Author: Virabian Jhanna

Armenian opposition leader calls for government change

Arminfo
12 May 05

YEREVAN

Representatives of the parliamentary majority and opposition agree
that the presence of the opposition in parliament would make the work
of the Armenian National Assembly more interesting and effective. This
opinion was expressed today by representatives of some factions of the
Armenian National Assembly during a discussion at the national press
club on whether there is a parliamentary crisis in Armenia.

According to a representative of the opposition Justice bloc and the
leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia, Aram Sarkisyan, the crisis
does exist, but not in the National Assembly but “in the minds of the
administration, first of all the Armenian president”.

The reasons the opposition is boycotting parliament sessions were
never resolved, while representatives of the ruling coalition, obeying
the will of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, could not find
courage to enter into dialogue with the opposition. When the
opposition is present in parliament, it looks like a parliament, while
without the opposition it doesn’t, and responsibility for the adoption
of poorly prepared and low-quality draft laws rests primarily with the
parliamentary majority, the leader of the Armenian Democrats said.

Asked whether the course of discussions on constitutional reforms
would have been different if the Armenian opposition had been involved
in it, Aram Sarkisyan categorically answered that it would not
have. The only thing that would have been different is that the number
of votes “against” the coalition’s package would have been slightly
bigger, nothing else.

Extraordinary parliamentary elections will not “save Armenia” from the
crisis, it is necessary to conduct presidential elections and change
the government, Sarkisyan said.

[Passage omitted: minor details]

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 12 2005

EU welcomes willingness of sides to resolve conflict

Baku, May 11, AssA-Irada
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh was in focus at
the meeting of the European Union special envoy on the South Caucasus
region Heikki Talvitie with Foreign Ministry officials on Wednesday.
`The main thing is that both sides have expressed their will for the
peaceful conflict resolution’.
The upcoming parliamentary elections were also discussed. Talvitie
said he supports improving the election process, as this is important
not only for Azerbaijan but also for the entire region.
`Every step being taken to hold a free and fair election should be
welcomed. The Election Code should be therefore amended. But let’s
not forget that we are not talking about changing something, but of
the willingness to do so.’*

Yeni Safak, Turkey
May 11 2005

Two Important Problems (Turkey’s European Union Membership Bid)

Ali Bayramoglu

Columnist Ali Bayramoglu comments on Turkey’s European Union
membership bid. A summary of his column is as follows:

`On their path towards European Union membership, many candidate
countries first fulfilled the political criteria and then the
technical ones. The Copenhagen criteria make up the initial phase for
candidate countries through which their democracies are harmonized
with the EU’s understanding of the rule of law. In the second phase,
negotiations cover technical, social and economic issues. Naturally,
it is always the first phase which sees the most intense discussions
in the candidate countries, as they feel that their national
sovereignty is being threatened.

However, this hasn’t been the case in Turkey. Despite two years of
radical reforms, significant discussions on the country’s national
sovereignty have been absent. Opposition to reforms has come from
bureaucrats and certain small groups only.

On the other hand, a reactive atmosphere is dominating our country in
the runup to Oct. 3 when our membership negotiations are expected to
begin. This attitude is of a political and social nature, reminding
me of sovereignty discussions.

Although these reactions don’t refer to a clear opposition to EU
membership, they rather signal a more inward-looking national
attitude. The closer we get to the EU, the more we try to box
ourselves into our own boundaries.

There are two overlapping problems that we need to deal with. First,
Turkey must reinforce its recent reforms in terms of both mentality
and implementation. The Armenian issue, a possible retrial of
terrorist Abdullah Ocalan and the Fener Greek patriarch issue are
some of more critical problems that Turkey will have to face in the
future. By their very nature, these problems are different from the
issues related to the reform process. Unlike in the past, we will
have to deal with problems aside from civilianizing the state
structure and maintaining a balance between military and civilian
institutions. This time we’ll tackle deeper problems, ones hard to
identify and distinguish from others such as redefining our social
identity and facing our past. The Armenian and Kurdish problems are
here to stay.

We can’t avoid discussing them. Thus, such tense issues are very
likely to spark social opposition and reactionary mechanisms in the
future, which would probably lead our country to a kind of
polarization. In this stage, we’ll experience both domestic tensions
and international ones.

Each area of tension feeds another. For example, the possibility of
Ocalan’s retrial might exacerbate tension between different groups
and incite ultranationalist reactions even among the most unexpected
circles. This will be a true test for our democracy. Political and
social rationality is crucial now.

The second big problem is an issue which has yet to be resolved
despite all of the recent reforms, one which refers to a cherished
ideal, a democratic hope: the civilianization of the state structure.
The military is still very influential in civilian politics and
institutions. All of these problems can’t be solved immediately. I
guess we need some time to set in motion domestic dynamics which will
heed nothing but the national will.

Today, our biggest problem is that out society has yet to choose
between transformation and maintaining the status quo. In time, we
will all have to face ourselves…’

Source: Yeni Safak via BYEGM, 11 May 2005

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES GENERAL STAFF CHIEF: IF BAKU LAUNCHES WAR IT WILL LOSE

10.05.2005 06:34

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The tension at the contact line between the Armenian and
Azeri Armed Forces is preserved. As Deputy Defense Minister, Chief of the
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, colonel general Mikayel
Harutyunian stated, Azeri leaders’ aggressive statements cause the tension
at the contact line. At that in his words, there are no abrupt changes at
the contact line. `There is skirmish, there were a few victims and wounded
from our side. However, it is not the number the Azeri party points out, but
10 times less,’ Harutyunian emphasized adding that `there are many victims
from the Azeri side and the Armenian party has specific data about it.’ The
Armenian general advised that the Azeri leadership refrain from militarist
statements, as these automatically transfer to the officer personnel and the
soldiers at the frontline, which entails the tension. `As a result they get
many corpses and this refers not only to skirmish. Cases of mass beating of
soldiers in Azeri troops are registered, as well as mass desertion,’ he
informed. `I advise to calm down for the front line to become calm and it
will allow to solve the problem via peaceful means,’ Mikayel Harutyunian
accentuated. `The Armenian Armed Forces are ready to fulfill the tasks posed
at them. I am sure that if Baku launches a war, it will lose. I have always
said and I will keep saying – and this is not boasting – that we are
well-informed about the combat efficiency of the Azeri Armed Forces and we
are convinced that by starting a war they will lose not only the war, but
also many lands and people,’ the Armenian General Staff chief summed up,
reported Regnum news agency.

A1plus

| 14:38:02 | 10-05-2005 | Politics |

EUROINTEGRATION OR EURODISINTEGRATION

Today the NA sitting started in time; however Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan
declared a 20-minute break as reporter of the constitutional amendments
Armen Harutyunyan was late.

On his arrival President’s representative Armen Harutyunyan made a detailed
analysis of the drafts presented by the coalition and the ULP but did not
say a word about Arshak Sadoyan’s draft. Certainly the most admissible draft
for him was the one submitted by the coalition. «I see the amount of work
done. Of course, it needs editing and about 10 items proposed by the Venice
Commission can be adopted. It will contribute to our political stability. We
should follow the pass of eurointegration however this integration should
not disintegrate in the Republic of Armenia», he said noting that the
coalition was right to take into account the national peculiarities and not
to accept all the proposals by the Venice Commission

When commenting on the ULP draft Armen Harutyunyan said, «I do not see
resources for editing here. The conception should be changed».

Arshak Sadoyan in his turn thanked the President’s representatives for
compete neglecting of his draft.

Later NA Vice Speaker Tigran Torosyan presented the reports of the
commission on eurointegration and in detail commented on the creation of the
three drafts, seminars held and the Venice Commission remarks. He also
stressed the importance of the independence of the juridical system.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:
George Shirinian

DATE: May 9, 2005
Tel: 416-250-9807

Zoryan Institute Writes to Turkish Prime Minister on Turkish-Armenian
Dialogue

Toronto, Canada – Against the background of the 90th anniversary of the 1915
Armenian Genocide, there has been a flood of activity and articles about the
Genocide and its impact on Turkish-Armenian relations today. Recently, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey wrote to Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan with the suggestion of the two countries forming a joint
commission of historians and other experts to study the “events of 1915,” as
a prelude to normalizing relations. This suggestion has drawn the attention
of such interested parties as Germany and the United States.

President Kocharyan responded that other countries on the European
continent, which have disputes are still able to have open borders and
diplomatic relations. He argued that it is the responsibility of governments
to develop bilateral relations and it is not right to delegate that
responsibility to historians. He proposed that the two countries establish
normal relations and open border with one another, with no preconditions.

The Zoryan Institute, which supports all earnest efforts to promote
Turkish-Armenian dialogue, and was engaged four years ago in a failed
attempt at establishing a historians’ commission on this subject, has issued
a public letter to Prime Minister Erdogan. The letter suggests that instead
of waiting for a historians’ commission to be created, which is long,
arduous and complex process, there are simple confidence-building steps that
could be taken now, to bridge the divide between the two civil societies.

Attached is the full text of the letter, signed by Professor Roger W. Smith,
Chairman of the Zoryan Institute’s Academic Board of Directors.

The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted
to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian
social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts
multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing
with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal
context.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.

255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310

Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9

Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]

May 9, 2005

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ankara

Turkey

Fax: + 90 312 417 0476
[email protected]

Dear Prime Minister Erdogan:

A few weeks ago, Your Excellency wrote to Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan, proposing a joint group, consisting of historians and other
experts, to study “the events of 1915.” The purpose of this initiative would
be to “shed light on a disputed period of history and also constitute a step
towards contributing to the normalization of relations between” Turkey and
Armenia.

We would like you to know that a similar proposal was initiated as far back
as September 2001. At that time, the Zoryan Institute, in collaboration with
the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC), represented by
Mr. Kaan Soyak, its President, developed the outlines of a proposal for a
historians’ forum. This was done with the involvement of both Turkish and
Armenian scholars. The goal of the forum was to create a platform for
historians where a conceptual framework would be developed to discuss
historical facts, especially as they relate to the treatment of the
Armenians by the Ottoman authorities in the last days of the Ottoman Empire,
during World War I. The discussion would be free and open, enabling both
societies to deal with their past. The forum would also disseminate, without
censorship, information through seminars, colloquia, conferences, and public
discussions and would make available the archival and source documentation
for this subject through the broadcast media. At that time, Mr. Soyak let us
know that the Turkish Government was intimately informed about this
initiative, and that the TABDC was to take the proposal to the Turkish
government for its approval. Unfortunately, such approval was never
obtained, we believe, because “diverging interpretations of events that took
place during a particular period.continue to hamper the development of
friendly relations between” Armenia and Turkey today, as you note in your
letter.

In order to help reconcile these divergent interpretations, the two sides
must listen to and hear each other. As part of this process, a common body
of knowledge needs to be created, so that established facts can help
alleviate the polarization of opinions. This, in turn, will lead to the
“peaceful and friendly environment in which tolerance and mutual respect
shall prevail.” Therefore, we at the Zoryan Institute urge your government
to take some simple steps to allow for a free and open discussion within
Turkish society, such as those listed below.

1) Facilitate critical scholars educating society about the events of
1915 from different points of view and not only from the government’s
perspective.

2) Allow the broadcast of a series of lectures on this issue by
renowned Armenian, Turkish and/or third party scholars, who do not
necessarily reflect the government’s official position, through Turkish
television networks, without any censorship, and with the accessibility to
the public for questions.

3) Allow Turkish academics and intellectuals, whose point of view
challenges the official version of what happened in 1915, to express their
ideas through public lectures, publications, and translations of Ottoman
archival materials, without fear of persecution by the state.

4) In this respect, make unequivocally and publicly clear that Article
305 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “acts against the fundamental
national interest,” does not pertain to the “Armenian Genocide” issue, and
that individuals who say that the Armenians suffered a genocide will not be
persecuted by the state.

In its turn, Armenia should be willing to allow public access there to the
official Turkish point of view, in the same manner.

It takes considerable time to conceptualize new approaches to large
problems, which have eluded solution for generations. At the same time,
there are many useful, small, confidence-building steps that can be taken on
the road to finding that solution. Therefore, we strongly urge the Turkish
Government to accept the call of Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
for your two countries to establish diplomatic relations, with no
preconditions, as a first step to commencing dialogue. This would
demonstrate the sincerity of your government regarding the normalization of
relations between the two countries.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, by such steps described above, you will help
accelerate the creation of bridges between various sectors of the two
governments and civil societies, so crucial for normalization of relations
and conflict resolution. We urge you not to miss the opportunity at this
juncture of accepting the outstretched hand of friendship from Armenia, as a
previous Turkish government missed during the early 1990s. Please be assured
that we at Zoryan Institute stand ready to support all earnest efforts to
promote Turkish-Armenian dialogue through our expertise and scholarly
resources.

Yours respectfully,

[signed]

Roger W. Smith, Chair, Academic Board of Directors

Cc: President Robert Kocharyan, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Special
Advisor to UN Secretary General Juan Mendez

NKR AUTHORITIES CONVEYED THREE AZERI MILITARY CAPTIVES TO AZERBAIJAN

Pan Armenian News
07.05.2005 05:16

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Nagorno Karabakh Republic authorities conveyed
3 Azeri military captives to Azerbaijan. The act of passing was held
in Aghdam region of the contact line between the Armed Forces of NKR
and Azerbaijan and was carried out in compliance with a decision of
the NKR authorities and by means of the Karabakh representation of the
International Committee of the Red Cross after the Azeri party agreed
to accept its servicemen, reported Mediamax. It should be reminded
that February 15 servicemen of the fifth defense territory of Nagorno
Karabakh found and took captive three Azeri soldiers Khikmet Tagiyev,
Khayal Abdullayev and Ruslan Bashirov, who had trespassed the border.

CIS statistical committee posts retail foodstuff sales data

RosBusinessConsulting Database
May 6, 2005 Friday 5:54 am, EST

Average retail sales in real terms, all market outlets taken into
consideration, grew by 11 percent in the CIS in the first quarter
of 2005, compared with the first quarter of 2004, the Interstate
Statistical Committee of the CIS has reported. In Russia, foodstuff
sales growth, exclusive of catering turnover, stood at 9.6 percent.
Tajikistan witnessed the highest increase in retail sales among CIS
members (up by 19.8 percent), while Armenia showed the lowest growth
rate of 3.5 percent. In Moldova, retail foodstuff sales dropped by
7 percent.

In Belarus, retail sales moved up by 19.7 percent, and by 17.3
percent in Ukraine; in Azerbaijan they increased by 12 percent,
whilst in Georgia only a 4 percent rise was shown. In Kazakhstan,
retail foodstuff sales advanced by 10.6 percent. No statistics for
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were reported.

Turkey long way from EU membership: Kretschmer

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
May 7 2005

Kretschmer said that if the Greek Cypriot administration was not
recognised by Ankara that the Greek Cypriots would have the right to
veto direct trade with the TRNC.

May 6- Turkey has a long way to go before it will meet the standards
required for membership of the European Union, a senior EU official
said Friday.

In an exclusive interview on NTV on Friday, Hansjorg Kretschmer, said
that Turkey still had many reforms to implement in order to achieve
membership of the EU. “There are great gaps in respect to human rights
and freedoms,” Kretschmer said. “Freedom of expression, religion and
the place of women in the society have serious deficiencies.”

Not much had been achieved as yet on reforming civilian-military
relations, legal reforms and their implementation, he said.

Furthermore Kretschmer stressed that the underdeveloped economic and
social nature of the southeast of Turkey as a drawback.

“There a long path ahead of Turkey,” he said.

The reform process in Turkey had lost momentum and had slowed down,
and that there were two conditions to be met by Turkey in order for
accession negotiations to start as scheduled on October 3, one the
signing of the Ankara protocol and passing the new penal code, he said

In reference to the issue of direct trade with the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus, a question raised during the recent visit of
the German Chancellor to Turkey, Kretschmer stressed that the Greek
Cypriot side, as a member of the EU, did not recognise the northern
side and this generated problems.

Kretschmer also called on Turkey to open up its border with Armenian
as soon as possible. Although he stressed that the recognition of the
so-called Armenian genocide was not a criteria for membership of the
EU, Kretschmer stressed that it would have an indirect impact.

“Turkey should urgently face up to this important issue,” he said.
“Since this would affect the views on Turkey by the public of the
EU states.”

ARMENIAN ARMY HAS RIGHT TO BE PROUD

Pan Armenian News
06.05.2005 08:04

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Secretary of the Security Council under the RA
President, Defense Minister Serge Sargsian met with the delegation of
the US Armed Forces experts, who are making assessment of the defense
efficiency of the Armenian Armed Forces, headed by Colonel Michael
Anderson, RA Defense Minister’s Press Secretary Seyran Shahsuvarian
reported. During the meeting Col. Anderson thanked the Armenian party
for the transparency and sincerity displayed during the assessment
process. In his words, despite the young age of the Armenian army it
has the right to be proud. In part, the Colonel was impressed by the
careful attitude of the soldiers towards the equipment. Besides, he
touched upon the reinforcement of the Armed Forces with the officers
to serve on contractual basis.