among them: * Increased US-Armenia trade and investment advances US foreign policy by strengthening Armenia's free market economic development and integration into the world economy. * Expanded US-Armenia commercial relations will strengthen bilateral relations and reinforces the enduring friendship between the American and Armenian peoples. * Adoption of PNTR for Armenia will help offset-- no cost to US taxpayers--the devastating impact of the dual Turkish and Azeri blockades, estimated by the World Bank as costing Armenia up to a third of its entire GDP (as much as $720 million annually) and half of its exports. The Trade Act of 1974 excluded all Soviet countries from having normal trade relations (NTR) status with the United States. One particular provision of the Act, known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, required the President to deny NTR to those countries that restricted free emigration. The policy was adopted, in part, in response to Communist government restrictions on the emigration of Jews. According to the terms of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, when the President determines that freedom of emigration rights have been reinstated in a country, normal trade relations may be granted. To maintain NTR, the President must report to Congress twice a year that Jackson-Vanik requirements have been met. While successive Presidents have waived the Jackson-Vanik Amendment restrictions on Armenia during the past decade, the passage of the Knollenberg bill would grant Armenia permanent normal trade relations status, without the need for semi-yearly Presidential determinations. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

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[Congressional Record: October 6, 2004 (Extensions)]

HONORING THE ANI DANCE ENSEMBLE
______

HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman and I rise today to honor “the
Ani Dance Ensemble,” part of the Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society, Hamazkayin, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Hamazkayin
was founded by a group of community leaders on May 28, 1928, in Cairo,
Egypt with the objective of providing a sound education to the new
generation and preserving the ethnic identity and cultural heritage of
the Armenian people forced to live outside their homeland after the
1915 Armenian genocide.
Subsequently, Hamazkayin chapters sprouted throughout the Middle
East, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Armenia to
instill, perpetuate and preserve the centuries of Armenian culture.
Hamazkayin has been successful in establishing secondary and higher
educational institutions which have prepared scholars, literary
figures, and community leaders throughout Armenia and the Diaspora. The
establishment of “the Ani Dance Ensemble” achieves the objectives of
Hamazkayin through their unique performances of traditional Armenian
folk dances.
“The Ani Dance Ensemble” was established in 1974 in Los Angeles,
California under the leadership of artistic directors/choreographers
Ms. Suzy Barseghian-Tarpinian and Mr. Yeghia Hasholian. The ensemble
has had more than 80 dances in its repertoire, and presently consists
of 40 dancers. Since its inception it has performed and captivated
audiences throughout California as well as cities across the nation
including Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois; Falls Church, Virginia; and
Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the group has performed in Armenia and
Karabagh in 1999, 2001, and 2004. The ensemble has also represented
Armenian Culture through Armenian folk dances at the American Ethnic
Day in Washington, DC in 1987. They are frequently invited by American,
ethnic and Armenian organizations to perform at functions. As one of
the oldest and most accomplished Armenian Dance Ensembles in the United
States, it is recognized as one of the best ethnic dance groups in
America.
It is our distinct honor to recognize the cultural contributions of
“the Ani Dance Ensemble.” I ask all members to join me in
congratulating the “the Ani Dance Ensemble’s” 30 years of performing
traditional Armenian folk dances.

US Dept of State
07 October 2004
Freedom of Thought, Religion in Trouble in Some OSCE States
Dorthy Taft addresses OSCE human rights meeting in Warsaw
Freedom of thought and religion are fundamental rights that are
“inconsistently applied, and often violated, by many states across the OSCE
[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] region,” said Dorthy
Taft, a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Human Dimension Implementation
Meeting in Warsaw, Poland, October 6.
Taft cited examples of problems and/or progress in a number of states,
including Turkey, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia,
Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, France and Germany.
Noting the success of the recent Brussels OSCE Conference on Racism,
Xenophobia and Discrimination, Taft said the United States would welcome the
convening of a Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Central Asia “to
discuss the nexus of protecting religious freedom while combating
terrorism.”
The October 4-15 meeting in Warsaw is being held to review the
implementation of OSCE commitments in the fields of human rights and
democracy — the ?~human dimension” — by participating states.
Following is the text of Taft’s prepared statement:
United States Mission to the OSCE
Warsaw, Poland
October 6, 2004
STATEMENT ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, CONSCIENCE, RELIGION OR BELIEF
As delivered by Dorthy Taft, Member, U.S. Delegation to the Human Dimension
Implementation Meeting
Mr. Chairman, the United States is deeply committed to guaranteeing the
freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. We were pleased that the
Maastricht Ministerial built upon the considerable body of OSCE commitments
by recognizing the importance of facilitating individual and communal
religious freedom through “transparent and non-discriminatory laws,
regulations, practices and policies.” However, we note with concern that
this fundamental right is inconsistently applied, and often violated, by
many States across the OSCE region.
The U.S. regards as a success the Brussels OSCE Conference on Racism,
Xenophobia and Discrimination, which discussed facilitating freedom of
religion or belief through non-discriminatory laws, regulations, policies
and procedures. The conference also included a side event on promoting
tolerance toward Muslims. In order to learn more about the activities of the
OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion of Belief, we hope that
government representatives and NGOs will attend the Panel’s side event after
this session. The United States would also welcome the convening of a
Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Central Asia to discuss the nexus
of protecting religious freedom while combating terrorism.
The United States applauds the efforts by Turkey to bring its legal system
into conformity with OSCE commitments. While reforms now allow non-Muslim
religious communities to build churches and buy property, authorities have
actively sought to close meetings outside “official” locations under the
pretext of zoning laws. We urge the Government of Turkey to explicitly allow
religious meetings in rented facilities or private homes. Turkey’s system of
regulating religious groups remains problematic, as the government’s strict
control of Islamic teaching and practice, its ban on headscarves in public
institutions, and its failure to reach an agreement on the re-opening of the
Halki Seminary all contravene Turkey’s OSCE commitments. We also urge Turkey
to adopt a new law allowing minority foundations to reclaim properties
expropriated by the state. We hope to see the government continue its good
work and to continue to open the religious liberty sphere in Turkey by
addressing these issues.
The United States remains greatly concerned by continuous violations of
religious liberty by the Government of Uzbekistan. Approximately 5,500
individuals remain jailed in Uzbekistan on charges of religious extremism,
despite repeated calls by the international community and NGOs for their
release. Even before the bombings this year, which the United States
unconditionally condemns, there have been reports of observant Muslims being
arrested on falsified evidence as alleged members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Limitations on religious freedom also include bans on proselytizing or
unauthorized teaching of religion and burdensome registration requirements
that prevent legitimate activity. The United States is also disappointed
that neither the Uzbeks nor the ODIHR has followed up on the July 2003 Panel
of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief’s recommendations concerning the
Uzbek religion law. Considering the recent bombings, we believe an
ODIHR-sponsored meeting to discuss implementing the recommendations is
needed now more than ever, for we fear the government’s policy is leading to
that which the Uzbek government is trying to avoid: support for violent
extremism.
In Turkmenistan, we note the relaxation of the registration process for
religious communities, the removal of criminal penalties for unregistered
religious groups, the recent registration of four religious groups, the
release of some conscientious objectors, and the significant reduction in
harassment of religious groups. The United States encourages Turkmen
authorities to register all applicant groups and to respect the rights of
all believers to profess and practice their faith. My delegation is
concerned by recent police raids of registered religious communities. We
urge the Government to communicate the new policies to all local security
officials to ensure that they are followed. Lastly, we reiterate Congress’
call for the unconditional release of the former Grand Mufti, Nasrullah ibn
Ibadullah, as well as Jehovah’s Witnesses Mansur Masharipov and Vepa
Tuvakov.
The situation for religious freedom in Azerbaijan has deteriorated since the
2003 HDIM. Not only have authorities forcibly seized the Juma Mosque, they
also imposed new leadership and prevented the peaceful community from
worshiping elsewhere. We urge the Azerbaijani Government to cease harassment
of mosque leaders and return full control of the mosque to the community. In
Georgia, we welcome the arrest of mob leaders who had instigated violence
against religious minorities; we urge the government to vigorously prosecute
all individuals involved in such assaults. We strongly encourage Tbilisi to
amend the civil code to ensure all religious groups can obtain legal entity
status and build new worship facilities. In Armenia, we welcome the new
alternative military service law that allows conscientious objectors to
fulfill their national service, but urge the government to fulfill its
pledge to release all remaining conscientious objectors. We also encourage
the government to permit Jehovah’s Witnesses to be recognized and registered
as a religious community.
Kazakhstan has earned a positive reputation on religious liberty and
tolerance. Nevertheless, the draft law and amendments on combating extremist
activity could be misused against unpopular religious groups. Current Kazakh
law allows for prosecuting criminal acts, so we see no need for these new
provisions. In fact, the United States recommends the removal of Article 375
of the Administrative Code, which requires the registration of religious
groups. Since its promulgation, we have received consistent reports of
unregistered groups being penalized for legitimate activities through civil
and criminal sanctions.
In Russia, the international community was disappointed by a court decision
banning the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow. The United States is concerned
with the Moscow ban, as well as the implicit endorsement of intolerance it
sends to local officials elsewhere in Russia. Some religious faiths continue
to be harassed by local officials, without appropriate action by the federal
government to ensure the enjoyment of religious freedom as stipulated by
both OSCE standards and the Russian Constitution.
We also renew concern regarding Belarus, as the end of the registration
period under the problematic 2002 religion law ends in November. As a member
of OSCE, the government of Belarus is bound by an OSCE commitment to ensure
that groups may operate freely without registration, even though Belarus law
does not yet recognize this right.
The United States also notes disturbing developments in Bulgaria. The
problematic 2002 Law on Religions was used in July 2004 by Bulgarian
authorities to justify the seizure of properties used by the alternative
Bulgarian Orthodox synod. Unfortunately, the government abandoned neutrality
and wrongly attempted to grant discriminatory favor to the Synod of
Patriarch Maxim. Bulgarian authorities should immediately reinstate to the
alternative synod full control of the seized properties until the courts
settle the dispute.
Grave problems with freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief exist
in many OSCE participating States — but not only those countries located to
the “East of Vienna.” The United States wishes to highlight concerns about
the ban on religious apparel in French public schools. We believe the ban
violates OSCE commitments and is counterproductive, as it will only further
marginalize the very people the government wishes to integrate.
Additionally, efforts by several German Laender to prohibit the wearing of
the Muslim headscarves by teachers, is discriminatory. The ability to
express one’s religious beliefs through word or deed is a fundamental right
under OSCE commitments, and must be protected.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: )

BULGARIAN LEADER HAILS AZERI-ARMENIAN DIALOGUE
Turan news agency
7 Oct 04
BAKU
Bulgaria will continue its activity towards resolving the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict as the country chairing the OSCE, Bulgarian
President Georgi Purvanov said at a news conference in Baku today.
He added that he saw the role of his country in “stepping up measures
towards a negotiated solution to the conflict”.
Namely, he spoke out in favour of expanding “the parameters and
activity plan of the Minsk Group”. However, Purvanov failed to explain
in an understandable way what was hidden behind this verbiage.
At the same time, he welcomed the dialogue between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents and foreign ministers.

BULGARIAN, AZERI LEADERS DISCUSS PIPELINES, ECONOMIC TIES, TERRORISM
BTA web site, Sofia
7 Oct 04
BAKU
Energy projects and transport infrastructure were among the highlights
of the Baku talks of President Georgi Purvanov Thursday (7
October). Purvanov started a two-day official visit here Thursday
morning, the second leg of a tour that also took him to Armenia.
Meeting with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Purvanov urged
Azerbaijan to consider other energy projects except
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline, including
Burgas-Alexandrandroupolis and Burgas-Vlora pipelines, the Bulgarian
president told a news conference he gave jointly with his Azerbaijan
counterpart. I believe that in middle-term rather than in short-term
prospective Azerbaijan will eye positively these ideas, as Azerbaijan
has oil and gas, Europe needs these products and Bulgaria has an
important position as a transit point, Purvanov said.
The infrastructure development is the key to activating economic
relations. The infrastructure, both roads and pipelines, is the
greatest possible investment in both regions security. Purvanov said
that Bulgaria is interested and will be an active factor in the
development of both TRASEKA transport corridor and the energy
projects.
Earlier on Thursday, the official delegations of the two countries
held plenary talks. Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the Organization of
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) contributes much to solving
the Nagorni Karabakh conflict and we rely on your support in future as
well, Aliev said. He expressed conviction that Purvanov’s visit will
contribute to the deepening of the relations between the two
countries.
Purvanov said that it is very important to upgrade the statutory
framework between the two countries. He said he hopes that Azerbaijani
business will see in Bulgaria a door to the EU. Bulgaria as a NATO
member and a country, which will become an EU member very soon, may
interact well with Azerbaijan in the field of Euro-Atlantic
integration, the Bulgarian president said and added that the EU policy
to new neighbours should be full of real content and Bulgaria would be
an advocate for it. According to Purvanov, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan
being together in the fight against terrorism is an important factor
of the bilateral relations.
The two heads of state signed a joint statement for further
development of the friendly relations and cooperation. Other seven
bilateral documents were signed in their presence, including a mutual
protection of investments agreement, international combined cargo
transportation agreement, cooperation in health care and medical
science agreement and maritime navigation agreement. Later a protocol
of the second session of the joint intergovernmental
Bulgarian-Azerbaijani commission on trade, economic and scientific and
technological cooperation whose meeting took part in Baku, was
signed. An agreement for cooperation between the Bulgarian News Agency
BTA and the State Information Agency of Azerbaijan AzerTaj was signed
by both agencies’ general directors Maxim Minchev and Aslan Aslanov. A
declaration for twinning the towns of Gabrovo (central Bulgaria) and
Shaki was also signed.

PREMIER SAYS ARMENIA ABLE TO REPAY FOREIGN DEBT
Golos Armenii
7 Oct 04
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan’s interview with Moscow’s
Noyev Kovcheg (Noah’s Ark) newspaper.
(Noah’s Ark correspondent) Dear Mr Prime Minister, you have been
occupying the post of prime minister for more than four years.
(Passage omitted: Markaryan says his position on Karabakh has not
changed; Markaryan on development of Megri Region, history of the
Armenian Apostolic Church)
During your tenure, Armenia’s state debt has reduced in relation to
the GDP. Will this tendency be maintained?
(Markaryan) The foreign debt totalled 39.3 per cent of the GDP by the
end of 2003. For comparison, in 2000 this figure was 45 per cent. If
the policy conducted today in the sphere of foreign debt settlement,
as well as today’s rates of GDP growth, export of goods and services
are maintained, Armenia’s state budget revenue will be enough to repay
its foreign debt. If this tendency is kept till 2007, the foreign debt
will amount to 30.7 per cent of the GDP.
(Passage omitted: Gini coefficient in Armenia)
(Correspondent) According to many experts, unfortunately, Armenia
remains to be a country with a high level of corruption and “shadow”
economy. According to the results of the previous year, Armenia
occupied one of the last places among the CIS countries in terms of
the share of taxes in the composition of the GDP. What specific
measures are being taken by the government to improve the situation?
(Markaryan) Today fighting corruption is the most important problem in
the world and in the countries with transition economies, in
particular.
(Passage omitted: according to Transparency International in 2003
Armenia occupied 78 place among 133 countries for the level of
corruption)
Understanding the danger of this phenomenon, the government in 2003
endorsed the Programme of the Anti-Corruption Strategy of the Republic
of Armenia and measures to fulfil it. As a result of the conducted
reforms, significant positive changes have taken place in the tax and
bank spheres, as well as in the sphere of state management. Certainly,
the process has not finished yet.
(Passage omitted: before the programme was endorsed more than 20
anti-corruption laws in different spheres had been adopted)
As for the low level of tax revenue in the GDP, this is conditioned by
the large number of fields that are provided with tax
incentives. Although in 2003 taxes and duties accounted for 14.5 per
cent of the revenue growth, compared to 2002 their share in the GDP
reduced by 0.6 per cent, which is mainly explained by the fact that
the number of fields provided with tax incentives in the GDP structure
increased sharply. This was in the first place conditioned by the
implementation of large credit and grant programmes.
I think it is necessary to note that the government is carrying out
consistent work to improve this figure, particularly by eliminating
subjective factors. Thus, the programme envisages increasing tax
revenue mainly by reducing the shadow economy without raising the rate
of the main taxes. Legislation also plays a significant role in
improving the tax policy. To that end, the government will soon draft
the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia and submit it to the National
Assembly for endorsement. As a result of these measures, it is planned
to increase the share of tax revenue in the GDP by an average of
0.3-0.4 per cent annually.
(Passage omitted: minor details)

TURKEY BEGINS TALKS WITH EU
Europe Concerned in Keeping Turkey in its Orbit
Azg/am
7 Oct 04
On October 6 the European Commission, as it was expected, offered
starting EU accession talks with Turkey. 28 members of the commission
out of 30 voted for the beginning of the talks and only Fritz
Bolkestein, Holland, and Pascal Lamin, France, voted against. Ankara
is satisfied with the start of the talks in general but complains of
some points of the report and especially of the attached package of
regulations that is to be presented to the EU leaders.
Though the report points out that Turkey partly follows Copenhagen
political criteria, has reduced army’s role in the country, pays more
attention to the human rights, freedom of religion and the national
minorities, it still underscores the reforms are not practiced
properly.
The start of accession talks does not mean that Turkey is a EU member,
but Europe may stop the talks any time.
The Commission report includes the cases of the talks’ interruption:
“In case European Commission considers the process of reforms
endangered”. When the reform process can be â=80=98endangered’?
Gyunduz Aktan answers the question in October 7 issue of Radical. “In
case the role of the army is restored in the country, and Turkey takes
undesirable steps in foreign policy”, he writes. Aktan also points out
military actions against neighboring countries. “Armyâ=80=99s
restored” role means, allegedly, a military overthrow of the
government.
Ankara is displeased with the fact that the EU leaders have to decide
on the deadline of EU accession talks. Turkey is afraid that new
points may be included in the report.
The possibility of the “Recognition of the Republic of Cyprus”
suggested by Bolkestein and the “Armenian Genocide Recognition”
suggested by Lamin that were not included in the package attached to
the report, due to Gunter Verheugen’s (according to Turkish press),
Enlargement commissioner, efforts make Turkey worry. Meanwhile,
Patrick Devedjian, minister of industry of France, began talks with
members of the European Commission trying to convince them to include
the Turkey-Armenia border-gate opening as a precondition for
accession.
The suggestion EU states and government made Turkey by the report does
not oblige Turkey anything as the talks do not oblige Turkey’s
membership in the EU. Thus, it becomes clear that European
Commission’s purpose is to keep Turkey in the orbit of European
states, not making Turkey a EU member but keeping it beside.
By Hakob Chakrian

KEEPING PRESENT BALANCE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS IS VITAL
Azg/am
8 Oct 04
Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, informed Reuters that the
unsolved Nagorno Karabakh issue endangers situation in the Caucasus,
and Azerbaijan will not wait too long for the conflict settlement with
Armenia, Armenpress news agency informs. It is clear that Azerbaijan
will take the path of war instead of waiting.
The oil factor stands behind the Azeri president’s brave
statements. Tofik Julfugarov, former foreign minister of Azerbaijan,
in his turn, informed Zerkalo newspaper that Armenia might use the US
elections to provoke a war. “In the present stage authorities has to
take concrete and wide-ranging steps to defend Azerbaijan”, Julfugarov
declared.
Meanwhile, PINK, an American analytical center, concludes: “The
present situation in Karabakh will persist even longer as Yerevan will
not accept any of the offered solutions”. Basing on this conclusion,
Turkish Eni Musafat newspaper claims that Azerbaijan will not be able
to return Karabakh during president Aliyev’s tenure.
Even if Azerbaijan saves up money on oil to arm the nation against
Armenians, it will not mean that they can use the weapons as they like
because all world powers specify the purpose of the sold arm. For
instance, while selling modern army helicopters to Turkey, the US
forbade them to use it against the PKK.
Thus, even if Azerbaijan manages to accumulate money and get armed,
then it will need a permission of higher instance. He will get the
permission only if the military balance between rival Russia and
America in the region is lost.
In the current circumstances, when Russia is saving strength for
regaining positions in the South Caucasus and the US is having
troubles in Afghanistan and Iraq, and facing presidential elections,
one can hardly believed that they will go for shaking military balance
in the region.
It is vital to preserve the present situation in Nagorno Karabakh in
order to keep the balance in the South Caucasus unshaken. From this
perspective, political developments in South Ossetia and the US’s and
Russia’s response to them are important. It is interesting that
the USA, who strongly opposed to Russia’ s tough position in case of
Ajaria, tolerated Russia’s even tougherposition in South
Ossetia. Thus, we may presume that the Russian-US tendencies of
peacekeeping in the South Caucasus will develop and Azeri’s threatsof
a new war will not hold water.
By Hakob Chakrian