Armenian party denounces authorities’ decision to send peacekeepers to Iraq
Noyan Tapan news agency
28 Sep 04
Yerevan
“The Armenian authorities’ decision to dispatch a 50-strong company
to Iraq has caused dissatisfaction of people at large,” the political
council of the Fatherland Popular Front has said. The organization’s
statement dated 25 September says that if this decision is implemented,
“Armenia and Artsakh [Karabakh], including all the Armenians throughout
the world, will face a serious danger”.
“Obviously, Armenia’s move to join the anti-Iraq coalition, even under
the Polish flag, will have a certain effect. First, this will damage
mutual confidence and friendship between Armenians and Arabs. It
cannot be ruled out that both the diaspora and Armenia proper will
sustain human, cultural and economic losses,” the statement said.
The political council of the Fatherland Popular Front appeals to
“volunteers going to Iraq, their parents and next of kin to protest
this anti-national decision and hinder its realization with all
possible means”.
At the same time, the organization warns that “if the National Assembly
approves this adventurist decision, then the responsibility for its
consequences will rest with the regime, and it will face the public’s
condemnation”.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 28, 2004
___________________
JOINT COMMISSION OF EASTERN & ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES ANNOUNCES 4TH
ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS PRAYER SERVICE
Public Invited to Gathering of UN Officials, Orthodox & Oriental
Orthodox Churches, at NYC’s St. Vartan Cathedral
NEW YORK, NY (SCOBA/SCOOCH)–The Joint Commission of the Standing
Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and
the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America
(SCOOCH) is pleased to announce that the 4th annual “Orthodox Prayer
Service and Reception for the United Nations Community” will take place
on the evening of Tuesday, October 12, 2004, at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street), New York City.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s prayer service will be conducted according to the tradition
of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, and will be dedicated to
overcoming violence in the world–a theme suggested by the World Council
of Churches’ “Decade to Overcome Violence.”
Distinguished speakers for this year’s service will be Mr. Kahn Chitaia,
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Georgia to the United
Nations; and His Excellency Ambassador Teruneh Zenna, Deputy Permanent
Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the
United Nations.
Delivering the homily will be His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Cyril Aphrem
Karim, Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese for the Eastern
United States–prelate of the church which will host the event at the
Armenian Cathedral of St. Vartan.
The Orthodox Prayer Service for the UN Community was inaugurated in
2000, as a way to establish an Orthodox presence for the cause of world
peace and understanding, and to enable Orthodox Christians to share in
their common religious and cultural heritage. Last year’s
service–hosted by His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox
Church in America, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral
in New York City–drew over 300 participants, including dignitaries of
the local Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, and UN ambassadors
representing nations with significant Orthodox populations.
Members of the metropolitan New York area Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox
communities–and the public in general–are encouraged to come together
once again for this annual prayer service. For more information, kindly
contact the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church for the Eastern
United States, at (201) 801 0660.
–9/28/04
# # #

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 28, 2004
___________________
ARMENIAN CHURCH SENDS REPRESENTATIVES TO HISTORIC CONFERENCE
On Saturday, September 18, 2004, about 35 young adults from the five
Oriental Orthodox sister churches gathered for a day-long conference at
the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.
It was the first time the American branches of these churches have
organized such a gathering of young faithful. Members of the Central
Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) and
other young leaders represented the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) at the conference.
“Our histories are so closely tied, we are truly brothers and sisters in
Christ,” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, said of
the gathering. “Anything that brings us closer to our fellow Christians
is a wonderful thing, which we should encourage in the future.”
The program included a keynote address by Dr. Roberta Ervine, associate
professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who
spoke on the history of the Oriental Orthodox churches.
“That was the best presentation on church history and the differences
among Christians that I have heard,” said participant Karen
Khatchadourian, a member of the ACYOA Central Council.
Fr. John Meno, dean of St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, lead the
group in a Bible study titled “The Passion of the Christ.”
One of the most important parts of the day’s activities was a session
during which the young representatives shared and discussed their common
concerns, such as the relationship between faith and culture, how the
youth of the church are organized, and how assimilated into American
culture their communities have become. The day ended with a vespers
service.
But the day’s events were about more than listening to lecturing about
and discussing theology and history.
“The goal was to give participants a better understanding of their
personal faith, more knowledge of the sister churches, and then to take
that knowledge back to their own communities,” said Nancy Basmajian,
executive secretary of the ACYOA. “As these young people got to know
each other, you could see new friendships growing, as they realized they
shared so many hopes and aspirations for their churches.”
The gathering was organized by the Standing Conference of Oriental
Orthodox Youth of America (SCOOYA), of which ACYOA is a vital part.
SCOOYA is made up of two young parishioners and a clergyman from each of
the participating churches.
Participating in the conference were: the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), the Archdiocese of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the
Archdiocese of the Ethiopian Church, the Malankara Archdiocese of the
Syrian Orthodox Church, and the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox
Church.
“It was great to interface, listen, and share openly with other young
people,” said Mora Sorial, a representative of the Coptic Church. “It
would be great to follow up with an action plan.”
The participants brainstormed ideas for future programs, retreats, and
educational programming. The SCOOYA board will meet to discuss
implementing those ideas.
The Armenian Church was represented by a variety of young people, youth
workers, and clergy: Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA; Fr. Shnork Souin, pastor of the St. Mary
Church of Livingston, NJ; Dn. Ara Kadehjian, interim coordinator of the
Diocesan Mission Parish Project; Justin Ajamian, parishioner at the St.
Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ; ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian;
Daron Bolat, a seminarian at St. Nersess and former ACYOA Central
Council member; Diocesan College Ministry Facilitator Jason Demerjian;
Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor at St. Nersess Seminary; Julie
Hoplamazian, youth director at the St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ;
and Karen Khatchadourian, ACYOA Central Council member and parishioner
at the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ.
“It was such a blessing to feel drawn back through time by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a common experience and to feel the
sense of a historical unity that is finally emerging in this time and
generation,” Fr. Shnork Souin said.
— 9/28/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Dozens of faithful from the five Oriental Orthodox
churches gather for a unique day of discussion, prayer, and fellowship
on September 18, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Young Oriental Orthodox faithful join in a prayer
service at the St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the SCYOOA, which organized the historic
gathering of Oriental Orthodox youth on September 18, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dr. Roberta Ervine, from the St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary, talks with a group of young Oriental Orthodox faithful during
a historic gathering of youth from the sister churches.
# # #

The Messenger, Georgia (messenger.com.ge)
Sept 28 2004
Russian “party of war” threatens Georgia
But Tbilisi MP believes Georgian-Russian relations can improve
“He is the president of Russia and must see that it is not good to
have Georgia as an enemy. Putin must understand that it is better to
be a friend of Georgia”
By Anna Arzanova
In a recent interview with Russian informational agency Regnum,
National Movement-Democrats MP Kote Gabashvili said that Georgia’s
conflict zones were the main reason for the current strain in
Georgian-Russian relations, along with the influence in Moscow of
what he described as a “party of war.”
However, the MP stated that he is hopeful for better relations in the
future, and argued that the recent autocratic measures taken in
Russia by President Vladimir Putin might have the paradoxical effect
of improving relations.
Asked if it is possible to call the tense Georgian-Russian relations
a ‘cold war,’ Gabashvili, who is also the head of the parliamentary
committee on foreign relations, stated that he would not use such
term, although he acknowledges that even though “both sides publicly
speak of their friendship and cooperation, relations are really very
aggravated.”
Gabashvili considers that such a state of affairs was never the goal
of the Georgian side, nor was it the result of Georgia’s actions. He
regretted that the general situation in Russia influences not only
the political establishment but also the executive and legislative
authority, stimulating only negative policies.
Gabashvili is in no doubt what are the stumbling blocks in
Georgian-Russian relations. First of all are South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, and secondly he names “certain political circles in Russia
which think that an impaired and broken Georgia is a better neighbor
than a united and friendly country.”
“Russia has chosen to support local separatists in Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali,” Gabashvili says. “This is a real process, the aim of
which is to manipulate these conflict zones in order to force Georgia
to become the obedient vassal of Moscow.”
“This is what causes the deep arguments and opposition between the
countries,” Gabashvili says, adding that Adjara, South Ossetia and
Abkhazia are “wounds of Georgia, one of which [Adjara] the government
has been able to heal.”
When asked who plays the key role in Georgian-Russian relations in
Moscow, Gabashvili said that according to the opinion of Russian
analysts, there is a “party of war, which like an octopus tries to
seize everything.”
“I think that this party of war is winning many issues at the present
time. The Russian establishment is not ready to give concrete and
distinct answers. Politics there are being developed now according to
the line of strengthening the influence of different groups. There is
no clear politics inside Russia,” he says.
As for Georgia’s policies towards Russia, Gabashvili said that this
is much less complicated. “This is the wish of the new, young,
energetic president, who came to power and said that one of the
country’s most important priorities is Russia and ‘I extend the hand
of friendship to Russia.'”
Gabashvili declares his full support for the president’s policy of
building closer ties with Russia. “Cooperation is the only way out of
the this situation. We only want to be a normal, independent
country,” he says.
Furthermore, despite the recent tension between the two countries,
Gabashvili remains hopeful that Georgian-Russian relations will
improve in the future. “Georgia is ready to take serious steps to
improve and normalize relations.”
Gabashvili even believes that the autocratic measures taken by Putin
after the Beslan tragedy, which have been criticized as
anti-democratic, could help Tbilisi-Moscow relations. In Gabashvili’s
opinion, this is double moment – a possible problem as well as a
possible guarantee.
Gabashvili thinks that sometimes there are paradoxical situations,
when a decrease of democracy can lead to improved international
relations. Such a paradox has taken place before in the history of
politics, he says, and he does not rule out the possibility that the
same thing may happen in Moscow.
Nevertheless, Gabashvili is critical of Russia’s foreign policy,
attacking high-ranking officials in Moscow for “making every effort
to prove that Russia has its own way of development and its own form
of democracy.”
In its policy towards Georgia, Gabashvili complains of Russian double
standards. Moscow “asks every country to be its partner in fighting
against separatism and terrorism in its ‘home’, but at the same time
supports terrorism in neighboring Georgia.”
Gabashvili denies all suggestions that there might be some Georgian
connection with the Beslan tragedy, and responds to Russian Chief of
General Staff General Yuri Baluevsky’s statement that Russia
possessed information of terrorists bases outside its borders and was
prepared to carry out pre-emptive strikes against them by advising
him to carry out pre-emptive strikes on Chechen terrorists Akhmed
Zakaev in London and Movladi Udugov in Washington.
Georgian and Russian separatists are not the only barrier to improved
relations, however, and Gabashvili states unambiguously that Russian
military bases in Georgia must be withdrawn adding that “everyone is
fed up of them, because they do nothing good and important.”
For relations to improve, however, what is most important is that the
“party of war” in Moscow cease to hold sway. “Putin is in the end not
just the hostage of Baburin, Zhirinovsky and Markelov. He is the
president of Russia and must see that it is not good to have Georgia
as an enemy. Putin must understand that it is better to be a friend
of Georgia,” Gabashvili states, adding that relations between the two
neighbors should involve love and friendship, not force, and that
Georgia is ready to respond in the same manner.
Although he is hopeful that relations will improve, Gabashvili
believes that this may require the intervention of a third party, who
“will take it upon themselves to settle this vengeful mood.”
He does not expect, though, that either of Georgia’s South Caucasus
neighbors Armenia or Azerbaijan could play this role in
Georgian-Russian relations, because they have their own big problem
of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Gabashvili adds, though, that “the Armenians are our allies,” and
that “Azerbaijan and Georgia have serious mutual strategic interests
and that their relations are on the right track.”
Georgia, which is home to both Armenians and Azeris, should play a
role in helping these two neighbors to overcome their differences, he
says. “We will give the utmost encouragement to the elimination of
conflict among our neighbors.”

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 28 2004
AZERBAIJANIS HOLD MEETING IN MOSCOW
[September 28, 2004, 12:23:11]
“Movement for Azerbaijan” has conducted a meeting under the motto “No
Azerbaijan without Garabagh!” at the Teatralniy Square of Moscow, 25
September. The Azerbaijanis who came from the Kaluga, Tula and
Kostroma oblasts of the Russian Federation, as well as
representatives of intelligentsia of other nations and a number of
international organizations attended the event.
Speakers at the meeting, resolutely condemned aggressive policy of
Armenia against Azerbaijan, underlined that Azerbaijan would never
reconcile with the occupation of its territories. The orators
expressed protest against the “double standard” in approach to the
question.
Participants of action addressed the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Russia, as well as adopted a statement addressed to the permanent
representations of the UN and OSCE, embassies of USA, France, Great
Britain, China and Armenia in Russia.

Nashua group wants to block sale of St. Francis Xavier
By SCOTT BROOKS, Union Leader Correspondent
The Union Leader
News – September 28, 2004
NASHUA — A Probate Court judge is considering whether to allow a
group of former St. Francis Xavier parishioners to argue against the
Diocese of Manchester’s plans to sell their old church.
Judge Raymond Cloutier said the parties should rekindle their equity
case in Hillsborough County Superior Court while he considers the
parishioners’ right to dispute the sale.
The Diocese closed the parish last year, citing “declining financial
health and waning parishioner attendance.” It now hopes to sell the
building to Hollis real estate developer Vatche Manoukian, who plans
to recast the facility as an Armenian Orthodox church.
The Diocese of Manchester closed St. Francis Xavier Church last
year and now hopes to sell the building. But a coalition of former
parishioners opposes the sale. (SCOTT BROOKS)
The St. Francis Xavier Foundation, a coalition of former parishioners,
opposes the sale, and is trying to block it with a lawsuit in Superior
Court and by intervening in Probate Court.
“The parishioners of St. Francis have a direct interest in what happens
to the property,” said Randy Wilbert, the foundation’s attorney.
Diocesan attorney Ovide Lamontagne, however, said the parishioners
do not have standing before Probate Court, claiming the Attorney
General’s Office can sufficiently represent the public’s interest in
the church’s sale.
“This is not their church,” Lamontagne said. “It is a church and a
property within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester.”
Lamontagne said the parishioners, now members of the nearby
St. Aloysius of Gonzaga parish, would benefit from the church’s sale,
which would reportedly net $1 million for the diocese. The diocese says
it plans to direct all revenue from the church’s sale to St. Aloysius
of Gonzaga.
“The former parishioners are present parishioners; they are
St. Aloysius of Gonzaga parishioners,” Lamontagne said. “They will
benefit by virtue of the bishop’s decision.”
Lamontagne said an Armenian Church representative from Jerusalem
has visited the site and was “very positive” about Manoukian’s
proposal. Armenian Church leaders must agree to accept Manoukian’s
gift for the sale to proceed.
The foundation petitioned the Superior Court in April to force the
diocese to reopen St. Francis Xavier. Judge Bernard Hampsey put the
case on hold in May in anticipation of a Probate Court ruling.
Yesterday, Cloutier said the issue should be handled one case at
a time.
“It makes no sense to have two hearings about the same issue,” he said.
“It’s not going to happen.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian, Turkish foreign ministers discuss ties in New York
A1+ web site
28 Sep 04
28 September: The Armenian foreign minister [Vardan Oskanyan] has
met his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on the sidelines of the
59th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Bilateral and
regional issues were discussed at the fourth meeting of the Armenian
and Turkish foreign ministers.
Oskanyan also met the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Steven
Mann, and US Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman.
With Grossman, Oskanyan discussed a range of bilateral issues,
including meetings of the Armenian-US economic commission and the
Millennium Challenge Account.
Oskanyan also met Lebanese Foreign Minister Jean Ubayd.
The Armenian foreign minister will deliver a speech at the UN General
Assembly on 29 September.

Tehran-Damascus train gives travelers an appreciation of the real world
It may not be fast, but the 3-day trip offers plenty to see
By Paul Cochrane
Special to The Daily Star
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
DAMASCUS: Some train trips have a legendary aura about them.
The Trans-Siberian is famous for being the longest train trip on earth,
connecting Moscow with Vladivostok, over 9,000 kilometers away. It
is possibly the ultimate train ride, taking seven days and covering
seven different time zones.
The Orient Express has a reputation as one of the most luxurious train
rides, connecting Istanbul with London, and is also the setting for
a famous Agatha Christie murder mystery novel “Murder on the Orient
Express.”
By comparison, a lightweight contender with no prior history or fame
is the Tehran to Damascus train trip.
Established two years ago after lengthy bureaucratic discussions
between the Iranian, Turkish and Syrian governments, the direct route
began with little public fanfare.
The modern era, after all, is one of speed and convenience – the
era of the airplane. Traveling 2,500 kilometers over 70 hours when
a three-hour plane ride would suffice might seem a waste of time to
some. But unlike air travel, the train gives an appreciation of the
actual size of the world, and of the changing landscapes and peoples
seen through the window of a train carriage. Unless you travel the
length of Russia by land, for example, it is hard to truly conceive
of that nation’s vastness – the train keeps going for days on end. The
same can be said of Turkey and Iran, both huge landmasses.
The length of the Azerbaijan route (Western Iran is known as
Eastern Azerbaijan) from Tehran to the border at Razi, is 958
kilometers. Turkey requires a further 1,000 kilometers of train track,
as well as six hours to cross Lake Van by ferry. The remaining
500 kilometers from Northern Syria to Damascus seem relatively
inconsequential. In terms of the monotonous, flat desert scenery of
Syria, and after three nights on the train, it is the final lap of
the trip, and one you want to see end as rapidly as possible.
Starting in the south of the bustling and polluted Iranian capital,
a city almost devoid architecturally and physically of any sense of
Iran’s past other than that reflected in Tehran’s numerous museums,
the train begins to roll past fields and mountains.
It is completely full – mostly Iranians going to Damascus on holiday,
in search of work or on pilgrimage to the Shiite Muslim shrine of
Zeinab. The remaining handful are Syrians and one Afghan. One carriage
consisted of 32 Iranian teenage schoolgirls all dressed in their black
chadors going on pilgrimage. Such trips are not available for young
men as after the age of 16 males cannot leave the country until they
have completed the year long military service.
Tickets, costing between $55 and $70, are booked a month in advance
for the bi-weekly trip. Everyone started in first class sleepers of
four bunks to a compartment, the price difference only noticeable
when switching from the Iranian to Syria train – where the extra cost
ensured a double sleeper compartment rather than a reclining seat.
As the 20-year-old East German-manufactured train chugs through the
countryside past mud houses made from wattle and daub, and winds
through valleys of weathered red sandstone, the scenery resembles
a miniature version of the Canyonlands National Park in Utah, USA –
an arid landscape, but not without diversity, color or beauty.
Dinner is taken in the dining car as the sun goes down, and consists
of the staple fare for Iranians when dining out – soup, yogurt,
buttered rice and chicken or meat kebab.
After the evening meal, the train stops at the city of Zanjan for 20
minutes so passengers can use the station mosque to pray or wander
along the platform for a stretch of the legs. Others sit in their
compartments drinking tea, reading, talking or sleeping as sheets,
blankets and pillows are brought by attendants.
The next morning at 9 a.m., the train pulls into Salmas station, where
a three-hour wait begins for passports to be processed. Around 400
passengers pile off the train to sit in waiting rooms, take breakfast
on the grass outside the station, or walk to local shops. Conversations
start with strangers, and tea becomes a highly sought after beverage.
Once all the documents are processed, an Iranian official comes out
with huge stacks of passports and is immediately accosted by men,
women and children waiting for their name to be called out. This
waiting game was repeated three more times, taking around 15 hours
of the total trip, at the borders into and out of Turkey and on
entering Syria. Without such lengthy waits – late at night in the
case of Turkey and Syria – the trip would certainly flow faster and
have been more enjoyable for all concerned.
The Tehran to Damascus train ride however is not really geared
towards enjoyment. It is instead a cheap people carrier between the
two capitals, but more comfortable than three days on a bus – those
with cash obviously take the plane.
Still, the trip down to Van goes through ancient Armenian areas
of Eastern Turkey, and past picturesque, fertile plains of grass,
sunflowers and tilled fields awaiting seeding. The border between
Iran and Turkey is not just a line dividing the two politically as
the difference in landscape is striking. From barren, dusty terrain
in Iran to rolling hills of rich agricultural land, lakes and olive
trees in Turkey.
At Lake Van, the largest body of inland water in Turkey, the Iranian
train draws to a halt at the harbor where the goods carriage is shunted
onto a ship, and all passengers carry their belongings aboard. There,
travelers lie on carpets brought to sell in Damascus on the top deck
of the single smokestack ferry, dozing or killing time looking out over
the watery expanse lit by the moon. If you have ever wondered where the
stains on your Persian carpet came from, it is probable they came from
the steel deck of a ship rather than tea spilled in a nomad’s tent.
Docking in Tatvan, the Syrian train waits alongside Tehran-bound
passengers leaning on their baggage. Two nights follow, spent on
the Syrian train in comfortable sleeper compartments complete with
duvets and washbasins. Unlike the Iranian train, meals are included,
although they resemble more a school packed lunch than the culinary
delights of the Orient Express.
A full day passes as the train rambles through the cities of Mus,
Elazig, and Malatya until Gaziantep, where the train cuts down to wind
along the Syrian border. After the now-expected wait for visa stamps,
the diesel-powered vehicle passes through Aleppo overnight to arrive
in Damascus at 1 p.m. – only 18 hours longer than the official 52
hours initially cited in Tehran.
For some, Damascus is the end of train travel for a while. For others,
the Syrian capital serves merely as a brief respite before taking
the train all the way back.

Azeri army spokesman upbeat on ties with NATO
Zerkalo, Baku
25 Sep 04
Azerbaijan will continue its cooperation with NATO despite the recent
cancellation of the Cooperative Best Effort 2004 exercises in Baku, a spokesman for
the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has said. At the same time, Col Ramiz Malikov
accused Armenia of playing a double game in order to discredit Azerbaijan in
the eyes of the international community. Touching on the Karabakh problem, he
said that “Azerbaijan is doing everything possible to avoid a military solution
to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict”. However, Armenia’s defeat is unavoidable
if the hostilities resume because Azerbaijan has a stronger economy, he said.
The following is an excerpt from C. Sumarinli and F. Teymurxanli report by
Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo on 25 September headlined “The cancellation of the
military exercises in Baku will not influence ties between Azerbaijan and
NATO” and subheaded “Col Ramiz Malikov thinks that the unity of the Azerbaijani
people and the government gained victory over the diseased ambitions of
Armenia”. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
The cancellation of the Cooperative Best Effort 2004 exercises, planned in
Baku by the NATO command, triggered many questions in the Azerbaijani public.
One of the major factors causing such questions was the “information war”
against official Baku launched by several politicians close to the leaderships of
the USA, NATO and Armenia.
We wonder what impediments Azerbaijan might encounter in its integration into
the North Atlantic alliance. We put this and several other questions to the
head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Col Ramiz
Malikov.
Armenia plotting to deal a deadly blow to Azerbaijan’s image
[Correspondent] What is your assessment of the cancellation of the NATO
exercises scheduled for 14 September in Azerbaijan?
[Malikov] One of the main signs typical of the “Armenian syndrome” is to
“deal a deadly blow by taking advantage of the opportunity”. And the Cooperative
Best Effort 2004 exercises were viewed by the Armenians as an opportunity to
deal a blow to Azerbaijan’s prestige. The exercises served as a double game for
Armenia: whether the Armenians would have come to Baku or not, there was only
one target, i.e. to discredit Azerbaijan in the eyes of the international
community.
If the Armenians had arrived in Baku, then unrest would have taken place in
Azerbaijan, certain forces would have protested against the authorities and
domestic political stability would have been disrupted. In this case, Armenia
would have said to NATO and the whole world – look what state you are cooperating
with, and it is impossible to conduct such an important peacekeeping mission
in a country which is in the grip of chaos and anarchy. Thus, the Armenians
would have said to the international community that it is impossible to resolve
the Karabakh problem at a negotiating table with a country which lacks
domestic political stability. And the fate of the “Karabakh people” (the Armenians
have invented a new nation) cannot be entrusted to “Azerbaijan’s cruel
oppressors”.
According to the second option, i.e. if the Armenians had not come to Baku,
which was actually the case – thanks to the will and unity of the Azerbaijani
people and the authorities, the officers of the Armenian armed forces who have
the blood of Azerbaijani elders, women and children on their hands, failed to
set foot in Baku. The people of Azerbaijan and the authorities took a single
position which served as a basis for victory over the diseased ambitions of the
Armenians.
The disguised ideas of cooperation between the Armenians and NATO did not
materialize. Some foreign forces, which pander to 200-year-old Armenian terror,
also failed.
Cancellation of NATO war games will not damage ties with Baku
[Correspondent] What do you think is the prospect for cooperation between
Azerbaijan and NATO after the incident? Will this incident have an effect on our
country’s cooperation with the alliance?
[Malikov] After the cancellation of the war games in Baku by the NATO
leadership, we could have said the following: “With this gesture, NATO supported the
aggressor country, which is pursuing a policy of terror and separatism at the
state level.” But our judgment is as follows. We believe that the NATO
leadership took this step due to its adherence to its principles. We say that
representatives of the occupying Armenian armed forces did not deserve to participate
in the Partnership for Peace programme for the reason that Armenia is not a
peace champion in the South Caucasus and in the whole of Europe. If Armenia
wished peace, then the 10-year Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations would have
resulted in a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The cancellation of the exercises by the NATO leadership will in no way have
a negative influence on relations between Azerbaijan and the North Atlantic
alliance. First, because relations between Azerbaijan and NATO have deeper
roots, and second, the principles of security in NATO member states and throughout
the world meet the interests of the Azerbaijani people and state.
Consequently, we consider that our cooperation with NATO will develop further and from
this point of view, the incident is of little importance.
Armenia has never been candid in its ties with NATO
[Correspondent] At this stage, Armenian experts claim that Baku and Yerevan
have swapped places in the issue of integration into NATO.
[Malikov] Armenia will never be able to replace Azerbaijan in the sphere of
partnership with NATO since official Yerevan has never been candid in its
cooperation with NATO. In this issue, Armenia is engaged in waffling and has “put
on a mask” of international cooperation. Moreover, Armenia cannot be sincere
for the reason that it is a vassal state deprived of its freedom of action. My
words are proved by the fact that currently, Russian border guards are guarding
Armenia’s borders and there is a big military base on the territory of this
state.
Let Armenia not celebrate the cancellation of the NATO exercises in Baku.
This country betrayed the principles of peace, stability, security and
cooperation again. I consider that the NATO leadership should pay attention to the
circumstance that Armenia regards the cancellation of the exercises as its own
victory.
In the field of relations with NATO, one cannot place Azerbaijan and Armenia
on the same level. With its participation in the Cooperative Best Effort 2004,
Armenia pursued only one aim: to deal a blow to the idea of peacekeeping and
cooperation, which it did not achieve. We sincerely wish the NATO leadership
to pay attention to this. We hope that the leadership of this major
international structure will not allow the Armenians to “poke their nose” into its
affairs in the future.
Azerbaijan is more important to NATO than Armenia
[Correspondent] Has the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry sent a statement to
NATO, explaining the reasons for denying the Armenians entry visas?
[Malikov] We have not sent any statement. But the Defence Ministry leadership
believes that cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO in the military sphere
will continue in its previous course.
At a meeting between Col-Gen Safar Abiyev and Deputy Assistant Secretary for
European and Eurasian Affairs Steven Pifer, the defence minister regretted the
incident. He said that Azerbaijan was ready to develop its ties with NATO and
the USA at a higher level.
We are continuing cooperation with NATO within the framework of the
Partnership for Peace programme and are taking part in all the events of the alliance.
Our country has a monthly plan of participation in activities under the
Partnership for Peace programme and you will see their implementation soon.
[Correspondent] Some politicians recently claimed that the rumpus around the
visit to Baku by the Armenians was in vain: Azerbaijan has lost the
information war, the visit to Baku by the Armenians has nothing in common with the
resolution of the Karabakh problem and so on.
[Malikov] I am not a politician. However, a politician fighting for the
national interests of his state and our people should not be thinking this way. The
Azerbaijani people proved to the Armenians that the people and state share a
single position. The time will come and this cohesive unity will wipe away the
Armenian occupiers from Nagornyy Karabakh and seven other districts around
it.
As for the opinions that Azerbaijan has lost the information war, this is far
from being the truth. Official Baku and the Azerbaijani people, as a whole,
are trying to tell the world community the truth about Armenia’s actions and
policy. How can officers of the Armenian armed forces, which have occupied the
territory of a neighbouring country and brought a lot of trouble to the
Azerbaijani people, come to Baku and participate in exercises?! Such impudence is
characteristic only of Armenians. What other actions should official Baku have
urged NATO to take against Armenia? Against the country which has occupied 877
villages, settlements and towns, has razed the town of Susa to the ground and
has wiped out 7,000 residents of Xocali [a settlement near Xankandi].
[Passage omitted: NATO decided to open an office in Tbilisi long before this
incident]
Azerbaijan will retake occupied lands at all costs
[Correspondent] In your opinion, what is the probability of military
hostilities resuming at the moment?
[Malikov] Azerbaijan is doing everything possible to avoid a military
solution to the conflict. We are in favour of resolving the problem in a peaceful
way. However, in this issue, the Armenians have “put on a mask” of supporters of
peace by stating that they allegedly adhere to a peaceful settlement. However,
this is wide of the mark, the Armenians support hostilities. They have placed
a huge amount of illegal weapons in our occupied land.
Azerbaijan will retake its occupied territories at all costs since the
Azerbaijani armed forces are able to do so. If we add to this the country’s economy
and moral support, then Armenia’s defeat is unavoidable if the hostilities
resume.

Germany: Bavarian minister on security fears over Turkey’s EU entry
ddp news agency, Berlin
28 Sep 04
entitled “Beckstein: Integrating Turkey would make the EU security situation
deteriorate”
Passau: Bavarian Interior Minister Guenther Beckstein, Christian Social
Union (CSU), has warned against a deterioration in the EU’s security
situation following the integration of Turkey. In an interview with
Passauer Neue Presse (28 September edition), Beckstein said: “As a
friend of Turkey, I am glad that Germany does not have to get along
with neighbours like the ones the government in Ankara has. Syria,
Iraq, Iran and Armenia – all these countries have enormous security
problems. These difficulties, which are unlikely to be solved, would
move even closer to the EU should Turkey join the EU.” This applies
to terrorism as well as to organized crime and the narcotics trade.