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Armenian NGOs call for peace in Georgia’s South Ossetia conflict
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Arminfo
12 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The Stability movement which includes a number of Armenian NGOs has
expressed its concern about the deterioration of the situation in the
South Ossetia.
The possibility of military operations and engagement in the conflict
of several districts in the region may result in a large-scale war in
the North Caucasus and this causes serious concern, the movement said
in a statement sent to Arminfo news agency. The possible war will have
a destructive impact on the stability of the entire region. It will
also have a negative influence on the dynamics of development of
various spheres and areas in Armenia. “On behalf of Armenia’s NGOs, we
call on the NGOs operating in Georgia to join their efforts in order
to influence the Georgian leadership and to resolve the conflict
peacefully within the framework of humanity and values of the
mankind,” the statement said.

Azeri leader focuses on unresolved Karabakh issue at meeting with new envoys
Lider TV, Baku
12 Jul 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been violated and,
despite international efforts, Armenia is not retreating from the
occupied territories. We are demanding that our territorial integrity
be restored and the international community express its attitude
towards this, [Azerbaijani] President Ilham Aliyev said at today’s
ceremony when receiving the credentials from the newly-appointed
ambassadors to Azerbaijan from France, Canada, Philippines, Ghana,
Algeria and the United Arab Emirates.
[Correspondent over videos of diplomats and the Azeri president]
France and Azerbaijan are friendly countries. During my tenure as
ambassador, I will further contribute to the comprehensive development
of the relations, the newly-appointed French ambassador to Azerbaijan,
Roland Blatmann, said. He also spoke about the Nagornyy Karabakh
settlement.
The ambassador said that France did nor recognize Karabakh’s
independence and supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. France
supports tete-a-tete meetings between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents, and including foreign ministers, the diplomat said. France
is for a peaceful solution of the conflict.
Speaking about Azerbaijani-French relations, President Ilham Aliyev
said that relations had strengthened after his visit to France at the
beginning of the year. Commenting on the Karabakh settlement, the
president said that Azerbaijan recognized the territorial integrity of
all states and wanted the same attitude towards ourselves.
[Aliyev, voice] France is a cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and is
working as a cochairman. We hope that in the near future, the
Armenian-Azerbaijani-Nagornyy Karabakh conflict will be resolved on
the basis of international legal norms.
[Correspondent] Receiving the credentials of ambassadors from Canada,
Ghana, Philippines, the UAE and the Algerian People’s Democratic
Republic, President Ilham Aliyev said that the relations between these
countries would further develop. At the meeting with ambassadors of
the five states, the president also mentioned the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem.
[Aliyev] The most serious issue our country is facing is the
Armenian-Azerbaijan-Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Despite all
international efforts, Armenia is not retreating from the occupied
lands and thus the conflict remains unresolved. Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity has been violated and we demand that
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity be restored and the international
community express a keener attitude to this issue.
[Correspondent] President Ilham Aliyev has stated that the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict will soon be resolved fairly with the support of the
international organizations.
Vahid Abbas for Lider TV.

Armenian official says foreign funds make nuclear plant “more safe”
Arminfo
8 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The head of the Armenian State Atomic Inspection Directorate, Ashot
Martirosyan, has told an Arminfo correspondent that the programme of
technical upgrading of the Armenian nuclear station will cost 40m
dollars. He said that the money will be used to carry out some
technical and logistic measures which will make the station more safe.
Ashot Martirosyan said that the US had recently announced the
allocation of 1m dollars to be used when the station would close for
major repairs on 23 July this year. The head of the Armenian State
Atomic Inspection Directorate said that the assistance was mainly
provided by the USA and the European Union although the latter has
lately become less active in the allocation of funds for these
purposes. “The European Union has helped us a lot in improving the
station’s safety as part of TACIS programme however, this help has
lately been frozen due to political constraints,” he said. He added,
however, that since the station remains to be a high risk facility,
the EU will continue to allocate funds to improve its safety. Britain
has also allocated funds towards that. He noted that Russia provides
only technical support in maintaining the plant’s safety at a proper
level.
[Passage omitted: recap of reports on earlier funds]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Official says European Union committed to raise Armenia’s power plant’s
safety
Arminfo
9 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The European Union is not yet ready to fulfil the commitments it took
on to allocate funds to increase the safety of the Armenian nuclear
station, an Arminfo correspondent has learnt from the EU Head of
Delegation to Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze.
He said that two years ago the EU took the commitment to allocate 4 to
5m euros for these purposes, but it has not yet done so. The funds
have not been allocated because the “Armenian side has not yet
submitted a specific programme on increasing the safety of the nuclear
station”. He said that the EU is worried about the nuclear station’s
safety.
About 10 to 15m dollars had been allocated for these purposes in the
past. “We have never said that we are refusing to fund the programme
to increase the safety of the Armenian nuclear station,” he said.

Azeri paper urges government to be more resolute in relations with NATO
Zerkalo, Baku
10 Jul 04

The problem brought about by the participation of Armenian officers in
the Cooperative Best Effort-2004 exercises within NATO’s Partnership
for Peace seems to be drawing to an end.
We have effectively witnessed the Armenian’s victory in this
diplomatic and procedural struggle. And they appear not to have
applied any particular effort to visit Azerbaijan and attend a
preliminary conference for the mentioned NATO exercises. Apparently,
they have simply used ordinary technical facilities by applying to
appropriate bodies in Brussels. This time the Armenians were more
careful not to repeat the past when they could not attend similar
conferences thanks to our efforts.
It turns out that the authorities and society stick to completely
different positions on the issue. The authorities proved too weak to
withstand the pressure from NATO officials and, in a move to justify
themselves, said this was an international event and if the Armenian
officers were to be barred from attending the conference it would deal
a blow to Azerbaijan’s international image and strain its relations
with NATO.
To be frank, we are surprised at the position of NATO
officials. Because unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan is actively cooperating
with NATO. Why does Brussels insist on the participation of the
Armenian officers in the exercises held in Azerbaijan knowing only too
well that this hurts the feelings of our people? Are there
pro-Armenian forces in Brussels who think that the Armenian officers
must attend the exercises by all means? And our authorities hope that
after seeing how fast Azerbaijan is developing, the Armenian officers
will realize that their position is not right and urge their leaders
to sit down at the negotiating table with Azerbaijan.
Let’s note, however, that the Armenians are unlikely to understand
that. First of all, because they will hardly be able to visit the
sites that testify to high living standards (high-rise buildings,
roads, factories, etc.). Secondly, why do they need to see everything
with their own eyes if they can easily see Azerbaijan’s achievements
using the advantages of our 21st-century world?
[Passage omitted: minor details]
The latest developments have set a dangerous precedent. Azerbaijan is
not a NATO member yet but is already retreating under pressure from
the alliance. Our country’s defeat in the issue, though not material
or physical, is beyond doubt. And this deals a moral blow to our
international image as of a partner country. In other words, it
appears that Azerbaijan can make concessions if put under pressure.
We have been hearing quite often that seven Armenian officers are
expected to come to Baku within NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme
in September. A short while ago the deputy foreign minister, Araz
Azimov, said two Armenian officers might attend the exercises. What
will our government’s reaction be? How will society respond? Or, more
importantly, what is to be done?
My suggestion: The foreign affairs and defence ministries have got to
make it clear to NATO officials in a harsher tone than before that
this must not happen again. In principle, our authorities have already
sent the message. Or the mentioned state agencies have to put forward
the initiative to hold activities within Partnership for Peace in
another country aspiring to a NATO membership, such as Ukraine or
Georgia. I don’t think Azerbaijan will end up losing a lot by refusing
to host the alliance’s exercises on its soil.
[Passage omitted: minor details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Analyst plays down possibility of Armenia vacating Azeri lands
Yeni Musavat, Baku
11 Jul 04
Text of F. Mammadov report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 11
July headlined “Unsuccessful propaganda of ‘successful Karabakh
policy'”
In an interview with Zerkalo newspaper former state adviser and
currently political analyst Vafa Quluzada has said that the reports
suggesting that the Armenians are allegedly preparing to vacate some
of the occupied Azerbaijani districts and that negotiations to that
end are allegedly under way is nothing but empty speculation.
Quluzada added that the possibility of Armenia vacating some districts
is discussed only in Azerbaijan, while Armenia is not making any
preparations for leaving the territories. The political analyst said
that this could happen only if Azerbaijan agreed either to the
annexation of Nagornyy Karabakh and Lacin [Lachin] District to Armenia
or to the provision of Nagornyy Karabakh with the status of
independence.
Quluzada is an experienced diplomat who was involved in the Karabakh
talks for many years and is still believed to be one of the most
competent people on the issue. From this standpoint, his statements
reflect the real situation around Nagornyy Karabakh very
accurately. The point is that on seeing a lack of progress in the
negotiations, the government propaganda has started “generating”
speculation that some of Azerbaijan’s occupied districts may be
freed. For instance, there has been a report that the Turkish,
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers had recently reached a
preliminary agreement that Armenia would vacate seven Azerbaijani
districts. It wasn’t long, however, before this report proved to be
wide of the mark. Or, reports are spread after every meeting between
the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers that the sides have
discussed the liberation of five or six districts.
In reality, however, the liberation of Azerbaijani territories can be
discussed only when and if Azerbaijan agrees to the annexation of
Nagornyy Karabakh together with Susa and Lacin Districts to
Armenia. Only against this backdrop can Armenia agree to negotiate the
issue of leaving the other territories.
However, the government propaganda machine is trying to create the
impression that thanks to the “successful” policy of [Azerbaijani
President] Ilham Aliyev the situation is changing for the better and
that the Armenians are about to agree to vacate a number of
districts. This primitive and futile technology has already been used
and is now designed to convince the public of Ilham Aliyev’s
“successful Karabakh policy”.

Saakashvili tells Ossetian rally Georgia committed to peace
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
11 Jul 04

[Presenter] Some 300 ethnic Ossetians have been rallying outside the
State Chancellery since this morning. Speakers have been attacking
[South Ossetian separatist leader Eduard] Kokoiti’s government and
calling for peace.
The Georgian president came out of his office to meet the
demonstrators. Mikheil Saakashvili promised the ethnic Ossetians to
do his utmost to preserve peace.
He said that full reintegration of Samachablo [South Ossetia] into
Georgia would take a year at most. [Passage omitted]
[Saakashvili, speaking to demonstrators] If the Georgian government
had wanted to start a war, it has had more than enough grounds to do
so. Our soldiers have been forced to go down on their knees, people
have been kidnapped, people have been wounded, and roads have been
attacked. What other grounds would have been needed if we had really
wanted to start a war? We have been doing everything possible for it
not to happen, we have been swallowing everything. What other country
would have put up with seeing all that on television? Why are we doing
it? Because I want to fight for peace every day and because I am sure
that, within a year at most, both Tskhinvali and Java
[separatist-controlled areas in South Ossetia] will simply integrate
into Georgia peacefully. They know it all too well, and so do we.
Everyone has left Tskhinvali except 7,000 people. Only several dozen
children and women have been unable to leave because they have nowhere
to go. They no longer have anyone to stay with even in Vladikavkaz
[capital of Russia’s North Ossetia] or in villages. As long as these
people are there, I will do everything possible to stop even a single
bullet being fired and even a single grenade exploding because the
spilling of innocent blood is totally unacceptable to me. [Applause]
[Female demonstrator, to Saakashvili] No-one is going to flee
Georgia. We are staying here.
[Saakashvili] Ossetians should not go anywhere from here. Those who
want Ossetians to go should leave themselves.
Some people have been saying that I am Ossetian, others that I am
Armenian, yet others that I am Azerbaijani. I have told them all that
those who hate Armenians can count me as Armenian, those who hate
Azerbaijanis can count me as Azerbaijani, and those who hate Ossetians
can count me as Ossetian through and through, because I believe that
that is the position of a Georgian patriot. [Passage omitted]

Christian Science Monitor
July 12 2004
Iraq’s Christians consider fleeing as attacks on them rise
By Annia Ciezadlo | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
BAGHDAD – It was 10:30 in the morning, almost four months ago, and
the children were getting ready for church. Aziz Raad Azzo, 5 years
old, was drinking his milk; his 14-year-old sister Raneen was putting
on her new clothes. When they heard a car pull up, Raneen, thinking
her father was home, ran to the window and flung open the shutters.
Four men shot her and her little brother in the head.
The children’s crime: Their father, a Christian storekeeper, had sold
alcohol.
Before the murders, the family received a photocopied death threat.
“We are warning you, the enemies of God and Islam, from selling
alcohol again, and unless you stop we will kill you and send you to
hell where a worse fate awaits you,” reads the warning, signed by
“Harakat Ansar al-Islam,” the Partisans of Islam Movement.
Shortly after the murders, their father wrote a letter to an Iraqi
human rights group. “Please save me,” he begged, “and help me leave
the country.”
Facing a rising tide of persecution, Iraq’s tiny Christian minority
has a terrible choice: stay and risk their lives, or leave and
abandon those left behind. Afraid of an Islamic future in which they
would be outcasts, thousands are trying to flee. “It’s like a huge
amount of people lined up at the starting line, waiting for the gun
to go off, and now it’s going off,” says the Rev. Ken Joseph, an
Iraqi-American Christian activist in Baghdad. “For them to leave is a
very big step, but that shows how badly people want to get out.”
It is difficult to gauge the exodus, because most Christian groups,
desperately wanting Christians to stay, deny that there is any
problem. (Iraq’s new minister of displacement and migration, Pascale
Isho Warda, was in Europe and unavailable for comment.) But Issaq
Issaq, director of international relations for the Assyrian
Democratic Movement, estimates that about 2,000 families have tried
to leave since summer began. “They want to leave, because they heard
they can get asylum in Australia,” he says. “We are trying to keep
these people in Iraq, because it is their country.”
In 1987, the Iraqi census showed about 1.4 million Christians. Then
came Saddam Hussein’s anfal (“spoils of war’) campaign. In the late
1980s, the army rampaged through the country’s north, attacking
ethnic Kurds and systematically destroying more than 100 small
Christian villages, razing scores of ancient monasteries and churches
and deporting thousands of Christian families to Baghdad.
During the 1990s, a steady stream of Christians poured out of Iraq to
Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and the United States – wherever they
could get asylum. Today, fewer than 1 million remain in Iraq, divided
among Assyrians, Chaldean Catholics, Armenians, and Syriac
Christians.
In this dwindling community, talk of persecution is taboo. Those who
admit to it are accused of helping the terrorists. “Newspapers
publish this kind of thing in order to make propaganda, and scare the
Christians into leaving the country,” says the priest at the Sacred
Heart Catholic church in central Baghdad. He begged not to have his
name published. But he swears there is no Muslim-Christian hostility.
“We are brothers,” says the priest, sweating inside the stifling
rectory. “There is always this sympathy, and this tie of brotherhood
between the Christians and the Muslims. Baghdad is considered a
center of Christianity.”
Outside the church, under the punishing 120-degree sun, the priest’s
bodyguard laughs. “Don’t believe what our father said,” he says,
pointing out a fresh bullet hole next to the rectory door and
reciting a litany of recent death threats. “He can go anywhere he
likes, he can leave the country if he wants to. But he is not
thinking about us, the poor Christians. That’s why he doesn’t want me
to talk to you frankly and openly about this…. There is an
immigration bureau in Syria, and most of the Christians are going
there.”
Ten minutes away, in the Bab Sharji market, Ahmed al-Maamouri scorns
Christian claims of brotherhood.
“I am unhappy about them, because Iraq is our country,” says the
young Muslim merchant. “They are like a white termite: They are
eating the country from the inside. But if they hear a loud voice,
they will keep quiet. The Christians are cowards – they are not going
to fight.”
Attacks have increased. Saturday, Islamic militants in Mosul and
Baquba blew up four liquor stores. Sunday, fanatics attacked a liquor
store in downtown Baghdad, shouting “God is great” as they
machine-gunned bottles of beer and wine and kidnapped an employee.
Not all Christians are killed by Islamic militants. Issaq has
compiled a list of 102 Christians killed since April 9, 2003. Some
were killed for selling alcohol; others for working with Americans as
translators or laundresses. (About 10 percent were killed by
coalition troops, casualties of postwar violence.) Many were
kidnapped and killed for money, a fate that befalls Muslims, too.
But sometimes it’s hard to separate kidnappings from religious
murders. Among Iraqis, there’s a widespread belief that Christians
are wealthy. This stereotype, too, can kill. On June 2, gangs
kidnapped a young Christian storekeeper named Saher Faraj Mirkhai.
Thinking he was rich, the gang demanded a ransom of $100,000. After
selling their furniture, his 16-year-old truck, and the stock of his
downtown Baghdad store, his family scraped together all the money
they could find: about $13,500.
After they paid, the family got a phone call from Saher’s cellphone.
“We asked for $100,000, and you paid this miserable amount of money,”
said the voice, cursing them with foul language. The next day, police
found Saher’s body, pierced by over 30 bullets and severely
mutilated.
Because of their religion, and the fact that many Christians speak
English or have relatives abroad, there’s also a widespread
perception that Christians are pro-American.
“There is a common ground between them and the Americans, so it was
very easy for them to work with the Americans,” says Khaled Abed, a
Muslim street peddler who believes that “about 40 percent” of
Christians work for occupation forces. “So you could say that the
Christians used the current situation for their own benefit.”
Like many others, Mr. Maamouri, the Muslim merchant, sees Christians
as sympathetic to the American occupiers. “When the Americans invaded
Iraq, they thought God had delivered them,” he says. “They think that
this is their day.”
The peace between Christians and Muslims in Iraq, ever fragile, has
always cracked in the crucible of national crisis. In 1931, as the
British Empire handed over Iraq to a “sovereign” government of its
choosing, the country’s Assyrian Christian minority begged for a
protected enclave or permission to migrate en masse. The British
rejected both, offering them a deal instead: Assyrian soldiers could
guard Britain’s air bases inside Iraq.
This illusory British “protection” proved fatal. In July 1933, a band
of armed Assyrians tried to flee into neighboring Syria, and a border
skirmish erupted. Iraqi authorities portrayed it as a full-blown
insurrection by an Assyrian fifth column trying to bring back their
imperialist protectors. That summer, Iraqi troops and armed Kurdish
tribesmen led a massacre against Assyrians, culminating in the
slaughter of hundreds of helpless Assyrian villagers on August 11. On
their return to Baghdad, a cheering populace showered the troops with
rose water and pelted them with flowers for their victory in crushing
the Assyrian “revolt.”
Today, Assyrians are again asking for a protected province in the
north, as well as money to fund a hotline and three safe houses for
victims of anti-Christian crimes. “If we can get a zone in the north
of Iraq, the rest of Iraq is going to go to hell, but we can be
safe,” says Mr. Joseph. “Otherwise, Chicago and San Diego and Detroit
had better get ready for another flood of Assyrian refugees.”
About a month ago, a rumor tore through Baghdad’s Christian
community, half a million strong, that Australia had agreed to give
Christians political asylum. Frantic asylum-seekers flooded passport
offices and churches trying to get copies of their baptismal
certificates.
Salwan, who asked that his last name not be published, was one of
them. On June 19, he took a $10 taxi from Baghdad to Damascus. The
next morning, he went to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office
on Maliki Street. On the sidewalk, hundreds of Iraqis waited in line.
Most had slept there overnight, hoping to get in and register as
refugees.
Salwan, a moonfaced young businessman, had already camped out
overnight on the pavement twice. Each time, the office closed before
he reached the head of the line. This time, he talked his way to the
head of the line and got his prize: an official UNHCR document noting
that he is an Armenian Catholic and giving him six months to apply
for refugee status.
Now back in Baghdad, he says he loves Iraq, but he is hoping the UN
will call him and tell him he can go to Australia: “Because of the
situation, and because all my family is there, and because I cannot
bear the life here anymore.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/12/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Lennmarker Underscores Karabagh Security 2. Armenian, Greek Americans Disappointed at President Bush's Push to Get Turkey into EU 3. OSCE Minsk Group Mediators Begin Tour of Region with Armenia 4. House Foreign Aid Bill Passes Second Hurdle 5. Both Russia, Georgia Say Eager to Settle South Ossetia Conflict 6. NEWS BRIEFS 1. Lennmarker Underscores Karabagh Security YEREVAN (Yerkir)--National Assembly Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian rebuffed reports in the Armenian press that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has raised the issue of returning "occupied territories," to Azerbaijan. Hovhannisian, who heads the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, told a news conference on Monday that OSCE rapporteur Goran Lennmarker's draft report on the Karabagh makes no mention of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. "During his meeting with the Armenian and Azeri delegations, Lennmarker addressed all of the occupied territories--including parts of the Shahumian and Martuni districts under the Azeri occupation--but in the context of de-mining and eliminating of other hurdles for the return of residents," clarified Hovhannisian. "In fact," explained Hovhannisian, "the Azeris were seriously concerned that the document did not make mention of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity." The document apparently does not address the issue of Mountainous Karabagh Republic's status, concentrating instead, on its security. Hovhannisian revealed that the Armenian delegation managed to thwart Azeri attempts to include a section in the resolution, that recognizes "uncontrolled territories" are a haven for drug and weapons trafficking. 2. Armenian, Greek Americans Disappointed at President Bush's Push to Get Turkey into EU ANCA, AHI send letter to White House after Bush's Istanbul speech praising Turkey's treatment of minorities WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) expressed their profound disappointment over recent remarks by President Bush praising Turkey's treatment of minorities and calling for that nation's acceptance in the European Union. During his official visit to Istanbul, Turkey to participate in the NATO summit, President Bush repeatedly called for the European Union to support Turkey's candidacy for membership. "Turkey is a strong, secular democracy, a majority Muslim society, and a close ally of free nations," Bush noted, and continued, "with 150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model to others, and as Europe's bridge to the wider world." ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and AHI President Gene Rossides, in a July 8 letter to the President, point out, "the reality is that Turkey is neither secular nor democratic and, if anything, represents a negative role model for the states of the region. Over the past one hundred and fifty years, successive Turkish governments have been characterized by their violence toward their own citizens, their disdain for democracy, and their aggression against neighboring states. . . Significantly, during this period, Turkey has dealt with its minority populations by committing genocide against Armenians, massacring and driving Pontians and other Greeks from its shores, denying the existence of its Kurdish citizens, and restricting the rights of Christians to worship freely." Responding to calls by President Bush for European leaders to endorse Turkish membership in the European Union, Rossides and Hachikian stated that "Turkey's candidacy for this European institution does not enjoy the backing of our nation's citizens, who recognize that the Turkish government falls far short of meeting even the most basic standards of democracy and human rights that we embrace as Americans. Nor does Turkey's application have the support of Europeans--including European Greeks and Armenians--who clearly reject Turkey's candidacy." ANCA and AHI concerns about continued US calls for Turkish membership in the European Union are shared by ANCA affiliates across Europe, who have actively worked with activists in their respective countries urging European leaders to bar Turkey's membership due to a range of issues, including significant human rights violations and Turkey's failure to recognize the Armenian genocide. In 1987, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian genocide and to establish political dialogue with representatives of the Armenian people as a precondition for European Union membership. In addition to the joint letter to President Bush, ANCA representatives attended an American Hellenic Institute sponsored forum on Capitol Hill last week regarding Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus. The event was titled "Cyprus: 30 Years Later--An Assessment of the Annan Plan and Where Do We Go >From Here.” Guest speakers at the forum included noted author and television
commentator Christopher Hitchens, Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairman
Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) as well as Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Rob Andrews (D-NJ).
ANCA Government Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian and Capital Gateway Program
Director Arsineh Khachikian led a delegation of ANCA “Leo Sarkisian”
Internship
participants to the luncheon, which was attended by several dozen
Congressional
staff members and a broad range of Greek and Cypriot American activists.
ANCA/AHI letter to President Bush
July 8, 2004
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing to express the profound disappointment of our nation’s Greek
and Armenian American communities over your remarks of June 29th forcefully
advocating for Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
Turkey’s candidacy for this European institution does not enjoy the
backing of
our nation’s citizens, who recognize that the Turkish government falls far
short of meeting even the most basic standards of democracy and human rights
that we embrace as Americans. Nor does Turkey’s application have the
support of
Europeans–including European Greeks and Armenians–who clearly reject
Turkey’s
candidacy. Beyond the specific problems with Turkey’s eligibility, we also
want
to share with you our reservations about the propriety of a US President
seeking to direct the internal decision-making of our European allies
regarding
the conduct of their diplomacy and multilateral affairs. Turkey’s membership
is, ultimately, a European decision.
In your remarks, you argued that, “Turkey is a strong, secular democracy, a
majority Muslim society, and a close ally of free nations.” You added that
Turkey “with 150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model to
others, and as Europe’s bridge to the wider world.” The reality is that Turkey
is neither secular nor democratic and, if anything, represents a negative role
model for the states of the region. Over the past one hundred and fifty years,
successive Turkish governments have been characterized by their violence
toward
their own citizens, their disdain for democracy, and their aggression against
neighboring states. Turkey’s aggression against and occupation of 37% of
Cyprus
is now in its 30th year.
Significantly, during this period, Turkey has dealt with its minority
populations by committing genocide against Armenians, massacring and driving
Pontians and other Greeks from its shores, denying the existence of its
Kurdish
citizens, and restricting the rights of Christians to worship freely. Last
April, the Turkish Education Minister Huseyin Celik issued a decree requiring
that all Turkey’ school children–Greeks and Armenians included–be taught to
deny the Armenian Genocide. As recently as this February, the State
Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices documented that,
“torture, beatings, and other abuses by security forces remained
widespread” in
Turkey.
Extending uncritical support to an unrepentant and unreformed Turkish
government only encourages and enables Turkey’s continued refusal to respect
international norms for responsible membership in the family of nations.
Rather
than turning a blind eye to Turkey’s serious failings, US interests and
American values would be better served by bringing to bear the full
pressure of
our government to ensure that Turkey meets basic standards for domestic and
international behavior.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. As we have noted to you in
the past, we stand ready to meet with you to discuss these and other
matters of
concern to our communities.
Sincerely,
Gene Rossides, President
American Hellenic Institute
Kenneth V. Hachikian, Chairman
Armenian National Committee of America
3. OSCE Minsk Group Mediators Begin Tour of Region with Armenia
YEREVAN (RFE-RL)On the first leg of their regional tour, the French, Russian
and US co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group met on Sunday with senior
representatives of political parties in Armenian parliament. The meeting was
held in the US embassy.
According to Orinats Yerkir party representative, Mher Shahgeldian, the
meeting aimed to “make clear” to everyone that delay in the settlement of
Mountainous Karabagh conflict would bring no dividends to either side.
“They were also seeking better understanding of the positions and approaches
of the policy makers and politicians who are able to influence public opinion
in Armenia,” he added.
On Monday the co-chairs held talks with President Robert Kocharian and
Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian. They will leave for Stepanakert on Tuesday.
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said he could not unveil the content of
the talks, and stated, “At this stage the consultations between co-chairs and
Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers that have begun in Prague are
continuing.” “This time we wanted also to compare our perception of the
results
of Prague consultations with the perception of the sides,” Merzlyakov added.
4. House Foreign Aid Bill Passes Second Hurdle
Armenia/Azerbaijan US military aid parity maintained; bill Allocates $65
million in economic assistance for Armenia; $5 million for Mountainous
Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC–The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted on the
Fiscal Year 2005 foreign aid bill, affirming an earlier decision by the
Foreign
Operations Subcommittee to maintain parity in US foreign military financing
(FMF) assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The committee, chaired by Florida Republican Bill Young, agreed to
allocate $5
million in military financing assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan,
respectively, as opposed to President Bush’s earlier request of $8 million for
Azerbaijan and $2 million for Armenia. The committee also supported an earmark
of $65 million in US assistance to Armenia, and $5 million for Mountainous
Karabagh. By contrast, the Bush Administration had requested $62 million for
Armenia and had not specified any funding level for Mountainous Karabagh.
With the adoption of this measure by the Appropriations Committee, the foreign
aid bill will move to the full House for a vote. The Senate version of the
bill
will follow a similar path.
5. Both Russia, Georgia Say Eager to Settle South Ossetia Conflict
TBILISI (BBC/Eurasianet/Interfax/Itar-Tass)–The co-chairman of the mixed
controlling commission, set up to maintain a handle on the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict, met last Sunday and decided to hold a high-level meeting to find a
settlement to the latest outbreaks in South Ossetia.
Georgia’s National Security Chief Guela Bejuashvili, and his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov, along with the Georgian, Russian, South Ossetian and
North Ossetian co-chairmen of the Commission are scheduled to meet in
Moscow on
July 14.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili praised Russia, on Sunday, saying
he is
convinced Russia is not interested in using force to quell the situation in
South Ossetia. “Russia’s special envoy Lev Mironov has been sent to settle the
conflict. Mironov is demonstrating constructive approaches,” Saakashvili told
journalists at the government building in Tbilisi.
Saakashvili did charge that “certain forces in Russia” are preparing for
“aggression against Georgia,” the news site Civil Georgia reported. Calling on
Putin to “restrain these forces,” Saakashvili warned that any armed
conflict in
South Ossetia would not be a fight between Georgians and Ossetians, but would
become “a serious problem between the two countries, Georgia and Russia.”
Like Moscow, Tbilisi has been quick to take credit for avoiding a full-scale
armed conflict in the territory. “Due to coordinated activities by the
Georgian
government, international support and because of frequent contact with Russia
and the United States, Georgia has avoided the bloody conflict which [South
Ossetian leader Eduard] Kokoev and his backers in Russia wanted to launch,”
Civil Georgia reported Saakashvili as saying upon a July 12 departure for
London.
“Kokoev will not succeed. Tbilisi is prepared for talks on South Ossetia’s
status as a part of Georgia. The most important thing for us is to preserve
peace. South Ossetia will be reintegrated into Georgia in just one year,” the
president said.
In the latest fighting on Sunday, four Georgian soldiers were wounded.
Violence broke out when separatist forces opened fire at Georgian troops
in an
ethnically-Georgian village in South Ossetia.
A few days earlier, South Ossetia came close to renewed hostilities when
separatists detained a group of Georgian peacekeepers for 24 hours, forcing
them to their knees in a humiliating display that was broadcast on Georgian
television.
It came after Georgian troops impounded two Russian lorries which were
carrying military equipment to the region.
Russia, which jointly patrols the region with Georgian and South Ossetian
troops, said the arms were needed for peacekeeping purposes.
There have been angry exchanges between Moscow and Tbilisi over the last few
days.
South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s after a war that
followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. It claimed independence from
Georgia
and wants to join North Ossetia, which is ethnically similar and part of
Russia.
6. NEWS BRIEFS
EU Ready to Support Nuclear Plant Security Measures
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)The European Union (EU) announced that it is ready to
provide Armenia with 4-5 million euros for the implementation of security
measures at the nuclear power plant. According to the Head of the European
Commission Delegation in Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze, Armenia must
present a thorough proposal before receiving the funds. Holtze added that the
offer has no bearing on the organization’s willingness to allocate 100 million
euros for the power plant’s closure.
President Mohammad Khatami to Visit Azerbaijan
BAKU (ARMENPRESS)Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is scheduled to spend the
first ten days of August on an official visit to Azerbaijan. The details of
the
president’s visit will be announced during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamediarov’s visit to Iran at the end of the month.
According to an Azeri news source, several documents–including a reportedly
major political declaration–that are now being drafted, will be signed by
both
sides during the visit.
Azeri 525 daily writes that the visit of the Iranian president was
expected in
1998. President Heydar Aliyev made two official visits to Iran-one in 1994 and
another in 2002. According to the Azeri daily, the Iranian head of state
declined Azeri invitations during the eight year period due to considerations
linked to Caspian Sea politics. The Iranian president is expected to visit
Armenia later on this year.
$48,000 Pledged for Construction of Disabled Persons Center
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Levon Nersisian, the chairman of the Astghik (Starlet)
union of handicapped people, announced that nine international and local
organizations have pledged $42,000 for the development of a rehabilitation
center. The center is to be built on two hectares of government allocated land
in Yerevan’s Nor York community. It will serve as the home of the “Hope
Shelter” program, which Nersisian said will require $6 million dollars and
adhere to internationally accepted standards of care for the disabled. When
complete, 60 children will be placed under the care of a 148-member staff. The
center will also accommodate local senior citizens and elderly tourists.
Kocharian Receives Indonesian Ambassador
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Monday, Armenian President Robert Kocharian received
Indonesian Ambassador to Armenia Remi Romauli Siahan, who is ending his
two-year long diplomatic mission in Armenia. According to president press
services, the ambassador thanked the Armenian government for the support it
provided him during his tenure. The sides discussed bilateral relations and
prospects for their development.
Georgia Protests Against Violation of its Air Space
TBILISI (ARMENPRESS)On July 11 the Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed its
disapproval over the violation of Georgia’s airspace by Russian forces and
assessed the incident as being “another provocation aimed at aggravating and
escalating the situation in the breakaway region of South Ossetia.”
On July 11, at 6:34 am, a military aircraft penetrated Georgian airspace over
the South Ossetian region of the Georgian-Russian border. The aircraft
penetrated Georgian airspace, usually reserved for commercial airlines, and
stayed in the region for 6 minutes heading back toward Russia. The Georgian
Foreign Ministry claims that the Russia continues the illegal delivery of
armored vehicles and equipment into Georgia.
French-Armenian Bicycle Marathon Launched
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Approximately 40 children from Armenian and French
orphanages started a twelve-day bicycle marathon on Sunday that is jointly
organized by the French Pa-de-Calais Orphanages Association and the Armenian
Bicycles Sports Federation. During the marathon, participants will pass
through
several of Armenians regions, including mountainous areas. Pa-de-Calais
Orphanage Association head, Francis Rambo, said that they seek to promote
friendship and healthy competition amongst the children of the two nations.
Armenian Health Minister Visits Karabagh
STEPANAKERT (ARMENPRESS)On July 9, Mountainous Karabagh Republic President
Arkady Ghoukasian received an Armenian Health Ministry delegation, headed by
minister Norayr Davidian.
According to presidential press services, Davidian reported that their
delegation has visited a number of hospitals, met with medical personnel and
patients and the Mountainous Karabagh ministerial employees to learn about the
health sector of the country. The problems which exist, the services reported,
could be ameliorated through the joint efforts of the two ministries. Davidian
assured the president that his ministry is ready and willing to support
Karabagh in a variety of ways, including the training of medical personnel and
improving the technological capacity of hospitals.
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CENN – July 12, 2004 Daily Digest – Armenia
Table of Contents:
Armenian NPP to shut down for overhaul on July 23
NCI Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth
Armenian agriculture set to receive $10m loans in 2005
Cyprus, Armenia sign health cooperation agreement
Embassy in DC Hosts Presentation on Armenian Science and Lake Sevan
EU wants Armenia to close its nuclear power plant
1. Armenian NPP to shut down for overhaul on July 23
Source: Interfax, July 8 2004
The Armenian nuclear power plant, operated by ZAO Inter UES of Russia, will
shut down for an overhaul and refueling on July 23 and not, as planned, on
July 15, stated Armenian State Atomic Energy Oversight head Ashot
Martirosian. The decision was made because the plant is currently low on
fuel.
The plant was originally scheduled to shut down on July 15, “but the plant
reduced capacity because of high waters from the spring flooding and the
diversion of water resources to generate electricity,” Martirosian said.
The works will last 65 days, during which, after the nuclear fuel is loaded,
an overhaul is planned for the reactor and two operating turbines of the
second generating unit. One-third of the new fuel consignment, some 100
cassettes, will be loaded and paid for by Russia. This should be sufficient
for the plant to work until summer 2005, Martirosian said.
The Armenian NPP generated 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in
2003, 36% of total electricity generation in Armenia.
ZAO Inter UES of Russia, which exports and imports electricity to Russia and
other countries, took over management of the plant in September 2003. Inter
UES is a subsidiary of Unified Energy System (UES) of Russia, with 60% of
the shares, and state-run enterprise Rosenergoatom, with 40%.
2. NCI Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth
PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 8, 2004
National Citizens’ Initiative Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth
Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
specialized policy roundtable on “The Trends of Economic Growth in Armenia.”
The discussion, focusing on the challenges of this vital issue of public
concern, brought together government officials, academic circles, experts of
the field, public figures, and the media community to define the priorities
and development opportunities in the economic sphere, to make realistic
assessments of the current state of affairs, and to address the imperative
of a true struggle against corruption and the shadow economy.
Karapet Kalenchian, director of administration of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the audience with
opening remarks. He stressed the significance of economic reforms and
pointed to several mechanisms for achieving the objective. “In order to
settle a number of issues of strategic importance, in particular
strengthening the new independent state system and improving the living
standards of the population, we need to create prerequisites for the
proportional development of modern industry, the agricultural sector and
other fields of the economy, to improve tax policy, and to provide sustained
economic growth so that every Armenian family really enjoys its benefits,”
Kalenchian said.
Gagik Vardanian, the Republic’s deputy minister for trade and economic
development, addressed “The Strategic Directions of Armenia’s Economic
Development in Light of the Global Information Revolution,” detailing key
issues of efficiency and productivity in the Armenian economy. In his
opinion, information technologies provide great access and thus facilitate
quick orientation in the market as well as application of state-of-the-art
networks and electronic equipment, all of which lead to sustained progress
in the economy. “Given their efficiency in all spheres of life, the Armenian
government attaches primary importance to ITs. It has worked out a
development concept and a program of activities to face the challenges of
the world market,” he noted. “The government of Armenia has adopted
strategic programs for the country’s sustainable regional economic
development in order to play an active role in integrating into the global
information field.”
Gagik Makarian, director of the “Haiconsult” firm, delivered an illustrated
paper on “The Key Obstacles to Armenia’s Economic Growth and the Ways to
Overcome Them.” “It is senseless to speak of sustained economic growth
unless we struggle against corruption and the shadow economy, make a due
assessment of the operational branches of industry, provide mechanisms for
an attractive investment climate, make export volumes predictable, and draft
appropriate tax and customs legislation,” Makarian opined. According to him,
there are about 20 negative factors that impede economic growth in Armenia
in view of the relevant transportation expenses, unfair and unequal
competition, poor marketing experience, the political situation in the
country, and a number of other circumstances.
Yerevan State University economics professor Gagik Galstian entitled his
presentation “The Anatomy of Armenian Economic Growth.” “Economic growth is
not an end unto itself.” he said. “If there is growth there should be
prosperity, whereas the living standard of the population as measured by
substantive food intake per capita has been reduced twice over the last
decade.” An analysis of the data from 2003 brought Galstian to a pessimistic
conclusion: Armenia’s living standard is today on par with that of 1977 in
terms of its Gross Domestic Product, with 1980 in terms of its industrial
productivity, and with 1956 in terms of its cargo transportation and
residential construction. Thus, society is lagging behind by more than 25
years.
The formal interventions were followed by exchanges of views and policy
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were contributions by MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the
National Democratic Party; former minister of state Hrach Hakobian;
economist Edward Aghajanov; Artak Zeinalian of the Republic Party; Stepan
Mantarlian of Armaveni consulting company; Alexander Butaev of National
Democratic Union; Petros Makeyan of the Democratic Fatherland Party; Ruzanna
Khachaturian of the People’s Party of Armenia; law professor Hrair
Tovmasian; and many others.
ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian closed the meeting with summary remarks.
“Unfortunately, it is difficult to conclude the seminar on an optimistic
note regarding Armenia’s economic growth,” he said, underlining that
economic growth remains erratic, illusory, and narrow-based despite
government assurances. “Moreover, the authorities have demonstrated little
or no political will to struggle against corruption, as they are mired in
the very clan system which impedes competition.”
The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in 2001 by former foreign minister Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and
fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall
improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and
State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and
Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the
Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please contact:
Phone: (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03;
Fax (3741) 52-48-46;
E-mail [email protected];
Web site:
3. Armenian agriculture set to receive $10m loans in 2005
Source: ArmenPress, July 6, 2004
Last week the minister of Agriculture of Armenia David Lokian stated that
the government is set to receive two new credits in 2005 to direct them to
agricultural development. The main components of the credits, according to
the minister, are leasing of technologies and machine building.
The minister said the government would provide 25-50 percent loan guarantees
to farmers in order to ensure collaterals for small and medium- sized
enterprises dealing with agriculture. He also said new loans would be made
available at lower interest rates. “President Kocharian has directly
instructed the Central bank and the ministry that the interest rates must
not exceed 10 percent,” the minister said, adding that this issue must be
also reconciled with World Bank.
A World Bank representative in Armenia said the anticipated amount of loans
is approximately $10 million.
4. Cyprus, Armenia sign health cooperation agreement
Source: Xinhua General News Service, July 5, 2004
Cyprus and Armenia signed on Monday a cooperation agreement in the field of
health and medicine.
Cyprus Minister of Health Constantia Akkelidou, who inked the pact, told
reporters after the signing ceremony that this agreement would provide
numerous exchange visits between the two countries and other ways of
cooperation.
Cyprus has fulfilled an old pledge it gave to Armenia by sending medicine
and medical equipments to the country, she said.
Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Vahram Kazhoyan who represented his country
said there had been a long experience of cooperation in the field of medical
sciences and health care between the two countries.
“I am glad that finally we were able to sign the agreement which puts all
this cooperation in a legal framework,” he said.
As a good gesture stemming up from this agreement, Cyprus will send a
container of medicine to Armenia soon, he added.
5. Embassy in DC Hosts Presentation on Armenian Science and
Lake Sevan
PRESS RELEASE
July 9, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Embassy of Armenia Hosts Presentation on Armenian Science and Lake Sevan
On July 7, 2004, the Embassy of Armenia hosted members of the Federal Water
Quality Association and the Greater Metropolitan Washington Area Section of
the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America for a presentation on
Armenian science and environmental issues. Dr. Arman Kirakossian, Armenian
Ambassador to the U.S., delivered the keynote address, entitled “The State
of the Science in Armenia, with a View Toward the Water Environment of Lake
Sevan,” to an audience of some 60 experts, researchers, and officials from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Civilian Research & Development Foundation, and other
public and private entities.
In his presentation and the Q&A that followed, Ambassador Kirakossian
presented the modern state of scientific infrastructure, policies, and
directions in Armenia. He described the many challenges facing the Armenian
scientists today, such as drastic decrease in government funding, greater
need for commercial viability and involvement of the private sector in
directing and funding R&D, and curtailing the so-called ‘brain-drain.’
Despite these challenges, the Armenian scientists continue to make progress
in many areas of fundamental and applied science due to perseverance and
support from their foreign colleagues and international donors, the
Ambassador noted. He also presented the government’s plans to strengthen
science and education sectors.
Turning to Lake Sevan, Ambassador Kirakossian described the severity of the
anthropogenic ecological problems in Lake Sevan during the twentieth
century, caused by extensive irrigation and hydropower usage. The resulting
18-meter drop in water level and disruption of water balance in the lake was
a good example of Soviet era environmental damage, he added. The Ambassador
then noted the current positive trends in Lake Sevan ecology, but stressed
the need for continuing attention for and greater international cooperation
to preserve the unique environment of Lake Sevan.
6. EU wants Armenia to close its nuclear power plant
Source: RosBusinessConsulting, July 9, 2004
The European Union is planning to collect funds to close the Armenian
nuclear power plant, Janez Potocnik, a junior EU commissioner working with
enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen, declared at a briefing in
Yerevan, Armenia. According to him, the EU is ready to allocate up to
EUR100m for this purpose and attract its partners to this project, the ARKA
news agency reported.
The closing of the nuclear facility is necessary for technological and
seismic safety reasons, the commissioner specified noting that Bulgaria and
Baltic states also faced such problems.
At the same time, Potocnik admitted that this was a pretty complicated
process, since new sources of energy were to be found. According to Armenian
experts, some EUR1bn is necessary to create other energy generating
facilities that would replace the capacity of the Armenian nuclear power
plant.
The facility was put into operation in January 1980. Due to some political
circumstances it was closed in 1989. A second rector of the plant resumed
generating energy in 1995. The capacity of each reactor is 407.5 megawatts.
Experts believe that the power plant can operate until 2018.
Financial flows of the Armenian nuclear power plant are managed by Inter RAO
UES, which is a subsidiary of RAO UES (60 percent) and Rosenergoatom (40
percent).
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: