Panorama.am
14:32 10/11/06
DEPUTY VOTES AGAINST RISE OF HIS SALARY
Viktor Dallakyan, member of parliament, voted against
rise of deputies’ salaries. `My wife makes pressures
on me saying I have voted against increase of our
family budget,’ Dallakyan said also saying he is one
of the few deputies who lives solely on salary.
Dallakyan assures he will vote against the draft once
again if it appears in the parliament. /Panorama.am/
Panorama.am
18:37 10/11/06
COMMITTEE DECLINES REQUEST ON ARMAN BABAJANYAN
Serzh Sargsyan, defense minister, told a reporter of
Jamanak Yerevan newspaper at Yerevan State University
today that the republican draft committee has a
written conclusion on the case of Arman Babajanyan,
editor-in-chief of Jamanak Yerevan. According to the
document, `The committee is not entitled to discuss
cases which have court ruling on them.’
Reminder: Attorney of Arman Babajanyan applied to the
committee with a request to pay fine and receive
military certificate according to the law on citizens
who have failed to pass their military service.
Speaking about cases when people with disabilities are
drafted, Sargsyan said, `I support that such officials
be punished.’ In the words of the minister, the system
managed by him is not ideal but it is stable and good. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
A1+
AZERBAIJANI DEMOCRACY
[02:12 pm] 10 November, 2006
Several Azeri experts think that the period of the
authorizations of the President must be prolonged.
According to the acting Constitution, the period of
the authorizations of the President is five years.
Nevertheless, the experts came to the conclusion that
for a society like the Azeri one five years is too
short a period or the President to manage to realize
all his plans. Of course, the issue must be discussed
in the Parliament and be stipulated in the
Constitution.
`It is convenient to prolong the period of the
authorizations of the President’, announced Parliament
Speaker Mamed Alizade, Azeri Mass Media report.
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Exhibition `Armenian Question in Documents’ Opened in Istanbul
Source: Trend
Author: A.Aleskerov
10.11.2006
An exhibition `Armenian question in documents’ has been opened in the
building of the Military Museum in Istanbul.
The exposition of the exhibition is based on the documentary material
linked with the decision of the Ottoman Government regarding
resettlement of the Armenians, Trend Special Correspondent in Turkey
reports.
The number of documents on display in the Museum includes the
original document of the Government’s decision regarding the
replacement of the Armenians from the military districts, their
lists, letters of Armenians serving in the ranks of the Turkish Army
and photographs of Turkish victims of the Armenian terrorist acts.
The report of the Commander of the Turkish Army, Kazim Karabekir,
concerning the brutality of the Armenian groups against the peaceful
Turkish people is of great interest to the exhibition visitors.
The Museum’s material has been placed on the Internet.
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Resolution of Frozen Conflicts is Essential for S.Caucasus to
Progress – EU High Representative Comments During Interview
Source: Trend
Author: A.Mammadova
10.11.2006
Trend’s Interview with EU High Representative Javier Solana
Question: What importance does the European Union attach to the
co-operation with the South Caucasus countries? What factors promote
and broaden the co-operation and what factors impede it?
Answer: The fact of the three South Caucasus countries being
neighbours of the EU, being included in the European Neighbourhood
Policy, already signals the EU’s desire for a special relationship
with the region. Having an ENP Action Plan with the three countries
will further deepen our relations by arriving at agreed reform
priorities which the EU will support through partnerships for reform.
The importance the EU attaches to its relations with the South
Caucasus is also reflected in the high number of recent visits by EU
and European officials to the three countries. The EU Special
Representative, in close coordination with the EU Heads of Mission in
Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan, is in constant contact with the
authorities of the three countries in order to facilitate intensive
and trustful communication between the three countries and the EU. In
our contacts with all three governments in the South Caucasus we have
stressed that resolving their frozen conflicts is essential for the
region to progress. Regional stability is necessary for each of those
countries to derive the full benefits from the ENP Action Plans.
Question: How do you estimate the relations between Azerbaijan and
EU? What steps might the EU take after the adoption of the ENP Action
Plan, which is expected during the session of the Council on
cooperation in mid-November?
Answer: The EU considers Azerbaijan a very important partner on
several accounts. The EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan builds on common
values and principles – democracy, human rights, market economy,
challenges such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, to contribute to conflict resolution and to abide by
international law. We have, after its adoption, the very ambitious
but demanding task of implementing of the Action Plan without delay.
To this end priority actions for the next twelve months should be
identified between Azerbaijan and the EU.
Question: How could the conflicts in the South Caucasus be resolved?
Will the EU remain passive observer of Armenia’s aggressive policy
with respect to Azerbaijan, a country that becomes an important
alternative source in providing the energy security of Europe?
Answer: You cannot say the EU remains passive. The EU has done a lot.
The conflicts are at the root of many of the problems that the region
is facing. I underline the importance of continued and sustained
negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view to reaching
an agreement as soon as possible. The EU supports the mediation
efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. I hope that the meeting of both
Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 14 November will help to make
further progress.
Also regarding Georgian internal conflicts, the EU considers that
peaceful resolution of these conflicts is of vital importance for the
future of all region. Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus is assisting Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
to pursue further political and economic reforms and the sustainable
development of the region, by contributing to the peaceful settlement
of conflicts, and by supporting further cooperation between the
States of the region.
Question: Energy sphere is considered as an important element of
stability and integration, an essential part of foreign policy and
European security policy. How will this factor promote the proximity
between Azerbaijan and EU?
Answer: Energy security is becoming a political challenge for the
entire world. It’s not only important for consumers like the EU, but
also for emerging producers that have to face important investments
and competition constraints in order to secure their market’s shares.
Strong relations between producers, transit and consumers are the key
answer. The EU has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since its
independence. However, we believe it’s time to enhance our
cooperation at strategic level. The Memorandum of Understanding aimed
at establishing a strategic energy partnership, reflects the growing
importance of Azerbaijan as a key energy supplier to the EU as well
as an important transit country for Caspian basin resources.
Question: What are views on the ways of resolution of the Iranian
nuclear problem at present? Does the use of sanctions on this country
remain actual?
Answer: The EU position, which is well-known to Iran, is that it
wants to see a negotiated solution. The EU has repeatedly expressed
its readiness to develop a long-term, durable relationship with Iran.
However, despite calls by the board of the International Atomic
Energy Agency and the UN Security Council, Iran has not agreed to
suspend its uranium enrichment activities, which remains a
precondition for re-entering the negotiations on the basis of the
offer I presented to Iran in June, on behalf of the five permanent
members of the Security Council plus Germany and with the support of
the EU. This issue has been my top priority because it is crucial for
international security. We negotiated for endless hours and my
Iranian counterpart and I established common ground on a number of
subjects. However, as no agreement was reached on the suspension of
enrichment activities, work is now under way on a draft resolution in
the UN Security Council. But the door to negotiations with Iran will
be reopened if Iran indicates its readiness to cooperate and build
confidence. I am certain that the dispute concerning Iran’s nuclear
programme can only be solved through negotiation. The framework for
this exists and, indeed, the nuclear issue is just one element –
albeit a key one – of a much broader relationship with Iran, which is
a key partner in regional and world affairs.
Question: What is your position on a draft legislation to criminalize
the denial of so called “Armenians genocide” of 1915, adopted by the
French National Assembly in a first reading?
Answer: The legislation adopted at first reading by the French
National Assembly is an internal French matter and therefore a
separate issue from EU-Turkey relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenpress
VIKTOR DALAKIAN STILL UNDECIDED WHICH PARTY TO JOIN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Once an outspoken
opposition parliament member Viktor Dalakian, who
later was condemned by some of his fellows from the
major opposition Ardarutyun (Justice) alliance for
defecting the bloc, said today he was still uncertain
about which of tens of political parties to join for
contesting the next year’s parliamentary elections.
He said he was also swinging whether to run for
parliament from a single-mandate constituency or from
a party ticket. The Armenian media used to speculate
that after defecting from Ardarutyun Dalakian would
join a new party called Prosperous Armenia, founded by
a millionaire businessman and parliament member Gagik
Tsarukian, which is said to be harboring far-reaching
political ambitions.
Some newspapers even claimed that Dalakian would
top the list of its candidates for the 2007
parliamentary election. In a recent interview Dalakian
confirmed these rumors saying nothing can be ruled out
in politics. Speaking today to journalists Dalakian
said he had still a lot of time ahead to decide which
party to join.
“The Prosperous Armenia is a new force in Armenia’s
political landscape with no record of contesting any
national election and therefore it cannot be termed
either a pro-government force or an opposition force,”
he said.
In further remarks Dalakian argued that, ‘being in
opposition to the incumbent power does not necessarily
mean to criticize the government; it means also
cooperation with it on a variety of issues.”
As a forecast Dalakian said those forces which
would emerge as winners of the next year polls would
predetermine the outcome of presidential election,
slated for 2008. He also was pessimistic about
opposition’s chances to unite and contest the
parliament as one force, saying he could already see
numerous potential opposition contenders for
presidency.
He then welcomed a Constitutional Court ruling this
week to make presence of judges in Central Election
Commission and territorial election commissions
unconstitutional.
A1+
ARAM ASATRYAN HAS NOT BEEN POISONED
[02:11 pm] 10 November, 2006
Aram Asatryan’s requiem will take place today at
06:00 p.m. in his house in Echmiadzin. The relatives
and fans of the singer can bid him the final farewell
tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the culture hall after
Komitas in Echmiadzin. The funeral will take place at
03:00 p.m. in the Zvartnots cemetery tomorrow.
By the way, special buses will leave for Echmiadzin
free of charge for all those who want to participate
in the funeral. Tomorrow since 9:30 a.m. the buses
will be standing near the Opera house entrance.
According to the gossips, Aram Asatryan did not die a
natural death. People say he has been poisoned. We
tried to find out the truth from his press secretary.
`It is excluded. He ate and drank whatever other
people ate and drank. Besides, all the people there
were relatives and friends. There weren’t any
strangers whom we could suspect’, Hrachuhi Yeranosyan
mentioned.
According to the press secretary, pathologoanatomic
examination confirmed that Aram Asatryan had a heart
attack.
GEORGIA REJECTS GAZPROM’S COMPROMISE GAS PRICE OFFER, READY FOR ROW
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
(mosnews.com) – Georgia rejected a compromise deal with the Russian
state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom. The deal offered by Gazprom
would see Georgia hand over control of its domestic gas distribution
network to Russia. Now Georgia is left with the prospect of either
paying twice the current price or having supplies cut off, reports
Trend.
Georgia is currently paying $110 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian
gas and Gazprom already announced that in 2007 it wants Georgia
to pay $230, which is the average price that the Russian monopoly
charges its European customers. Gazprom has already warned that if
no contract is signed, supplies will be cut on Jan. 1, 2007.
Gazprom offered to soften the increase if Tbilisi handed over control
of its domestic gas distribution network to Russia. The same scheme was
used with Russia-friendly Armenia that will continue to pay $110 price
until the end of 2008 in exchange for its energy distribution assets.
Unlike his Armenian colleague, the Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Nogaideli rejected that offer. “I want to repeat once again — we are
not going to bow to blackmail,” he was quoting by Reuters as telling
a cabinet meeting.
Energy Minister Nika Gilauri, asked by reporters if Georgia might
cede energy infrastructure to Gazprom, replied: “Never.”
Russia supplies almost all of Georgia’s gas needs. The Georgian
government is seeking alternative suppliers in Azerbaijan and Iran,
but they are not ready to replace Russian gas in full.
Tbilisi says Moscow is using gas as a political tool to punish it
for its pro-Western policies. Gazprom says the increase is purely
commercial.
If the price stays at $230, Georgia — where the average monthly
income is just over $100 a month — would pay the same for its gas
as rich countries such as Germany and Italy.
Alarmed at the prospect of a gas cutoff, a leading Georgian opposition
figure urged Nogaideli to seek a compromise.
“The prime minister should explain if his statement means Georgia
will be left without gas this winter because for now there is no real
alternative to Russian gas,” Interfax news agency quoted lawmaker
David Berdzenishvili as saying.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
JONATHAN HENIK: US DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ELECTION, REFERENDUM OR OTHER EVENT HELD IN NAGORNO GARABAGH
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
“US does not recognize election, referendum or any other event held
in Nagorno Garabagh,” U.S. Embassy Public Relations Officer Jonathan
Henik told the APA.
He took his stand on the referendum concerning the Constitution to
be held by separatist Nagorno Garabagh regime on December 10. The
diplomat said he does not believe such steps to influence the current
situation and stressed that the conflict can only settled by OSCE
Minsk Group mediation and through negotiations. Mr.Henik noted that
the US recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
“No country, as well as the US recognizes Nagorno Garabagh as an
independent country,” Mr.Henik said.
AZERBAIJAN’S POLICY REGARDING FOREIGN POLICY PROPAGANDA SHOULD BE STEADY – AZERI EXPERT
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
The USA is the largest leading country in the world. What occurs in
USA reflects on other countries, the expert, Vafa Guluzade, stated
at an interview with Trend, commenting on the elections in the U.S.
Congress and leadership of the Party of Democrats, which is known
for its pro-Armenian position.
Guluzade stressed that during former times, good relations existed
between the U.S. democrats and Azerbaijan. The oil contracts were
signed and the destiny of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was resolved
during this period.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts still remain as a key problem for
Azerbaijan. The present Speaker of the U.S. Congress, Nancy Pelosi,
demonstrates pro-Armenian attitude because she is represented by
the California State and the Armenians of this State have always
supported her. “I have repeatedly tried to explain to him that there
is no Armenian state. It is a part of Russia and it needs to once
again transform Azerbaijan into its colony. Armenia has always been
a tool to implement this plan,” Guluzade said.
The expert considers that Pelosi is more inclined towards the Armenians
of Nagorno-Karabakh. But despite this, during the leadership of
Bill Clinton the U.S. Administration did not recognize the so-called
“Armenian genocide” and the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan
and USA were strong enough, Guluzade said.
The policy of Azerbaijan with regard to the foreign policy should
be steady, the expert stated. According to him, Azerbaijan should
be represented by the people who can talk to the politicians such
as Nancy Pelosi. According to Guluzade, it needs to create a Special
Center in the USA for its relations with the USA because the Embassy
cannot implement this function alone.