Georgia’s Roads Will Be Reconstructed
A1 Plus | 18:17:19 | 20-05-2004 | Official |
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili informed pro-governmental
parliamentary bloc that some international donor organizations will
allot Georgia aid of $300-350 million.
According to A-INFO Agency, bloc Armenian member Van Bayburdyan
assures by president’s words about $ 80-100 million will be allowed
for reconstruction of Akhaltckha-Akhalqalaq, Ninotsminda-Tsalka-Tbilisi
roads.

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:
May 20, 2004
National Citizens’ Initiative Examines “Army and Society”
Yerevan – The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) convened today a
policy discussion on “Army and Society” to address the challenges
which the Armenian public faces in the military sphere and to
search for optimal solutions to the problems in army-society
interrelations. Public alienation, draft evasion, issues of law
and justice in the armed forces, and the roles of political forces,
civil society, and the intelligentsia in strengthening the army were
in the focus of the day’s deliberations.
Raffi Hovannisian, founder of NCI and the Armenian Center for National
and International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the capacity audience with
opening remarks. “We trust that today’s multidisciplinary discussion
will help define contemporary army-related challenges, ascertain the
level of military-society relations, and offer effective solutions,
all with the expectation of holding a broader conference together
with the Defense Ministry in the near future,” Hovannisian said.
During the first session Lieutenant Colonel Sedrak Sedrakian, chief
of the Defense Ministry’s legal department, delivered a paper on “The
Armenian Armed Forces Today: Achievements, Challenges, and Relevant
Legislation.” The armed forces’ strong legislative foundations
are accompanied both by reinforcement of legal requirements and by
expansion of rights and privileges, he maintained. “The legislative
field for the armed forces already is established in Armenia and has
a dynamic character, hence enabling development and adoption of a
comprehensive legislative
conception.”
Colonel Vardan Avetisian, chief of the Defense Ministry’s educational
department, addressed “The Principles of Legality and Justice: A
Look at Interpersonal Relations among Soldiers and Officers.” “The
restrictions and stringent enforcement mechanisms currently being
applied in the army are aimed at fostering high military readiness
and every individual’s personal responsibility toward his military
service. “The public cannot treat the army as a stepchild, because
justice and legality are just as important in the service as in
society,” Avetisian said.
Avetik Ishkhanian, chairman of the Armenian Helsinki Committee,
concluded the session with a paper on “Civil Society-Armed Forces
Relations” based on his own investigations. “Crimes committed in the
army, violations of soldiers’ rights, and other breaches presently are
considered a taboo. The homicides and other crimes we occasionally hear
about result mainly from demands outside of regulations,” asserted
the human rights advocate, opining that the army should be fully
apoliticized and gradually transform into a professional system.
Reflecting on audience questions that sparked particular interest,
the speakers noted the measures required to rule out the custom of
“dedovshchina” widely inherited from the Soviet period, to prevent
provenance- triggered confrontations among soldiers, to continue
exercise of postponed enlistment entitlements for those in higher
academic courses, to regulate specific manifestations of various sects,
and to enhance the patriotic education of the youth.
The second session was completely devoted to exchanges of views and
policy recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists
in attendance. Noteworthy were contributions by General Arkadiy
Ter-Tadevosian, chairman of the Armenian Defense-Sport Association;
Colonel Gegham Haroutiunian, political council member of the Republic
party; Tamar Gevorgian of the United Labor Party; Vahagn Gevorgian,
expert of the Commission on Defense, National Security, and Internal
Affairs of the Armenian parliament; law professor Hrair Tovmasian;
Hrant Khachatrian of the Constitutional Law Union; former minister
of state Hrach Hakobian; Vardan Khachatrian, theology professor
at Yerevan State University; Hovhannes Hovhannisian of the Liberal
Progressive Party; Davit Petrosian of the Noyan Tapan News agency;
academician Rafael Ghazarian of the Armenian Intellectuals’ Forum;
Petros Makeyan of the Democratic Fatherland party; Greta Mirzoyan of
the “Soldier’s Mother” NGO; former defense minister Vazgen Manukian;
and many others. The majority of interventions concentrated on ensuring
the rule of law in the army, achieving higher levels of military
efficacy in the armed forces, pursuing the imperative of patriotic
upbringing, and realizing the public’s potential to these ends.
ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian closed the seminar with summary
remarks. “It is evident that today’s deliberations have given one
further opportunity for relevant high-ranking officials and public
representatives together to refocus on the army’s problems and its
relations with society, and once more to be convinced that these
issues need deeper examination.”
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 a 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 call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03;
fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected]; or visit

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 19 2004
OIC AMENDS THE RESOLUTION “ON AGGRESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
AGAINST AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC”
[May 19, 2004, 13:11:59]
In the information received by AzerTAj from the embassy of Azerbaijan
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is stated that the next assembly
of top officials of member-states of the Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC) was held in Jeddah. Discussed was the issue of
preparation to the XXXI conference of the foreign ministers of the
OIC member-countries in Istanbul.
Before the arrangement, the permanent representative of Azerbaijan in
OIC, ambassador Elman Arasly has met the Secretary General of this
international structure Abdulwahid Bilgeziz, his assistant Izzet
Al-Mufti and other high-ranking officials of the Organization, has
discussed with them questions of the further expansion of relations
of Azerbaijan with OIC, has addressed the Secretary General with the
request for support of initiatives of our republic.
As earlier, at this assembly, the OIC member- states have supported
the issue connected to Azerbaijan. So, the resolution of OIC “On
aggression of the Republic Armenia against the Azerbaijan Republic”
under the offer of the Azerbaijan side has been amended. Participants
of assembly have agreed to include Azerbaijan’s draft resolution
submitted by the delegation “Youth initiative of Islamic Conference”
in the agenda of XXXI Istanbul conference of the ministers of foreign
affairs of the OIC member–states.
At the assembly in Jeddah, discussed was the report of Secretary
General A. Bilgeziz, decided to submit for discussion in the Istanbul
conference the question in connection with the appeal submitted to
the OIC Secretary General on admission of the Central African
Republic and the Republic Mauritius in membership of the
Organization. Taking into account the appeal on granting to some
states of the status of the observer in OIC, it was decided to create
special commission for preparation of offers concerning entering into
the Charter of structure of respective alterations. Participants of
the assembly condemned the inhuman treatment of the American soldiers
with the prisoners in Iraq.
The draft resolution “Concerning new position of Cyprus” submitted by
the delegation of Turkey has been unanimously adopted by the
assembly.

US military, NATO join forces to stabilize Caucasus
By Brian Whitmore, Globe Correspondent | May 19, 2004
Boston Globe, MA
May 19 2004
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — US Army Colonel Michael Anderson
has Georgia on his mind. He spends a lot of time thinking about
Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well.
Plagued by ethnic conflicts, political instability, organized crime,
and porous borders, the volatile South Caucasus region has long been
viewed by Western officials as a hotbed of chaos and of instability
in Europe’s backyard.
The US military and key NATO allies are now laying the groundwork for
an unprecedented engagement in the region that will include coordinated
military and humanitarian assistance, education, and training aimed
at eventually bringing these troubled nations and their armed forces
into Europe’s mainstream.
“We want these nations to ultimately be able to stand on their own
and to be secure and stable states,” said Anderson, the US military’s
European Command point man for policy in the Caucasus.
The emerging initiative in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is part
of a focus on what military commanders call “an arc of instability”
ranging from the Caucasus through the Middle East to the Gulf of
Guinea in West Africa. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, US armed
forces worldwide have been taking steps to redirect their resources
to fight the war on terrorism more effectively.
Officials at the US European Command say that since they do not
anticipate a major war in their area of responsibility in the near
future, they are focusing on preventing conflicts on and beyond the
continent’s hinterlands before they become full-blown security crises.
In the South Caucasus, as well as in North Africa, US military
officials say they are seeking to use “the prudent application of
soft power” — gaining access and influence in these regions by
exposing nations there to Western thinking and values — to advance
the interests of the United States and its allies.
“We are applying a regional, cooperative approach . . . helping
nations help themselves,” Air Force General Charles Wald, deputy
commander of US forces in Europe, said in a statement.
At a two-day conference this month at the George C. Marshall European
Center for Security Studies in this southern German Alpine town, US
defense officials met with their counterparts from key NATO allies to
coordinate their efforts to assist a defense overhaul in the region.
Officials from Georgia and Armenia also attended. Officials from
Azerbaijan were invited, but did not attend amid the continuing
animosity with Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabach.
By helping stabilize the South Caucasus and assisting in improvements
in the region’s armed forces, officials say, the initiative contributes
to the war against terrorism.
“Terrorists are looking for areas of instability where they can play
the East-West cultural card, and the Caucasus is a region that is ripe
for that,” a senior British defense official said on the condition
of anonymity. “If we don’t turn our attention to it, they will.”
The new emphasis on the Caucasus seeks to build on recent
US initiatives in the region. From May 2002 until last month, US
soldiers trained four Georgian light-infantry battalions and a tank
company under a $64 million program called the Georgia Train and Equip
Program. The program aimed to professionalize Georgia’s armed forces
and to equip them to root out suspected terrorists linked to Al Qaeda
in the country, most notably the Pankisi Gorge region near Chechnya.
US military officials have since identified illicit weapons, narcotics,
and human-trafficking across the region’s porous frontiers as other key
security concerns. Easy access to smuggling routes empowers organized
crime groups, compromises the authority of central governments,
and destabilizes the region, the officials say.
“Who do we want running these countries, stable democratic authorities
or criminal elements?” US Army Lieutenant Colonel Albert Zaccor
said. “We’re trying to foster the kind of countries we can be
partners with.”
To help eliminate what military officials and strategists call
“ungoverned areas” in the region, the US military and its European
allies seek to help train the region’s border guards. A new American
program called the Caspian Guard Initiative also intends to help
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan improve air, ground, and maritime security
in the Caspian Sea Basin.
Protecting the flow of oil out of the region is also a top security
concern for the United States and its allies. A major pipeline running
from Baku, Azerbaijan, through Tblisi, Georgia, to Ceyhan, Turkey,
is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Analysts say
the pipeline will reduce the West’s energy dependence on the Middle
East and the Persian Gulf, but could also become a potential target
for terrorists.
Longtime NATO allies like Britain, Germany, and Turkey — as well
as new alliance members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — are also
contributing with assistance programs in the region.
Germany is helping to train noncommissioned officers in the region,
Britain has a civilian adviser assisting the Georgian Defense Ministry
and junior officer-training programs in the region, and Turkey is
offering to help coordinate security for the oil pipeline.
The former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which
have reformed their militaries sufficiently to join NATO this year,
say they are now prepared to help Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
do the same.
The Baltic nations are also offering to help train border guards.
Nikoloz Laliashvili, head of defense policy and NATO integration for
Georgia’s Defense Ministry, said it is his country’s “aspiration”
to follow in the footsteps of the three Baltic countries. “They have
strong experience and advice to offer,” Laliashvili said.
US and other Western officials concede privately that Georgia, Armenia,
and Azerbaijan have made uneven progress. Georgia, which tossed out
its Soviet-era leaders in favor of the pro-Western government of
Mikhail Saakashvili in a peaceful revolution in November, has shown
the most serious commitment to an overhaul, the officials say.
Earlier this month, Georgia peacefully seized control of the rebel
province of Ajaria, in the country’s southwest corner, although
Saakashvili is still struggling to bring other breakaway regions like
Abkhazia and South Ossetia under Tblisi’s control.
Other ethnic and political issues, most notably Armenia’s and
Azerbaijan’s longstanding and bitter dispute over the Nagorno Karabach
region, remain obstacles to progress.
Nevertheless, analysts say the optimism generated by Georgia’s
democratic “Rose Revolution” in November, coupled with the new Western
engagement in the region, has created a window of opportunity. “With
the rise of a new generation of politicians coming into power, the
possibilities for change are greater than ever before,” said Robert
Parsons, director of Radio Free Europe’s Georgia service.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
[May 19, 2004, 14:35:03]
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 19 2004
Workshops held May 10-18 in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
Eliminating environmental problems helps to ease political tensions:
that is the basic idea behind a new initiative launched in the
Southern Caucasus region by the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the U.N. Environmental Program (UNEP)
and the U.N. Development Program (UNDP).
An initiative focusing on the links between environmental problems
and security was launched this week with national events in Georgia
and Azerbaijan.
Through the Environmental Security Initiative, the OSCE, the United
Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the UN Development Program
(UNDP) aim to identify cases in which environmental degradation
may pose threats to human security and contribute to instability,
and suggest action to deal with them.
The initiative began on 10 May in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, with
two days of consultations among government officials, non-governmental
organizations and local and international experts. They discussed
key environmental risk factors that have the potential to hamper
security in Armenia.
The workshops continued on 14 and 15 May in Tbilisi, Georgia. They
focused on the role of environmental security in economic growth and
poverty reduction in Georgia, both greatly dependent on the quality
and quantity of existing natural resources in the country.
Concluding the series, a workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 17 and 18 May
focused on principal environmental concerns with security implications
in the country, including trans-boundary water pollution and freshwater
quality as well as contamination of the Caspian Sea and deforestation.
The main idea behind the Environment and Security Initiative, launched
in 2002, is that eliminating environmental problems helps to ease
political tensions. In order to achieve this, the Initiative seeks to:
Raise awareness of environmental risks and their impact on security;
Engage with government and non-government groups to identify both risks
posed by environmental change and opportunities for trans-boundary
co-operation to promote sustainable development, peace and stability;
Map risks, as well as needs and opportunities, for environmental
co-operation to improve sustainable resource management, crisis
prevention and peace promotion;
Develop and implement projects to reduce risks identified.
National consultations are considered to be a key element of the
Initiative as they generate information on specific problems that
can then be addressed through individual projects.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 19 2004
POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN EXPLAINED AT THE CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN
STRASBOURG
[May 19, 2004, 14:34:24]
On May 16, the parliamentary delegation headed by chairman of Milli
Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov, has arrived in Strasbourg for participation
in conference of the chairmen of assemblies of the European
Parliament on the topic “Civil Europe – participation of parliaments
and citizens”.
The meeting of chairmen of parliaments of the Southern Caucasus
countries was held on 17 May. At the meeting, discussed were issues
of cooperation of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Chairman of the
parliament of Armenia has put forward an idea of adjustment of
cooperation between the countries of Southern Caucasus and creation
of joint parliamentary assembly of these countries. The Azerbaijan
side, explaining the position concerning the question, has stated
that our country, in fact, is not against such cooperation.
It has been marked that Azerbaijan has adjusted very good relations
with the next Russia, Turkey and Georgia. And as to Armenia, if this
country will refuse the aggressive policy and will return the
occupied Azerbaijan lands, only in this case it is possible to speak
about any cooperation with it. And consequently the Azerbaijan side
has made resolute protest against the offer of chairman of the
parliament of Armenia on creation of joint Parliamentary Assembly of
the countries of Southern Caucasus.
On May 18, in the residence of the Council of Europe was held a
conference on the topic “Is our democracy democratic?” Chairman Milli
Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov made remarks the conference.
Having noted, that after gaining state independence our country has
selected the way of integration to Europe, chairman of parliament
Murtuz Alaskarov has told: Azerbaijan has great potential to deepen
democracy. This potential is enriched with centuries-old traditions
and tolerance of our people, he stressed. For the last years, in
Azerbaijan radical political, economic, social-legal reforms have
been conducted, the notable achievements in restoration of the
European values, creation of democratic institutes in maintenance of
the rights and freedom of the person, transition to market economy
were reached.
He has emphasized that one third of clauses of the new Constitution
of Azerbaijan adopted in 1995 is devoted to maintenance of the rights
and freedom of the person. In our country, tens political parties
function. Censorship has been cancelled. There is an independent TV
and radio displaying all sides of political life of Azerbaijan.
Consecutive work is being carried out in the field of maintenance of
the rights of national minorities, freedom of faith, more than 600
nongovernmental public organizations have been registered in the
country.
Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has especially emphasized that one
of the important steps undertaken by our state in the field of
protection of human rights, is adoption in 1993 of the moratorium on
application of death penalty and cancellation for the first time in
the East in 1998 of this kind of punishment. In the country, radical
judicial reforms have been carried out and the three-stage judicial
system created. Penitentiary system was harmonized with the European
standards. On the basis of multi-party system democratic, fair, free,
transparent presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections were
repeatedly carried out. In 2001, Azerbaijan became a full member of
the Council of Europe.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has told: “Our country confidently marches
ahead on the way of deepening of democracy. As the head of Azerbaijan
State Ilham Aliyev in April, in the spring session of Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe has stated, Azerbaijan will never
change the way of construction of a democratic, legal, civil society.
In detail informing on the historical roots and heavy consequences of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Chairman of
Azerbaijan Parliament has emphasized that as a result of this
conflict the one fifth of the Country’s territory up today is under
occupation, one million people, that is each eighth inhabitant is
refugee and IDP. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict continuing more than
a decade, certainly, delays the process of democratic transformations
that renders negative influence not only on these countries, but also
to all Southern Caucasus. The occupied lands of Azerbaijan have
turned to uncontrollable zone. They became the center for preparation
of terrorists, cultivation of narcotics, burial places of radioactive
wastes, trade of the weapon and people. However, we are sure, that
the victory will triumph and that this heavy problem for Azerbaijan
will be solved by peace way according to all norms and principles of
international law, and the main thing, on the basis of principles of
inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of borders of the
states.
Statement of the Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has been listened
with attention and interest.
***
The meeting of chairmen of parliaments of the GUUAM countries also
was held in Strasbourg. At the meeting attended by Georgia, Ukraine,
Azerbaijan and Moldova, discussed were the questions of preparation
for constituent conference in connection with creation of
parliamentary assemblies of member-countries of this international
organization.
The vice-president of parliament of Ukraine, chairmen of parliaments
of Georgia and Moldova have noted special role of GUUAM, created in
1997, in development and strengthening of relations between the these
member-countries, have emphasized necessity of creation of
Parliamentary Assembly of the structure.
Speaking at the sitting, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov
has noted, that two more years back during his visit to Ukraine he
has drawn attention to the initiative of the Azerbaijan on creation
of Parliamentary Assembly of the GUUAM countries. And, since we
support this offer, he stressed.
During the discussions, exchanged were opinions on definition of
place and date of carrying out of constituent conference. The sides
came to a consensus to conduct the conference in second half of
September in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, or in Yalta.
At the conferences and meetings participating was the head of the
permanent mission of Azerbaijan at the Council of Europe, ambassador
Agshin Mehdiyev.

EU to benefit from cheap gas imports
EUpolitix, Belgium
May 19 2004
European consumers should be able to benefit from cheap gas imports
from Azerbaijan in five or six years time, the country’s leader
has predicted.
The delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and to Europe in large
quantities would ensure “an alternative and cheap supply” for European
customers, President Ilham Aliyev told a meeting of the Brussels-based
think tank, the European Policy Centre.
“In five or six years, Azerbaijani gas in big quantities will be
supplied to Europe,” he said, commenting that this would be even more
important for consumers than the country’s burgeoning oil industry.
“We will allow our neighbours and friends to benefit,” he assured.
Aliyev, on a two day diplomatic visit to the EU’s Brussels
headquarters, stressed Baku’s “strategic choice” to pursue closer
ties with Europe.
“Our relations with the EU are developing very successfully.
Azerbaijan has a strategically committed to a policy of integration
into European structures.”
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Tuesday he expected
the EU’s relationship with the former Soviet state to increase,
specifically in the field of energy.
The country, along with Caucasus neighbours Armenia and Georgia was
recently added by the European Commission to its ‘New Neighbourhood’
policy, which seeks closer relations with countries around the newly
expanded EU.
Aliyev used a Tuesday meeting with European Commission chief Romano
Prodi to appeal to the EU to help find a solution to a ten year
territorial dispute with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
“We hope that the EU, other international organisations and the OSCE
[Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe] will play a more
active role and allow the people of Azerbaijan to come back,” he said.
Although the two republics have signed a ceasefire, no political
solution has been found to end the bitter dispute over the enclave,
which makes up around five per cent of the area of Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory which falls entirely within Azerbaijan
and is populated by Christian ethnic Armenians, broke away from Baku
when the Soviet Union collapsed.
A five year war over the land claimed around 35 000 lives and created
around one million refugees.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Talk Is Cheap Blasts Abelyan
By Chris Roberts, PA Sport
The Scotsman, UK
sportinglife.com, UK
May 19 2004
William Abelyan has hit back at WBO world featherweight champion Scott
Harrison and vowed to shut the Glaswegian’s mouth at the Braehead
Arena on June 19.
The Armenian started the war of words before the original fight date
but he has been riled by the Scot’s bold prediction that he is going
to dish out a hammering.
“Harrison’s got a big mouth and I’m going to shut if for him,” said
the WBO mandatory challenger from his training camp in Las Vegas.
“I’ve read what he’s been saying on the internet and he’s talking a
lot of garbage.
“He’s scared, that’s why he’s talking big, but I’ll be over there
for the fight soon and we’ll see if he talks just as big when he’s
face to face with me.”
The 25-year-old insists his training has not been disrupted despite
the second postponement of the fight following Harrison’s recent
wrist injury.
“I’m ready to fight Harrison right now,” he stated. “If my team said
to me ‘William we’re going to Scotland tomorrow to fight Harrison’
I would be straight on the plane.
“I have never been up for a fight more than this one.”
Originally from Yerevan in Armenia, Abelyan moved to America when he
was nine and now resides in California.
“It’s the world title and the fame I want not the money,” he added.
“After I win the title I will return to Armenia a hero. I have
never been back since I moved to America because I wanted to achieve
something spectacular before I returned.
“I will be the first world champion boxer to ever come out of the
country.
“The boxing ring is my house and Harrison is not welcome.”

No word from ‘mercenaries’ in EGuinea
Related links
‘Mercenaries’ will take SA government to court
Sunday Times, South Africa
May 19 2004
The attorney for eight South Africans held in Equatorial Guinea for
allegedly preparing a coup has still not had telephonic contact with
his clients, he said.
Attorney Bernard van der Hoven said he had met the attorney general
of Equatorial Guinea, Jose Olo Obono, in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Although he was promised telephonic contact with the men, who had
been detained for over two months, Van der Hoven did not know when
this would be allowed.
“That’s the major concern,” he said.
He had also not been granted a visa to visit the West African state.
“We’ve been trying for eight weeks, but nothing,” he said.
Van der Hoven had also asked the Presidency to place the men under
diplomatic protection. “We haven’t received their decision yet,”
he said.
Obono was reportedly in South Africa as part of an investigation
team from Equatorial Guinea. The team planned to leave South Africa
on Wednesday evening, Van der Hoven said.
The detainees are among a group of 15 men accused of planning to
overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
They include Angolans, Armenians and South Africans, some of Angolan
origin.
There is also a German, who subsequently died after “an attack of
cerebral malaria”, according to the authorities, French news agency
AFP reported.

Turkish FM: Turkey Is Knocking On EU’s Door
Anadolu Agency
May 19 2004
BRUSSELS – Turkey was knocking on the door of the European Union (EU),
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said
early on Wednesday.
Gul, who is in Belgian capital Brussels to attend the meeting of
Turkey-EU Association Council, told reporters that he informed his
interlocutors about recent reform wave in Turkey.
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul said that he also told his interlocutors
that Turkey had adjusted with Copenhagen political criteria at
great extent.
Gul stated that Turkey was preparing those reform packages for its
own sake not for the EU.
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul recalled that he had earlier told his
interlocutors during the former Association Council meetings that
Turkey would not knock on EU`s door before it met the political
criteria.
Gul noted that he had earlier said that “he could not say that Turkey
met the political criteria if he was to write a report on Turkey.“
Also, he had earlier noted that “Turkey would not knock on EU`s door,
being aware of its shortcomings but it would knock on EU`s door when
it met all the criteria“, Gul stated.
Gul said that he told his interlocutors during this Association
Council meeting that “Turkey was knocking on EU`s door.“
Turkey had still some problems stemming from implementation of the
reforms, Gul pointed out.
Gul noted that all those problems would be overcome and said, “we
won`t stop launching new initiatives saying we have fulfilled most
of criteria we have to do.“
He and his interlocutors also took up Cyprus issue during their
meetings, Gul stated.
Gul recalled the approach that “Cyprus is not a political criteria
for Turkey`s EU accession but is a political fact.“
“Our Cyprus policy has created sympathy and has been supported. This
will definitely be reflected on the progress report to be prepared
by the EU Commission,“ Gul said.
He explained Turkey`s Cyprus policies during his meetings and noted
that economic embargo on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
should be lifted without losing any time, Gul said.
Gul, who went to Belgium on Tuesday morning, held separate meetings
with EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen, EU foreign
policy chief Javier Solana and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
the same day.
Aliyev and Gul exchanged views about Armenia-Upper Karabakh and Cyprus
issues during their meeting. Gul thanked Aliyev for Azerbaijan`s
support to Turkish theses during the senior officials meeting of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Gul and Aliyev also took up starting flights between Azerbaijan and
Cyprus and lifting embargo imposed on TRNC.
Foreign Minister Gul will leave Belgium on Wednesday and go to
Russian capital Moscow to hold meetings on Middle East peace process
and Cyprus.