Month: November 2006

ARMENIAN DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2007 ENVISAGES 100.4 BILLION DRAMS FOR DEFENSE SPHERE
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
The draft budget of Armenia for 2007 plans to allocate 100.4 billion
drams or 281 million US dollars under the USD exchange rate fixed
in the draft for the defense sphere, Armenian Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan told journalists. The minister added that the parliamentary
discussions on the draft budget are likely to result in a rise of
the initial sum.
The minister said that an agreement has been reached on provision of
the 3.5% of GDP to the defense sphere. While in 2006 this indicator
was 3%. “The higher is GDP in Armenia and the stronger is the economy,
the higher will be allocations to the defense sphere,” Serge Sargsyan
said. He said the budgetary funds will be equally distributed,
including 48% will be directed to wages and social expenses. The
wages of officers will be risen to 165,000 AMD in 2007.
The minister said the budgetary allocations to the sphere are enough
to maintain the fighting capacity of the army. “Of course, these
funds are incomparable to the one billion dollar defense budget of
Azerbaijan, but they are enough in case of a rational and purposeful
use,” the minister said. Serge Sargsyan said that “serious armaments”
will be acquired next year. He expressed hope that Armenia’s future
budgets will also have social orientation.

RA DM CONSIDERS STATEMENTS OF SOME OPPOSITIONAL FIGURES ABOUT “PERSECUTION BY POWER STRUCTURES” RIDICULOUS
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
“The statements of some oppositional figures, of the “New Times”
party ” leader, Aram Karapetyan, in particular, about persecutions by
the power structures ridiculous”, RA Defense Minister, the Chairman
of the Board of the Republican party of Armenia, Serzh Sarkissyan,
told the journalists today.
“It is very difficult to say what hazard may these people pose to put
pressure upon them. Perhaps, they try to be self- affirmed in such a
way. These figures have a loose tongue, you know, the situation is
not such it was 5, 7 or 10 years ago, when a head could be broken
for one word”, S. Sarkissyan said. Talking of the opposition’s
intention to allocate its candidates in 41 majority districts, the
Minister noted it is a good plan but hardly implemented, since it
will be difficult for the opposition to find so many leaders. “There
are two-three people in the whole opposition who could win per the
majority system”, the Minister said, however, he did not call the
names of these oppositionists.

RA DM: IF CRIMINAL BRAWL ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE ON A-320 LINER BOARD, IT WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AT OFFICIAL LEVEL
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
“If a criminal brawl had actually taken place on A-320 liner board
and that could become the reason of the airplane crash, it would
be announced at an official level long ago”, RA Defense Minister,
Serzh Sarkissyan, told the journalists today.
“You know, not only the Armenian side, but Russia and the liner
producer, the French-German “Airbus” Concern also examined this case.
If there was a brawl in fact, the Russian and French experts would not
hide this circumstance and would openly state about it”, S. Sarkissyan
said.
To be reminded, A-320 airplane of the “Armavia” Air Company had
fallen into the Black Sea when landing in the airport of Adler. All
the passengers and the crew members died. The veteran of the Armenian
aviation , a first-class pilot, Vladimir Poghossyan, has recently
informed that there was a criminal brawl on the crashed liner board ,
which has become the reason of the tragedy. However, this statement
was denied in the Republic’s official circles.

POLAND IS READY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS: MARSHAL OF POLISH SENATE
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
Poland is ready to render its assistance in establishing
Armenian-Turkish relations, said Marshal of the Polish Senate Bogdan
Borusevich at a meeting of Armenian and Polish MPs, Monday.
He said that for this purpose the Polish Foreign Ministry offered
the Armenian Foreign Ministry to present its approaches of Armenia’s
interests in Turkey and Turkey’s interests in Armenia, which would
contribute to establishing relations between the two states and
achieving mutual understanding. The Speaker of the Armenian Parliament
Tigran Torosyan thanked Poland for recognizing the Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey, 1915, and pointed out that Poland’s offer is very
interesting, but hardly practicable if official Ankara’s position
is taken into account. In this matter, Armenia’s position is known,
said Torosyan and added that official Yerevan is willing to begin a
dialogue with Ankara without any preliminary conditions. Torosyan
considers the Armenian blockade from the side of Turkey, which is
taking steps to join the EU, unacceptable.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN 2007 ARMENIA WILL GIVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH 19.4 BLN AMD BUDGETARY CREDIT
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
In 2007 Armenia will give Nagorno-Karabakh 19.4 bln AMD budgetary
credit.
Today, at budget hearings in the Armenian Parliament, Deputy Minister
of Finances and Economy of Armenia Pavel Safaryan said that since
1997 Armenia has been giving budgetary credit to Nagorno-Karabakh in
compliance with the scheme agreed with Stepanakert beforehand.
According to this scheme, expenses for defense sphere, membership
fees to international organizations, and expenses for repayment of
foreign credit debts are deducted from the total budget of Armenia.
The 4.4% of the amount left is sent to Nagorno-Karabakh as a budgetary
credit.

“ZERKALO”: “WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENDEAVOR TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF PRESS”
M. Mamadov
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Nov 7 2006
Participants of “round table” made such statement November 3,
“round table” dedicated to pressure now being actively made on
independent press was held on initiative of political parties’ bloc
“Azadlig”. Human right defenders also joined the event.
Ali Kerimli, chairman of Popular Front Party, opened the event. He
declared that attacks against independent press in Azerbaijan always
took place. “However, today we faced the pressure of invincible force
and scale. Today it is of systematic nature, realized accordingly to
several directions. Intention of authorities to destroy independent
press is felt”, party leader said.
In turn, director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy, Leyla Yunus,
noted that activity of authorities is directed to eliminate freedom
of press from social life by 2008, when Presidential elections will
be held in Azerbaijan. With the purpose of protection of independent
press, she proposed to unite efforts of everyone – politicians,
mass media representatives, human right defenders.
Editor-in-chief of “Yeni Musavat”, Rauf Arifoglu, is convinced that
authorities made a list of over 50 journalists who will be made
pressure on with the help of close relations working in different
organizations. “I worry about life of my colleagues that is why
I introduced internal censorship in newspaper – I dismissed some
journalists from making sharp publications”, he underlined.
Present campaign of pressure on press R. Arifoglu connects with the
wish of authorities to remove resistance centers, to compromise in
connection with Garabagh issue and to give permission for creation of
the second Armenian state on Azerbaijani territories. “Achievement
of goal in defending of freedom of press is possible if opposition
unites. “If there is no unity of opposition, our activity to protect
democratic institutions of society will fail”, he explained.
Pressure on “Azadlig” newspaper, ANS, “Turan” information agency,
advocate, Aslan Ismailov, evaluated as aggression against symbols of
independence of Azerbaijan.
“The time has come when citizens should express their position. As
for “authority-opposition” relation the balance is violated. It may
lead to destruction of society. A war not a fight is waged between
authority and opposition. If authorities start resistance, opposition
follows it”, he underlined and called opposition press to be correct
with regard to representative of intellectuals. “If someone is not
near it does not mean that he is enemy. Society should have as many
independent persons as possible”, A. Ismailov underlined.
Accordingly to deputy chairman of Popular Front Party, Fuad Mustafayev,
not only “Azadlig” is targeted by authorities. “Today fights proceeds
against people not thinking like authorities do. It is necessary to
protect independent press, freedom of activity, freedom of assembly. We
do not duly partake in this work. It is necessary to coordinate
actions at least within the frames of what we can do. Azerbaijani
society is craving for changes; it votes against authorities during
elections, it is ready to support democracy. The action proved it (the
matter concerns unapproved meeting at “Baki Soveti” subway station,
November 2)”, but people cannot resist armed attacks of authorities,
– he answered.
Chairman of Citizens’ Party and development, Ali Aliyev, advocated
necessity of realization of actions. “Azerbaijani authorities are
weak, they have no force, they have only money. They hope for people,
however not trusting them. International structures should be also
informed that not everything is sold and bought in Azerbaijan. To
support press is the case of all conscientious citizens”, he declared.
Deputy chairman of Democratic party of Azerbaijan, Sardar Jalaloglu,
called to resort to all ways to support freedom of press. Current
attack against press he takes as demonstration of weakness of
authorities. At the same time he blamed journalists for being not
active in defending their freedom. Leader of Movement of National
Unity, Lala Shavket, declared that free press is the fundament of
democracy. “Authorities are striving for improvement of democracy in
the country and to establish dictatorship. We should fight with all
our might to prevent it. Only weak authority sets hopes upon force”,
she underlined. L. Shovket called opposition not to pay attention to
authorities only, but also to itself. “Sometimes we fight with one
another more cruelly that with authorities”, she underlined.
While making conclusions, A. Kerimli declared about intention of
“Azadlig” bloc to continue fight to protect freedom of press. “We
will go out for meeting if necessary”, he said.
–Boundary_(ID_Dpp9Un0v2aknqmYvfaIJag)–

GREECE’S OTE KEPT AT ‘HOLD’ BY CITIGROUP AFTER ARMENIAN EXIT
AFX International Focus
November 6, 2006 Monday 9:13 AM GMT
ATHENS (AFX) – Shares in Greek telecom incumbent Hellenic Telecomms
(OTE) were higher after Citigroup kept the stock at hold after
OTE’s announcement that it had agreed to sell its Armenian unit,
dealers said.
At 10.45 am OTE was up 0.7 pct to 20.94 eur, and the ASE general
index was 0.3 pct higher at 4,188.3 points.
OTE said late on Friday that it has reached an agreement to sell its
90 pct stake in Armentel for 342 mln eur to Vimpel Communications.
Citigroup said the deal makes sense because Armenia has always been a
tough market for OTE for political reasons and had a lack of synergies
with other assets, partly due to distance.
The broker noted that this was an opportunity for OTE to pay off some
debt. Assuming about a 5 pct tax on foreign capital gains, OTE should
net about 325 mln eur in the fourth quarter.
Citigroup said they now expect OTE will be busy with the integration
of mobile and tech retailer Germanos, union negotiations and broadband
roll-out. It might possibly expand in Serbia, where it already owns
20 pct of Telecom Serbia, the broker added.

MERKEL TELLS TURKEY TO GET WITH PROGRAM
Malaysia Sun, Malaysia
Big News Network
Nov 7 2006
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned Turkey that it cannot
continue to delay a settlement with Cyprus if it wants to join the
European Union.
We need the implementation of the Ankara protocol on the freedom of
movement of goods also with Cyprus. Otherwise, a very, very serious
situation arises regarding the continuation of the accession talks,
Merkel said in an interview published Monday in the Sueddeutsche
Zeitung.
A European Commission report expected to be released Wednesday could
recommend a partial freeze in talks between Turkey and the union,
the EU Observer reported. Merkel has said she would support a hold
on negotiations if Turkey remains intransigent.
Cyprus is a member of the union. European leaders are also critical
of Turkey’s human rights situation and its curbs on free speech which
have included prosecutions for insulting Turkishness for writers who
discuss the massacre of Armenians in World War I.

ARMENIA’S MILITARY BUDGET SUFFICIENT FOR ENSURING COUNTRY’S DEFENSE
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 7 2006
(ARKA) Armenia’s military budget is sufficient for making the country’s
armed forces strong, Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan told
journalists on Monday after presenting draft state budget for 2007
to lawmakers.
He said that Azerbaijan’s $1-billion military budget can’t be compared
with Armenian $300 million, but this amount will be enough if spent
reasonably.
The minister also said that greater budget spending is planned for
military purposed, just like for other sector’s needs, reports Trend.
In his words, military expenditures will make 3.5% of GDP every year.
“That’s why the faster economic growth is the greater are expenses
for defense”, Sargsyan said.
He said some 48% of the amount will be earmarked for salaries and
similar expenses. Armenian officers’ salaries are planned to reach
AMD 165 thousand (about $435) in 2007.
Sargsyan also said that Armenia intends to acquire new kinds of
armament and ammunition.
The 2007 state budget envisages AMD 100.4 billion (about $263 million)
for defense.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY AND THE EU DRIFT APART OVER MEMBERSHIP BID
By Benjamin Harvey, Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
November 5, 2006 Sunday 9:19 PM GMT
The cautious courtship between Turkey and the European Union looks
like it might be headed for a messy and acrimonious breakup.
They were a mismatched couple from the beginning: one wealthy, mostly
Christian and liberal, the other far poorer, overwhelmingly Muslim and
largely conservative. Perhaps it’s no surprise the initial optimism
over Turkey’s bid to join the bloc has deteriorated into mutual
recriminations and a seemingly hopeless inability to communicate.
The mood is likely to worsen after Wednesday when the EU releases
a progress report on Turkey’s bid which says Ankara is dragging its
feet on reform and failing to meet minimum human rights standards,
according to a draft copy viewed by The Associated Press.
The consequences of worsening relations between Turkey and the EU
could be dramatic and far-reaching: At stake is an ambitious vision
of bringing a Muslim nation into European society, proving that a
clash of civilizations between the West and Islam is not inevitable.
Many analysts say that is why negotiations are likely to continue
for the foreseeable future, with neither side committing to a clean
split that would send the message to Muslims everywhere that the West
is not prepared to deal with them on equal footing.
“Of course I support the EU (bid),” said Bayram Kapici, a 38-year-old
security guard in Istanbul. “But the question is, what will our place
in the EU be? I mean, we’re Muslims. Are we barbarians? How will they
see us?”
For the moment, enthusiasm toward Turkey’s bid has cooled dramatically
on both sides, and Turkish leaders’ passionate claims it could
bridge the gap between Europe and the Muslim world are starting to
ring hollow.
Turkish public support for membership has fallen below 50 percent,
and many believe that perceived insults from the EU in the form of
frequent criticism and seemingly endless demands for reform play
directly into the hands of nationalists and Islamists who are largely
opposed to the bid.
Europeans, meanwhile, have a litany of complaints about Turkey,
including its poor record on human rights, intolerance to free speech
and hardline attitudes toward adultery and homosexuality.
Many Europeans also say Turkey has refused to look objectively at its
past, notably the massacre of Armenians after World War I that many
historians call a genocide. Turkey acknowledges that large numbers
of Armenians died, but says the overall figure is inflated and that
the deaths occurred in the civil unrest during the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire.
Many Turks fault the country’s old rivals Greece and Cyprus for the
growing acrimony, claiming they are lobbying the EU to take a hard
line over Turkey’s refusal to open its ports to planes and ships
from the Greek-speaking part of Cyprus. Turkey does not recognize
the Cypriot government and props up the internationally unrecognized
administration in the north of the island.
A last-ditch meeting last week to settle the Cyprus issue was canceled,
leaving the Turks with very little time to negotiate before the EU’s
year-end deadline to concede or see talks suspended.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in remarks released Sunday that
the standoff over Cyprus was “very serious.” Asked if the talks
would be frozen, she said: “The EU cannot simply carry on. Turkey
must understand that there will be no simple ‘carry on’ if there is
no movement” on Cyprus.
If talks collapse, the symbolic value of having an overwhelmingly
Muslim, democratic nation firmly integrated into the West would be
lost. Turkey’s 71 million citizens, taught to look to Europe for
inspiration since the secular Turkish state was founded in the 1920s,
might look elsewhere for positive reinforcement.
The Islamic countries of the Middle East, Central Asia and North
Africa, with which Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government has been forging
increasingly close ties, could be natural surrogates.
“Nationalists are benefiting from this, there’s no question about it,”
said pollster and political science professor Hakan Yilmaz.
But many Turks feel that a complete breakup with the EU is out of
the question.
Yilmaz said many EU leaders were just playing to the crowd by publicly
belittling Turkey.
“Some in the European Union public love this humiliation particularly
in France,” he said, alluding to a proposed French law that would
make it a crime to deny the Turkish genocide of Armenians.
Meanwhile, some leading politicians on both sides are trying to
make the relationship so miserable that Turkey will just walk away
on its own, said Ilter Turan, a political analyst at Istanbul Bilgi
University.
Turan said, however, the government would be excoriated by the Turkish
public if it walked away from the EU, despite the current anti-EU
mood in the country.
The key question appears to be how to persuade Turkey to reform
without damaging national pride.
“There is one thing where the Turkish public seems to be rather
adamant,” Turan said. “If there is to be a union, it is to be on
equal grounds.”
Associated Press Writer Stephen Graham contributed to this report
from Berlin.