Author: Karabekian Emil

ARMENIAN PILOTS ARRESTED IN MALABO NOT GUILTY, DIPLOMAT SAYS

ArmenPress
May 24 2004

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian ambassador to Egypt, Sergey
Manaserian and a senior diplomat from Armenian foreign ministry
traveled on May 10 to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea,
where six Armenian nationals had been in custody since March 9
on charges of being involved in a coup, planned to overthrow this
country’s president.

Armenians were among 20 foreigners, arrested in Equatorial Guinea
and all accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of that
country. They are Ashot Karapetian, captain of the AN-12 crew,
second pilot Samvel Darbinian, aeronautical engineer Ashot Simonian,
navigator Samvel Matchkalyan, flight engineer Razmik Khachatrian
and technician-engineer Suren Muradyan According to the Central
Administrative Board of the Civil Aviation of Armenia, the crew worked
for Tiga Air and were running chartered trade flights inside Central
Africa. But authorities in Equatorial Guinea insist that the flight
crew were part of a planned coup to overthrow President Teodoro
Nguema. The Armenian diplomats spent a week in Equatorial Guinea to
learn what their fate might be and discuss possibilities for their
release with local senior officials.

Ambassador Manaserian told Armenpress that the main goal of the visit
was to learn the conditions in which Armenians are being kept and help
their soon release, “as we have a strong belief that they are not
guilty.” The ambassador said messages from president Kocharian and
Catholicos Karekin II had been conveyed to the country’s president
through foreign minister of that country, asking for the release
of Armenians.

Manaserian said they had been given an opportunity to meet with
all six Armenians to see that their physical condition was normal,
they were given food and medical aid. “We were allowed to talk with
them for two hours in Armenian, therefore they had no restrictions
in transferring information to us. The chief of the crew was even
allowed to have a telephone conversation with Yerevan,” Manaserian
said, adding that the pilots reject all charges.

“Judging from our impressions we have come to believe that they were
not involved in the ascribed crime,” Manaserian said. Armenians will
most likely be tried by an Equatorial Guinean court between June
5-20. Manaserian said he believed they will be set free because of
lack of guilt. He said the Armenian delegation will pay another visit
to Equatorial Guinea before the start of the trial.

“They are among the best pilots of all times in Armenia. They are
professional pilots and honest people,” Manaserian said.

Russia holds selective approach to joint exercises with NATO
By Alexander Konovalov, Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
May 20, 2004 Thursday

YEREVAN, May 20 — Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on
Thursday after meeting his Armenian opposite number Serge Sarkisyan
that Russia participates in joint military exercises with NATO if
that meets its national interests.

“As far as the participation of the Russian armed forces in joint
exercises with NATO is concerned, we do it only if we can gain some
practical benefit from it,” the Russian defence minister said.

“We have a selective approach to this issue proceeding from our
national, including military interests. If joint exercises with NATO
are of no use to our troops, we openly tell our partners about it,”
Ivanov explained.

Parliament Vice-Speaker Blasts U.S. For Fresh Criticism
By Ruzanna Khachatrian and Karine Kalantarian 20/05/2004 04:16

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep
May 20 2004

Deputy parliament speaker Tigran Torosian slammed the United States on
Wednesday for its latest critical report on human rights practices
in Armenia, saying that Washington should address its own vote
“falsifications” before questioning the legitimacy of Armenian
elections.

Torosian, who is a leading member of Prime Minister Andranik
Markarian’s Republican Party (HHK), also indicated that the U.S. has no
moral right to teach Armenia lessons of freedom and democracy after the
scandal over mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by the American military.

“It would be interesting to hear the State Department’s opinion about
George Bush’s [November 2000] election, about falsifications committed
and about reasons why the [U.S.] court hearings remained incomplete,”
Torosian told RFE/RL, reacting to the Armenian section of the State
Department on U.S. efforts to protect human rights around the world.

“It would also be interesting to know the State Department’s opinion
about the recent disgraceful actions in Iraq,” he added.

The report in question, released on Monday, reaffirms strong U.S.
criticism of last year’s disputed presidential election in Armenia.
“President Robert Kocharian was re-elected in a controversial vote
that was marred by numerous serious irregularities; as a result,
the election did not meet international standards,” it says.

The report also says that the Armenian authorities’ human rights
record remains “poor,” pointing in particular to continuing reports
of arbitrary arrests. Its findings were defended on Wednesday by U.S.
Ambassador John Ordway who argued that it is based on a Human Watch
Report on Armenia issued last February.

“I would say that it is a very objective review of the situation in
Armenia and reflects both the positive and the negative aspects that
I think most observers and most Armenians would agree are present in
this country,” Ordway told reporters.

Torosian played down the U.S. criticism. “The opinion of international
organizations’ opinion is always much more important than that of
certain state structures,” he said.

The Armenian government’s official reaction was more cautious. “We
take such reports seriously,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamlet
Gasparian told RFE/RL. “Having said that, we do not always agree with
all conclusions.”

“The problems mentioned [in the report] really exist,” the chairman
of the parliament committee on foreign affairs, Armen Rustamian,
said for his part. “The report should once again remind us that we
are not alone in the world and that we are being closely watched.”

Meanwhile, the Armenian opposition, which refuses to recognize
the outcome of the presidential ballot, welcomed the U.S. report
as vindicating its case for regime change. “The State Department,
which represents the official position of the United States, in
effect states that there is a serious problem with the reelection of
Armenia’s president and thereby casts doubt on Kocharian’s legitimacy,”
said Victor Dallakian, a senior member of the Artarutyun alliance.

PRESS RELEASE

May 18, 2004

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

US LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AREA SPECIALIST DR. LEVON AVDOYAN SPEAKS AT AUA

Yerevan – On Tuesday, May 11, 2004, Dr. Levon Avdoyan, an Armenian and
Georgian Area Specialist of the United States Library of Congress’ African
and Middle Eastern Division, visited AUA and discussed the Near East Section
of the Library of Congress and the Armenian portal within their website.

Avdoyan described the Library’s rich depository of materials in over 40
languages about the area known as the Near East, including the countries and
peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The Armenian portal has a
comprehensive collection of materials published in the Republic and the
Diaspora, including manuscripts, books, serials, newspapers, electronic
media, motion pictures, music, etc. and encompasses subjects related to
Armenian life and culture. Avdoyan noted that while there is much material
on the Armenian Genocide, the portal does not use the term Genocide. He
expressed hope that with Armenian-American lobbyist efforts that will soon
change.

AUA Papazian Library staff and other library representatives participated in
the lively exchange. This includes representatives from Armenia’s National
Library, Gladzor University Library, National Assembly Library, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Library, Yerevan City Central Library, National Academy of
Sciences Fundamental Library, US Embassy’s Information Resource Center, and
students from the Yerevan State University’s Library Department.

Satenik Avagian, the AUA Papazian Library Director, thanked Dr. Avdoyan for
his informative presentation. The AUA Papazian Library is a major
participant in the region’s development of Library Sciences, providing
innovative services and utilizing technological advances in the field. It
is currently the only fully automated library in the region and has an open
access policy for most of its collection, serving students and scholars from
other institutions and the community at large. AUA also developed the Alice
Ohanasian Digital Library of Classical Armenian Literature, which makes
original works from the 5th – 18th centuries available online.

—————————————-

The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit

Picture: Dr. Levon Avdoyan with AUA Papazian Library Director, Satenik
Avagian

Sarkissian Deems Azerbaijan’s Offer Unserious

Baku Today

Baku Today 17/05/2004 19:08

Armenian defence minister Serge Sarkissian said his country is still
sticking to all of its three principles on peaceful resolution of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turan reported on Monday, citing Armenia’s
Ayots Ashkhar newspaper.

They principles are; Nagorno-Karabakh in no way can be subordinated to
Baku, it has to have an overland border with Armenia and the region’s
security has to be guaranteed.

Sarkissian also called Azerbaijan’s suggestion to release seven
occupied districts in return for opening of communication lines
unserious one, claiming Baku may break its promise any time.

The defence minister said Armenia is against stage by stage settlement
of the conflict because it could prove to be dangerous for Yerevan.

“The option is dangerous because while the parties can agree in the
first stage, they may not come to an agreement in the second one,”
Sarkissian said.

Azeri leader vows more funding for army in exclave

ANS TV, Baku
14 May 04

[Presenter] Within the framework of his visit to Naxcivan, Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev today attended a ceremony to mark the 80th
anniversary of the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic. We are over to
Naxcivan now. ANS’s special correspondent Qanira Pasayeva is on the
line. Hello, Qanira.

[Correspondent on the phone] Hello, Qanira.

[Presenter] What issues did the president touch on in his speech?

[Correspondent] First, the chairman of the Supreme Majlis [parliament]
of the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic, Vasif Talibov, delivered a
speech. I want to note that this ceremony was attended mainly by the
ambassadors and charges d’affaires of different foreign countries to
Azerbaijan and representatives of international organizations. Talibov
concentrated on Naxcivan’s history and cited as an example the facts
that the Armenians have been trying to distort history and present
this land [Naxcivan] as their own.

[Passage omitted: Ilham Aliyev spoke about Naxcivan’s history]

In his speech, Ilham Aliyev said that Naxcivan was a blockaded
autonomous republic and drew international organizations’ attention
to this issue. He went on to say that the main focus of attention in
Naxcivan would be the build-up of the army and the acceleration of
social and economic progress.

[Passage omitted: New enterprises to open in Naxcivan; other minor
details]

The president touched on the Karabakh conflict again and ruled out any
agreement if Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is not maintained,
the occupied lands are not liberated and the refugees do not return
to their land. He said that the recent stance of international
organizations had encouraged his hope that the problem can be resolved
peacefully. However, he stressed that the build-up of the army would
continue to develop and more funds would be allocated to the army as
the economy is developing and incomes are increasing.

[Passage omitted: Transport and industrial complexes to be developed
in Naxcivan]

Armenia pres to visit Moscow at Putin’s invitation May 13-15

ITAR-TASS News Agency
May 12, 2004 Wednesday

MOSCOW, May 13 — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan will come
to Moscow on a working visit on May 13-15 at the invitation of the
Russian head of state, Tass learnt at the Kremlin press service.

On 10th anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh truce, leaders pledge possible
by AIDA SULTANOVA; Associated Press Writer

Associated Press Worldstream
May 12, 2004 Wednesday

BAKU, Armenia — On the 10th anniversary of the truce that ended
fighting Azeri-Armenian fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh but left its
status in limbo, Azerbaijan’s president on Wednesday pledged support
for peaceful resolution of the dispute, but raised the prospect of
military action.

Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave within in Azerbaijan,
for the past decade has been under control of an internationally
unrecognized ethnic Armenian government backed by forces who also
occupy parts of Azerbaijan adjoining the enclave.

Because of the dispute over the enclave’s final status, the
Armenia-Azerbaijan border is closed. Failure to resolve the issue is
seen as having discouraged investment in both countries because of
concern that another war over the enclave could erupt.

Armenian and Azerbaijani officials, including the country’s presidents,
have met repeatedly to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh, but with little
visible progress despite a wave of sessions in 2001 that many observers
believed foreshadowed an imminent settlement.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev underlined that Azerbaijan insists
Nagorno-Karabakh remain part of that country and that a resumption
of fighting could not be excluded.

“We are supporters of peaceful resolution of the conflict, but the
Azerbaijani people will not submit to the loss of its territory. If
talks do not give results, we will free our land at any cost,”
Aliev said. “Our army is capable of freeing occupied territory at
any moment.”

Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian, in a statement marking the
cease-fire’s 10th anniversary, said “We will observe the principle
of a peaceful regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

Aliev made his statements in a speech at a military institute in
Nakhichevan, an Azerbaijani exclave separated from the rest of the
country by Armenian territory.

“Azerbaijan is in a condition of war, our territorial wholeness is
violated and the army can undertake steps to restore the wholeness,”
he said.

A1 Plus | 20:57:43 | 12-05-2004 | Politics |

COALITION MADE A STEP

Today Coalition powers have discussed the issue on dialogue with
Opposition and clarified the agenda. They think that the parliamentary
Opposition took a step in return to Coalition suggestion and it is
now their turn.

Coalition decided to meet half-ways. Some other issues were entered
on the agenda:

1/ Definition of possibility for agreed approval of key articles of
Constitutional reforms;

2/ Definition of possibility for agreed passing of the changes to
the Electoral Code fully corresponding with the international criteria;

3/ Working out models for active participation of Opposition in
anticorruption fighting;

4/ Working the schedule for implementing NN 1367, 1374 resolutions
by PACE;

Opposition will tomorrow discuss the suggested agenda and
Authorities-Opposition dialogue will most probably start tomorrow.

Club of Young Diplomats
Yerevan State University
1 Alex Manoogian str., Suite 29
Yerevan, 375049, Armenia
Tel: (3741) 554612
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2004
Contact: Erik Grigoryan
Email: [email protected]

Club of Young Diplomats to host Harut Sassounian, Publisher of The California Courier

Yerevan – The Club of Young Diplomats at Yerevan State University
(YSU) will host Mr. Harut Sassounian, the publisher of The California
Courier, on Wednesday May 12, at 2 pm, at Charents Hall (YSU Linguist’s
Building, 2nd floor).

Mr. Sassounian will discuss a wide range of issues, including the
campaign against the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the British
Ambassador to Armenia and lobbying for the recognition of the Genocide
in the U.S. and worldwide. He will focus on political issues of
special interest to the students during the question and answer period.

“It will be a great honor and a pleasure to host Mr. Sassounian at
our Alma Mater and have him share with us his exceptional experience
as a political activist, lobbyist, columnist and community leader,”
said the President of the Club, Erik Grigoryan. “We are thrilled that
he was able to find time in his extremely busy schedule to speak to
the students of Yerevan State University,” Grigoryan added.

The British Ambassador to Armenia made false and offensive statements
on the Armenian Genocide during a press conference marking the
first anniversary of her diplomatic posting in Armenia on January
20. Ambassador Thorda Abbott-Watt was reported as saying: “Great
Britain accepts that the events of 1915 were mass killings (of the
Armenian population), the responsible for which are the Turks. I see
no problem calling it brutality. It shouldn’t have taken place even
in the course of war. But, I do not think that recognizing the events
as genocide would be of much use.”

The Club of Young Diplomats of Yerevan State University joined
the worldwide campaign initiated by Harut Sassounian against the
British Envoy’s denial. The website, or
was launched to post the latest
developments on this issue as well as letters, articles, and other
relevant documents. The Club issued a press release calling on the
British Ambassador to apologize for her statement and urged the Foreign
Minister of Armenia to take a more resolute stand on this issue.

Mr. Sassounian has a life-long involvement in various Armenian
causes. As the representative of a non-governmental organization in
Geneva Switzerland, he was part of a small team of Armenian activists
who lobbied for years until the successful recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by the United Nations in 1985. His political commentaries are
reprinted in Armenian and non-Armenian newspapersthroughout the world.

Mr. Sassounian formed the United Armenian Fund, a coalition of
seven major Armenian-American organizations, to provide humanitarian
aid to Armenia in a coordinated manner after the Spitak Earthquake
of 1988. In the past 15 years, the UAF has shipped to Armenia $387
million worth of assistance. In addition, as the Vice-Chairman of The
Lincy Foundation, he has helped oversee the implementation of $170
million of infrastructure and lending projects in Armenia. He holds
a degree in International Relations from Columbia University in New
York and an MBA from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles.

The Club of Young Diplomats at YSU is a member of confederation of the
student Clubs working under the YSU Trade-Union devoted to empowering
students through education and research in global developments,
foreign policy, governance, security issues and social sciences
by constructing a foundation of knowledge and shaping the public
dialogue among the students. For further information on the Club
and its activities, call (374-1) 554612 or email: [email protected].