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07/01/2004
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1. Talvitie Confirms Stepped-up European Involvement in Peace Process
2. Saddam Appears before Iraqi Tribunal
3. Increasing Investor Interest in Mountainous Karabagh
4. Armenian President Visits US Embassy
5. Much Awaited Navasartian Festivities Underway

1. Talvitie Confirms Stepped-up European Involvement in Peace Process

YEREVAN (Armenpress/RFE/RL)–Armenia’s inclusion in the European Union (EU)
Wider Europe program, the country’s relations with the EU and Turkey, as well
as the Karabagh conflict were among the topics discussed by Armenia’s foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian and EU special representative for the South Caucasus
Heikki Talvitie who arrived in Yerevan after a two-day visit to Mountainous
Karabagh Republic.
During a joint news conference with Oskanian, Talvitie, who is on a regional
tour, reaffirmed the EU’s intention to play a greater role in the
international
efforts to end the Karabagh conflict. He said he maintains regular contacts
with the Minsk Group co-chairs.
“I have the mandate to assist in this process,” Talvitie said, adding that
the
EU is ready to support “confidence-building measures” between the parties.
Oskanian confirmed that a team of international mediators will visit Armenia,
Azerbaijan and MKR later this month, but will not submit a formal peace
proposal to the conflicting parties.
“Negotiations at the level of presidents and foreign ministers have not yet
reached a point where the co-chairs have enough material to put something on
paper,” Oskanian said. “We are still not there and I don’t expect that the
co-chairs will bring anything written during their visit.”
On Tuesday, Talvitie paid his first-ever visit to Karabagh as the new
representative in the region. In Stepanakert, he discussed prospects for
conflict resolution with the MKR leadership.
His delegation also met with Armenian President Kocharian who conveyed the EU
representative’s frequent visits to the region confirm the body’s growing
interest in the South Caucasus, particularly Armenia. Armenia’s relations with
the EU and Turkey, and the Karabagh conflict were discussed.

2. Saddam Appears before Iraqi Tribunal

BAGHDAD (Reuters)–Downcast but defiant, Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein
has appeared before an Iraqi judge, questioning his authority and saying the
“real criminal” was US President George W. Bush.
Hussein, led to the US-guarded courtroom in handcuffs and chains, was read
seven charges on Thursday that may lead to formal indictment for war crimes,
crimes against humanity and genocide.
“I am Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq,” he repeated, before grilling the
unnamed young judge about his authority.
Video footage of the 67-year-old Hussein, his face worn and deeply lined with
heavy bags under the eyes, was broadcast around the world soon after his
30-minute court appearance.
He was wearing a dark grey pinstriped jacket and a white formal shirt, and
had
a trimmed, mostly grey beard. It was the first public view of Hussein since he
appeared wildly unkempt in photographs and videotape shot after his capture in
December.
Hussein refused to recognize that he was guilty of a crime in invading Kuwait
in 1990, jabbing his finger towards the judge and saying: “I’m surprised
you’re
charging me with that as an Iraqi when everyone knows that Kuwait is part of
Iraq.”
The judge told him these were legal procedures, but Saddam interrupted him:
“Law, what law?” he asked.
“You are putting Saddam on trial when the Kuwaitis said they could buy Iraqi
women for 10 dinars on the street. The Iraqi soldiers went to defend the honor
of Iraq, so what right do these dogs have?” he said, drawing a reprimand from
the judge.
“This is all a theater,” Hussein said with a half-smile. “The real
criminal is
Bush.”
The White House, said Hussein, would face the justice he denied his people
and
brushed aside his assertion about Bush.
Hussein arrived in a US helicopter at a military base and was then driven in
an armored bus to the makeshift courtroom in one of his former palaces near
Baghdad international airport.
The arraignment was the first step towards a trial which could help Iraq come
to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for
many months.
Apart from the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the preliminary charges against
Hussein referred to the suppression of Kurdish and Shi’ite revolts after the
1991 Gulf War, poison gas attacks and other massacres of Kurds, the killing of
religious leaders in 1974 and the killing of political figures over three
decades.
Hearing the charge that he ordered the gassing of thousands of Kurds in an
attack at Halabja in 1988, Hussein shrugged it off, saying he had heard of the
incident through the media.
Without a lawyer to represent him, Hussein refused to sign a statement
acknowledging he had been charged and read his rights.
One foreign lawyer hired by his wife to represent him said the absence of a
defense attorney breached Hussein’s rights.

3. Increasing Investor Interest in Mountainous Karabagh

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–The Prime Minister of Mountainous Karabagh Republic
Anushavan Danielian, told a European Union delegation that in spite of Azeri
aggression and the ensuing war that caused widespread damage, the
government of
MKR has taken steps to recover the economy.
He briefed the delegation, headed by EU special representative for the South
Caucasus Heikki Talvitie, about MKR’s privatization process, as well as
implementation of economic reforms and investment projects. Speaking about
MKR,
he said that what used to be a “risky [investment] zone,” now attracts an
increasing number of foreign investors who have become more secure.
They also discussed possible approaches to resolving the Karabagh conflict,
the current pace of talks, as well as the importance of MKR’s participation in
negotiations.

4. Armenian President Visits US Embassy

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–On the occasion of the July 4 Independence Day Holiday,
Armenian President Robert Kocharian and First Lady Bella, visited the US
Embassy in Yerevan to congratulate embassy personnel. Kocharian told the staff
he is confident the two countries are on track in developing strong ties.

5. Much Awaited Navasartian Festivities Underway

VAN NUYSThe much anticipated closing weekend celebrations of the 29th
Homenetmen Navasartian Games began at Van Nuys Grant High School on Thursday,
July 1.
Musical guests Maxim Panosian, Arsham, Ara Shahbazian and Karnig Sarkisian
were on hand to mark the opening night of the ceremonies. In attendance were
Homenetmen chapter representatives from the Los Angeles, Colorado, Phoenix,
San
Francisco, Santa Clarita, Walnut Creek, Fresno and San Diego areas.
Throughout the weekend, the festival’s grounds at Grant High School (13000
Oxnard St., Valley Glen, CA, 91401) will be filled with exciting attractions,
great food, arts and crafts–something for everyone–as well as booths from
various Homenetmen chapters and popular local vendors from the
Armenian-American community.
After the elimination rounds, all final games and meets will be held on
Sunday. The Navasartian games will conclude on Sunday.
The closing ceremonies and parade of athletes will take place on Sunday, July
4 at 6:00 PM.
For more information about the festivities, log on to

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