Just a few developments...
~First article~
Yerkir web site, Yerevan, in English
9 Mar 04
Ethnic Armenians in Georgia against Azeri oil pipeline
AKHALKALAKI
During his recent visit to Baku, Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili, speaking about the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline, said that the Armenians living in the regions that will
be bisected by the pipeline have no problems with the construction of
the pipeline.
The Armenian population of Tsalka, Borjomi and Akhaltsikha, however,
have been continuously voicing their complaints about it.
The residents of the Armenian-populated village of Tapatskur in the
Borjomi region have not yet received compensation for the property
taken from them for the pipeline.
~2nd Article~
ArmenPress
March 9 2004
11 PERCENT OF GEORGIANS THINK ARMENIA A RELIABLE PARTNER
TBILISI, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS: According to the findings of a
survey, conducted in Georgia by the Gallup International, 66 percent
of respondents think that the US is Georgia's most reliable partner,
49 percent think it is Russia, however, 65 percent view Russia as a
potential threat.
Twenty-two percent trust the EU, 19 percent Germany, 11 percent
think Armenia is Georgia's reliable partner and 5 percent look at it
as a threat. Seven percent of respondents consider Turkey as a
reliable partner while 13 percent as a threat. Fifteen percent trust
Azerbaijan and three percent view it as a threat.
~3rd Article~
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Artsax
March 8 2004
REVOLUTION MAY BE PREVENTED IF IMPOSED FROM ABOVE
-After his meeting with the president of Georgia George Bush said
they had discussed the possibility of spreading the sprouts of the
"rose revolution" in other countries. Mr. Petrossian, in your
opinion, may the direct neighbours of Georgia Armenia and Azerbaijan
be included in the list of "other countries"?
- Certainly, these countries first of all. The president of the USA
would not discuss the problem of democratization of the countries of
Arabic world, Africa or Latin America with Georgian president. They
could have referred to only those countries which have common
political system and problems with Georgia. Still in December "The
Washington Post" wrote when the heads of the states formed in the
territory of the Soviet Union gathered in Baku at the funeral of
president Heidar Aliev behind the scenes rumours were circulated
about change of power not in Azerbaijan but neighbouring Georgia. The
revolution deposed the president of Georgia E. Shewardnadzeh and his
colleagues in the CIS were worried by the possibility of such
situations in their own countries. President of Russia Putin caught
these moods and, as two direct sources state, during his talk to the
acting president of Georgia Nino Burdzhanadzeh mentioned with
rudeness typical of him, "All the CIS heads were scared the pants
off."
- Do you think that "a rose revolution" is expected in Armenia.
- But why not? I consider it not only possible but also inevitable;
it is possible to avoid a revolution from "beneath" if only it is
organized from "above". Let us consider: during the last 10-12 years
our almost unchanged government did not stir a finger to punish at
least some bribe-taker and robber officials. But discontentment is
genetically inherent to man, especially its "plural number" people.
And this in normal conditions for existence. But when you are in need
of everything, when cynical injustice is around, blast of the bomb of
protest, serious shocks within the society are inevitable. By the
way, a "bloodless" revolution was possible in Armenia last March,
earlier than in Georgia if the protests of the people in 1996 did not
fail. The failure of this attempt and the hopelessness that followed
were still fresh in the memory of the people and oppressed their hope
and spirit. In spite of all this the government were hopeful and
continue to be that the people will wait until the "reforms" will
slowly but give "fruits". They hope that the inert majority of their
citizens understands them, understands that the difficulties are
overcome by objective reasons which are not dependent on the
activities of the government. Almost in everything the "transition
period" is to blame and as evidence they point at our neighbours. But
"the political wonder of Georgia" dealt a strong blow to this absurd
principle, and became a reality by the slogan "Down with corruption,
the source of poverty". And if the words of Sahakashvili and his
supporters do not essentially differ from their actions and the
organizational streak does not betray them (and I believe in this)
the true results of their work will not wait long. In this case the
neighbouring nations, at least the Armenians will gain hope and
belief that by active opposition it is not only possible to depose an
ineffective government but also radically change their life and the
life of their country. That is to say, in a year, or a year and a
half the rule of law will be maintained in Georgia and the population
will feel the results of the activities of the new government, which
will certainly provide favourable basis for the "Georgian practice"
in Armenia.
- However, many analysts forecast the possible failure of
Sahakashvili because of hastiness of his plans and ambitious actions.
- Of course, there are and there will be faults. New actions,
especially the reconstitution of the system cannot pass without
mistakes. As great organizer Vladimir Lenin confessed, "there has not
been such a cause to which we did not come back". You say what the
majority of the Russian and CIS mass media write or broadcast, which
are under the influence of either authorities, or big capital. And
radical changes are not favourable for either the first, or the
second, more exactly such actions are directed against them. And I
can state for sure that the activities of the new government of
Georgia have already produced results. The first result is the
improvement of relationships with Russia. "I did not expect such
wonders from that visit," confessed Sahakashvili after returning from
Moscow to Tbilisi, and added, "Our talk with Putin lasted for four
hours and we arranged to work on painful issues unless they are
eliminated. Our line is to shift the relationships with Moscow to a
strategic level and we will not deviate from that line. Demanding
from Russia to withdraw their military installations from the
territory of our country we do not refuse to cooperate in either the
military or political and economic spheres," clarified the president
of Georgia. The same was confirmed by the Russian party. I. Ivanov
said, "Moscow is pleased with the results of the negotiations with
the president of Georgia." The second result is the assistance of the
USA to Sahakashvili which he was granted during his visit to
Washington. Answering the questions of journalists, Colin Powell
expressed support for the actions of the president of Georgia against
corruption. The state secretary of the USA mentioned that he was
impressed by the determination of the president of Georgia in his
struggle against corruption as it is impossible to build democracy
with a corrupted state system. He said he is sure that president
Sahakashvili will manage to maintain rule of law and uproot
corruption. What is more, he mentioned that the Georgian leadership
may rely on the support of America. In his turn at the meeting with
the president Sahakshvili on Wednesday George Bush highly appreciated
the contribution of the president Sahakashvili in maintenance of
democracy and struggle against corruption which also aim at
stabilizing the economy of Georgia. According to the agency
"Associated Press" George Bush expressed his support to the "rose
revolution" characterizing it as an example to the people of the
world who seek for democracy, who want to have honest government.
Bush stated he was impressed by the sensibility and courage of this
leader and was encouraged by the fact of having such a reliable
partner with whom they have common values. He said he had first-hand
information that president Sahakashvili does everything possible to
win the trust of the people by following their will, fighting
corruption and creating an effective state system. At the end of the
meeting he told Sahakashvili that in he current year Georgia will be
the CIS country which will receive the biggest aid of the USA,
reaching 200 million dollars. Aren't these true results?
- But what about the suppositions about confrontation of Russia and
the USA in Georgia?
- No, the United States and Russia must and will cooperate in Georgia
and not compete for Georgia. This was stated by the US state
secretary C. Powell after the meeting with the president of Georgia
on February 26.
AA
~4th Article~
ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 9, 2004 Tuesday
Georgia seeks rapprochement with Azerbaijan, Armenia - Saakashvili
by Vitali Makarchev
PARIS, March 9 - One of the most important geo-political tasks of the
Georgian leadership at present is to create a zone of democracy,
stability and advanced development in the Caucasus region on the
basis of rapprochement of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, President
Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia told a news conference here on
Tuesday.
He said he had held a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilkham
Aliyev to discuss this ambitious project. "In Ilkham Aliyev, I see a
bright and deep politician," Saakashvili said.
He indicated that the integration process between Georgia and
Azerbaijan would be intensified. He said, "We believe that Armenia
will join us at a certain phase."
Along with economic rebirth, Saakashvili sees consolidation of
democracy in the Caucasus as one of the chief aims of rapprochement,
which, in turn, will tell positively on the on the Middle and Near
East.
However, this article is interesting...
ArmenPress
March 9 2004
GEORGIA'S PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ARMENIA MARCH 12
YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS: The president of Georgia, Mikhail
Saakashvili, will pay an official two-day visit to Armenia on March
12 at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian.
Kocharian's press office said the Georgian delegation is composed of
foreign, energy, infrastructures and development ministers, members
of the parliament, representatives of the Armenian-populated region
of Javakheti and journalists.
On March 13 the two presidents will have a private conversation
after the official ceremony of welcoming, to be followed by
Georgian-Armenian negotiations. The two presidents will also brief
the journalists on the results of their talks.
During the official visit Saakashvili will meet with Armenian
parliament chairman, prime minister and representatives of the
Georgian community in Armenia. He will be received by the head of the
Armenian Church Catholicos Karekin II. The itinerary of the Georgian
delegation includes also a visit to Genocide Memorial where he will
lay a wreath in commemoration of the victims of the 1915 massacre of
Armenians by Turkish authorities. He will then visit the nearby
Genocide Museum and Institute, then the Matenadaran Institute of Old
Manuscripts. Saakashvili will fly back the same day.
Georgia friend of Armenia or just another vulture? America or as I refer to it as the invisible hand is really sticking its nose where it does not belong. They are trying to stir up a commution in Armenia so they can resume their ambitions of controling the flow of oil through the region. I wonder what Artsahk would do during this intervention?
I assume the new President is trying to play both sides, but for somone who keeps on talking about the "revolution of the roses" he sure is ignoring the undemocratic elections in Azeribeijan. Another sweet voice or just another forked tongue?
There was a time when I assumed that Georgia and Armenia could forge a great alliance, but it is apparant that Georgia is wolf a in sheeps clothing or are they just playing nice with Azeribeijan until the pipeline is completed? Or is Azeribeijan playing nice with Georgia? Like I have said many times in my threads if somone will do it for you they then they will do it to you.
Edited by Vigil, 31 May 2004 - 03:42 AM.
