PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 29, 2004

Representatives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the Western Diocese

Upon the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisian and Rev. Fr. Khoren
Kirakosian are in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America to participate in the Diocesan Assembly convened at St. John Garabed
Armenian Church in San Diego, California, and to represent the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Diocesan Assembly is scheduled to take place from April 29 through May
2, 2004. The clergymen also brought their participation to the annual
Clergy Conference convened by the Western Diocese preceding the Assembly.
During the month of May, the Reverend Fathers will visit Armenian
communities and parishes throughout the diocese.

##

Azerbaijan vows to let Armenian military attend NATO exercise

Interfax news agency, Moscow
29 Apr 04

BAKU

Azerbaijan is prepared to let Armenian officials attend the NATO
military exercises in Baku in the fall, Ramiz Malikov, head of the
Azerbaijani Defence Ministry’s press service, told Interfax on
Thursday [29 April].

“NATO is organizing the exercise and we are prepared to see to it that
every invitee, including Armenian Defence Ministry officials, attends
it,” he said.

“As a rule, Armenian officers are unwilling to travel to Baku but try
to claim their absence is the result of Azerbaijan’s obstruction,”
Malikov said.

NATO’s multinational exercise Cooperative Best Effort-2004 will be
held in Baku in September 2004.

Armenian and Azeri leaders to continue negotiations

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04

[Presenter] The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents (Robert Kocharyan
and Ilham Aliyev) assessed the Warsaw meeting constructive. There is a
mutual wish to restart the negotiations, the Presidents Kocharyan and
Aliyev announced after the face-to-face meeting. Robert Kocharyan
informed that an agreement was reached to make continual the meetings
of the two countries’ foreign ministers. It is expected that Vardan
Oskanyan (Armenian foreign minister) and Elmar Mammadyarov
(Azerbaijani foreign minister) will meet in May. The presidents will
instruct them to have more frequent and constructive contacts in the
future. The presidents themselves will try to use various
international summits for the bilateral meetings.

[Correspondent Lilit Setrakyan from Warsaw over telephone] The
European Economic summit started its work in Warsaw. The leaders of 16
countries and 10s high ranking officials are in Warsaw these days. The
leaders of the Caucasus three countries who are also in Warsaw used
this opportunity for the bilateral meetings. President Kocharyan’s
working day programme was significant by the meeting of President
Ilham Aliyev, which took place by the mediation of the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group who arrived in Warsaw specially for this
occasion.

The presidents also had a face-to-face meeting. The presidents made an
announcement after the meeting. Ilham Aliyev noted that the meeting
was held in a constructive atmosphere and the discussion process on a
peaceful settlement will be continued for both sides’ mutual
interest. Robert Kocharyan confirmed Ilham Aliyev’s assessment and
announced that they agreed to continue the negotiations also by the
foreign ministers’ negotiations. Oskanyan and Mammadyarov’s next
meeting will be held in May. President Kocharyan also noted that the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will use any desirable meetings
and summits to continue the talks.

After the face-to-face meeting Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev
together with Georgian President Saakashvili took part in the working
lunch with in the framework of the European Economic summit, to
discuss Caucasus issues. There were discussed the relations with the
expanded Europe and new neighbours. The Armenian, Azerbaijani and
Georgian presidents presented their countries’ economic developments,
business spheres and atmospheres and possibilities of the regional
economic cooperation.

After the Economic summit Robert Kocharyan met Polish President
Aleksander Kwasnieski. The presidents discussed Armenian-Polish
relations and cooperation in the international organizations.

President Kocharyan’s working day’s programme concluded with a
cultural event in the Warsaw National Opera Theatre.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 23-29, 2004

HIGHLIGHTS:

ROUND TABLE ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

PACE DEMANDS TO CREATE FAIR CONDITIONS FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF MEDIA IN
ARMENIA

INVESTIGATIONS THAT INCITE DOUBT

ALL THE POSSIBILITIES EXHAUSTED

“A1+” CONTINUES THE FIGHT FOR RETURN ON AIR

MIKAEL DANIELIAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO ATTACKED HIM WILL BE
REVEALED

“KENTRON” TV COMPANY CHANGES OWNER AND NAME

NEW PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY ESTABLISHED

ROUND TABLE ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Yerevan Press Club congratulates all the colleagues on World Press Freedom
Day and invites to take part in a round table, devoted to this date. The
event is organized by “Partnership for Open Society” initiative and will be
held on May 3 at 12.00 at Yerevan “Congress” Hotel.

PACE DEMANDS TO CREATE FAIR CONDITIONS FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF MEDIA IN
ARMENIA

On April 28 at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe Resolution on honoring of obligations and commitments by Armenia was
passed, focusing on the inner political situation in the country. The
document says that the actions of Armenian authorities with regard to the
protest actions held by opposition run contrary to the PACE Resolution on
Armenia, adopted on January 27, 2004 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, January
23-29, 2004). Among other issues the PACE is concerned over the freedom of
expression issues. “Freedom of expression continues to be seriously
curtailed and several acts of violence against journalists, which took place
during the recent events, were carried out or were allowed to happen by the
police and security forces”, the Resolution point out.

The PACE also called on Armenian authorities to immediately investigate – in
a transparent and credible manner – the recent incidents and inform the
Assembly of their findings, as well as “create fair conditions for the
normal functioning of the media, notably as regards the issuing of
broadcasting licenses to television companies, particularly to television
channel ‘A1+'”.

The Resolution notes that if by the September session of PACE no progress in
implementing the recommendations is achieved, the Assembly “resolves to
reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation”.

INVESTIGATIONS THAT INCITE DOUBT

The violence against journalists that occurred during the opposition rallies
of April 5 and 13 were condemned by Armenian and international
organizations, also professional associations, who called on the authorities
of the country to hold everyone guilty accountable. On a number of episodes
when media representatives were injured, criminal proceedings were
instituted. However the situation of today arises doubt that the law
enforcement bodies are interested to determine and punish the people who
used force against journalists on professional duty.

Thus, on April 24 “Haikakan Zhamanak” published an article “Investigation
Course Becoming a Disgrace”, where the actions of the law enforcement bodies
are described. The actions were a reply to two letters by “Haikakan
Zhamanak” to the General Prosecutor reporting the cases of impeding the
work of the daily’s correspondent Haik Gevorgian and the acts of violence
directed at him.

As it has been reported, Haik Gevorgian was injured both on April 5 and 13
(see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004 and April 9-15,
2004). At the same time according to the journalist in the second case the
Deputy Head of the RA Police Hovhannes Varian personally took his photo
camera and ordered to a group of people who accompanied him and had batons
on them, to beat him. Because of this “Haikakan Zhamanak” addressed the RA
General Prosecutor demanding to hold Hovhannes Varian accountable (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, April 16-22, 2004).

In the publication of April 24 “Haikakan Zhamanak” points out the fact that
both its reports on the incidents with Haik Gevorgian on April 5 and 13 are
currently considered by the investigative bodies within the proceedings,
instituted, in fact, against the opposition parties. As the newspaper
writes, “the potential object of the case” started by Article 258 of the RA
Criminal Code (“public disorder”) with regard to events of April 5 is the
opposition party “National Unity”, while the opposition “Justice” block is
accused of an attempt of a violent regime overthrow in the early morning of
April 13.

According to “Haikakan Zhamanak”, the prosecutor’s office, instead the two
ways for proceeding applications, as stipulated by the legislation – to
institute criminal proceedings basing on a press report or to refuse in
instituting it – chose to act in the third manner, which, in the opinion of
the editorial office is inadequate and does not allow to expect those guilty
to be punished.

ALL THE POSSIBILITIES EXHAUSTED

On April 23 the RA Court of Cassation confirmed the decision of the RA
Commercial Court on the suit of “Meltex” LLC, the founder of “A1+” TV
company, versus the National Commission on Television and Radio. As it has
been reported, on March 23 the Commercial Court declined the claim of “A1+”
to provide specific justification for the refusals to grant broadcast
licenses in the competitions held by the National Commission on June 11 and
July 18, 2003 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 19-25, 2004).

Thus, after this ruling by the Court of Cassation, “A1+” exhausted all the
possibilities to challenge the results of the broadcast licensing
competitions in the Armenian judicial bodies.

“A1+” CONTINUES THE FIGHT FOR RETURN ON AIR

On April 24 the Freedom of Expression Assistance Fund and the initiative
group to protect “A1+” TV company announced a rally to be held on the World
Press Freedom Day. The demands, addressed to the authorities at a similar
protest action on April 2 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004), have
not been implemented and retain their urgency. These are, namely, the need
to hold a broadcast licensing competition for the vacant frequencies as soon
as possible and the involvement of the representatives of the public sector
in the evaluation of the bids presented.

The rally will be held on May 3 at 16.00 in Yerevan at the square in front
of “Moscow” cinema house.

MIKAEL DANIELIAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO ATTACKED HIM WILL BE
REVEALED

The Chairman of Armenian Helsinki Association Mikael Danielian is positive
that despite the immediate assignment of the RA President Robert Kocharian
to General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian, those guilty in attacking him will
never be found and punished. He announced this at a press-conference on
April 23.

As it has been reported on March 30 Mikael Danielian was attacked by unknown
people (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 26 – April 1, 2004). On
April 1 he was visited at the hospital by the investigator of prosecutor’s
office of Arabkir community, Yerevan, who informed Mr. Danielian about the
institution of criminal proceedings, however, according to Mr. Danielian, he
was not well enough at that stage to give testimony. The next visit of the
investigator, this time with a forensic expert, to Mr. Danielian was only
made on April 14 when he was recovering at home and the traces of the
beating had already disappeared. The conversation with the investigator
convinced the head of the Helsinki Association that the assignment of the
President will not be carried out. In the opinion of Mikael Danielian, the
authorities of Armenia, despite the appeals and addresses of the
international human rights organizations are not interested to disclose the
crimes committed both against him and against journalists on April 5 and 13.

“KENTRON” TV COMPANY CHANGES OWNER AND NAME

Recently the information about the sale of “Kentron” TV company and the
change of its head was officially confirmed (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
April 16-22, 2004). On April 24 the new head of the TV company that will
interrupt the broadcasts for 10 days and will go on air with a new name,
“Aravot” TV, was appointed – it is the Chief Editor of homonymous newspaper
Aram Abrahamian. According to Aram Abrahamian, the new owner of the TV
company is the non-party deputy of the RA National Assembly (elected by the
party list of the Republican party of Armenia, though), the head of “Milta”
LLC Murad Guloyan, a fellow-villager of another NA deputy, president of
“Multi Group” Company Gagik Tsarukian.

Aram Abrahamian (who, at the time when “A1+” was on air, hosted the popular
“PostScript> program) announced on the pages of “Aravot (the journalist also
says he will continue to head this daily) that he will continue to assist
the return of “A1+” on the air, will take part in all the actions to support
it as well as will offer the TV company to take part in the preparation of
programs for “Aravot” TV. The delicacy of the situation is that the 37th UHF
where now “Kentron”/”Aravot” broadcasts used to be taken by “A1+”. By the
results of the competition, finalized by the National Commission on
Television and Radio on April 2, 2002, “A1+” lost the broadcast license for
the frequency to “Sharm” company, the founder of “Kentron” TV company.
However, as Aram Abrahamian assured, should a new competition for this
frequency be announced, “Aravot” TV will not take part in it and will assist
the victory of “A1+”.

It should also be mentioned that on November 1, 2002, the suit of “A1+”
founder “Meltex” LLC versus the Republic of Armenia was accepted for
consideration by the European Court for Human Rights (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, November 2-8, 2002). The suit challenges the rulings of the
judicial authorities of the country on the legitimacy of broadcast licensing
competitions, held by the National Commission. Considering the fact that
almost a year and a half has passed since the acceptance of the suit the
hearings at the European Court may start pretty soon and it is quite
possible that the 37th frequency will become the center of new developments
again.

NEW PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY ESTABLISHED

In Armenia a new professional holiday is established – the Day of Press
Worker. According to the decision of the Government passed on April 22, this
holiday will be celebrated annually on October 16. On this day in 1794 in
the city of Madras, India, the first Armenian periodical publication,
“Azdarar”, was produced.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

A1 Plus | 17:19:26 | 29-04-2004 | Politics |

PACE FINAL REPORT ON ARMENIA

PACE has already adopted final report on situation in Armenia.

1. Since the end of March 2004, a series of protests were organised by
the opposition forces in Armenia, calling for the holding of a
“referendum of confidence” in President Kocharian. The possibility of
such a referendum was first mentioned by the Armenian Constitutional
Court following the presidential elections in February and March last
year. The Constitutional Court later clarified its proposal and the
authorities qualify the opposition demands and protests as an attempt
to seize power by force.

2. The demonstrations, while announced, have not been authorised by
the authorities who threatened their organisers with criminal
prosecution. Following the demonstrations on 5 April, the prosecutor
general opened criminal investigations in connection with the rally of
the opposition parties against several members of the opposition and
many more were arrested. On the same occasion, several journalists and
politicians were beaten up by unknown persons while the police were
standing by taking no action.

3. New demonstrations took place on 9, 10 and 12 April in Yerevan. In
the early morning of 13 April, the security forces violently dispersed
some 2000-3000 protesters who were attempting to march towards the
presidential palace, calling for President Kocharian’s
resignation. The police reportedly used truncheons, water cannons and
tear gas, causing dozens of injuries. A number of protesters were
arrested, including members of parliament, some of whom are members of
the Assembly, and some were allegedly mistreated during their custody
by the police. The security forces also assaulted and arrested several
journalists who were covering the opposition rally.

4. The tensions in Armenia continue to run high; new protests are
planned for the week of 26 April. For the time being, there seems to
be little room for dialogue between the authorities and the
opposition, even if some offers have been made and some members of the
ruling majority – and notably the Speaker of the Armenian parliament –
have begun criticising the heavy-handed crackdown on demonstrators.

5. With regard to the conduct of the authorities, the Parliamentary
Assembly recalls that its actions are contrary to the letter and the
spirit of the recommendations formulated in its Resolution 1361 (2004)
adopted last January. It is particularly concerned with the fact that:

i. arrests, including on the basis of the Administrative Code, ignored
the demand to immediately end the practice of administrative detention
and change the Administrative Code used as a legal basis for this
practice;

ii. the authorities refused to authorise opposition rallies for
reasons not permitted under the European Convention on Human
Rights. Moreover the new draft law on the procedure of conducting
gatherings, meetings, rallies and demonstrations, currently in the
parliamentary procedure, was evaluated as excessively restrictive by
experts of the Venice Commission;

iii. persons detained during the recent events were reportedly
subjected to ill-treatment by police and security forces, in spite of
Assembly’s demands to take resolute and more active steps to remedy
misconduct by law enforcement officials;

iv. freedom of expression continues to be seriously curtailed and
several acts of violence against journalists, which took place during
the recent events, were carried out or were allowed to happen by the
police and security forces.

6. With regard to the conduct of the opposition, the Assembly stresses
that they should do their utmost to avoid any future violence.

7. As to their demands for the holding of a “referendum of confidence”
and the resignation of President Kocharian, the Assembly stresses
that:

i. both the presidential, and the parliamentary elections which
followed in May last year were severely criticised by the
international community, including by the Assembly delegations. The
electoral process as a whole had not complied with international
standards and the irregularities observed notably included biased
media coverage, detention of opposition proxies and campaign staff,
falsification of results, intimidation of observers as well as
generally inadequate performance of the elections administration.

ii. although the fraud, in spite of its magnitude, did not decisively
change the outcome of the elections nor invalidate their final
results, in its report on the honouring of obligations and commitments
by Armenia, adopted in January 2004 (Resolution 1361), the Assembly
expressed profound disappointment at the conduct of the elections and
called for a thorough investigation into electoral fraud and an end to
the judicial impunity for those responsible for it.

8. While insisting that the Armenian authorities must fully comply
with its recommendations concerning last year’s flawed elections, the
Assembly considers that the opposition, while entitled fully to enjoy
its constitutional right to peaceful assembly, should strive to
achieve its goals within the constitutional framework.

9. The Assembly calls upon the Armenian authorities to:

i. allow peaceful demonstrations and refrain from any further action
which would legally, or in practice, lead to unjustified restrictions
to the freedom of assembly guaranteed by the European Convention on
human rights;

ii. guarantee freedom of movement within Armenia;

iii. immediately investigate – in a transparent and credible manner –
the incidents and human rights abuses reported during the recent
events, including assaults of journalists and human rights activists,
and inform the Assembly of their findings and possible legal actions
against persons responsible;

iv. immediately release the persons detained for their participation
in the demonstrations and immediately end the practice of
administrative detention and amend the Administrative Code to this
effect;

v. take note of the fact that the immunities of PACE members are valid
during the whole year (PACE Resolution 1325 (2003) and Recommendation
1602 (2003)); accordingly it invites the competent Armenian
authorities to henceforth inform as soon as possible the President of
the PACE when Armenian members of that Assembly are prosecuted or
detained;

vi. create fair conditions for the normal functioning of the media,
notably as regards the issuing of broadcasting licences to television
companies, particularly to television channel A1+;

vii. send a written report to the Assembly, before the opening of the
June 2004 part-session, on the steps it has taken with regard to
sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi.

10. The Assembly calls upon the authorities and the opposition to
refrain from any action which may lead to further violence and to
engage in a dialogue without preconditions, with a view to resolving
the present conflict in accordance with Council of Europe standards
and European democratic practice.

11. The Assembly believes that the recent events have added a measure
of urgency to its demands for Armenia’s full and unconditional
compliance with their obligations and commitments. It resolves to
instruct the Monitoring Committee to send its rapporteurs to Armenia
to present a report on the situation, particularly on the follow-up of
the recommendations set out in sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi, as soon as
appropriate, and well before the opening of the September 2004
part-session. If no progress with regard to sub-paragraphs 9.i to 9.vi
is made by the opening of the September 2004 part-session, it resolves
to reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation in accordance
with Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure.

PRESS RELEASE
ARKA BALLET
Date: April 27, 2004
Contact: Tania J. Chichmanian, ARKA Ballet
(301) 587-6225; [email protected]

ARKA BALLET INVITED TO ARMENIA –
WILL PERFORM AT NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE IN AUGUST

ARKA Ballet is the first American ballet company officially invited to
perform in Armenia. The Armenian State Philaharmonic has invited the
Washington, DC-based troupe to appear at the National Opera and Ballet
Theatre in Yerevan on August 6 and 7, 2004. The company of 16 will present
two programs of mixed repertoire featuring works by contemporary American
choreographers as well as recent works by Artistic Director Roudolf
Kharatian.

The Philharmonic, which is the successor to Armenia’s Armconcert, will host
the company for a one-week stay in Armenia, covering expenses in Armenia for
the touring company, including lodging, meals, in-country transportation,
rehearsal space and all performance-related PR and marketing. The tentative
schedule even includes a little sightseeing! ARKA Ballet is now frantically
working on air travel arrangements for which it has launched an aggressive
PR campaign. Upcoming events to watch for include a pre-trip ‘preview gala’
at the American Dance Institute on June 12, as well as an art exhibit May 21
to June 21, 2004.

ARKA Ballet was founded by Roudolf Kharatian and launched at the Kennedy
Center in 1999. Since then, the company has performed at many venues
throughout the Washington, DC area including the Kennedy Center, the Lisner
Auditorium, and the Kay Theatre. In 2001, ARKA Ballet was commissioned by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church to create two ballets based on key
moments in Armenia’s Christian history. The two works, Vartanank, to the
music of Edgar Hovanessian, and St. Gregory’s Prayer, to the music of Alan
Hovaness, were premiered in New York during the 1700th Anniversary
Celebrations in Central Park.

ARKA Ballet features young, dynamic, classically-trained professional
dancers. The company’s repertoire includes many of the classical favorites
as well as more contemporary works. ARKA Ballet also serves as a vehicle to
educate US audiences about Armenia and its rich culture, by presenting works
that use Armenian history, legends or music as their basis.

The tour to Armenia has been a long-time dream for the company and marks the
troupe’s first-ever tour abroad. It also opens the door for ongoing
cultural exchange and dialogue between the American and Armenian dance
communities, helping to strengthen the ties between these two nations. Upon
its return to the US, ARKA Ballet plans to broadly publicize its Armenia
tour through performances in a variety of venues, using the trip as an added
opportunity to showcase Armenian themes. Plans for 2005 include the
development of a new ballet commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre has
invited ARKA Ballet’s Artistic Director Roudolf Kharatian to create a new
full-length ballet based on St. Gregory of Narek’s Book of Lamentations.
The ballet will premiere in Armenia in 2006.

ARKA Ballet dancers are excited at the prospect of experiencing Armenia
first hand after hearing so much about the nation from Kharatian, whom they
fondly refer to as “Mr. K.” Many have also expressed the desire to stay
on for a few days following the performances in order to take in more of the
sites and have a chance to immerse themselves in the country, albeit for a
short while.

For more information about ARKA Ballet and its planned tour to Armenia,
please contact Tania Chichmanian at 301-587-6225 or [email protected]; or
visit ARKA Ballet is dedicated to the continued
development of the artform of ballet.

# # #

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)

Spring Session

Armenia: Assembly calls for peaceful dialogue without preconditions

[28/04/04] The Armenian authorities should allow peaceful demonstrations to
take place, release those detained during recent demonstrations, immediately
investigate any reported human rights abuses that took place and create fair
conditions for the media, the Assembly said today following an urgent debate
on the situation in the country. If no progress is made on these demands by
the opening of the September session, the parliamentarians resolved to
reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation. However, they also
called on the opposition to achieve its goals within the constitutional
framework. Both sides should engage in a peaceful dialogue without
preconditions, they stressed.

—

Azeri president fails to start Karabakh settlement from scratch – daily

Yeni Musavat, Baku
29 Apr 04

Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan
respectively started their meeting at 1330 [0830 gmt] Baku time
yesterday. The meeting was also attended by the OSCE [Minsk Group]
cochairs.

[Passage omitted: Presidents’ remarks on the meeting]

Observers pay a special attention to a point from the presidents’
statements. Ilham Aliyev acknowledged that efforts to restart talks
from scratch yielded no results. It is no secret that Ilham Aliyev,
who stepped into his father’s shoes at the expense of certain
conditions, has been burdened (or he burdened himself) with
troublesome problem of making compromises on Karabakh.

Ilham Aliyev realized his responsibilities and therefore, he wanted to
resume the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement from scratch and
this might have been advantageous to Azerbaijan. However, Aliyev’s
efforts received sharp reactions, particularly from the USA, and the
new co-chairman [of the OSCE Minsk group], Steven Mann, stated openly
that not only it was important to give the go-ahead for the
negotiations but it was necessary for Azerbaijan to compromise.

The above said has also to do with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan. He has been manipulating the “Karabakh card” for a long
period and it is high time for him to make concessions. It is not by
accident that the French president also “reprimanded” him [Kocharyan]
before a visit to Warsaw… [ellipsis as published].

There only remains to wait for the effects of this and next meetings
on the overall atmosphere in Azerbaijan and Armenia.

[Passage omitted: Presidents of the South Caucasus republics also met
yesterday]

PRESS RELEASE — April 30, 2004

Contact: Richard Hovannisian
Department of History
University of California, Los Angeles CA 90095-1473
e-mail [email protected],
telephone: 310-825-3375; Fax 310-206-9630

UCLA–The Armenian Communities of Iran will be featured in the 14th
UCLA conference on Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces. Scholars
from seven countries will make presentations on the history, culture,
art and architecture, political activities and involvement, and
current state of the Iranian Armenians. The first session is in
Armenian and will be held in the Glendale Presbyterian Church on
Friday evening, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. The remaining sessions on
Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, May 16,
from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. will be held in Young Hall in the Court of
Sciences on the UCLA campus. Parking in Structure no. 2, entrance
from Hilgard Avenue at Westholme. The conference is open to the public
at no charge.

Further details may be found on the web at UCLAArmenian. org.

————————————————————————-

The Armenian Communities of Iran

Friday-Sunday, May 14-16,
2004
Glendale Presbyterian Church (Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.)
UCLA, Court of Sciences 50 (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m, Sunday, 1:30-5:30
p.m.)
University of California, Los Angeles

Sponsored by
Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History
University of California, Los Angeles

Co-Sponsored by
Armenian Society of Los Angeles
and the UCLA
International Institute
G.E. von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies
Center for European and Eurasian Studies

————————————————————————-

Friday, May 14, 7:30-10:00 P.M.
Glendale Presbyterian Church
125 South Louise Street (at Harvard), Glendale, California 91205

Friday Evening Session in Armenian

Conference Opening: Armenian-Persian Relations
Richard G. Hovannisian, University of California, Los Angeles

Salmast–Its History, Ethnography, and Role
Onnik Hayrapetian, Mashdotz College and Glendale Community College

The Life and Work of Archbishop Nerses Melik-Tangian, Prelate of Atrpatakan
Gohar Avagyan, National Archives of Armenia, Erevan

The Monasteries of Saint Thaddeus (Tade) and Dzordzor
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture
————————————————————————-

Saturday, May 15, 2004, 9:30- a.m. 5:30 p.m.
Court of Sciences 50 (Young Hall), UCLA Campus

Sessions in English – 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Armenian Communities of IranAn Introduction
Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA

Armenian Iran in the History of Vaspurakan, 9th-10th Centuries
Anne Elizabeth Redgate, University of Newcastle, England

Armenian Activities in Tabriz under the Il-Khans, 13th-14th Centuries
Peter Cowe, University of California, Los Angeles

Armenian Reactions to the Fall of the Principality of Maku in 1426
Hovann Simonian, University of Southern California

INTERMISSION

Ottoman Military Operations in Azerbayjan, the Silk Trade, and the
Armenians, 16th-18th Centuries
Thomas Sinclair, University of Cyprus, Nicosia

Epigraphic Documents (Inscriptions) as a Source for Study of the
Socio-Political Life of the Armenians in Northern Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
(Armenian with English summary)
Gabriella Uluhogian, University of Bologna, Italy

Armenian Rural Settlements in Central Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
Vazken Ghougassian, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, New York

LUNCH RECESS

2:00-5:30 p.m.

The Place of the Atrpatakan Region in the Armenian Liberation Movement
Rubina Peroomian, UCLA

“Our Country”: Iranian-Armenian Identity during the Iranian Constitutional
Revolution
Houri Berberian, California State University, Long Beach

The Massacres in Khoi–Experiences of Armenians and Iranians, 1914-1918
RoseMary Cohen, Los Angeles

INTERMISSION

Raffi’s Stories on Iranian Armenian Life
Gayane Hagopian, UCLA

Hakob Karapents’ Iran
Anahid Keshishian, UCLA

Persian Armenian: The Third Literary Dialect of Modern Armenian
Bert Vaux, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

DISCUSSION

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Sunday, May 16, 2004 -1:30-5:30 p.m.
50 Court of Sciences, UCLA Campus

First Session in Armenian (Summaries in English)

Bibliographic Sources on the Persian Armenians in the16th and 18th Centuries
Armen Ter Stepanyan, Mashtots Matenadaran, Erevan

Armenian Gharadagh
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture

Armenians in the Iranian Theater and Cinema
Artsvi Bakhchinyan, Erevan

INTERMISSION

Second Session in English

The Armenian Bourgeoisie in the Economic Life of Iran, Late 19th -Early
20th Centuries
Samvel Stepanian, Glendale, formerly Institute of Oriental Studies, Erevan

The Armenian Community of Tehran–Past, Present, Prospects
Aida Avanessian, Tehran, Iran

The Economic and Social Integration of Armenian Iranians in Southern California
Claudia Der-Mardirosian, UCLA, and Anny Bakalian, New York University

DISCUSSION
Photographic Exhibit by Richard and Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht,
Davis, California
Open to the Public* No Charge* Limited
Seating*
Parking Structure No. 2, Hilgard and Westholme Entrance

OSCE not to force Azeri authorities to fulfil commitments, British MP says

Turan news agency, Baku
27 Apr 04

The Council of Europe and the OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil
its commitments to the organizations, President of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly Bruce George has told the Azerbaijani news
agency Turan. Decisions on democracy must be made by the Azerbaijani
people and the traditions of Western democracies may appear alien to
the South Caucasus countries, George said. He added that the
counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan played a decisive role in
its relations with the USA and the UK but should not overshadow
development of the rule of law. The following is the text of report by
Azerbaijani news agency Turan; subheadings inserted editorially:

Baku, 27 April: The president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and
head of the British-Azerbaijani parliamentary group, Bruce George, has
answered some questions concerning bilateral relations and commented
on domestic political developments in Azerbaijan in the course of his
conversation with the head of the Vatan society, Murad Hasanli.

The OSCE’s view on 2003 presidential election

Asked about the OSCE’s assessment of the 2003 presidential election in
Azerbaijan, George said that the reports of the short-term and
long-term missions point to the presence of several “areas” which must
be “strongly” criticized. They were followed by an OSCE BDIHR [Bureau
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights] mission which had
numerous meetings with the leadership of Azerbaijan. During the
meetings the delegation expressed their concern about “weakness” of
the laws during the election and about the way the election was
conducted. The people of Azerbaijan have to decide themselves how to
conduct the next election and one can only hope that they will conform
to international standards.

Does the international community recognize the incumbent government of
Azerbaijan in the light of the opposition’s statements about the
government being illegitimate because of falsifications?

George replied that the election did have some “deficiencies”, but it
is up to the Azerbaijani political system to decide whether it wants
democratic elections. As for the BDIHR, OSCE, Council of Europe,
individual governments and organizations, they “may only play their
role in carrying out some changes. However, demands of those changes
have to come from within Azerbaijan,” he said. The West cannot
“impose” its standards on others and each country has to make its own
choice.

Considerable differences between Azerbaijan and Georgia

Some observers reckon that the West displayed double standards when
assessing the elections in Azerbaijan and Georgia. What can be said in
this regard?

There is a considerable difference between Georgia and Azerbaijan,
George said. Although there were irregularities in each of the two
countries, the parliamentary election in Georgia was more “deficient”
than the presidential election in Azerbaijan. There was an appropriate
response from the population. Moreover, many international
organizations and NGOs had worked well in Georgia in order to form the
basis of the civil society.

Describing his view of the present political situation in Azerbaijan
in the light of repression against the opposition and stifling the
independent mass media, and speaking of possible ways of involvement
of the international community, George said that he would not
intervene in the domestic affairs of Azerbaijan at this juncture. As a
president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, “my role is very limited
and I do not want to be viewed as an instrument of this or that
group”, he said.

OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil commitments

Asked whether the OSCE will “force” Azerbaijan to fulfill its
commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE, George said that
these organizations do not practise forcing anyone. In his words, the
Council of Europe and the OSCE are more inclined to assist through
education and recommendations. It is up to the countries themselves,
as to how useful these methods will prove for them. “I do not intend
to intervene in the confrontation between the Azerbaijani authorities
and the opposition for the decision has to be taken within the
country.”

In his opinion, many standards of the European Union and NATO may seem
too harsh and yet the countries of Eastern and Central Europe have
decided to comply with them. The situation in the South Caucasus
countries is somewhat different and the traditions of Western
democracies appear alien to them. “We can assist only provided that
the country is willing to come nearer to democratic standards,” he
said.

Asked whether the election in Azerbaijan has affected the talks on the
Nagornyy-Karabakh conflict, George did not give an unambiguous
answer. He reckons that in both countries the people who can settle
the conflict must win the elections. Further, he talked about his
intention to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia. He wished that a mutually
acceptable resolution be found and that the OSCE Minsk Group become
more active.

Counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s contribution to the fight against
international terrorism, Bruce George said that this contribution has
played a decisive role in relations of Azerbaijan with the USA and the
UK. Still, this contribution should not “overshadow” development of
constitutionalism and rule of law in the South Caucasus countries.