Azerbaijan waging front-line war of attrition – Armenian paper
Golos Armenii, Yerevan
15 Jun 04
Azerbaijan is waging a localized war on the contact line dividing
Armenian and Azeri troops, according to an Armenian newspaper
article. The war, which takes the form of fire-fights and armed
sorties into Armenian territory, has the aim of wearing down the
morale of Armenian forces, the article said. It advocated pursuing
the enemy “right up to Azerbaijani positions”. The fire-fights and
sorties have noticeably increased since Ilham Aliyev became Azeri
president, according to the newspaper. The following is the text of
Aris Kazinyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Golos Armenii on 15
June headlined “Exhausting tactics: new form of war”; subheadings
inserted editorially:
Cross border fire-fights increasing since Ilham Aliyev became Azeri
president
The situation on the contact line has worsened in full accordance with
the pronouncements of the Azerbaijani authorities about the possibility
and even the expediency of settling the Karabakh issue by war. Two
days after Armenian military units stopped sorties by enemy groups
in the Tavush and Fizuli [Fuzuli] areas, on 10 June the Azerbaijani
side opened fire on the village of Movses in the same Tavush Region
[Armenia]. The firing came from the Kohanabi heights in Tovuz District
of the Azerbaijani Republic. It is interesting that since Ilham Aliyev
came to power the cease-fire regime has been broken more often and,
as a rule, this has coincided with the known dates for regular OSCE
monitoring of the border.
Since May 1994 the cease-fire regime has been broken hundreds of
times, as a result of which not only has agricultural work been
frozen, but many of our compatriots have died. By the way, while
on the Armenian side it is mainly civilians, peasants, who have
died, on the Azerbaijani side servicemen have predominated. It
is not difficult to guess the logic of these official statistics:
Armenian arable farmers and stockbreeders have become the victims
of Azeri diversionary sorties and the fact that the [Armenian]
army stops these sorties has led to such lamentable results for the
rank-and-file soldiers in the enemy’s army. The fact that all these
years Azerbaijan has been the initiator of cross-border exchanges
of fire stems from this statistical material: it is Baku alone, not
Yerevan or Stepanakert, that constantly talks about resuming the war,
as it is Azerbaijan that is displeased with today’s disposition of
forces and the de facto positioning of the borders.
Azerbaijan waging “localized” war
In this regard it should be emphasized that the increasingly frequent
cases of cross-border fire are also the result of the inappropriate
reaction of international structures to what is taking place, their
unwillingness to call a spade a spade and evident aspiration to
“please” all the parties of the conflict simultaneously. The Azeri
authorities have never been “called to order” for their stubborn
and persistent use of military rhetoric in their speeches and for
propagation of the idea of the possible settlement of the Karabakh
issue by means of a new, major war. Judging from the realities of
the last 18 months, there is every reason to say that, unlike the
previous, often disorganized and spontaneous, cross-border exchanges
of fire, Azerbaijan has already begun to carry out a plan to conduct
a localized war.
Special diversionary groups are already operating within the structure
of the enemy army, which is now being reformed. They specialize
in mimicking a partisan war by means of sorties to capture new
heights. The diversion on 8 June not far from the Armenian village
of Berkaber, as well as others, had this objective as well. It is
evident that these violations of the cease-fire are organized and
coordinated directly by official Baku.
Azerbaijan hoping to destroy Armenian troop morale
But we should note that the main objective of the strategy of
“diversionary partisan” war is not to reach new boundaries, but to
damage the spirit, resolve and confidence of the Armenian border
guards. The authors of this strategy think that the “desired result”
will be achieved by similar actions along the whole length of the
contact line. Today, avoiding open battles (by the way, only because
of their weaker level of combat readiness) and starting the tactics
of “exhausting the enemy both physically and morally”, Azerbaijan
hopes soon to demoralize the Armenian soldiers and officers, whose
spirit, organization and principle played a decisive role in the
1989-94 war. In this regard we should seriously think not only
about defending civilians in the border areas from these sorties,
but also about pursuing the transgressor right up to Azerbaijani
positions. This may not only calm the enemy, but also make him back
off from the tactics used today.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the political component of the
“diversionary” war. In spite of the danger inherent in the tactic, it
nevertheless ends up advocating the preservation of the “security line”
which Azerbaijan hates so much. The vast majority of border violations,
accompanied by attempts at diversion, take place in the areas where the
contact line is narrowest: 70 per cent of the sorties and exchanges of
fire take place in Tavush Region, where the main commanding heights,
starting from Barekamavan and Koti, are controlled by the Azerbaijani
army. In the regions with a stronger and wider “security line” the
number and “quality” of such actions is minimal. We think that the
Armenian side should certainly use this condition in its well-founded
explanations of the vital necessity to preserve the “security line”.

Armenian authorities have informants within opposition – presidential adviser
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
15 Jun 04
Text of Naira Zograbyan interview with Garnik Isagulyan, presidential
adviser on national security, by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak
on 15 June headlined “Moles are not moles”
[Correspondent] Who was behind the advice to [Armenian President]
Robert Kocharyan to appoint you adviser on national security issues?
[Garnik Isagulyan] Generally the president himself forms his team
and any appointment is, first of all, his choice.
[Correspondent] There are rumours that you have managed to leave
Kocharyan’s first assistant, Armen Gevorkyan, in the shadows, and to
occupy the place of Kocharyan’s favourite.
[Isagulyan] All this kind of information is not realistic. Everybody
in this building [president’s office] has their own function. As for
my relations with Armen Gevorkyan, we work together very well and
there is no disagreement between us.
[Correspondent] What kind of advice have you given to Robert Kocharyan
on national security during the past two months to justify your
appointment?
[Isagulyan] The most important is that a political research institute
attached to the president will be set up soon, which will deal with
internal as well as external and regional problems. Moreover, work
has been started to develop a national security concept.
[Correspondent] Mr Isagulyan, there are rumours that moles exist
amongst the opposition, with whom you cooperate, and who give
information to the authorities from time to time.
[Isagulyan] What does it mean to cooperate? There are no moles,
simply there are people who think soberly and today are trying to
have contact with the authorities and submit their viewpoint.
[Correspondent] If they share information with the authorities,
why do none of them publicly declare this?
[Isagulyan] You know, each of them is frightened of being called a
“mole”. They are frightened that their colleagues will not understand
them correctly, because there are people in the opposition who see
their death if they cooperate with the authorities, because these
people as politicians have no value.
[Correspondent] Mr Isagulyan, will you name some people from the
opposition who share information with the authorities?
[Isagulyan] I have no problem and would name them, but unfortunately
these people ask us not to mention their names, as they are frightened
of their so-called friends. They do not want to find themselves in
the tabloid press and do not want to see the failure of their work.
[Correspondent] Are their opposition friends aware of their service
to the authorities?
[Isagulyan] They are not serving the authorities, they are serving
our state, our nation.
[Correspondent] During your recent meeting with journalists you said
that the next president will be from Karabakh as well.
[Isagulyan] It was not so. A journalist asked me why the Armenian
president is of Karabakh origin, and I told him not to be in a hurry,
because it is not ruled out that the next president won’t be of
Karabakh origin as well. And this not a tragedy.

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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE AT TURKEY-EU SEMINAR
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly Tuesday raised the question of human
rights in Turkey and specifically issues regarding reported calls for
introducing laws to allow the removal of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul
at a panel discussion on Turkey’s EU Prospects and Europe’s Domestic
Policies.
Debating the pros and cons of Turkey’s membership in the European Union were
Turkish and American journalists and policy experts invited by the Western
Policy Center to evaluate where Europe and Turkey stood on the thorny
question of whether Turkey should be allowed to become a full member of the
European family of nations.
Among the panelists, Soner Cagaptay, coordinator of the Turkish Research
Program at The Washington Institute, was the most vocal supporter of full
Turkish membership. Cagaptay was also critical of European nations who, he
said, were using double standards in their approach to Turkey.
“For some European nations the cup is half empty and not half full when it
comes to Turkey. We have fulfilled all their demands, and yet, we are
treated differently. In some and even most cases we are not worse than
several East European countries,” he said.
Repeating often stated remarks by Turkish government officials that Turkey
had introduced and implemented laws to safeguard human rights as underlined
by the “Copenhagen criteria” of the European Union, Cagaptay said:
“We are in full compliance on issues involving respect of minority rights
and separation of church and state and many other key points.”
While several members of the audience raised questions involving economic
integration, demographic changes and cultural issues, Armenian Assembly
Director of Public Affairs David Zenian asked Cagapray for his views on
recent Turkish newspaper reports involving the Armenian Patriarchate of
Istanbul.
“We read in a recent report published by the Turkish newspaper Cumhurriyet
that the Turkish Interior Ministry is pressing for the passage of laws which
will allow more control over the election process of the Armenian Patriarch
including a clause giving the government authority to depose the head of the
Armenian church.
“Imagine the Italian government enacting laws which not only dictates that
the Pope be an Italian citizen – the Turkish government already demands that
the Patriarch be a Turkish citizen – but also giving itself the right to
depose the Pope if it regards the election to be irregular or flawed?”
Zenian asked.
Cagaptay had no comment. Instead he returned to his earlier grievances,
repeating his allegation of European double standards.
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#2004-054
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Ottawa June 16, 2004
Office of Sarkis Assadourian M.P.
120 Confederation
House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
Contact: Daniel Kennedy
Tel: 613 995 4843
M.P. Sarkis Assadourian To Attend
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Will Also Travel to California
Mr. Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton Centre, Lib.): is scheduled to attend
the Meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at the OECD,
Strasbourg June 21-25, 2004.
The Parliamentarians will meet to discuss a vast array of diverse
issues including human rights, electronic media and trans-boundary
water basins. A special highlight for Armenians will be the address
by Mr. Robert Kocharyan, President of Armenia.
-0-
Mr. Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton Centre, Lib.): and his wife Zaza
will travel to California from July 7-14 to visit with their many
friends in the area. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Armenian Apostolic Church in California will be hosting a reception
to welcome the first Canadian Parliamentarian of Armenian origin and
his wife to Los Angeles on Monday July 12, 2004.
-30-
For further information contact: Daniel Kennedy 613-995-4843

Israel Insider, Israel
June 16 2004
Palestinian girls pull out of joint beauty contest with Israel due to
threats
By Ellis Shuman June 16, 2004
A beauty contest organized to show that peaceful neighborly relations
are possible between residents of Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood
and the nearby Palestinian town of Beit Jala was marred when
all the Palestinian girls dropped out due to threats on their
lives. “Maybe because the contest was being held on our side, they
felt ‘appropriated,'” said Ortal Balilti, 17, who was crowned Miss
Seam Line last night.
Eight Bethlehem area girls, all of them Christians, were to participate
in the contest, named after the line that separates Israel from the
West Bank. Contest organizer Adi Nagar invited girls from Beit Jala and
Gilo to participate with the hope of fostering understanding between
them. The two communities, now separated by the security barrier,
were the flashpoint of heavy fighting at the offset of the Intifada.
Nagar said the Arab contestants “eventually all renounced the contest
because of political pressures.” Just hours before the pageant, Nagar
asked the last Palestinian girl, Dina Makhriz, to stay home after
her family received threats on their lives from fellow Palestinians.
“I prefer to have a happy, pretty girl than a frightened beauty queen,
not to mention a dead one,” Nagar said.
One of Makhriz’s relatives said it was “ill-advised” for Dina to take
part in a pageant being held in Gilo, a neighborhood annexed by Israel
after the 1967 Six Day War.
“Gilo used to be Palestinian. It would not be politically correct
for her to be there,” the relative told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Arpy Krikorian, a 21-year-old Armenian Christian from east Jerusalem
and the contest’s sole non-Jewish participant, said she understood
Makhriz’s reasons for withdrawing.
“I sat an hour with her yesterday and she was very uncomfortable. The
girls here may not understand but I do. She shouldn’t take any chance,”
Krikorian said. Krikorian said she had heard rumors that Makhriz’s
life had been threatened.
“I think the other girls are relieved because she would have won. She
was by far the prettiest of us all,” she added.
The contest’s sixteen participants wore evening gowns and bathing
suits at the pageant, which was staged in Gilo. Krikorian, who was
described by Maariv as an Audrey Hepburn look-alike, was chosen as
third runner-up.
“If there is anyone who is not guilty for the situation in which
we are living, it is us, the children,” Balilti declared after she
was crowned Miss Seam Line. “I think that the contest can’t change
the situation, but the fact that it was staged proved that [Israelis
and Palestinians] can live together and get along, and that there is
still hope for peace.”
Nagar, who is hopeful that Palestinian girls will participate in next
year’s contest, vowed “never to give up on peace.”
“I hope to organize a summer camp next year with youths from Beit
Jala and Gilo,” he said.

Great Valley to up Armenian cognac sales
Interfax
June 16 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian-Cypriot wine company Great Valley
plans to sell 5.3 million bottles of Armenian cognac in 2004, up 18%
from last year, the company told the press.
Great Valley sells 70% of its cognac in 0.5-liter bottles and the
rest in 0.7-liter bottles.
Great Valley sold 4.5 million bottles of Armenian cognac in 2003. The
company exports 98% of its output. Some 90% is sold in Russia,
and the rest is exported to the United States, Britain, Japan and
other countries.

WILLIAM READY TO CONQUER HARRISON
SkySports, UK
June 16 2004
William Abelyan insists he will be ready for action when he faces
Scott Harrison this Saturday, despite not fighting for over a year.
The Armenian – who is based in America – is finally fit to fight
after forcing the bout to be postponed from its’ original date due
to a shoulder injury.
Now the 25-year-old is raring to return to the ring and does not
believe his lack of action will cause him a problem as he looks to
gain the WBO featherweight crown from the Scot.
“I didn’t want to take the fight when I was injured but my shoulder
is feeling good now and I feel a lot stronger,” he said.
“It’s not a problem that I’ve been out for so long, I couldn’t get
a fight. Boxers didn’t want to fight me because I knock people out.
“I like Scott, he’s a decent fighter and I respect all fighters and
respect all world champions. But, I’d like to thank him for holding
on to the belt that we came here to get.”
Promoter Frank Maloney is also well aware of the danger opponent
Abelyan could pose Harrison this weekend and is predicting a classic
fight at the Braehead Arena.
“This will be one of the best fights the Scottish public will ever
see – I really believe that,” he stated.
“But I’m very concerned. It’s not a fight that I would have taken if
is had not been mandatory.
“Scott knows there are a lot of big names out there and big pay days
ahead but Abelyan hasn’t come over here just to pick up the pay cheque
– he fancies it big time.”
Maloney added: “Scott needs to rip the heart out of Abelyan like a
lion. He can’t take a backward step during the fight and he has to
wear him down.”

Scott Harrison: “Make no mistake there’s only ONE Harrison in British boxing and that’s me”
EastsideBoxing.com
June 16 2004
16.06.04 – WBO World Featherweight Champion SCOTT HARRISON has
promised boxing fans that they will know who the ‘Real Harrison’ is
on Saturday 19 June.
The tough Scotsman makes the second defence of his title, in his
second reign as World champion, against the dangerous mandatory
challenger from Armenia, WILLIAM ABELYAN, and will be roared on by
5,000 passionate fans at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow in what is a
real fight.
On the same night his namesake South of the border, heavyweight
Audley Harrison, takes on the latest handpicked opponent – Pole
Tomasz Bonin – at the Alexandra Palace defending his Mickey Mouse WBF
title..
The similarity between the two ends at their name.
Whilst the Scottish hero has beaten four former World champions in
Tom Johnson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Steve Robinson and Wayne
McCullough and became the first Scot ever to regain a World title,
Fraudley has still yet to face a ‘live’ opponent after 16 fights and
over three years in the pro ranks.
The fiery 126lb fighter from Cambuslang stormed, “Make no mistake
there’s only ONE Harrison in British boxing and that’s me – The Real
Harrison,”
He continued, “The fans aren’t stupid, they know a real fighter and
they know that I am value for money. The difference is I will fight
anyone who is put in front of me and I don’t handpick my opponents,”
Audinary even tried to gatecrash Glasgow in October 2001 with his
fight against hapless Pole Piotr Jurczyk in attempt to steal the
thunder from the Scottish hero but he couldn’t fool the fans.
“He tried to tread on my home turf but he didn’t get the crowd or the
reception he was expecting and has never come back,” added Harrison.
“Everytime I’ve fought in Glasgow the place has been rocking and it
will be the same this Saturday night against Abelyan. I’m expecting
to have a war where I will have to get in the trenches and grit my
teeth to come through the winner – something Audley will never have
to do if he continues facing the level of opponent he’s been facing.”
Finished Harrison.
Promoter Frank Warren said, “The only Harrison I’m focused on at the
moment is Scott who is involved in real World title fight which the
fans recognise. Scott’s only too happy to accept a pay cheque from
me!”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia: International Donors Conference Opens In Brussels
By Ahto Lobjakas
RFE/RL Feature Article
June 16, 2004
Brussels, 16 June 2004 (RFE/RL) — An international donors conference
for Georgia opened this morning in Brussels.
Held under the aegis of the World Bank and hosted by the European
Union, the event brings together potential donors from dozens of
nations, among them EU member states, the United States, Japan,
and Russia.
The Georgian government has said it expects pledges to reach 485
million euros for the period 2004 to 2006.
Opening the event, the EU’s external relations commissioner, Chris
Patten, said the international community must seize the opportunity
to assist Georgia.
“We cannot afford to await the success of the reforms before offering
our support,” he said. “We should commit ourselves now to assisting
Georgia, since the next three years will be crucial in determining
the future course of the country.”
The European Commission has said it will pledge 125 million euros ($150
million), which officials say is likely to be the largest contribution.
It will also double the bloc’s previous assistance to the country.
However, Patten warned that the support will be conditional on
continued reforms. He also underlined the EU’s strengthening engagement
with regard to Georgia.
Referring to the two remaining South Caucasus countries, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Patten said the EU will treat each country “on its
individual merits” within its European Neighborhood Policy.
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania promised his country will
consolidate the reform policies launched by President Mikheil
Saakashvili in the wake of the “Rose Revolution” seven months ago.
Addressing donors this morning, Zhvania said Georgia aims to become
self-sustainable and that it will make a clean break with the “donor
addiction” prevalent before.
“We want to change completely this philosophy. And the first thing
I want to convey as the main message from President Saakashvili,
from myself, from our cabinet, is that we want to use this degree of
your support to stop these practices and move towards a situation when
Georgia will not any longer be dependent on international assistance,”
Zhvania said.
Zhvania said his government wants donors to support projects aimed at
reforming Georgia’s administration, cutting law-enforcement personnel,
rehabilitating the country’s energy sector and infrastructure, and
funding social benefits.
He said Georgia also expects donors to prioritize the reintegration
of regions such as Adjara. The European Commission has said that —
in addition to today’s pledge — another grant for 12 million euros
will go for the rehabilitation of areas affected by the conflicts in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Calling on donors to contribute generously, the World Bank’s regional
vice president, Shigeo Katsu, said Georgia has all the preconditions
necessary for success.
“Georgia is blessed with abundant natural resources, geographical
advantage as a major transit route, and most importantly, a talented,
energetic and engaging population with a rich history and diverse
cultural heritage,” he said.
Katsu said that, in the light of the reforms undertaken by the
Georgian government, the World Bank is “optimistic about the outlook
for economic growth” in the country.

Two journalists in Nakhichevan suffer systematic harassment
Reporters without borders, France
June 16 2004
Reporters Without Borders has called on the chairman of the Supreme
Council (Mejlis) of the autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, Vasif
Talibov, to act to protect journalists after two correspondents
complained of relentless harassment.
Malahat Nasibova, correspondent for the press agency TURAN and the US
station Radio Free Europe, along with Mohammed Rzayev, correspondent
for the opposition daily Azadlig in Nakhichevan said on 14 June 2004,
that they had suffered systematic harassment for two months.
Nakhichevan is an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan – an enclave
between Armenia and Iran.
The international press freedom organisation urged Talibov to guarantee
the safety of journalists and to ensure that they could work normally
free from official pressure.
Nasibova and Rzayev have said they have been threatened every time
they report on the harassment of the local opposition, whose members
are regularly physically attacked and arrested by police.
Each time they report the facts, police summon the journalists
or telephone to tell them to stop covering the harassment. The
journalists’ families have also received telephoned insults or
threats that they will lose their jobs. Nasibova said she got phone
calls and Internet messages that she risked “mourning family members”
unless she stopped criticising the authorities.