Author: Ekmekjian Janet

OSCE HEAD EXPECTED TO VISIT YEREVAN SEPTEMBER 7

Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 05:25

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister
Dimitrij Rupel will visit Baku September 6. Next day Rupel is expected
in Armenia. Within the framework of the visit Rupel intends to get
information about the outcomes of the Kazan meeting of the Armenian
and Azeri Presidents. In the course of his regional visit the OSCE
head will meet with Presidents of both countries. With Azeri officials
Mr. Rupel is expected to discuss the process of preparation to the
parliamentary election in Azerbaijan. While in Armenia, the matter
will concern the coming referendum on introducing changes to the
Constitution of the country, IA Regnum reported.

TO ADOPT OR NOT TO ADOPT?

A1+

| 16:35:00 | 31-08-2005 | Politics |

“According to the draft constitution the strongest branch of power
is the legislative”, announced Tigran Torosyan today in answer to
the oppositional deputies who claim that the authorizations of the
President have been added or the PM Institute has been enhanced.

The NA deputy President accepted all the accusations the opposition
voiced, in particular – those about the absence of trust atmosphere,
forged elections and violation of human rights. “What shall we do to
solve those problems?” Tigran Torosyan asked the rhetoric question and
answered it himself: as far as the acting constitution does not offer
mechanisms of defense of human rights, we must adopt the amendments
to it.

Tigran Torosyan announced several times that the acting Constitution
has exhausted itself, and it must be amended. According to him,
thus the majority of the problems will be solved.

Member of the Justice bloc Stepan Zaqaryan noted that the articles
referring to the rights and interests of the RA citizens have not
been amended. He reminded that the acting constitution too demanded
to hold free and transparent elections, but we all know how they are
held in our country.

And Artashes Geghamyan advised the coalition to put down the mandates
and to dissolve.

As for the leader of the National Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharyan,
he announced that his party will not call the people to say “No”
to the Constitution, as the decision of the people is already negative.

Hmayak Hovhannisyan again referred to the President’s life immunity,
saying, “He can do whatever he wants, and the nation will not have
the possibility to call his to responsibility”.

SOCIAL CARDS
Laura Grigorian

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
29 Aug 05

The distribution of social cards continues in the republic. According
to the head of the department of social insurance and retirement of
the NKR Ministry of Social Security Vahram Arakelian, by August 23
69 thousand 233 social security cards have been issued, including
in Stepanakert 22 thousand 720, Martekert region 11 thousand 272,
Hadrut region 7 thousand 827, Askeran region 9 thousand 649, Shushi
region 2 thousand 569, Martuni region 9 thousand 957, Shahumian region
1278 and Kashatagh region 3 thousand 961 social cards. According to
V. Arakelian, the citizens who had applied in July have already
received their social cards, the social cards will be issued to the
applicants of August at the beginning of September. V. Arakelian
said two persons refused to have social cards but then applied to
the department and received their cards. The system of social cards
will be operated since January 1, 2006. The cards are issued by the
department of social security of Stepanakert and the social security
services in the regions. Applications may be both individual and
collective. Social cards are free of charge.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS SITUATION ON CONTINENT
By Boris Vlasov

PSKOV, August 29

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 29, 2005 Monday 12:46 PM Eastern Time

European parliamentarians gathered in Pskov on Monday for a seminar,
which is devoted to the formation of a new Europe.

Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Mikhail Margelov
told Itar-Tass Russian parliamentarians discussed the events in Europe.

“Russia’s membership in the Council of Europe is needed because it
is a European country that allows us to avoid isolation, which will
eliminate our democratic achievements and pose a threat to Russia’s
path on liberal democracy,” Margelov said.

The seminar involves “European democrats” from Britain, France,
Italy, Greece, Israel, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Turkey, Armenia
and Azerbaijan.

Constitutional reform in Armenia to promote country’s development
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 29, 2005 Monday 3:06 PM Eastern Time

YEREVAN, August 29

The reform of Armenia’s Constitution will open broad prospects
for the country’s further development, Tigran Torosyan, the deputy
speaker of the republic’s parliament, the chairman of the provisional
commission for Eurointegration, said here at the extraordinary session
of the National Assembly convened for the second reading of the draft
amendments to the Constitution.

The amendments stem from Yerevan’s obligations assumed during its
entry into the Council of Europe and aimed to balance the powers of
different branches of the republican authorities. The document was
coordinated with European experts, specifically, with the Venice
Commission of the Council of Europe, and will, possibly, be put to
referendum here in November.

The deputy speaker said the draft reform of the Constitution envisages
cardinal amendments of the procedure of dissolving parliament, and
forming the cabinet. Thus, recommending candidatures for premiership,
president is obliged to consult factions of the National Assembly to
establish the one who enjoys the support of the parliamentary majority.

Torosyan stressed the importance of the provisions related to the
formation and activity of the legal council. He said the human rights
guarantees are clearly defined.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said on TV the other day the
amendments to the Constitution are needed, above all, for the people.
At the same time, they are very important for Armenia’s European
integration, he said.

Armenian conference and bill in September

TDN
Saturday, August 27, 2005

If my memory is not playing tricks on me, a similar resolution was
submitted during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ=9Fan’s visit to
Washington in June, and a minor crisis ensued.

Gila BENMAYOR

I met U.S. Consul General in Istanbul Deborah Jones at a
Turkish-American Business Council (TAÄ°K) reception the other
night. Jones was appointed to the post upon the departure of David
Arnett.

Jones is very knowledgeable about the Middle East.

She speaks Arabic well because she worked in Baghdad and Damascus. At
the reception I also talked to the congressional staffers who were
invited to Turkey as part of a program sponsored by TAÄ°K and its
American counterpart, the American-Turkish Council (ATC).

I would like to talk about this program.

Unfortunately, most American congressmen and their staffers know
almost nothing about Turkey.

Turkey, for them, is a country at the opposite end of the world. Even
though they know nothing about it, they draft many bills that affect
Turkey.

This is why it is very important and beneficial for TAÄ°K and the ATC
to invite a delegation from Congress from time to time in order to let
them see Istanbul, Ä°zmir and Ankara and to meet with representatives
from nongovernmental organizations.

Just as TAİK President Yılmaz Argüden said, there is a considerable
disparity between what those who come to Turkey hear and what they
see.

In the past three years, TAÄ°K has welcomed around 90 congressional
staffers.

If we return to the reception the other night, everyone I talked to
confirmed Argüden’s assessment.

`We never expected Turkey to be like this,’ some said.

I should also note that those I spoke with had visited Bodrum.

There was, of course, some congressional gossip making the rounds, and
we learned that a resolution on the Armenian genocide allegations
would be submitted to the House of Representatives in September.

If my memory is not playing tricks on me, a similar resolution was
submitted during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ=9Fan’s visit to
Washington in June, and a minor crisis ensued.

The timing of the bill is very interesting because the Armenian
conference at BoÄ=9Faziçi University that was postponed last May will
now be held in September.

The exact date the resolution will be submitted is not yet known, but
the conference will be held on Sept. 23.

I believe both happening in the same month is very unfortunate.

Unfortunately, most of the nation has negative views on the conference
due to the mistaken interpretations of the conference in the media.

If the resolution is submitted to the House at the same time, public
reaction may grow.

In summary, some very important developments will happen on the
Armenian problem in September.

Angel of villages: Nurten Ã-ztürk: The letters I receive from the
readers of my Turkish Daily News column show that they are interested
in social projects.

Maybe such reports give them hope and inspiration, I don’t know, but I
know that when I hear those involved in the project speak, I get very
excited.

One of those who inspires me is OPET board member Nurten Ã-ztürk.

Ã-ztürk, a successful businesswoman, is the person who initiated the
`clean toilets’ campaign five years ago.

If you are wondering why all the OPET gas stations have clean toilets,
don’t look any further. Ã-ztürk is responsible.

She is also supervising the `green highway’ project, whichaims to
plant trees around OPET stations.

She also helps in the development of certain villages.

This project is called `pilot village.’ She is involved in the
development of three villages right now.

They are the village of Dara, in Mardin right next to the Dara ruins;
the village of Yesemek, where the Hittite Open-air Sculpture Workshop
is located; and the village of Pazarköy in Bolu.

Ã-zürk shows the villagers how to contribute to the village economy,
ways to make their village more beautiful.

Villagers are trained in hygiene, health, and arts and crafts.

The first two villages have huge tourism potential, and that’s why
they are being shown how to utilize it.

Villagers are given brochures and CDs to hand out to tourists.

Ã-ztürk, who spends most of her time traveling to villages, does not
forget about children and supports efforts to open computer classes,
libraries and game rooms.

After having met her and witnessed her enthusiasm, I began to call her
the` angel of villages.’

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/25/2005
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1) Plot Thickens in Fate of Turkey’s Armenian Genocide Conference
2) Election Tensions in Azerbaijan Trouble Europe
3) ARF Bureau Seminar
4) Abkhazia Unwilling to Trade Freedom for Monetary Assurances

1) Plot Thickens in Fate of Turkey’s Armenian Genocide Conference

ISTANBUL (Marmara/AFP)–Recent reports in the Turkish press point to Turkish
government efforts to influence the recently rescheduled conference on the
Armenian genocide, slated for September 23-25 at Istanbul’s Bogazici
University.
Featuring academics and intellectuals who dispute Ankara’s version of the
1915-1917 genocide of Armenians, the conference was postponed in May after
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek condemned the initiative as “treason” and a “stab
in the back of the Turkish nation.” He also said organizers deserved to be
prosecuted.
The outburst raised eyebrows in European diplomatic circles about Ankara’s
commitment to democratic reforms, a requirement for October 3 negotiations
over
its adhesion to the European Union (EU). But diplomats said the incident could
also prove to be a watershed if the Turkish government acted to correct
Cicek’s
remarks.
Milliyet published an article on August 25 saying Turkish Prime Minister
Recep
Tayyip Erdogan requested that organizers reschedule the conference prior to
October 3, noting negative effects of its prior cancellation on European
public
opinion.
In the meantime, there are conflicting reports on whether Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul would open the conference, titled “Ottoman Armenians
during the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and
Democracy.”
Although it was reported yesterday that Gul accepted the invitation from the
rector of Bogazici University, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman
Namik Tan announced later on Wednesday that Gul would be in New York during
the
conference opening, and would participate during its closingif his schedule
allowed.
Asked about recent change in plans, Gul explained that he agreed to
participate in principle, but only if his schedule allowed, and elaborated on
the importance of the academic gathering.
“We consider such meetings an opportunity to explain our opinion both in
Turkey and abroad,” Gul said. “We have no problems about the issue [Armenian
genocide], and it is useless to shun it as if the guilty party.” Pointing to
opinions that oppose his, he suggested that certain circles twist historical
facts to oppose Turkey.
His comments seem to have implied that the nature of the original conference
is now questionable. “I am happy to partake if I see that there is broad
representation,” he said, in an apparent reference to participation of
academics who deny the genocide of Armenians ever took place.
“We must carry out, both internally and externally, a clear campaign to
contradict this. We must be proactive both as a government and a [foreign]
ministry. We will not allow hostile circles to affect new generations with
unfounded allegations.”

2) Election Tensions in Azerbaijan Trouble Europe

Embassies of European Union member states in Baku have called for free and
fair
parliamentary elections in November, and urge political parties in Azerbaijan
to hold peaceful pre-election campaigns for the sake of Azerbaijan’s
democratic
development.

(azernews/noticias)–“Concerned about the deteriorating pre-election
environment in Azerbaijan, the EU mission there has called on all parties to
exert considerable effort in ensuring free and fair elections, according to
British charge d’affaires in Baku Colin Wells.
On behalf of the embassies of EU states in Baku, I call on all parties to
ensure that their campaigns are peaceful. Violence and threats are not in line
with democratic election campaigns. The embassies praise the authorities’
steps
on the implementation of the May 11 presidential decree on improving election
practices and are ready to assist Azerbaijan in making certain the elections
meet international standards,” Wells said in a statement released by the
British embassy there.
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),
Rene van der Linden also expressed concern after visiting the region August
18-23.
Der Linden stressed in Strasbourg on Thursday that the November elections
would be a test case for the country and an important opportunity for the
international community to see that the government was doing its utmost to
ensure free and fair elections.
Noting the importance of election monitoring, he reminded authorities that in
January 2006 PACE would consider the report of its own 40-strong election
observation mission. Der Linden stressed that authorities must reinforce and
guarantee media independence and pluralism, including the reopening of the
capital’s Public TV station.
He urged all political parties to approach the elections in a positive and
constructive spirit of democracy, and called on the authorities to take all
the
necessary action to ensure that neither the opposition nor the media would
continue to feel at risk as a result of their lawful and democratic
activities.

3) ARF Bureau Seminar

YEREVAN (YERKIR)–A three-day seminar on political developments in Armenia and
the region begins on August 26 in Yerevan, with Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) members from around 20 countries participating in the
discussions organized by the ARF Bureau.
“We will review the positions of various countries and forces that affect the
region, as well as issues tied to Mountainous Karabagh and Javakhk, and
Armenia-Turkey relations.” indicated Giro Manoyan, who heads the Bureau’s Hai
Tahd and Political Affairs office.
The meeting is a part of a series of Bureau-organized seminars to deliberate
on matters with party members representing the ARF’s many regions, Manoyan
said.

4) Abkhazia Unwilling to Trade Freedom for Monetary Assurances

TBILISI (Civil Georgia)–Abkhaz prime minister Aleksander Ankvab told Regnum
news agency that the independence of Abkhazia would not be traded for economic
opportunities and international assistance.
In an interview, Ankvab, who criticized western diplomats, said Abkhazia
instead finds “far better understanding” of its claims in Russia.
“Representatives of Western diplomatic circles–sorry for the rough
language–always rub it in our face [that Abkhazia is not internationally
recognized], but they can not take away our natural right to being independent
and free. We are not asking to enter anything and do not beg. If they want to
speak in a dignified manner, we are ready to respond, but to try–with
economic
promises–to place us somewhere else [i.e. Georgia]–they must consider the
will of the people that will never change,” Ankvab said.
He also stressed that there is no link between Abkhazia’s political aims and
opportunities for foreign loans.
Ankvab has lead the Abkhaz political movement “Aitaira” since 2000, and was a
high-ranking Communist Party official in Soviet Georgia from 1981 to 1983. He
later served as the deputy Interior Minister for political issues of the
Soviet
Georgian from until 1990.

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Pravda, Russia
Aug 22 2005

Armenian, Azerbaijani foreign ministers to discuss land claims

11:58 2005-08-22
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet Monday for
talks on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial dispute.

Ethnic Armenian forces seized the mountainous enclave during a war in
the 1990s that killed thousands and displaced millions. A tense
cease-fire has held since 1994 and efforts to finally resolve its
status have repeatedly failed.

The two foreign ministers were expected to lay the groundwork for a
meeting of the countries’ two presidents later this week, Interfax
news agency reported.

The return of refugees, withdrawal from some territories and
introducing peacekeeping forces are among the issues being discussed.

Presidents Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan and Robert Kocharian of Armenia
were slated to meet on Friday in Kazan on the sidelines of a meeting
of leaders from several former Soviet republics, the AP reported.

Today.az, Azerbaijan
Aug 19 2005

First candidate from Khankendi election constituency # 122 was member
of Musavat Party Isi Baghirov

19 August 2005 [09:10] – Today.Az

After the Khankendi election constituency # 122 started its activity,
the first candidate from this constituency was the representative of
the “Azadlig” bloc, member of the Musavat Party Isi Baghirov.

I.Baghirov informed in his explanation to APA that he has already
taken signature cards. I.Baghirov informing that the list of
territories the residents of Khankendi live is prepared at present
considers that they will not encounter any problems in signature
gathering. According to his words, the Azerbaijani residents of
Khankendi live mainly in Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja and Naftalan in a
compact form. I.Baghirov informed that he himself is from Khankendi
and is registered in this city and noted that he has connections with
many of the people being registered in the territory of the
constituency.

“That is, no problem will occur in conducting the election and
propaganda campaign there. The main question is that the stations
should be formed and we will determine our steps after this. I
believe that the elections will be held in that constituency.
Probably, the Central Election Commission will coordinate with
Armenians living in Khankendi their participation in voting and they
will give their votes”.

Though I.Baghirov wants to be elected a deputy from that
constituency, he does not intend to make any appeal to Armenians
being citizens of Azerbaijan. At the same time, he informed that most
of Armenians of Khankendi know him and considers possible
establishing connection with Armenians in any form in case their
participation in the elections is possible.

“They know me well. But if any condition occurs there, I would like
to conduct the election campaign. The process of registering the
candidates is already conducted and there is no Armenian candidate
among them yet. But I also do not exclude that such candidate will be
among the candidates”.

URL:

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I STATES THAT ALL ARMENIANS ARE MEMBERS OF THE
SAME FAMILY

The conference entitled “Looking for prospects of Armenia-Diaspora
cooperation” came to its end on August 13, after three days of
useful discussions about various issues related to Armenia and the
Diaspora. The conference had kicked off on August 11 and was organized
under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.

On the third day of sessions, the attendants expressed their views
about the conference, made new proposals related to Armenia-Diaspora
cooperation and built on their previous discussions.

They expressed their gratitude to His Holiness Aram I for organizing
the conference and inviting prominent intellectuals from Armenia and
the Diaspora.

A long session was dedicated to proposals for cooperation between
the two sides. The attendants set out priorities for the Armenians
and highlighted the issues considered most vital in the cultural,
educational, economic, and Armenian Cause fields.

His Holiness Aram I emphasized the importance of adopting a new
mindset and transcending local mentalities and approaches.

“Today’s world wants to come out of fixed structures and looks for
free space to develop liberal thinking. An active Armenia-Diaspora
cooperation should be created. Given that it’s the age of
professionalism, important work should be left to professionals more
than committees,” said His Holiness.

The resolution prepared by the participants was then read out and
adopted by the conference.

His Holiness Aram I delivered the concluding remarks, commending
the participants who developed useful dialogue by expressing their
concerns, and perspectives.

“The conference showed that we are not two sides; Rather, we are only
one side, members of the same family having the same concerns, the same
dreams, visions and aims. We should highlight the hard realities, our
problems, our frustration, and disappointment during such conferences
and that’s what we did. The search fro truth is conducted this way,”
said His Holiness.

The Catholicos encouraged participants to look for positive aspects
even in negative phenomena and advised never to let go of hope.

“Therefore, we should lessen what we have to say and increase our
tasks.

This meeting is not an endpoint. It’s only a phase to look at the
past to assess the present and to plan the future” said His Holiness.

His Holiness thanked and praised the organizers of the conference,
especially Hranoush Hagopian and Jirayr Tanielian for their active
participation in the preparatory works of the conference.

The participants participated in the pilgrimage to the
St. Asdvadzadzine Church in Bikfayya in the evening.

##

View pictures here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about
the history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may
refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church
is located in Antelias, Lebanon.