Civil Georgia, UK
April 29 2004
Caucasian Leaders Met in Warsaw
/ Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 2004-04-29 13:04:06

Robert Kocharyan, Mikheil Saakashvili and
Ilham Aliyev. AzerTAj Photo
Presidents of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Mikheil Saakashvili,
Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan respectively, met in Warsaw in the
frames of the European Economic Summit on April 28.

The regional issues and the prospects of further cooperation were
discussed at a business lunch arranged in honor of the South
Caucasian Presidents, AzerTAj state news agency of Azerbaijan
reported.

On April 29 President Saakashvili plans to make a speech at the
European Economic Summit in Warsaw and also will meet with his Polish
counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 14:23:48 | 29-04-2004 | Politics |
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CALLS ON ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE EXCESSIVE
USE OF POLICE FORCE
On Wednesday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) held an urgent debate on Armenia, calling on the government to
investigate abuses and to create “fair conditions for the media,” and
warned the government that if no progress on this by September, the
PACE may “reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation.”PACE
also called on the opposition to work within the country’s
constitutional framework.
In early April, Armenia’s political opposition united in mass peaceful
protests to force a “referendum of confidence” on President Robert
Kocharian and to call for his resignation. The government responded
with mass arrests, violent dispersals of demonstrations, and raids on
opposition party headquarters. Hundreds were detained, many for up to
15 days, and some were tortured or ill-treated in custody.
“The Armenian government is repeating the same sorts of abuses that
called into question the legitimacy of last year’s election and
sparked the protests in the first place,” said Rachel Denber, acting
executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia
division. “The cycle of repression must end.”
Excessive police force, particularly at a nonviolent opposition rally
on the night of April 12, caused dozens of injuries among
demonstrators. The Human Right Watch briefing paper, based on an
investigation in Armenia in mid-April, documents this violence and
other abuses. Human Rights Watch found that some of the worst injuries
at that rally were caused by stun grenades, which inflicted deep
wounds in many protesters. Police also beat journalists and
confiscated their cameras.
The opposition protests derived from the government’s failure to
redress the deeply flawed 2003 presidential election won by Kocharian,
the incumbent. At that time, the authorities detained about 250
opposition activists and supporters in an attempt to intimidate and
disable the opposition in advance of the vote. The Armenian
Constitutional Court subsequently recommended that the government hold
a referendum of confidence. The government rejected the
recommendation, while the opposition insisted that the referendum be
held.
In its report on the 2003 presidential election, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) found the vote to be “marred
by serious irregularities,” owing to “a lack of sufficient political
determination by the authorities to ensure a fair and honest process.”
“Armenia has to address the underlying causes of the opposition’s
demonstrations,” said Denber. “A first step would be to implement the
recommendations made by the OS?E following the 2003 elections.”
Human Rights Watch also called on the Armenian government to
investigate the excessive use of police force on the night of April
12, and to cease the use of stun grenades and electric-shock equipment
for the control of nonviolent public demonstrations.
Armenia’s international partners – including the European Union, the
United States government, the OSCE and the Council of Europe – should
closely monitor the situation and condemn any new abuses that occur,
Human Rights Watch said. In particular, the United States and the
European Union should closely monitor any security-related funding,
particularly for crowd-control equipment, to ensure that it does not
fuel human rights abuses.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CENN – APRIL 29, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Series of Public Debates with the Representative of NGOs, Government
and Business Sector
2. Azerbaijan Hopes to Include Kazakhstan in BTC in 2004
3. Russia Against Creation of National Fishing Zones in Caspian Sea
4. Green `Slaughter” in Yerevan
5. Retail Prices of Potato, Cabbage and Grape are Down
6. Working Group on Water and Health
7. Invest Now, Save Later
8. 10 Personal Actions that Can Make a Difference for the Environment
1. SERIES OF PUBLIC DEBATES WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF NGOS, GOVERNMENT
AND BUSINESS SECTOR
Horizonti Foundation is starting with as new initiative to conduct a
series of public debates with the representative of NGOs, government and
business taking part.
The first of the series will be held on Friday, April 30, at 2:00 – 3:30
PM at the premises of Horizonti Foundation (see the address below).
The topic of the discussion is: Who Sets Priorities In Georgia?
Contact person: Manana Dumbadze
[email protected]
Contact Information
6th floor, 2 Dolidze Street, Tbilisi
+995 (32) 332816/17/18
+995 (32) 987504 (fax)
[email protected]
2. AZERBAIJAN HOPES TO INCLUDE KAZAKHSTAN IN BTC IN 2004
Source: Interfax, April 28, 2004
Azerbaijan hopes that Kazakhstan will become a participant in the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project in 2004, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister
Khalaf Khalafov said at the forum Caspian: Politics, Economics, Business
in Astana on April 28, 2004.
“At the moment 34 companies from 16 countries are participating in
transport projects in the Caspian region. Azerbaijan considers the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline projects to be the
main ones,” he said.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum projects are “necessary
conditions” for the economic development of the Caspian region and will
strengthen its energy security,” he said.
He said that Azerbaijan shares the position of Kazakhstan regarding the
laying of pipelines along the Caspian seabed.
Kazakh First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Abuseitov said at the forum
that Kazakhstan is against having to agree laying underwater
communications and pipeline in the Caspian with all of the littoral
states. These issues should be agreed with the Caspian states through
whose sectors they pass, and not with all states in the region, he said.
Mr. Khalafov also said that the implementation of oil and gas transport
projects in the region might be hindered by the unresolved
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and the unstable political situation in
Georgia.
Kazakhstan hopes to transport 10 million – 20 million tones of oil per
year through the pipeline. The republic produced over 51.3 million tones
of oil and condensate in 2003.
Construction of the 690-km Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline should begin in
the third quarter 2004. The pipeline will transport gas from the
Shah-Deniz field, which has reserves of 625 billion cubic meters of gas
and 101 million tones of condensate.
3. RUSSIA AGAINST CREATION OF NATIONAL FISHING ZONES IN CASPIAN SEA
Source: Interfax, April 28, 2004
Russia is against creating so-called fishing zones in the Caspian Sea,
Russian presidential envoy for Caspian Sea issues Viktor Kalyuzhny said.
The creation of fishing zones will undermine the effectiveness of the
collective regulation of fishing activities and will hinder the
replenishment of biological resources, Kalyuzhny told an international
conference on Caspian Sea issues in Astana on Wednesday. “If we can’t
deal with poachers together, different zones will not help us,” he said.
Fishing zones “will not give us anything except problems connected with
the development of additional conditions to resolve discrepancies
between the internal legislation of both countries,” he said.
Russia has already made considerable changes to its initial position,
suggesting that 15-mile coastal areas be organized in the Caspian Sea,
in which the littoral states will have exclusive rights to fish, he
said.
`But we can’t go any further,” Kalyuzhny said. “Believe me, we’re not
concerned about the water, we feel sorry for the fish,” he added.
4. GREEN `SLAUGHTER” IN YEREVAN
Source: A1 Plus- news agency, April 28, 2004
This morning the residents of N 143 building of South-Western block have
held a protest action demanding to preserve the park they have
themselves planted nearby their houses. It has been given to someone to
build a shop there.
The residents are more concerned about the fact that Municipality has
rejected their application on improving and protecting the territory.
People say the park where the Monument for War Fighters is located was
sold at an auction. Trees were already cut for constructing the shop.
The dwellers are even willing to buy the territory to protect the green
zone.
5. RETAIL PRICES OF POTATO, CABBAGE AND GRAPE ARE DOWN
Source: ArmenPress, April 27 2004
According to Agri-Business Development Center, retail prices of cabbage,
potatoes, grape, tomatoes are down, prices of flour, barley, wheat,
onion, beef and pork are up and prices of butter, sugar did not change
as compared to the same period last month.
The market price for one kg of pork a year ago was 1200-1300 drams while
its present average price is 1860 drams. Beef is sold at 1400 (2003 –
1200 drams). The present price of poultry is 1200 drams against 1000
drams in 2003. Egg was sold at 44 drams a year ago, while in January it
increased to 55 and at present is sold at 58 drams.
Potatoes were sold in 2003, April at 200 drams per kilogram while in
January it reduced to 140 and its present price is 80-100 drams. Last
year cucumber was sold at 800 drams while this year it is 500 drams.
Average price for apple is 400 drams. It increased by 100 drams as
compared to the same period last year.
The highest prices can be observed at Mashtotc avenue market number 1
and the lowest prices at Malatia market number 4 and in the markets of
Gyumri and Spitak.
6. WORKING GROUP ON WATER AND HEALTH
Source: European ECO-Forum News Digest, N 81, April 2004
On March 11-12 2004 the third meeting of the Working Group on Water and
Health (WGWH), established under the Convention on the Protection and
Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki
Water Convention) and its Protocol on Water and Health, took place in
Budapest, Hungary. The Protocol was adopted at the Third Ministerial
Conference on Environment and Health in 1999 in London.
The WGWH examined the following items:
– Progress in the ratification process,
– Legal and administrative aspects of the Protocol’s implementation,
– Coordination of resource mobilization,
– Technical meetings, methodological aspects and guidelines under the
Protocol,
– Activities of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development on water
and sanitation, Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health,
– Further preparations for the first meeting of the Parties to the
Protocol.
By now, the following 11 countries have ratified the Protocol: Albania,
Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Norway,
Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia and Ukraine. The Protocol will
enter into force with 16 ratifications.
Based on the information received during WGWH meeting, the secretariat
expects that the Protocol may come into force in the end of 2004 or
beginning of 2005. The First Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol is
planned for end of spring 2005.
The WGWH discussed the Draft Compliance Review Mechanism under the
Protocol, Draft Rules of Procedure, and the Draft Modalities for
Participation of non-Parties. The WGWH supported that 1-2 NGO
representatives should be observers in the Legal Board. It also
supported participation of NGO representatives in various meetings,
events and bodies under the Protocol. The main requirement for selecting
NGOs to participate in the events under Helsinki Water Convention or the
Protocol is actual activity on the issue, and competency in water issues
and in particular water and health.
The WGWH discussed the following events:
– Workshop on water management and health in the framework of
– ECWATECH-2004, Moscow, 1-2 June
– Round table in Oslo, 1-2 June, organized by Norwegian Government and
the WHO. The Round table is an initiative to increase efficiency in
non-infrastructure cooperation in the area of water and health, aimed at
the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health. The round table
provides an opportunity for countries to drive priority setting, and for
donors to examine their current cooperation programmes in the light of
these national health priorities. There will be a trust fund established
under the Water Convention for supporting implementation of the
Convention.
– Preparatory activities to CSD-12 in April 2004,
– Preparatory activities to the First Meeting of the Parties to the
Protocol.
The following technical and methodological items were discussed:
à) Preparation of the Conference on Enclosed Recreational Waters in
Budapest in May 2005 b) Development of distance learning programmes for
public health professionals;
c) Portugal suggested organizing a conference on man-made water bodies;
d) Several presentations were made concerning antibacteriological
resistance spreading through drinking-water systems.
The WGWH discussed preparatory issues for the Fourth Ministerial
Conference on Environment and Health (Budapest-2004). Before the opening
of the Conference, on 22 June, the WGWH will meet in Budapest for final
arrangements concerning participation in the Conference. The main
suggestion of the WGWH relates to the Children’s Environment and Health
Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE). This suggestion was made by WHO
Collaborating Centers at Rome meeting in February 2004. It is about
giving mandate to the network of WHO Collaborating Centers to act as a
technical board to CEHAPE.
Documentation of WGWH:
For more information contact:
Anna Tsvetkova,
Coordinator of Water Issue Group of European ECO-Forum,
Mama-86,
E-mail: [email protected]
7. INVEST NOW, SAVE LATER
Source: UICN, April 28, 2004
The conservation of ecosystems is the basis for development, rather than
an obstacle to it. At the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
meeting underway in New York, Switzerland and Japan presented how the
application of the ecosystem approach can prevent huge costs, especially
with regard to water resources management. `We have drawn lessons from
the mistakes we have made in the past. In Switzerland, our waters still
suffer from the pollution of old landfills, which we have to clean at
huge costs. One such site alone cost us US$ 600 million,’ said
Ambassador Mr. Beat Nobs of the Swiss Agency of Environment, Forests and
Landscape.
8. 10 PERSONAL ACTIONS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Source: Earth Day Network, April 22, 2004
1. Get a home energy audit and follow the recommendations.
Energy audits are a great way to see where the energy and energy
expenditures in your house are going. Your local power company may have
an energy-audit program, or you can do one yourself with the Home Energy
Checkup Guide from the Alliance to Save Energy.
2. Insulate and caulk your home.
Insulation keeps warm air warm and cool air cool. Caulking and weather
stripping are a good start. Insulating your attic, walls, and crawl
spaces will also make a huge difference. Window-mounted air conditioning
units may also be leaking out of poorly insulated windows. Check for
drafts by wetting your finger and running it around the window edges.
3. Set your water heater to a lower temperature and insulate it and
replace wasteful showerheads.
Insulating your water heater decreases the energy needed to heat it up.
Jackets are available at hardware stores and sometimes given away free
with a new water heater. Also, you should keep the heater on low, or at
no more 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is adequate to meet all home
needs. And replace your showerheads with energy-efficient models. A
recent study showed that making the switch could save 27 cents a day on
water and 51 cents on electricity. They’ll pay for themselves in just
two months.
4. Turn off lights, replace your incandescent bulbs with compact
fluorescents, and use timers.
It’s elementary to say, turn off lights and appliances when you leave a
room. Indeed, lighting accounts for 25 percent of home energy use.
Another no-brainer way to cut lighting use and costs is to use compact
fluorescent light bulbs in place of traditional incandescent bulbs. Not
to be mistaken for the harsh white lights still found in many offices,
compact fluorescents emit pleasing warm light. And although they are
more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they will last ages longer and
slash your energy bill. Also, invest in timers or motion-sensitive
switches for both inside and outside lights. You’ll never walk into a
dark house and your power bills will drop.
5. Wash bigger loads in the clothes washer and turn the refrigerator
down.
To save energy in the laundry, wash only full loads in short cycles. And
use the air-dry setting or turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse
and open the door.
Your refrigerator also uses a great deal of energy, as much as 25
percent of a home energy bill in some cities. The temperature should be
38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer should be between zero and
five degrees. Check the seals for cracks, and keep the condenser coils
clean. If you’re in the market for a new one, consider whether a smaller
fridge might suit your needs.
In shopping for any major appliance, look for the Energy Star label,
awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department
of Energy to products that are ahead of the curve on energy efficiency.
6. Close blinds and drapes in warm weather and turn off the AC.
A little air conditioning can go a long way during the day if you close
the blinds or drapes so that the sun can’t get in and warm up the house.
If you’re going to be gone for a while, turn the AC off. Do the same as
soon as the temperature cools down outside, and then open the windows so
you get a cross breeze. Also air conditioners work better when they are
cool themselves, so if your air conditioner is outside under any direct
sun, build a screen. While you’re at it, check the filter. An air
conditioner with a clogged filter will use5 percent more energy than one
with a clean filter.
7. Curb your car, carpool, and take public transit.
Take public or mass transit as much as you can. When you do, your energy
use is 25 times less than if you had used your car. If you absolutely
need your car, see if you can give someone else a lift too. Think of
ways you can cut down on the use of your car: Make fewer trips, carpool,
or bus it once a week. Try riding your bike to the grocery store or to
work if it’s not too far. Every little bit counts.
8. Tune up your car … and do you really need a Hummer?
A tune-up on your car will improve its fuel economy by 6 to 9 percent
and save you repair costs in the long run. And don’t be a speed demon:
For every mile per hour slower you drive than 65, you improve your car’s
fuel efficiency by about 2%. And keep your tires filled to capacity:
Soft tires make the engine work harder, making your car more wasteful.
When shopping for a new car, don’t forget to factor in fuel efficiency.
You’ll reduce your gasoline costs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil,
and reduce the damage being done to the atmosphere. If everyone in the
United States bought the most efficient vehicle in the class they’d
ordinarily buy, the total savings would be 1.47 billion gallons of
gasoline every year.
9. Work at home
Employers are becoming more flexible about what defines a workday. By
working four 10-hour days or working from home one day a week, you
commute less and become part of the pollution solution. Over a year,
that’s 50 fewer days you waste in traffic.
10. At the office …
Computer monitors use the same amount of electricity as a 60-watt light
bulb. So rest your screen when you rest your eyes. Don’t wait for your
screen saver to kick in; if you are going to be away from your computer
for more than 10 minutes, turn the monitor off. You can also reduce the
energy consumption of your copier: Look for a stand-by button or mode,
and make sure that it gets used. Copiers consume a lot of energy sitting
there running during times of non-use.
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

Minister says no proposals discussed in Armenian-Azeri talks in Poland
ANS TV, Baku
28 Apr 04

[Presenter] We are going live to Strasbourg again. ANS TV’s special
correspondent Qanira Pasayeva is on the line. Good evening,
Qanira. Who met the [Azerbaijani] president at Strasbourg airport?
Could you also give us information about the trilateral meeting
between [Georgian President] Mikheil Saakashvili, [Armenian President]
Robert Kocharyan [and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev] in Warsaw
today?
[Qanira Pasayeva over the phone] Hello, Aytan. Our plane has just
landed. The reception will probably start in five or six minutes. I
mean the president’s plane has landed in Strasbourg as well.
An hour and 40 minutes ago, the president was in Warsaw, Poland. The
Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian presidents had a working lunch
there to discuss Caucasus issues. After the trilateral meeting, the
three presidents answered questions from delegations at the European
economic summit.
The most interesting questions were about regional
cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan was
cooperating with Georgia at the highest level in all spheres. But
cooperation with Armenia is out of the question. Cooperation with
Armenia is possible only after the Nagornyy Karabakh problem is
resolved.
Robert Kocharyan said that cooperation could promote a solution to the
problem. But the Azerbaijani president said that this was ruled out.
The Georgian president said that regional cooperation with Azerbaijan
was at a very high level. But conflicts hinder full cooperation and
economic development in the region. President Ilham Aliyev backed up
this statement.
As for the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani president said
that Azerbaijan will not make any concessions that run counter to the
following: Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be ensured in
line with international legal norms. Robert Kocharyan answered in
general and did not say anything specific.
Another interesting question was about integration into the European
Union and membership of this union in the future. The Armenian
president did not give a concrete answer. But the Azerbaijani and
Georgian presidents said that Azerbaijan and Georgia were interested
in entering the EU. President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan was
integrating into European structures, which would secure the country’s
membership of the EU.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan gave an exclusive interview
to ANS concerning the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents’ meeting
today. He said that today the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents had
a general discussion on the Nagornyy Karabakh issue. No concrete
proposal was discussed. The [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairmen did not put
forward any new proposals or ideas. They simply attended the
meeting. Asked whether any discussions had been held on the package or
step-by-step settlement, Oskanyan said that no discussions had been
held on concrete proposals and that the discussions had a general
nature. His meeting with the Azerbaijani foreign minister in May will
decide whether a concrete proposal will be negotiated.
He said that there will be a NATO summit in Istanbul in late June. He
will raise the issue of opening the Turkish-Armenian border at a
meeting with Ankara officials at the summit. Commenting on a
trilateral meeting proposed by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul,
Vardan Oskanyan said that if the meeting is to discuss the Karabakh
issue, Armenia will not agree to it. If the agenda includes issues
other than Karabakh, they will attend the meeting.
Bilateral issues were discussed at the bilateral meeting with Mikheil
Saakashvili.
[Presenter] Thank you, Qanira. This was ANS TV’s special correspondent
Qanira Pasayeva reporting from Strasbourg.

Polish, Armenian presidents discuss Armenia, bilateral relations
PAP news agency
28 Apr 04

WARSAW
President Aleksander Kwasniewski on Wednesday [28 April] met with his
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan to discuss the situation in
Armenia and steps undertaken to achieve stabilization in the region.
The two president also reviewed the state of bilateral
relations. President Robert Kocharyan is expected to pay an official
visit to Poland in September to focus on economic affairs, the
presidential press office reported.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 29, 2004
Representatives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the Western Diocese
Upon the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisian and Rev. Fr. Khoren
Kirakosian are in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America to participate in the Diocesan Assembly convened at St. John Garabed
Armenian Church in San Diego, California, and to represent the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Diocesan Assembly is scheduled to take place from April 29 through May
2, 2004. The clergymen also brought their participation to the annual
Clergy Conference convened by the Western Diocese preceding the Assembly.
During the month of May, the Reverend Fathers will visit Armenian
communities and parishes throughout the diocese.
##

Azerbaijan vows to let Armenian military attend NATO exercise
Interfax news agency, Moscow
29 Apr 04
BAKU
Azerbaijan is prepared to let Armenian officials attend the NATO
military exercises in Baku in the fall, Ramiz Malikov, head of the
Azerbaijani Defence Ministry’s press service, told Interfax on
Thursday [29 April].
“NATO is organizing the exercise and we are prepared to see to it that
every invitee, including Armenian Defence Ministry officials, attends
it,” he said.
“As a rule, Armenian officers are unwilling to travel to Baku but try
to claim their absence is the result of Azerbaijan’s obstruction,”
Malikov said.
NATO’s multinational exercise Cooperative Best Effort-2004 will be
held in Baku in September 2004.

Armenian and Azeri leaders to continue negotiations
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04
[Presenter] The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents (Robert Kocharyan
and Ilham Aliyev) assessed the Warsaw meeting constructive. There is a
mutual wish to restart the negotiations, the Presidents Kocharyan and
Aliyev announced after the face-to-face meeting. Robert Kocharyan
informed that an agreement was reached to make continual the meetings
of the two countries’ foreign ministers. It is expected that Vardan
Oskanyan (Armenian foreign minister) and Elmar Mammadyarov
(Azerbaijani foreign minister) will meet in May. The presidents will
instruct them to have more frequent and constructive contacts in the
future. The presidents themselves will try to use various
international summits for the bilateral meetings.
[Correspondent Lilit Setrakyan from Warsaw over telephone] The
European Economic summit started its work in Warsaw. The leaders of 16
countries and 10s high ranking officials are in Warsaw these days. The
leaders of the Caucasus three countries who are also in Warsaw used
this opportunity for the bilateral meetings. President Kocharyan’s
working day programme was significant by the meeting of President
Ilham Aliyev, which took place by the mediation of the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group who arrived in Warsaw specially for this
occasion.
The presidents also had a face-to-face meeting. The presidents made an
announcement after the meeting. Ilham Aliyev noted that the meeting
was held in a constructive atmosphere and the discussion process on a
peaceful settlement will be continued for both sides’ mutual
interest. Robert Kocharyan confirmed Ilham Aliyev’s assessment and
announced that they agreed to continue the negotiations also by the
foreign ministers’ negotiations. Oskanyan and Mammadyarov’s next
meeting will be held in May. President Kocharyan also noted that the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will use any desirable meetings
and summits to continue the talks.
After the face-to-face meeting Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev
together with Georgian President Saakashvili took part in the working
lunch with in the framework of the European Economic summit, to
discuss Caucasus issues. There were discussed the relations with the
expanded Europe and new neighbours. The Armenian, Azerbaijani and
Georgian presidents presented their countries’ economic developments,
business spheres and atmospheres and possibilities of the regional
economic cooperation.
After the Economic summit Robert Kocharyan met Polish President
Aleksander Kwasnieski. The presidents discussed Armenian-Polish
relations and cooperation in the international organizations.
President Kocharyan’s working day’s programme concluded with a
cultural event in the Warsaw National Opera Theatre.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 23-29, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
ROUND TABLE ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
PACE DEMANDS TO CREATE FAIR CONDITIONS FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF MEDIA IN
ARMENIA
INVESTIGATIONS THAT INCITE DOUBT
ALL THE POSSIBILITIES EXHAUSTED
“A1+” CONTINUES THE FIGHT FOR RETURN ON AIR
MIKAEL DANIELIAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO ATTACKED HIM WILL BE
REVEALED
“KENTRON” TV COMPANY CHANGES OWNER AND NAME
NEW PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY ESTABLISHED
ROUND TABLE ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Yerevan Press Club congratulates all the colleagues on World Press Freedom
Day and invites to take part in a round table, devoted to this date. The
event is organized by “Partnership for Open Society” initiative and will be
held on May 3 at 12.00 at Yerevan “Congress” Hotel.
PACE DEMANDS TO CREATE FAIR CONDITIONS FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF MEDIA IN
ARMENIA
On April 28 at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe Resolution on honoring of obligations and commitments by Armenia was
passed, focusing on the inner political situation in the country. The
document says that the actions of Armenian authorities with regard to the
protest actions held by opposition run contrary to the PACE Resolution on
Armenia, adopted on January 27, 2004 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, January
23-29, 2004). Among other issues the PACE is concerned over the freedom of
expression issues. “Freedom of expression continues to be seriously
curtailed and several acts of violence against journalists, which took place
during the recent events, were carried out or were allowed to happen by the
police and security forces”, the Resolution point out.
The PACE also called on Armenian authorities to immediately investigate – in
a transparent and credible manner – the recent incidents and inform the
Assembly of their findings, as well as “create fair conditions for the
normal functioning of the media, notably as regards the issuing of
broadcasting licenses to television companies, particularly to television
channel ‘A1+'”.
The Resolution notes that if by the September session of PACE no progress in
implementing the recommendations is achieved, the Assembly “resolves to
reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation”.
INVESTIGATIONS THAT INCITE DOUBT
The violence against journalists that occurred during the opposition rallies
of April 5 and 13 were condemned by Armenian and international
organizations, also professional associations, who called on the authorities
of the country to hold everyone guilty accountable. On a number of episodes
when media representatives were injured, criminal proceedings were
instituted. However the situation of today arises doubt that the law
enforcement bodies are interested to determine and punish the people who
used force against journalists on professional duty.
Thus, on April 24 “Haikakan Zhamanak” published an article “Investigation
Course Becoming a Disgrace”, where the actions of the law enforcement bodies
are described. The actions were a reply to two letters by “Haikakan
Zhamanak” to the General Prosecutor reporting the cases of impeding the
work of the daily’s correspondent Haik Gevorgian and the acts of violence
directed at him.
As it has been reported, Haik Gevorgian was injured both on April 5 and 13
(see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004 and April 9-15,
2004). At the same time according to the journalist in the second case the
Deputy Head of the RA Police Hovhannes Varian personally took his photo
camera and ordered to a group of people who accompanied him and had batons
on them, to beat him. Because of this “Haikakan Zhamanak” addressed the RA
General Prosecutor demanding to hold Hovhannes Varian accountable (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, April 16-22, 2004).
In the publication of April 24 “Haikakan Zhamanak” points out the fact that
both its reports on the incidents with Haik Gevorgian on April 5 and 13 are
currently considered by the investigative bodies within the proceedings,
instituted, in fact, against the opposition parties. As the newspaper
writes, “the potential object of the case” started by Article 258 of the RA
Criminal Code (“public disorder”) with regard to events of April 5 is the
opposition party “National Unity”, while the opposition “Justice” block is
accused of an attempt of a violent regime overthrow in the early morning of
April 13.
According to “Haikakan Zhamanak”, the prosecutor’s office, instead the two
ways for proceeding applications, as stipulated by the legislation – to
institute criminal proceedings basing on a press report or to refuse in
instituting it – chose to act in the third manner, which, in the opinion of
the editorial office is inadequate and does not allow to expect those guilty
to be punished.
ALL THE POSSIBILITIES EXHAUSTED
On April 23 the RA Court of Cassation confirmed the decision of the RA
Commercial Court on the suit of “Meltex” LLC, the founder of “A1+” TV
company, versus the National Commission on Television and Radio. As it has
been reported, on March 23 the Commercial Court declined the claim of “A1+”
to provide specific justification for the refusals to grant broadcast
licenses in the competitions held by the National Commission on June 11 and
July 18, 2003 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 19-25, 2004).
Thus, after this ruling by the Court of Cassation, “A1+” exhausted all the
possibilities to challenge the results of the broadcast licensing
competitions in the Armenian judicial bodies.
“A1+” CONTINUES THE FIGHT FOR RETURN ON AIR
On April 24 the Freedom of Expression Assistance Fund and the initiative
group to protect “A1+” TV company announced a rally to be held on the World
Press Freedom Day. The demands, addressed to the authorities at a similar
protest action on April 2 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004), have
not been implemented and retain their urgency. These are, namely, the need
to hold a broadcast licensing competition for the vacant frequencies as soon
as possible and the involvement of the representatives of the public sector
in the evaluation of the bids presented.
The rally will be held on May 3 at 16.00 in Yerevan at the square in front
of “Moscow” cinema house.
MIKAEL DANIELIAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO ATTACKED HIM WILL BE
REVEALED
The Chairman of Armenian Helsinki Association Mikael Danielian is positive
that despite the immediate assignment of the RA President Robert Kocharian
to General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian, those guilty in attacking him will
never be found and punished. He announced this at a press-conference on
April 23.
As it has been reported on March 30 Mikael Danielian was attacked by unknown
people (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 26 – April 1, 2004). On
April 1 he was visited at the hospital by the investigator of prosecutor’s
office of Arabkir community, Yerevan, who informed Mr. Danielian about the
institution of criminal proceedings, however, according to Mr. Danielian, he
was not well enough at that stage to give testimony. The next visit of the
investigator, this time with a forensic expert, to Mr. Danielian was only
made on April 14 when he was recovering at home and the traces of the
beating had already disappeared. The conversation with the investigator
convinced the head of the Helsinki Association that the assignment of the
President will not be carried out. In the opinion of Mikael Danielian, the
authorities of Armenia, despite the appeals and addresses of the
international human rights organizations are not interested to disclose the
crimes committed both against him and against journalists on April 5 and 13.
“KENTRON” TV COMPANY CHANGES OWNER AND NAME
Recently the information about the sale of “Kentron” TV company and the
change of its head was officially confirmed (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
April 16-22, 2004). On April 24 the new head of the TV company that will
interrupt the broadcasts for 10 days and will go on air with a new name,
“Aravot” TV, was appointed – it is the Chief Editor of homonymous newspaper
Aram Abrahamian. According to Aram Abrahamian, the new owner of the TV
company is the non-party deputy of the RA National Assembly (elected by the
party list of the Republican party of Armenia, though), the head of “Milta”
LLC Murad Guloyan, a fellow-villager of another NA deputy, president of
“Multi Group” Company Gagik Tsarukian.
Aram Abrahamian (who, at the time when “A1+” was on air, hosted the popular
“PostScript> program) announced on the pages of “Aravot (the journalist also
says he will continue to head this daily) that he will continue to assist
the return of “A1+” on the air, will take part in all the actions to support
it as well as will offer the TV company to take part in the preparation of
programs for “Aravot” TV. The delicacy of the situation is that the 37th UHF
where now “Kentron”/”Aravot” broadcasts used to be taken by “A1+”. By the
results of the competition, finalized by the National Commission on
Television and Radio on April 2, 2002, “A1+” lost the broadcast license for
the frequency to “Sharm” company, the founder of “Kentron” TV company.
However, as Aram Abrahamian assured, should a new competition for this
frequency be announced, “Aravot” TV will not take part in it and will assist
the victory of “A1+”.
It should also be mentioned that on November 1, 2002, the suit of “A1+”
founder “Meltex” LLC versus the Republic of Armenia was accepted for
consideration by the European Court for Human Rights (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, November 2-8, 2002). The suit challenges the rulings of the
judicial authorities of the country on the legitimacy of broadcast licensing
competitions, held by the National Commission. Considering the fact that
almost a year and a half has passed since the acceptance of the suit the
hearings at the European Court may start pretty soon and it is quite
possible that the 37th frequency will become the center of new developments
again.
NEW PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY ESTABLISHED
In Armenia a new professional holiday is established – the Day of Press
Worker. According to the decision of the Government passed on April 22, this
holiday will be celebrated annually on October 16. On this day in 1794 in
the city of Madras, India, the first Armenian periodical publication,
“Azdarar”, was produced.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

A1 Plus | 17:19:26 | 29-04-2004 | Politics |
PACE FINAL REPORT ON ARMENIA
PACE has already adopted final report on situation in Armenia.
1. Since the end of March 2004, a series of protests were organised by
the opposition forces in Armenia, calling for the holding of a
“referendum of confidence” in President Kocharian. The possibility of
such a referendum was first mentioned by the Armenian Constitutional
Court following the presidential elections in February and March last
year. The Constitutional Court later clarified its proposal and the
authorities qualify the opposition demands and protests as an attempt
to seize power by force.
2. The demonstrations, while announced, have not been authorised by
the authorities who threatened their organisers with criminal
prosecution. Following the demonstrations on 5 April, the prosecutor
general opened criminal investigations in connection with the rally of
the opposition parties against several members of the opposition and
many more were arrested. On the same occasion, several journalists and
politicians were beaten up by unknown persons while the police were
standing by taking no action.
3. New demonstrations took place on 9, 10 and 12 April in Yerevan. In
the early morning of 13 April, the security forces violently dispersed
some 2000-3000 protesters who were attempting to march towards the
presidential palace, calling for President Kocharian’s
resignation. The police reportedly used truncheons, water cannons and
tear gas, causing dozens of injuries. A number of protesters were
arrested, including members of parliament, some of whom are members of
the Assembly, and some were allegedly mistreated during their custody
by the police. The security forces also assaulted and arrested several
journalists who were covering the opposition rally.
4. The tensions in Armenia continue to run high; new protests are
planned for the week of 26 April. For the time being, there seems to
be little room for dialogue between the authorities and the
opposition, even if some offers have been made and some members of the
ruling majority – and notably the Speaker of the Armenian parliament –
have begun criticising the heavy-handed crackdown on demonstrators.
5. With regard to the conduct of the authorities, the Parliamentary
Assembly recalls that its actions are contrary to the letter and the
spirit of the recommendations formulated in its Resolution 1361 (2004)
adopted last January. It is particularly concerned with the fact that:
i. arrests, including on the basis of the Administrative Code, ignored
the demand to immediately end the practice of administrative detention
and change the Administrative Code used as a legal basis for this
practice;
ii. the authorities refused to authorise opposition rallies for
reasons not permitted under the European Convention on Human
Rights. Moreover the new draft law on the procedure of conducting
gatherings, meetings, rallies and demonstrations, currently in the
parliamentary procedure, was evaluated as excessively restrictive by
experts of the Venice Commission;
iii. persons detained during the recent events were reportedly
subjected to ill-treatment by police and security forces, in spite of
Assembly’s demands to take resolute and more active steps to remedy
misconduct by law enforcement officials;
iv. freedom of expression continues to be seriously curtailed and
several acts of violence against journalists, which took place during
the recent events, were carried out or were allowed to happen by the
police and security forces.
6. With regard to the conduct of the opposition, the Assembly stresses
that they should do their utmost to avoid any future violence.
7. As to their demands for the holding of a “referendum of confidence”
and the resignation of President Kocharian, the Assembly stresses
that:
i. both the presidential, and the parliamentary elections which
followed in May last year were severely criticised by the
international community, including by the Assembly delegations. The
electoral process as a whole had not complied with international
standards and the irregularities observed notably included biased
media coverage, detention of opposition proxies and campaign staff,
falsification of results, intimidation of observers as well as
generally inadequate performance of the elections administration.
ii. although the fraud, in spite of its magnitude, did not decisively
change the outcome of the elections nor invalidate their final
results, in its report on the honouring of obligations and commitments
by Armenia, adopted in January 2004 (Resolution 1361), the Assembly
expressed profound disappointment at the conduct of the elections and
called for a thorough investigation into electoral fraud and an end to
the judicial impunity for those responsible for it.
8. While insisting that the Armenian authorities must fully comply
with its recommendations concerning last year’s flawed elections, the
Assembly considers that the opposition, while entitled fully to enjoy
its constitutional right to peaceful assembly, should strive to
achieve its goals within the constitutional framework.
9. The Assembly calls upon the Armenian authorities to:
i. allow peaceful demonstrations and refrain from any further action
which would legally, or in practice, lead to unjustified restrictions
to the freedom of assembly guaranteed by the European Convention on
human rights;
ii. guarantee freedom of movement within Armenia;
iii. immediately investigate – in a transparent and credible manner –
the incidents and human rights abuses reported during the recent
events, including assaults of journalists and human rights activists,
and inform the Assembly of their findings and possible legal actions
against persons responsible;
iv. immediately release the persons detained for their participation
in the demonstrations and immediately end the practice of
administrative detention and amend the Administrative Code to this
effect;
v. take note of the fact that the immunities of PACE members are valid
during the whole year (PACE Resolution 1325 (2003) and Recommendation
1602 (2003)); accordingly it invites the competent Armenian
authorities to henceforth inform as soon as possible the President of
the PACE when Armenian members of that Assembly are prosecuted or
detained;
vi. create fair conditions for the normal functioning of the media,
notably as regards the issuing of broadcasting licences to television
companies, particularly to television channel A1+;
vii. send a written report to the Assembly, before the opening of the
June 2004 part-session, on the steps it has taken with regard to
sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi.
10. The Assembly calls upon the authorities and the opposition to
refrain from any action which may lead to further violence and to
engage in a dialogue without preconditions, with a view to resolving
the present conflict in accordance with Council of Europe standards
and European democratic practice.
11. The Assembly believes that the recent events have added a measure
of urgency to its demands for Armenia’s full and unconditional
compliance with their obligations and commitments. It resolves to
instruct the Monitoring Committee to send its rapporteurs to Armenia
to present a report on the situation, particularly on the follow-up of
the recommendations set out in sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi, as soon as
appropriate, and well before the opening of the September 2004
part-session. If no progress with regard to sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi
is made by the opening of the September 2004 part-session, it resolves
to reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation in accordance
with Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure.