Month: March 2007

Germany calls for more NATO talks on U.S. anti-missile program

PAUL AMES

AP Worldstream
Mar 02, 2007

Germany’s defense minister on Friday urged more talks within NATO on
the U.S. plan to locate elements of an anti-missile shield in Europe
which has raised tensions between Russia and the United States.

"We should talk about the development of such a measure within the
framework of NATO," Franz Josef Jung told reporters on the sidelines
of a European Union defense ministers meeting. He said NATO should
also do more to ally Moscow’s concerns about the American plan.

The U.S. has formally requested to place a radar base in the Czech
Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland as part of its plans
for a missile defense shield that Washington says would protect
against a potential threat from Iran or North Korea.

Britain is also in talks with the U.S. about the deployment. On
Thursday, the director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency,
Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering, said Washington wants to base an
anti-missile radar in the Caucasus, a move likely to intensify Russian
concerns.

Officials in Azerbaijan and Georgia say they are not in talks with the
United States on the possibility of placing missile defense components
on their territory. The other Caucasus nation, Armenia, has close
military ties to Russia and would be an unlikely choice.

"There have been no negotiations, and we are not discussing these
questions either in a bilateral or multilateral format," said
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim.

Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said Tuesday that Georgia
has received no request from the United States to allow deployment of
missile defense elements on its territory, and ministry spokeswoman
Nato Chikovani said that was still the case Friday.

On Thursday, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana
said the EU had no plans as a bloc to participate in the development
of a missile shield, but said member nations were free to decide if
they wanted to join the project.

"We are not as Europeans concerned to establish a mechanism of that
type," Solana said. "This is for every country to decide." He
questioned whether there was an immediate threat to Europe from a
missile attack, but said it was something the EU should consider in
the future.

NATO leaders at a summit in November ordered further study on
"political and military implications of missile defense for the
alliance including an update on missile threat developments." A
preliminary report by NATO experts last year concluded there was a
missile threat and that it was technically feasible to develop such a
defense system.

However, while several allies are wary of pouring billions of euros
(dollars) into developing a NATO alliance system, the United States is
pressing ahead with its own missile shield plans.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Polish foreign minister underlines strategic importance of south Caucasus

PAP news agency
2 Mar 07

Warsaw, 2 March: Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga has told PAP that the southern
Caucasus was a "strategic direction of Polish interests". She added that
there were a number for reasons for Poland’s interest in Caucasus, including
energy security.
During a few-day tour of the region the minister visited Armenia, Georgia and
Azerbaijan. On the way back to Poland, the delegation made a stop over in
Sochi.
Fotyga said that the visit showed how much it was needed and promised more
frequent trips by the Polish authorities to the region.
At the end of March, President Lech Kaczynski is going to pay a visit to
Georgia. According to the foreign minister, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski
also has plans to visit the region.
Fotyga added that Poland and its partners in Caucasus were ready to support
certain projects. "We are aware that we support the development of alternative
ways of energy transmission for Europe," she added.
According to the foreign minister, Poland’s partners positively welcomed
President Lech Kaczynski’s initiative to organize an energy summit in Poland.
Minister Fotyga said she had supported the peace process between Armenia and
Azerbaijan and was ready to continue supporting it. "Our partners are aware
of this," she added.
Fotyga said Poland "has monitored the course of negotiations" though, as she
put it, it is a difficult process.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN ARARAT ZURABIAN’S WORDS, OPPOSITION WILL UNITE AFTER ELECTIONS, IN
RALLY STRUGGLE

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The proportional and majoritarian lists
of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) party are not finally defined
yet. Ararat Zurabian, the ANM Board Chairman stated about it at the
March 2 press conference. In his words, they did not manage to make a
pre-electoral alliance with the "Zharangutiun" (Heritage) and NDU
parties because of "small disagreements." In A.Zurabian’s words, it
would be "the most serious political unification" in the case of
formation of that unite. In A.Zurabian’s opinion, the authorities will
improve methodology of electoral falsifications to have absolute
majority at the National Assembly. And the opposing forces, in his
words, will unite during the post-electoral period when uprising will
take place connected with it, and they will choose organization of
mass events, rallies, as the way of struggle. The ANM member mentioned
that he advised his friends-members of the "Alternative"
public-political initiative to participate in the coming parliamentary
elections with the ANM list but not with the list of the alliance
called "Impeachment." In A.Zurabian’s words "The ANM will be ANM even
in 50 years, and "Impeachment" is just a slogan, way of struggle,
one-step operation."

PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF ARMENIA SUBMITS APPLICATION ON NOMINATION TO RA CEC

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 2, the Progressive Party of
Armenia (PPA) submitted an application on nomination by proportional
system to RA Central Electoral Commission (CEC). As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by CEC Spokesperson Tsovinar Khachatrian,
seven candidates are included in PPA’s preelectoral roll. It is headed
by Party Chairman Tigran Urikhanian.

"ARMENIA HAS NO STRUCTURE WHERE LEADER-WOMAN CAN BE FORMED," HRANUSH
HAKOBIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Nearly 60% voters in Armenia are women,
but they mainly vote for men-candidates. RA National Assembly deputy
Hranush Hakobian made such a statement at the March 2 press conference
meanwhile saying that she has no occasion to complain in this respect,
as woman-voters trust her as well. In her words, involvement of women
is important for Armenian political system’s becoming fully-fledged.

In H. Hakobian’s words, the provision stipulated in RA Electoral Code
on her initiative, according to which 5% quota of women’s inclusion in
proportional lists reached 15%, was essential in this respect. In
H. Hakobian’s words, Armenia has no structure "where a leader-woman
can be formed, can become politically matured: today only
non-governmental organizations and parties play this role." In her
words, it is essential how much media contribute to formation of
positive image of political figures. "There are stereotypes,
according to which they forgive leader-men, but public responds
sharply to even small mistakes of a woman," H. Hakobian said.

WOMEN’S UNION OF DEFENCE OF LIBERATED TERRITORIES TO APPLY TO RA
PRESIDENT WITH DEMAND TO RELEASE ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The Women’s Union of Defence of
Liberated Territories demands not only releasing the Coordinator of
Defence of Liberated Territories initiative, Zhirayr Sefilian, but
also granting him RA citizenship. As Union member Julietta Yeremyants
declared at the March 2 press conference, the anniversary of
foundation of Armenian Army is an occasion to stop legal and political
persecution of Z. Sefilian, as well as his companion-in-arms,
participant of liberation struggle Vardan Malkhasian. In her words,
the 15th anniversary of formation of Armenian Army is marked solemnly
in these days, for which the Armenian people is indebted to heroes of
Artsakh liberation struggle who liberated Artsakh with their great
devotion. "Today power representatives go to Yerablur to pay the
tribute of their respect to the memory of perished freedom-fighters,
but they have forgotten the live heroes, as the presence of the
latters impedes them," J. Yeremian said. At the same time she said
that today they heroize Ramil Safarov in Azerbaijan who has killed the
Armenian officer with an axe, while in Armenia they imprison national
heroes with shady and ungrounded accusations. Publicist Tsvetana
Paskaleva said that they do not receive her in Karabakh in the recent
six years as she had the courage to meet with Samvel Babayan when the
later was in prison. In her words, the Karabakh authorities even
declared that "Paskaleva is their enemy." "All doors are closed in
front of me, even media, as I dared show in documentaries real heroes
having fought in Artsakh and not generals who even have not taken part
in the liberation fight. And the real heroes are Samvel Babayan,
Zhirayr Sefilian, Komandos and Arkady Karapetian, thanks to which
Shoushi was liberated," T. Paskaleva said. The Union members declared
that they are going to apply to RA President, Prime Minister and Head
of National Security Service Gorik Hakobian with the demand to release
Z. Sefilian and V. Malkhasian.

HEAD OF ARFD FACTION TO NOMINATE HIS CANDIDATURE BY MAJORITARIAN
SYSTEM AT ELECTORAL DISTRICT N 04

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Hrayr Karapetian, Head of RA National
Assembly ARF Dashnaktsutiun faction, will nominate his candidature for
the parliamentary elections by majoritarian system at the place of his
residence, at electoral district N 04 of Yerevan’s Arabkir
community. He reported this on March 2, at the last parliamentary
briefing of NA of current convocation. H. Karapetian said that
Hayrapet Hayrapetian from Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia)
Party, Sargis Muradkhanian from National Unity Party, Suren Mamikonian
from Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Party, Tigran Nalbandian from
Youth Party of Armenia, Hamazasp Uzunian from Progressive Party of
Armenia have already nominated their candidatures at that electoral
district. In H. Karapetian’s words, candidates for deputy can show the
best example of political struggle at the above mentioned electoral
district. H. Karapetian did not provide any information about ARFD
members’ another nominations by majoritarian system or about party’s
proportional list mentioning that it will be publicized on March 3,
the last day of candidates’ nomination. In response to Noyan Tapan
correspondent’s question, he said that there is no special reason for
such secrecy, the party has just decided not to publicize any
information about its candidates until the end of the term fixed for
nominations.

GURGEN ARSENIAN: "ULP CARRIES OUT 80% OF ITS 2003 PRE-ELECTORAL PROMISES"

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The United Labour Party will place the
order with the RA Central Electoral Commission (CEC) for nomimation at
the coming parliamentary elections by the proportional electoral
system on March 2. Party Chairman and parliamentary faction head
Gurgen Arsenian stated about it at the briefing held on the same
day. In his words, more than 8 dozens of candidates are in general
involved in the ULP proportional list. G.Arsenian heads the
list. Besides him, ULP faction member Grigor Ghonjeyan, State
Conservatory Rector Sergey Sarajian, faction Secretary Hripsime
Avetikian, Deputy Minister of Social Security Tamara Gevorgian,
faction member, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Social,
Health Care and Nature Protection Issues Mnatsakan Petrosian, one of
Army of Inedependence founders Smbat Aghayan, Chairman of the RA
Chamber of Advocates Qualification Committee Yenok Azarian, head of
the "Medecins Sans Frontiers" (Doctors without Borders)
Armenian-Belgian organization Anahit Hovhannisian, "Yerkrapah
Kamavorakan Miutiun" (land defender volunteer union) board member
Samvel Hovsepian ("Admiral Samo") are also in the first ten. As
G.Arsenian stated, the party, according to its inner decision and
principle of formation of the NA by the 100% proportional list, will
participate in the elections by exclusively proportional electoral
system. But, this decision does not prohibit that the party members,
in the case of wish, are nominated by the majoritarian electoral
system on the civil initiative. G.Arsenian mentioned that according
to the party estimations, the ULP "existence at the future parliament
will surpass the volume by which it is today presented at the
parliament." Responding the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question,
G.Arsenian stated that the ULP carried out 80% of its 2003
pre-electoral promises and base programs. The party envisages to
implement "the most serious programs" during the next 5 years. Among
them the ULP Chairman especially attached importance to standing
challenges on the sphere of demography as well as working out of state
programs directed to encouraging young families and birthrate.

OPPOSITION WILL HAVE 25-30 MANDATES AT NEW PARLIAMENT AND RPA AT LEAST
WILL KEEP ITS CURRENT SEATS, GALUST SAHAKIAN FORECASTS

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. "What we have I think is already
stable, but as regards having more, we just strive for it," Galust
Sahakian, Head of RPA parliamentary faction, said at the March 2
briefing in connection with RPA’s expected mandates as a result of the
forthcoming parliamentary elections. In his words, the RPA faction has
40 members at NA of current convocation, but the total number of RPA
deputies is 56. G. Sahakian said that the party has decided to
nominate candidates by majoritarian system at 27 out of 41 electoral
districts for the May 12 parliamentary elections. He said that there
are also some RPA members who have been nominated on civil
initiative. In particular, Hakob Hakobian, member of NA People’s
Deputy MP group, RPA member, has nominated his candidature at
electoral district N 19 and the party does not support his
candidature. At this electoral district RPA supports the candidature
of retired high-ranking serviceman, non-partisan Seyran Saroyan. As
regards RPA’s proportional list, in G. Sahakian’s words, not all
members of party’s political team have been included in that list,
including state servants, governors, all Yerevan prefects without
exception. However, in his words, this does not mean that "they will
not continue to bear responsibility." As the head of the RPA faction
forecast, the opposition will have 25-30 mandates at the future
parliament. In G. Sahakian’s words, judging by sociological analyses,
the newly formed Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) Party for the
first time having submitted application for participation in the
parliamentary elections will be represented "properly."

SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL OF V.BRUSOV UNIVERSITY PROPOSES HRANT DINK’S
CANDIDATURE FOR RA PRESIDENT’S AWARD

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. "The Yerevan V.Brusov State Linguistic
University proposes prominent public figure, Istanbul Agos weekly
founder and editor-in-chief Hrant Dink’s candidature for the award
given to people having considerable contribution in the affair of
recognition of the Armenian Genocife."

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the university information service,
this decision was unequivocally made at the meeting of the YSLU
scietific council. The RA President’s award given to people for
considerable contribution in the affair of the Armenian Genocide
recognition, in the form of certificate of the same name, order and 10
thousand U.S. dollars monetary prize, is given every year with the
help of the "Hayastan" (Armenia) All-Armenian Fund. Two awards are
given: one to citizens of the Republic of Armenia, other to people who
are not RA citizens. The award is financed by the "Robert Poghosian
and Sons" fund (France).
From: Baghdasarian