Month: November 2006

EU ACCORDS WITH SOUTH CAUCASUS NATIONS TO OPEN NEW PAGES – ARMENIAN PAPER
by Anna Akopyan
Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenia
Nov 14 2006
“New door will be opened”
Today marks a special day for the three South Caucasus states of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as individual action plans between
them and the European Union as part of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy
will be signed in Brussels.
This was a long-awaited event for the three states as it was delayed
for more than a year. The fact that EU approved the Action Plans with
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia simultaneously shows that these three
states will develop their relations with the EU in parallel in future.
Anyway we should say that as a result of today’s event in Brussels,
the three states will get new, more specific and in some sense,
a higher status in their contacts with the EU. Let us also note
that some political experts think that the South Caucasus regional
conflicts maybe settled by means of regional integration and the EU’s
New Neighbourhood Policy may provide them with such an opportunity.
At present, it is hard to say if the EU will show strict attitude
towards fulfilment of the three states’ obligations to the EU, but
there is no doubt that Brussels will get serious levers to track
the process.
Yesterday Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan left for Brussels to take
part in the events to be held today. He will also meet Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Brussels today. And we should
say that this second event lags behind the first one. As it became
clear to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs as well as to the parties
to the conflict long ago that no progress may be registered in the
Karabakh issue settlement process over the next two years.
For this reason, the talks continue only outwardly for preserving
dialogue. But it is not ruled out that specific decisions will be made
in the Karabakh conflict settlement process within the framework of
the EU’s New Neighbourhood Policy and thanks to that.

AZERI, ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS NEW IDEAS ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Regnum, Russia
Nov 14 2006
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vardan Oskanyan
and Elmar Mammadyarov, held a meeting on the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict under the aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group in
Brussels on 14 November. The negotiations took place in a constructive
atmosphere and discussed in detail new ideas and thoughts proposed by
the mediators, the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Regnum news agency.
As a result of the negotiations during which an attempt was made to
bring the positions of the sides closer, the co-chairmen suggested
discussing the expediency of a meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents. With this aim, the mediators will visit the
region. The visit to Yerevan is expected on 21 November.

ARMENIAN, AZERI FOREIGN MINISTERS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT EU COOPERATION
Armenian Public TV
Nov 14 2006
[Presenter] A new page opens in Armenia-EU relations today. The
Armenia-EU Action Plan as part of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy
will be signed in Brussels today. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan is to meet Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
after the signing ceremony.
The Armenian foreign minister has told a news conference jointly
given by three South Caucasus foreign ministers and the EU leadership
[in Brussels] that this meeting is not a usual one and creates new
opportunites for continuing talks.
[Correspondent reported from Brussels by phone] The sides discussed
the Nagornyy Karabakh, Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts within the
framework of regional issues, the current state of Russian-Georgian
relations and cooperation between the three South Caucasus countries as
part of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy. The Armenia-EU Action Plan as
part of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy will be signed on 14 November.
[Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, speaking in English with
Armenian voice-over] This meeting cannot be regarded as usual. It
differs from all previous ones. A new page will open in Armenia-EU
relations. Our meeting with Elmar Mammadyarov is also different. We
will hold talks after signing the Action Plan within the framework
of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy. We will meet having a new signed
document in our hands which is regulating the approaches of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
[Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, speaking in Russian
with Armenian voice-over] The EU has synchronized the approaches of
the South Caucasus countries to integration into Europe.
[Correspondent] [EU Commissioner for External Relations] Benita
Ferrero-Waldner has described the signing of the Action Plan as a
transition to a new stage.
[Benita Ferrero-Waldner, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over]
Action plans are always different. They must assist regional
integration. We will work individually with all the [South Caucasus]
countries after signing the document. It will better if cooperation
assist political and economic ties even more.
[Correspondent] Elmar Mammadyarov is optimistic about South
Caucasus-Europe integration. He wished to see the transparent European
borders in South Caucasus.
[Elmar Mammadyarov] The Armenian foreign minister noted that Armenia
intends to move towards Europe and is happy about it. Why not, our
region should also have transparent borders as in Europe. Therefore,
we need to start acting in this direction.
[Correspondent] Elmar Mammadyarov also hopes that the process will
assist in resolving the refugees’ problems. But the Azerbaijani
foreign minister did not clarify the situation of Armenian refugees
from Shaumyan District [Azerbaijan’s Goranboy District] from this
standpoint. We should not avoid speaking about this, Mammadyarov said.

SERBIA: BAN ON EXPORTING WEAPONS TO ARMENIA REMAINS
EASTBUSINESS.ORG
November 14, 2006 Tuesday 5:41 PM (Central European Time)
SECTION: DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
The management of Zastava Oruzje, the Serbian weapons manufacturer,
has announced that it was surprised by the decision of the Serbian
Government not to lift the ban on the export of military weapons and
equipment to the countries of the former Soviet Union, with which
the factory has contracts worth more than USD 20 million.
The management stated that the company expected the Government to
at least allow the exports to countries which are on friendly terms
with Russia and to which Russia itself exports such weapons, with
only Georgia remaining on the black list.
The representatives of the unions in the factory have sent a letter to
the Serbian Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica and to the Ministers
of Defence and Economy, Zoran Stankovic and Predrag Bubalo, stating
that they are shocked by the Government s decision not to lift the
ban on exports to Armenia, and the fact that the Government has no
intention of reimbursing the factory for the losses it has suffered
as a result, amounting to approximately USD 2.7 million.
The Government s decision also surprised the experts on the Serbian
defence industry, especially in light of the fact that the factory
recently exported a shipment of weapons and equipment to Armenia
worth USD 800 000, without any questions being raised about this.
The management of the factory announced that they would initiate
negotiations with the Government regarding the compensation for the
losses this company has suffered as a result of the ban. The union
of Zastava Oruzje believe that nothing will come out of this, unless
the cabinet of Vojislav Kostunica is faced with pressure in the form
of a series of workers protest during the election campaign.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT STARTS THREE-DAY VISIT TO GERMANY
Public Television, Armenia
Nov 15 2006
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan left for Germany on a three-day
working visit today.
President Kocharyan will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the
president of the Bundestag and the mayor of Berlin.
Robert Kocharyan and the president of the Bundestag will take part
in the official opening ceremony of a new building of the Armenian
embassy.

AZERI SPOKESMAN HAILS KARABAKH PEACE TALKS AS CONSTRUCTIVE
ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Nov 15 2006
[Presenter] A meeting that the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers held in Brussels with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
in attendance was constructive, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
spokesman Tahir Tagizada has told journalists. He did not rule out
the possibility of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents meeting
during a CIS summit in Minsk.
[Tagizada, speaking to microphone] The negotiations were very
constructive, even though they were difficult. As a result of the
meeting [changes tack] We have repeatedly said that the main issue
for us is that a step forward is made in the negotiation process.
This time the sides have managed to make this step.
I can say that in late November, approximately on 21-23 November,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will pay a visit to the region. And it
is very likely that in the near future [changes tack] preparations
will be made any way and it is very likely that in the near future
the two presidents’ will hold a meeting within the framework of the
CIS summit to be held in Minsk.

NURMELA LEADS FINLAND OVER ARMENIA 1-0 IN EURO 2008 QUALIFIER
By Marius Turula, AP Sports Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
November 15, 2006 Wednesday 7:44 PM GMT
Mika Nurmela scored in the 10th minute Wednesday to help Finland
beat Armenia 1-0 in a European Championship qualifier played on an
artificial surface.
Finland is first in Group A with 11 points. Serbia, which has 10
points, is idle. Armenia has one point.
Nurmela scored from close range when striker Jonatan Johansson
reacted quickest to Armenia goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov failing to
hold midfielder Mika Vayrynen’s low shot.
Finland goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made two world-class saves in
the 55th to deny Levon Pachajyan and in a one-on-one situation with
substitute Ara Hakobyan in the 83rd.
Finland dominated the first half but had only a hard shot by midfielder
Alexej Eremenko Jr. that was well saved by Kasparov to show for it
apart from the goal.
Eremenko Jr. was Finland’s most dangerous player with Jari Litmanen
absent after a recent ankle operation. The hosts lost Vayrynen to
injury in the first half and the team’s passing worsened afterward.
Lineups:
Finland: Jussi Jaaskelainen; Ari Nyman, Hannu Tihinen, Sami Hyypia,
Toni Kallio, Mika Nurmela, Markus Heikkinen, Petri Vayrynen (Jari
Ilola, 46), Joonas Kolkka; Alexei Eremenko Jr. (Shefki Kuqi, 89),
Jonatan Johansson.
Armenia: Gevorg Kasparov; Sargsis Hovsepyan, Alexander Tateosian, Karen
Dokhoyan (Valeri Aleksanyan, 46), Aghvan Lazarian; Levon Pachajyan,
Romik Khachatryan, Artavaz Karamyan, Armen Shamgeldyan, Hamlet
Mkhjtaryan (Ara Hakobyan, 74), Robert Zebeyan (Arman Karamyan, 78).

NEW YORK LIFE AGREES TO PAY ARMENIANS $8 MILLION
By R.J. Lehmann, Washington bureau manager
BestWire
November 14, 2006
NEW YORK (BestWire) – Nearly $8 million in settlement checks are
going out this month to more than 2,500 descendents of victims of the
Armenian Genocide, part of a multinational class-action settlement
with New York Life Insurance Co. over unpaid life insurance benefits
owed to the families of genocide victims.
Approved in February 2004 as a $20 million global settlement, the
agreement called for the life insurer to pay inflation-adjusted
benefits, administrative costs, and plaintiffs’ attorneys fees for
more than 2,000 pre-1915 life insurance policies that were held by
Ottoman Armenians and that company records still listed as outstanding.
The disbursements come after settlement board reviews of thousands of
claims verified 2,515 that could be traced legitimately to policies
sold by New York Life. U.S. descendents will collect $2.6 million of
the settlement proceeds, while descendents living in Armenia will
receive $3.4 million. The remaining $2 million will be distributed
among descendents living in 24 other countries.
“We are thrilled that thousands of Armenians will finally get the
insurance compensation they deserve,” said Brian Kabateck, one of the
lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, in a statement. “Armenians don’t
give up easily and this settlement is a testament to that.”
In January 2005, a fund representing “unclaimed or heirless”
policies previously distributed $3 million in benefits to Armenian
civic organizations. Groups that collected from the fund included
the Armenian Church of North America’s western and eastern dioceses;
the Armenian Apostolic Church’s western and eastern prelacies; the
Armenian Apostolic Catholic Exarchate; Armenian Missionary Association
of America; the Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Educational
Foundation, and the Armenian Relief Society.
(BestWire, Jan. 26, 2005)
The Armenian Genocide, also known as the Armenian Holocaust, refers
to events that took place during World War I in the Ottoman Empire,
which has evolved into modern Turkey but which, at the time, controlled
most of the Middle East. Most historians, including the International
Association of Genocide Scholars, agree that from 1915 to 1920, Ottoman
Turks killed more than 1.5 million men, women and children of Armenian
heritage and drove millions more from their homes during the conflict.
However, the Turkish government disputes the historical accounts,
and some countries — including the United States, United Kingdom,
and Israel — do not formally recognize the period as a “genocide.”
However, the period is acknowledged as a genocide by the governments
of Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia,
and Greece, as well as 39 of the 50 U.S. states.
Founded in 1845, New York Life began selling policies in Europe in
the 1870s, and had sold about 8,000 policies in the Ottoman Empire
by 1915, when the company pulled out of Europe as World War I began
to rage. However, the company’s review of its records showed only
about half of the Ottoman policies were purchased by Armenians. The
company believes about one-third of its Armenian claims were paid in
the war’s aftermath, when the company hired an Armenian attorney in
Constantinople to adjust claims and search for heirs.

RAK CP RECEIVES INDONESIANS, ARMENIAN ENVOYS
Emirates News Agency
November 14, 2006 Tuesday 7:37 AM EST
Ras Al Khaimah, Nov. 14th, 2006 (WAM)—Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah received today at
AL Dheet Palace Ambassador of Indonesia Faisal Bafadel who called on
Sheikh Saud to bid him farewell at the end of his tenure in the UAE..
Sheikh Saud praised the outgoing Indonesian envoy’s efforts to bolster
bilateral UAE-Indonesia relations and wished him all success in his
future assignments..
Separately today, Shiekh Saud received the new Armenian ambassador
to the UAE Vahagan Melikian who called on Sheikh Saud on the occasion
of starting his new assignment as Armenia’s top envoy to the country..

EU ADOPTS ACTION PLAN WITH ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN
IRNA, Iran
Nov 14 2006
EU adopts Action Plan with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Brussels,
Nov 14, IRNA EU-South Caucasus The European Union is adopting Tuesday
three joint Action Plans with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, under
the European Neighborhood Policy.
EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood
Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the Action Plans will boost
relations between the EU and each of the countries concerned, as well
as regional cooperation.
“I believe today opens a new chapter in our relations with each of
our three partners and with the region as a whole. The Action Plans
offer new opportunities that will bring concrete benefits to people
throughout the region,” she said in a statement.