Armenia & Reform
Global Think-Tank Wants
Western Pressure For Reform In Armenia
An authoritative international think-tank led by former heads of state has urged Western donors to make their assistance to Armenia conditional on reform, questioning President Robert Kocharian’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
The International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based institution specializing
in conflict resolution around the world, has also concluded that long-term
stability in Armenia will remain elusive without a “robust democratization”
of its political system.
“By using force to stop street protests in April 2004, President Kocharian and
his advisors showed they are unlikely to welcome calls to make Armenia a more
tolerant, democratic and less corrupt state,” the ICG said in a report
released on Monday. “Yet, as Western European institutions and the U.S.
increase their engagement, they should condition additional support and funding
on reform.”
The 37-page document provides a detailed account and analysis of major political
and economic developments that have taken place in Armenia since independence. A
large part of it is devoted to last spring’s political crisis in Yerevan
triggered by an opposition attempt to oust Kocharian.
The report criticizes the Armenian authorities’ heavy-handed response to the
campaign of anti-Kocharian street protests, urging them to investigate human
rights abuses reported during the crackdown and address the underlying causes of
the unrest, including chronic vote rigging. It says although the Armenian
opposition’s bid for regime change failed to attract a large following “the
situation could become much more explosive if a charismatic [opposition] leader
emerged.”
“To guarantee its stability, Armenia needs to supplement economic success with
robust democratization and strengthened rule of law,” it adds. Among other
recommendations addressed to the Kocharian administration are the need to
guarantee “full freedom of media” and to combat corruption in earnest.
The ICG’s calls for a linkage between Western assistance and political reform
underscored its skepticism about Yerevan’s commitment to democratization.
“Donors should do more to press for democratic reforms and good governance,”
it said.
Another challenge facing Armenian statehood is the unresolved conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the think-tank. “Until Armenia and Azerbaijan
solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem peacefully, it is unrealistic to talk about
long-term stability and full economic cooperation in the region,” says its
report. The ICG called in this regard on Turkey to reopen its border with
Armenia.
Conflict resolution is a key focus of the ICG’s activities. The private
institution has over two dozen field offices and analysts working in over 40
crisis-affected countries and territories across four continents. It is headed
by Finland’s former President Martti Ahtisaari and former Australian Foreign
Minister Gareth Evans. Evans met with Kocharian and other Armenian leaders
during a visit to Yerevan earlier this year.
Also sitting on the ICG’s board are several other retired heads of state and
prominent individuals like NATO’s former Secretary General George Robertson,
U.S. general-turned-politician Wesley Clark and former European Parliament
speaker Pat Cox.
Source: RFE & http:/www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=10761
Near East Foundation To Be Honored at Armenian Genocide Tribute
Reuters- Feb 17/05 - Ryan LaHurd, president of the Near East Foundation, and the consul generals from Cyprus, Syria, Ethiopia and Uruguay will be among those honored by the Armenian community for their efforts in supporting survivors of the Armenian Genocide at the "International Relief, Refuge, and Recognition Tribute."The tribute, to be held February 24 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, is one of a series of local, national and international events commemorating and raising awareness of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Founded in response to the genocide, the Near East Foundation also celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2005. The Armenian event is being organized by the Armenian Assembly, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.
From 1915 until 1930, Near East Relief (the Near East Foundation's original name) administered $117,000,000 to those in need. Very early in the relief effort, attention focused on helping rescued orphans to become self-supporting and contributing members of the communities that absorbed them. Cyprus, Syria, Ethiopia and Uruguay opened their doors and now are home to well-established Armenian communities.
Commented Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain, "Near East Relief is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of Armenians and making possible productive futures for more than 130,000 orphans."
Last October the Near East Foundation received the
2004 Freedom Award from the Armenian National Committee of America, Western
Region--their most prestigious "for your organization's longstanding
history of aiding the Armenian people and others in their darkest hours."
XOFC supports Freedom of Conscience for All groups, and the right of a Free and Open Exchange of Ideas.
XOFC is committed to Intellectual & historic Honesty. XOFC is committed to the support of those who seek a discussion of Christianity
in an atmosphere that is free of Violence and Coercion.
True Christianity is the way of Genuine love and caring for others.
Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.
Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in
His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF
THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.
That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.
XOFC
THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.
Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic government persecution of Christians.
NO HAY UNA NACIÓN CRISTIANA EN LA TIERRA EN DONDE PERSIGUEN A LOS MUSULMANES.
Con todo en la mayoría de las naciones donde está musulmanes la mayoría de la población, hay persecución sistemática del gobierno de cristianos.
CI NON È UNA NAZIONE CRISTIANA SU TERRA DOVE I MUSULMANI PERSECUTED. Tuttavia nella maggior parte delle nazioni dove la maggior parte della popolazione è musulmani, ci è persecution sistematico di governo dei cristiani
ER IS NIET ÉÉN CHRISTELIJKE NATIE TER WERELD WAAR MOSLIMS WORDEN VERVOLGD. Maar toch in de meeste naties waar de meerderheid van de bevolking Moslims is, is er systematische overheidsvervolging van Christenen
NÃO HÁ UMA NAÇÃO CHRISTIAN NA TERRA ONDE OS MUÇULMANOS PERSECUTED. Contudo em a maioria de nações onde a maioria da população é muçulmanos, há um persecution sistemático do governo dos cristãos.
ES GIBT NICHT EINE CHRISTLICHE NATION AUF MASSE, IN DER MOSLEMS VERFOLGT WERDEN. Dennoch in den meisten
Nationen, in denen die Majorität der Bevölkerung Moslems sind, gibt es systematische Regierung Verfolgung der Christen.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
--Article 18 of the Universal
Declaration of
Human
Rights--
Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.
Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in
His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF
THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.
That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.
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Le conversioni cristiane - secondo la bibbia - possono MAI essere forzate. Nessuno che fossero un cristiano allineare forzerebbero o compell chiunque da diventare un cristiano contro il loro propri. Il motivo per questo è quello che agisce contro la volontà o contro l'intenzione di qualcuno sia un'azione di disrespect al dio. Alcuna conversione a christianity che sarebbe "forzato" non sarebbe riconosciuta da God. È nel suo allineare e la natura GENTILE, quella coloro che viene a lui e sceglie credere in lui, deve venire a lui della LORO PROPRIA VOLONTÀ LIBERA. Il dio cristiano è abbastanza grande capire come rispondere a coloro che decide che non desiderano conoscerle o capire. Il lavoro dei cristiani deve continuare a comunicare l'amore del dio a tutto che sia disposto a sentire parlare di esso. Molti popolano persino oggi, non desiderano sentire parlare del dio cristiano. Più specificamente, che cosa quella gente non desidera è affinchè senta parlare della bontà del dio cristiano. Quella gente è impaurita che se scoprite circa la bontà e la qualità e l'amore del dio cristiano, quello che potete desiderare per scoprirgli più circa. E quella gente è impaurita che il dio che servono sarebbe opposto a vostro scoprire la verità circa il dio di christianity che offre per sempre la vita Eterna a coloro che chiede esso e decide credere in lui e scoprire più dal libro denominato "il nuovo Testamento". Quello è il timore reale di coloro che oppone il dio cristiano. Non lasci chiunque dirvi che il supporto dei cristiani abbia forzato le conversioni. Quello è falso. Il christianity allineare non è MAI forzato
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Core Universal Rights
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
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Las Derechas Del Universal De la Base
La derecha de creer, de adorar, de explicar y de atestiguar la derecha de cambiar su creencia o religión la derecha de ensamblar junto con otras y de expresar su creencia
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Diritti Dell'Universale
Di Nucleo La destra credere, adorare, spiegare e testimoniare la destra cambiare la sua credenza o religione la destra unirsi insieme ad altre ed esprimere la sua credenza
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De Universele Rechten van de kern
Het recht om en het recht te getuigen zijn geloof of godsdienst te veranderen het recht te geloven, te aanbidden, te verklaren samen met anderen toe te treden en zijn geloof uit te drukken
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중핵 보편적인 권리
자기의 신념 또는 종교를 변화하는 권리를 믿, 숭배하, 설명하, 목격하는 권리 다른 사람와 함께 결합하, 자기의 신념을 내색하는 권리
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Καθολικά δικαιώματα πυρήνων
Το δικαίωμα να θεωρηθεί, να λατρευτεί, να εξηγηθεί και να βεβαιωθεί το δικαίωμα να αλλαχτεί η πεποίθηση ή η θρησκεία κάποιου το δικαίωμα να ενώσει μαζί με άλλους και να εκφραστεί η πεποίθησή κάποιου
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