Author: Kharatian Ani

AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENT ON RELATIONS WITH IRAN, KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 18 2004

BAKU, December 17 (RIA Novosti) – The dialogue between Azerbaijan and
Iran proves that normal relations are possible of the countries do
not interfere in each other’s affairs, Azerbaijan’s President Ilkham
Aliyev told journalists on Friday.

In his words, Azerbaijan does not interfere in Iran’s domestic
affairs. “We adhere to this principle and I am happy that Iranian-Azeri
relations are being created on this basis,” Mr. Aliyev said. The
two countries are building their relations on the basis of mutual
understanding and respect, therefore, “Iranian-Azeri dialogue has
been recently intensified,” the head of state stressed.

Speaking about Iran’s position on the Armenian-Azeri conflict, Ilkham
Aliyev said that “Iran had often claimed its support for Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and backed Azerbaijan in this conflict, including
within international organizations.”

According to the president, Iran’s relations with Armenia and other
states are the sovereign affairs of the Iranian side. However,
“we live in a very sensitive region”, therefore, such factors as the
violation of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be taken into
account in interstate relations in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s
leader said. In his opinion, “regional countries and international
organizations should express their clear-cut position on this issue”.

At all forums Ilkham Aliyev stresses that Armenia is the conflicting
side because Baku is conducting negotiations on the Nagorny Karabakh
settlement with Yerevan. “If Armenia claims that we should negotiate
with Nagorny Karabakh it should step aside, withdraw troops from Azeri
territories and stop allocating money to Nagorny Karabakh form its
budget. Then will shall settle the conflict by all means in a short
while,” Mr. Aliyev said at the session of the UN General Assembly
in New York in late November which focused on the situation on the
occupied Azeri lands on Baku’s initiative.

According to President Aliyev, “all discussions of the Armenian-Azeri
conflict in the UN, Council of Europe and other international
organizations aim to bring to public the occupationist nature of
Armenia and, accordingly, to play a role in the conflict settlement.”

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
December 15, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA WELCOMES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTE
PRESSING TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) today welcomed the adoption by the European Parliament of
three strongly worded measures calling on Turkey to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide. These measures were actively
supported by the Brussels-based European Armenian Federation
[ANC-Europe], which represents more than two hundred Armenian
associations across Europe.

The provisions were added, on the eve of the December 17th vote
of the European Council on opening European Union membership
talks with Turkey, as amendments to a Parliamentary report on
Turkey’s progress toward accession to the European Union. This
report, prepared by Camiel Eurlings (PPE/The Netherlands) was
passed by a vote of 407 to 262. Significantly, the report
stressed, in Paragraph 55, that, “the opening of negotiations
will be the starting point for a long-lasting process […] and
does not lead ‘a priori’ and automatically to accession.” An
amendment to the report suggesting that Turkey be granted a
“privileged partnership” rather than actual membership in the
European Union was rejected by a secret ballot.

“Armenian Americans join with the European Armenian Federation
and Armenians across Europe in welcoming this historic vote
reaffirming the international consensus that Turkey must
recognize the Armenian Genocide, lift its blockade of Armenia,
and abandon it hostile policies toward Armenia and the Armenian
people,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The
strong support for these measures across the European political
spectrum has resonance around the world, including here in the
United States, where a growing number of American legislators
are growing tired of increasingly strident – often desperate –
Turkish efforts to dictate U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide.”

The Eurling Report made specific reference to Armenian issues in
eight separate paragraphs, with three dealing specifically with
Armenian Genocide recognition. Amendments on the Genocide were
brought to the floor by four political groups (EPP, PSE, ALDE,
United Left, Independence/Democracy), respectively by Mr. Toubon
(EPP/France), Mr. Poignant (PSE/France) and Mrs. Carlotti
(PSE/France), Mrs. De Sarnez (ALDE/France), Mr. Wurtz (United
Left/France) and Mr. Belder ( IND/DEM / Netherlands).

In the end, the European Parliament urged Turkey to “promote the
process of reconciliation with the Armenian people by
acknowledging the genocide” and called on the European Council
and Commission to demand this country to “formally acknowledge
the historic reality” of the Genocide.

The European Armenian Federation (EAFJD) welcomed the adoption
of the Eurling Report and the three amendments clearly
articulating the European consensus that Turkey must acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide. “On the eve of the European Summit,
heads of state must, as they chart a course for the future, take
into account the democratic will of the European electorate and
our elected representatives in the European Parliament,” stated
Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation. “This is a tremendous victory for Europeans who want
to preserve European values in the face of Turkey’s ongoing
denial of the Genocide,” she continued.

Since the European Parliament resolution of 1987, which set the
recognition of the Armenian genocide as a precondition to the
consideration of Turkish accession to the Union, the European
Parliament has continuously restated this principled position in
successive resolutions. This message was reinforced earlier
this week by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, who called
on Turkey to recognize the genocide against the Armenians. The
clear consensus within European circles remains: Turkey cannot
join the Union without giving up its ultra-nationalist and
aggressive policy towards Armenia. European Armenians urge the
upcoming meeting of the European Council to reflect the will of
the European public, to honor this vote of the European
Parliament, and to respect the European values on which the
European project is based,” concluded the chairperson of the
European Armenian Federation.

The full text of the Armenia related paragraphs in the Eurling
resolution are provided below.

#####

—————————————————————–
* Amendments Introduced and Adopted at the European Parliament
December 15th plenary session
—————————————————————–

Amendment 80 – Bernard Poignant, Pierre Moscovici, Marie-Arlette
Carlotti, Harlem Désir, Martine Roure and others adopted by 470
against 198
EEa. whereas the Turkish authorities have likewise still not
complied with the calls concerning the other Armenian issues
made by Parliament in its resolution of 18 June 1987,

Amendment 18 – Francis Wurtz and Dimitrios Papadimoulis adopted
by 395 against 273
34a Calls on Turkey to promote the process of reconciliation
with the Armenian people by acknowledging the genocide
perpetrated against the Armenians as expressed in Parliament’s
earlier resolutions with regard to Turkey’s candidate status
(from 18 June 1987 to 1 April 2004);

Amendment 83 – Jacques Toubon and others adopted by 332 against
325
35a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to demand that the
Turkish authorities formally acknowledge the historic reality of
the genocide perpetrated against the Armenians in 1915 and open
the border between Turkey and Armenia at an early date, in
accordance with the resolutions adopted by the European
Parliament between 1987 and 2004;

—————————————————————–
* Amendments first drafted and adopted by the European
Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee later approved by the
European Parliament plenary session
—————————————————————–

EE whereas the border between Turkey and Armenia has still
not been re-opened by the Turkish authorities, who have thereby
missed an opportunity to promote good neighbourly relations with
Armenia.

7. Welcomes in particular the reform of criminal
procedure, strengthening the rights of the defence; considers
however that Article 305 of the new Turkish Penal Code, which
sanctions alleged “threats to fundamental national interests”,
and the explanatory statement of which targets freedom of
expression, in particular related to the Cyprus and Armenia
issues, is incompatible with the 1950 Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; calls
therefore for its repeal;

35. Believes that the Governments of Turkey and Armenia have
to continue their process of reconciliation, possibly with the
assistance of a bilateral committee of independent experts, in
order to overcome explicitly the tragic experience of the past,
and requests the Turkish Government to re-open the borders with
Armenia as soon as possible.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 15 2004

NATO fails to hold another event in Azerbaijan

The NATO Military Committee’s Partners Action Groups started
unofficial seminars on cooperation in Tbilisi and Yerevan on Monday.
Twenty-three NATO member and eleven partner countries are attending
the seminars to last till Thursday.
Although the NATO event was scheduled to be held in Baku as well, it
was postponed due to the fact that the Azerbaijani side refused to
receive Armenian delegation.
The provisions of the `Partnership for Peace’ program as well as
education and training of armed forces will be discussed at the
events. The Azerbaijani delegation is not attending the seminar that
is underway in Armenia.*

El Mundo, Espana
14 Dic, 2004

Francia exige a Turquia mas condiciones para entrar en la UE.
Paris solicita que las negociaciones para la adhesion empiecen a
finales de 2005 o en 2006.

ELENA ALJARILLA. Especial para EL MUNDO

UE. Ampliacion. Francia exige a Turquia mas condiciones para entrar

BRUSELAS.- A solo tres dias de la cumbre europea en la que los
Veinticinco tienen que decidir si abren o no las negociaciones de
adhesion con Turquia, Francia esta apretando las tuercas a Ankara y
ha puesto sobre la mesa nuevas condiciones como la admision del
genocidio armenio ocurrido a principios del siglo pasado, o el
reconocimiento de la Republica de Chipre. Ademas, pide que las
negociaciones no empiecen hasta finales del ano proximo o principios
de 2006.

“Pienso que, en un momento dado, Turquia debera hacer ese ejercicio
de memoria y de reconciliacion con su propia Historia y reconocer
esta tragedia que a principios de siglo afecto a varios centenares de
miles de armenios”, aseguraba el ministro frances de Asuntos
Exteriores, Michel Barnier, en referencia al exterminio por parte de
las autoridades turcas, entre los anos 1915 y 1923, de un millon y
medio de personas en Armenia. “Esta cuestion” anadio, “sera reclamada
por Francia en su momento”.

De hecho, el ministro galo de Exteriores, recordo que una de las
condiciones que se le pide a Turquia es que asegure buenas relaciones
con sus vecinos y lo ilustraba con el ejemplo de los paises
fundadores: “Desde hace 50 anos el proyecto europeo esta fundamentado
sobre una idea de reconciliacion entre nosotros, y Francia y Alemania
fundaron este proyecto sobre esa idea de reconciliacion”.

Ademas, Francia, cuya opinion publica se muestra mayoritariamente
contraria a la entrada de Turquia en la UE, quiere que las
negociaciones no se inicien hasta el segundo semestre de 2005, o
incluso principios de 2006, y ha recordado que, en cualquier caso, el
ingreso del gigante turco sera decidido en referendum en su pais.

“Hemos elegido que, una vez llegado el momento, si se alcanza de aqui
a 15 anos un tratado de adhesion (con Turquia) como es nuestro deseo,
sea el pueblo frances el que tenga la ultima palabra”, explicaba
Michel Barnier en rueda de prensa, e insistia en que la apertura de
las negociaciones de adhesion no significa el ingreso automatico de
Turquia porque “los resultados no estan garantizados”.

De hecho, es la primera vez que se reconoce que unas negociaciones
para entrar en la Union Europea pueden no culminar con el objetivo
buscado.

Una clausula especial

Ademas, se ha incluido una clausula sin precedentes que permite
suspender las negociaciones en el caso de que Turquia renuncie a
seguir adelante con el proceso de reforma iniciado con el actual
Gobierno.

Segun esta clausula, las negociaciones podran “suspenderse” si se
constata “una ruptura grave y persistente de los principios de
libertad, democracia, respeto a los Derechos Humanos, libertades
fundamentales o Estado de Derecho” en Turquia.

Ahora la decision esta en manos del Consejo Europeo que se celebrara
en Bruselas los dias 16 y 17 de este mes. Aunque no todos los paises
presentan tantos recelos, Francia no esta sola en esta batalla
dialectica en la que todos intentan mantener el mensaje de esperanza
a Ankara. Junto a los franceses estan alemanes, chipriotas, griegos,
austriacos y holandeses principalmente, aunque hay otros paises que
se oponen con matices.

Espana, por su parte, es uno de los paises que mas abiertamente han
apoyado la adhesion turca en la Union Europea. Asi lo defendio ayer
el ministro espanol de Asuntos Exteriores, Miguel Angel Moratinos,
quien aseguraba que la postura de Espana es que las negociaciones con
Turquia “tengan un solo objetivo: la adhesion a la Union Europea”.

De hecho, Moratinos, se mostraba mucho mas optimista que su homologo
frances y al termino del Consejo de Asuntos Exteriores aseguraba que
“se habia avanzado mucho”, aunque reconocia que ahora “queda lo mas
complicado que es fijar la fecha de inicio de negociaciones”.

NO VIOLATIONS OF CEASE-FIRE REGIME FIXED IN KARABAKH AND AZERBAIJAN
ARMED FORCES’ CONTACT-LINE

STEPANAKERT, December 10 (Noyan Tapan). Today, the OSCE Mission held a
regular monitoring of the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed
forces’ contact-line in the Eastern direction, near the village of
Talish of the NKR Martakert region. According to the Information and
Analytical Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, from the positions of the NKR Defense
Army, the monitoring mission was led by Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzey Kasprzyk (Poland). The group comprised
Field Assistants of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal
Representative Miroslav Vimetal (Czechia) and Olexandr Samarskiy (the
Ukraine). The monitoring passed in accordance with the planned
schedule, and no violations of the cease-fire regime were fixed. From
the Karabakh party, representatives of the NKR Ministries of Foreign
Affairs and Defense accompanied the OSCE monitoring mission.

EVENT COMMEMORATING TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF PASSING OF CATHOLICOS VASKEN
I HELD IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK, December 9 (Noyan Tapan). “Catholicos Vasken I presided over
a period of tremendous historic importance. And in the heroic way he
faced the challenges and opportunities of that time, he himself made
history,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), on Sunday, December 5, 2004,
during a luncheon commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of
Catholicos Vasken I. “By remembering Vehapar in this way, I hope we
have been inspired to envision the future, for our church and nation,”
Archbishop Barsamian said. “His Holiness Vasken I was the sort of man
who thought and labored for tomorrow, and remembering him should
always force us to look forward. That will surely be the best way to
honor his memory, and to advance the vital legacy he has left to us.”

According to the Press Office of the Diocese, the day began with a
Divine Liturgy and requiem service for Catholicos Vasken I. St. Vartan
Cathedral of New York City was filled with people who turned out for
the service. Then almost 500 people attended the memorial program at
New York City’s Diocesan Center.

Catholicos Vasken I was “a man of faith, hope, love” who was
practical, organized, and looked at life with general optimism, said
Edward Jamie Jr., who co-chaired the anniversary event. Jamie added
that Catholicos Vasken’s greatest achievement was in “bringing people
closer to the church, and strengthening their faith. We should live
with his inspiration and strengthen our spirituality.”

The event’s other co-chair, Bedros Givelekian, speaking in Armenian,
reminded the audience of one of Vehapar’s favorite quotes, “As much as
you drink the water of Armenia, you never become satisfied.”
Reiterating one of the church leader’s strong philosophies – “Armenia
cannot live without the diaspora, and the diaspora cannot live without
Armenia” – Givelekian encouraged the attendees to “Be proud of your
free independent Armenia.”

Dr. Arthur Kubikian, speaking on behalf of the Romanian Armenian
community, recounted Vehapar’s moving early life story and his
relationship to the Armenian community in Romania. He introduced
Vehapar’s first cousin, Arshalouys Baljian, and his student, Nono
Krikorian, both of whom were present at the luncheon.

Expressing profound admiration and love for the church leader,
Dr. Kubikian recounted His Holiness’ dynamism, modesty, and
discipline, and paid tribute to his role as a “friend, teacher,
mentor, community activist, and pastor. We should keep his philosophy
in mind.”

Ambassador Harry Gilmore, the first U.S. ambassador to the independent
Republic of Armenia, in his warm and empathetic manner, spoke of his
love and respect for the Vehapar, whom he had met shortly after his
arrival in Armenia in 1993. “Vehapar epitomized nobility of character,
humility, grace, and authority, and always had a twinkle in his eye. I
was under his spiritual umbrella,” he stated.

Ambassador Gilmore observed that Vehapar had three imperatives:
guaranteeing Armenia’s political security, rebuilding Armenia’s
economy, and advancing the prosperity of Armenian culture.

By virtue of his progressive outlook, the Armenian church leader
welcomed the independence of the Armenian Republic, “endorsing it
anxiously and unhesitatingly,” Ambassador Gilmore said.

In his sermon, the Primate meditated on Catholicos’ Vasken’s epitaph:
“Love Never Falters” – which the Catholicos himself directed to be
inscribed on his tombstone.

“His Holiness Vasken I was not merely a preacher of love. He was,
always and above all, an exemplar of the way of love,” Archbishop
Barsamian said.

Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, served as the
master of ceremony for the luncheon, which also featured a touching
video produced by Armenia’s Shoghagat TV, featuring archival footage
of church figures from the 20th century. The attendees were also
presented with an obsidian khatchkar from Armenia and an informative
and touching booklet outlining the life of Catholicos Vasken I which
was compiled by Dr. Louiza Kubikian, Fr. Krikor Maksoudian, Nubar
Kupelian, Chris Zakian, and Armen Garabedian.

The memorial program also featured a recitation by Lori Manukian, a
young student in the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum program, of an
Armenian-language poem, “Catholicos Vasken I”, by Sylva der
Stepanian. Pianist Seta Karakashian performed two pieces and also
accompanied the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, conducted by Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian and featuring soloist Hasmig Mekanejian. During the
luncheon Mekanejian, former choir director at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, also offered his personal reminiscence of Catholicos
Vasken I.

The choir, accompanied by Florence Avakian on the organ, also
performed during the morning’s Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by
Archbishop Barsamian.

The anniversary memorial was coordinated by a dedicated committee,
made up of: Edward Jamie Jr., Bedros Givelekian, Sarkis Matosian,
Kegham Tcholakian, Rev. Vazken Karayan, Fr. Mardiros Chevian,
Dr. Louiza Kubikian, Gregory Manuelian, Dr. Arthur Kubikian, Edward
Barsamian, and Nubar Kupelian.

In 1955, as Armenia struggled under communism, the Armenian Church
turned to Levon Baljian, who was born in Bucharest, Romania, to
parents who had fled Turkish oppression. The 43-year-old Bishop Vasken
Baljian was the Primate of Romania. On October 2, 1955, he was
consecrated as the 130th Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.

For 40 years, Catholicos Vasken I steered the Armenian Church through
a variety of challenges and nurtured its growth and expansion. His
ministry was one of rebuilding: from restoring the physical structures
of ruined sanctuaries, to invigorating the internal workings of the
church by ordaining new clergymen and visiting the communities of the
diaspora. This was no small task during Armenia’s Soviet era.

Numerous churches throughout Armenia were rebuilt during his tenure,
including the historic sanctuaries of St. Hripsime, St. Gayane,
St. Shoghakat, St. Mesrob Mashtots in Oshakan, and the monasteries of
Geghard and Khor Virab. He also fervently encouraged construction of
new churches in the diaspora, including St. Vartan Cathedral in New
York City.

Pope expresses concern for Iraqi Christians after two terror attacks
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Catholic News Service
Dec 8 2004

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II expressed his concern for
Christians in Iraq after terrorists made fresh attacks on two Christian
sites in the northern city of Mosul.

After praying the Angelus to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s
Square Dec. 8, the pope conveyed his “spiritual closeness to the
faithful, shaken by the attack.”

An Armenian Catholic church and the Chaldean Catholic bishop’s
residence were destroyed Dec. 7 in two separate bomb attacks in Mosul.

The pope prayed for the intercession of the Virgin Mary to help “the
beloved Iraqi people” experience “a time of reconciliation and peace.”

In Mosul, an armed group of commandos stormed the Armenian Catholic
church at 2:30 p.m. Witnesses said the attackers ushered everyone out
of the church, then detonated two bombs, leaving the church in ruins.

About two hours later, another group of armed men attacked the
Chaldean bishop’s residence in another part of the city. The men
ordered people in the building out before setting off explosives,
which engulfed the residence in flames.

No one was killed or injured in the two attacks, according to news
reports.

Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad lamented the fresh
violence and warned that local Christians were becoming “increasingly
worried that they will be targets of such acts of violence.”

“Christians are worried about this kind of violence happening over
and over again,” he said in a Dec. 7 interview with Asianews, an
Italian-based missionary news agency.

He said the “Iraqi government is impotent to prevent such acts.”

“I hope Our Lady will give us the courage to continue on our path,”
he said.

Numerous Christian sites, especially churches, have been the targets
of terrorist bombings in Iraq.

As a result, Christians have fled Iraq by the thousands over the last
three months, usually driving to Syria or Jordan. The exact number
of those who have left is unknown, but Syrian media say up to 70,000
Iraqi Christians now live in Syria.

The apostolic nuncio to Baghdad called the Dec. 7 bombings “grave and
cowardly acts against defenseless Christian symbols and institutions.”

Speaking to Asianews, the nuncio, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, said the
Chaldean bishop’s residence “had been receiving threats for some time.”

The nuncio said terrorists had promised “they would destroy a church
for every mosque that was attacked” by U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

Behind these assaults against Christians lies “an exasperated violence
that strikes those who are defenseless,” he said.

The archbishop told Asianews he did not believe there was a link
between the Dec. 7 bombings and the season of Advent. He said he
thought the attackers “just want to do harm.”

The destroyed Armenian church in Mosul had been in the final stages
of construction. It was to be officially consecrated Christmas Day.

Reducing the new church to rubble shows “how little respect terrorists
have for people and holy places,” Archbishop Filoni said.

Bombs explode at two churches in Mosul

AsiaNews.it, Italy
Dec 7 2004

Mosul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Twin bomb blasts have struck Christian
churches in Mossul, in northern Iraq. It appears that neither blast
caused victims. Both attacks were carried out in the same manner:
a commando entered the church, had people leave the premises and set
off bombs. The first blast struck the Chaldean cathedral in Mossul,
northern Iraq. The church in question was considered by many the most
beautiful in the area.

The news was given by a local priest, Fr. Raghid Aziz Kara, according
to whom an armed group stormed the church this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
local time and forced the people there to move into the courtyard.
The commando then placed various explosive devices in the church.
Again according to Fr. Kara, the attackers then moved everyone out
of the area and set off the bombs.

Mossul’s Chaldean church was build in 1950 and was enlarged in the
1990s. A similar attack was carried out almost simultaneously against
an Armenian-rite church in the city. In this case as well, attackers
cleared people out of the church and then made their bombs explode

–Boundary_(ID_Ep+mAwwDIBf2uy7+ffMSkw)–

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE
06 December 2004

Rouben Shougarian, Deputy Foreign Minister Receives Head of Eastern
Department of Foreign and Commonwealth Office of UK

On December 6th Rouben Shougarian, Deputy Foreign Minister received
Simon Smith, Head of Eastern Department of Foreign and Commonwealth
Office of UK, who is in Armenia within the framework of his regional
visit.

During the meeting both sides stressed the importance of the
enhancement of British-Armenian relations in all spheres. The parties
further explored relations between South Caucasus and the European
community. The discussion that evolved within political framework
of The Wider Europe and The New Neighborhood policy explored issues
related to increased level of interaction between the countries of
the South Caucasus and European Union and new opportunities offered
by this new EU policy.

The parties further explored issues related to Armenia – Turkey
relations against the background of imminent negotiations for Turkey’s
accession. They also touched upon the current stage and perspectives
of Nagorno Karabagh conflict settlement.

On the same day, the Foreign Ministry hosted a round table with
participation of British and Armenian diplomats.

Within the framework of his visit British diplomat will hold meetings
with Tigran Torosian, Deputy Speaker of the parliament and David
Harutunian, Minister of Justice.

Armenian analyst says current situation with Upper Garabagh conflict suitable

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 7 2004

Political analyst Isgandarian, head of the research department of
the Caucasus Media Institute, told Armenia’s “Yerkir” newspaper
last week that the Cyprus model may be used in settling the Upper
Garabagh conflict.

“The Cyprus conflict has a long history. The Greek part of Cyprus has
been recently admitted to the European Union although the conflict
has not been resolved yet. Europeans have simply faced the reality,”
Isgandarian said.

The analyst said that he has come to such a conclusion after his
visits to Turkey and West European countries.

According to Isgandarian, there are tens of conflict zones similar to
Upper Garabagh in the Caucasus. “If Armenia recognizes the independence
of Upper Garabagh, this may spark concerns of the international
community only for a short period and will not considerably change
the current situation,” he said.

Isgandarian said he doesn’t believe in Azerbaijan’s statements on
launching a war. He stressed that the society must be changed itself
in order to bring the Azerbaijan Army to a high level.

“It is impossible to achieve this within a short period of time. Even
Turkish generals cannot be helpful in this area. If Azerbaijan launches
a war, the country will witness inter-group struggles within two or
three weeks. However, Azerbaijan’s war and anti-Armenian propaganda
is an adequate step for the country from the viewpoint of political
strategy which is not related to war.”

The political analyst added that the present-day situation with the
Upper Garabagh conflict settlement is suitable for Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Western countries.*