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PARTICIPANTS IN STOCKHOLM ANTI-GENOCIDE FORUM CONCERNED OVER RECENT RECURRENCE OF SUCH CRIMES YEREVAN, JANUARY 30. ARMINFO. In their final declaration the participants in the Stockholm international forum "Preventing Genocide: Threats and Responsibilities," among them Armenia's Premier Andranik Margaryan, express concern that crimes like genocide, ethnic cleansing and massacres have been recurring of late with impunity. They promise to do their best to detect and prevent such crimes and to build a more secure future. They are committed to help the groups vulnerable to such activities and to employ all possible mechanisms to prevent such crimes under international laws and anti-genocide conventions. "Genocide perpetrators must be made answerable for their crimes," says the declaration. The conferees are ready to assist states to raise the genocide awareness of their citizens, especially young ones, through governmental and non-governmental educational establishments, NGOs, peacemaking and humanitarian agencies, mass media. "We are going to actively cooperate with all the nations, the UN and other international organizations, NGOs, media, buisnessmen and scientists to find effective methods of fighting Genocide," says the declaration. 66 BILLS INCLUDED IN AGENDA OF SPRING SESSION OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT YEREVAN, JANUARY 30. ARMINFO. 66 bills are included in the agenda of the spring session of the National Assembly of Armenia. Chairman of the parliamentary commission for defence, national security and internal affairs of Armenia Mher Shahgeldian informed during the press conference today. According to him, 4 bills were included in the big agenda of the parliament "with negative conclusion" - the bill on making amendments to the Law on the charter of the National commission for TV and radio, the bill on making amendments to the Law on TV and radio, the bill on making amendments to the Law on the referendum, which envisions conducting a referendum of confidence in the president, as well as the draft resolution on establishment of an interim parliamentary commission for examination of the activities of the Department of civil aviation. It should be noted that all these document were initiated and elaborated by the opposition. Mher Shahgeldian mentioned that 28 bills and 4 international agreements were included in the agenda of the forthcoming three-day session of the parliament. The most top priority bills, included in the agenda of the three-day session, is the draft law on the troops of civil defence, the bill on the status of rescue forces and rescuers, the draft law on minimum basket of goods, etc. TRIAL IN CASE OF MURDER IN NUBARASHEN HIGHWAY POSTPONEND YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMINFO. Trial in the case of the murder on Nubarashen highway started at the Yerevan Court of First Instance of Center and Nork-Marash communities today. It should be noted that on June 25, 2003, approximately in the afternoon the unknown fired at the car GAZ3129 (65LO285) in Nubarashen highway and killed the driver Sashik Hakopyan and the passengers, Deputy Head of the Medical Department of the Armenian Defense Ministry Garik Haroutiunyan and Arkadi Gevorgyan. His brother Artem Gevorgyan received heavy injuries. It should be noted that Gevorgyan brothers are nephews of the former MP of Armenia Ruben Gevorgyan. The number of the defendants in the case is 8 people: Artur Sargssyan, Artik Mirzoyan, Artur Vadalyan, Hayk Nikoghosyan, Mher Margaryan, Armen Asatryan, Gevorg Baghdasaryan and Karen Khalatyan (the measure of restriction selected in respect to the last three ones is recognizance not to leave). However, scarcely had the trial started today that it was postponed because of a petition for additional time for studying the materials by Representative of the legal successor of the sufferer Ruben Gevorgyan, the lawyer Ruben Rshtuni. The latter noted that case consists of 23 volumes and 70 witness are to give evidence in the case. In conformity with the resolution of the judge Ruben Nersisyan, the trial is fixed for February 16. AZERBAIJANI INTELLECTUALS APPEAL TO OSCE MINSK GROUP YEREVAN, JANUARY 30. ARMINFO. Azerbaijani intellectuals appealed to the Embassies of the OSCE Minsk Group member-states, the Baku-based "Zerkalo" newspaper reports. "Over 15 years have passed since the Karabakh conflict was triggered. However, the problem has not so far been resolved. The 40-million-strong Azerbaijani nation is extremely concerned over the situation and cannot understand why it has to sacrifice its territories to Armenians once more," the statement says. According to the document, "during the past century, by destroying Azerbaijani civilians, which is confirmed by evidence, Armenians have almost doubled their territories, which is worthy of denunciation, but not of encouragement." "In January 1988, over 2000 Armenians were deported from Armenia. The events in Sumgait in February 1988 were provoked by foreign special services and Armenian ultranationalists to justify the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories, first of all Karabakh. Moreover, about 800,000 Azerbaijanians became refugees in their own Homeland," says the statement. The intellectuals also ask a number of questions to the Minsk Group: "why is not the issue of returning 200 Azerbaijani refugees to Armenia being addressed, and the issue of granting them the status identical to that they want to grant the Armenians in Nagorny Karabakh? Why the other 800,000 refugees in this country cannot return to their homes, including in the territories outside the conflict zone? Why, advocating a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the OSCE does not insist on Armenia's observing the resolutions of such a prestigious organization as the UN?" "We, just as Georgians, know the Armenians to be a hard-working and talented people, But their political leaders' constant complaints about the long-suffering, great and ancient Armenian people, their stirring up hostility toward us and the Turkish people caused the whole nation to feel megalomania, which provokes regulars aggressions against neighbors based on territorial claims," the statement says. "The Movement of Azerbaijani Intellectuals requests diplomats to bring to the notice of their Governments the real situation in the region and that it is only the long-suffering of our people that prevents a military confrontation. But even this long-suffering has the end. We ask you to inform your Governments that the expectation of a solution to the Karabakh problem, which was re-placed from the UN's shoulders to the shoulders of two Presidents having diametrically opposite interests, is senseless. The levers of influencing the Armenians are in the hands of your Governments. Otherwise we, Azerbaijani intellectuals, who have for long believed in the possibility of a peaceful solution to the problem, will not be able to bar the escalation and development of military hysteria," the statement says. RUSTAVI-2 REPORTED THAT THE INCIDENT IN TSALKA REGION WAS LIKELY TO TURN INTO ETHNIC CONFLICT TBILISI, JANUARY 30, ARMINFO-BLACK SEA PRESS. A conflict took place in the village of Gumbati in Tsalka region of Georgia between the local residents and ethnic Armenians, residents of the neighbouring village of Ashkala. TV Company Rustavi-2 reported about it. Residents of Gumbati told Rustavi-2 that several dozens of residents of Ashkala came to their village by cars, started fight with local residents of Georgian nationality and threw stones at their houses. Residents of Gumbati gathered at the building of the local administration today and demanded investigation of the incident and punishment of the guilty. They declared that the opposition would turn into open ethnic conflict otherwise. Leadership of the region arrived on place and promised to report on results of the investigation in five days. Residents of Ashkala categorically refuted to participation in the conflict. They declared to Rustavi-2 that residents of another village were the attackers, though acknowledged that conflicts between the residents of Gumbati and Ashkala were not rare. Former residents of the mountainous village of Khulo in Achara are current residents of Gumbati. They are residing there since natural calamity of 1998. Ethnic Greeks were the previous residents of Gumbati. According to Rustavi-2, about 10 similar incidents were fixed during last five years, though residents of Gumbati and residents of Ashkala interpreted them in own way. Gumbati residents are dissatisfied that only two Georgians are in leadership of the region, residents of Armenian nationality do not study Georgian language and do not serve in the army, according to them. Residents of Ashkala in their turn blame the Gumbati residents, call them "provokers" and propose to resettle them in another region of Georgia. HEADLINES OF JANUARY 30
PACE HAS NO FINAL PICTURE OF KARABAKH PROBLEM YET
"REPUBLIC" PARTY DETERMINED TO GATHER PEOPLE IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE AND CALL FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE YEREVAN, JANUARY 31. ARMINFO. In its struggle against the incumbent authorities, the "Republic" party intends to gather people in front of the presidential residence and Parliament and, demanding the President's resignation, call for civil disobedience, Chairman of the "Republic" party Albert Bazeyan told ARMINFO. He stressed that in such a situation Robert Kocharian will have two way-outs: either retaining power by force or resigning. "If broad popular masses rise up, the President will have to think well before ordering force to be used. Besides, the executors of the order will think of the advisability of carry it out. but we are ready for any outcome," Bazeyan said. Of course, it is advisable that all opposition forces rally around this plan, but even if no consensus is reached, the "Republic" party is determined to put this plan into practice, Bazeyan said. He stressed that the opposition received votes during the elections for the purpose of changing the power, but not for the purpose of "sitting in Parliament and make laws." He stressed that the "Republic" party will not from now on take part any rallies that are of no use. The "Republic" party is an independent political force, which sets itself goals and attains them, no matter whether or not they are supported by the other members of "justice" bloc. "Of course, we submit all our initiatives to the Justice' bloc expecting its support, but it is natural than the political forces forming the bloc can hold different opinions of some issues or others," he said. Bazeyan stressed that without active support popular masses the initiative of holding a referendum on confidence in the President is doomed to failure. "If the people are in front of the Parliament while it discusses a bill on referendum, no Parliament member will dare to ignore the will of voters and then leave the Parliament without hindrance," he said. Bazeyan said that the reason for hesitation of some opposition forces is their lack of confidence in their victory. "Such forces will sooner put up with Robert Kocharian and his clan in power than take decisive measures in struggling against the ruling regime," Bazeyan said. According to him, it is the fear of defeat that is the reason for their not joining the initiative of the "Republic" party. "Some of them state that the idea of opposition's unification was suggested by the authorities. Others think that it was suggested by the West, and the Republic' party receives financial assistance from the US businessman George Soros. Still others think that the idea was suggested by the former ruling regime, Armenian National Movement, and is aimed at returning Levon Ter-Petrossian to power," Bazeyan said. However, the fact that the ANM refused to support this idea proves the groundlessness of such suppositions. A failure of the initiative will play into the authorities' hands, Bazeyan said. As regards the failed initiative of including the point on referendum on confidence in the President in PACE's report on monitoring in Armenia, Bazeyan explained that the initiative failed because Robert Kocharian managed to convince the CE of stability in Armenia. "Meanwhile, it is not only Armenia that has commitments to the CE, but the CE has commitments to Armenia as well, and these imply assistance in forming legitimate authorities in the country," Bazeyan said. In any case, the opposition's task is to form legitimate authorities using popular movement, but not just change the power in the country with the assistance of international structures, Bazeyan said. BAKU CONCERNED: "GASPROM" MAY BE USED TO PRESSURIZE IT YEREVAN, JANUARY 31. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan is concerned over the possibility of "Gasprom" becoming a lever for exerting pressure on official Baku, the Baku-based "Echo" newspaper reports. In 2004, "Gasprom" became the largest gas exporter to Baku, ensuring a similar status for itself in Armenia and Georgia as well. "Gasprom' is known to have always been serving Russian state interests. In this aspect, its becoming the principal gas supplier to Azerbaijan acquires a political tinge that can be understood. there is no guarantee that, having the gas tap' in hand Moscow will not, if necessary, exert certain pressure on Baku. It may first of all concern foreign-policy issues or implementation of new economic projects shared in by foreign capital," the newspaper writes. Commenting on this, the Azerbaijani economist Sabit Bagirov considers as "most serious the factor of Azerbaijan's becoming dependent on the Russian gas monopoly," though the pointed out that it is not a long-term contract. "There is a great hope that after the Shan-Deniz gas deposit has been developed in 5-8 years, we will not have to import gas any longer," he said. "It is a rather serious factor of influence, and it is certain to be used. But I do not think that Russia will manage to force us to radically change our key foreign-policy stands using this lever," the expert said. FM HAS NO RIGHT TO CRITICIZE OPPOSITION: HAMAYAK HOVHANNISSIAN YEREVAN, JANUARY 31. ARMINFO. Hamayak Hovhannissian, a member of Parliament representing the "National Unity" party stated that Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has no right to criticize the opposition representatives in the Armenian delegation to PACE, Shavarsh Kocharian and Artashes Geghamian, for "washing our dirty linen" before the European community. Speaking at the "Azdak" discussion club today, Hamayak Hovhannissian lashed out at the Armenian Foreign Minister. According to him, since he came to Armenia from abroad, Vardan Oskanian "has not become a repatriate, remained a person without Homeland, who is in Armenia for the purpose of doing some catchpenny job." Hovhannissian stated that instead of speaking of "the territories occupied by Armenia" from international platforms, Minister Oskanian had better "think of Yerevan occupied by the Karabakh clan." Elaborating on the activities of Armenian opposition representative in Strasbourg, Hovhannissian stated that neither Oskanian nor any other person will be able to silence the Armenian opposition. "Kocharian's regime managed to exclude me from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, and Rector of Yerevan State University Radik Martirossian declared me a persona non grata there, but they cannot throw us out of the parliamentary delegation to PACE, it is Europe, not Russia, and bribes can settle issues there," Hovhanissian said. He stressed that all preconditions for a change of power are available in Armenia. Hovhannissian confirmed the information that he formed an alliance with Chairman of the "Self-Determination Union" party Paruir Hairikian. HEADLINES OF JANUARY 31
US SECRETARY OF STATE CALLS TURKEY FOR IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH
ARMENIA
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