Author: Topchian Jane

Panorama.am

18:26 19/01/2007

MINISTER SAYS MATAGHISI CASE NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION

`Military prosecutor’s office and courts have nothing to do with the
ministry of defense. They are out of ministry’s supervision and are
totally independent. I have never talked to any judge on any case. I
have never mediated for anyone and have no willingness to do so,’
Serzh Sargsyan, defense minister of Armenia, said speaking about
Mataghisi Case.

Sargsyan, however, is of negative opinion of the case. Two courts
have sentenced defendants to 15 years of imprisonment and later for
life sentence whereas the Appeal Court has released them and sent the
criminal case for further investigation. `I think it will be fair to
find out which judge is right. If the first and second judges made the
fair ruling, they must be rewarded and the third one punished and the
other way round,’ the minister said.

Source: Panorama.am

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: OSCE SHOULD NOT AGREE WITH FROZEN CONFLICTS IN POST SOVIET COUNTRIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 18 2007

"OSCE should not agree with unsettled and frozen conflicts in Post
Soviet countries," Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister
said in the meeting of OSCE Permanent Council, OSCE Vienna office
told the APA.

The minister chairing the European Union since January 1 stressed
the importance of the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"We call to the parties to profit from OSCE mediation in the settlement
of the conflict. The EU will help the countries ready for constructive
dialogue," he said.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that OSCE and the EU should cooperate in
the regions like Kosovo and Central Asia. He said the EU will follow
OSCE practice on the issues of democracy, human rights, economic
development and ecological issues.

MOSUL AND ADVENTURE
By Ergun Babahan

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Jan 16 2007

I met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this weekend and we discussed
developments in Iraq. Ankara is obviously following these developments
closely but it has absolutely no intention of plunging the country into
an adventure whose outcome is unclear. It was said that if they try to
act by ignoring Turkey, we would remind them that we’re here. Actually,
Turkey’s importance has always been underlined during the process
starting from last year’s Baker report to the recent remarks made by US
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Yes,
if Turkey makes an initiative on northern Iraq, it might be come at
odds with the US, and this might cause serious problems. However,
such a development would be a failure for the US, whose Iraq policy
has fallen flat. So, it can be said that more attention will be paid
to Ankara’s remarks in the weeks and months to come. As for regional
leader Massoud Barzani, his remarks are seen as being directed towards
domestic concerns, and it is underlined that he might have problem
staying in power. Ankara is constantly following the northern Iraq
issue. However, how right is it to relate Iraq policy just with the
issue of a possible independent Kurdish state?

According to the book ‘Musul Sorunu’ (The Mosul Issue) by Dr. Ihsan
Serif Kaymaz, this is the basis of the problem. In his book, Kaynar
wrote that during the Turkish War of Independence most of the Kurdish
people living in Anatolia supported the national movement. However,
this support, which was ensured thanks to such effective rallying cries
as Islamic unity and the Armenian danger, was neither problem free
nor unconditional. It was problematic, because the Kocgiri rebellion,
which was during the most critical stage of the war and started at
a time when Greek forces launched an attack and came as far as the
Sakarya River, put the national forces in a difficult position. It was
conditional, because throughout the War of Independence, Kurds have
always had certain wishes and expectations, meaning autonomy. Mustafa
Kemal Pasha (later Ataturk) was obliged to act more tolerantly in
an atmosphere in which the general situation was very serious. Under
these circumstances, was it correct to include the new mass of half
a million Kurds within the country’s borders?

Kaynar also wrote that this evaluation was the reason for not
taking in the province of Mosul and listed two conditions which
were unacceptable for the young Turkey of that era: Firstly, Mosul
shouldn’t have been taken under the control of imperialist forces
from outside the region. Secondly, an independent Kurdish formation
shouldn’t have emerged in the province. It seems that in the 80 years
since the situation hasn’t changed.

1933 ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE IN IRAQ INSPIRED THE WORD ‘GENOCIDE’

Assyrian International News Agency, CA
Jan 16 2007

Internationally acclaimed as the man who coined the term ‘genocide’,
Raphael Lemkin was born to Jewish parents in Eastern Poland in 1901.

It is ironic that it was not the persecution of his own people which
led Lemkin to not only invent the phrase but to dedicate his life
to fighting its reality. This struggle did not start, as might be
expected, after the atrocities of the Second World War but some years
before they had even begun.

Raphael Lemkin was educated at home together with his two brothers.

He studied philology at the University of Lwow before deciding
on a career in law. He gained a doctorate from the University of
Heidelburg in Germany and in 1929 began teaching at Tachkimoni College
in Warsaw. He became a public prosecutor and for the next five years
represented Poland at conferences all over the world. A prominent
international figure Dr Lemkin also served on the on the Polish Law
Codification Committee and helped draft the criminal code of a newly
independent Poland.

In 1933 Dr Lemkin was deeply disturbed by the massacre of Christian
Assyrians by Iraqis. His distress was compounded by earlier memories
of the slaughter of Armenians by Turks during the First World War and
the international jurist began to examine these acts as crimes in an
effort to deter and prevent them. He presented his first proposal to
outlaw such ‘acts of barbarism’ to the Legal Council of the League
of Nations in Madrid the same year. However, the proposal failed and
his work incurred the disapproval of the Polish government, which was
at the time pursuing a policy of conciliation with Nazi Germany. He
was forced to retire from his public position in 1934. Undeterred Dr
Lemkin continued his work in private law practice until the German
invasion of Poland in 1939 led him to experience at first hand the
very acts that he was working to prevent.

Dr Lemkin was wounded whist fighting the Nazis outside Warsaw. He hid
in the Polish forests for six months before finally escaping to Sweden
by way of Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. The exile was to save him. He
and his brother Elias were the only members of the forty-strong Lemkin
family that were to survive the Nazi occupation.

Now a refugee in Sweden Dr Lemkin worked as a lecturer at the
University of Stockholm, using his time in exile to study Nazism from
the standpoint of jurisprudence. He analysed the legal decrees that
had allowed the Nazi occupation and identified the instruments that
had worked to systematically eliminate a people. He labelled this
premeditated crime ‘genocide’ from the Greek prefix genos meaning
race and the Latin suffix cide meaning killing. His work was later
published in 1944 in the landmark book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe.

His analysis was used as one of the bases for determining the Nuremberg
trials programme in 1945, where he served as. legal adviser to the
US Chief Prosecutor.

The recognition of genocide in the Nuremberg trials was a considerable
achievement. However since the trials handled cases of war guilt only
and genocide in times of peace was not punishable under those terms,
Dr Lemkin resolved to carry on his campaign for the establishment
of genocide as a crime under international law. He presented a draft
convention on the prevention and punishment of genocide to the Paris
peace conference in 1945. As in 1933, his proposal failed. He had no
funding, no office, nor did he represent any government or accredited
organisation. Yet with the dogged determination that had become
characteristic of Dr Lemkin’s life, he continued his struggle.

His persistent and persuasive lobbying paid off the following year
when a further resolution in favour of an international convention
was put before the United Nations. The resolution was approved and Dr
Lemkin became an adviser in the writing of an international treaty to
that effect. On December 9th 1948, the Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted unanimously by
the United Nations General Assembly. It represented a triumph in the
struggle that Dr Lemkin had begun some 15 years earlier.

Once the convention was in place Dr Lemkin continued to lobby
relentlessly for its ratification. He did so until his death in 1959.

Dr Raphael Lemkin was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his
work and was honoured with a number of other awards. These included the
Grand Cross of Cespedes from Cuba in 1950 and the Stephen Wise Award
of the American Jewish Congress in 1951. On the 50th anniversary of
the Convention entering into force Dr Rapael Lemkin was also recently
honoured by UN Secretary-General as an inspiring example of moral
engagement.

OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL HELP TO FORM ATMOSPHERE OF TRUST BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES, RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER STATES

Noyan Tapan
Jan 15 2006

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "In order to establish stability and
security and to develop cooperation in the region, it is necessary
that Turkey establish equal relations with all the South Caucasian
countries and give up its policy of forcing Armenia out of regional
programs, including economic ones," the RA Deputy Foreign Minister
Arman Kirakosian stated during the international conference "The
Social and Economic Consequences of Opening of the Armenian-Turkish
Border" on January 13. He said that Armenia has repeatedly stated
its willingness to establish diplomatic relations with Turkey without
any preconditions.

However, according to him, instead of solving the problem of
establishing diplomatic relations and opening the border, Turkey
puts forward a number of preconditions, the main one of which is the
final resolution of the Karabakh conflict. "In fact Turkey prefers
maintaining its solidarity with Azerbaijan to forming an atmosphere
of trust and cooperation in the region," A. Kirakosian stated.

The deputy minister noted that the Armenian authorities attach great
importance to opening the Armenian-Turkish border, which will not
only be useful for the economies of the two countries but will also
have a positive impact on development of the regional cooperation in
the South Caucasus. A. Kirakosian expressed an opinion that opening
the border will help to form an atmosphere of mutual trust between
Armenia and Turkey and to create more favorable conditions for the
solution of political problems.

The US Charge D’Affaires Anthony Godfrey made a speech at the beginning
of the conference. He stated that the US assists with opening the
Armenian-Turkish border. "Both peoples will benefit from this, the
border’s opening will promote stability in the region," he said.

Experts, scientists and businessmen from Armenia and Turkey
participated in the conference organized on the intiative of the
Armenian International Policy Research Group.

SELIM PASS CLOSED

ArmRadio.am
15.01.2007 15:19

The Selim pass was closed because of the strong snowstorm last
Saturday, ArmInfo was told from "Hayavtochan" state non-commercial
organization.

According to the source, currently the road is being cleaned. All
other highways of the republic are open for vehicular traffic.

PanARMENIAN.Net

RA MFA Welcomes Any Beginnings Aimed at Opening Armenian-Turkish Border
13.01.2007 13:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey must establish normal relations with its all
neighbors in the region without preconditions, said Arman Kirakosyan,
the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, in his opening speech on
`Economic and social aftermath of opening the Armenian-Turkish border’
conference, which is being held in Yerevan. In his words, the Turkish
government does not implement the European Union’s condition, which
says that a candidate state must establish good-neighbor relations
with all the states in the region. `First of all the provinces near
border will benefit from opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, which
in this case will get new stimulus for development. It is also
profitable from the economic point of view to reconstruct the
`Kars-Gyumri’ railway.’ Kirakosyan underlined. The Armenia Deputy
Foreign Ministry also said that Turkey does not make effort to
establish cooperation in the region, which, in Kirakosyan’s opinion,
can become a pledge for stability.

Alongside he stressed that the RA MFA welcomes any beginnings aimed at
opening the Armenian-Turkish border. `Up till now the main relations
between Turkey and Armenia were carried out on the level of social
organizations and not of governmental. In 2005 the Armenian President
sent a letter to the Turkish authority offering to create an
Armenian-Turkish joint commission for establishing dialog between the
two states. But up till now there is no answer from Turkey. Several
meetings took place between the representatives of MFA’s of both
countries and even between the foreign ministers. But unfortunately,
they were ineffective.` said the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister.

Kirakosyan one more time reminded that Armenia is ready for dialog
with Turkey without preconditions, which are the Armenian Genocide
issue and Ankara’s stance on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

WELL-KNOWN DIASPORAN PERIODICALS TO MARK THEIR JUBILEES IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Jan 11 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Diasporan press is an important
factor in preservation of the Armenian nation. Azg daily’s
editor-in-chief Hakob Avetikian and ARFD Hay Dat office responsible
person for political affairs Kiro Manoyan said this on January 11
at the Urbat (Friday) club. They presented Istanbul’s Zhamanak and
Beirut’s Azdak periodicals, which this year will observe 99th and
80th anniversaries of their foundation, respectively.

H.Avetikian said that one of two main Armenian-language newspapers
published in Turkey, Zhamanak, belongs to Kochunian family. The
newspaper is published in 3000 copies. In the words of the Azg daily’s
editor, under conditions of ban on national parties’ activity in Turkey
Armenian newspapers play an important part in organization of communal
life. Besides Zhamanak daily, he mentioned Marmara, Istanbul’s Surb
Prkich hospital’s periodical, as well as Akos newspaper published by
Hrant Dink.

In K.Manoyan’s words, Beirut’s Azdak weekly was founded in 1927 by
Hayk Balian, who afterwards passed the newspaper to ARFD. Azdak,
currently party’s official newspaper, is published in 5000 copies. In
K.Manoyan’s words, besides Armenian printed media, Armenian radio
and cable television also function in Lebanon.

He said that in connection with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s recent visit to Lebanon, three Armenian newspapers of
Beirut, Ramkavar Zartonk, Dashnaktsutiun’s Azdak and Hnchakian Ararat,
published one united issue, in which they expressed the Armenian
community’s position against the visit.

OSCE’S REPORT ON ARSONS IN AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES TO BE DISCUSSED IN UN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 9 2007

OSCE’s report on the arsons committed by Armenians in the occupied
Azerbaijani territories will be discussed in UN till April 30,
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told the journalists in
the press conference held in Yerevan, APA reports.

Saying that the report will be objective the minister stated that
the attention was drawn to prevention of arsons.

"Some concrete advises are also reflected in the report," he said.

The minister stressed that the report will be announced to the society
soon.

DARCHINYAN WANTS MORE TITLES

Seconds Out
Jan 9 2007

Vic Darchinyan has just turned 31 but the way he sees it, the best
part of his career is only just beginning.

After bringing himself to the attention of boxing fans in the USA with
three brutal stoppage wins on the Showtime television network in 2006,
the IBF/IBO flyweight world champion is looking for the biggest fights
available in 2007.

"It was a good year for me," he said, "but I want to win more world
title belts and I will move up in weight if I have to. I want to
fight three or four times this year."

Evidence that Darchinyan’s reputation is rising as one of the best
in boxing can be seen in the latest edition of the highly respected
The Ring magazine. In his opening editorial, Nigel Collins suggests a
new list of "dollar for dollar ratings" for world class fighters who
"give boxing consumers the biggest bang for their bucks". Darchinyan
is listed at six behind number one Manny Pacquiao and ahead of other
notable names such as Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De
La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"I was very happy to read that and I am thankful that Nigel Collins
has me on his new list," said Darchinyan. "But I not only want to be
the most exciting fighter in the world, I want to be in the pound for
pound top ten best boxers in the world and become undisputed world
champion in different weight classes. I really want to have The Ring
world champion belt around my waist."

Unfortunately, his promoter Gary Shaw’s attempts to get him a
unification match at flyweight have been unsuccessful so far. WBO
champion Omar Narvaez 23-0-2 (15) has turned down two offers to
fight Darchinyan, while WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam 63-2 (31)
has never fought in the USA and rarely fights outside of his home
country of Thailand. While he has not fought since December 2005, WBA
champion Lorenzo Parra 27-0 (17) would appear to be the most likely
title-holder at flyweight to face Darchinyan 27-0 (21) this year.

Of course, the biggest fight on paper in 2007 for southpaw Darchinyan
is a clash with Mexican Jorge Arce 45-3-1 (35), who also appeared on
Collins’ new "dollar for dollar" list at No.2. The 27 year-old is a
former WBC interim flyweight and WBC junior flyweight world champion,
who is now campaigning at junior bantamweight.

"Quite a few people I have been talking to in the USA are saying
that Arce and me is the best fight they want to see in 2007," said
Darchinyan. "I have always said I will take that fight at any time,
it is up to the promoters and Arce to make it happen."

Another possible big fight for Darchinyan would be a move up in weight
to face WBO junior bantamweight world champion Fernando Montiel 32-2-1
(24) from Mexico, who is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya.

While flyweights have historically not been a division featured in
big time boxing in the USA, Darchinyan’s last three stoppage wins
over Diosdado Gabi, Luis Maldonado and Glenn Donaire showcased his
aggressive and powerful style and ensured that he will have many new
fans following him in the future. The Showtime network has taken a
liking to his entertaining style and with the ensuing American and
international television coverage of his fights, the "Raging Bull"
from Armenia, who has citizenship of Australia, will be a boxer in
demand for many years to come.

While he is currently waiting to sign a contract for the fight,
it is likely that Darchinyan’s next bout will be a mandatory IBF
defence against the Don King promoted Victor Burgos 39-14-3 (23)
in the USA on March 3, in the main support to the WBC lightweight
champion Joel Casamayor versus WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz
clash on Showtime. 32 year-old Burgos from Mexico is a former IBF
junior flyweight world champion.

"I’m going to get some tapes of Burgos and look closely at his style,"
said Darchinyan. "I’m already training for the fight and I want to
put on another exciting performance and win for the fans.

This will help me get the biggest fights possible in 2007 and some
more world title belts."

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