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10/21/2004
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1) British Delegation Visits Karabagh, Azeris Unhappy
2) Turkish Tabloid Goes on Rant about Minister’s Remarks
3) ESP Focuses on International Justice, AYF Discusses Genocide with Turkish
Counterparts
4) University of Michigan to Bring Together South Caucasus Diplomats and
Scholars
5) Chess Olympiad Update

1) British Delegation Visits Karabagh, Azeris Unhappy

STEPANAKERT (Combined Sources)–Azerbaijan’s foreign affairs ministry sent a
letter to the British government protesting a visit by a British parliamentary
delegation to Karabagh, headed by member of the House of Commons Gordon
Marsden, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Caroline Cox.
The letter of protest assesses the visit as a “violation of Azerbaijan’s
rights.” Denouncing the visit as “illegal,” the letter asks that the
members of
British parliament be more sensitive to the feelings of the Azeri people.
The British delegation arrived in Karabagh on October 20 and met with
Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghukasian and National Assembly
Chairman Oleg Yesayan.
President Ghukasian, expressing gratitude for the visit, said it was another
opportunity for the people of Karabagh to make their position heard in Europe.
Ghukasian briefed the delegation members on Karabagh’s recent achievements in
such areas as human rights protection and building a democratic state based on
rule of law. He also spoke about the favorable conditions for non-governmental
organizations to carry out their work. The delegation is scheduled to meet
representatives of Karabagh’s NGOs.
Ghukasian then spoke about the conflict regulation process, affirming that
Karabagh’s leadership deems the maintenance of the ceasefire as a key point
for
its population’s security.
Gordon Marsden said the visit allowed for them to learn first-hand
information
about Karabagh and its people, as their purpose was to determine the volume of
humanitarian assistance.
Meanwhile, the Azeri Organization for Karabagh Liberation held a protest near
the British Embassy in Baku on Wednesday and placed a black wreath in front of
the embassy. Also, unidentified assailants wrote the name of Baroness Cox on
the memorial to British soldiers killed in Baku in 1918 using black paint.
Police arrived at the scene and removed paint off the memorial.

2) Turkish Tabloid Goes on Rant about Minister’s Remarks

(Marmara)–The Turkish tabloid Takvim has been blasting People’s Republican
Party parliament minister Kamal Darwish, a former government minister for
telling the French Le Monde paper that he is deeply saddened by the massacre
of Armenians, and that it is necessary to recognize and express sorrow in
connection with that tragedy.
Takvim reported about the interview on Wednesday, and on Thursday published
reaction from People’s Republican Party (CHP), and Justice and Development
Party (AKP) parliament members who categorically condemned Darwish and
demanded
he apologize to the Turkish people.
AKP minister Suleyman Turgut went as far as to say that in light of his
parliamentary oath, he can no longer work with such an individual. Another AKP
minister Aziz Akgul noted that anyone familiar with Turkey’s history knows
that no such atrocity took place, though Armenians did try to provoke the
Turks.
Yet another AKP minister Selahadin Beyribeh from Gars, reported that coming
from that territory, he knows that the main atrocity was against the Turks,
and
carried out by Armenians. “The concept of systematic massacres is nonexistent
in the Islamic faith. On the battlefield, people from both sides die, but
that
is not a massacre,” he said. “Is it imaginable that the Turks would set
Armenians on fire in a Mosque?” “But hundreds of Turks were set afire in Gars.
Darwish is contemptible, and I’m saddened that we conduct politics under the
same roof.”
Others condemned Darwish, saying that the enemy has been given the upper hand
as a result of his stance.
CHP parliamentary group’s vice chair Kamal Anadol revealed that his party
would review Darwish’s statement, and if necessary, will issue a
clarification.
Speaking as a historian, Anadol said that the Armenian issue was one of
deportation–a mandatory emigration, practiced my numerous countries against
its minorities. “But, massacre is something different,” he said, rehashing the
fact that both sides experience losses in battle. “And that is left in the
pages of history; we have no right to utilize them as a chip in current
political affairs.”
Takvim adds that the general public is also outraged by Darwish. One citizen
remarked, “Kamal Darwish has buttered on the bread of Armenia, who is already
preparing to demand territory from Turkey.”

3) ESP Focuses on International Justice, AYF Discusses Genocide with Turkish
Counterparts

LONDON (Combined Sources)–The third European Social Forum (ESF), which
convened in London on October 15, came to a successful end on October 17. At a
giant gathering for groups and organizations opposed to war, racism, and
economic injustice, the ESF attracted over 30,000 participants from all
regions
of the world.
The ESF, which emerged during the 2001 World Social Forum held in Porto
Alegre, Brazil, attracted a number of world renowned activists including,
Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara; president of Ireland’s Sinn Fein,
Gerry Adams; former Labour MP, George Galloway; president of ATTAC, Bernard
Cassen; and others.
Culminating in a 15,000 person strong anti-war protest, the forum addressed
issues dealing with war and peace, democracy and fundamental rights, social
justice and workers rights , corporate globalization, and the environment.
Six delegates from Armenia, France, and England represented the Armenian
Youth
Federation (AYF) during the three-day forum. The delegates participated in
discussions concerning the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the condition of
Kurds
living in Turkey, and Turkey’s aspiration to enter the European Union.
The AYF delegation had the opportunity to meet with several groups from
Turkey, whose members acknowledged the 1915 genocide of Ottoman Armenians and
the need for the government of Turkey to formally recognize the event as such.
The delegation also met with representatives of French Socialist Party and
the
leaders of ECOSY–the youth organization of the Party of European
Socialists–which, like the AYF, is a member of the International Union of
Socialist Youth (IUSY).

4) University of Michigan to Bring Together South Caucasus Diplomats and
Scholars

International Conference will consider foreign policies and conflicts in
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

(UMich)–During four days in October, the Ann Arbor campus of the University
of Michigan will become the gathering point for diplomats and scholars who,
for
the past 15 years, have been involved in the shaping or study of the foreign
policies and conflict resolution processes of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
.
The international conference, titled “Armenia/the South Caucasus and Foreign
Policy Challenges,” is being organized by the Armenian Studies Program at the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and will be held at the main campus of the
University on October 21-24. The conference is co-sponsored by the
International Institute, the Center for Middle Eastern and North African
Studies, the Center for Russian and East European Studies, The Department of
History, the Near Eastern Studies Department, and the Political Science
Department.
This unique gathering will bring together some thirty-five scholars, past and
present diplomats, and conflict negotiators from over ten countries, including
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Iran, the European Union,
Canada,
and the US to discuss the challenges faced by these republics in developing
policies in a fast changing world, the path traveled in resolving outstanding
conflicts, with special emphasis on the Mountainous Karabagh problem.
The goals of the conference are: to acquaint the University and larger
community in the country with the specific issues and challenges that
relate to
a part of the world that has acquired increased significance in the last
decade; to place in historical and international perspectives the path
traveled by Armenia and the South Caucasus since the break up of the USSR; to
reflect on the perceptions and policies adopted in the 1990s by the South
Caucasus republics, their neighbors, and international actors; to assist the
academic and policy making communities–in the region and in the international
community–in redefining and refining their approaches to the region; and,
possibly develop ideas and approaches that might enhance conflict resolution,
regional cooperation, and long term integration of the region in the
international community to the benefit the peoples of the region.
The South Caucasus region has acquired increased strategic significance since
the collapse of the USSR. It has as immediate neighbors Russia, Turkey and
Iran, each with its own interests and concerns. The US has projected its own
strategic view on the region, while Europe considers it part of its extended
neighborhood. Caspian Sea hydrocarbon resources and their export routes have
added another dimension to regional politics, complicating further the
challenges faced by the three republics in balancing the sometimes conflicting
interests of bigger neighbors and the West.
The conference will be open to the general public. All sessions will provide
ample opportunity for the attending public to participate in the question and
answer and discussion segments.
Details on the program and speakers of the conference can be found on the
website of the University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program at
Inquiries can be made by writing to Sara Sarkisian
(sarkisia@umich.edu). All sessions will take place at the Alumni Center, main
campus.

5) Chess Olympiad Update

In the 6th round of the 36th Chess Olympiad taking place in Calvia, Spain,
Armenia’s men beat the Canadian team 3,5-0,5. Rafael Vahanyan, Smbat Lputyan,
and Gabriel Sargssyan all won their matches, while Levon Aronyan drew to hold
sixth place in the competition.
Ukraine, who holds first place so far, beat Azerbaijan 2,5-1,5. Russia
follows
in second place after defeating Israel.
Armenia’s Women team beat Vietnam in the sixth round of competitions, with
Lilit Lazarian and Nelly Aghinyan winning their matches, and Elina Danielyan
drawing. Armenia’s women now hold eighth place, putting them in a good
position
to place third overall. The Russian women’s team holds first place.

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