Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

“CILICIA” ARMENIAN VESSEL WAS SOLEMNLY WELCOMED IN MARSEL

YEREVAN, JULY 6. ARMINFO. “Cilicia” Armenian vessel was solemnly
welcomed in France on July 3, 2005.

As ARMINFO was informed in the Press and Information Department,
Armenia’s Ambassador to France Eduard Nalbandyan, heads of the Marsel
municipality, senators, deputies and more than thousand
representatives of the Armenian Diaspora were presented at the
reception.

Nalbandyan in his welcome speech stressed that Marsel has been a
hospitable landing place for Armenians from time immemorial and “the
saving coast for those saved by a miracle”.

The crew of “Cilicia” will be in Marsel till July 6 giving residents
of Marsel an opportunity to visit the vessel. In 2005, “Cilicia” will
visit Barcelona, Kartakhena, Kadis, Lisbon, La-Corunya, San-Sebastian,
La-Roshel, Brest, Korke, Dublin, Portsmouth, and Amsterdam. The second
stage of the cruise started on May 5, 2005 will last four months,
afterwards the crew plans to wait till spring in Amsterdam.

A1plus

| 13:33:23 | 05-07-2005 | Official |

CONSTITUTION – RULE OF VALUES

It’s 10 years since the adoption of the Constitution. Catholicos of All
Armenians Garegin II issued a congratulation letter on the occasion.

`On the day of the adoption of the Constitution our souls admitted the rule
of the values and principles, which must bring our country to prosperity and
strong state organization. We are convinced that the values of right and
humanity in our society should strengthen and yield fruit as the expression
of our Christian identity and traditions, as the evidence of hopes for happy
future. In the course of centuries our people strived to secure and lawful
life and free creation’, the statement says.

Pan Armenian News

KOCHARIAN CONGRATULATED ARMENIAN CITIZENS ON CONSTITUTION DAY

05.07.2005 02:36

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian congratulated the
citizens of the country on the Constitution Day. The congratulation message
of the Armenian President says, `Within the past decade our Constitution has
demonstrated its viability and has pointed out the way to overcome the
hardest situations. The Organic Law of our country is the major guarantor of
civil accord, rule of law and stability. At this stage the process of
constitutional reforms has ripened and reached its final phase. Much work
has been done to that end by state bodies, political forces and specialists.
We have also made international commitments thereupon. I am sure that the
natural course of reforms of the Constitution is of high importance for the
progress of our country.’ The Armenian President congratulated the citizens
on the Constitution Day and said he hoped that `the Organic Law of Armenia
will remain the legal basis for the life of the people and the state,’
Regnum news agency reported.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE CATHOLCIOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE CONFERENCE OF THE
MECC COMMITTEE OF WOMEN’S PROGRAM

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) committee of women’s program
organized a one-day conference in the museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
on June 25. The main theme of the conference was “what does being a
Christian mean?”

The participants discussed the role of women in the church by analyzing
excerpts from the Bible.

Ms. Nelly Vekilian participated in the conference on behalf of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. Around 100 women from different churches
participated in the conference. About 20 of these were from the Armenian
Orthodox Church. The participants in the conference also visited the
“Cilicia” museum.

His Holiness Aram I gave cross souvenirs to each participant.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 1 2005

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES AGO MONITORING GROUP
MEMBERS
[July 01, 2005, 18:09:35]

On July 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
received a delegation of the Council of Europe AGO monitoring group
led by permanent representative of Germany to the organization Dr.
Roland Wegener. The President noted favorable conditions had been
created for the Ago group to be closely familiarized with the current
situation in Azerbaijan, and informed the guest in detail with
ongoing democratic processes in the country.

Head of the delegation Roland Wegener said he witnessed considerable
progress occurred in Azerbaijan since his last visit to the country.

He valued the presidential decrees of pardon, order on improvement of
election practice, as well as the positive changes in penitentiary,
measures for protection of rights of prisoners, and providing equal
rights for candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections,
initiative of authority – opposition dialogue, and ensuring freedom
of assembly as a real progress in democratic development in the
country.

Mr. Roland Wegener added the members of the Ago Monitoring group had
closely watched President Ilham Aliyev’s interview to the CNN-Turk
TV-channel, in which the Head of State dwelt on the ongoing
democratic processes in Azerbaijan.

The meeting also focused on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, and a number of other issues of mutual interest.

Ukrainian foreign minister off to Georgia on official visit

Interfax-Ukraine news agency
30 Jun 05

Kiev, 30 June: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk is in Georgia
on a two-day official visit.

The deputy head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s press service,
Dmytro Svystkov, said at a briefing today that Tarasyuk is to meet
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli
and Foreign Minister Salome Zourabishvili.

“The Ukrainian foreign minister’s visit will be an important stage
in preparing Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko’s future visit to
Georgia,” Svystkov said.

He said during the visit the parties would discuss bilateral
cooperation, including progress in implementing agreements reached
during previous visits by both countries’ top officials, further
development of the legislative base, cooperation within international
organizations, cooperation in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic
integration and the further transformation of GUAM [a regional
organization comprising four former Soviet states – Georgia, Ukraine,
Azerbaijan and Moldova] into a regional international organization.

Special attention will be paid to the problem of settling “frozen
conflicts” [the Dniester region settlement in Moldova, resolution of
the Abkhaz conflict in Georgia and the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia]. An interagency memorandum on
cooperation in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration
is expected to be signed.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/30/2005
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1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia
2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties
3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide
4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders
5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon

1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia

Chairman Hyde agrees to mark-up bill in committee

WASHINGTON, DC–Late yesterday, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a
bill urging the President and Secretary of State to call on Turkey to
immediately lift its ongoing blockade of Armenia. Congressman Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) was an original co-sponsor of the bill.
This bill also requires a report from the Secretary of State within 30
days of
final passage that will outline steps taken by the US to end Turkey’s blockade
of Armenia. The State Department has estimated that the blockade is inflating
Armenia’s transportation costs by 30-35%. The blockade also prevents the US
and
international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, which is a
violation of US law and international humanitarian standards.
House International Relations Committee Chairman, Henry Hyde (R-IL), has
agreed to a subcommittee mark-up on Schiff’s bill in July and a full committee
mark-up shortly after the August recess. A mark-up is the final obstacle a
bill
must overcome before a vote by the full House of Representatives is possible.
“It is time to step-up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian blockade of
Armenia, allowing desperately needed humanitarian assistance into the country,
and permitting Armenian businesses to compete fully in the global economy.
I am
grateful for Chairman Hyde’s commitment to a timely hearing on my bill,” said
Schiff.
“President Bush and the Secretary of State can no longer stand by and allow
Turkey to blockade Armenia without voicing any opposition or concern,” said
Congressman Frank Pallone. “The time is long overdue for Congress to send the
Bush administration a strong message that it’s time to terminate this blockade
so Armenia can realize its full economic potential.”
“The Armenian National Committee of America welcomes Congressman Schiff’s
legislation, requiring a State Department report on any steps it has
taken–and
any actions it plans to take in the future–to bring an end to Turkey’s
illegal
blockade of Armenia,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian
National Committee of America. “We look forward to helping Congressmen Schiff,
Pallone, and other sponsors of this measure to work toward final passage in
the
House of Representatives.”
Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on
National
Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations
committees. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which
includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East
San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena,
and Temple City.

2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties

BAKU (Combined Sources)–Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his
two day official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, in an effort to boost
already close ties and trade links.
Marking his first official visit to the country as Prime Minister, Erdogan
met
with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to discuss issues including cooperation in
the oil-and-gas industry and steps toward a possible settlement of the
Karabagh
conflict.
Thanking the Prime Minister for Turkey’s position and support on the Karabagh
conflict, Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit will serve as an
important
catalyst for further development of the political, economic, and cultural
relationship between the two countries.
Recalling Heydar Aliyev’s “One nation, two states,” slogan, Erdogan noted,
“Turkey has always been side by side with Azerbaijan, and this policy will be
continued in the future.” He said that in addition to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines, which “were of exceptional
significance for Azerbaijan and Turkey,” the countries would also develop
their
trade cooperation.
On the issue of the Russian military base transfer from Georgia to Armenia,
Erdogan clarified that Turkey could only serve as a “passive onlooker” in the
situation, “without trying to sway Russia’s decision.”
On May 30, Russia and Georgia agreed that Russia’s two bases pull out by
2008.
The withdrawal of military hardware from the Akhalkalak base near the
Georgian-Armenian border is scheduled for 2006 and the facility’s closure is
due the following year. The Batumi base, on the Black Sea coast, will close in
2008.
Reports have said the Turkish leader is also expected to urge Azerbaijan to
pursue democratic reforms ahead of the country’s November elections.
Earlier this week in an interview with CNN-Turk television, Aliyev said he
ruled out the possibility of a popular uprising in Azerbaijan similar to those
that occurred in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
Aliyev, however, pledged that the November vote would be “bright, democratic
and transparent.”
Erdogan is expected to address Azeri parliamentarians and meet with Turkish
and Azeri business people.

3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide

BERLIN–A group calling for an end to Turkey’s official denial of the Armenian
genocide held a vigil on June 29 in Berlin, directly across the Turkish
Consulate there. Interestingly, the gathering was organized by a group of
Turkish intellectuals, who call themselves “Turks of Berlin.”
Approximately 25 people–Turks and Germans alike–conducted the 5-hour vigil,
calling on Turkey to officially recognize the genocide of Armenians by the
government of Ottoman Turkey, and to issue an apology to the descendents of
the
Genocide.
The group displayed a banner that read in Armenian, German, and Turkish: “I
denounce the genocide of 1915, and apologize to the Armenian people.” They
also
made available photos depicting the Armenian genocide, and lit candles.
The following day, Turks and Armenians debated the topic: “Were Armenians the
Victim of Genocide 90 years ago, in the Ottoman Empire.” According to German
Security Services, Turkish nationalist groups in Germany, including Milli
Gorus
(National Vision) organized an exhibit to counter the efforts.
Milli Gorus is an organization of Turkish immigrants in Europe, composed of
members of the former Turkish Welfare Party and the fascist Gray Wolves. Their
aim is to shield Turkish immigrants from Western cultural and political
influences.
Organizers of the debate, which took place in Bremen, were not concerned with
the efforts of the Turkish groups.

4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders

YEREVAN–Karabagh’s new parliament held its first session on Thursday and
elected its leadership. The new speaker of the local assembly is Ashot Ghulian
the leader of the Democratic Party of Artsakh (AZhK). Ghulian resigned as
Karabagh’s minister of education and culture before taking up the new post. He
had previously served as foreign minister.
In his acceptance speech, Ghulian pledged to adhere to “good traditions of
the
previous parliament.” The parliament’s deputy speaker, Rudik Hyusnunts, is a
senior member of the Azat Hayrenik (Free Fatherland) party that finished
second
with 10 seats.
Other Azat Hayrenik deputies, including the party’s leader Arayik
Harutiunian,
were elected as chairmen of two of the Karabagh National Assembly six standing
committees.
Ghukasian, insisting that the election, monitored by over a hundred
representatives of foreign non-governmental organizations, was “truly free,
fair and transparent,” urged lawmakers to be “active” in their work in
order to
make government more efficient.

5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon

BEIRUT–Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday
evening to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 50th anniversary of
the Beirut-based Armenian Haigazian University. Oskanian will serve as keynote
speaker.
During his three-day visit, Oskanian will meet with Lebanon’s top government
officials, as well as with family members of the late former Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri.
Oskanian is also scheduled to meet with Catholicos Aram I, Haigazian
University faculty, and members of the local Armenian community.

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ARMENIA TO JOIN UNITED SYSTEM OF BUSINESS INCUBATORS

Pan Armenian News
29.06.2005 07:53

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Business incubators and technoparks of 17
states of Western Europe and Central Asia as well as the US,
Germany, Australia and South Africa will create a united network
for information exchange, Enterprise Incubator Foundation chief
specialist Sofia Muradian told .am reporter. She informed that
Armenia was represented at the conference by Enterprise Incubator
Foundation and ViaSphere Technopark. Representatives of business
incubators and technoparks of Western Europe and Central Asia came
to an analogous decision during the regional conference organized
by the Ukrainian Incubator and the Union of Innovation Centers
with the assistance of the World Bank. During the discussion the
working groups set forth their proposals after what projects on the
network creation were submitted. To note, the conference was held
June 8-11, 2005 in Kiev. Exchange of experience and information,
presentation of innovation and achievements as well as development
of telecommunications and some other issues became the main topics
of the discussions.

Euro-reporters.com, Belgium
June 29 2005

Rich Europe’s Turkic animosity
Written by Brussels journalist David Ferguson
Wednesday, 29 June 2005

“I hope that at least one Member State in the Council will pull
the emergency chord and stop this proposal by the Commission,” said
Christian Democrat MEP Elmar Brok, speaking just after the European
Commission presented its framework for negotiating EU membership with
Turkey. Brok, along with other conservative MEPs from rich older Member
States like France and the Netherlands, believes the Commission has not
understood the Zeitgeist. “Today’s decision by the Commission on Turkey
shows that the Commission has not recognised what its job is, which
is to lead the European Union out of its current crisis,” said Brok,
who is chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee.

If Turkey fulfills the preliminary conditions, that include recognizing
Cyprus, then talks with Ankara could start as early 3 October. Unless,
that is European leaders, pushed by an ever louder chorus of
politicians, decide otherwise. “Turkey is our partner and must have
a European perspective,” continued Brok. “But it is dangerous to lead
either Turkey or the people of the European Union to believe that what
was being negotiated from October 3 onwards was full EU membership.”

“The main point in common behind the no victories in France and the
Netherlands was popular animosity to the Turkish candidacy. Everyone
knows that this sentiment is shared more or less in half a dozen
other Member States,” added French MEP Alain Lamassoure from the
conservative UMP party.

Fellow UMP MEP, Françoise Grossetête says she was always against Turkey
joining citing the Armenian genocide, torture and lack of democracy,
and the non-recognition of Cyprus. “The results of the referendum
in France and the Netherlands clearly showed that European citizens
wanted a pause in the enlargement process and a majority of them were
against the entry of Turkey,” said Grossetête, who is vice-president
of the Christian Democrat EPP group in the Parliament.

The draft framework for negotiating with Turkey, leaked earlier this
week to Brussels journalists, talks of “accession” being the “shared
objective”. Negotiations will last a minimum of ten years but there’s
no membership guarantee. Ankara will also be committed to the eventual
adoption of the euro. And even if negotiations are successful, Turkey
will not join before the next long-term EU budget starts in 2014.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who last week told MEPs that
“enlargement had been stretched to its limits”, admitted negotiations
will be long and difficult but beneficial: “We all know that it will
be a long and difficult journey and we have to take into account the
concerns of citizens,” Rehn said, whilst presenting the negotiating
framework.

“It is in Europe’s interest to have a stable, democratic, prosperous
Turkey that adopts and implements all EU values, policies and
standards,” continued Rehn. “The opening of the accession negotiations
is a recognition of the reforms already achieved in Turkey. It gives
this country a chance to demonstrate, through a fair and rigorous
negotiation process, whether it is able to meet fully all the criteria
required to join the EU.”

Following Dutch and French rejection of the proposed European
constitution, a growing number of mostly conservative politicians from
richer old Member States want enlargement frozen for Turkey. “We
must hold up enlargement at least until institutions have been
modernised. Europe cannot enlarge for ever,” said French Interior
Minister Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday. Angela Merkel, the German Christian
Democrat leader likely to take over from Chancellor Gerhard Schröder
after September elections, is also against Ankara’s EU membership.

Even European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso admits things
are different now. “We should seriously discuss the signals sent by
the electorate regarding Turkey. We need the support of Member States
and citizens for the enlargement of the European Union,” said European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, speaking last week. “We need
a frank discussion on this matter. It would be mistake not to look
at this issue seriously.” Even Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn,
speaking last week to MEPs, said enlargement had “been stretched to
its limits”.

Ankara is under immense pressure to finally carry through on economic
and political reforms as well as expand its customs union with the
EU to include all ten new Member States, including Cyprus. Turkish
officials, however, are still talking of an additional declaration
to the Ankara Protocol on customs union stating the document does
not entail Turkish recognition of Cyprus.

If Turkey is not compliant, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn is
ready with an emergency clause. “We have taken into account the lesson
learned from previous enlargement and focused less on commitments and
more on actual progress,” said Rehn. “We also have the emergency break
that allows for a suspension of negotiations if there are persistent
breaches of human right or the rule of law in Turkey.”

Member States will have the final word on whether to actually start
negotiations with Turkey on the basis of the ‘negotiating framework’.
Taking over the EU presidency from Luxembourg on 1 July, the UK is a
staunch supporter of Turkey joining. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots
will try to add additional conditions that could include withdrawal
of Turkish troops and settlers from northern Cyprus.

–Boundary_(ID_2zy8utw1fT7IDS5DiZJ6Dw)–

PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF ARMENIA DEMANDS TO SENTENCE ARMENIAN CITIZEN
CHARGED WITH ESPIONAGE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN TO 13 YEARS OF
IMPRISONMENT

YEREVAN, JUNE 24. ARMINFO. Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan
Hovsepyan has demanded to sentence Armenian citizen Andrey Maziyev
charged with espionage in favor of Azerbaijan to 13 years of
imprisonment. Trial on Armenian citizen Andrey Maziyev is at the First
Instance Court of Yerevan communities Malatia-Sebatia under
chairmanship of the judge Tigran Petrosyan. He is charged with three
articles of the Armenian Criminal Code (high treason through
espionage, contribution to preparation of a terrorist act,
contribution to preparation of the murder of a state political
figure).

In his speech, Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan says
that exposure of the given crime allow prevention of heavier crimes.
A.Hovsepyan noted that in October 1999 Maziyev was in Azerbaijan
wherein he was enlisted by Azerbaijani special services. By Jan 4 2005
he was receiving tasks from the special services and fulfilling them
under a nickname “Frolov”. On the whole, he met with representatives
of Azerbaijani special services 18 times and received some 2.5
thous. USD. He sent Armenian Russian language newspaper to the special
services of Azerbaijan, collected information of domestic political
situations in Armenia, on military and defense complex and the
situation in army, information of economic nature, on the atomic power
plant and the nuclear fuel supplied, as well as on NKR. In the autumn
of 2000, in conformity with regular instructions, Maziyev took photos
of the president on the latter’s arrival from a tour. He photographed
the landing plane, helicopters protecting the territory of the
airport, the president and his escort passing by the building where
Maziyev lives. He also took photos of the president in hangar and the
building of the airport. He handed over the photos to the special
services, informing them of the places of snipers. Officers of special
services of the Azerbaijani National Security Ministry Faig Shamilov
(who is announced internationally wanted by Armenia) certain Mahmoud
and Zaur, as well as runners Nodar and Zurab, dealt with Maziyev. The
special services were interested whether Maziyev had acquaintances
among the relatives of Nairi Hunanyan and Mushegh Saghatelyan.

Prosecutor General says that the existing proofs confirm the guilt of
the defendant. At the same time, he pointed out the necessity of
taking into consideration both the aggravating and softening
circumstance, in particular, the fact that Maziyev pled guilty and
contributed to the exposure of the crime. In his turn, Prosecutor Aram
Amirzadyan says that the guilt of Andrey Maziyev is proved without his
own admission, due to numerous witnesses and proofs, in particular,
the confiscated data on the runners, photos of the airport and record
of a telephone conversation with Zaur.

In his speech, Lawyer Hakov Isakhanyan says that he had no intention
to justify the crime of his client, pointing out the softening
circumstances, as it were Maziyev’s admissions and contribution that
helped exposing the crime. Maziyev himself asked to take into account
that he had carried out such a heavy crime as his family had been
subjected to pressure and the Azerbaijani special services were
informed of its arrival in Russia. He sincerely repented of the crime,
asking the court to display more soft attitude to his guilt.

The verdict will be announced on June 28.