Author: Vasilian Manouk

Marchers for peace endure rhetorical crossfire
By Keti Sikharulidze

The Messenger, Georgia
29 Oct. 2004

A 7,000 kilometer international march for peace titled “Caucasus
Without Hotspots” began in Moscow on September 19 and passed through
Tbilisi on October 27.

Having been blocked from separatist Abkhazia, the group nonetheless
hopes to travel to breakaway South Ossetia and other current hotspots
in the Caucasus before eventually returning back to the Russian
capital.

The marchers’ next stop is Tskhinvali. At a press conference on
Wednesday, they said they had had negotiations with the separatist
capital and that they are not against their traveling there but “they
are afraid that there may be provocations from the Georgian side.”

However, representative of the Ministry of Conflict Resolution
Levan Geradze said the situation was quite the opposite – that the
Georgian side is not against the marchers’ going to South Ossetia “but
we cannot give any guarantees that they would arrive there safely,
because unfortunately it is not controlled by the Georgian side. They
should ask for security guarantees from the Ossetian side, not the
Georgian,” Geradze told The Messenger.

The marchers include representatives of forty diasporas of Caucasus
people living in Russia and other CIS countries as well as veterans
of the Second World War.

As part of their effort, they intend to hold a “world congress of
Caucasus people” on May 9 next year, which will be the 60th anniversary
of the end of the Second World War in Europe, in the hope that this
will help resolve the various conflicts within the Caucasus.

The route of the march takes the participants through such
Caucasus conflict zones as Chechnya, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and
Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the three South Caucasus capitals of Baku,
Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Head of the march Vladimir Vakhania told The Messenger that the main
aim of the march is to tell the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Russia to stop the bloody wars in the Caucasus region.

“We are marching these kilometers to play our part in the resolution of
conflicts in the Caucasus,” Vakhania said. “We are trying to explain
to all the people of the Caucasus that war is the worst thing that
may happen between neighboring nations. The only thing we have to
fight is separatism, extremism and terrorism.”

“We want to call for negotiations between the leaders of Georgia,
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia to solve the ethnic conflicts through
peaceful ways. It is very difficult to express the feelings of these
nations but I can assure you nobody wants war. Everyone is for the
peaceful settlements of all conflicts,” stated Vakhania.

Vakhania also stated that the organizers planned to reach Tbilisi
after 15 days, but that it had taken 37 days as they were unable to
cross the Russian-Abkhaz border at the river Psou. “We wanted to hold
a press conference there too, but unfortunately after negotiations
with Abkhaz officials we could not.”

After the problems in Abkhazia the members of the peace march went
to the recently reopened Russian-Georgian border crossing at Larsi
and after negotiations with Georgian and Russian officials were able
to cross into Georgia.

Armenian opposition leader rallies party faithful

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Oct 04

[Presenter over video of meeting] The leader of the National Unity
Party, Artashes Gegamyan, made a sensational announcement during a
meeting with party activists at Cinema House.

There is a force that is ready to seize power and this force is
National Unity, Gegamyan’s supporters announced. They said that
Artashes Gegamyan is a person elected by the nation and people consider
his services to be irreplaceable.

One of the participants in the meeting was interested in how Gegamyan
is going to seize power, but the party leader did not wish to disclose
the party’s tactics in order not to be thwarted. Gegamyan’s speech
was accompanied by stormy applause.

[Unidentified party member] We are the party that will come to power.

[Artashes Gegamyan, captioned] The Armenian people listen to the
voice of National Unity.

NATO chief to visit South Caucasus states early November

Prime-News news agency
28 Oct 04

Tbilisi, 28 October: NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
will visit Georgia on 4 November. He will meet President Mikheil
Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Parliament chairwoman
Nino Burjanadze to discuss the prospects of Georgia’s integration
into NATO, Prime-News was told at the state chancellery.

After visiting Tbilisi, the NATO Secretary-General will go to
Azerbaijan and then to Armenia.

PARLIAMENT PASSES BILL ON MAKING CHANGES TO LAW ON ALTERNATIVE MILITARY SERVICE

ArmenPress
26 Oct 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian parliament approved
October 25 in the first reading a bill on making changes to the Law
on Alternative Military Service. The bill, designed by a group of
lawmakers, specifies, as deputy parliament chairman Vahan Hovhanesian
said, “the concept of alternative military service.” Under the bill
Armenians males who refuse serving in the regular armed forces have
to choose between alternative military service and alternative labor
service. Those who choose the first will perform it in the military
units and the second in hospitals, old people homes and alike.

The bill also specifies those bodies that are authorized to make
relevant decisions. Applications for alternative military service
are first considered by regional commissions and then by the national
commission.

The bill also defines exactly alternative servicemen’s duties,
responsibilities and the way their social security is ensured.

AAP NEWSFEED
October 27, 2004, Wednesday

Media Freedom Rankings

Australia has ranked dismally in a global index on media freedom
released today by Paris-based watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
on its website, Here are the rankings.

1 Denmark
– Finland
– Iceland
– Ireland
– Netherlands
– Norway
– Slovakia
– Switzerland
9 New Zealand
10 Latvia
11 Estonia
– Germany
– Sweden
– Trinidad and Tobago
15 Slovenia
16 Lithuania
17 Austria
18 Canada
19 Czech Republic
– France
21 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,67
22 Belgium
– United States of America (American territory)
24 Jamaica
25 Portugal
26 South Africa
27 Benin
28 El Salvador
– Hungary
– United Kingdom
31 Dominican Republic
32 Poland
33 Greece
34 Hong Kong
35 Costa Rica
36 Bulgaria
– Israel (Israeli territory)
38 Cape Verde
39 Italy
– Spain
41 Australia
42 Chile
– Japan
– Namibia
– Uruguay
46 Mauritius
– Paraguay
48 South Korea
49 Macedonia
50 Albania
– Botswana
52 Nicaragua
53 Honduras
54 Croatia
55 Grenade
56 Mali
57 Ghana
– Timor-Leste
59 Thailand
60 Taiwan
61 Panama
– Tanzania
63 Fiji
64 Burkina Faso
– Mozambique
66 Brazil
– Ecuador
– Guatemala
69 Congo
70 Romania
71 Niger
72 Madagascar
73 Burundi
– Mongolia
75 Togo
76 Bolivia
77 Serbia and Montenegro
78 Moldova
79 Argentina
80 Senegal
81 Cyprus (North)
82 Kenya
83 Armenia
– Guinea-Bissau
– Seychelles
86 Uganda
87 Lebanon
88 Guinea
– Sierra Leone
90 Venezuela
91 Angola
– Comoros
93 Cameroon
94 Georgia
95 Tajikistan
96 Mexico
97 Afghanistan
98 Gambia
– Lesotho
100 Zambia
101 Malawi
– Swaziland
103 Kuwait
104 Central African Republic
– Qatar
106 Chad
107 Kyrgyzstan
108 United States of America (in Iraq)
109 Cambodia
– Sri Lanka
111 Philippines
112 Ethiopia
113 Rwanda
– Turkey
115 Gabon
– Israel (Occupied Territories)
117 Indonesia
– Nigeria
119 Tonga
120 India
121 Jordan
122 Malaysia
123 Liberia
– Peru
125 Haiti
126 Morocco
127 Palestinian Authority
128 Algeria
– Egypt
– Somalia
131 Kazakhstan
132 Sudan
133 Equatorial Guinea
134 Colombia
135 Yemen
136 Azerbaijan
137 United Arab Emirates
138 Mauritania
– Ukraine
140 Russia
141 Democratic Republic of Congo
142 Uzbekistan
143 Bahrein
144 Belarus
145 Djibouti
146 Bhutan
147 Singapore
148 Iraq
149 Cote d’Ivoire
150 Pakistan
151 Bangladesh
152 Tunisia
153 Laos
154 Libya
155 Syria
– Zimbabwe
157 Maldives
158 Iran
159 Saudi Arabia
160 Nepal
161 Vietnam
162 China
163 Eritrea
164 Turkmenistan
165 Burma
166 Cuba
167 North Korea

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON ABKHAZ ELECTION OUTCOME

Imedi TV, Tbilisi
18 Oct 04

(Presenter) I cannot say whether a rose revolution has taken place in
Abkhazia, although it is a fact that our enemies are worried because
their hopes were dashed, says President Saakashvili. (Passage omitted)

(Saakashvili, speaking to journalists) I do not want to draw any
comparisons (between Georgia and) Abkhazia. (Abkhaz presidential
candidate Sergey) Bagapsh himself says that this was a new rose
revolution. However, one thing is clear that our worst enemies have
had their plans thwarted. I am happy about that.

I cannot say that I am very optimistic about these other people
though. One thing is clear. No-one should stick their nose into
Abkhazia. I do not advise anyone to meddle with people in Abkhazia,
certainly not the local people and especially not the vulnerable
Georgian residents of Gali District.

We are watching the situation very closely. We want peace, not war.

We now have adequate resources in place to ensure that the public are
protected and we certainly do not intend to back down. No-one will be
allowed to expel anyone, neither Georgian locals nor those of any
other ethnicity, just as they have not been able to in other regions.

Abkhaz who have left Abkhazia should return, as should others such as
Estonians, Ukrainians, Greeks, Armenians and of course Georgians
should return. That’s the way it is.

Our enemies are very nervous. I am not worried about them being
nervous.

Armenian Station Abruptly Suspends New RFE/RL Television Show

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
tel: 202-457-6900 * fax: 202-457-6992

CONTACT: Donald Jensen +1-202-457-6948

PRESS RELEASE

(Prague/Washington–October 15, 2004) A new television program created
by and featuring news and analysis from RFE/RL’s Armenian Service,
was abruptly pulled from the schedule of the local Armenian television
station “Kentron” on October 13, according to service director Hrair
Tamrazian. Although the television station’s management has made no
comment on the decision, it is widely suspected that Kentron was
pressured to suspend further broadcasts of the program, either by
official interests or local media competitors.

The television show, a 30-minute long analytical program called
“Azatutiun” (Liberty), debuted to rave reviews on Kentron Sunday,
October 10 and was rebroadcast by Kentron the next day, October
11. Two days later, Tamrazian was informed by Kentron director Petros
Ghazarian that the show would be “indefinitely suspended.” Kentron
has not commented on the reasons behind his station’s decision.

Tamrazian said, “I am very disappointed that, after tireless efforts
by RFE/RL and Kentron that resulted in a very successful TV show, it
was suspended for as yet unknown reasons. I call on the authorities
to investigate this matter and hope that Kentron and RFE/RL will
continue in a joint project that was eagerly awaited by many viewers
and listeners in Armenia.”

Many viewers called the Armenian Service after the show, to express
their appreciation for the program. Viewers said that the program
was a “breakthrough” for Armenian television, because of RFE/RL’s
objectivity, as well as for featuring a new format with two moderators
(male and female) and the show’s ability to “connect” with its
audience. The first show featured an exclusive report from Strasbourg
on recent debate about Armenia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), as well as exclusive interviews about
Armenian-Turkish relations with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian and new U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans.

Viewer enthusiasm, however, was tempered with suspicion that the
show may not remain on the air for long. Said one caller, a teacher:
“My neighbors and I would only love to watch Radio Liberty programs on
TV. But will the authorities agree to that? They kicked out A1+. Will
they let you go on TV?”

The suspension of the “Azatutiun” program was widely covered in
the Armenian press on October 14. According to the daily newspaper
“Haykakan Zhamanak,” “Last Sunday Kentron viewers watched the televised
version of Radio Liberty, but their joy did not last long because
Kentron management decided to limit liberty on its air.”

“Aravot” daily reported on its front page that “Azatutiun” had been
“closed.” The paper went on to allege that the head of Armenian state
television and radio, Aleksan Harutiunian, was instrumental in the ban
because he wanted RFE/RL to lease airtime from his channel and pay for
that. But, “Aravot” writes, it also did not rule out political motives
behind the move, noting that it could be that “the authorities still
do not tolerate any uncontrolled programs on the air.” Harutiunian,
in an interview published in today’s edition of “Aravot,” denied any
involvement in the suspension of “Azatutiun”.

RFE/RL’s Armenian Service broadcasts four hours of programming a
day to Armenia, produced in Prague and the service’s Yerevan Bureau
and transmitted to listeners via shortwave, satellite and FM, AM,
Cable Radio, UKV and longwave signals provided by local affiliate
stations. Azerbaijani Service programming is also available via
the Internet, at the service’s website and
at

# # #

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international
communications service to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central and
Southwestern Asia funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting
Board of Governors.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 15 2004

RV Investment Commences Exploitation Of Gold Deposits Of Azerbaijan

15/10/2004 10:12

RV Investment Services Group LLC from the United States is to commence
the exploitation of promising gold deposits in Azerbaijan, according
to Turan news agency.

In early September it concluded a contract on the drilling work with
VEIN Ltd. from the UK. The drilling will be done in the Kedabek and
Gosha deposits in Tovuz and the Piyazbashi, Agyurd, Shekerdere and
Keleki deposits in Ordubad, Nakhchivan. The experts of VEIN Ltd. are
to start their visit to Azerbaijan on 20 October, according to Fizuli
Samedov, Chief of the RV Investment Azerbaijan Office.

He said the first stage of the work would last until June 2006 and
$50 million will be invested in the deposits. The investment will
help to buy machines and devices required to process the minerals.
Over 4,000 people expected to be employed.

The production-sharing agreement on the gold deposits was signed
between Azergizil Concern from Azerbaijan and RV Investment Services
Group LLC on 20 August 1997 and confirmed by the Parliament of
Azerbaijan in March 1998.

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources represents Azerbaijan
in the contract. It will get 51% of the profit.

The contract envisages the extraction of minerals from 9 gold deposits
of Azerbaijan in Kedabek, Tovuz, Ordubad, Kelbadjar and Zangelan. The
lst two districts of Azerbaijan are under controll of Armenia.

The deposits envisaged by the contract contain 400 tons of gold,
2,500 tons of silver and 1.5 million tons of copper. The investment
in the project can most likely total $500 million. The term of the
contract is 25 years. Azerbaijan is to receive 80% of the incomes
that would derive from the exploitation of the deposits.

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Oct 13 2004

ARMENIA: DUAL CITIZENSHIP DEBATE

Is a proposed relaxation of citizenship laws a benefit or a danger
for Armenia?

By Tigran Avetisian in Yerevan

With parliament soon likely to remove the clause from the Armenian
constitution banning dual citizenship, people here are debating
what its introduction would mean for the country and the millions of
Armenians worldwide.

The introduction of dual citizenship could potentially lead to a
radical change in the relationship between the Armenian state and the
millions of Armenians who live outside it, from Georgia and Russia
to the USA and Uruguay.

On different calculations, the official population of Armenia is no
more than three million, while between seven and ten million Armenians
live elsewhere in the world.

The issue of what sort of status diaspora Armenians should be given
has divided the country since it regained independence in 1991. The
constitution of 1995 explicitly outlawed the idea of dual citizenship
but the administration of Robert Kocharian, president since 1998,
is much warmer towards the concept.

Supporters of dual citizenship argue that its introduction would
enable the Armenian diaspora to render assistance more effectively,
increase foreign investment into the country and in bring expatriate
Armenians psychologically closer to their historical motherland.

Madlen Minasian, US citizen and director of communications for the
Kafeschian charity, said that dual citizenship would inspire many
diaspora Armenians like herself, who want to pay back a “debt to
the motherland”.

Minasian is not worried about the technical details of the arrangement,
saying “As for military service it is a fairly broad concept. This
issue should be sorted out by the authorities. People can pay their
debt to the homeland by working in the social or other spheres.

“The main thing in passing a law on dual citizenship is the inspiration
factor. Thanks to this, the majority of our compatriots living abroad
will make a contribution to developing the motherland.”

The nationalist Dashnaktsutiun party, which is a member of the
coalition presently in power in Armenia, is the strongest advocate
of the plan.

Dashnaktsutiun is one of the traditional Armenian parties, which was
established at the end of the nineteenth century outside Armenia and
remained active in the diaspora throughout the period of Soviet rule.

It was only able to start functioning again in 1991.

“The lifting of the prohibition on dual citizenship remains one of the
most important issues today in the draft of constitutional changes,”
Armen Rustamian, one of the leaders of Dashnaktsutiun, told IWPR.

Opponents of the idea say that it is fraught with unforeseen
consequences and could surrender sovereignty to people in other states.
Stepan Grigorian, spokesperson for Armat, a political science research
centre founded by former officials in the Ter-Petrosian administration,
warned, “Dual citizenship cannot be partial or half-and-half, as the
present government insists. This makes no sense. Citizenship means
having the right to vote and being elected and the danger of this, is

that as a result, the government of Armenia could be influenced
from abroad.”

Grigorian argued that by allowing dual citizenship, Armenia could
endanger some parts of the Armenian diaspora, “In Georgia, for example,
Armenians would come to be seen as a fifth column, as a potential
factor of instability.”

The analyst also pointed out that dual citizenship was only possible
where a bilateral agreement could be struck with another country. But

this can be problematic.

For example, Russia, which has probably the largest Armenian population
outside Armenia, allows dual citizenship, but President Vladimir
Putin suspended its effect in 2001.

“This is a very typical example,” said Grigorian, “Russia and
Turkmenistan have an agreement on dual citizenship, but it was quickly
suspended when problems arose in areas such as military service,
and the disclosure of and punishment for criminal offences.”

Tigran Torosian, pro-government deputy speaker of parliament, is
one of the strongest supporters of the plans and says that Armenians
should not be intimidated by them.

“Of course, this does not mean that an individual with dual citizenship
should have all the same rights as a citizen living in the Republic
of Armenia, particularly regarding the right to vote and the right
to be elected,” he said. Precise definitions should be codified by
additional changes to the constitution or by law, he added.

Political scientist, Vardan Pogosian, the deputy chair of the National
Democratic Party, proposes a flexible arrangement that sets residence
in Armenia as the primary criterion for receiving citizenship.

“Let the Armenian diaspora receive dual citizenship, but with regard
to political rights, those who do not permanently reside in Armenia
should be differentiated from those who do. For those who do decide
to live here and make Armenia their home, it would be simply immoral
to deprive them of their right to vote and be elected,” he said.

Pogosian said that this would have to be tightly controlled, “A
large number of Armenians live abroad. And if around 10 million
foreign Armenians were to receive full Armenian citizenship, then
this would mean that special restrictions would need to be imposed
during government elections. Eligibility to vote on the competence
of the government would apply only to residents of Armenia.”

Legal expert Hrair Tovmasian said he doubted that diaspora Armenian
businessmen would see their status change much under a change of law,
as they felt well protected already in Armenia and the authorities
tried to keep up good relations with them.

The exception, he said, is the right of property ownership, which
does not extend to foreigners.

Analyst Stepan Grigorian finally pointed out that dual citizenship is
a two-way process and will not work without reciprocal steps from other
countries. In the Armenian case this could lead to renewed emigration,
he warned.

“Even to suggest that we sign a dual citizenship agreement with some
country, it must be understood that it should not be asymmetrical,”
Grigorian said. “So, if a French citizen can become an Armenian
citizen as well, then an Armenian citizen should be able to become
a French citizen. Well, what do you think, in which direction would
the flow of people start to go then?’

Tigran Avetisian is a journalist with Aravot newspaper in Yerevan

PRESS RELEASE
Bible Society of Armenia
6/26 Zakiyan St.
Yerevan 375015, Armenia
Tel: (+374 -1) 58.55.09, 56.49.06
Fax: (+374 – 1) 54.24.39
E-mail: [email protected]

October 13, 2004

BRINGING THE BIBLE TO SCHOOLS, TAVOUSH

YEREVAN — Within its two-day trip to Tavoush a delegation of Bible
Society Board members and World Vision International Organization
visited the Diocese of Gougark and met with 80 school principals,
teachers and students. This Diocese includes two regions, Lori
and Tavoush in the North of Armenia. The visit to Lori was paid in
November 2003. The region of Tavoush has four cities: Ijevan, Dilijan,
Noyemberian and Berd where the situation is grave and obviously
affects the state’s schools. Border villages mostly survive through
agriculture and farming.

The final part of the project ^ÓBringing the Bibles to Schools^Ô
which includes the regions of Tavoush, Shirak and Aragatsotn, was
realized owing to the generous support of World Vision International
Organization.

During September 15-16, 2004, the Bible Society and World Vision
International delegation members visited the regional capital Ijevan,
Noyemberian, Berd and Dilijan. The delegation was always accompanied
by Very Rev. Fr Sassoun Zemroukhtian, the newly appointed Vicar
General of the Diocese; Very Rev. Fr Vertanes Abrahamian, the parish
pastor. In Ijevan the delegation was welcomed by Ms. Svetlana Davtian,
the Chief of Staff; and Mr. Tamrazian, the Head of the Education,
Culture and Sports. By coincidence, Mr. Hrayr Jebedjian, the General
Secretary of the Bible Society of the Gulf who was paying a family
visit to Armenia, was also present. Mr. Jebedjian, who was in Armenia
for several times during 1991-1996, stated that this is his first
visit to Ijevan, which is really a beautiful city. ^ÓI remember the
hard days of this country,^Ô he added, ^Óbut I^Òm so glad to see a
noticeable development. I^Ã’m full of joy to be among you and address
to you. Both the Bible Society and we have a major goal, to bring
the Word of God.^Ô The World Vision International representative
Ms. Karine Harutyunian addressed to the gathered students: ^ÓThe
Bible Society has given us this opportunity to be with you and I
feel very proud taking part in this excellent project. Something
was lacking in our previous education process, it was the knowledge
of Bible. The Bible is the important tool which will make our state
much more stronger.^Ô The World Vision International actually has
offices in six different towns of Armenia. Ijevan is one of them.

In Noyemberian the Board members were welcomed by Vanoush Amiraghian,
the Mayor of the city. Mr. Amiraghian expressed his thanks to the
Bible Society, stating, ^ÓWe usually need a lot of things. We need
churches and such kind of solidarity.^Ô The delegation members
attended a requiem service at the thumb of martyred soldiers. By
the invitation of the Mayor, the delegation attended the final match
of football tournament between the Noyemberian and Kokhi clubs soon
after the service.

On September 16, 2004, the road to Berd, which is the last North
Eastern city of Armenia, took three hours. The school where the
delegation has met with the principals and the teachers has 134 years
of history. Before delivering the Bibles and the biblical literature
(5 different titles) to the principals, Ms. Harutyunian addressed
to the gathered principals: ^ÓA lot of people^Òs love, spirit and
devotion exist inside these gifts. We would kindly ask you to give
this love and spirit to our children. Our wish is one: every child
must have his or her own Bible.^Ô

The way back to Yerevan found its final step in Dilijan, a tourist
resort, called ^ÓThe Switzerland of Armenia.^Ô The meeting took
place with 9 principals, teachers and students. Among the meeting
participants were the parish pastor of the city and the Head of
Dilijan’s Education Department.

The meetings were usually opened by the Board Secretary who in his
keynote address presented the gathered people with the 200-year history
of United Bible Societies and the 13-year history of the Bible Society
Armenia and its mission in Armenia, and the sets of the six books to
be given to schools.

The Bible Society of Armenia was established in 1991 when the late
Catholicos Vazgen I and representatives of the United Bible Societies
signed a memorandum of understanding, regarding the translation,
publication and dissemination of the Holy Bible in Armenia. The Bible
Society of Armenia is committed to the widest possible meaningful
and effective distribution of the Holy Scriptures in languages and
media which meet the needs of people, at a price they can afford.
The Board of Trustees of The Bible Society of Armenia consists of
representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic
Church and the Union of Armenian Evangelical and Baptist Churches.

For further information on Bible Society of Armenia and its
activities, call (3741) 58-55-09 or 56-49-06; fax (3741) 54-24-39;
e-mail [email protected]

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