Author: Emil Lazarian

Los Angeles Times
May 14, 2004 Friday
Home Edition

MOVIE REVIEW;
Deeply personal in Glendale

by Kevin Thomas, Times Staff Writer

Vahe Babaian’s “After Freedom” (Monday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 2
p.m.) is a “Mean Streets” set in the prosperous boulevards of
Glendale, which has become home to a large Armenian community.
Michael Abcarian (Mic Tomasi) is the conflicted central figure in
this taut, well-wrought drama set in a tradition-minded ethnic
community in which loyalties can be as negative as they are positive.
At 30ish, he feels increasingly obligated to care for his widowed
father, Leon (Greg Satamian), who years ago gave up a good job with
British Airways in Soviet Armenia so his children could grow up in a
free country.

Unfortunately, Leon has managed only to go from one menial job to
another, and Michael is getting nowhere as an assistant supermarket
manager because one of his pals, Mato (Ioannis Bogris), keeps
pilfering. Worse, Michael and Mato are in the thrall of Avo (Shant
Benjamin), a cynically manipulative older guy whose criminal impulses
are escalating.

Shot in a beautifully modulated black and white by Gary Meek, “After
Freedom” is a deeply personal film that is also a mature, assured
work rich in telling details and shot through with humor to offset
its serious concerns. Tomasi’s Michael is a handsome, personable man
in a longtime relationship with Sophie Chahinian’s lovely, confident
Ana. But his deep bonding with his pals and above all his overweening
sense of responsibility to his uncomplaining and kindly father could
cost him Ana, who recognizes his need to grow up and become
independent.

The give and take between all the people in this film is essentially
well-meaning, and Babaian has clear affection for everyone, even the
hot-headed Avo, who only wants to help his pals get ahead even if it
means increasingly involving them in shady deals. As Avo, a man who
has missed his big chance and knows it, Benjamin energizes the entire
film, which is especially crucial because Michael’s predicament,
although made sympathetic by Tomasi, is his passivity.

Visually, “After Freedom” offers an unexpectedly lyrical view of
Glendale, and Babaian creates a sense of an ethnic community and its
tensions between tradition and change without making it seem exotic.
Indeed, “After Freedom” is an inviting film in which any audience
would be likely to recognize itself.

*

‘After Freedom’

MPAA rating: Unrated

Times guidelines: Adult themes, some violence, language, sensuality
and brief nudity

Mic Tomasi…Michael Abcarian

Sophie Chahinian…Ana

Greg Satamian…Leon Abcarian

Shant Benjamin…Avo

Ioannis Bogris…Mato

A Vitagraph Films release of an After Freedom, L. P. presentation.
Writer-director Vahe Babaian. Producers Eric Sherman, Babaian.
Executive producers Sophie Chahinian, Berj Benjamin, Ken Craig.
Cinematographer Gary Meek. Editors Howard Heard, Tom Ohanian. Music
Alan Derian. Art director Amanda Rounsaville. Costumes Elaine
Montalvo. Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Exclusively at the Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd,. Beverly Hills,
(310) 274-6869; and the Glendale Cinemas, 501 N. Orange St.,
Glendale, (818) 549-9950.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia and Iran agree to build US$220 million gas pipeline

Associated Press Worldstream
May 13, 2004 Thursday

YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia and Iran on Thursday signed an agreement
to build a $220 pipeline that would bring Iranian gas to Armenia in
exchange for electrical power supplies to Iran.

The pipeline, expected to be launched by 2007, will cost Iran up to
US$120 million and Armenia around US$100 million.

The long-awaited signing of the agreement comes after 12 years of
negotiations between the two neighbors.

The project had met resistance on the part of Russia and the United
States. As the world’s leading gas exporter, Russia wanted to preserve
its influence in the region. The United States was uncomfortable with
Armenia’s contacts with Iran.

The building of the Iranian side of the pipeline will by financed by
the country’s national gas company, while companies have yet to bid
for the construction of the Armenian side.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey should get rid of the Genocide burden

Yerkir
12.05.2004 14:32

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Speaking at a roundtable discussion Wednesday in
Yerevan, European Parliament member Per Garton said Turkey should
admit the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

“Turkey should get rid of that burden. The European Union has
reinstated this year its decision recognizing the Genocide and calling
on Turkey to do so too,” Garton said at the discussion titled “Wider
Europe. New Neighborhood.”

It makes no sense for Turkey to deny the Genocide, according to
Garton, since immediately after the Genocide was perpetrated, the
Istanbul courts sentences to death the Turkish officials accountable
for it. Where would Germany be now hadn’t it admitted the Holocaust
against the Jews, the European diplomat asked?

Meanwhile, he mentioned he supported Turkey’s accession to the EU,
saying it would contribute to settling regional issues, including
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Albany
7 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Antranig Karageozian
[email protected]

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

TROY, NY–On April 23, over 100 individuals from around upstate New
York gathered at Troy City Hall to commemorate the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Albany. Among the
dignitaries who participated in the remembrance were Congressman
Michael McNulty (D-NY), Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and Watervliet
Mayor Robert Carlson.

During the commemoration, Congressman McNulty spoke about the
devastating impact of the Armenian Genocide, which is still felt by
Armenians worldwide–89 years after the fact–and commended Armenian
Americans for being able to establish prosperous communities across the
US. The Congressman, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, also touched upon his record of support on issues of concern
to Armenian Americans, noting that he is a current cosponsor of the
House Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). Congressman McNulty closed his
remarks by informing the gathering that he would continue to support
Armenian Genocide recognition efforts.

Mayor Harry Tutunjian, the first-term mayor of the City of Troy,
described the recent progress on the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide–the recognition of this great crime against
humanity by the Canadian Parliament, Switzerland, New York Times,
and several states across the United States. He continued by stating
that Armenians are a proud people who work hard and do not give up.
The Mayor further remarked that Armenians are looking for a better
future but refuse to forget the past.

Following Mayor Tutunjian, Watervliet Mayor Robert Carlson presented
a proclamation recalling the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during
the first genocide of the 20th Century.

Community leaders also spoke during the ceremony at Troy City Hall.
Among those speaking were: Co-Chairman of the ANC of Albany Antranig
Karageozian, Chairman of the Albany Homenetmen Leo Ohanian, and
Chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Shoushi” Albany
Chapter Aramig Barkamian. Following the commemoration, the Albany
Homenetmen Chapter hosted a memorial dinner. During the dinner,
Raffi Mahserdjian of the ANC of Albany presented a slide show on the
Armenian Genocide.

The ANC Albany also hosted several other events, including a movie
night on April 24. Apo Torosyan’s “Discovering My Fathers Village”
and J. Michael Hagopian’s “Germany and the Secret Genocide,” were
shown at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. Over 75 community
members attended the screening. Following the movies, Stepan and His
Band performed a concert of revolutionary songs.

On April 25, after the annual Requiem Service, in memory of the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, at Holy Cross,
the Albany AYF held a memoriam where each AYF member read brief
descriptions of specific events, which occurred during 1915 and 1923.

Finally, on April 26, Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), several State
Assembly members, and the Armenian American community of upstate New
York attended a rally at the State Capitol building steps.

“Unfortunately, and sadly, the Armenian Genocide was a precursor to
some of the worst horrific treatments of human beings in mankind’s
history: the Holocaust, Cambodia, and Rwanda are all the unwanted
stepchildren of the Turkish massacre of the Armenians” stated
Congressman Sweeney, one of two Congressional Members who is of
Armenian descent.

A member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Congressman
Sweeney has and continues to support numerous Armenian American
concerns. A cosponsor of H.Res.193, he most recently cosigned a
Congressional letter urging President George W. Bush to keep his
campaign pledge to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as
“genocide” in his annual April 24 statement.

Closing the rally was Assemblymember Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany)
who presented the Armenian American community with a resolution,
passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly, in recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.

“All our events could not have been successful if it wasn’t for the
support of the community,” said ANC of Albany Co-Chairman Antranig
Karageozian. “Although we are a small community, we remain active. All
the Armenian American organizations work well together which makes
us a strong
community.”

“We thank Congressmen Michael McNulty and John Sweeney, Mayor Tutunjian
and Carlson, along with all the State Assembly members, who took the
time out of their busy schedules and attended the various commemoration
events. We also thank these officials for their continued support of
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” continued Karageozian.

“As Mayor Tutunjian commented, we look towards the future but we
do not forget the past. Hitler once said ‘Who now remembers the
Armenians?’ Each year, the community in upstate New York can answer
him unequivocally that we do and we will not forget,” concluded ANC
of Albany Co-Chairman Leo Ohanian.

The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY PRAISES ACTIVIST FOR ROLE IN
“KANSAS-ARMENIA PARTNERSHIP DAY” PROCLAMATION

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly this week praised Kansas
Armenian activist Alex Kotoyantz for his single-handed efforts and
role in securing a proclamation designating June 18 as “Kansas-Armenia
Partnership Day.”

“It is often true that a handful of dedicated people can be more
effective than a large group which remains passive. In the case of
Kansas, where no more than a few hundred Armenians live, the efforts
of one man, Alex Kotoyantz, made a profound difference and we thank
him for his hard work and determination,” Assembly Executive Director
Ross Vartian said.

Kotoyantz, a retired geologist and engineer who worked for the Kansas
Department of Transportation for 39 years, is an Armenian immigrant
from Iraq – the country he left 54 years ago to settle in the United
States.

Kotoyantz worked closely with Assembly activists and Minnesota
State Chair Lou Ann Matossian and several Assembly staff members in
Washington to secure the “Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day” proclamation
recognizing the importance of the recently-forged relationship between
the Kansas National Guard and Armenia within the framework of the
State’s Partnership Program.

His efforts paid off, and on April 27, Kansas State Governor Kathleen
Sebelius issued a special proclamation which said in part:

“Whereas, Kansas is proud to partner with Armenia in
military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian
contacts and development, and

“Whereas, the Kansas National Guard hopes that this endeavor will
foster goodwill between Kansas and Armenia and achieve a secure,
prosperous and dignified future for the citizens of Armenia, and

“Whereas, Kansas is grateful for the contribution of Armenian Americans
who have chosen Kansas as their adopted homeland; they have employed
wisdom, courage, and centuries-old traditions to enrich the character
of our state.

“Now, Therefore, I, Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas,
salute the modern nation of Armenia and Armenians everywhere, and do
hereby proclaim June 18, 2004, as: Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day.”

The governor’s proclamation was signed at a special ceremony which
was held at the Capitol in Topeka, Kansas. Alex Kotoyantz was the
only Armenian present at the ceremony which was attended by state
legislators and ranking Kansas National Guard officers.

In a statement, Kansas National Guard’s Adjutant General Maj. Gen. (KS)
Tod M. Bunting hailed the event and said:

“The National Guard is a shining example for the rest of the world of
how military and civilian authorities work together to protect citizens
at home and help preserve peace around the world. This partnership
with Armenia is a great opportunity for the Kansas National Guard not
only to be teachers – sharing the skills and knowledge we have – but
to be students, as well, as we learn more about Armenia, its people
and its rich cultural heritage.”

“It was a very happy and emotional moment for me,” Kotoyantz said
after witnessing the proclamation signing ceremony.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization

NR#2004-053

CAPTION: L to R: Barbara Craft (Rep. 65th District), Randy Mettner
(Special Assistant to Lt. Governor), Senator Lana Oleen (Majority
Leader of the Senate), Ron Thornburgh (Secretary of State), Alex
Kotoyantz, Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Adj. Gen. Todd Bunting (Kansas
National Guard), Lt. Col. Joe Knowles (Coordinator, State Partnership
with Armenia), Col. Joe Wheeler, Maj. Kim Smith, Lt. Col. Charles
Brown.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/13/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Opposition No-show for Negotiations
2) Karabagh on Rice’s Moscow Agenda
3) Ambassadors Ordway, Dryukov Meet with ARF
4) Armenia and Iran Seal Pipeline Deal

1) Opposition No-show for Negotiations

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Scheduled dialogue between Armenia’s ruling coalition
representatives and the opposition was halted, when the opposition was a
no-show for negotiations that were to take place Thursday.
The opposition canceled the planned crisis talks with the governing
coalition,
saying that President Robert Kocharian has not stopped the month-long
crackdown
on his opponents.
Opposition representatives were scheduled to meet on Thursday with leaders of
the three ruling coalition parties. The meeting was supposed to be the first
official “negotiation” between the two sides that have held a series of
unofficial consultations over the past week.
According to Artarutyun’s Victor Dallakian, the opposition will resume the
contacts only after the authorities take “practical steps” stemming from the
resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE). “We have nothing to discuss with the coalition now,” he said.
Parliament majority leaders said the decision to pull out of the talks was
not
immediately communicated to them as they waited for opposition representatives
inside the parliament building in the evening.
The boycott followed Artarutyun’s and the National Unity Party’s (AMK)
decision to resume their joint rallies in Yerevan on Friday. The opposition
says it is only prepared to discuss with the authorities ways of ensuring
Kocharian’s resignation “without upheavals,” suggesting in particular a
referendum of confidence in the Armenian leader.
The international community has strongly encouraged both sides to try to
bridge their differences through negotiations, with the PACE resolution
calling
for a “dialogue without preconditions.” The head of the Yerevan office of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Vladimir Pryakhin, echoed
the calls on Wednesday.
“I encourage both sides to engage in a meaningful and genuine dialogue in
order to resolve, within the constitutional framework, the continuing
difficulties,” Pryakhin said in a statement.
Pryakhin also urged the Armenian authorities to “review the cases” of all
those detained during recent opposition demonstrations and end the
controversial “administrative detentions” repeatedly condemned by the Council
of Europe and other human rights organizations. “This practice is incompatible
with European human rights standards,” the Russian diplomat said.

2) Karabagh on Rice’s Moscow Agenda

MOSCOW (Armenpress/Itar-Tass)–US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice
told Russian newspaper Itar-Tass on Wednesday that she will discuss possible
resolutions to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict while in Moscow May 14-16.
“Along with Russia, we are trying to settle a range of conflict situations. I
think we are disappointed to some degree that we have not succeeded in the
case
of Karabagh,” Rice said.
She said that the issue has become “too protracted,” and has had a negative
political and economic impact on both Armenia and Azerbaijan. She stressed
that
the two governments must resume seeking a settlement with a “serious
attitude.”
Rice is expected to focus on the situation in Iraq during her talks with
Russian officials. “Whatever differences the two countries might have had in
the past, now the accomplishment of success in Iraq is of key importance;
stable, democratic, and prosperous Iraq meets bilateral interests,” Rice told
journalists.
Rice was last in Moscow in April 2003 to discuss bilateral relations in
connection with the US military campaign in Iraq.
The upcoming talks will also focus on the common fight against international
terrorism, as well as bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

3) Ambassadors Ordway, Dryukov Meet with ARF

YEREVAN (Yerkir/A1Plus)–US Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway met with the
leadership of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Armenia on Thursday
to review the political situation of the country and ways to remedy the
situation. The ARF also met with the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly
Dryukov on the same day.
The ARF emphasized that dialogue is key to reaching a political agreement,
and
that the authorities and the opposition must meet each other halfway to
jointly
tackle critical issues vital to the welfare of the people.
They agreed that destabilization of the situation in Armenia jeopardizes not
only the development of the republic, but also in the entire region.
Discussions were along the same lines between Ambassador Druykov and ARF
Armenia Supreme Body representative Armen Rustamian, who said that the ARF and
the other coalition partners are determined to resolve current tensions
through
dialogue with the opposition.
Druykov praised the push for dialogue, pointing to Armenia’s stability as key
to that of the region.
Armenian-Russian relations were also discussed.

4) Armenia and Iran Seal Pipeline Deal

YEREVAN (Armenpress/RBC/RFE/RL)–After more than a decade of negotiations, the
Armenian and Iranian governments took the final step and signed an
agreement on
Thursday to begin construction of a pipeline which will be operational before
January 1, 2007, and will continue to operate for at least 20 years.
“Negotiations on this agreement have lasted for about 12 years and it has
become a reality today,” Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said at the
signing ceremony, attended by Iran’s visiting Oil and Gas Minister Bijan
Zanganeh.
The Armenia-Iran intergovernmental agreement covering the route of the 141
kilometer pipeline was signed in 1995.
The construction of the Armenian part of the pipeline linking the city of
Meghri with Yerevan at a length of 100 kilometers is estimated at $96-100
million.
The Iranian portion of the pipeline will be 41 kilometers, and is
estimated to
cost $120 million.
Each of the two countries is responsible for constructing its part of the
pipeline.
According to Movsisian, Iran has agreed to deliver no less than 1.1billion
cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia, which will pay for gas with electric
energy supplies.
The minister declined to comment on possible sources of financing the
construction. His Iranian counterpart Zanganeh declined to name the agreed
price of gas supplies. He stressed that under the 20 year agreement, Iran
is to
deliver 36 billion cubic meters of gas to Armenia.
Some estimate that the cost of gas supplies agreed to is $84 per 1,000 cubic
meters.
The Iranian minister said that the Iranian part of the pipeline will be
constructed by the National Gas Export Company. Movisian only said that
construction of Armenia’s portion would be financed by Armenians, and that
proposals put forth by Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and the US would be
considered.
Zanganeh arrived in Yerevan and met with President Robert Kocharian
earlier in
the day. A statement by the presidential press service said the gas project
will double the volume of Armenian-Iranian trade, which stood at $90 million
last year.
Armenian leaders say the pipeline will be of strategic importance for their
country as it will provide it with an alternative source of natural gas, which
is used for meeting approximately 40 percent of its energy needs. Russia has
been Armenia’s sole supplier of the vital fuel since the mid-1990s and was,
until recently, uneasy about having a major competitor in the Armenian energy
sector 80 percent of which is controlled by Russian firms. “We regard this
project as a serious question for Armenian energy security,” the President
Kocharian stressed.
Armenia imported about 1.2 billion cubic meters of Russian gas last year
through a single pipeline running through Georgia, which is reportedly in poor
condition and needs urgent repairs. The agreement commits it to buying almost
as much Iranian gas in 2007. The annual volume of Iranian deliveries is due to
jump to 2.3 billion cubic meters in the future, raising the question of
whether
there will be that much demand for the fuel inside Armenia.
Armenian and Iranian officials have indicated in the past that Armenia could
serve as a transit route for Iranian gas exports to third countries, notably
Georgia and Ukraine–an option reportedly opposed by Russia. The Ukrainian
government has shown interest in the project ever since its inception, and the
issue was on the agenda of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian’s visit to Kiev
this week. Markarian was reported to call for Ukrainian involvement in the
pipeline’s construction.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

Kurt Chesko
HALO USA
850 Seventh Avenue #506
New York, NY 10002
T: 212-581-0099
F: 212-581-2029
Email: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HALO Trust to Brief Los Angeles Community on Landmine Problem in
Karabakh

Kurt Chesko, Program Officer for the HALO Trust, will speak about his
recent visit to Nagorno Karabakh and discuss the impact that landmines
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have on the Armenian population. He
will share photographs and give a mine clearance demonstration. All
are welcome to attend.

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance
organization and operates a 200-person program in Karabakh, one of the
most mine-affectied regions in the world. HALO’s dedicated Karabakhi
staff have destroyed 2,300 antipersonnel landmines, 1,000 antitank
mine and over 26,000 items of UXO since 2000. HALO also provides mine
risk education to the goverment authorities and residents of Karabakh.

This briefing will occur at 10:30 AM on Saturday, 15th at The Glendale
Public Library’s Central Auditorium (222 East Harvard Street, Glendale,
CA 91205). We hope to see you there.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
pour la Justice et la Démocratie
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B–1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
13 mai 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27

ELECTIONS EUROPEENNES: LES TETES DE LISTES S’EXPRIMENT DEVANT LA COMMUNAUTE
ARMENIENNE

Lyon, France – Dimanche 9 Mai 2004, lors d’un meeting organisé à l’occasion
de la Journée de l’Europe à la Bourse du Travail de Lyon par le Comité de
Défense de la Cause Arménienne (CDCA) et la F.R.A Tachnagtsoutioun, les
têtes de listes de la circonscription du Sud-Est de la France pour les
Européennes ont eu l’occasion de s’exprimer sur l’entrée de la Turquie en
Europe: étaient présents Thierry Cornillet (UDF), Gérard Benhamias (Verts),
Patrick Louis (UPF). Le débat était animé par Frédéric Bourgade, journaliste
à France Inter, avec la participation de Franck Bianchieri du Think Tank
Europe 2002 et Hilda Tchoboian, de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne.
Absents en raison du lancement de la campagne électorale de leur parti,
Françoise Grossetête (UMP) et Michel Rocard (PS) se sont exprimés par des
interviews filmées.
Franck Bianchieri a témoigné de la préoccupation et de l’opposition
grandissantes à l’adhésion de la Turquie, constatée lors des débats qu’il a
animés dans 100 villes européennes.

Devant un auditoire attentif de plus de mille personnes, Thierry Cornillet
et Patrick Louis ont exposé leur opposition formelle à l’adhésion turque,
pour des raisons géographiques, culturelles et démographiques, promettant de
poursuivre cette politique lorsqu’ils seraient élus au Parlement européen.
De même, Françoise Grossetête, dont le parti a fait un revirement
spectaculaire depuis peu sur la question, a préconisé un statut de
partenariat privilégié pour la Turquie. A gauche, Gérard Benhamias, du parti
des Verts, a rappelé qu’il fallait intégrer la Turquie rapidement, et faire
confiance aux démocrates turcs pour l’amélioration de la situation des
Droits de l’Homme, ainsi que la reconnaissance du génocide qui serait le
résultat de la démocratisation du pays.
Pour sa part, Michel Rocard, a souligné l’importance stratégique de l’
adhésion turque, en raison des liens ethniques et culturels de la Turquie
avec les pays turcophones d’Asie Centrale dont les réserves pétrolières ne
sauraient laisser l’Europe indifférente ; selon lui, la reconnaissance du
génocide des Arméniens viendrait naturellement lorsque la Turquie se
sentirait « ridicule» pour son négationnisme.

Hilda Tchoboian a rappelé que c’est à l’occasion de l’examen de la
candidature de la Turquie que le Parlement européen a commencé depuis 2000 à
considérer, sous l’impulsion de la Fédération Euro–Arménienne, les questions
du génocide et du blocus. Rappelant les rapports Morillon et Lamassoure,
elle a dénoncé les incohérences entre les déclarations des partis opposés
à l’adhésion turque et leur refus de dire la vérité à la Turquie dans les
rapports annuels du Parlement Européen.
Pour les positions de la Gauche, Hilda Tchoboian a démenti l’exemplarité de
l’adhésion de la Turquie pour le monde musulman, en raison des relations
conflictuelles qui régissent le rapport de ce pays avec ses voisins arabes.
Elle a également dénoncé l’argument de la laïcité, fondée en Turquie non sur
la pluralité, et la séparation de la religion et de l’état, mais sur la
protection par l’état turc de la religion musulmane devenue majoritaire
après l’extermination des citoyens non musulmans.

« Si elle n’impose pas ses valeurs à la Turquie comme condition préalable à
son adhésion, l’Europe sera forcément amenée à intégrer les valeurs
négationnistes de la Turquie, et donner libre cours aux négationnismes des
autres génocides » a affirmé la Présidente de la Fédération Euro–Arménienne.
Elle a souligné qu’au delà d’une reconnaissance formelle, l’Europe doit
rendre possible les réparations du génocide, permettant notamment à la
Turquie de donner à l’Arménie et au peuple arménien les garanties de sa
sécurité.
« La Turquie doit promettre de renoncer à sa politique agressive vis à vis
de l’Arménie ; cette politique n’est pas le fait d’un régime, mais découle d
‘une doctrine d’état qui se poursuit aussi bien sous les régimes militaires
ou civiles, que sous celui des Islamistes » a conclu Hilda Tchoboian.

Avant un concert du groupe Bratch, en faisant la synthèse du débat, Georges
Kepenekian a déclaré que les Arméniens resteraient vigilants, et ne
donneraient pas de carte blanche aux partis dont les actions futures
resteront au centre de l’attention des citoyens européens.

#####

Armenian president, Iranian oil minister discuss Iran-Armenia gas pipeline

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
13 May 04

The main agreement of the construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
will be signed in Yerevan today. A delegation headed by Iranian
Minister of Oil and Gas Bijan Namdar Zanganeh is in Armenian for
this occasion.

During the meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan Bijan
Zanganeh noted that the agreement which will be signed today, is
a result of both sides’ constructive work. The interlocutors noted
the high level of Armenian and Iranian political relations. Noting
that enhancement of the two countries’ cooperation has a favourable
influence on regional developments.

Robert Kocharyan said that the energy industry is a kind of engine
of Armenian-Iranian relations. The Armenian president said that
deepening of cooperation in the energy is of big importance and
Armenia is interested in the successful implementation of the project.

The sides stressed that Armenia-Iran gas pipeline’s construction will
double the volume of bilateral economic relations and will has major
importance for the development and deepening of both Armenian-Iranian
and regional cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri, Armenian talks in Strasbourg yield no result – paper

Ekspress, Baku
13 May 04

The meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers held on
the sidelines of a Council of Europe session in Strasbourg on 12 May
yielded no results, the Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress has said. The
newspaper quoted the Russian mediator in the talks, Yuriy Merzlyakov,
as saying that the stage-by-stage settlement, which was allegedly to be
discussed at the meeting, was a failure. At the same time, the Armenian
president’s special envoy said that the goal of the meeting was to
update the parties on their positions on the Karabakh settlement. In
accordance with this settlement plan, Armenia is to return the seven
occupied districts around Nagornyy Karabakh in exchange for the
reopening of the railway link with Azerbaijan. The following is an
excerpt from Alakbar Raufoglu report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress
on 13 May headlined “The Strasbourg meeting yields no results. Yerevan
rejects the ‘option to liberate the seven districts'”:

The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan, held a meeting in Strasbourg yesterday. The meeting
took place on the sidelines of the 114th session of the committee of
the foreign ministers of the Council of Europe member states. Apart
from the ministers, the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as
the special representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
for the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, Araz Azimov and
Tatul Markaryan, participated in the talks. This was the second meeting
of the new Azerbaijani foreign minister with his Armenian counterpart.

The talks that started at 1700 Baku time [1200 gmt] ended at 2030
[1530 gmt]. After expanded three-hour discussions, the ministers
held tete-a-tete talks. After the talks, the foreign ministers left
without making any statement for the media.

“We managed to hold quite an open and successful meeting,” Russian
co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov told Ekspress after the meeting. But
since the talks were “strictly confidential”, it was decided not to
provide information about the ministers’ dialogue.

The discussions were aimed mainly at “familiarization with ideas”,
and the mediators informed the parties about new proposals. “The
participants in the meeting were also made aware of the Azerbaijani
option on seven districts [Armenia returns the seven occupied districts
around Nagornyy Karabakh in exchange for the reopening of transport
links between the two countries],” Merzlyakov said. “What was most
important for us was to compare the positions of the conflicting
parties and to search for possibilities to continue the dialogue.”

Although the Russian diplomat said nothing specific about Armenia’s
stance on the return of the seven districts, he admitted that this
option was a failure. “The position on this settlement option was
equivocal from the very beginning, and therefore, I was against
discussing this idea on its own. But no-one listened to us,” said
Merzlyakov regretfully.

During the talks, Mammadyarov once again voiced the Baku government’s
stance on the settlement. “Our position is unchanged: Azerbaijan
will never agree to Nagornyy Karabakh being independent or part
of Armenia. Any new settlement proposal should be based on these
principles,” the minister said.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a joint statement by the two
countries’ foreign ministers yesterday evening. The statement says
that the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and the Armenian
and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Strasbourg “opened an opportunity
to discuss future prospects”.

According to the statement, Armenia and Azerbaijan “stated once again
that they were interested in the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and agreed to continue this useful dialogue”.

The major achievement of the meeting is that the parties agreed to
continue the talks. “We did not focus on specific options, but simply
expressed our views,” the special representative of the Azerbaijani
president for the Karabakh settlement, Araz Azimov, told [the Armenian
news agency] Mediamax after the meeting.

He also commented on the recent calls for war in Azerbaijan and
Armenia. In the official’s opinion, in the current situation, peace
talks “are the best option, and the talks have not run out of their
potential”. Azimov said that the next meeting of the foreign ministers
“will be agreed by the parties, depending on the situation”.

The special representative of the Armenian president, Tatul Markaryan,
also described the talks as “very useful” at a news conference in
Strasbourg yesterday evening. “No new proposals were put forward. The
goal of the meeting between the ministers and the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen was to clarify the parties’ stance, to learn the other
side’s views and to find a common position,” he said.

Asked by French journalists to comment on Azerbaijan’s proposal that
the seven districts be vacated in exchange for the reopening of the
railway link, Markaryan said that Armenia was against this option and
that the Karabakh problem could be resolved only under the “package
settlement” plan. “This is not a conflict just between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, this is also a problem of ensuring the Karabakh people’s
independence and security,” the Armenian diplomat added.

[Passage omitted: Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the Karabakh
cease-fire agreement]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress