Author: Chakrian Hovsep

ArmenPress
March 25 2005

UNDP ARMENIA WHITE PAPER FOCUSES ON LAND REFORM

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS: The United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) presented today at UN House in Yerevan its first White
Paper titled Land Reform, Rural Poverty and Inequality: A Pro-Poor
Approach to Land Policies.
A press release by the UNDP said the Paper was presented by Vahram
Nercissiantz, Chief Economic Advisor, Lise Grande, UN Resident
Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, and Dr. Max Spoor, the
author, Associate Professor of Social Studies at the Center for the
Study of Transition and Development (CESTRAD) in the Hague.
It said the purpose of the Paper, produced in Armenian and
English, is to encourage public discussion on issues related to rural
poverty and inequality, land consolidation and agricultural
productivity.
According to Dr. Max Spoor, the recent high growth rates in
agriculture have not led to a significant reduction in overall rural
poverty. He argues that role of small land ownership, as a safeguard
against poverty, is diminishing and this is the key reason why rural
poverty continues. Small land plots owned by rural households are
less able to provide for the food needs of families, particularly
with rapidly changing markets where the bargaining position of small
peasants is weak.
The Paper notes that during the period of egalitarian land reform
in the early 1990s, only a part of the total agricultural land area
of the country was distributed. According to Dr. Spoor: “Armenia has
entered a new phase of land reform through a massive transfer of
remaining state-owned land to the jurisdiction of local communities.
This land transfer program should be used in order to strengthen the
weak position of the extremely small peasant farms, as a primary tool
of pro-poor land policies.”
Among other policy recommendations, the Paper highlights the
importance of promoting the formation of cooperative and associative
institutions specialized in the selling and buying of inputs and
output in agricultural markets and public investments projects aimed
at improving deteriorating rural infrastructures. The Paper also
recommends the gradual implementation of Armenia’s commitments under
the WTO agreement and argues that a rapid introduction of VAT on
agricultural products should be avoided.
Ms. Grande noted in her speech: “UNDP has chosen rural poverty and
land policy for the first White Paper because economic progress in
the regions is still slow, particularly in rural areas. In some
communities, conditions are worsening, putting thousands of
households at serious risk. The Government’s major policy shift
towards rural areas is a positive step and we are pleased to support
efforts at poverty reduction by launching a White Paper that focuses
on the underlying factors affecting rural development.”
As part of on-going efforts to promote pro-poor policies, UNDP
aims to prepare a series of White Papers on key development and
poverty issues during 2005 similar to the one launched today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected late Thursday…

Turkish Press
03/24/2005 12:18 GMT

YEREVAN – Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected late Thursday
in Armenia for a visit aimed at securing a vow of loyalty from Moscow’s
ex-Soviet ally.

Putin, accompanied on the day-and-a-half working visit by his wife
Lyudmilla, was due to dine with the Armenian presidential couple
before addressing the main reason for his visit on Friday.

The Russian leader will hold talks with his counterpart President
Robert Kocharian and take part in a ceremony to mark the opening of
the Year of Russia in Armenia.

The problem of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic
Armenian enclave in the heart of Azerbaijan, will be discussed.

And the construction of a gas pipeline between Armenia and Iran, which
is viewed unfavourably by Moscow, was also to feature on the agenda.

The Karabakh war erupted before the fall of the Soviet Union in
1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan became independent,
ending in a ceasefire in 1994 with over one million people displaced
and 25,000 killed.

Russia co-chairs, with France and the United States, the Minsk group,
tasked by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
with finding a negotiated solution to the dispute.

03/24/2005 12:18 GMT

US must take steps in Iraq, Cyprus to improve ties with Turkey – party official

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
24 Mar 05

Washington DC, 24 March: Murat Mercan, the deputy chairman of the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on Thursday [24 March]
that Turkey-the United States relations were not as bad as perceived
by public opinion, adding that both parties had the necessary will
to improve the bilateral relations. Holding a news conference after
attending a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute
(AEI), Mercan said that he had held a series of talks with US State
Department and National Security Council officials. “Turkey-the United
States relations are not as bad as perceived by public opinion or
as reflected in the media. Both parties have the necessary will to
improve their bilateral relations. I believe that if we can correct
some misunderstandings, our relations will be better,” he said.

Mercan told reporters that he did not get the impression that the
United States would recognize the so-called Armenian genocide this
year. “Any deterioration in our relations will be beneficial neither
for Turkey nor for the United States. Those who take advantage from
it are persons or countries having negative feelings against Turkey.
Anti-Americanism in Turkey is not a rooted tendency, on the contrary,
it is cyclical,” he said. Noting that exaggerated reports both in
Turkish and American press had a great part in such misunderstandings,
Mercan went on saying: “The United States could improve its image
in Turkey by taking more strict measures against the terrorist
organization of PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party], opening a second border
gate in Iraq and taking steps to put an end to international isolation
of Turkish Cypriots. Another area of cooperation between Turkey and
the United States will be the Caucasus. I believe that Turkey can
play a momentous role in efforts to provide democracy in the region.”

Upon a question about Turkish Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry
Commission Chairman Mehmet Elkatmis’ describing the operation of the
US forces in Fallujah city of Iraq as a “genocide”, Mercan said: “It
was an unfortunate statement. Elkatmis tried to correct his mistake.
We all should be careful while using certain words.” Mercan said
that Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc was planning to pay a
visit to the United States in May. Upon a question, Mercan said that
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could come to California
in May to attend the graduation ceremony of his daughter. Mercan said
that Turkey was “extremely uneasy” about anti-Semitic statements.
Replying to another question, Mercan said that if the United Nations
Security Council decided to impose sanctions on Iran because of its
possible nuclear activities, Turkey would abide by the decision.

Denying news reports claiming that the United States was planning
to keep its mission in Turkey at the level of the third man for a
long time after resignation of US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman
in June, Mercan said: “These are baseless claims. During my talks
with US National Security Council officials, they told me that the
second man would be sent immediately, and the new ambassador would
be appointed soon.”

The Daily Telegraph
Fight for respect
By Grantlee Kieza
March 24, 2005

VIC Darchinyan punched his way through more than 300 amateur fights
all over the world before becoming the IBF world flyweight champion –
yet hardly anyone in Australia knows his name.

Darchinyan’s phenomenal record is proof that respect is hard-earned
in the ring, but what seems even tougher is fighting for recognition
in his adopted homeland.

On Sunday the powerful southpaw gets the chance to become a dual
world champion, fighting IBO flyweight champion Mzukisi Sikali from
South Africa at the State Sports Centre, Homebush.

Despite the prospect of adding another belt to his world title
collection, only a measly 50 hotels in Australia have bought the
television coverage to the bout, angering his trainer Jeff Fenech.

“If this kid doesn’t get carried away and does the right thing I
don’t believe there’s anybody in the world who can beat him,” Fenech
said. “But the one thing he doesn’t get is the support he deserves
from the Australian public.”

Darchinyan has travelled a typically hard road to become world
champion, touring the international amateur circuit from age 15 to
record 152 victories in 170 fights.

The truth is he has been surviving in the world of boxing since he
was eight, schooled in the art of ring smarts in his native Armenia.

Thrust into the fight game as a boy, Darchinyan estimates he featured
in about 130 bouts before officially recording his wins and losses,
fighting in countries including Russia, Georgia, Armenia, China,
Greece and the US. “I have been to nearly every country in Europe
but Australia is by far the best place,” Darchinyan said.

“I am very happy with how the people of Australia have accepted me,
now I want to win another world title for them and become better
known. Once I claim this next title I want a shot at the WBC, any
title, any belt, I want to win as many belts as I can.”

Former triple world champion Fenech pushed Darchinyan to become
professional after he starred for Armenia in the Sydney Olympics.

It meant leaving his family in Armenia and abandoning his dream of
becoming an Olympic champion, but the fighter in Darchinyan couldn’t
resist. On his arrival in Australia he lived above a hotel for a month,
before moving to Bankstown to live and train alongside Danny Green.

Since turning pro, Darchinyan has amassed an impressive 22 wins from as
many fights, claiming 17 by knockout, with his finest victory coming in
Hollywood against Irene Pacheco to claim the world title in December.

“The world is at Vic’s feet now and we’ve just got to make the most
of it,” Fenech said.

“Hopefully the Australian public will come out to support a real
champion.”

No need for another monitoring in occupied Azeri land – Russian co-chair

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 23 2005

Baku, March 22, AssA-Irada

There is no need to conduct a repeated monitoring in the occupied
Azerbaijani territories, the Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Yuri Merzlyakov said. Another mission may be sent to these areas
only to study the situation observed after the first monitoring, the
co-chair said. Merzlyakov noted, however, that he does not believe
a repeated mission would yield any results.

Merzlyakov opposed regarding as a double standard the statements that
responsibility for the purposeful settlement of Armenians rests not
with the Armenian government but with separatist Upper Garabagh.
“The mission did not ascertain a purposeful policy of settlement
pursued by the Armenian government. The separatist leadership of Upper
Garabagh, however, does not conceal this. Moreover, it openly says that
extensive settlement of population was carried out in Lachin. Since
the mission pointed out these facts, the co-chairs can’t deny them.”*

FINAL VERSION OF REPORT BY OSCE PA SPECIAL REP ON NAGORNY KARABAKH
TO BE PRESENTED IN VIENNA IN LATE SPRING – EARLY SUMMER

YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. The final version of the report by OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly special representative on Nagorny Karabakh Goran
Lenmarker will be presented to Armenian and Azeri MPs in Vienna before
the OSCE PA July session in Washington, says Armenian Parliament Vice
Speaker, head of the Armenian delegation to OSCE PA Vahan Hovhanissyan.

While discussing Lenmarker’s draft report with their Armenian
counterparts in Brussels Mar 17-18 Azeri MPs insisted in vain on
holding the meeting in London. “They must have hoped that if held in
London the meeting might be attended by PACE rapporteur on Nagorny
Karabakh David Atkinson whose report they want to be reflected in
Lenmarker one,” says Hovhannissyan.

He says that the OSCE PA will most probably pass a consultative
resolution on Lenmarker’s report. If Lenmarker’s report proves similar
to Atkinson’s one this may have negative consequences for the Armenian
side. “Two negative documents will hardly go without consequences,”
says Hovhannissyan. He hopes that Lenmarker’s report will give priority
to the status of Nagorny Karabakh over all the other issues including
the one of controlled territories.

Earlier Hovhannissyan said that Lenmarker’s report says nothing
about Azerbaijan’s territories integrity. It says that controlled
territories should be returned but with no hidden political motives.
“It just says that the territories should be returned, demined and
further used,” says Hovhannissyan.

Christian acrimony threatening Easter
By Inigo Gilmore

LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH
March 22 2005

JERUSALEM — Worshippers at Jerusalem’s churches are braced for a
violent Easter as relations between warring Christian clergy
deteriorate to their most acrimonious level in decades.
Government officials called meetings with representatives from
the churches and police last week after religious leaders warned of
possible violence among priests during services.
With thousands of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem ahead of Holy
Week celebrations, church officials have been told that Israel’s
security forces will not tolerate any trouble. Security will be
stepped up at churches in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the
clashes that have marred the past two years.

Fighting has broken out on several occasions at the Church of the
Holy Sepulcher in the Old City, which contains three Stations of the
Cross and has long been fought over by the Greek Orthodox, Armenian
and Catholic churches.
Emotions are still running high after an incident last September,
in which priests and police officers were injured when a fight broke
out during a Greek Orthodox procession.
The remarkable scenes took place just a few feet from the holiest
shrine in Christendom, where believers say Jesus rose from the dead.
The procession was led by the Greek patriarch, Irineos I, elected
four years ago and blamed by senior clergy from other churches for
fomenting unrest. The fight was captured on video by a Palestinian
photographer and a copy of the film, which never has been made
public, has been obtained by the Sunday Telegraph.
Patriarch Irineos can be seen telling his monks to close the door
of the Franciscan chapel by force. In the ensuing commotion, a
Franciscan priest, Father Athanasius, who represents the Catholic
Church’s interests at the Holy Sepulcher, is dragged off by several
monks, who appear to punch and kick him.
More than 30 police officers carrying automatic weapons are
called in and, after a 20-minute standoff, the patriarch’s two armed
bodyguards join a large scrum of monks who charge a police cordon
around the chapel in an attempt to reach the door.
As the patriarch looks on, holding the relic of the True Cross on
his head, bearded monks can be seen landing blows on the police
officers.
The rights of the various churches to custody of the city’s
Christian holy places were defined in the 19th century, under Ottoman
rule.
The Catholics and Armenians blame the recent unrest on attempts
by the Greek Orthodox Church, the richest Christian institution in
Jerusalem, to extend its territory.
One senior Catholic clergyman in Jerusalem described Patriarch
Irineos as a “lightning rod for trouble.” He said: “We had good
relations with the Greeks before now, but since he was elected, it
has gone from bad to worse. This is a serious crisis for all of the
churches here in the Holy Land, because we increasingly look like a
laughingstock.”
Easter promises to be a catalyst for trouble. The patriarch’s
representatives recently proposed changing the route of a traditional
Easter procession, demanding to be allowed to pass through the
Franciscan chapel. Catholic representatives rejected the proposal,
but the Greeks have not given up.
“The violence in the church was unfortunate, and we regret that
this happened, but in this case, and others, we have just been
asserting our rights in the holy places,” one Greek official said.
“The patriarch has made it clear that he does not feel he is
responsible for the violence.”
Extraordinary accusations of illicit land deals and sexual
misconduct in the Orthodox priesthood have been aired in religious
circles, leading one senior Greek cleric to warn of a potential split
within the church.
“They behave like a criminal Mafioso gang, but this gang has run
into big trouble,” he said.
The Greek patriarchate is Israel’s biggest landowner apart from
the government. Among its prime plots of land are areas of Jerusalem
real estate that include the site of the Knesset, the Israeli
parliament.
Late yesterday, Arab leaders of the Greek Orthodox church called
for the resignation of Patriarch Irineos after a report that he was
involved in a land deal transferring sensitive property in Jerusalem
to Jewish control.
The Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported Friday that the church had
sold land in the walled Old City of Jerusalem to Jewish groups
working to increase Jewish presence in the area. The properties,
which include two hotels, are in traditionally Palestinian sections
of the Old City.

TATUL MARGARIAN TO REPLACE ARMEN KIRAKOSIAN AS AMBASSADOR
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF ARMENIA TO USA

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 19 RA President Robert
Kocharian sighed a decree to relieve Arman Kirakosian of the post
of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
Armenia to the United States of America. As Noyan Tapan was informed
from the RA President’s Press Office, according to the President’s
decrees sighed the same day, Tatul Margarian was relieved of the
post of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia and
appointed him the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America. RA FM Press
and Information Department gave Tatul Margarian’s biographical datas.
Tatul Margarian was born in town of Kapan on April 16, 1964. In 1985
he graduated from Yerevan Public Economy Institute, then entered
post-graduate study of the same Institute and in 1989 he became a
doctor of economy. He continued his education in the International
Studies Faculty of the Washington (USA) Johns Hopkins University and
received MS in the International Studies. He is a doctorant at the
International Relations Department of the London (Great Britain)
Politics and Economy University. In 1990-1991 he worked as the
Assistant to the RA Supreme Council Deputy Chairman. In 1991-1994
he was the Assistant to RA Vice-President, for some time realizing
duties of the Head of the RA Prime-Minister’s staff, and then was the
Adviser to the RA Vice-President. In 1994-1998 he was the RA Embassy
Councellor to USA, then the Extraordinary Envoy and Plenipotentiary
Minister, the Vice-Head of the Diplomatic Mission. In January,
1999 he was appointed the Adviser to the RA Foreing Minister, in
June, 2000 the RA Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister. In 2002-2003 he
was the RA President’s special representative in the negotiations of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Has diplomatic degree of RA
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Knows English, Russian.
Married, has a son.

OSCE MISSION CONFIRMED THE ABSURDITY OF ACCUSATION

PanArmenian News
March 21 2005

International experts have verified the fact that Armenians do not
have any plans to populate the territories under control.

The monitoring group that has visited the regions controlled
by Nagorno-Karabakh army has officially reported the results of
observations to the OSCE permanent council. The mission has come
up with certain conclusions concerning the assertions of Azeri
representatives about the population of those regions. The conclusion
is better characterized by the following quotation from the report.
“There are no obvious signs of organized mass settlement, involuntary
movement of people…” Thus it has been proved that the accusations
of official Baku are absolutely groundless.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Here are some extracts from the report that again
confirm that the statements of Azerbaijan are groundless. “Population
is very limited” “The mission has not established that the population
is a result of Armenian policy” “The mission has not noticed any
evidence of indirect involvement of Armenian authorities…”

At the same time, the observers have established the fact that the
overwhelming majority of inhabitants have come from different parts of
Azerbaijan, particularly Getashen, Sumgait, Baku and Shahumyan region
which is currently controlled by Azerbaijan. They have mentioned
that the majority of interviewed people wished to return to their
native regions.

The only region where the mission members really mentioned certain
traces of more or less organized migration policy was Lachin. However
the observers explain that mentioning the special status of that region
which connects Karabakh to Armenia. “In previous negotiations Lachin
was viewed as a separate question since it is a humanitarian corridor
assuring security of Nagorno-Karabakh.”, mission members mention. The
mission has already established that in the other regions of security
zone (except Lachin) there are around 4000 people. Commenting on
the number of people the observers compare that with the number of
Armenians banished from Azerbaijan. “The number of inhabitants is
insignificant taking into account the fact that the number of Armenian
refugees is 400000”, it is mentioned in the report.

It is worth reminding that different official and non-official
representatives of Azerbaijan state that the regions controlled
by Nagorno-Karabakh forces are populated with 30-300 thousand of
Armenians. The deputy Foreign Minister, personal representative of
Ilham Aliev in the negotiations on Karabakh Araz Azimov has given the
precise number ~V 36 thousand. In reality there were 9 times as less
Armenians. But the main thing that is established by the monitoring is
the fact that Armenians do not have any intention to create conditions
for the annexation of those regions. The control over those regions
is necessary only for security purposes. Otherwise, Yerevan and
Stepanakert would really carry out a policy for populating the regions.

Official Yerevan is pleased with the report. This can be proved by
the recent announcement of Armenian foreign ministry. The foreign
ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh does not hurry to make estimations, but
in Stepanakert the report is considered an objective one. Though the
authorities of Azerbaijan have not expressed their attitude towards
the document, it is quite obvious that Baku is not satisfied with the
conclusions of observers. The deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan Araz Azimov stated that he does not accept the separation
of Armenian and Karabakh authorities. He criticized the statement of
OSCE Secretary General who commenting on the report said that the
questions connected with the population should be addressed to the
authorities of NKR and not Armenia. According to Azimov that statement
was made by the order of co-chairmen.

The report is submitted. What will happen after it is made public? In
Azerbaijan there may be a burst of provocations against OSCE, accusing
them of biased approach and incapability to achieve settlement of
Karabakh conflict. It should be reminded that yet before the start of
the mission Azeri radicals assured that they were getting ready for
protest actions. Thus, it is obvious that the conclusions of experts
are not a surprise for them. Araz Azimov mentioned several times
that if the report is not convenient for Azeri authorities, they will
give up their promise not to arise the question on the situation in
lower Karabakh in UN. However in the current situation the attempts of
official Baku to return to the consideration of the problem in UN are
absolutely hopeless. Their attempts to raise the question of delegating
a new mission to security zone also have no future. However, the demand
to form a similar mission for the monitoring of the situation in the
regions of NKR occupied by Azerbaijan looks quite logical. Yerevan
has already applied to OSCE permanent council with the initiative
to delegate a group of experts to the captured regions of Shahumyan
and Getashen, as well as former Armenian villages to the north
of Martakert and to the east of Martouni. Let us wait and see the
reaction of Azerbaijan to this proposal.

Artyom Yerkanyan

PanArmenian News
March 18 2005

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS RECOMMEND EXPEDITING NEGOTIATIONS ON
POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

18.03.2005 04:04

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict recommend expediting the negotiations on the
political settlement of the conflict, the joint statement issued this
Thursday in Vienna and addressed to the OSCE Permanent Council
regarding the outcomes of the fact-finding mission on settling the
territories bordering with Nagorno Karabakh, says, IA Regnum
reported. `The Co-Chairs call not to encourage any settlement of the
seized territories, expedite the negotiations on the political
settlement in order to consider the problem of the migrants and not
to allow changes in the demographic structure of the region’, the
statement runs. `To make the return of the forced migrants possible
the Co-Chairs call the appropriate international organizations to
assess material and financial needs in the region. In order to
preserve cultural heritage in the regions suffered from the conflict
the Co-Chairs earnestly call conflicting parties to work out
practical measures to consolidate trust with the corresponding
communities thus forming a basis for peaceful settlement’, the
mediators note. `Taking into account the consequences of the present
situation for the further settlement of the Karabakh conflict the
Co-Chairs reserve to themselves the possibility of further
examination in favor of the Minsk peaceful process including the
fulfillment of the above-mentioned recommendations’, the statement
says. The Co-Chairs also expressed gratitude to the governments of
Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the Nagorno Karabakh leadership for
cooperation with the missionaries.