Author: Navasardian Karapet

Aid worker uncovered America’s secret tally of Iraqi civilian deaths
By Andrew Buncombe in Washington

The Independent/UK
20 April 2005

A week before she was killed by a suicide bomber, humanitarian
worker Marla Ruzicka forced military commanders to admit they did
keep records of Iraqi civilians killed by US forces.

Tommy Franks, the former head of US Central Command, famously said
the US army “don’t do body counts”, despite a requirement to do so
by the Geneva Conventions.

But in an essay Ms Ruzicka wrote a week before her death on Saturday
and published yesterday, the 28-year-old revealed that a Brigadier
General told her it was “standard operating procedure” for US troops
to file a report when they shoot a non-combatant.

She obtained figures for the number of civilians killed in Baghdad
between 28 February and 5 April, and discovered that 29 had been
killed in firefights involving US forces and insurgents. This was
four times the number of Iraqi police killed.

“These statistics demonstrate that the US military can and does
track civilian casualties,” she wrote. “Troops on the ground keep
these records because they recognise they have a responsibility to
review each action taken and that it is in their interest to minimise
mistakes, especially since winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis is
a key component of their strategy.”

Sam Zia-Zarifi, deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights
Watch, the group for which Ms Ruzicka wrote the report, said her
discovery “was very important because it allows the victims to start
demanding compensation”. He added: “At a policy level they have never
admitted they keep these figures.”

Exactly how many Iraqi civilians have been killed in the last two years
is unclear. Iraq Body Count, a group that monitors casualty reports,
says at least 17,384 have died. But the group bases its totals only
on deaths reported by the media, and says it can therefore only “be a
sample” of the total actually killed. Its website says: “It is likely
that many if not most civilian casualties will go unreported by the
media. That is the sad nature of war.”

A peer-reviewed report published last year in The Lancet and based
on an extrapolation of data suggested that 100,000 civilians may
have been killed during the invasion and its aftermath. One of the
report’s author, Dr Richard Garfield, professor of nursing at Columbia
University, said: “Of course they keep records and of course they
pretend they don’t. Why is it important to keep the numbers of those
killed? Well, why was it important to record the names of those people
killed in the World Trade Centre? It would have been inconceivable
not to. These people have lives of value.

“We are still fighting [to record] the Armenian genocide. Until people
have names and are counted they don’t exist in a policy sense.”

Ms Ruzicka, from California, was killed in Baghdad after her car
was caught in the blast of a suicide bomber who attacked a convoy
of security contractors on the road to the city’s airport. She was
in Iraq heading, Civic, the organisation she set up to record and
document civilians killed or injured by the US military, and to seek
compensation. She carried out a similar project in Afghanistan.

In her report, she wrote from Iraq: “In my dealings with the US
military officials here, they have shown regret and remorse for
the deaths and injuries of civilians. Systematically recording and
publicly releasing civilian casualty numbers would assist in helping
the victims who survive to piece their lives back together.”

Colleagues of Ms Ruzicka at Civic (Campaign for Innocent Victims In
Conflict) have vowed to continue her work. April Pedersen, a friend,
said: “We are all committed to ensuring the work that Marla did is
going to continue.” Ms Ruzicka, whose funeral service is to be in
California on Saturday, was also remembered on Capitol Hill where
Senator Patrick Leahy, with whom Ms Ruzicka worked to achieve almost
$20m in appropriations to help victims in Afghanistan and Iraq,
paid tribute to her.

He said: “I want to… pay tribute to a remarkable young woman from
Lakeport, California. In my 31 years as a United States Senator I have
met lots of interesting and accomplished people from all over the
world. We all have. Nobel prize winners, heads of state, people who
have achieved remarkable and even heroic things in their lives. I have
never met anyone like Marla Ruzicka.” Meanwhile the Pentagon maintained
its position that it did not keep numbers of civilians killed in Iraq.

‘The public must know how many have died’

This is an edited extract of an article written by Marla Ruzicka a
week before her death:

In my two years in Iraq, the one question I am asked the most is:
“How many Iraqi civilians have been killed by American forces?” The
American public has a right to know how many Iraqis have lost their
lives since the start of the war and as hostilities continue.

In a news conference at Bagram air base in Afghanistan in March 2002,
General Tommy Franks said: “We don’t do body counts.” His words
outraged the Arab world.

During the Iraq war, as US troops pushed toward Baghdad, counting
civilian casualties was not a priority for the military. Since 1 May
2003, when President Bush declared major combat operations over and
the US military moved into “stability operations”, most units began
to keep track of civilians killed at checkpoints or during patrols
by US soldiers.

Here in Baghdad, a brigadier general explained to me that it is
standard procedure for US troops to file a spot report when they
shoot a non-combatant. It is in the military’s interest to release
these statistics.

A number is important not only to quantify the cost of war, but as a
reminder of those whose dreams will never be realised in a free and
democratic Iraq.

THE HOLIDAY OF POLICEMEN CELEBRATED IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

A1plus

| 17:19:37 | 18-04-2005 | Official |

On April 16, the professional holiday of policemen was celebrated on
the official level in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

A delegation from Armenia headed by Deputy Chief of the RA Police,
General-Major Grigor Grigorian, arrived in Nagorno Karabakh for the
participation in the events.

The festive events began with the solemn formation of the policemen
in front of the NKR Police building. Then wreaths were laid to the
khachkar to the memory of 42 policemen perished during the Karabakh
war. A group of young policemen solemnly swore an oath.

A solemn sitting headed by Police Chief, General-Lieutenant Armen
Isagulov took place in the NKR Police session hall. The congratulatory
message of RA Police Chief Haik Haroutyunian to his Karabakh colleagues
was read at the sitting. Similar message on the behalf of the NKR
Police Chief was sent to the policemen of the RA Police. A number of
the republic~Rs policemen were granted special ranks.

Then, in the Central Revival Square, NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
handed the NKR Police leadership the military flag for selfless
activity of the system members both in war and peace.

In its turn, the NKR police delegation took part in similar events
in Yerevan.

Pan Armenian News

VARDAN OSKANIAN: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EXPECT ARMENIA TO BE CONSISTENT IN
GENOCIDE RECOGNITION ISSUE

13.04.2005 05:06

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During today’s press conference Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian said that today the Turkish parliament has launched hearings
upon completion of which letters referring in part to the Genocide
recognition will be sent to the parliaments of many states, including the UK
parliament, despite the fact that the book titled `The Blue Book’, which
describes the first genocide of the 20-th century, was published in that
very state in 1916. `This action will seriously undermine Turkey’s authority
and will have an boomerang effect’, Vardan Oskanian stated. In his words, to
date Turkish intellectuals speak loud of the Genocide though the government
prefers not to hear them. Turkey does not recognize the Genocide, moreover
it denies it. Such behavior proves that we, Armenians, should not forget the
crime committed against our people. Today’s Armenia faces the problem of
Nagorno Karabakh and Turkey exerts every effort to support Azerbaijan.
`Taking into account all this, we cannot live in safety. The international
community expects us to be consistent in the issue of the Genocide
recognition’, the Minister noted. `On the threshold of the 90-th anniversary
of the Genocide we should be as consistent and determined as never before’,
Vardan Oskanian stressed. When commenting on the negotiations on Turkey’s EU
membership to open this October Vardan Oskanian noted that the EU did not
make demand of Turkey to recognize the Genocide, though the issue will be
undoubtedly discussed during the hearings.

New Iraqi government backs Azerbaijan on Karabakh – envoy

Ekspress, Baku
8 Apr 05

Text of report by Alakbar Raufoglu in Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress
on 8 April headlined “Iraqi ambassador Umar Isma’il: ‘Even though
our governments change, our policy does not'”

“The new Iraqi government supports Azerbaijan’s position on the
Karabakh problem,” Iraqi ambassador to Azerbaijan Umar Isma’il has
told Ekspress.

“Even though our government has changed, our policy has not. Iraq
is an Islamic country and will continue to welcome all steps of Baku
within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,”
the ambassador said.

He went on to say that Baghdad appreciates Azerbaijan’s support in
the international fight for Iraq’s freedom and that the new government
wants to closely cooperate with Baku.

“We pay more attention to the economic, transport and energy
sectors. But the final steps might be taken after the new government
is completely formed,” he said.

An economic cooperation accord is being now drawn up between Baku and
Baghdad. Apart from this, the two countries are looking into ways of
creating relations in the oil sector.

The Iraqi transport minister has advised against opening a direct
flight between Baku and Baghdad for the time being.

“They say that it is risky but at the same time, there is no problem
if Azerbaijan wants to launch flights to Baghdad,” Umar Isma’il said.

Touching on the Azerbaijani peacekeepers’ activities in Iraq, the
ambassador said that “they enjoy full security now”.

Moreover, Baghdad still hopes that Azerbaijan will increase its
contingent in this country. The ambassador said that specific steps
in this regard will be considered after the new Iraqi government is
“formed completely”.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/06/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Glendale Elections Come to Climactic End
2) School Board President Krikorian Secures Sweeping Victory
3) Clerk Candidate ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian Triumphs in Historic Election
4) MKR Recognition is Armenia’s Number One Foreign Policy Priority
5) Kidnapped Romanian Journalists Freed
6) Marchers Complete More Than a Quarter of the 215 Mile March For Humanity
7) Head of Passports and Visas Pushes Dual Citizenship
8) Armenian Ambassador to US Meets with Condoleezza Rice

1) Glendale Elections Come to Climactic End

GLENDALE–Of the nineteen candidates vying for open seats on the Glendale City
Council, only four went home victorious as the final numbers were released six
hours after the polls closed. With 8,362 votes (10.4%), Attorney Ara Najarian
will join incumbent council members Bob Yousefian (7230 votes–9%), Frank
Quintero (7119 votes–8.8%), and Dave Weaver (6574–8.2%) on the city’s new
council as it convenes later on this month.
“This was one of the toughest campaigns I’ve ever been in, worked on or even
seen,” Yousefian told the Glendale News Press. “It was very costly and very
divisive. I’m hoping that starting tomorrow, things will calm down and go back
to normal. I’m hoping that things will become more civil.”
Despite the loss, Anahid Oshagan was touched by the sincere support she
received from wide-range of people. “I deeply appreciate the outpouring of
support during this campaign; I was overwhelmed by the energy and
dedication of
not only those close to me, but also people from all walks of life who put
their life on hold to join me to try to make Glendale a better place to live.”
Voters demonstrated their confidence in current Glendale School Board
President Greg Krikorian by reelecting him by a sizable margin with 11649
votes. His nearest competitor, incumbent school board member Chakib “Chuck”
Sambar, who was also reelected to the board, trailed Krikorian by over 3000
votes. Coming close to claim the third open seat on the Board, College
Professor Nayiri Nahabedian trailed Joylene K. Wagner by over one thousand
votes.
In the treasurer’s race, incumbent Ronald T. Borucki defeated his only
opponent, former Glendale Community College Board of Trustees Phillip
Kazanjian, with 64% of the vote. A banker of 34 years, Borucki had received
the
support of numerous community groups including the Glendale Chapter of the
Armenian National Committee.
All three of the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees
incumbents–Armine G. Hacopian, Victor King, and Anita Quinonez
Gabrielian–were reelected by comfortable margins, with King leading the pack
with 14,070 votes (30.2%). Hacopian came in second with 13,203 votes (28.3%).

2) School Board President Krikorian Secures Sweeping Victory

Nearly one out of every two Glendale voters cast their ballot on Tuesday for
Krikorian Marketing group founder and co-owner of Business Life and Senior
Living magazines, Greg Krikorian. Krikorian, who currently serves as the
Glendale School Board’s president, is already mapping out his second term’s
agenda for the city’s schools. “I’m truly honored to represent our communities
and all the children of the Glendale Unified School District,” Krikorian told
Asbarez. “I’m extremely proud of not only myself but also the Armenian
community. It gives me great pride to continue to serve our cause. But, we
still have a long road ahead of us. Far too many times, we, as Armenian
Americans, get elected to office, but forget who put us there. I’m a man of my
word, and I fulfilled one of my responsibilities to our youth by honoring
Armenian Christmas as a day off for our children and staff.”
With the results of more than one thousand provisional ballots still
unannounced, Krikorian expects to receive as many as four-hundred additional
votes. “Having such an overwhelming response with over 12,000 votes, with such
a large field of candidates is truly an honor. The victory was the result of
our grassroots campaign. We worked with the entire community to serve all
aspects of Glendale and La Crescenta. During the next four years, I’d like to
continue strengthening our schools while addressing the budget crisis, and
further assisting the Armenian community by strengthening lines of
communication between parents and the Board, and creating elective Armenian
language courses at Crescenta Valley High, and Clark Magnet schools.
Ultimately, my reward is educating our Armenian youth and giving them a sense
of responsibly to never forget their responsibility of carrying the torch for
Hai Tad,” Krikorian said.

3) Clerk Candidate ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian Triumphs in Historic Election

GLENDALE–Not one to accept a political hand-me-down position, Ardashes “Ardy”
Kassakhian became the first clerk since 1929, to reach the office by election,
on Tuesday, not appointment.
Combining his passion for public service and enthusiasm for the political
process, he ran a successful campaign, winning the position by a landslide.
The charismatic, yet humbled Kassakhian delivered his victory speech at the
Rusty Pelican.
“We ran on three campaign issues–accessibility, outreach and education,
and new technology,” Kassakhian said. “These are not going to be overnight
changes. We will have to work with other city departments and people who have
been in office many years. I will serve as long as it takes to get the job
done.”
Still reeling from his decisive victory from the day before, Kassakhian
pointed to all the volunteers and supporters who helped make his win all the
more heartwarming.
“The outpouring of support from a wide cross section of our community is
encouraging, and the hardwork of getting elected is done. The even more
important job of serving all of the people of Glendale, with the excellence
they expect and deserve, must now began.”
Kassakhian received 27.3% of the vote, beating out Paulette Mardikian, who
had 13.7% of the votes, and George McCullough, who received 16.6%.

4) MKR Recognition is Armenia’s Number One Foreign Policy Priority

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–Speaking in the capital of Mountainous Karabagh
Republic (MKR), the Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly’s Standing
Committee on Foreign Relations, said that the number one priority of Armenia’s
Foreign policy is for MKR to gain international recognition [as a sovereign
nation].
“That process must never be viewed as something other than the advancement of
democratic principles among the public, specifically because the starting
point
in gaining international recognition is democracy,” said Armen Rustamian
during
a meeting with ARF youth organizations and journalists.
He stressed that will of the people–both in fostering democracy and
safeguarding the principals of self-determination–must be conveyed in
accordance with international standards.
“At the end of the day, the catalyst for both is the public’s determination;
both are so intertwined that to attempt to realize one without the other is
not
only unrealistic, but also impossible. To put it another way, the world will
not recognize any republic–no matter how ‘guaranteed’ its right to
self-determination is,” noted Rustamian.

5) Kidnapped Romanian Journalists Freed

BUCHAREST (Armenpress)–Three Romanian journalists, among them one ethnic
Armenian, held hostage in Iraq since last week have been freed, Rompress news
agency reported.
Journalist Marie-Jeanne Ion and her cameraman Eduard Ohanesian, from Prima TV
and Sorin Miscoci of the Romanian newspaper Libera, were taken hostage
March 28
along with their guide, Iraqi-American Mohamed Munaf, on the outskirts of
Baghdad.
A video of the visibly frightened hostages was broadcast March 30 by the Arab
satellite channel Al-Jazeera.
The reports of their release came as the arrest was announced of a
Syrian-Romanian businessman who said he had been in contact with the
kidnappers.
“A Syrian-Romanian, Omar Hayssam, was arrested yesterday on the request of
prosecutors,” said a spokesman for the Romanian president’s office, Adriana
Saftoiu.
On March 29, Hayssam had told Romanian television stations that he had been
“contacted by the kidnappers,” who had demanded an undisclosed ransom,
which he
had refused.
Hayssam is close to an Iraqi-American businessman, Mohamed Munaf, who was
kidnapped at the same time as the three Romanians. Munaf had funded the
trip to
Iraq by the three journalists and served as their guide in Baghdad. But
Romanian media had later questioned Hayssam’s credibility.

6) Marchers Complete More Than a Quarter of the 215 Mile March For Humanity

CHOWCHILLA–California marchers, walking in solidarity with the 1.5 million
victims of the Armenian genocide on its 90th anniversary, passed the 65 mile
point and arrived in Chowchilla Tuesday.
The determined group of 14 Armenian youth from Pasadena, Walnut, San Fernando
Valley, and Fresno sleep in church halls and eat from a lunch truck
accompanying them on their 19 day trek. As a way to focus on why they are
marching, every morning a marcher tells the story of a family member who
survived the Genocide.
The selfless youth plan on walking to Sacramento, where they will join a
large
rally at the Capitol Building, organized to thank the California state
legislature and those of 35 other states for officially recognizing the
Armenian genocide.
An interesting addition to the group of marchers, ranging in age from 18 to
27, is the participation of Sanan Shirinian and Zabel Ekemekjian.
Shirinian is a 16 year old junior at a private Armenian high school in Los
Angeles. She worked tirelessly to take 20 days off school not so she can
take a
vacation, but to do her part for her cause.
“My great grandparents were survivors of an attempt to kill all Armenians,”
said Shirinian. “I decided to walk so I can let the world know about the
wrongs
the Turks did against my ancestors and to bring justice to an unpunished
crime.”
Ekmekjian, whose father survived the Genocide, is a 63-year-old grandmother
from Moraga, Calif. who felt that she must use her own body to raise awareness
about the crimes committed against her father and his family.
“Our family was split apart because of the Genocide,” said Ekmekjian. “I have
never met my aunts and my cousins, I know they exist and that they live in
Iraq, but I don’t know who they are because they lost contact with my father
after escaping the massacres.”
Defying sore muscles, blistered feet, and aching legs, the marchers will
continue to walk an additional 150 miles, rain or shine, until they arrive at
their destination on April 21.
The Genocide began in 1915 and lasted for more than six years, claiming the
lives of more than 1.5 million men, women and children. While many nations
recognize and condemn the crime committed against the Armenian people, the
Turkish government has denied it for the past 90 years.
For more information about the March For Humanity, the marchers, their
shelter, and pictures, please visit

7) Head of Passports and Visas Pushes Dual Citizenship

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The head of Armenia’s visa and passport department
Alvina
Zakarian, argued in favor of granting dual citizenship to Armenians from
diaspora, saying many diaspora Armenians seek Armenian citizenship, while
maintaining their original citizenship.
“While dual citizenship admittadly has both positive and negative effects,
the
positive will outweigh the negative consequences,” she stressed.
She also revealed that there has been a change in the law to grant
issuance of
passports to one-day old infants, in order to accomodate international travel
with children. Under the old law, only citizens who reached the age of 16 were
eligible to receive passports.

8) Armenian Ambassador to US Meets with Condoleezza Rice

WASHINGTON (Armenpress)–Armenia’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the United
States Tatul Margarian met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on
April 5,
to present a copy of his credentials accrediting him as Armenia’s
Ambassador to
the US.
During his meeting with Rice, US-Armenia bilateral relations and regional
developments and challenges were discussed. Margarian voiced his readiness to
put forth every effort to enhance partnership between the US and Armenia.
Ambassador Margarian expressed gratitude for the US Government’s continuous
support of Armenia since independence and for its constructive involvement in
the settlement of regional problems.

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PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian

PRESERVING ANCESTRAL VOICES

THROUGH THE THEATRE AT NAASR

The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
will present a lecture by playwright, professor, and director Dr.
Nishan Parlakian entitled “Preserving Ancestral Voices: The Theatre
and Armenian Identity” on Thursday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m., at the
NAASR Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.

How can Armenian identity and the voices of our ancestors be
transmitted across the generations? What are the most effective
ways of preventing these voices from being lost? Unquestionably,
the theatre is one of the most potent vehicles for conveying the
shared experiences of Armenian group and family life in a way that
will continue to be meaningful with each passing generation.

Dr. Nishan Parlakian has been one of the leading exponents of
Armenian-American theatre for several decades. He will explore the ways
in which drama can entertain, excite interest in Armenian culture and
history, and maintain Armenian identity, in a lecture that will also
include readings by Parlakian from Watertown-born playwright Barbara
Bejoian’s Dance Mama, Dance and by Joyce Van Dyke from her acclaimed
play A Girl’s War.

Experienced Writer, Translator, and Director

Parlakian is professor emeritus of drama at John Jay College in New
York City. He is a playwright whose works include Grandma, Pray For
Me and an experienced theatrical director who has staged plays in
Armenian and in English. He has written extensively on Armenian
theatre and has also translated numerous dramas from Armenian,
including Shirvanzade’s For the Sake of Honor and Evil Spirit.
He is the co-editor, with S. Peter Cowe, of Modern Armenian Drama: An
Anthology, and the recently-published Contemporary Armenian American
Drama: An Anthology of Ancestral Voices. All of these books will be
on sale and available for signing.

The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and
Headquarters is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to
the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building
and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

IN LATE MARCH RA COMMERCIAL BANKS ATTRACT 30-DAY DEPOSITS AT LOWEST INTEREST RATE

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. In the period of March 24 to March
31, the RA commercial banks attracted 360-day and more than a year
deposits at the highest interest rate of 8% and 30-day deposits at
the lowest interest rate of 2%. According to the RA Central Bank data,
during the indicated period, the banks extended 30-day and more than a
year loans at the highest interest rate of 25% and 60-day loans at the
lowest interest rate of 7%. The dynamics of the deposits attracted by
the commercial banks is as follows: 24.03.05 31.03.05 30 days 6% 2%
60 days 4% 3% 90 days 2% 4% 180 days 8% 7% 360 days 7% 8% more than
a year 9% 8% The dynamics of the interest rates of the loans issued
by the commercial banks is as follows: 24.03.05 31.03.05 30 days 13%
22% 60 days 23% 7% 90 days 23% 20% 180 days 17% 18% 360 days 20% 20%
more than a year 21% 22%

SCENARIO OF A COLORFUL REVOLUTION IN ARMENIA IS POSSIBLY IN PROCESS

Azg/arm
6 April 05

The ghost of revolution roaming in post-soviet states will make our
authorities reconsider the foreign policy if we, certainly, do not
want to appear under the ruins of new geopolitical events.

Daily Azg talks with Stepan Safarian, expert from the Center for
National and International Studies.

– Amidst nowaday geopolitical developments, Armenia’s integration into
the EU is viewed as the only reliable path for progress. But it’s
not a primary issue today for our state. And Putin’s visit showed,
to put it roughly, that we cannot pin hopes on our ally any more.

– I think that our state is not to be jerky as regards its foreign
policy doctrines, thinking that it may pose a threat to the existence
of authorities or even the state. An impasse emerges. It turns out
that we stressed things that needed fewer accents. It turns out that
it was useless, for one, to cooperate with Russia in military sphere
as who will the Russian troops defend us from if Turkey becomes an
EU member? From the EU?

But does the solution of different issues concerning our security go
hand in hand with the civilized divorce from Russia? If the agreement
of Collective Security of the CIS countries is also viewed in the
context of civilized divorce, if the agreement will be annulled if
not today then tomorrow, what kind of security system will we have?

There is a serious demand within Armenia today to stick to the
European path. Our Center conducted a poll last year on this matter.
64 percent of respondents were for European integration believing
that Armenia will join the EU in future.

– In effect, our complementary policy did not justify itself.

– The complementary policy is for states that have covered certain
distance. Generally we need 3 levels to pass to complementary policy.

The first one is when we take our stand in our own country, and the
state productively organizes its socio-political life. The second one
is the level of competitive strength, i.e. our potential to compete
with other states and the third one is creating a network with other
states. I mean that complementarism is a kind of network thinking.
That’s a truism that we should have known. Without having overcome
first two stages we declared the third one.

– Based on what you said, do you think it possible that Armenia will
become an axis of the next colorful revolution?

– Definitely yes. There are several moments that stand for my
assertion. Particularly, the West’s complaints reflected in numerous
reports on Armenia. Secondly, the USA is somehow controlling this
process. Last year US senators, congressmen and high-ranking officials
from the State Department sent letters to 9 CIS leaders who had
previously signed a statement against the OSCE. The CIS states that
received America’s letters are the ones where upheaval was to be
expected. This list includes Leonid Kuchma and the Kyrgyz president
and apparently all other state leaders who hinted of living through
their last days in power.

The next important issue is that the inner political structure of
Armenia did not reflect the outer picture of the rapidly changing
world. The elections of 2002-2003 did not bring about changes of the
system. We live with our old configurations in a changed world. And
this situation leaves door open for revolution.

– In this context how do you see our confrontation with Azerbaijan
over Karabakh issue?

At the Congress hearings in US last month an opinion was voiced about
desirability of changes especially in Armenia. It was mentioned that
the Armenian Diaspora strongly stymies putting pressure on Armenia.

Everything depends on how things will develop in Azerbaijan. If we
accept that the parliamentary election in fall of the current year
will be free, the opposition will take seats at the parliament and
the authorities will put up with it, then I think Armenian issues
will be viewed separately. But if elections in Azerbaijan are ragged,
which is highly possible, then the two states will face change of
power for the sake of Karabakh issue.

– Is that possible that a scenario for Armenia is already launched?

– It’s not excluded but telling the truth I was more concerned with
Putin’s visit when he declared that he came to Yerevan on the Armenia
side’s invitation. Armenia’s strivings to keep to the Russian track
and developing mutual relations may be fatal for the authorities. I
mean that extra elections may well be held.

– Does that mean that the West may intervene?

– Yes I do, especially when the political system is on a very low
level of legitimacy.

By Karine Danielian

THE RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS RECEIVES THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES OF BELGIAN PARLIAMENT

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. The RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan
Oskanian received the Chairman of the Chamber of Representatives of
Belgian Parliament Herman de Croo. According to RA MFA Press Service,
in the course of the meeting they discussed a wide range of issues.
Oskanian introduced him key directions of foreign policy in Armenia.
The sides discussed the issues of development and implementation
of specific programs on development of cooperation with European
structures in regard with inclusion of Armenia in the program of EU
“New Neighborhood” and introduced in general the political course set
to European integration. The sides noted the necessity of consistent
development of democracy in all areas of life in Armenia. Oskanian and
Herman de Croo also discussed the modern stage of negotiations on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. In the context of Turkey’s
membership in EU, the sides touched upon the issues related to
Armenian-Turkish relations.

GEORGIA DID NOT ALLOW RUSSIAN WARPLANE FLIGHT TO ARMENIA THROUGH ITS AIR SPACE

05.04.2005 06:33

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgia did not allow the flight of Russian
radio-locating identification plane A-50 through its air space,
head of the Russian Air Force General Staff colonel general Boris
Cheltsov told ITAR-TASS. “A-50 plane, which had to perform tasks of
reconnaissance of targets and aiming planes in the course of the
command and staff training of the CIS United Anti-Aircraft System
in the air space of Armenia, is doing it in the sky over the North
Caucasian region,” the general reported. He noted that 56 planes and
a helicopter participate in the maneuvers.