‘Russian formula’ contradicts Azerbaijan’s interests
AzerNews
23 Sept 04

Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents held meetings in Astana,
Kazakhstan within the summit of the CIS heads of state last
Wednesday. The first meeting was attended by the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven Mann (USA) and Henry
Jacolin (France), who informed the two leaders of the work recently
done in this area.
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov told journalists after the
meeting that the two presidents discussed issues agreed upon in Prague
earlier. “One of the proposals made concerns liberation of regions
adjacent to Upper Garabagh, the return of displaced persons home and
ensuring their security.” Baku and Yerevan are now expected to forward
their proposals to the co-chairs which will outline the future
activity of the OSCE MG. “The ideas discussed by the presidents are
within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity”,Merzlyakov
said.
The Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders held three-hour talks in private
followed by a trilateral meeting attended by Russian President
Vladimir Putin. President Ilham Aliyev gave a positive assessment to
the meeting. “I believe that the meetings of the two countries’
foreign ministers held on a permanent basis with participation of the
(OSCE) Minsk Group are positive.” Aliyev admitted that the two
presidents cannot say anything specific as to what they had discussed
behind closed doors. “We always have to confine ourselves to
verygeneral phrases, and there will be no exception today, because the
process is extremely important.” The Armenian leader Robert Kocharian
told journalists that the meeting was ‘quite interesting’ and that the
presidents have clarified certain positions and standpoints. “Now we
have to take time to find out where we stand”, he said. The process of
negotiations concerning the resolution of the Upper Garabagh conflict
is “underway,” Kocharian said. He admitted, however, that “we can’t
boast of anything special.” The Armenian President said that the two
sides approach the dialogue “with patience”. “We are discussing
complex problems that we have inherited”, he said. Russian President
Vladimir Putinassessed the meeting as a step forward and expressed his
confidence that the two countries’ presidents will arrive at common
decision on the issue. Influential Russia media reported that the
talks, which besides the conflicting sides, involve the Russian
President, are more efficient. Azeri pundits say that the so-called
“Russian formula” of the conflict settlement does not meet the
country’s interests at all, as it envisions withdrawal of Armenian
troops from Azerbaijan’s territories adjacent to Upper Garabagh in
exchange for referendums on the status of both Garabagh alone and
throughout the country. Local experts reasonably believe that the
outcome of a separate referendum in Upper Garabagh will be far from
authentic. Moreover, these results, no matter how turn out, would not
have any political consequences or force, as the issue of altering
Azerbaijan’s borders is the country’s own prerogative. The status of
Upper Garabagh can be determined only through a referendum held all
over Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, the presence of the Russian formula is
more favorable than the stalling peace talks that have persisted for
over a decade. It is for this reason that President Ilham Aliyev said
that any course of developments in this direction could promote
conflict settlement.
Opinion Moscow considers the talks held by the Azerbaijani, Armenian
and Russian Pesidents as “useful and constructive”, Russian
President’s administration spokesman said following the
negotiations. “It is evident that the parties are ready to continue
dialogue and search for a compromise”. It is common knowledge that
this is an extremely complex and persistent problem, and its
resolution will take time, serious efforts and mutual concessions,
Russian media reported. “Aliyev and Kocharian aim to seek exclusively
political ways of untangling the Garabagh problem”, the same Russian
official said and pointed out that the two presidents confirmed
“observance of ceasefire obligations”. “Such intentions give a hope
that the conflict will be done away with despite existing problems.”
Russia, along with the two other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
USA and France, is ready to provide all the necessary assistance in
this area. “Russia is ready to support a conflict settlement that
would suit all sides involved, and, if necessary, act as a guarantor
for mutually acceptable agreements. Such an approach was approved by
the parties”, the Russian representative added. Moscow believes that
the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents should “agree on their own”,
but Russia “can contribute to developing and deepening the dialogue”
between Baku and Yerevan. Russia certainly understands that the
results of two referendums would be contrary to each other and no
miracle will take place, as residents of Garabagh will vote for its
independence, while voters in Azerbaijan – for its return to Baku’s
control. Nonetheless, Russian politicians believe that the start of
the conflict settlement process will most likely relieve tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Moreover, Russia will assert its
desired role of becoming a key peacemaker in the conflict.

EU to follow authorities-opposition dialogue
AzerNews
23 Sept 04
The European Union is ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan within the
European Neighborhood Policy both in the political and economic
fields, the European Commission (EC) President Romano Prodi told a
press conference following his meetings with Azeri
government officials in Baku on Friday. Prodi visited Baku as part of
his tour of the South Caucasus region on September 16-17. The EC
President saidhe discussed the next steps following the EU’s recent
decision to include Azerbaijan in the program with President Aliyev,
Prime Minister Rasizada, Parliament Speaker Alasgarov and Caucasus
Clerical Leader, Sheikh Pashazada.
“We would like to see the benefit of extended Europe both for
ourselves and the “new neighbors.” Prodi noted that Azerbaijan will
“experience the advantage of entering the European Union’s 500
million-people market”. He added that implementation of the mentioned
policy is possible not exclusively for any country in the region but
only for all regional countries. “The EU has expressed a very clear
and firm position: by the “new neighborhood policy” we imply all the
three regional states – Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.”
Progress
The European Commission President Prodi said with regard to democratic
reform ongoing in Azerbaijan that the European Union believes that the
country has achieved considerable progress in this area. “We openly
state that important progress has been achieved in Azerbaijan in the
area of democracy and it needs to be further developed.” Prodi said
that in his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev “a full range of
issues on freedoms, democratic development and transparency of
elections was discussed”. “Our position is unequivocal and clear:
these are our priorities, which are very important, as the EU is based
on them”, the EC President said. He said the EU will follow the
relations between the authorities and the opposition in
Azerbaijan. “There is no democracy without opposition and the EU will
definitely keep in spotlight the relations between the authorities and
opposition and trends for their getting closer.”
Prodi underlined, however, that “in all South Caucasus countries, we
(European Union) did not fully agree with the results of elections,
which raised our concerns from various standpoints”. Touching upon the
Upper Garabagh conflict settlement, he said the European Union
supports a dialogue between the Presidents and Foreign Ministers of
Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, the EUhas no plans to interfere with
the negotiations. Nonetheless, the EU is ready to assist in
establishing peace and providing assistance to refugees if the
conflicting sides reach an agreement.
EC offers assistance
The EC President Prodi said in a meeting with teachers and students of
the Baku State University on Friday that conflicts in the Caucasus are
unacceptable. Prodi stated that resolution of the Upper Garabagh
conflict depends on the conflicting sides. He said he supports the
peaceful settlement and that such conflicts have also arisen among the
European Union member-states in the past and were resolved within the
framework of economic reforms. In a meeting with Prodi on the same
day, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazada said that Armenia tried to
misinform the international community that its conflict with
Azerbaijan started on a religious basis. Pashazada pointed put that
this was not true and said the fact that Azerbaijanis are not willing
to live side by side with Armenians is the latter’s delusion. “25,000
Armenians are living in Azerbaijan today. However, there is not a
single Azerbaijani living in Armenia,” Pashazada stressed. Prodi said
that his visit to Baku aimed to put forward new proposals on
cooperation and pointed out that not only economic and but also
political relations between the EU and Azerbaijan will expand. “The
European community is open to your community. The involvement of
religion in this dialogue is therefore necessary,” Prodi said and
added that the EC could assist in solving conflicts in the region.

President Meets OSCE Envoy, Dicusses Karabakh
BakuToday
23/09/2004 10:45
On Tuesday, President Ilham Aliyev received Philip Dimitrov, the OSCE
chairman ‘s special envoy on Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Karabagh
conflict was the topic of discussion.
AssA-Irada/BT — Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Karabakh and Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, President
Aliyev noted that the conflict creates great obstacles for ensuring
peace and stability in the entire region. Aliyev stressed that
Azerbaijan’s position towards the conflict remains unchanged. The
problem should be settled within international legal norms and
principles of the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders,
he said.
The Azerbaijani President noted that the conflict will never be solved
if there is another approach to the issue. Peace and security will be
ensured in the region and the country’s economy rapidly developed if
the Karabakh conflict is solved, he stressed.
President Aliyev underscored that international organizations are more
interested in peaceful settlement of the conflict. Expressing his
disappointment with the failure of the OSCE Minsk Group to solve the
conflict so far, Aliyev voiced a hope that the Minsk Group will step
up its efforts in this respect.
Dimitrov, in his turn, underlined that the meetings of Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents play a great role in the peaceful resolution of
the Karabakh conflict. He voiced a hope that the conflicting sides
will step up their efforts to settle the conflict.

Defense Minister says Recent Meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents
Raises Hope
BakuToday
23/09/2004 10:49
On Tuesday, Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev received
Philip Dimitrov, the OSCE chairman’s special envoy on Azerbaijan and
Armenia.
AssA-Irada — General Abiyev said that the meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents recently held in Astana, Kazakhstan raises a hope
for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. `We think that
Armenia, which ignores the UN Security Councilâ=80=99s four
resolutions on the conflict, should be made do this. The conflict must
be settled soon within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as the
security of huge economic projects implemented in Azerbaijan with
close participation of European countries and the USA demands this,’
Abiyev underlined.
Noting that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh
should be solved within international legal norms and Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, General Abiyev said that Armenia should
unconditionally withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied
lands. Or else, Azerbaijan will be made to liberate its territory from
occupiers, he stressed.

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
September 23, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]
REPS. KNOLLENBERG AND PALLONE CALL ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO DEMAND AN END TO
AZERI THREATS AGAINST ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ) for bringing the continued threats by Azerbaijan against Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh to the attention of President George W. Bush and
calling for urgent U.S. action to put an end to Baku’s war-mongering and
belligerence.
In a joint letter circulated among Caucus members Wednesday night,
Representatives Knollenberg and Pallone said Azerbaijan’s rhetoric and
repeated threats had intensified in recent months and it was time for the
United States to act in the interest of peace and stability in the Caucasus
region.
“We urge you to sign the attached letter to President Bush imploring him to
publicly condemn the ongoing Azerbaijani war rhetoric and other increasingly
bellicose remarks against the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,”
Reps. Knollenberg and Pallone wrote to their colleagues.

“We applaud the initiative of the Co-Chairs. These repeated and escalating
Azeri threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are not only dangerous,
but can ultimately only lead to further destabilization in an already
volatile region,” Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian
said.
“The United States urgently needs to impress on Azerbaijan that its present
policies are not conducive to peace – and peace is a prerequisite to
regional security and stability,” Barsamian said.
In their letter to President Bush, the Co-Chairs said:
Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to strongly urge you to condemn the ongoing Azerbaijani war
rhetoric and other increasingly bellicose remarks made against the Republic
of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. These statements undermine U.S. interests
in the region.
As you know, a cease-fire in the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh was
established in 1994 and sensitive peace negotiations to achieve a final
agreement are ongoing. However, the government of Azerbaijan continues to
make dangerous claims and threaten war against Armenia. This war rhetoric
has continued unabated and has intensified in recent months.
In July, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry spokesman called for Azerbaijan’s takeover of Armenia and
removing its entire population. He said, “In the next 25-30 years there
will be no Armenian state in the South Caucasus. This nation has been a
nuisance for its neighbors and has no right to live in this 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.” Mr. President, this reprehensible call for
ethnic cleansing and even genocide warrants the strongest possible reply
from our country.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly declared that
Azerbaijan could launch a new war in Karabakh. Just two months ago, he
stated, “At any moment we must be able to liberate our territories by
military means. To achieve this we have everything.” Aliyev has directly
linked Azerbaijan’s economic progress to its military “superiority.” “Under
these circumstances we cannot react positively to those calling us to
compromise,” Aliyev stated.
Last year, as reported by BBC Monitoring, Azerbaijani Defense Minister
General Safar Abiyev said that occasional violations of the cease-fire were
“natural” since Azerbaijan is still “at war.” Statements like this not only
undermine the peace process, but can also serve to actually encourage
attacks against Armenia.
Just this month, NATO cancelled its Cooperative Best Effort (CBE) 2004
exercises in Baku, Azerbaijan after the government of Azerbaijan barred
Armenia from participating. U.S. General James Jones, Supreme Commander of
Allied Forces in Europe, expressed regret over Azerbaijan’s refusal to honor
its host obligations to accept delegates from all interested partners. As
part of its commitment to international security in the Caucasus, Armenia
welcomed both Azerbaijan and Turkey to participate in the NATO CBE 2003
exercises in Yerevan, Armenia.
Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the
best interests of the United States and the region. The Nagorno Karabakh
peace process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war and
predict ethnic cleansing with impunity. To this end, we urge that you
condemn these remarks and call upon the government of Azerbaijan to desist
from making any further threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
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#2004-082
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
YPC ANNUAL AWARD
INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES AND MEDIA
WHAT DOES THE PLAINTIFF WANT?
APPEAL OF “INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS” DECLINED
MEDIA RESPONSE TO SUPERSYSTEM
OVER THIRTY FREQUENCIES TO BE COMPETED FOR
INTERNEWS ARMENIA AWARDED TV JOURNALISTS
PTA YOUTH CHANNEL CHANGES ITS NAME
YPC ANNUAL AWARD
On September 22 at the Business Center of American University of Armenia the
Annual Award ceremony of Yerevan Press Club was held. The award was
established in 1998 to encourage the greatest accomplishments of journalists
and media organizations of Armenia (see YPC web-site, www. ypc.am , “Awards”
section). This year the ceremony was organized by Yerevan Press Club jointly
with “Partnership for Open Society” initiative.
The jury, who determined the awardees, included: Vardan Aloyan (Director of
CS Publishing House, previously, the former Chief Editor of “Respublika
Armenia” newspaper), Arshavir Gazazian (Correspondent of “Deutsche Welle”
radio station in Armenia), Ruzan Khachatrian (Correspondent of Radio
“Liberty” Armenian Service), Nune Sargsian (Executive Director of Internews
Armenia), Vigen Sargsian (External Relations Officer of the World Bank
Mission in Armenia).
The YPC awardees for this year are:
The web site of “A1+” TV company – for being up-to-date and
becoming an established online medium;
Hakob Berberian, photojournalist – for creative depiction of social
problems;
Armen Melikbekian, sports commenter of the Public Television of Armenia –
for competent and impartial commenting on the Spain and Europe Football
Championships;
“Photolure” news agency – for creative progress in 2003-2004;
Atom Margarian, observer of Radio “Liberty” Armenian Service – for the best
coverage of economic issues;
Hranush Hakobian, chairwoman of the Standing Commission of the RA National
Assembly on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues – for being open
and transparent in work and for effective cooperation with journalists.
Traditionally special prizes were conferred on awardees by missions of
international organizations and public sector.
The Media Diversity Institute Coordinator in Armenia Artur Papian awarded
Hakob Berberian.
The Head of World Bank Mission in Armenia Roger Robinson granted a prize to
Atom Margarian.
The Chairwoman of the Journalists Union of Armenia Astghik Gevorgian
conferred a special award to Armen Melikbekian.
Hranush Hakobian, the web site of “A1+” TV company and “Photolure” news
agency were awarded prizes by “Partnership for Open Society” initiative.
INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES AND MEDIA
On September 19-21 in Tsaghkadzor seminar “International Structures and
Media: Relations and Ethics” was held, organized by Yerevan Press Club with
the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The seminar brought together
representatives of media and international organizations. The presentations
and discussions were devoted to the Armenian media coverage of international
structures, in particular, the Council of Europe, UN, the Open Society
Institute, USAID, the role of these organizations as an information source
on developments of interest to Armenia. The event was a part of a joint
project of YPC and Friedrich Ebert Foundation, aimed at the development of
media self-refutation mechanisms and principles of journalistic ethics in
Armenia. The theme of the last seminar was prompted by the active interest
of media during the recent months to international organizations and the
urgency of the problem of maintaining professional norms while covering
their activities.
WHAT DOES THE PLAINTIFF WANT?
On September 20 the RA Court of Appeals dismissed the suit of the resident
of Khachpar village of Ararat region Marineh Gabrielian versus the Chief
Editor of “Ararat” regional newspaper Karineh Ashughian because of the
absence of the plaintiff’s representative from the hearings. Marineh
Gabrielian had challenged with the Court of Appeals the ruling of the
primary jurisdiction court of Ararat region, Masis city, of December 23,
2003, according to which the suit on compensating the material damage was
left unconsidered for the same reason – the absence of the plaintiff’s
representative at the court session (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, December
19-25, 2003). Marineh Gabrielian had demanded to compensate her expenses of
125,000 drams (about $ 220), incurred, as she alleged, during the previous
litigations between the parties in 2001-2002 (see details in YPC Weekly
Newsletter, November 7-13, 2003).
While commenting on this lengthy litigation, Yerevan Press Club noted that
having taken the plaintiff’s side and obliging the Chief Editor (in July
2002) to publish a refutation for the communication confirmed by 115 people,
the court actually created a dangerous precedent. The plaintiff, inspired by
her success, went further and is now demanding to be compensated the
material damage, at the same time, strange as it may seem, not going into
the trouble of either being present herself or sending a representative to
the court session.
APPEAL OF “INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS” DECLINED
On September 16 the RA Court of Appeals refused the suit of “Investigative
Journalists” NGO versus the Yerevan municipality. As it has been reported,
in early July the organization challenged the ruling of the court of
primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan of
June 21 that refused securing the demand of the plaintiff to the
administration of the capital to provide it with documents necessary for
journalistic investigation (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, July 2-8, 2004). The
documents in question were the resolutions of the municipality of 1997-2003
on the constructions in the public green zone around the National Opera and
Ballet Theater. The ruling of the court of primary jurisdiction had the
motivation that the organization had not attempted to get the information
needed from other state agencies before addressing the municipality, and its
inquiry was not specific enough. On their behalf “Investigative Journalists”
sent a new inquiry to the municipality, listing all the enterprises of
interest that are operating today on the territory around the Opera and
Ballet Theater.
At the hearings of the Court of Appeals, the municipality representative
read out the response to this query that said in particular: “The document
package on the enterprises that use the land is addended by State Register
certificates. The State Register certificates the names of the founders of
enterprises are not specified, therefore, the information on land allocation
to the enterprises specified by you cannot be provided.” Although inquiry
was centered not around the names of the enterprise owners, but on the
legitimacy of them being allocated the territories, and dismissing the
argumentation of the plaintiff on access to information in accordance with
the legislation in force in Armenia, the court of secondary jurisdiction
refused the appeal of “Investigative Journalists”. The organization
announced that it intends to challenge the decision with the RA Court of
Cassation.
MEDIA RESPONSE TO SUPERSYSTEM
During the opening of “CS Media City” holding on September 4, 2004 (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, September 3-9, 2004), the Armenian President Robert
Kocharian by pushing a button launched a system capable of transmitting 50
TV channels in gigaherz frequency spectrum. Over some time already this
system (referred to as “supersystem”) and its owner, the previously unknown
“A UP” company, have been advertised on “Armenia” TV channel. The launch
give a rise to a torrent of publications in Armenian press that, apparently,
is going to be continued, and that questions the arguments usually quoted as
motivation for depriving “A1+” TV company of air.
On September 9 “Aravot” daily published an article by observer Anna
Israelian “There Goes the Supersystem!”, which quotes the Head of Licensing
and Methodology Department of National Commission on Television and Radio
Ishkhan Vardanian: “Presently NCTR has no vacant GHz frequency. We did not
provide frequency in this spectrum to any company. “A UP” company, whose
commercial can frequently be seen on air, is unknown to us, it has no
license. (…) The Commission has already warned the appropriate bodies of
the need to take steps to stop the illegal broadcasting.” The question of
why then in this spectrum AATV company is broadcasting nowadays was answered
by Mr. Vardanian to the effect that AATV has had a ten-year license since
1997, of which it was deprived during the re-licensing of 2001, since the
license was granted not for broadcasting but for other services. “However,
the investments are protected by the law and if due to a law amendment
economic process is obstructed, the investor has a right to continue the
activities for five years. In any case, today, these frequencies are subject
to licensing by competition. I find it hard, however, to predict, when the
competition will be held”, Ishkhan Vardanian added. It should be noted that
the list of TV and radio frequencies, received by Yerevan Press Club after
an inquiry filed with NCTR, the 2501-2700 MHz spectrum in question is listed
as subject to listening by competition.
The Chairman of “Investigative Journalists” NGO Edik Baghdasarian
highlighted some questionable points in the activities of “Armenia” TV
channel and the newly-established “CS Media City” in his article “Having
Seen a Button, Do Not Press It”, published in “Aravot” daily on September
16.
The piece of Ara Meliksetian “Framing in Public” (“Golos Armenii” newspaper,
September 18) says in particular: “Apparently, the unpleasant story of
“Armenia” TV channel could have gone without a scandal, but for the
particularly sensitive attention of the colleagues to the fate of another
Armenian broadcaster, “A1+” TV company. Hardly any journalist would have
questioned the legitimacy of the diligently advertised television novelty,
presented by “Armenia”, had there been no reasonable question: how come
there is a frequency for a new re-broadcasting project, while none can be
found for “A1+” TV company? The search for an answer to this very natural
question resulted in a quite incidental disclosure of one of the biggest
frauds of our reality. And it is big only because the head of the state was
unwillingly involved in it.” “Apparently, Robert Kocharian himself did not
have suspicions on the legitimacy of the occurrence”, Ara Meliksetian
thinks. “He was, roughly speaking, simply framed. He was, as the saying
goes, played a dirty trick on.” In the opinion of the author of the article,
the President was framed by “various state agencies” and the “many-faced
people surrounding him”, “but the worst thing that the response of the head
of the state is still unknown to the public at large”.
Armen Hakobian in article “The Secret Supersystem of ‘Armenia'” (“Hayots
Ashkhar” daily of September 10) named the situation in place “a scandal in
the noble family”. “It has become known from trustworthy sources that the
head of ‘Armenia’ Bagrat Sargsian was yesterday summoned to the
administration of the President, where he was demanded explanations on what
happened”, the author writes. Besides, he notes that the broadcasting
without a license, along with unconscientious advertising are criminal
offences by Armenian legislation.
Yet, the advertising of the supersystem on “Armenia” TV has already been
stopped, but the situation still needs a consistent explanation by all the
persons and state institutions involved.
OVER THIRTY FREQUENCIES TO BE COMPETED FOR
On September 17, the National Commission on Television and Radio announced
broadcast licensing competitions on 30th UHF of Artashat (Ararat region) and
on two FMs in Yerevan – 100.6 and 101.1 MHz. Besides, the competitions were
announced for two FM-packages in a number of Armenian cities. The first
package includes eight frequencies: 106.1 of Noyemberian, 105.5 of Berd,
105.9 of Amasia, 104.2 of Stepanavan, 104.2 of Sisian, 105.1 of Goris, 104.7
of Kapan, 102.9 of Meghri. The second package includes twenty frequencies:
107.1 of Sevan, 106.6 of Gyumri, 106.3 of Vanadzor, 106.7 of Sisian, 105.4
of Meghri, 107.2 of Kapan, 105.6 of Goris, 102.8 of Jermuk, 104.8 of
Yeghegnadzor, 102.2 of Stepanavan, 100.4 of Ashtarak, 105.3 of Spitak, 105.5
of Hrazdan, 103.7 of Gavar, 100.2 of Dilijan, 101.6 of Ijevan, 103.6 of
Noyemberian, 100.5 of Artashat, 100.4 of Armavir, 101.3 of Echmiadzin.
The deadline for bids in the competition is on December 15, 2004. The
National Commission will consider the bids on December 28.
None of the frequencies mentioned is currently broadcast on. As it has been
reported, earlier, on September 16, the National Commission announced
competitions for five vacant frequencies, too (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 10-16, 2004).
INTERNEWS ARMENIA AWARDED TV JOURNALISTS
On September 18 the results of competition of TV newscast among private TV
companies, held by Internews Armenia with financial assistance of USAID,
were announced. The prize in the nomination “News program of Yerevan-Based
TV company” was awarded to “Horizon” newscast of “Shant” (Yerevan), and
journalist of the same channel Artak Hovhannissian became an awardee in
nomination “Report on specific events: at the right time and place”. The
winner in the nomination of “News program of regional TV company” is
“Fortuna” TV (Stepanavan). The award “Special report: special approach” was
granted to Nerses Matinian (“Interkap” TV, Vanadzor). In two nominations
“Mirror: thematic report on the role of media” and “Journalistic
investigation: closed folder” no prizes were conferred. Also, two special
prizes were awarded to “Yerkir-Media” TV for the best launch and innovative
approach and Hakob Badalian (“AR” TV) for unique style. Incentive awards
were granted: “Keen glance” – Hasmik Ohanian (“Kentron” TV), “Promising
start” – Christina Mkrtchian (“Shant” TV, Gyumri) and Irina Hovhannissian
(“Yerkir-Media”).
PTA YOUTH CHANNEL CHANGES ITS NAME
Since September 20 the channel for youth of the Public Television of Armenia
“First Channel-Yerevan”, aired on 48th UHF of Yerevan, started to broadcast
with a new logotype “Nor Alik”. The programming policy of the channel has
changed, too: from now on it will not be airing the programs of PTA “First
Channel”.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

PRESS RELEASE
September 23, 2004
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]
AUA Appoints Dr. Lucig Danielian Dean of Political Science
Oakland, CA – The Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia
Corporation (AUAC) approved the appointment of Dr. Lucig Danielian as Dean
of the School of Political Science and International Affairs. AUAC Trustee
and Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Wlad Godzich of the University of
California, Santa Cruz, noted, `Dr. Danielian has an outstanding commitment
to the development of Armenia and a strong record of service to the
University as Associate Professor, Associate Dean, and Director of the
Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis.’
Dr. Lucig Danielian earned her Doctoral Degree in Communications from the
University of Texas at Austin in 1989. Dr. Danielian was Assistant
Professor of Political Communication at the University at Albany, State
University of New York, from 1988-1994, where she received a University
Faculty Fellowship for research conducted on mass communication and
democratic movements in Armenia, USSR. She has been the recipient of the
Harvard University Goldsmith Research Award, a Fulbright Fellowship, an IREX
Advanced Research Fellowship, and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from
the Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned
Societies Joint Committee on Soviet Studies.
AUA President, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, welcomed the newly appointed Dean,
`We are confident that Dr. Danielian’s experience in Armenia and at AUA will
help lead our institution into new directions and impact the development of
Armenia and the region.’ Dr. Lucig Danielian has been teaching at AUA since
1995, has served as the Associate Dean of the School of Political Science
and International Affairs since 1999, and has developed the Turpanjian
Center for Policy Analysis into a beehive of activity and research over the
last five years. She is an active member of several academic and
professional organizations, including the American Political Science
Association, and serves on the boards of several Armenian organizations and
publications, including the Open Society Institute Armenia Assistance
Foundation. Dr. Danielian has published in journals such as the American
Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Communication, is the author
of several book chapters and has many publications directly related to
Armenia and public policy.
AUA’s School of Political Science and International Affairs’ primary focus
is to provide analytical, reasoning and problem solving skills through the
study of international, comparative, and domestic governmental institutions
and processes. The School’s approach is multi-disciplinary with strong
emphasis placed upon providing students with a comprehensive understanding
of democratic governance at the local, national, regional and international
levels.
—————————————-
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit

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 23, 2004
___________________
CAMBRIDGE ACYOA TO HOST ARCHBISHOP’S TOURNAMENT IN OCTOBER
Two years ago it returned. And this fall, it will be bigger and better
than ever.
The Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA, chapter of the Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA) will host the 2004 Archbishop’s
Tournament on Columbus Day weekend, October 8 to 10, 2004.
The ACYOA reactivated the Archbishop’s Tournament two years ago,
introducing a new generation of young Armenians to the fun and
excitement of the weekend.
“Most of our youth never had the chance to participate in this event,
because it was discontinued,” said ACYOA Central Council Member
Christopher Tashjian, who is also a member of the Holy Trinity chapter.
“But I know that they will not want to miss this experience!”
What began as a men’s basketball tournament in 1971 sponsored by
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, then-Primate of the Eastern Diocese, has
grown and evolved in its latest incarnation. This year’s weekend also
includes a women’s basketball competition. The tournament — which will
be held in state-of-the-art facilities — is also organized in a unique
format this year. Teams will no longer quit playing after one loss,
giving everyone more time on the court.
The weekend full of games and activities begins on Friday, October 8,
with an evening of fun and fellowship at the restaurant Sonsie, located
on Newbury Street in Boston. Following the games and presentation of
trophies by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), will be a dance on Saturday night,
featuring the popular singer, Puzant of Montreal.
Participants will join together on Sunday for a special Divine Liturgy
at the Holy Trinity Church, which will be followed by a reception
celebrating the 10th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the
parish’s priest and long-time supporter of ACYOA, Fr. Vasken Kouzouian.
Most of the venues for the weekend are located just minutes from
historic central Boston, so along with making new Armenian friends and
hitting the basketball court, even the least athletic participants will
have fun visiting the popular tourist attractions.
Everyone is invited to attend or compete in the Archbishop’s Tournament.
For more information, contact Chris Tashjian, [email protected],
or Ani Bagdasarian, [email protected].
— 9/23/04

VARTAN OSKANIAN: “KARABAGH IS INVALUABLE”
Azg/am
23 Sept 04
One Can’t Frighten Armenia with Statements That It Is Left Without
Energetic and Transportation Projects
“Nagorno Karabagh is invaluable. If someone connects the regional
energetic and transportation projects with the issue of Nagorno
Karabagh, I can definitely say that we can make no connection between
them, as Nagorno Karabagh is invaluable and we can exchange it neither
with railways nor oil pipelines and roads,” Oskanian said in
yesterday’s press conference.
“One can’t frighten or bother Armenia with statements that it is left
without the energetic and transportation regional projects, and we
should make concessions and prompt the settlement of the issue. We
absolutely reject this argument and one can’t frighten Armenia with
that. Maybe that was possible in 1992. At present Armenia can not
only survive without that, but also develop and during the next
century it will develop without railways and oil pipelines,” Oskanian
said.
According to the calculation of the experts, Armenia would get $50
million annually, if all the oil and gas pipelines, as well as the
railroads pass through its territory. This sum makes only 10 % of our
country’s budget.
Oskanian said that Armenia is ready to be involved in the regional
programs, if “the other side wishes.” Particularly, he said, that
Yerevan is ready to open Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railroad that stopped
functioning because of Turkey’s blockade of Armenia since
1993. According to trustworthy diplomatic sourcesof Azg Daily, the
Armenian side offered Turkey to open this railroad, besides, Yerevan
would demand no transportation taxes.
Ra Foreign Minister is to leave for New York to participate in 59-th
Session of UN Assembly. According to preliminary agreement, the
meeting of Oskanian with Abdullah Gul is envisaged. Oskanian said that
Armenia hasn’t changed its position, as regards achieving positive
results without preconditions. “The issue remains unchanged, i.e. to
fix development in Armenian -Turkish Relations, to open the railroad,
to establish some bilateral exchanges, to open the border-gate and to
establish diplomatic relations, as the final goal,” he said.
Oskanian stated that at present no agreement has been reached yet for
the meeting with Abdullah Gul. “I think there will be some break
before gettingnew instructions from the presidents. Our evaluation is
the following: the foreign ministers have completed the first stage of
the negotiations, four meetings took place. We are expecting new
instructions from the presidents. If we get the instructions, we can
say that the negotiations on the level of foreign ministers will enter
the second stage, that will be higher and closer to the settlement of
the issue from its qualitative aspect than the first one,” Vartan
Oskanian said.
Presidents Robert Kocharian and Heydar Aliyev have reached a definite
stage in the negotiation process. In reply to the question whether
Azerbaijan preserves the consistency of the negotiations, Oskanian
said: “The possibility of consistency isn’t denied. I can’t say that
consistency is preserved. Anyway, some variant of consistency is being
discussed and it isn’t rejected by Azerbaijan.”
In response to the question put by Azg Daily, whether a negotiation
basis was created as a result of the four meetings of the foreign
ministers, Oskanian answered, “According to the foreign ministers,
some basis was created and passed to the presidents. There were some
expectations that the presidents will give consent or give special
instructions to the foreign ministers to continue in that
direction. There was such an expectation, but that wasn’t achieved
during the meetings of the presidents (in Astana). Certainly, it
doesnâ=80=99t mean that the presidents rejected that. Kocharian and
Aliyev positively estimated the work done by the foreign ministers and
I believe that the things that were submitted to the presidents are in
the center of their attention and they will continue discussions
around them. After coming to conclusion, there may be definite
instructions given to both OSCE Minsk group and the foreign
ministers.”
Touching upon the fact that Armenian officers were not allowed going
to Baku to participate in NATO military exercises, Vartan Oskanian
said, “It was a good opportunity to restore trust between the two
armies. If Azeri government yielded and was under the pressure of some
minority’s demands, we are seriously concerned with the fact whether
new Azeri authorities will be able to make serious mutual concessions
in Nagorno Karabagh settlement issue.”
Oskanian evaluated unacceptable the report of Terry Davis, OSCE
Karabagh Issue Reporter. “That report has no legal status at
present. It is still being discussed. The reporter has been
changed. The newly appointed reporter should prepare his own report,
taking into account the report of Davis or ignoringit,” he
said. Oskanian is also concerned with the statements of the newly
appointed reporter, Stinckson. They are not in the interest of
Armenia.
By Tatoul Hakobian

DALLAQYAN SIGNING UNDER OSKANYAN’S STATEMENT
A1Plus
23-09-2004
‘Justice’ Bloc Secretary Viktor Dallaqyan labeled the statement by
Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan who said `Karabakh is priceless’ as the
one of a field commander but announced he was as well signing under
it. But Dallaqyan disagrees to the standpoint of the Minister that
Armenia can progress without participating in the regional
developments, without railway, gas pipe line and opened frontiers.
Mr. Dallaqyan drew parallels between the present Armenia and the one
in the beginning of the last century saying he had found numerous
similarities between those 2 states, particularly how they both became
independent, their problems with the neighboring countries, June of
1919 when Authorities falsified the election results, etc.
Viktor Dallaqyan advised to look through `People’ Newspaperof People’s
Party of Armenia of that time. The party boycotted the elections and
the newspaper published it.
Talking about settlement of Karabakhi conflict, Dallaqyan again said
that the not elected president, who doesn’t enjoy trust of people,
canâ=80=99t find solution to the problem. `When in 1999 December in
Istanbul Kocharyan signed the paper on recognition of the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, Karabakhi problem reached a deadlock’, he
thinks.
He also considers risky that some super states – Russia, China, have
started announcing that they recognize the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. Dallaqyan called such developments as the `consequence of
the weak policy conducted by the not elected Authorities’.
The standpoint saying the Azerbaijani Authorities are anti-popular and
not elected, either, but the international society mainly shows
stances not favorable for Armenians, was posed to Dallaqyan combined
with the question on what ` Justice’ Bloc version over the conflict
settlement was: `The principle of self-determination of the nations
and recognition of Karabakh as a negotiating part’ , he said.