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12/15/2004
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1) EU Assembly Backs Calls for Armenian Genocide Recognition
2) Aram I Expresses Concerns Over Turkey’s EU Bid
3) ANCA Welcomes European Parliament Vote Pressing Turkey to Recognize the
Armenian Genocide
4) ARF Bureau Representative Holds Political Meetings in Cyprus
5) BRIEFS

1) EU Assembly Backs Calls for Armenian Genocide Recognition

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–On Wednesday, the European Parliament added its voice to the
French government’s calls on Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide in
order
to win membership in the European Union (EU).
Reaffirming its earlier resolutions, the EU’s legislative body urged
Turkey to
“promote the process of reconciliation with the Armenian people by recognizing
the genocide perpetrated against the Armenians” in 1915-1923. It also
called on
the EU’s member states and executive commission to seek Turkish recognition of
the genocide during the anticipated accession talks with Ankara.
The calls were part of the European Parliament’s non-binding but important
resolution urging EU leaders to give the green light for the start of such
talks at this week’s summit. The French government has already indicated that
it will press Ankara to end its long-running policy of genocide denial.
Still, France’s Foreign Minister Michel Barnier made it clear that that will
not a be precondition for the entry talks, a statement echoed by European
Parliament President Josep Borrell. “We are just recognizing certain
historical
events,” Borrell told a news conference in Strasbourg. “We are not stating
that
this would be a prerequisite to opening negotiations.”
The European Parliament also renewed its calls for Turkey to reopen its
border
with Armenia “as soon as possible.” The resolution notes that by repeatedly
refusing to do so, Ankara “missed an opportunity to promote good neighborly
relations with Armenia.”
The Turks imposed the blockade in 1993 out of solidarity with Turkic
Azerbaijan and made its lifting contingent on a pro-Azerbaijani solution to
the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict and an end to the Armenian campaign for
international recognition of the genocide.
The resolution was welcomed later on Wednesday by a Brussels-based lobbying
group representing Armenian communities in France and other EU countries.
“This
is a brilliant victory for all those Europeans who want to preserve the
European values in the face of an unrepentant state,” the president of the
European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, Hilda Tchoboian, said
in a statement.

2) Aram I Expresses Concerns Over Turkey’s EU Bid

ANTELIAS–During a phone interview with a European press agency, His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, expressed his deep concern
about
Turkey’s EU bid, stating, “The European community was not established only on
economic interests and political collaboration. It is fundamentally a
community
of human values which ensures the identity, integrity, and unity of Europe,
and
gives a particular place and role to Europe within the international
community.
Among these values, human rights occupy an important place.”
Pointing to Turkey’s notorious human rights record, the Cathlicos remarked,
“To what degree and in what way are human rights accepted, respected, and
practiced within Turkey? Turkey still ignores its immediate past–it still has
failed to recognize the genocide planned and executed by Ottoman Turkey in
1915. I believe that the recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey is not
only an ‘Armenian problem.’ It is an issue that impacts the international
community, since it deals with the fundamental issues of justice and human
rights. The recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey must be taken very
seriously by Europe, as Turkey is trying by all means to become a full member
of Europe.”
In concluding his remarks, Aram I said, “In this globalized world of ours
nations, religions, cultures, and civilizations must live together on the
basis
of peaceful coexistence. But living together as good neighbors and as part of
the broader community implies that we must accept our faults, affirm truths,
and recognize the rights of others. The foundation of a real community is
built
on mutual trust and justice. Therefore, it is my firm expectation that beyond
economic and political interests, Europe will continue to remain firmly
attached to basic human values. It is the expectation and hope of Armenians
all
over the world that the government of Turkey will reaffirm the truth by
recognizing the historical validity of the Armenian genocide.”

3) ANCA Welcomes European Parliament Vote Pressing Turkey to Recognize the
Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed the
adoption of three strongly worded measures by the European Parliament calling
on Turkey to properly recognize the Armenian genocide. These measures were
actively supported by the Brussels-based European Armenian Federation for
Justice and Democracy (EAFJD), which represents more than two hundred Armenian
associations across Europe.
The provisions were added on the eve of the December 17 vote of the European
Council on opening membership talks with Turkey as amendments to a
Parliamentary report on Turkey’s progress toward accession to the European
Union. The report, prepared by Camiel Eurlings (PPE/The Netherlands),
passed by
a vote of 407 to 262. The Eurling Report stresses in Paragraph 55 that, “the
opening of negotiations will be the starting point for a long-lasting process
[…] and does not lead ‘a priori’ and automatically to accession.” An
amendment to the report suggesting that Turkey be granted a “privileged
partnership” rather than actual membership in the European Union was rejected
by a secret ballot.
“Armenian Americans join with the European Armenian Federation and Armenians
across Europe in welcoming this historic vote reaffirming the international
consensus that Turkey must recognize the Armenian Genocide, lift its blockade
of Armenia, and abandon it hostile policies toward Armenia and the Armenian
people,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The strong support for
these measures across the European political spectrum has resonance around the
world, including here in the United States, where a growing number of American
legislators are growing tired of increasingly strident–often
desperate–Turkish efforts to dictate US policy on the Armenian Genocide.”
The Eurling Report made specific reference to Armenian issues in eight
separate paragraphs, with three dealing specifically with Armenian genocide
recognition. Amendments on the genocide were brought to the floor by the
following political groups: Group of the European People’s Party (Christian
Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP), Socialist Group in the European
Parliament (PSE), Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
(ALDE), Confederal Group of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left, and
The Independence and Democracy Group ( IND/DEM/ Netherlands).
The European Parliament urged Turkey to “promote the process of
reconciliation
with the Armenian people by acknowledging the genocide” and called on the
European Council and Commission to demand it to “formally acknowledge the
historic reality” of the genocide.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) welcomed
the adoption of the Eurling Report and the three amendments clearly
articulating the European consensus that Turkey must acknowledge the Armenian
genocide. “On the eve of the European Summit, heads of state must, as they
chart a course for the future, take into account the democratic will of the
European electorate and our elected representatives in the European
Parliament,” stated Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation. “This is a tremendous victory for Europeans who want to preserve
European values in the face of Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Genocide,” she
said.
Since the European Parliament resolution of 1987, which set the
recognition of
the Armenian genocide as a precondition to the consideration of Turkish
accession to the Union, the European Parliament has continuously restated this
principled position in successive resolutions. This message was reinforced
earlier this week by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, who called on
Turkey to recognize the genocide against the Armenians. The clear consensus
within European circles remains: Turkey cannot join the Union without
giving up
its ultra-nationalist and aggressive policy towards Armenia. “European
Armenians urge the upcoming meeting of the European Council to reflect the
will
of the European public, to honor this vote of the European Parliament, and to
respect the European values on which the European project is based,” concluded
Tchoboian.

4) ARF Bureau Representative Holds Political Meetings in Cyprus

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–On December 14, an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
delegation, headed by bureau representative Hrant Margarian, held several
meetings with the leaders of various Cypriot political parties.
The ARF delegation met with Cyprus Socialist Democratic Party (EDEK) chairman
Yanakis Omiru, who, underscoring the centuries-long friendship between the
Armenians and Greeks, spoke about the Republic of Turkey’s attempt to join the
European Union, and the need for it to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and
properly address the issue of the Armenian genocide before gaining membership.
Hrant Margarian pointed to the close ideological ties between the ARF and
EDEK, and noted that the meeting is aimed at conveying the ARF’s concerns
about
Turkey’s EU bid ahead of the December 17 summit. Echoing Omiru’s statements,
Margarian added that Cyprus is expected to take a firm stance against Turkey’s
entry and bring forth the genocide issue. Omiru, in turn, said that his party
is in favor of using Cyprus’s right to veto Turkey’s membership if it fails to
meet such requirements.
During his stay in Cyprus, Margarian was also received by Dimitris
Christofias, president of the Cyprus parliament and secretary general of the
Communist Party, AKEL. At the meeting, the bureau representative highlighted
the ARF’s stance and noted that Turkey, through the blessing of the United
States, would try to derail the system of values held in high esteem
throughout
Europe.
In response, Christofias noted that his heart “demands a veto,” but added
that
his party will support Cypriot President Tassos Papadopulos’s decision.

5) BRIEFS

Annan Asks UN Members for Holocaust Commemoration

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters)–Secretary-General Kofi Annan has begun efforts to
convene a special session to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Nazi concentration camps.
A majority of the 191-member assembly will have to approve the January
session, requested by the United States and supported by Russia, France,
Hungary, Canada, and the Netherlands, representing the 25-member European
Union, as well as other nations.
Although US Congressman Tom Lantos, a California Democrat visiting Annan on
Monday, said Arab nations had raised objections, Yahya Mahmassani, the Arab
League’s UN ambassador, told Reuters he was unaware of any opposition.
Lantos survived by serving as a 15-year old messenger for Raoul Wallenberg,
the Swedish diplomat who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from Nazi
destruction near the end of World War II. Wallenberg is the uncle of Nane
Annan, the wife of the secretary-general.

Britain’s Straw Meets Azeri President

LONDON (AFP)–British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw met Azeri President Ilham
Aliyev Tuesday in the Central Asian leader’s first official visit to Britain
since taking office last year. They discussed oil, the major industry for
petroleum-rich Azerbaijan, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project
intended to provide a major export route for oil from the Caspian region.
“We fully support Azerbaijan’s commitment to political and economic reform
and
to deepening relations with the European Union,” Straw said, adding that
Britain would continue to urge the state to make greater democratic and human
rights reforms.
Referring to the Karabagh conflict, Straw said he assured Aliyev of Britian’s
support for efforts to find a peaceful settlement.

Blair and Aliyev to Work Together on Karabagh Conflict

LONDON (Armenpress)–Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair and Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev agreed to “work together on the peaceful and stable resolution of
the Karabagh conflict,” according to a joint statement published after their
meeting.
According to the document, Blair and Aliyev “expressed support to the OSCE
Minsk Group efforts, pointing out the importance of preservation of the
armistice established in 1994.” They also stated their readiness to help South
Caucasus “to become peaceful stable and prosperous region within the
frameworks
of Wider Europe policy.”

Rising Gas Use in Armenia Prompts Safety Concerns

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–A consumer rights group accused Armenia’s government and
natural gas distributor on Wednesday of failing to take adequate
precautions in
restoring centralized gas supplies to households that were disrupted shortly
after the Soviet collapse. The Armenian Union of Consumers said lax safety
controls have been responsible for the death of seven people reportedly caused
by gas leakages and carbon monoxide emissions.
“We have serious concerns on this issue. In terms of safety, the situation is
far from satisfactory,” said the union’s chairman, Armen Poghosian. “According
to our information, there have already seven death cases in the country in
recent weeks.”

Mines in Karabagh Kill Ten this Year

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–The HALO Trust, a British humanitarian
organization,
reported that 31 people, including three children, were injured by
antipersonnel and anti-tank mines this year in Karabagh; of these, ten people,
including one child, died as a result of their injuries. The Trust said the
accidents were due to stepped-up agricultural works and failure to observe
safety rules. The organization said it intends to expand its efforts to inform
the population about the danger of mines, and noted that there have been fewer
accidents involving children since the NGO began working to educate school
children of the danger.

Soccer-Teenager Manucharyan Voted Armenia’s Top Player

YEREVAN (Reuters)–Teenage striker Edgar Manucharyan, whose goals helped
Pyunik Yerevan clinch a fourth consecutive Armenian league title, has been
voted the country’s player of the year. The 17-year-old, currently on trial
with Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam, scored 21 goals this season to finish as
Armenia’s joint top scorer with team mate Galust Petrosyan. The pair also led
Pyunik to a league and cup double in 2004, their second such feat in the last
three years.

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