Author: Nadirian Emma

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Jan 12 2005

FORTHCOMING VISIT OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT TO PAKISTAN WILL ALLOW
RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES TO ENTER A NEW STAGE
[January 12, 2005, 21:55:32]

On January 11, the deputy foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic
Khalaf Khalafov has met the secretary on foreign affairs of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan Riaz Kokar.

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press canter of the Foreign
Ministry, Khalaf Khalafov, having noted the high level of relations
between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, ascertained that last year’s visit
of the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf to Azerbaijan has
stimulated development of links between our countries. The deputy
minister also has especially emphasized that the arrangement achieved
during this visit between our countries and the signed documents
create favorable environment for development of the
Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations at a strategic level. Mr. Khalafov also
has noted importance of carrying out of dialogues at all levels,
including between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of two countries,
for realization of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in
political, economic, humanitarian spheres, in the field of safety,
within the framework of the international organizations.

Mr. Riaz Kokar, having noted that he shares views on development of
mutual relations, has emphasized, that Pakistan highly estimates
communications with Azerbaijan. Having ascertained, that for
realization of cooperation between our countries in all areas there
are ample opportunities, he has expressed confidence that the visit
of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev planned for this year to
Pakistan would stimulate further development of these relations.

Mr. Riaz Kokar, having noted, that his country highly estimates
cooperation with Azerbaijan within the framework of the international
organizations, has expressed hope for continuation of this
cooperation. Having touched the question of carrying out of reforms
in the United Nations Organization, the visitor has emphasized that
Pakistan supports carrying out of the given reforms only on the basis
of democratic principles and the consensus of states – members of the
Organization.

Having stated that the United Nations till now cannot achieve
execution of 4 Resolutions of the Security Council of the United
Nations providing unconditional clearing by aggressive Armenia of the
Azerbaijan lands which it already more than ten years hold under
occupation, Mr. Khalafov has noted that reforms in the said structure
are directed on strengthening of the organization and increase of
efficiency of its activity that represents great value. The deputy
foreign minister has told: `The said reforms should be carried out
with observance of the principle of validity, sovereign equality and
regional representation of the countries, to serve interests of all
states, and the main thing, – to the prime targets of the United
Nations directed on maintenance of peace and safety all over the
world’.

During the meeting, the sides also have touched other questions
representing mutual interest.

Religion law needs reforming – Armenian premier

Noyan Tapan news agency
29 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The meeting of the council for religious affairs under the Armenian
prime minister on 29 December discussed the work that has been carried
out so far. It was pointed out that the council has been continuing to
implement its main problems and functions directed at enhancing the
effectiveness of state policy in the sphere of religion, settling
problems connected with the regulation of the activities of religious
organizations, the tolerant and constructive co-existence of religious
organizations and ethnic minorities and settling mutual relations
between the state and the church.

The session discussed issues concerning supervision over the
activities of religious organizations, forms and contents of teaching
the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenian schools and
the procedure of drawing an expert conclusion on the registration of
religious organizations, the Armenian government’s press service told
Noyan Tapan new agency.

Touching on the Armenian law “On freedom of conscience and religious
organizations”, which regulates the religious sphere, as well as on
problems accumulated in this sphere, it was stressed that the current
law adopted in 1991 does not meet modern requirements and needs
significant reforms. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan issued
an instruction to learn in detail and submit proposals regarding the
new draft law “On freedom of conscience and religious organizations”.

CENN – DECEMBER 17, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. IFC Environmental, Social and Disclosure Policies and Performance
Standards
2. Letter writing campaign
3. Community Center Opens in Gyumri
4. Prosecutors Concerned Over Growing Number of Gas Leak Accidents
5. Armenian Plant Set to Produce Small Hydro Power Plant Equipment

1. IFC ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS

Dear all,

As many of you are already aware, the International Finance Corporation
(IFC – the private lending arm of the World Bank) is in the process of
revising its social, environmental, and disclosure policies. While some
of the details of this process may seem arcane to some, it is important
to note that these policies are currently the de facto social and
environmental international standards, impacting nearly three quarters
of all international project finance – both public and private. The
results of this process will affect all of us, and the people and places
we care about, for a long time.

In my capacity as consultant to the Bank Information Center (BIC), I
wanted to take a moment to update you on how that process is proceeding,
and what is being done both within and outside the process by our
colleagues in civil society. I also want to urge you to get involved, in
one way or another, in this important effort.

The IFC is nearly finished with their initial round of global
consultations, and under the original plan they outlined, this would
have been the end of any chance for public input. However, due to
internal and external pressure, IFC has slightly revised their process
and the timeline. We now expect to see a revised draft of the new IFC
Environmental, Social and Disclosure Policies and Performance Standards,
as well as the “Interpretation Notes” that clarify them, sometime in
mid-January. At that point, we expect to have between 4-8 weeks to
provide comment on the draft before it is finalized and sent to a
subcommittee of the World Bank Group’s Board of Directors. This next
phase will be our critical window of opportunity.

Many civil society groups have offered comments on both the substance
and the process of the safeguard policy review. Some are attached,
(pleas see: ) others you can
access at a civil society sponsored website supporting this effort
() or at the IFC’s website which includes an official
record of comments at: I am also
happy to send you any information that you need, should you find it
difficult to locate or access.

The IFC’s consultation process has been seriously flawed from the
beginning, leading many organizations to decide to boycott the
consultation process. Overall, IFC’s process has been rushed, full
information is not available, and it has been extraordinarily
non-transparent. Many groups in civil society have been critical of the
process. In response, IFC claims that the concerns and criticisms are
largely limited to Northern-based organizations. We know this is not the
case, but it will be important in January and February to ensure that
Southern voices in particular are heard in relation to this vital issue.

BIC is ready and able to help organizations that may need or want
assistance to weigh in on this issue in any way. If you want to join
the international boycott of the process, we can help to ensure that
your support of the boycott and concerns are known. If you want to
comment on the substance or the process of the review, we can also help
by providing you with additional background information, and by putting
you in touch with other organizations that are working on similar
issues.

Whatever you do, please don’t stay silent on this issue. Whether it’s
simply to note that you consider the process illegitimate and rigged, or
to weigh in on more specific matters, please let your voice be heard.

Best regards,

Steve Kretzmann
Strategic Consultant
Bank Information Center

*******************************
Stephen Kretzmann
Strategic Consultant
Bank Information Center
&
Senior Campaign Advisor
Rainforest Action Network
[email protected]
1-202-497-1033
*******************************

2. LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN

Dear aviation and climate activists,

Some weeks ago Friends of the Earth Netherlands and AEF/GreenSkies
organised a conference on airports, air travel and climate change. The
results will be published at

Our first action is a letter writing campaign, aimed at the European
Commission. We ask you to spend half an hour on writing a letter to the
commissioners yourselves. Please forward this initiative.

We wish you happy Christmas holidays

—–

Write a letter to the European Commission

Are you concerned about airport expansion, bothered by aircraft noise,
worried about the ever growing climate impact of aviation? NOW YOU can
do something about it! Write before 2005!

FORWARD this e-mail (and attachment ‘Write to the EC’) to the people and
organisations you know

Read all details in the example.doc
to the EC.pdf
Make it your personal letter!

Evert Hassink
Milieudefensie / Friends of the Earth Netherlands
Tim Johnson
AEF/Greenskies

3. COMMUNITY CENTER OPENS IN GYUMRI

Source: Armenian NGO News in Brief, December 12, 2004

On November 2, 2004 a new Community Center opened its doors in Gyumri.
The building was renovated by the Norwegian Refugee Council and houses
Community Social-Healthcare and Pedo-Psychological Assistance Centers as
well as a Kindergarten. Services of the Community Social-Healthcare
Center will be provided by Mission Armenia Charitable NGO and are
designed to meet the needs of vulnerable, single, older and disabled
people and refugees residing in temporary dwellings. This integrated
center includes a soup kitchen, social services center, health post,
bath and laundry, hairdressing room, training resource center,
conference room and other more.

The soup kitchen will be operational on weekdays and provide hot
nutritious meals to about 200 beneficiaries. The social services center
will provide health, psychological, legal trainings and individual
consultations. The in-home services for almost 600 single older
residents of Gyumri are one of the most significant activities to be
carried out through the center: provision of individual care, personal
hygiene, medical assistance, psychological, gerontological and legal
assistance, home renovation, heating of homes, and more. It will also
serve as a good place for arranging cultural events, meetings and
round-table discussions. The health post will provide primary health
care and necessary medications to beneficiaries free of charge. The bath
and laundry will meet primary hygienic needs of older beneficiaries. The
hairdressing room will provide relevant services to the vulnerable.
Through the training resource center, computer, hairdressing and
tailoring skills will be transferred to the vulnerable refugee and local
population of the town, providing them an opportunity to acquire new job
skills. Mission Armenia Charitable NGO implements these activities
through funding support received from USAID.

Contact: Hripsime Kirakosyan
Mission Armenia Charitable NGO
42 G. Nzdeh St.
Tel.: (374-1) 44-47-92; 44-47-93
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

4. PROSECUTORS CONCERNED OVER GROWING NUMBER OF GAS LEAK ACCIDENTS

Source: Armenpress, December 15, 2004

Armenia’s chief prosecutor’s office has called in a statement today on
the population to avoid using makeshift stoves to warm their homes that
work on natural gas and urged it to observe all safety rules. The
warning came after a series of accidents from across the country
reporting death or poisoning from gas. The latest such accident occurred
in Etchmiadzin where a couple and three their little children were
poisoned by a gas leak out.

The incidents prompted the prosecutor’s office to make a probe and
reveal that virtually all accidents are due to people’s failure to
observe the most elementary safety rules and the carelessness of
authorized bodies that are supposed to supervise local gas networks’
safety.

The chief prosecutor’s office also urged the population to report
immediately about careless work of authorized bodies. It also required
that gas authorities carry out sweeping reforms within the system and
take measures to prevent such accidents in future.

5. ARMENIAN PLANT SET TO PRODUCE SMALL HYDRO POWER PLANT EQUIPMENT

Source: Armenpress, December 15, 2004

A Yerevan-based factory manufacturing electric machines said it plans to
start production of components of small hydro power stations with a
capacity ranging between 4 to 100 kilowatt/hour. The factory’s chief
engineer Felix Khachatrian told Armenpress turbines with 4-kilowatt/hour
capacities had been successfully tested, adding also that turbines with
30 kilowatt/hour capacity and higher had been designed.

According to Khachatrian, Armenian-made turbines may become more
attractive for foreigners as they are two times cheaper than others.

He said a go-between Dutch company is taking interest in Armenian
turbines, and has pledged to look for investors who are ready to assist
the Armenian plant.

—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

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“THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOGUE IS POSSIBLE IN CASE OF COURAGEOUS VIEW ON
HISTORY AND TRANSFER FROM IT TO THE FUTURE,” WRITES TURKISH JOURNALIST

ISTANBUL, December 21 (Noyan Tapan). Two wrong approaches always throw
obstacles for the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. According to the first
approach, there is no history at all, according to the second one,
it is only history that exists. Turkish journalist John Dyuntar
expresses such an opinion in his regular article. Both of these
approaches, according to the Turkish journalist, make the dialogue
impossible. That’s why they become a reason for the fact that the
supporters of the both of these viewpoints become opponents and start
assuring the third sides that it is they who are right. Meanwhile,
according to Dyuntar, the decision consists of the courageous view
on the history and in transfer from it to the future. In Yerevan
the Turkish journalist had met with Babken Ararktsian, the former
Chairman of the RA parliament, the leader of the “Armat” (“Root”)
organization. B. Ararktsian said that his family is from Van by
birth. He also said that he wants the issue of the Armenian Genocide
not to hinder the Armenian-Turkish relations. John Dyuntar reports that
100 students study at the Department of Turkish Studies of the Yerevan
State University at present. 5,000 tourists from Armenia visited Turkey
last year. But he is puzzled in connection with the fact that meanwhile
the way from Yerevan to Istanbul lasts two hours, it is impossible
to cross the boarder through Kars by land, which takes only half an
hour. It is a great obstacle for trade, and Georgia takes advantage
from it. The dialogue between the two countries, according to the
journalist, may benefit from the circumstance that the Armenians have
friendly attitude towards Islam today, as the Arabs received their
refugees in 1915. According to the Istanbul “Marmara” newspaper, John
Dyunrtar also told about the meeting with Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II, during which the Supreme Patriarch positively estimated
the visit of representatives of the Turkish intelligentsia and said
such mutual relations help to resolve the available problems. When
the Catholicos was asked if he wants to visit Turkey, he answered
that he ought to visit all his flocks and, of course, wants to visit
Turkey. Karekin II emphasized that one should not turn the issue of
the Genocide into the theme of discussion, as it is an irrefutable
fact. As for the war of religions and civilizations, the Catholicos
of All Armenians said no war is waged in the name of the religion,
all the wars are of political nature.

CASES OF UNKNOWN VIRAL DISEASE INCREASE IN ARTSAKH

SPEPANAKERT, December 21 (Noyan Tapan). An unknown viral disease has
recently spread in Artsakh. There is no laboratory to diagnose the
disease both in Armenia and Artsakh. According to Karine Balayan, head
of the epidemic department of the NKR Republican Center for Hygiene
and Anti-Epidemic Control, during 11 months of 2003, 11,104 cases of
the disease was registered, while 12,888 cases were registered during
the same period of this year. It was noted that only in November, 2004,
1,442 cases of this viral disease were registered in Artsakh, including
463 cases in Stepanakert. It was also pointed out that the checking
conducted by the center revealed that the temperature in Stepanakert
schools was below 18 degrees. According to the data provided by the
education department of Stepanakert mayor’s office, as of December
17, 2,434 from the 7,288 pupils of Stepanakert schools did not attend
school because of the disease. For the same reason the NKR Ministry
of Education, Culture and Sports made a decision to discontinue the
teaching process at schools from December 20 to January 7.

Patriarch Of Armenian Community In Turkey: I Advocate Turkey’s Membership To The E.U.

Anadolu Agency: 12/16/2004

ISTANBUL (AA) – Mesrob II, Patriarch of Armenian Community in Turkey, said on
Thursday that he always advocated Turkey’s membership to the European Union
(EU). He said he believed the EU would give a date to Turkey on December 17th
to start full membership negotiations.
     Mesrob II told A.A correspondent that he shared the view that the EU was
not a Christian club, and noted that, ”religion and religious culture have
become a tool of politics both for the EU and the Turkish politicians more than
necessary. Parliaments of the EU member countries do not make decisions
according to the doctrines of the Bible and the Turkish parliament does not make
its decisions according to Koran. Integration of the EU and Turkey would be for
the interest of the region, the world and the peace among the civilizations.”
     Replying to a question about the attitude of the Armenians living in
France, putting forward the allegations of ”so-called Armenian genocide”,
toward Turkey’s EU membership, Mesrob II said, ”the disaster in 1915 is an issue
which can be abused. To this end, the foreigners will bring this issue on the
agenda when they have the opportunity. The issue should be excluded from being
an issue of exploitation soon by starting official and unofficial dialogue
process.”
     ”Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an earlier statement
said this was the job of historians and should be left to historians. His
statements are extremely realistic. Meeting face to face with history is important
for building of future on solid basis. People can not embrace each other before
making peace. Dialogue process should be initiated,” Mesrob II said.
     (AY-A?

2004-12-16

–Boundary_(ID_Q/KgzWED02g8F3UjNDLwsg)–

PRESS RELEASE

December 16, 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]

AUA Promotes Anti-Smoking Movement

Yerevan – On Friday, December 10, 2004, the Association of Caricaturists,
the Armenian Public Health Alliance, the Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia
and the American University of Armenia hosted a public exhibition “Artists
Against Smoking,” as part of its approach to combat smoking in Armenia.
The exhibition took place in the newly opened AUA Center Restaurant, which
has a healthy working, non-smoking environment policy.

With support from the Open Society institute, the Armenian Public Health
Alliance, formed by the Armenian Public Health Association, the Armenian
Public Health Union and the American University of Armenia, started an
ambitious multi-pronged project to combat smoking in Armenia, including
establishing the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Armenia (CTFA), which now
includes 18 NGOs representing over eight hundred people committed to
preventing the health consequences of tobacco smoke.

Earlier in the year, on October 12, the American University of Armenia (AUA)
hosted the first ever-national meeting of non-governmental organizations
involved in fighting smoking in Armenia. At the conference, AUA President
Haroutune Armenian emphasized that the Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia
(CTFA) demonstrates that Armenians can and will unite to protect the public’
s health.

According to global tobacco expert, Dr. Richard Peto, the average Armenian
male smoker loses 17 years of productive life due to smoking. Despite this
shocking finding, smoking is not perceived as a problem by Armenian society,
where 67% of adult males are estimated to smoke and 3% of females.
Moreover, many wrongly believe that cigarette manufacturing is a benefit to
the country’s economy, looking only at the jobs and tax revenue created by
the industry, without accounting for health and other costs paid by the
government and by society at large. This false image of tobacco industry is
maintained by sophisticated advertisements and other misleading practices
seen throughout the world.

Empowering people and building public support for tough tobacco control
policy measures was and remains the focus of the initiative. Established in
June 2004, the Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia became a member of the
international Framework Convention Alliance, which unites about 200
organizations around the world in support of the WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control. In June, CTFA Coordinator Narine Movsisyan, MD, MPH
participated as an invited observer at the open-ended intergovernmental
meeting on tobacco control in Geneva. In her words, it was “a great
experience to learn from international tobacco control activists. Lobbying
was a bad word in the soviet times. I would never have imagined that
lobbying could be pro-human, pro-health. Like the smokers we are trying to
educate, we have to open our minds and re-think many concepts.”

In a country in transition like Armenia, economic arguments can be very
powerful. Thus, demonstrating the long-term effects of tobacco control as
opposed to short-term economic benefits of tobacco growing and manufacturing
is of critical importance. Armenian Public Health Alliance experts developed
a comprehensive informational package for Armenian policy and decision
makers. The infopack called “Contemporary Issues on Tobacco Control in
Armenia” examined health, social and economic aspects of the situation in
Armenia and suggested appropriate solutions in light of international
experience. The Armenian Public Health Alliance’s infopack was a critical
reference at the November 17 Parliamentary hearings on tobacco control.

The CTFA successfully lobbied Parliament to adopt the Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control and is now lobbying for similarly strict supporting
legislation, in coordination with the Ministry of Health National Tobacco
Control Program led by Dr. Alexander Bazarchyan and Chair of Parliamentary
Committee on Science, Education, Culture, and Youth, Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan.
As Armenian Public Health Alliance member Hovhannes Margaryants, President
of the Armenian Public Health Union, noted, “We intend to stimulate a
dialogue within our society and build a new non-smoking culture. We are
looking for allies and partners among journalists, medical, cultural,
business and political elite as well as parents and other “ordinary”
citizens. Everyone concerned with building a healthier and safer homeland
for all Armenians is welcomed.”

The “Artists Against Smoking” exhibition was organized within the framework
of the tobacco control project with support from the Open Society Institute
Assistance Foundation. The Association of Caricaturists presented
approximately 40 antismoking drawings. AUA members along with guests and
representatives from Ministry of Culture, Youth Affaires and Sport, Academy
of Art, international organizations and local agencies expressed their
appreciation and noted that both the exhibition and non-smoking Restaurant
are a novelty for Armenia.

CTFA Coordinator Narine Movsisyan stated, “It’s a challenge to change people
‘s unhealthy behavior. Today’s exhibition is an attempt to talk to people on
a language of humor and satire. We believe that laugh can be curative.” The
opening was followed by light reception and broad local media coverage. The
Exhibition will be open for public at large through December 17th in the AUA
Club Restaurant.

—————————————-

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

Photos: Works displayed from the Artists Against Smoking exhibition in the
AUA Center Club Restaurant, hosted by the Association of Caricaturists, the
Armenian Public Health Alliance, the Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia

Agence France Presse
14 décembre 2004 mardi

Turquie: l’UDF dénonce une démocratie qui “fonctionne mal en France”

PARIS 14 déc 2004

Le porte-parole de l’UDF François Sauvadet a estimé mardi que “la
démocratie fonctionnait mal en France”, en soulignant que “la
position de la France” sur l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union
européenne n’était “toujours pas connue”.

“Il est incroyable qu’à quelques jours d’une décision, le Parlement
n’ait pas pu se saisir de cette question, n’ait pas pu voter sur
cette question qui intéresse les Français et concerne l’avenir de
l’Europe”, a déclaré M. Sauvadet, lors de son point de presse
hebdomadaire à l’issue de la réunion de son groupe.

Il a annoncé que le groupe interpellerait quelques heures plus tard
le gouvernement sur ce sujet lors des questions d’actualité.

Vendredi, les Etats-membres de l’UE, réunis en Sommet à Bruxelles,
doivent se pencher que la question de l’adhésion d’Ankara.

“Nous ne connaissons toujours pas la position de la France”, a
poursuivi M. Sauvadet, en estimant que le ministre des Affaires
étrangères Michel Barnier s’était livré “à un pas de deux, en
réclamant au dernier moment la reconnaissance du génocide” arménien.

Comme on lui faisait remarquer que le président Jacques Chirac devait
présenter la position de la France mercredi lors d’une intervention
télévisée, M. Sauvadet a répondu: “Il est temps!”, avant d’ajouter:
“on aimerait bien que cette position soit extrêmement claire et prise
devant le pays et qu’elle puisse aussi être discutée”.

libération, France
mardi 14 décembre 2004

Dissonances sur la Turquie dans la classe politique française

PARIS – Le dossier de l’adhésion turque à l’Union européenne trouble
la classe politique française où le scepticisme prévaut, y compris
dans le camp de Jacques Chirac.

Si le président de la République a toujours défendu l’idée d’une
Turquie européenne, l’UMP et l’UDF se sont prononcées contre. Ce qui
n’empêche pas les dissonances internes.

Le nouveau président de l’UMP et ancien ministre de l’Economie
Nicolas Sarkozy s’est toujours dit opposé à l’entrée de la Turquie
dans l’Union. Tout comme le député UMP Alain Madelin, qui juge
Jacques Chirac “assez isolé” dans sa posture pro-turque, partagée par
les ministres de l’Intérieur et des Affaires étrangères, Dominique de
Villepin et Michel Barnier.

L’ancien Premier ministre Edouard Balladur, qui préside la commission
des Affaires étrangères à l’Assemblée, a prôné un débat “serein” sur
cette question et souhaité que le Conseil européen de Bruxelles,
jeudi et vendredi, prenne la décision d’étudier “une série de
formules”.

Quant à l’ancien président de la République Valéry Giscard d’Estaing,
il s’est déclaré “personnellement contre l’entrée de la Turquie dans
le système européen” mais souhaite “des relations de très bon niveau”
avec ce pays.

C’est un “non” ferme et définitif du côté du président du Front
national Jean-Marie Le Pen, pour qui la Turquie n’est tout simplement
“pas un pays européen” mais “asiatique”.

Quant aux souverainistes, résolument hostiles à une Turquie
européenne, ils ont fait de ce débat une affaire personnelle.

Pour Philippe de Villiers, “l’immense question” turque pèsera sur le
référendum sur la Constitution européenne prévu l’an prochain en
France. Le président du Mouvement pour la France en est convaincu :
ce scrutin sera “aussi un vote sur l’entrée de la Turquie”.

AU PS, FABIUS CONTRE, HOLLANDE POUR

Bien qu’hostile à l’adhésion d’Ankara, le président de l’UDF François
Bayrou a insisté au contraire pour que l’on “sépare la question de
l’adhésion de la Turquie de la question du référendum” afin d’éviter
tout “amalgame”.

A gauche, la question agite le Parti socialiste, qui a toujours
insisté sur la reconnaissance par Ankara du génocide arménien de
1915, le respect des droits de l’homme et le règlement de la question
chypriote.

“Pour le Parti socialiste, l’ouverture des négociations ne doit pas
présager de la forme de participation de la Turquie à l’Union
européenne”, déclarait lundi Julien Dray, le porte-parole du
principal parti d’opposition français.

Chef de file des opposants socialistes au projet de traité
constitutionnel, l’ancien Premier ministre Laurent Fabius s’est dit
hostile à l’adhésion de la Turquie, à laquelle le premier secrétaire
du PS François Hollande est, lui, favorable.

“Pour moi, la question n’est pas l’appartenance de l’immense majorité
des Turcs à la religion musulmane, c’est l’état de la démocratie dans
ce pays, les droits de l’homme et la laïcité”, a estimé pour sa part
le maire PS de Paris Bertrand Delanoë, pour qui l’entrée d’Ankara
dans l’UE “doit dépendre des réponses apportées à ces seules
questions”.

Chez les Verts, le “oui” à l’entrée de la Turquie semble unanime.
L’ancienne secrétaire générale du parti écologiste Dominique Voynet y
voit l’occasion de faire de l’Europe “le seul espace” à même de
“contrer l’hyperpuissance américaine”.

Sa secrétaire nationale Marie-George Buffet en tête, le Parti
communiste dit également “oui” à la Turquie.

A l’extrême gauche, la porte-parole de Lutte ouvrière Arlette
Laguiller s’est prononcée “pour la suppression des frontières, y
compris avec la Turquie”.

A l’Assemblée nationale, un débat sur le dossier turc a été organisé
à la mi-octobre. Une autre discussion aura lieu au Palais-Bourbon
après le Conseil européen de Bruxelles.

ArmenPress
Dec 14 2004

EDGAR MANUCHARIAN RECOGNIZED ARMENIA’S BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER IN 2004

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: Edgar Manucharian, a forward of
Pyunik FC, was recognized Armenia’s best football player of 2004.
Edgar Manucharian will be playing next year for Dutch Ajax. Second
and third places were given by sport journalists, coaches and
referees to Armen Shahgeldyan and David Grigorian from Mika FC in
Ashtarak.