Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Kommersant, Russia
Jan 28 2005

Doing unto Others: The Price of the Question

World Practice

There have been too many coincidences to think that it is accidental.
Mikhail Saakashvili is making the rounds in Strasbourg with new peace
proposals for South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and what do you know?, at
the very same time the leaders of the two unrecognized states, Eduard
Kokoity and Sergey Bagapsh, turn up in Moscow and shriek in chorus
that the peace proposals are practically a declaration of war and
hitting him on both fronts at once. The next day, the UN Security
Council discusses Abkhazia on Moscow’s initiative and without any
representation from Georgia. It becomes clear that Russia sees no
reason for the Georgian ambassador to be present at discussions of
the Abkhazian problem. But you have to think that the problem has a
little to do with Georgia too.

Bagapsh, leader of sunny Abkhazia, has declared how happy he is to
have met Kokoity in snowy Moscow and that he intends to `coordinate
actions’ with the presidents of unrecognized Transdniestr Republic
and Nagorny Karabakh. Very touching, of course.

We have already forgotten our righteous anger over the intriguing of
outside forces in Ukraine. And it didn’t stop us from thinking that
our own actions were only for the sake of greater stability in
Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and everywhere else. We know
best, of course, what the former Soviet republics and their citizens
really need. They couldn’t cope without us. We are a great power and
they are our buffer zone and underbelly. The present Russian-Georgian
collision has dispelled any doubts. The linchpin of Moscow’s position
among the former Soviet countries will be Abkhazia, South Ossetia
and, unseen, Transdniestr, Eastern Ukraine and area in similar
circumstances. It sounds scary, but it seems to be what’s happening.
We don’t have any other ways of keeping the West away yet. At least
in those places we still pull some weight. We have our own people. We
lost Aslan Abashidze in Ajaria, but there’s still Kokoity and
Bagapsh/Khadzjimba and Igor Smirnov in Transdniestr. We can give
Arkady Gukasyan in Karabakh a go if need be to. And there’s still
Viktor Yanukovich. He’s not finished yet and is putting gout signals
that he could use a hand – a sure sign of life.

It would seem that it is a no-lose, irrefutable position. But we have
to be morally prepared for to pay the high price of having our own
weapons used against us. They’ll use our experience and know-how.
There are lots more places to do it in. Just the North Caucasus, with
its eternal reputation as a tinderbox, is enough. Then we’ll remember
the old truth that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw
stones.

by Sergey Strokan

Frankfurter Allgemeine, Germany
Jan 28 2005

State removes reference to genocide from lesson

28. Januar 2005 POTSDAM. In response to a Turkish request, officials
in the state of Brandenburg have removed a passage in a history
lesson about a controversial event in Turkish history – the deaths of
thousands of Armenians in the early 20th century. The lesson focused
on genocide and mentioned the Armenian case as the only example. The
decision was made two weeks ago after Turkish General Counsel Aydin
Durusay raised the issue. Turkey maintains the Armenians were killed
as the Ottoman Empire fought civil unrest. Part of the empire became
Turkey in 1923. Armenians say 1.5 million people were killed between
1915 and 1923 as part of the empire’s campaign to push them from
eastern Turkey. pra

ARMENIA TO BE HARDLY PUSHED TO REVOLUTION IN NEAR FUTURE: RUSSIAN
POLITOLOGIST

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26. ARMINFO. Armenia will hardly be pushed to a
revolution in the coming years: the snowdrops are not ripe yet, says
Russian politologist Andrey Milovzorov on Utro.ru in his article
“Russia’s Partners are Pregnant with Revolutions of All Colors.”

Georgian and Ukraine have shown that the key prerequisite for a
revolution is mass popular displeasure with the ruling regime and life
under this regime (typical of all the CIS countries); growing
pro-Russian moods even in a pro-West government; the West’s fuel
interests (oil, gas, pipelines) in a given country in opposition to
similar potential interests from Russia. There are many candidates for
revolution: Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, shattered Moldova,
totalitarian Turkmenistan.

Armenia is also a worthy candidate. That country is facing a serious
social-economic crisis, its people is displeased with its regime,
Russian influence is too big and would better be reduced. Recent
surveys have shown that Armenians are becoming increasingly inclined
towards Europe and are tending to support any opposition to the
regime. Many experts say that Armenia is the next victim to revolution
– snowdrop revolution. But there are serious obstacles too: the
opposition is motley and lacks the political drive, the power hunger
of Saakashvili and Yuschenko. It is all but consolidated, has no
director and no financing. There could be revolution in Armenia after
the elections 2003 but it did not happen. Washington must have
considered the Armenian opposition not sufficiently anti-Russian – a
prerequisite for real support. Besides Russia has troops in Armenia.

As for neighboring Azerbaijan it is hardly a candidate for
revolution. Until recently it has been a loyal outpost of the US in
the Caspian region. Now under Aliev Junior Baku has become
ambiguous. It is still bad with Moscow (because of Armenia) but
instead it has made friends with Iran, the country the US hates very
much. This is serious but not enough for a coup. Besides there is no
mass displeasure with Ilham Aliev in Azerbaijan; nor are there any
threats to the US’ oil interests. No, in Azerbaijan the western
scenario makers will rather work with the incumbent regime than try to
change it, concludes Milovzorov.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
01/24/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
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1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide
2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus
3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement
4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia

1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide

GLENDALE–The Southern California Armenian community, along with the faithful
from as far away as Fresno, gathered in Glendale, California on January 22 to
celebrate the anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF),
founded in 1890.
Glendale High School’s auditorium was packed with about 2,000 supporters who
came to mark the venerable organization’s unwavering commitment and dedication
to the Armenian people for more than a hundred years, through thick and thin.
The Homenetmen regional band, along with the scouts of its Ararat chapter,
opened the program with the flag ceremony, followed by the performances of the
American national anthem by Nanor Hindoyan, and the Armenian and ARF
anthems by
Nersik Ispiryan.
Honored guests included Western Region Prelate Archbishop Mousegh
Mardirossian
and Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and former Primate Vatche Hovsepian,
representatives of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical churches, Armenia’s
Consul General in the US Gagik Kirakossian, ARF Bureau representative Hrant
Margarian, Bureau member Dr. Vicken Hovsepian, as well as representatives of
the ADL (Ramgavar party), AGBU, ARS, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, and other
representatives of various organizations and the media.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Vasken Madenlian conveyed
welcoming remarks and served as the evening’s emcee.
Subsequent speakers included Melanie Vartabedian of the Armenian Youth
Federation, Anahit Stepanian of the ARF Central Committee, as well as keynote
speaker ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian.
Margarian began, noting that for decades on, when commemorating the
anniversary of the ARF, these events serve as an opportunity to be accountable
to the public.
Addressing current fundamental changes and unfolding of strategic situations
throughout the world, Margarian stressed that numerous important political and
international advancements were registered during the past year.
“In the case of Armenia, these advancements have come in the social,
domestic-political, economic sectors, and in foreign policy; there has also
been progress in Armenia-diaspora relations, in the advancement of the
Armenian
case, pan-Armenian, as well in the development of pan-diasporan community
relations.”
As far as ARF’s role and activity in carrying out vital social and economic
reforms in Armenia, Margarian noted that the ARF’s role as a government
coalition partner is not a self-serving one, and stressed that its
participation does not imply that the Tashnagtsutiun is fully content with the
government’s activities. “Rather, as a coalition partner, the Tashnagtsutiun
strives to guarantee that the government works toward maintaining and
continuing reform programs. It serves to ensure that the government’s fight
against corruption and bribery are more forceful, and that it more effectively
pursues the shaping of civil and public sectors, the implementation of
democratic ideals, and preservation of national harmony.”
In order to effectively tackle the country’s widespread corruption, the ARF,
revealed Margarian, urged the Armenian government to join Council of Europe’s
Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). As a result, Armenia became the
37th member, agreeing to adopt a strategic plan of action to stamp out
corruption, and indicating its clear-cut political will to integrate European
standards into society. Armenia’s membership, he stressed, also presumes
legislative commitments, and a multidisciplinary approach to fighting
corruption that includes cross-border cooperation between states and
international institutions.
In summary, Margarian stated that for the ARF, priority lies in pursuit of
issues tied to Armenia’s security. “The ARF cannot win when the people of
Armenia and our nation are under threat. During these times, the ARF, when
considering its political goals, simply cannot assume the role of a
spectator.”
He said that the ARF will continue to fight–at all cost and available means,
to establish democracy in Armenia and in eliminating poverty and corruption.
Margarian also spoke of recent upheavals in the South Caucuses, as well as
the
effects of foreign intervention and policy on the region, specifically
Armenia.
He said that the opposition in Armenia, inspired by developments in Georgia,
attempted to seize power, creating instability, and threatening not only the
situation in Mountainous Karabagh Republic, but also developments and
advancements in Armenia.
Margarian stressed that the ARF immediately called for negotiations between
the government and the opposition to maintain internal stability. Although the
opposition rejected all offers, the efforts and propositions of the ARF
nevertheless helped in quelling internal crisis. And as a result of that
policy, the party today enjoys a certain political authority, leverage, and
respect by the authorities, opposition organizations, political forces, as
well
as international and diplomatic representatives operating in Armenia, he said.
On Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), Margarian emphasized that the
commitment of the diaspora to the issue, and the involvement of all Armenians
are guarantees that our victories there will be preserved and strengthened.
He affirmed ARF’s commitment to its fundamental views in establishing a
resolution to the conflict–according to which, and also legally–MKR must
be a
part of the Republic of Armenia.
On the issue of Javakhk, a majority Armenian populated region of Georgia,
Margarian said that Georgia is obliged to practically display its
commitment to
lifting not only its biased policy in the region, but one that has neglected
the economic and basic social needs of the population.
Margarian noted the importance of commemorating the 90th anniversary of the
genocide of Armenians by Turkey, saying, “Armenians must once again convey
their condemnation of that act against humanity–stressing to the world that
there will never be forgiveness without repentance and just compensation. Only
then can there be normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, and only then
can progress be registered.”

2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus

–Two term Congresswoman has been active on Genocide Recognition and
US-Armenia
Economic Relations Issues

GLENDALE–Southern California Democrat Linda Sanchez (39th Dist.) is the most
recent in a line of Representatives who have become members of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus. She joins Representatives Ben Chandler (R-KY),
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Joe Schwarz (R-MI), all of whom
have added their names to the Caucus over the past three weeks.
Since her election to Congress in 2002, Rep. Sanchez has consistently been
active on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. In the 108th
Congress, she was a cosponsor of a measure, which granted permanent normal
trade relations status (PNTR) to Armenia. She has also been vocal in urging
President Bush to properly commemorate the Armenian genocide, joining over 160
of her colleagues in cosigning letters to the President regarding the topic in
April 2003 and 2004.
`We appreciate Rep. Linda Sanchez’s leadership and advocacy on issues of
concern to her Armenian American constituency,’ commented ANCA Western Region
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. `It is through exemplary leadership
like hers that we will see the membership of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian issues continue to grow.’
An attorney by profession prior to her election to office, Rep. Sanchez
currently serves on the House Government Reforms, Small Business and Judiciary
Committees. She convincingly defeated Republican Tim Escobar in the 2004
Congressional elections, garnering 61% of the vote.
Established in 1995 and co-chaired by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Congressional Armenian Caucus is a bipartisan
forum
for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the
United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds
between the American and Armenian peoples.

3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement

YEREVAN (Arminfo)–In an interview broadcast by TV Company Armenia, US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated, `I know what criminal elements US
Assistant Secretary of the State Elizabeth Jones was referring to and do not
think the matter concerned Nagorno-Karabakh.’
According to the ambassador, the US’s position on Karabagh, which calls for a
peaceful settlement to the conflict, remains unchanged. `I have known her for
almost 30 years as a professional diplomat and when I first read about her
statement, I thought immediately: something is wrong here,’ commented Evans.
Jones’s intent, according to Evans, is to create closer cooperation between
the US and Russia in resolving the conflicts in Abkhazia, Transdnesitria, and
Mountainous Karabagh. `I know the geography [of the region] and I don’t think
that the matter concerned Nagorno Karabakhwe know what districts and elements
she meant,’ the American diplomat said.
Evans also added that the US has for several years now allocated support to
Mountainous Karabagh, and those who misinterpret Jones’s statement are
attempting to damage US-Armenia relations.

4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia

STRASBOURG–The European Armenian Federation announced over the weekend that
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is on the verge of
adopting two resolutions, one questioning the independent status of the
Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), and the other excluding the Armenian
genocide day of remembrance from the European calendar. PACE members will
determine the fate of both resolutions on Tuesday.
Prepared by David Atkinson (Democrat) from the United Kingdom, the resolution
dealing with MKR notes that `considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan
are still occupied by Armenian forces’ and that `separatist forces are
still in
control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.’ Full of incendiary language, the
resolution also describes MKR as a mono-ethnic area `which [evokes] the
terrible concept of ethnic cleansing.’
`The Atkinson report is the report of Azerbaijan. This country believes that
shifting the institutional framework will turn its crimes into virtues.
Attempts of ethnic cleansing actually occurred but, contrary to Mr. Atkinson
insinuations, it was the policy led by Baku,’ declared Laurent Leylekian,
executive director of the European Armenian Federation.
`Without the fight for self-determination led by the people of Karabagh,
theses historically Armenian territories would no longer house Armenians,
as is
the case today in the region of Nakhitchevan or throughout the areas of
Eastern
Turkey,’ Leylekian added.
On Tuesday, parliamentarians will also vote on a resolution drafted by
Sweden’s Mats Einarsson (United Left), which calls for the `establishment of a
European remembrance center for victims of forced population movements and
ethnic cleansing.’ In its current form, the resolution cites several examples
of genocides perpetrated during the twentieth century, including the Holocaust
organized by the Nazis, the forced migrations directed by Stalin, and the
genocide of the Ukrainians. It, however, deliberately omits mention of the
Armenian genocide.
`How can we grant credibility to an institution which supports such a biased
lecture of history?’ questioned Leylekian. `By taking cues from Turkey, the
Council of Europe is making itself party to a second symbolic murder of the
Armenians of Anatolia and Western Armenia. Such a move, taken by an
institution
which claims to serve as the guardian of human rights in Europe, is simply
pathetic.’
The European Armenian Federation has called upon European citizens and
organizations to intervene in the matter, by urging their PACE representatives
to vote against the two resolutions. A complete list of PACE parliamentarians
is available online at

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ARMENIAN MP SAYS USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAN “UNACCEPTABLE”

Arminfo
19 Jan 05

YEREVAN

Armenia believes that any use of force against neighbouring Iran is
unacceptable and might have dangerous repercussions, the head of the
Foreign Relations Commission of the Armenian National Assembly and a
representative of the supreme body of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation – Dashnaktsutyun, Armen Rustamyan, told an Arminfo
correspondent today when commenting on the US president’s statement
about the possibility of using military force against Iran if the
latter continues developing its nuclear programme.

“Iran is Armenia’s closest neighbour and strategic partner. Not very
long ago when Armenia was facing difficult times, it was the friendly
relations with Iran that helped the republic overcome the blockade and
economic recession. And it is quite natural that any use of force
against Iran runs counter to the interests of Armenia,” Armen
Rustamyan said.

The head of the commission stressed that the military action in Iraq,
which the United States carried out without the consent of the UN
Security Council, should give Washington food for thought. He said
decisions on the use of military force against any country without the
consent of the UN Security Council threaten with dangerous and
unpredictable consequences, which was the case in Iraq.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA CRITICIZES STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT DESCRIBING THE
NAGORNO KARABAGH REPUBLIC AS “CRIMINAL SECESSIONISTS”

— Incendiary Remarks by Assistant Secretary of
State Jones Undermine the Karabagh Peace Process

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today condemned highly incendiary statements by U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones referring to Nagorno Karabagh’s
leaders as “criminal secessionists” and calling for their removal
from power. The statement came as part of a January 13th digital
video-conference with journalists in U.S. Embassies in Moscow, Rome
and Bratislava.

“Assistant Secretary Jones’s comments seriously weaken the
foundation of our role – as Americans – as impartial mediators of
the Nagorno Karabagh conflict,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
“Her remarks unfairly attack the right of the people of Nagorno
Karabagh to express themselves democratically through elections.
They also prejudice the outcome of the OSCE negotiations,
materially compromising the search for peace, and – very
significantly – embolden the growing chorus in the Azerbaijan
government that are calling for renewed aggression against Nagorno
Karabagh.”

“The Armenian American community is shocked and outraged at
Assistant Secretary Jones’ remarks. We condemn her statements as
counter to the long-standing U.S. policy of helping the parties
reach a negotiated settlement, and call on the Administration to
begin repairing this damage by immediately and clearly renouncing
these patently unfair and demonstrably inaccurate remarks,” said
Hachikian.

During the video conference, Jones, in discussing U.S. bi-lateral
relations with Russia, called for increased engagement in resolving
regional conflicts in the former Soviet Union, stating:

“It is in Russia’s interest for these areas, for Transnistria,
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh, for these areas to be
stable, for corruption to end there, for the criminal secessionists
who rule there to be removed. It is not appropriate for this kind
of instability and criminality to exist right in the middle of
Europe.”

When asked to clarify her reference to “criminal secessionists” in
the region, Jones stated:

“What about the areas that are right around Russia’s borders where
there are, as I said, secessionists who are criminals that seem to us
to undercut Russia’s security by allowing and not really addressing
in a concrete way the fact that there are secessionist, two
secessionist areas remaining in Georgia and one in Moldova. There
are still outstanding questions with Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia can
play a very positive leadership role in addressing these questions.
It cannot be in Russia’s interest to allow this kind of criminal
activity to take place so close to its borders. This is where there
can be a breeding ground for terrorists. That is not in Russia’s
interests. It is not in Russia’s interest, or in the interests of
the United States or Europe for these areas to be free for weapons
transportation, for narcotics transportation and trafficking. It
cannot be in Russia’s interests.”

The complete transcript from the video conference may be obtained
on the U.S. Embassy-Moscow, Russia website:

The Union Leader, NH
Jan 13 2005

Judge allows sale of Nashua church
By SCOTT BROOKS
Union Leader Correspondent

NASHUA – A superior court judge tossed out a lawsuit that threatened
to block the proposed sale of the St. Francis Xavier Church.

In a decision released yesterday, Judge William Groff said the First
Amendment barred him from considering the suit, which was filed by a
group of former parishioners who hoped to preserve the 120-year-old
building as a Roman Catholic church. Bishop John McCormack closed the
church in March 2003 and has signed a purchase and sale agreement
that stands to convert the building into an Armenian Orthodox church.

“In order to resolve this claim, the court would clearly be required
to become entangled in church doctrine or ecclesiastical law, over
which the secular law has no authority,” Groff wrote. “In such a
case, this court must give deference to the bishop’s determination.”

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH

The judge’s decision clears the way for the diocese to complete its
deal with Vatche Manoukian, a Hollis developer who plans to donate
the building to the Armenian Orthodox Church. The deal hinges on
whether the Armenian church leaders accept Manoukian’s gift.

“As far as we know, all indications are that the leadership of the
church will authorize the acceptance of the title, and we hope that
will be completed within the next few weeks,” said Ovide Lamontagne,
the diocese’s attorney.

Lamontagne said the decision should bring stability to the St.
Aloysius of Gonzaga parish, which absorbed the former St. Francis
Xavier parishioners when that church closed. The diocese has said it
will donate all money from the sale of St. Francis Xavier to the
consolidated parish, in accordance with deed restrictions.

Last month, a Hillsborough County Probate Court judge ruled that the
proposed sale was consistent with the conditions in the 1885 deed,
which requires that the building forever be used only for religious
purposes.

In his decision, Groff wrote that the former parishioners, known as
the St. Francis Xavier Foundation, failed to present a sufficient
claim for declaratory relief. There is no evidence, he wrote, that
the bishop “intends to use the proceeds of the sale for any purpose
other than for the benefit of the unified parish.”

Randy Wilbert, the attorney representing the former parishioners,
said Groff’s ruling was understandable, although certainly
disappointing. Mostly, though, he said he is disappointed in the
diocese for taking away their church.

“The diocese has made its faithful do something no one wanted to do,
basically take action to try and preserve a church, a community, that
the diocese should have been preserving in the first place,” Wilbert
said.

Wilbert said the foundation has not yet decided whether it will
contest the ruling. It is still possible for him to ask the court to
reconsider or to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

“Emotionally, do you want to take people through this some more? It
takes its toll on the faithful,” he said. “Some may say, ‘Enough is
enough.’ Others may say, ‘Let’s take it on further.’ I don’t know
yet.”

Lamontagne said the ruling should make it clear that the bishop is
ultimately responsible for all decisions involving the creation or
closing of a Catholic church.

“What is important for the faithful to understand is that as painful
as it is to lose a parish through merger or unification, and
therefore to lose a building, the church’s mission does not involve
historic preservation or urban renewal,” Lamontagne said. “It’s about
supporting the spiritual life of the people and to meet their needs
as best as possible, and sometimes at the expense of buildings or
places that no longer serve the needs of the church at any particular
time.”

AZERI OFFICIAL SAYS ARMENIAN PULL-OUT FROM SEVEN DISTRICTS ON AGENDA

Turan news agency
13 Jan 05

BAKU

Armenia has acquired an interest in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict and this gives us hope that the negotiations will produce
some results, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told a
news conference in Baku today when commenting on the results of the 11
November meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in
Prague.

Azimov said the negotiations were “objective”, however, there are
“very many” differences and the situation remains “difficult”.

Pointing to Armenia’s growing interest in resolving the conflict,
Azimov said he was cautiously optimistic that the negotiations would
produce concrete results. The Armenian side wants to resolve the
conflict. Armenia has to take a more active part in NATO programmes,
the European Union is getting ever nearer, international public
opinion is changing in favour of Azerbaijan and one of the examples of
that is the report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) rapporteur on Karabakh, David Atkinson.

(Passage omitted: Reported details)

Azimov described as “speculation” the reports that Armenia’s pullout
from three of Azerbaijani districts was discussed in the
negotiations. He said that as part of “the Prague process” the sides
were discussing the liberation of all seven districts outside Nagornyy
Karabakh in the first stage.

At the same time, Azimov said that in 1998, Azerbaijan had suggested
that five districts be vacated in the first stage in the name of the
TRACECA project. In the spring and summer of 2002, Azerbaijan raised
this issue again. In both cases, the European Union supported the
idea, but it was rejected by the Armenians.

Azimov also dismissed the Armenian side’s speculation about a Key West
agreement. He said the sides had signed only one written document so
far – a joint statement by (former Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents) Heydar Aliyev and Levon Ter-Petrosyan in Strasbourg on 10
October 1997. The sides were close to reaching an agreement in 1999 as
well, but the Armenian side rejected it, Azimov said.

The Messenger, Georgia
Jan 10 2005

Russia’s transport minister visits Georgia

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin was in Georgia on January 9
to mark the opening of ferry transport between the ports of Poti in
Georgia and Kavkaz in Russia.
The Russian minister also held negotiations with the Georgian side
concerning the opening of a Georgia-Russia railway line through
Abkhazia. Representatives from Azerbaijan and Armenia also attended
the meeting.
According to Minister of Economy Aleksi Aleksishvili, “a special
consortium will be created between the Georgian, Azerbaijani,
Armenian and Russian railway departments to rehabilitate the line,
after which it will be possible to restore railway movement.”

RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 9 2005

RUSSIA, GEORGIA TO BE LINKED BY FERRY CROSSING

TBILISI, January 9 (RIA Novosti) – In the framework of Russian
Transport Minister Igor Levitin’s two-day visit to Georgia, an
agreement on railway ferry communication between the Georgian port
Poti and Russian port Kavkaz (on the eastern coast of the Kerch
Strait) will be signed.

RIA Novosti was told in Georgia’s State Chancellery that a railway
train made up of 24 cars would move between the two countries’ ports
with the help of the ferry crossing every three days.

On January 10, Poti will see a symbolic ceremony of opening the ferry
communication. Before the end of the current month, experts are
supposed to coordinate the financial details of the agreement, after
which it will be implemented in practice.

Besides, at Levitin’s meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Zhvania, the sides will discuss technical details of creating a
consortium between the Russian Federation, Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia on restoration of a railway on the territory of the
unrecognized republic of Abkhazia. The consortium, to comprise
transport officials of the four states, will have to undertake
financial commitments to carry out repairs of railroads.

Earlier, Poti mayor Vakhtang Alaniya said the existing technical
difficulties had been eliminated. “Earlier, all Armenian cargoes
[Armenia has no outlet to the sea] went through the Ukrainian port
Ilyichevsk [south of Odessa] and further to Poti. So, when the
Kavkaz-Poti ferry crossing is commissioned, the transport component
will be reduced both in terms of time and financially. On the
average, transport expenditures will reduce by 25%,” said Alaniya,
adding that cargoes would be delivered to Armenia by railway from
Poti.