Author: Virabian Jhanna

DEFENCE OFFICIAL SAYS ARMENIA INTERESTED IN BUYING BELARUSIAN ARMS

Belapan news agency, Minsk
Oct 11 2005

Minsk, 10 October: A top Armenian defence official has said that the
country’s army is interested in buying certain types of weaponry
in service with Belarusian units and Belarusian-designed military
hardware.

While talking to reporters in Minsk on Monday [10 October], Armenia’s
deputy defence minister, Col-Gen Mikayel Arutyunyan, said that his
country’s government is examining the price and performance of the
equipment.

The official arrived in Belarus on a three-day visit earlier in
the day.

General Arutyunyan noted that his talks with Syarhey Hurulyow, the
Belarusian army’s chief of general staff, focused on the situation
inside the Collective Security Treaty Organization of which both
countries are members.

The Armenian official stressed that his country is interested in
studying Belarusian army training practices and command principles,
military reform and weapons modernization projects.

Preparations for a visit by Belarusian Defence Minister Leanid Maltsaw
to Armenia later this year were also discussed.

While in Belarus the Armenian delegation is to visit the Military
Academy and the 120th Guards Detached Mechanized Brigade.

ARMENIAN PAPER SAYS DM AND SPEAKER FIGHT FOR KOCHARYAN’S JOB

Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

“The problem of successor”

The issue of Robert Kocharyan’s successor is becoming more and more
urgent in view of the fact that after 2008 he may decide not to run
for president. Kocharyan’s interest in constitutional reforms shows
that he would like to keep his job.

Through the constitutional reforms he will be able to ignore all the
previous presidential terms and to start from scratch. The adoption of
these changes will make him a sacred figure and he may simply decide
to transfer the power to somebody else.

The chairman of the National Assembly, Artur Bagdasaryan, and Defence
Minister Serzh Sarkisyan have started fighting for the position of
Kocharyan’s successor. Everything depends on the situation and it is
not ruled out that somebody else will become his successor.

[Passage omitted: the details how Russian president Putin became a
president are presented].

But one thing is obvious that in the political developments the problem
of the successor is becoming more and more noticeable and this process
may only be stopped by a strong opposition that will be able to capture
power. And as this has not taken place yet, the fight for power will
first of all take place within the authorities. Such process will
take place within the opposition as well and each opposition leader
will try to gather all the opposition activists around himself and
to become the only leader.

At present Artashes Gegamyan made a claim for this and he is hoping to
become the leader of the opposition. [Passage omitted: speculation on
Gegamyan’s plans]. By the way, Gegamyan has been widely cooperating
with certain forces in this matter. He can help these forces to gain
victory over Serzh Sarkisyan as long as they agreed to one proviso that
they in turn will support him in his fight against Stepan Demirchyan’s
and other opposition leaders.

Thus the opposition as well has its role in the matter of choosing
Kocharyan’s successor.

IT SEEMS THAT WE WILL NEVER BE LEAVING IT OFF

Turkish Daily News
Oct 11 2005

We were saying that since the negotiating process with the European
Union has begun we can now focus our attention to Turkey’s important
problems that need urgent solutions, problems such as the Southeast,
Iraq and unemployment. Obviously, that is not going to be the case.

It becomes all too apparent what pathological frame of mind we are in,
especially when it comes to any issue related to the EU

Gunduz Aktan We were saying that since the negotiating process with the
European Union has begun we can now focus our attention to Turkey’s
important problems that need urgent solutions, problems such as the
Southeast, Iraq and unemployment. Obviously, that is not going to be
the case.

It becomes all too apparent what pathological frame of mind we are in,
especially when it comes to any issue related to the EU.

It is true that the start of accession talks with the EU on Oct. 3
was a very important event for us. However, it has more historic
significance for the EU than us. Time will tell whether it will prove
to be equally significant for Turkey.

Those who feel passionate about the EU continued to throw stones at
[former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President (KKTC) Rauf]
Denktas from time to time, making demagogical remarks about “jobs
and welfare” the EU would provide us. However, their hopes dimmed to
a great extent due to the stance the right-wing parties in France
and Germany had taken against Turkish membership, the EU’s Dec. 17
decision as well as the reciprocal declarations on Cyprus.

Their gloom increased when, during the days that preceded Oct. 3,
Austria acted in a recalcitrant manner, causing a meeting —
that would normally be brought to a conclusion in a few hours —
to turn into a marathon event. Then, thanks to the struggle waged
by Britain, a country that is at the peak of the art of diplomacy,
and also because the EU Commission did not deviate from its mission,
we ended up having the EU adopt the negotiating framework document
we now have in our hands.

Those who had their hopes dampened were in a state of euphoria by
this turn of events. Their exuberance was proportionate to the depth
of their gloom. They generously displayed their confidence that the
EU had thus guaranteed Turkish membership. It was as if they were
returning to the “golden age” of their childhood. The EU would make
the despotic (bad father) state toe the line and the no-good society
would be shaped up, thanks to external pressure.

They acted as if the negotiating framework document was not afflicted
with the same defects that had been inherent in the EU’s Dec. 17
decisions. It was as if, just as the Swedish prime minister said,
the additions made to the text had not reinforced the possibility
that Turkey would be given only “limited” and “conditional” membership.

These circles began formulating new arguments in line with their
wishful thinking. It must be admitted that they are very talented in
his regard. With an air of scorn for those who hold the opposing view,
they confidently declared that documents would not be so important
per se, that no document would bring about desired results unless
backed by political will, anyway, and that the mood that would reign
in the EU countries towards the end of the accession process would
determine the outcome of the talks.

Some of them said that it would be more beneficial to expose ourselves
to the “civilizational” influence of the EU during the accession
talks — just as we did during the first six years of our candidacy —
than actually being a full member. They even argued that it did not
matter if the EU would provide adequate funds for the civilizational
influence.

As they always do, they picked up a few points on which they are
right and then they spread these points thinly to veil so many
fallacies. Their passion for EU membership prevented them from making
an objective assessment.

If the negotiating framework document was not important then why
did the EU countries discuss the draft for 40 hours? Why was there a
constant threat that those talks would break down? If documents were
not important, why did the EU issue a counter-declaration to deal
with Turkey’s declaration on Cyprus? As EU Enlargement Commissioner
Olli Rehn has stressed, why did the EU ask Ankara for immediate
ratification and full implementation of the additional protocol
to the Ankara Agreement? If the EU’s financial contribution is so
unimportant, why have the EU’s 10 new members fought so hard to have
their own shares of EU funds increased?

Do these “intellectuals” think that during the EU ministers’ marathon
meeting the ministers did not remind one another that the negotiating
framework document provides the EU with all kinds of excuses not to
make Turkey a member?

These intellectuals know all this. However, they do not have the
courage to get rid of the fixations they harbor in their dream world.

They believe what they want to believe. With this kind of approach,
they give the impression that tomorrow they would not hesitate to
accept Greek Cypriot demands in Cyprus and Greek demands in the
Aegean as well as the genocide allegations of the Armenian diaspora
and Kurdish demands in the Southeast.

This melancholic mood regarding the EU naturally triggers a
counter-reaction. There are a growing number of people in Turkey who
reject dependence on the EU for the “survival” of Turkey. It is untrue
that these people want to set up an inward-looking, fascist government
in Turkey. Obviously, their only aim is to oppose the current state
of affairs.

No matter what happens, these “intellectuals” do not realize that their
attitude constitutes the biggest obstacle to Turkey’s EU membership. A
great majority of the Turkish nation rejects blind dependence on the
EU. These people do not want to make sacrifices from vital national
interests. They do not subscribe to the argument that preserving
national honor during the accession process would be qualified as
being over-emotional. They know that Turkey can seek EU membership
in a style that is quite different from that of the above-mentioned
“intellectuals.”

If we enter the EU one day, only the realists will have achieved it.

SWEDISH PM CONCERNED OVER ANTI-TURKISH SENTIMENTS IN EUROPE

Pan Armenian
08.10.2005 19:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Euriopean Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn
has arrived in Ankara to continue talks over prospects of Turkey’s
accession to the EU. After a meeting with FM Abdullah Gul, Olli Rehn
stated that Turkey needs to continue democratic reforms as never
before. This first of all refers to human rights, national minorities
and religious freedom. Swedish PM Goran Persson expressed concern
over negative attitude of Europeans towards Turkey’s accession to the
EU. Turkey has a long way ahead and opinions of European peoples may
change in the course of time, he stated after a meeting with Czech PM
Jiri Paroubek. “Half of the population in the Czech Republic, as well
as in Sweden, has a positive stand on Turkey’s accession to the EU,”
Jiri Paroubek stated. He also warned one should refrain from hasty
processes in this regard. Over 90% of neighboring Austria’s population
are against Turkey’s accession to the EU, he noted, reported Mediamax.

AZG Armenian Daily #181, 08/10/2005

Neighbors

SELF-DECLARED CYPRUS A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR AZERBAIJAN

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations, warned
Azerbaijan that if it does not improve relations with the Republic of Cyprus
the European Commission will start negotiations with Armenia and Georgia
without waiting for Azerbaijan. “I told the Azerbaijanis terse and clear
that if they do not change their attitude, if they fail to find a solution
we will move forward with Armenia and Georgia. We hope that they will find a
solution but they have only 1-2 weeks for that as I cannot make Armenia and
Georgia wait”, Medimax quoted Ferrero-Waldner as saying.

Azerbaijan launched air connection with the self-declared Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus in July making the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus
put a veto on Azerbaijan’s EU neighborhood initiative.

ANALYSIS: AUSTRIANS HOLD UP TURKS 2ND TIME
By Claude Salhani

UPI – United Press International
October 4, 2005 Tuesday

The Austrians have now managed to stop the Turks from entering Europe
twice: Once at the gates of Vienna in 1683, and the second time at
the gates of Luxembourg on Oct. 3, 2005.

Talks that were due to begin in Luxembourg Monday to discuss the
protracted admission process that would bring Turkey into the European
Union ran into a last-minute objection from Austria when Vienna blocked
the discussions from going ahead. Austria suggested that instead of
full membership Turkey should be offered a “privileged partnership.”

Basically, what this translates to is Turkey would, for all intents
and purposes, enjoy all the advantages of other EU members, except
Turkish citizens would not be allowed the same rights of residency
and free travel in the rest of the EU as other citizens of the bloc
currently enjoy.

If that reasoning seems to be somewhat discriminatory, it’s because,
in fact, it is. The reason is many Europeans still fear the sudden
influx of millions of Muslims from Turkey suddenly entering the EU,
and forever changing the face of Europe; a Europe that until now
has been largely dominated by a Judeo-Christian culture. Turkey’s
population today stands close to 70 million and is almost exclusively
Muslim. By the time the talks conclude in 10 to 15 years, Turkey’s
population is expected to reach about 81 million, making it the most
populous country in the EU.

However, late Monday, after a day of stops and starts, false hopes
and renewed optimism, European foreign ministers finally agreed to
terms for launching the accession talks. The ball now rests in Ankara’s
court, as the Turkish government needs to approve the updated proposal
negotiated by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Reports from Luxembourg say Straw wore down Vienna’s objections to
Turkey’s full membership, finally getting them on board with the
other 24 members.

Upon hearing that an agreement was reached, Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul flew to Luxembourg for a late night ceremony to formally
open accession talks.

“We have reached a historic point,” Gul said before leaving Ankara.

“Full membership negotiations will, God willing, begin tonight.”

The negotiations included strong U.S. diplomatic intervention on
Turkey’s behalf.

With every mention of Turkey joining the EU much is said about
Turkey’s geography and demography. Does Turkey belong in Europe? Are
the Turks Europeans?

The question of whether Turkey is or is not geographically part of
Europe is somewhat irrelevant at this point. With the exception of
a small sliver of land actually in Europe, the rest of the country
is in Asia Minor, which is Asia. As for its people, again, with the
exception of a minority who consider themselves European, the vast
majority consider themselves Turkish — a culture unto itself. And the
rest probably identify more with their immediate neighbors in Syria,
Iran, Iraq, etc.

Indeed, drive along the region abutting the Syrian or Iraqi borders
and there can be no doubt about what part of the world you’re in —
and it’s certainly not Europe.

But that is not the issue. The important question here is that by
including Turkey in the EU, Europe extends its sphere of influence to
the very borders of the Arab and Islamic world at a time when Europe
and the West are coming under threat from politicized militant Islam.

With Turkey in the EU, Europe’s borders extend to the periphery of
Syria, Iraq, Iran and Azerbaijan; all Muslim countries, as well as
to the borders of Armenia and Georgia.

With that geographical extension also comes the benefit of Turkey’s
intelligence on Islamist networks operating in those countries and
beyond, as well as its influence on that part of the world.

Slamming the door shut on Turkey would be a grave mistake for Europe;
it would awaken Turkish nationalist pride — already brewing from
repeated turndowns — forcing Turkey to look toward the east, and to
the very countries the West is trying to spread democracy to.

Closing the door on Turkey would push Ankara into closer cooperation
with the Muslim nations to its west and south, the outcome of which is
certainly not to the benefit of the Europeans or the Western world. But
an EU with Turkey as an active member would offer great benefits.

Think of the advantages of democratic Europe abutting countries
such as Syria, Iraq and Iran. The challenge of spreading democracy
would become a tad easier with a democratic Turkey member of the EU,
sitting at the very gates of the Middle East.

Turkish nationalism, motivated by shattered pride as a result of an
EU refusal, would most likely end up hurting European-Muslim relations
if Turkey were to be permanently shut out of Brussels.

Although it’s somewhat an overused cliché, Turkey is a bridge between
Europe and the Islamic world. The smart thing for Europe would be to
make use of that bridge rather than build a barrier in its place.

–Boundary_(ID_wjMY7UX1QUkzUDKcLlG7rA)–

IPA EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL COMMISSIONS TO CONVENE IN YEREVAN

Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 10:07

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A meeting of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
(IPA) Education and Science and Financial Commissions will be held
in Yerevan October 4-7, reported the Press service of the National
Assembly (NA) of Armenia. October 5 the joint session of the two
Commissions will be held.

Chairman of the NA of Armenia Artur Baghdassaryan and CIS IPA Secretary
General Mikhail Krotov will address the meeting. Then the Commissions
will continue their work separately. The same day members of the
CIS IPA Education and Science Commission will meet with Minister of
Education and Science Sergo Yeritsyan, while those of the Financial
Commission will have a meeting with Armenian Minister of Finance and
Economy Vardan Khachatryan.

October 6 members of the CIS IPA Education and Science Commission will
meet with the professor staff of Yerevan State Linguistic University
after V.

Bryusov, while those of the Financial Commission will visit
industrial enterprises of Armavir region. October 7 both delegations
will lay flowers to the Monument to Armenian Genocide Victims in
Tsitsernakaberd.

BRANCH OF RF FUND OF DEVELOPMENT TO BE RESENTED IN YEREVAN
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 30, 2005 Friday

YEREVAN, October 1

The presentation of a South Caucasian branch of the Russian fund
of development “Caucasian Institute of Democracy” will be held in
Yerevan on Saturday.

Head of the department of the Russia president’s administration
political scientist Modest Kolerov arrived in the Armenian capital
to hold the ceremony.

During several months of its existence, the branch has already
managed jointly with the newspaper Voice of Armenia to launch the
daily appendix-digest Monitor.Ru which carries interesting materials
of the Russian, foreign and Armenian press. Besides, Russian-language
news program was organized on the Yerevan TV channel “Yerkir-Media.”

As representatives of the branch said, its main aim “is to
consolidate democratic values in public consciousness, foster respect
to constitutional rights, freedoms and human guarantees, and form
civil society.

The organization intends to give educational and teaching money grants
for studying history of Russia and countries of the South Caucasus,
develop the national media and book publishing, as well as hold
events with the participation of experts of political circles on
topical problems of the region’s states.

The fund intends to support talented representatives of youth and
students of Armenia wishing to continue their education in leading
institutes of higher education of Russia. Under the aegis of the
branch, Russian scientists are to come to Armenia to read lectures
in institutes of higher education of the republic. A House of Russian
Book is to open in Yerevan in the near future.

The branch is going to work in Nagorny Karabakh too. An educational
computer centre for children, as well as representatives of the Russian
community of this unrecognised republic will open Stepanakert soon.

PAPER CRITICIZES ANKARA FOR ITS USELESS EFFORTS TO JOIN EU

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran
Oct 3 2005

An Iranian newspaper here Monday criticized Turkey for its useless
efforts during the past decades to win the membership of the European
Union.

`Iran Daily’ slammed Ankara for continuing “to endure the humiliation
and insults from Europe” which refused to give “the Islamic state”
a green light to join the “Christian club”.

The editorial noted that the majority of the public opinion in the
EU countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria are
against Muslim Turkey’s entry in the grouping.

“In fact, Turkey was one of the main reasons for the rejection of
the European Constitution by France and the Netherlands in June,”
stressed the English-language paper.

The editorial said the EU has set up “a string of roadblocks on
Turkey’s complicated path towards Europe” and among them referred
to issues such as Cyprus, human rights, reforms, Armenian “genocide”
and “special relationship”.

“If Turkey had invested so much of its effort and focus in
consolidating relations with the Muslim world instead of Europe,
it would have paid dividends and it would have been accepted with
dignity and respect,” the daily regretted.

It further noted that even if the EU agrees to begin accession talks
with Turkey on October 3, “The negotiations will likely be open ended
and without any guarantee that Ankara will ever become a member.

“Needless to say, the Europeans have lot of tricks under their sleeves
to make the talks more difficult – human rights, reforms and religion –
with Turkey whenever they feel like.”

According to the paper the assertion by the Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan that by joining the EU, Turkey will become
“a bridge between the EU and Muslim world sounds hollow”.

It stressed that having embraced the secular Kemalist ideology,
Ankara has “lost all its influence in the Islamic world”.

“Secular Turks are gradually learning the hard way that the European
grapes are sour,” stressed the paper.

AZERBAIJANI ELECTIONS: ALI KERIMLI – CAUCASIAN REVOLUTIONARY OF THE PRO-WESTERN ORIENTATION
Asim Oku, AIA Turkish and Caucasian section

Axis News
Oct 3 2005

Chairman of the progressive wing of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party
Ali Kerimli

Ali Kerimli (Ali Kerimov) was born on April, 28, 1965 in Saatli
region in the Eastern part of Azerbaijan. After the military service
in the Soviet army in 1985 he studied at the Law department of Baku
State University. During his studies he established and headed Yurd
(Homeland) movement, supporting carrying out of democratic reforms
in the country. In November, 1988, Yurd, supported by intellectuals,
organized student’s meetings of protest in Baku against the communistic
regime. Special units of the security services were used to oppress
the manifestations.

In July 1989 Ali Kerimli led his Yurd into a newly created Popular
Front of Azerbaijan (PFA) movement. He headed a party cell at the
Baku University and participated in creation of the movement’s charter.

In 1991, after receiving of a diploma, he started to work as a teacher
at the Law department of Baku State University.

Simultaneously Kerimli was a correspondent of independent Azadliq
(Freedom) newspaper.

In January, 1992, he was elected to be the deputy of chairman of PFA
Supreme Council. In April, 1993, the head of PFA and the President
of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Elchibey (Azerbaijan’s first elected President
after the breakup of the Soviet Union) appointed Kerimli to the post
of the Secretary of State of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

After the coup d’etat on summer, 1993, as a result of which Heydar
Aliyev came to power in Azerbaijan, Kerimli submitted his resignation.

In 1995, PFA was transformed into Azerbaijan Popular Front Party
(APFP), an Elchibey remained to be its chairman. From 1995 till 2000
Ali Kerimli was the first assistant of Elchibey. At the parliamentary
elections of 1995, and then of 2000 he was elected a member of
parliament.

In 2000, after Elchibey’s death, APFP breaks up into “conservative”
and “reformist” wings. Ali Kerimli became the head of the “reformists”,
the skeleton of which was made of former activists of the Yurd.

Since 2003 he carried out activities on creation of the bloc of
opposition parties. In Spring, 2005, under Kerimli’s initiative
Azadliq bloc of three parties was created: APFP-reformists, Musavat
and Democratic party.

A Skilful Player

Despite being relatively young, Ali Kerimli has shown himself as the
most experienced and far-sighted politicians. After the APFP split
in 2000 he managed not only to strengthen positions of the reformist
wing, but transformed it into one of the major political forces of
the republic.

In autumn, 2000, during the pre-election campaign to Parliament Kerimli
managed to convince the ruling regime of his readiness to compromise,
and even cooperate with authorities. Despite falsification of the
results of voting, he, as against the leader of the conservative wing
of the divided Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Mirmahmud Fattaev, did
not turned away the parliamentary mandate. On the contrary, Kerimli
continued to show his readiness for a dialogue with the regime,
and due to this had an opportunity to get into the Parliament.

The President of the republic at that time Heydar Aliyev expected
to transform Kerimli and his supporters into decorative and obedient
opposition. However, appearing in parliament the leader of the APFP
reformist wing sharply changed his line of conduct. Henceforth he
was the most ardent and uncompromising critic of the ruling regime.

Pending for Elections

Before the parliamentary elections (November, 2005) Ali Kerimli more
than any other figure of opposition was exposed to the fierce attacks
of the regime. In December, 2004, Vice speaker of the Azerbaijan
parliament Ziyafet Askerov even recognized that from all the heads
of the opposition the secret police pays the greatest attention to
Ali Kerimli.

In August, 2005, his fellow-champion, the head of Yeni fikir (New
Thinking – the youth movement of the APFP) Ruslan Bashirli was
arrested. He was incriminated with preparation of revolt, ordered by
the Armenian special services. This event allowed the authorities
to accuse Kerimli of receiving funds from abroad, and a series of
repressive measures against APFP and block Azadliq were carried out.

The opposition claims that “Bashirli’s case” was forged by the
Azerbaijani secret police, which has an agent among his coterie.

One more action directed on discrediting Kerimli was announcing
through the mass media of his interview to the Armenian TV channel
Erkir Media TV. However almost at once, the representative of Armenian
TV, which informed that Kerimli refused to give an interview, denied
this information.

Almost simultaneously the Azerbaijani mass media hinted on Kerimli’s
“nonconventional” sexual orientation. Iskander Gamidov, the leader
of Azerbaijan’s National Democratic Party, allegedly spread the rumor.

However, he hastened to accuse authorities of rough falsification.

Currently, Ali Kerimli, together with Isa Gambar, is considered to
be the one of the main leaders of the Azerbaijani opposition. He
expects, that the Azadliq bloc headed by both of them will receive
in the forthcoming elections at least 75 from 125 seats in Parliament.

In parallel, Kerimli acts as the initiator of association of opposition
and transition from street meetings and demonstrations to political
forms of struggle for power.

Foreign Lobby

Ali Kerimli is a politician of pro-Western orientation. First of all
he is oriented on the USA and the Great Britain. During his visit
to Washington in July, 2004, Kerimli established close relations
with the representatives of administration of the President and the
Department of State. He is supported by the representatives of both
Republican, and Democratic parties (in particular, by Bill Clinton
and Madeleine Albright).

In November, 2004, Kerimli visited London where he had several meetings
with a number of leading politicians of the Great Britain.

>>From the beginning of 2005 Ali Kerimli visited many western
countries, in particular the USA, the Great Britain, Germany, Norway,
France, Sweden, and also Turkey. During his visit to Ankara in August
2005 he met with the leading politicians of the country.