Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 537b05
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:

Le Congrès observe les élections locales en Arménie

Strasbourg, 13.10.2005 – Le Congrès des Pouvoirs Locaux et Régionaux
du Conseil de l’Europe observera, le dimanche 16 octobre, les
élections locales dans plusieurs régions d’Arménie : Armavir, Lori
et Tavush.

La délégation du Congrès, présidée par Sean O’Brien (Irlande,
SOC), rencontrera les candidats aux élections, le président de la
commission centrale électorale, les membres des commissions
électorales régionales, les gouverneurs des régions concernées,
la délégation arménienne auprès du Congrès ainsi que des
représentants des médias et des ONG, dont l’Institut national
démocratique pour les affaires internationales (IND).

La délégation se compose également de David Lloyd-Williams
(Royaume-Uni, GILD), John Biggs (Royaume-Uni, SOC), Christopher Newbury
(Royaume-Uni, PPE, rapporteur), Luca Ciriani (Italie, GILD) et de Marja
van der Tas (Pays-Bas, PPE).

Une conférence de presse finale aura lieu le 17 octobre à 15h à
l’hôtel Ani Plaza à Erevan.

Pour plus d’information, veuillez contacter :
Bureau de la Représentante Spéciale du Secrétaire Général,
Bojana Urumova
Tél : + 374 1 24 33 85 / 87, Email : [email protected]

Congress to observe local elections in Armenia

Strasbourg, 13.10.2005 – On Sunday 16 October, the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will observe local
elections in several regions of Armenia: Armavir, Lory and Tavush.

The Congress delegation, led by Sean O’Brien (Ireland, SOC), will meet
election candidates, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission,
members of regional electoral commissions, the governors of regions
concerned, the Armenian delegation to the Congress, as well as
representatives of the media and NGOs, including the National Democratic
Institute for international affairs (NDI).

The delegation also includes David Lloyd-Williams (United Kingdom,
ILDG), John Biggs (United Kingdom, SOC), Christopher Newbury (United
Kingdom, EPP, rapporteur), Luca Ciriani (Italy, ILDG) and Marja van der
Tas (Netherlands, EPP).

A final press conference will take place on 17 October at 3 p.m at Ani
Plaza Hotel in Yerevan.

For further information, please contact:
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General to
Armenia, Bojana Urumova ; Tel: + 374 1 24 33 85 / 87, E-mail :
[email protected]

To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.

IRAN, RUSSIA TIES IMPROVING IN ALL AREAS: ENVOY

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Oct 11 2005

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholam Reza Ansari said here Monday that
Tehran, Moscow relations are improving in all areas.

Speaking to Ria Novosti News Agency, Ansari said following the trip
by former president Mohammad Khatami to Moscow several years ago a
new chapter began in bilateral relations in all areas.

He also referred to the two nations’ cooperation in nuclear energy.

“After the completion of Bushehr nuclear powerplant building more
powerplants is on the two states’ agenda.”

Ansari said that the building Bushehr is the most important index of
economic cooperation between the two sides in the recent years.

He also expressed hope that with the timely dispatch of fuel by Russia
and completion of the powerplant, operations will start on schedule.

“We have ensured Russia that our nuclear activities are peaceful and
expect Moscow to convey this policy to other nations.” He alluded
to the energy sector as an important area of cooperation between the
two countries. Soon Iran electricity grid will be connected to Russia
and Armenia.

Ansari said the two nations’ cooperation in industry and advanced
technologies are also extensive and referred to last year’s agreement
to build ‘Zohreh’ satellite.

He also expressed hope that the agreements would be implemented in
the near future.

Iran is interested in active participation in the joint Caspian Sea
security forces. Tehran and Moscow have common views on political,
economic and cultural areas and oppose foreign intervention in the
region, he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last September that his country
is committed to complete Bushehr nuclear power station on time
(scheduled in 2006).

Macomb Daily, MI
Oct 9 2005

Ford dealer Michael Dorian Sr. dies from injuries sustained in crash

PUBLISHED: October 8, 2005

By Chad Halcom
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Auto dealer Michael Dorian Sr. died Friday of injuries suffered
Thursday in an auto accident.

Dorian Sr. of Bloomfield Hills, who worked his way up from
used-car-lot worker to the owner of a Ford dealership, died at 2:25
a.m. after his car on Thursday drifted over into opposing traffic on
busy Cass Avenue in downtown Mount Clemens. He was 80.

“He never really fully retired, or even semi-retired as some people
call it,” said daughter Carolyn Dorian, who serves as parts and
service manager of her father’s auto dealership. “He’d still come
into work every day, at least until 1 p.m. or so. And he’d call five
times a day. That’s the part we’re going to miss.”

Macomb County sheriff’s investigators believe Dorian, founder of Mike
Dorian Ford in Clinton Township, may have had the onset of a medical
“condition” that caused him to lose control of his 2005 Ford 500 some
time before colliding with two other vehicles Thursday.

Officials said it was his injuries from the crash, not any event
preceding it, that ultimately took his life. But it remains unclear
whether Dorian was conscious or lucid in the moments before the
accident.

“Nothing in our investigation can tell us” whether Dorian could have
survived whatever caused him to lose control of the vehicle under
different circumstances, said Macomb County Sheriff’s Capt. Anthony
Wickersham. “But we do know the cause of death is the extent of his
injuries from the accident.”

Dorian, a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II,
started the business decades ago in Detroit before moving the company
to its longstanding location in Clinton Township. He had retired from
the day-to-day operations of the business some years ago, entrusting
it to son, Michael Jr.

Born in March 1925 to immigrant parents who had found work in
Detroit, he remained sympathetic and supportive to organizations such
as the ARS Armenian Orphanage Sponsorships Program, which aids
orphaned children with foster care and other costs.

Macomb County medical examiner Daniel Spitz, who conducted an autopsy
on Dorian Friday, said the man had a history of several medical
conditions but he could not conclude that any were the cause of his
accident. Although heart disease and diabetes were among his past
ailments, Spitz said he found no signs Dorian was having a heart
attack.

“It doesn’t appear that way,” Spitz said. “From his history there’s a
good chance of a medical event, but can I tell you he wasn’t just
distracted or trying to change the station on his radio?”

An accident investigation and witness accounts indicate Dorian’s
vehicle was heading eastbound on Cass Avenue in Mount Clemens when it
crossed into opposing traffic and clipped or ricocheted against a
westbound Chevy Suburban, then collided head-on with a
tractor-trailer truck carrying hot tar.

After the military, Dorian attended Michigan State University and
later Lawrence Technological University, where he studied finance.
After some time selling used cars, he eventually became a Ford dealer
and opened for business in 1964.

Dorian moved the business to Clinton Township in 1973, where it has
remained ever since at its location near 15 Mile Road on Gratiot,
Carolyn said. In honor of her father, she said, several dealerships
along Gratiot had lowered their flags to half-staff.

In additional to Carolyn Dorian and General Manager Michael Jr.,
Dorian is survived by another child, daughter, Michele who works as a
civil engineer. He also leaves behind three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Hamilton Funeral
Home, 820 E. Maple Road, Birmingham. Burial arrangements afterward
will be private. Visitation is from 4-9 p.m. Sunday and from 4 p.m.
until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Memorial
contributions may be made to the ARS Armenian Orphanage Sponsorships
Program.

ARMINFO News Agency
October 7, 2005

HEAD OF TURKISH ARMED FORCES GENERAL STAFF THINKS PROTRACTION OF
KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7. ARMINFO. “In the Karabakh conflict, the time
plays in the hands of Azerbaijan,” Head of the General Staff of
Turkish Armed Forces, General Hilmi Ozkok, said during his meeting
with Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev, the
Echo reports.

He said ‘Armenia is economically weak and this will strengthen the
positions of Azerbaiian and will create favorable conditions for
settlement.’ H. Ozkok said Turkey is ready to deepen the versatile
cooperation with Azerbaijan, including in the military sphere. He
thinks Turkey’s admission to the EU would be useful for the South
Caucasus region as well. The sides dwelled on the military- political
situation in the region of the South Caucasus and Central Asia and
the prospects of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation.

STRAW STEERS EU AWAY FROM ‘PRECIPICE’ WITH TURKEY ACCESSION DEAL
Nicola Smith

The Scotsman
Oct 4 2005

Key points
~U Foreign Secretary looks to have repaired deal over Turkey’s
possible entry into the EU
~U Talks mark a success for UK during its six-month EU presidency
~U EU membership may still be 15 years in the future, however

Key quote
“Those in the EU who cannot digest Turkey being in the EU
are against the alliance of civilisations. I appeal to the EU leaders
to show good sense for the sake of global peace and stability.” –
Tayyip Recep Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister

Story in full

THE British government last night averted a deep political crisis
in the European Union after it thrashed out a delicate agreement to
begin accession talks with Turkey.

After over 24 hours of tense negotiations and with only a few hours’
sleep, Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, brokered a successful
compromise to allay Austrian and Turkish concerns about the terms of
the negotiations.

The deal was finally clinched after a fraught four-hour wait on Turkey
to agree to the fine details of the negotiating mandate.

“We have reached agreement. Inshallah, we are departing for
Luxembourg,” Abdullah Gul, the Turkish foreign minister, said from
Ankara as he prepared to board a plane to meet his 25 EU counterparts.

The deal paved the way for the celebratory launch of accession talks
in Luxembourg, marking a milestone in Turkey’s 40-year bid for EU
membership.

The positive outcome to the intense session of diplomatic wrangling
was a welcome relief for the British government which had billed the
opening of talks with Turkey as one of the benchmarks of the success
of its six-month EU presidency.

Mr Straw cautioned his 24 EU counterparts yesterday that a failure
to go ahead with the talks could have disastrous consequences for
the EU’s future relations with Turkey.

“If we go the right way we reach the sunny uplands,” he said. “If we
go the wrong way, it could be catastrophic for the European Union.”

Speaking at a rally of his ruling Justice and Development party
on Monday, Tayyip Recep Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, also
warned that any attempt to sideline Ankara would have wider global
implications.

“Those in the EU who cannot digest Turkey being in the EU are against
the alliance of civilisations,” he said.

“I appeal to the EU leaders to show good sense for the sake of global
peace and stability.”

Mr Straw and Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief, were forced
to steer negotiations along a “precipice” between the brinkmanship
of the Austrian and Turkish governments.

Outside, hundreds of Armenians added to the tension with a
demonstration demanding Turkey make amends for the killings of
Armenians under Ottoman rule in 1915.

After seven bilateral meetings between Mr Straw and Ursula Plassnik,
his Austrian counterpart, and a telephone call to Wolfgang Schuessel,
the Austrian chancellor, Vienna appeared to backtrack on its demands
that Turkey explicitly be offered “alternatives” to full EU membership
from the outset.

The drama was heightened when Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of
state, intervened

to assure Turkey that its agreement to the proposed EU negotiating
framework had no implications for its relations with NATO.

The opening of talks with Ankara will only be the start of a ten-
to 15-year process where Turkey will be expected to go through a
series of economic and political reforms.

AREVA’S COGEMA PICKED BY ARMENIA TO BUILD 10 MLN EUR NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY

Forbes
Oct 3 2005

YEREVAN, Armemia (AFX) – The Armenian energy ministry said the Cogema
Logistics unit of French engineering group Areva has been chosen
to build a new 10 mln eur nuclear waste facility for the country’s
controversial Metsamor reactor.

Cogema Logistics will build a second waste disposal facility in
three phases between 2007 and 2018, said ministry spokesperson Lucin
Arutyunian.

The EU has asked Armenia to close the Metsamor reactor because of
safety concerns, but the power station, built in 1977, accounts for
about 40 pct of electricity production in the country.

The Associated Press
September 30, 2005, Friday, BC cycle

Armenian patriarch says Turkish EU bid critical for Muslim-Christian
understanding

By LOUIS MEIXLER, Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey

The head of the Armenian church in Turkey warned European leaders
that postponing Turkey’s bid for EU membership could undermine
efforts to bring together the Muslim East and the Christian West.

Turkey has worked hard to implement criteria required by the European
Union and has “been steered toward real change on the democratic
road,” the leader of the largest non-Muslim group in Turkey,
Patriarch Mesrob II of the Armenian church, wrote in a letter
released Friday.

“However, because of oppositionist and suspicious attitudes directed
toward Turkey, it seems as though it is being forced to take backward
steps and turn in on itself,” he wrote.

The Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world’s 200 million
Orthodox Christians also released a statement in support of Turkey’s
bid to join the 25-nation European Union amid growing frustration
over delays in membership talks.

Turkish nationalists planned a rally in Ankara on Sunday, the same
day EU foreign ministers were to hold an emergency meeting in
Luxembourg aimed at overcoming Austrian objections to starting entry
talks with the poor, predominantly Muslim nation.

Austria’s insistence that Turkey be offered the option of a lesser
partnership with the EU have thrown plans to begin formal entry
negotiations on Monday into disarray.

Turkey has threatened not to attend the talks unless it is satisfied
the EU will offer nothing less than full membership.

Minorities in Turkey have strongly supported the country’s EU bid in
the hopes it will lead to greater democratic reforms and freedoms.
Turkey already has enacted sweeping changes aimed at gaining EU
membership, such as abolishing the death penalty and passing laws
that improve democracy.

Mesrob urged EU leaders not to postpone Turkey’s quest for
membership. There are fears that if the EU bid collapses, nationalism
in Turkey will rise.

“Such undesired developments will be a blow not only to Turkey and
Europe but to reconciliation between East and West,” he wrote in the
letter, which was sent to EU foreign ministers ahead of their Sunday
meeting.

Armenian Christians, numbering 70,000, belong to the remnants of a
community largely destroyed by deportations and massacres at the time
of World War I.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of Orthodox
Christianity, said in his statement that “Turkey definitely has the
right to be part of this union.”

The patriarchate dates back to the Orthodox Greek Byzantine Empire,
which ruled the region from Constantinople, now called Istanbul.

European opposition to Turkey’s membership bid is increasingly
leading Turks to question their decades-long dream of being the only
predominantly Muslim country to enter the union.

“Some circles in the EU are anxious to anger and humiliate Turkey as
much as possible so that the indignant Turkish nation simply forces
its government to scrap the EU dream,” chief columnist Ilnur Cevik
wrote in The New Anatolian.

Columnist Hasan Cemal was more blunt.

“There is no end to the dynamite being thrown” on the EU path, he
wrote in the Milliyet newspaper. “They think that Turkish public
opinion is a stone of patience. It isn’t.”

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN COMMISSION NEXT SITTING TO BE HELD SPRING 2006

29.09.2005 12:39

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Coordinated and important decisions were taken during the
4-th sitting of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on
economic cooperation held in Yerevan today, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Nogaideli stated during the press conference upon completion of the sitting.
He marked out several important lines that were discussed during the
sitting. `First of all it is trade. Both parties supported consolidation of
economic ties. Georgia cancelled transit highway-user tax early this year
and today we agreed that Armenia will make analogous decision as regards
Georgia. This move will promote the growth of commodity turnover between
Armenia and Georgia,’ he said. `Presently we are discussing the possibility
of opening new highway, railway and air communication lines in two
directions Yerevan-Tbilisi and Yerevan-Batumi. We fully support the creation
of alternative transport ties for Armenia including the restoration of
Kars-Gyumri railway communication,’ emphasized Zurab Nogaideli. He informed
that during the sitting the commission touched upon tourism development as
well. `We were glad to learn that 12 thousand Armenians had a rest at the
Georgian coast of the Black Sea this year. We are also pleased that Armenian
investors pay attention to the resort infrastructure in Adjaria’, he said
adding that some important decisions were taken in energy sphere as well. In
this view he specified two directions. `First, we have not coordinated
Georgia’s debt for the energy supplied by Armenia yet. Second, an investment
program targeted at construction of a high-voltage power line that will
allow to increase the export of Armenian to Georgia should be discussed,’
the Georgian Premier said. `Besides, we have considered the possibility of
opening a joint Georgian-Armenian university in Georgia. Next year we are
launching an efficient investment program in Samtskhe Javakhetia. The
program includes building of a highway connecting the region with Tbilisi,
Armenia and Turkey. Being a highway of international motor communication it
will attract investments to the economy of the region. Next year we are
launching a project targeted at repairing of Georgian schools including the
schools in Javakhetia. The Armenian government will co-finance the repair of
village schools of Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki regions,’ the Georgian
Premier stated. He also informed that the next sitting of the
Armenian-Georgia commission on economic cooperation will be held next spring
in Batumi. `I attach great attention to the development of business
cooperation between the commercial structures of Georgia and Armenia. I will
by all means contribute to the consolidation of ties and creation of an
economic system promoting efficient activities of Armenian and Georgian
entrepreneurs’, Zurab Nogaideli resumed.

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
28 Sep 05

US OFFICIAL MEETS RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVES IN TURKEY

Istanbul, 28 September: Karen Hughes, undersecretary in charge of
public diplomacy at the US Department of State, has met religious
representatives in Istanbul today.

Hughes met the Istanbul Director of Religious Affairs Mustafa
Cagrici, Vatican’s Representative in Turkey George Marovich, Turkish
Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan, Turkish Rabbi Ishak Haleva,
Turkish Asyrian Orthodox Deputy Patriarch Yusuf Cetin and Fener Greek
Patriarchate Spokesman Peder Dositheos at the Topkapi Palace.

Hughes told reporters before holding a meeting with the religious
representatives that it was US President George Bush’s wish for her
to meet with religious representatives. “This is because the
religious leaders can offer a hand to thousands and can contribute to
a multi-religious atmosphere,” said Hughes.

Huges stated that, although she has been in Turkey for a little
while, she has been impressed by Turkish warmth and hospitality. “We
are identical in many ways. Our peoples give high priority to
democracy, family life and religion,” stressed Hughes.

Huges noted that the American people appreciate the aid sent to the
US after the devastating Hurricane Katrina.

Istanbul Director of Religious Affairs Mustafa Cagrici has commented
that Turkey and the US are identical societies which value democracy
and family life.

Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan has indicated that the
clash of civilizations between the West and East is a matter of
concern for his church. “We have to discuss ways to prevent clashes.
For this reason, I find it highly essential to continue meetings of
religious leaders,” told Mutafyan.

Vatican’s Turkey Representative George Marovich has noted that Turkey
is like a garden of different flowers. “In the 1800s, the Ottoman
Sultan ordered the construction of a mosque, synagogue and church
next to each other. Such a practice did not exist in Europe then.
Such a tolerance comes from the Holy Qu’ran.”

Karen Hughes commented after the meeting that Turkey and its society
will be a source of inspiration for the rest of the world with regard
to tolerance.

MEETING WITH THE SPEAKER

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 28 2005

On September 26 the speaker of the National Assembly of NKR received
the delegation of the USA Western Region branch of the Democratic
Liberal Party. According to the head of the delegation, the chair of
the department Ara Aharonian, the aim of the visit was to decide the
further plans of the department. “All that was carried out in Artsakh
in the past years should be developed consistently. This is a rather
complicated and intensive process and in this we need the support of
our compatriots abroad,” said the NA speaker in his greeting speech.

In this context he emphasized the importance of the Armenian Diaspora
and the role of its political, religious and other organizations,
including the Democratic Liberal Party in the projects of Hayastan
Foundation. Then the speaker dwelled upon the tendencies in the
public, political, social and economic life in NKR. The chairman
of the standing committee for foreign relations Vahram Atanessian
and the head of the administration of the National Assembly Arthur
Sarghissian were also present at the meeting.