Author: Kharatian Ani

Pan Armenian News

11.05.2005, “PanARMENIAN Network” analytical department

AZERBAIJAN WANTS TO TAKE GEORGIAN BLACK-SEA PORTS AT THE EXPENSE OF DEBTS

This plan is fraught with the reinforcement of transport blockade of
Armenia.

The Prime-Minister of Georgia Zourab Nogayideli is getting ready for his
second working visit to Baku. The main issue, which will be discussed during
the visit, is the restructuring of the Georgian public debt to Azerbaijan.
It is worth reminding that the issue of the external debt was also the
central one during Zurab Nogayideli’s visit in Yerevan.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The total sum that Georgia owes to Azerbaijan is 16
million dollars. It should be noted that Georgia owes to Armenia a little
less. Just like the case with us, the sum accumulated within the period
between 1992 and 1994. But choosing the ways of paying back the debt,
official Baku for some reason is much more scrupulous than Yerevan.
Georgians offer Azerbaijanis to cover the debt with goods, ranging from
agricultural goods till metal and wine… But this way of solving the problem
is not convenient for Azerbaijan. Baku leaders are more attracted by the
formula, which was used not long ago when Armenia was paying the external
debt to Russia. The “property at the expense of debt” formula has recently
got another name – “the Armenian scheme” which was referred to by Vladimir
Putin who was explaining the essence of his proposal to the President of
Kirghizia Kurmanbek Bakiev in the course of discussion on the ways Bishkek
would cover the debts to Russia.

There is actually one striking thing in the application of the so-called
“Armenian scheme” for paying back Georgian debts to Azerbaijan. The thing is
that official Baku plans to get instead of the debts not just profitable
plant facilities, but Black-Sea ports that have tremendous strategic
importance for the whole region. Though very strange it may seem, the
proposal was at first not rejected by Georgian authorities. In Baku they
suppose that the Georgian Prime Minister will approve the proposal during
the upcoming visit.

The initiative of Azerbaijan that seems absolutely absurd at first sight,
directly threatens Armenian national security, because Yerevan is connected
with the outer world via Poti and Batumi. In Tbilisi, they probably guess
that Azerbaijan wants to take control over Georgian ports not in the least
for solving transport problems but first of all for isolating Armenia.

The passing of Black-Sea ports to Azerbaijan may bring to the full blockade
of Armenia. Maybe Armenian authorities should address Georgian authorities
and express their worry concerning Azerbaijan’s provocative plan.

Georgian ports are much more important for Armenia than for Azerbaijan. It
would be quite logical if Armenia strived for finding mechanisms of
participation in administering Georgian ports. But in Yerevan no one has
thought about the idea of proposing Georgians to give ports in Poti and
Batumi at the expense of Georgia’s external debt to Armenia. The best we
could achieve was the proposal to rent the Poti harbor for several years for
creating a ferry connecting Poti with the Russian “Caucasus” port. That time
Georgia rejected replied with a refusal. Meanwhile, judging by the
statements of Baku officials, Georgian authorities are going to seriously
discuss the shocking proposal of Azerbaijan.

The real cost of Georgian Black-Sea ports is sure unequal with the sum
Georgia owes to Azerbaijan. Baku makes use of the inability of Georgia to
pay money and dictates conditions. The Minister of Finances of Azerbaijan
Avaz Alekperov is quite optimistic about the perspectives of the deal based
on the “property at the expense of debt” formula. He assures his compatriots
that the deal will bring super-profits since the prices of Black-Sea ports
will rise dozens of times only after a few years. Can’t Georgians guess
that?…

11.05.2005, “PanARMENIAN Network” analytical department

EU ONLY MAKES PROPOSALS

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
13 May 05

This is the opinion of the special representative of the EU in the
South Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie. He emphasized the
importance of continuing dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, for
the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group cannot work without this
dialogue. One of the most important political events last week was the
visit of the special representative of the EU in the South Caucasus,
Ambassador Heikki Talvitie to Armenia. During his visit the special
representative met with the president of Armenia, the speaker of the
National Assembly and the minister of foreign affairs. During the
talks three main issues were discussed: EU – Armenia relationships,
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Turkish – Armenian
relationships. The minister of foreign affairs of Armenia informed
that in the context of the resolution of the Karabakh conflict
H. Talvitie and Vardan Oskanian discussed the present stage and the
prospect of resolution of the conflict. Pointing out the necessity of
resuming talks, they expressed anxiety about the recent violations of
the ceasefire. After the meeting with the RA authorities V. Oskanian
and H. Talvitie met with the journalists in the press hall of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In reference to the resolution of the NK
issue Ambassador Talvitie stated thatthe conflict sides should
themselves aid to the settlement of the problem. According to him, the
co-chairs may make their contribution to the settlement of the
conflict by proposing resolutions on the settlement of the conflict
and notmore because they are entitled to make proposals only, whereas
it is the conflict parties that are to find the solution to the
problem. And the sooner, the better because, according to H. Talvitie,
the unsettled conflict hinders promotion of cooperation in the region
of the South Caucasus, whereas the European Union is absolutely
interested in development of cooperation in the South Caucasus. As to
the present stage of settlement of the problem of Nagorno Karabakh, V.
Oskanian said the ministerial level talks in the framework of the
Minsk Group have come to a point when the meeting of presidents is
required for they are entitles to solve the issues discussed
currently. Touching upon the solution based on compromise, the foreign
minister of Armenia said compromises need to be discussed by the
conflict parties during the talks. As to who will compromise over
what, the foreign minister of Armenia said none of those who speak out
for compromise can answer this question. `Naturally, each of the
parties keeps in their mind the borderline which they will not
cross. However, they do not let it be known, as this may hinder the
talks,’ said the minister. In answer to the question why he did not
take part in the meeting in Frankfurt where the foreign minister of
Azerbaijan met with the Minsk Group co-chairs, V. Oskanian said his
participation had not been planned. According to him, the co-chairs
had been aware that the date of the meeting in Frankfurt was not
convenientfor him. At the same time, the minister mentioned that the
co-chairs were to meet with the ministers separately, there was no
need to appoint the meetings in the same place and at the same
time. V. Oskanian also mentioned that there is no more need for
ministerial level meetings, because the next step must be taken by the
presidents. By the way, according to the foreign minister of Armenia,
his meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs is appointed in Warsaw
in the framework of the EU summit, one or two days before the possible
meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
13-05-2005

The New York Post
May 12, 2005 Thursday

‘MOON’ IS A BIT MISBEGOTTEN

by FRANK SCHECK

AS a combination love story and portrait of a pair of survivors of
the 1915 Armenian genocide, Richard Kalinoski’s “Beast on the Moon”
delivers both romantic banter and haunting commentary in a single
play.

Unfortunately, the former ultimately wins out, and the end result
resembles an Old World version of “Barefoot in the Park.”

Depicting the troubled but ultimately loving relationship between an
Armenian immigrant and his teenage bride, “Beast” tries too hard
while not saying enough.

The main characters are Aram (Omar Metwally), a survivor of the
massacre who has moved to Milwaukee to start life anew, and Seta
(Lena Georgas), his mail-order bride.

Unfortunately, Aram had actually requested a different woman, but
Seta is good-looking enough for him to forgive the mistake, one of
many misunderstandings between the two that will happen over the
following years.

These domestic squabbles and reconciliations, some having to do with
Seta’s befriending a precocious street urchin (Matt Borish), form the
crux of this comedy-drama, which runs 21/2 hours without delivering
much in the way of plot or even character development.

As you might imagine, the couple eventually forms a close bond and
comes to terms with their memories of their holocaust, and a happy
ending is achieved. Even the kid turns out all right, since his
elderly version (Louis Zorich) turns out to be the play’s avuncular
and not particularly essential narrator.

Director Larry Moss, the famed Hollywood acting coach whose students
include Hilary Swank, has elicited deeply felt performances by the
two leads (he’s less effective with the tyke), but the play never
overcomes its strained attempts to blend romantic comedy and deeper
themes.

—

BEAST ON THE MOON

Century Center for the Performing Arts, 111 E. 15th St. (212)
239-6200.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 12 2005

2 Armenian captives handed over

Baku, May 11, AssA-Irada
Two Armenian captives were handed over to Armenia on Wednesday.
Armenian soldier Zhorab Kamoian, 20, resident of Armenia’s Arvage
region, and Valod Carlos Karaketli, 45, resident of Ashaghi Grin
village of Artashag region, were taken captives by Azerbaijani
servicemen in the Gazakh District close to the Azerbaijani-Armenian
border in different periods.
The handover process was carried out by the Ministry of Defense and
the military police in the Balajafarli village of Gazakh.*

AZG Armenian Daily #085, 12/05/2005

Church

PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM

On May 12, His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied
by 80 pilgrims will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

His Holiness Karekin II will be received by the Armenian Patriarch of
Jerusalem Archbishop Torgom Manukian. The pilgrims will visit sacred places
of Christians as well as the Holocaust Museum.

The pilgrims’ delegation includes members of Holy See congregation, RA
government members, deputies, artists and representatives of the Armenian
Church in Nor Nakhijevan and Russia.

Pan Armenian News

ARAM I URGES GERMAN CHURCHES TO BACK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

10.05.2005 04:50

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In his official message to the religious leader of
Protestant churches of Germany Wolfgang Huber Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia
said he hoped for German churches to back acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide in the name of restoration of the violated rights of the Armenian
people, reported the Yerkir newspaper. «With great pleasure we got to know
about the again roused and consistent interest toward the Armenian issue,»
the Catholicos noted, when commenting the Bundestag motion to pass a
resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. He also said he was pleased
with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reminding Turkey of the adoption of
a resolution on the Armenian Genocide.

Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
May 8 2005

Russian Embassy-Celebration

Damascus: 08-05 (SANA)-

The Russian Embassy in Damascus on Sunday evening celebrated the 60
anniversary of the victory of former Soviet Union in the great
liberation war.

Secretary of al-Baath Arab Socialist Union in Damascus Countryside
Branch and Deputy Head of the Syrian-Russian Friendship Association
Daass Izzudin said in a speech that this victory opened a promising
prospects for the peace-loving peoples across the world.

Mr. Daass added that experiences of the previous century proved that
wars came at the expense of progress and the dialogue among
civilizations.

For his part, Russian Ambassador Robert Makrian said the May 9
anniversary was one of the great holidays in Russia and the allied
countries due to the fact that the fascist aggression inflicted
catastrophes on every family in those countries.

Several art exhibitions and events were organized in the presence of
Ambassadors of Ukraine, Armenia, Belorussia and a host of other
invites.

New U.S. Embassy opens in Armenian capital

AP Worldstream
May 06, 2005

U.S. diplomats opened a new American Embassy in the Armenian capital
Yerevan on Friday, moving into a bigger building outside the city
center.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian attended the opening ceremony at
the sprawling new building on the road leading from the city to the
main airport in the Caucasus Mountain nation, a former Soviet republic.

The second-ranking U.S. diplomat in Armenia, Anthony Godfrey, said
the building cost US$76 million (Aâ~B¬59 million).

Armenia has close ties with Russia but is also linked with United
States, home to a large ethnic Armenian community.

–Boundary_(ID_DMXrhp2CYJjERJ8v5+46pw)–

Where is Turkey’s full EU membership heading?

TDN
Saturday, May 7, 2005

OPINIONS

Professor Faruk SEN

Until Dec. 17, 2004, nongovernmental organizations and the government
in Turkey and Turks in Europe had strained themselves to make sure
that Turkey received a date to start negotiations with the EU, with
full membership in mind. However, the decision on Dec. 17 was more
of an approach to the special status that is being offered Turkey
than the start of full membership negotiations.

The negotiations will be based on 36 articles to be approved by each
of the 25 member states, which is not a very positive development. Up
until now, the negotiated articles were never submitted for the
approval of all member states. Instead, after the negotiation of all
subjects, a single vote for all was conducted. The fact that there
are attempts to exclude Turkey from the “Right of Free Movement of
the People” and the “Agricultural Guarantee Funds” had made it rather
clear that a special set of rules were being prepared for Turkey.

The impression I received from diplomats with whom I had the chance to
discuss this issue, mainly in Germany and Brussels, is that Turkey’s
full membership will be considered after conveying some positive
signals to satisfy the EU. Meanwhile, the fact that Ukraine has changed
its direction towards democracy and Europe with the election of its new
president, who is likely to minimize relations with Russia and maximize
them with Europe, has confused the future direction of expansion.

What’s going on?

The Christian Democratic factions tend to exclude Turkey. The
developments that started in France and continued with the Armenian
issue being brought to the German Parliament by the Christian Democrats
created another obstacle that Turkey needs to overcome. The target
is increasing the number of barriers on Turkey’s path as well as the
number of people against Turkish membership.

During 2003 and 2004 the European press, which had been positive on
Turkey, started stressing the Armenian problem as well as the issues
of forced marriages and “honor killings,” with their “connections”
to Islam. Moreover, articles that had previously praised Turkey’s
positive approach to the Cyprus issue instantly changed course and
started putting forward arguments based on Turkey’s obligation to
recognize Cyprus as part of the customs union agreement. In this
direction, the scanning process, which was envisioned as starting at
the beginning of March, was postponed until Oct. 3.

Evaluating the latest developments from the eyes of a man who believes
in full Turkish membership and the fact that it is getting harder
every day, one needs to consider the referendum in France and the
attitudes of the Netherlands and Austria as well as the negative
signals coming from Hungary and Poland into consideration.

The EU, which has announced a budget of 92 billion euros for 2005,
will have at most a 130 billion euro budget by 2014, which is around
the date that Turkey is expected to become a member of the union. If
Turkey had become a member of the EU in 2004, it would have received
8.2 billion euros in aid. However, if Turkey gains full membership
by 2014, the EU assistance can be no more than 1.8 billion euros.

All these developments have put forward the fact that the Dec. 17
talks initiated membership with special status and that the EU’s
attitude towards Turkey has changed in a rather negative direction.

We have gone through a very hot fiancée period, and now both sides
are waiting for the other’s first move, evaluating whether the rings
should be thrown away. In this context, the U.S. attitude against
Iran, Syria and Iraq and the politics it will pursue in the future
could suddenly change this perspective from negative to positive.

We will have to wait and see.

–Boundary_(ID_chY90YTHr7nBKq8OAJajdw)–

Turkish foreign minister pledges to counter Armenian genocide claims

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
5 May 05

Bishkek, 5 May: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul said on Thursday [5 May] that Turkey was late to take
initiatives against the allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide,
and stressed that organized efforts were needed to make the reality
known by everybody.

Replying to the questions of reporters, Gul said Turkey was late to
take initiatives against the allegations in question. Gul said that
the Armenian issue was even used as a means in domestic policy in
some countries to wear out the government.

Gul said his government would deploy efforts to prevent any process
against Turkey and to make the parliaments step back from making
wrong decisions.

Stating the decision made in Belgium as an example, Gul said, “can you
imagine? They can make such accusations by taking into consideration
just misinformation and lies. We should inform them correctly. We
should struggle against them.”

Gul said that academicians and NGOs also had a crucial role in
telling the truths to the world regarding Armenian claims, noting
that “only if we can start a civilized fight against these claims,
we can correct the mistakes.”

Upon a question, Gul said that all the archives in Turkey were opened
and the views of Turkey were supported in many platforms including
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Gul said “Turkey which had assumed a passive policy till today is
now in an active position.”

Gul said that Turkey evaluated the letter of Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan in a comprehensive way and regarded it optimistically.