Author: Tashjian Arbi

DIASPORA ARMENIAN STUDENTS FACE PROBLEMS WITH LOCAL YOUTH

Panorama.am
16:02 03/10/06

About three thousand foreign citizens of Armenian decent study at the
higher educational establishments of Armenia. Unfortunately, many
of them have problems when communicating with local students. This
is dictated by different types of mentality and often causes
disappointment.

Taking into consideration these differences, youth-student organization
Tkhruni of Social-democratic Party Hnchakian issued a statement
together of youth organization "Nikol Aghbalyan" of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun) saying "difference in
mentality of the youth from Armenia and the Diaspora causes difficult
relations and conflicts." In a discussion at Pastark on October 3
the participants urged respective state structures to deal with the
problems of Diaspora youth. The appeal was particularly addressed to
the department of Diaspora at the ministry of foreign affairs.

Reasons for mockery may be western Armenian language or the appearance
of students from the Diaspora like long hair for men or shabby
jeans.

FRENCH, ARMENIAN LEADERS ATTEND CONCERT IN CENTRAL YEREVAN

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow,
30 Sep 06

French singer Charles Aznavour’s concert in Yerevan’s Republic Square
today opened the Year of Armenia in France and the Days of France
in Armenia.

ITAR-TASS news agency reported that the Armenian and French presidents,
Robert Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac, were present at the concert with
thousands of people in attendance.

The agency also reported that a total of 150 tons of musical equipment
had been delivered to Yerevan from Moscow for the concert.

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS TO VISIT REGION NEXT WEEK – ARMENIAN FM

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 29 2006

The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will arrive in Yerevan on October
3 on a regional visit, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told
a press conference in Yerevan on September 29.

Oskanyan described his meeting with the mediators held in New York
early this week as "useful", Trend reports quoting "Medimaks".

According to Oskanyan, this meeting brought clarity to the situation
in the negotiation process.

The Minister said that the prospect of organizing the meeting with
the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers will depend upon the
results of the Co-chairs’ visit.

In addition, Oskanyan stressed that the composition and mandate of
the OSCE mission that will visit the territories located on the border
with Nagorno-Karabakh to study the affects of fires have already been
clarified. Oskanyan announced the readiness of the Armenian side
to render necessary assistance to the mission. The OSCE mission is
expected to visit the region in the near future.

BRITAIN TO CHINA BY RAIL: THE KARS-AKHALKALAKI RAILWAY
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 29 2006

The construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway will
probably be the most significant project in the entire Caucasus,
and could bring tremendous economic dividends to the region-if it
ever gets off the ground that is.

There have been several unexpected difficulties along the way
for this 826 kilometre project. Most recently, an unnamed Turkish
official alleged that the "Georgia is deliberately delaying the start
of work on the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway…Tbilisi is
creating all kinds of bureaucratic obstacles to delay the railway’s
construction. This is absolutely incomprehensible" reported the Baku
daily Zerkalo.

Surprisingly, the biggest stumbling block has come from the other
side of the Atlantic: the Senate’s Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Committee just passed a bill that forbids US government assiastance
to the project, after strong lobbying from the US Armenian lobby,
who argue that the railway is designed to further isolate Armenia from
the region. There is a shorter, disused route running through Armenia,
it has been closed since Turkey and Azerbaijan closed their borders
to Armenia in response to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Nevertheless, construction is due to begin in middle of 2007 and could
be completed as early as 2010. The project requires 98 kilometres of
new track be laid between Kars in Turkey and Akhalkalaki in Georgia,
30 kilometres in Georgia, 68 in Turkey. Also, the Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi
section of track must be repaired. This is estimated to cost over USD
400, Turkey and Azerbaijan say they are more than capable of meeting
the cost without US backing. The Georgian section is to be financed
with a loan from the Azeri government of USD 200 million.

This may sound like big money, but when you consider the significance
of this east west transport link-which connects railways from Britain
to china-it begins to seem like quite a small investment. Minister
of Economic Development Irakli Chogovadze says when working at full
capacity, Georgia can expect to receive USD 150 million annually from
transport fees.

Kazakhsatn and china are both excited about the project, which gives
them access to Europe much quicker than via the existing Trans-Siberian
route. The Kazakh Caspian port of Aktau is connected to the chines
border and beyond. The project also has the backing of the EU in
the form of the TRACEcA [Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia]
programme it sponsors.

The railway line has huge potential to deepen integration of Turkey,
Georgia and Azerbaijan, and in turn link them more closely with Europe
and Asia. As such, it could provide a significant boost both to the
regions economy, and its international importance.

EURLINGS: PKK SHOULD DECLARE CEASEFIRE

BÝA, Turkey
Sept 28 2006

EP calls for more reforms on freedom of opinion, religious and
minority, women and cultural rights, civilian-military relations,
unions and impartiality of justice. Evaluation report adopted by
General Assembly asks Ankara to open ports to Greek Cyprus.

BÝA (Strasbourg) – The European Parliament General Assembly on
Wednesday adopted a report on Turkey prepared by Dutch Christian
Democrat member Camiel Eurlings.

The report was accepted by 429 votes in favor and 71 against, with
125 members abstaining.

According to the BBC Turkish Service, the Parliament report asked for
Turkey to abolish legislation limiting the freedom of expression and
continue its reforms while also calling for the opening of Turkish
ports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes and develop diplomatic
relations with neighboring Armenia.

A previous demand added to the report by the Foreign Affairs Committee
for Turkey to acknowledge an "Armenian genocide" in its history before
it could join the EU was removed from the final report.

An amendment by the Socialist, Liberal and Green lawmakers on the
issue was approved with 320 votes in favor and 282 against.

The final report, however, did say said it was indispensable for
Turkey to come to terms with and recognize its past and called in
Ankara to take steps without conditions to start diplomatic relations
with Armenia and open its border door as soon as possible.

Another point removed from the report passed on Wednesday was a
request for Turkey to recognize a genocide of Assyrians and Greeks.

Instead the report called for positive relations with minorities.

Eurlings: A EU country cannot have an article like 301

European Parliament’s Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings said that with
the changes made the report had generally turned to its original
shape and in a speech he made after the vote said "We want the
[outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party] PKK to declare a ceasefire. We
also want the Turkish government to start some kind of communication
with Kurdish politicians".

According to a report the NTV, Eurlings said they expected Turkey to
speed up the process of its reforms and in relation to controversial
article 301 he added, "a country that has entered the EU cannot have
such an article".

Eurlings also said "I know the report contains hard conditions for
Turkey. I am sorry on this issue. But I must say I am hopeful. I hope
this report is reflected in the correct way".

"Reforms process needs to speed up "

The Evaluation Report which places no obligations on Turkey calls on
the country to speed up the process of its reforms.

The areas of reforms highlighted in the report are the freedom of
expression, religious and minority rights, civilian-military relations,
women rights, unions, cultural rights and the impartiality of justice.

The report expresses positive reaction to the Ankara government’s
9th reform package but calls on Turkey for the new Anti-Terror Law
not to contain any elements that would limit basic rights and freedoms.

Asking for government officials as well as military personnel to be
treated equally before law, the report calls on Ankara to amend Penal
Code articles 216, 277, 288, 301, 305 and 318 on grounds that they
allow arbitrary enforcement.

Electoral barrier needs to be changed

Stating that the removal from duty of Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat
Sarikaya was source to "deep concern" the report says events after
the bookstore bombing in Semdinli last year (where military personnel
were involved, caught and prosecuted) showed not that the role of
the army in the Turkish society had revived, but that it continued.

The report also says the 10% electoral barrier should be lowered in
Turkey allowing a larger representation in Parliament, inclusive of
Kurdish parties in reference to parties that cannot meet a nation-wide
10% vote average and are disallowed parliamentary representation.

The report also states that Turkey may require a new constitution that
would reflect the reforms taken in its path to the EU and condemns
a recent attack made by a gunman on members of the Turkish Council
of State.

Alawite Rights must be protected

Under the title "Human Rights and Protecting Minorities" the report
expresses sorrow that no improvements have yet been recorded since
the last EP report in the field of religious freedoms. It asks for
Turkey to tackle wit the obstacles in front of religious minorities
property and education rights.

The report also asks for Turkey to recognize and protect its Alawite
citizens while also approving their religious gathering places as
religious centers. It says religious education at schools should be
voluntary rather than compulsory and that it should not only reflect
the Muslim Sunni belief.

The report lists other appeals to Turkey ranging from "abolishment of
the village guards system " to "searching for a democratic solution
to the Kurdish issue", "detentions and arrests to be reformed to
European standards".

The parliament also called on Turkey to abolish or amend provisions
stifling freedom of expression, which "allow for arbitrary
interpretations by judges and prosecutors leading to judgments
which … constitute a threat to the respect of human rights and
freedoms."

–Boundary_(ID_j25C5u19YAIkE4 okCnkPHQ)–

SERGE SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE NEWLY APPOINTED UK MILITARY ATTACHE NICOLAS RIDOUT

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 26 2006

On the occasion of completion of the tenure in office of UK Military
Attache Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Nann and for presenting
the newly appointed Attache, Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Ridout,
on September 26 Secretary of the Presidential Council on National
Security, RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan received Charge
d’Affaires ad Interim of the United Kingdom in Armenia, Deputy
Ambassador Richard Hide.

Congratulating the new Military Attache on appointment, the Minister
thanked Lieutenant Colonel Nann for his work and wished success in
future activity.

The parties stated during the meeting that in the course of the past
3.5 years cooperation ties in the military sphere have been reinforced,
progress has been registered.

The newly appointed Attache Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Ridout promised
to further deepen the level of cooperation during his tenure in office.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AWARDS "KILIKIA" CREW

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2006

YEREVAN, September 26. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
awarded medals to the crew of the "Kilikia" sailer, which is back
to Armenia from its voyage according to the sea route of Armenian
merchants of the 13th century.

The RA presidential press service reports that President Kocharyan
thanked the crew members for excellent realization of a daring idea
of a three-year sea voyage.

In their turn, the "Kilikia" crew members handed over to the President
the three-color flag that was flying at the mast of the sailer. The
President also received a souvenir, a model of the sailer.

The "Kilikia" crew members informed the President of their voyage,
telling about the hospitality of the Armenian Diaspora and about the
interest shown in Armenia in foreign countries.

President Kocharyan and the "Kilikia" crew discussed the issue of
the last haven for the sailer.

On September 23, 2006, the RA President issued decrees awarding Medals
for Services to Fatherland, First Class, to the Commissioner of the
expedition Zory Balayan, Captain Karen Balayan and Advisor-Captain
Samvel Karapetyan.

Medals for Courage were awarded to the operator-sailor Samvel Balayan,
Assistant Captain Areg Nazaryan, shift supervisors Hayk Badalyan and
Armen Nazaryan, and to the cook Samvel Sargsyan.

In 2004-2006, the "Kilikia" sailer, which was constructed according
to the pattern of Armenian sailers of the Middle Ages, for the first
time made a voyage according to the route of Armenian merchants,
who maintained close trade ties with European market towns in the
13th century.

During two years, the sailer visited 64 ports in 26 European and
Mediterranean countries. The "Kilikia" sailer was constructed with
the use of materials used in the 13th century. The builders, "Hayas"
club of sea research, spent 11 years on the construction (May 1991
to May 2001). During the following two years the sailer was tested
on Lake Sevan. "Kilikia" is currently in Yerevan, and later it will
be delivered to Sevan and remodeled into a museum.

The sailer was named after a legendary Armenian kingdom of Kilikia
on the Mediterranean coat. The kingdom existed for 400 centuries.

EU ASSEMBLY SET TO AMEND TURKEY REPORT

EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Sept 26 2006

The European parliament is set to amend a controversial report on
Turkey’s EU membership bid.

Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings says he is hopeful that his colleagues will
remove calls for Ankara to recognise the Armenian genocide before
Turkey is allowed to join the EU.

The clause, which provoked a political storm in Turkey, was inserted
during the amendment process in the parliament’s foreign affairs
committee.

Speaking to Turkish Daily News on Monday, Eurlings stressed that he
would seek to tone down conclusions on Armenia.

"Certain things were added to my report during the vote in the foreign
affairs committee," he said.

Eurlings insists it was never his intention to force the Turks to
formally recognise this chapter of their history.

"This amendment was added when my report was being debated in the
parliament’s foreign affairs committee, and it is an amendment I
regret," the Dutch MEP said.

The Armenia amendment was proposed in committee by the Socialist MEP
Veronique De Keyser.

"That was against my will. This is not my line, and I will do my very
best during the plenary to get this out," Eurlings declared.

MEPs will debate the report on Tuesday – ahead of a Wednesday vote.

Istanbul court drops charges against novelist Elif Safak/ EU welcomes ruling

Dunya online, Turkey
Sept 23 2006

22/09/2006 14:20:32

The Beyoglu 1st Criminal Court in Istanbul on Thursday dropped all
charges against novelist Elif Safak, who had faced up to three years in
prison for writing a work of fiction in which characters referred to a
"genocide" of Armenians in Turkey during World War I. Safak didn’t
appear at the trial, as she was confined to hospital in Istanbul
after giving birth to a baby girl on Saturday.

The European Commission on Thursday hailed the court’s acquittal.

"The commission welcomes this recent judgement; this is obviously
good news," said Krisztina Nagy, spokeswoman for the European Union’s
executive arm. Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Co-Chairman
Joost Lagendijk also praised the verdict.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Safak’s acquittal,
saying his government was open to reform proposals to expand freedom
of speech. "Of course, the ruling concerning Ms. Safak has pleased me,"
Erdogan said.

ARMENIAN THEATERS STAGE ALFRED DE MUSSET’S PLAY

Armenpress

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: A play by a 19-th century French
playwright, Alfred de Musset, called Marianne’s Whims (Un Caprice
de Marianne) was translated into Armenian and will be staged by two
Armenian theaters on October 4, 5 and 7 within the frameworks of the
French Festival in Armenia and the Year of Armenia in France.

A French Armenian theater director, Serge Avedikian, invited to stage
the play, said at a news conference today that the Armenian culture
ministry and the French embassy in Yerevan financed the Armenian
translation of the play.

Avedikian said the idea was to do the play through a modern approach
first in Armenia and then to show it in France next year. Alfred de
Musset wrote the play in 1833.