Month: March 2007

Recurrent meeting of the Foreign Ministers to take place in Geneva on March
13

Armradio.am
03.03.2007 11:33

The recurrent meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan Vartan Oskanian and Elmar Mammadyarov will take place in
Geneva on March 13, acting press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan told ArmInfo. `The Armenian side is ready
for the meeting,’ he added.

Let us remind that the recurrent session of the UN Human Rights
Council will take place in Geneva on March 13. Earlier the Foreign
Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov had declared about his
willingness to participate in the meeting.

Peter Semneby: Isolation of the outh Caucasus is extremely dangerous

Armradio.am
03.03.2007 13:20

`The isolation of the disputed region of the South Caucasus is
extremely dangerous for the growing generations that have no contacts
with neighbor states with which their predecessors have been living
for centuries,’ EU Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
told ArmInfo correspondent.

`This situation is not a normal one, since no matter whether people
want or not, they are geopolitically close and that is why the contact
is simply necessary,’ the diplomat noted. In his words, the most
important is the reestablishment of contacts between peoples. If
another generation grows without relations, resolution of this or that
conflict will be extremely difficult,’ Peter Semneby underlined. `I
think the European Union can assist both Karabakhi Armenians and
Azerbaijanis, since the EU is an important political player in the
South Caucasian region today. Besides, close relations with the South
Caucasus, and the cooperation under the Action Pan in the framework of
the European Neighborhood Policy provide certain levers, which the EU
can use to establish an atmosphere of trust and normal relations for
the purpose of final resolution of the Karabakh conflict,’ the EU
Special Envoy mentioned. He underlined that first of all these levers
will be directed at the creation of trust between the communities of
Nagorno Karabakh. Peter Semneby reminded that the European Union is
not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. `The
resolution of the Karabakh conflict is the task of the OSCE Minsk
Group, but the EU can have its contribution to the development of
dialogue between the sides and can assist the activities of the OSCE
Minsk Group,’ the diplomat noted.

The situation in Iran immediately relates to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Armradio.am
03.03.2007 14:14

The development of the situation in Iran is immediately connected with
the South Caucasus, EU Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter
Semenby told ArmInfo.

The diplomat refused to go into details of the situation in Iran,
stating only that `the events in Iran are immediately linked to both
Armenia and Azerbaijan.’ `For Armenia Iran is an important trade
partner. Besides, a large Azerbaijani community resides in Iran,’
Mr. Semneby noted.

Let us remind, that at the end of February the UN Security Council
unanimously approved the resolution on the nucler programs of Iran,
which envisages sanctions against Tehran as a response to the fact
that the later refuses to stop its uranium enrichment programs.

US develops a strategic Black Sea plan
Category=3D35&idarticle=3D8254

The Pentagon pushes to get Black Sea countries to develop a regional
approach to security issues, and is throwing its weight behind
Turkey’s leadership in the region.

Friday, March 02, 2007 Joshua Kucera

The US Department of Defense has drafted a new strategy for the Black
Sea region, focusing on getting the individual countries around the
Black Sea to develop a regional approach to security issues.

Some of the strategy’s finer points are still being developed, andthe
implementation may be slowed by the US preoccupation with Iraq and
Afghanistan.

But it nevertheless represents a concerted effort by Washington to get
involved in a region traditionally dominated by Turkey and Russia.

To that end, the US is throwing its weight behind Turkey’s leadership
in Black Sea regional efforts. That’s in part because Ankara and
Washington share the same goals in the area, and, in part, because
Washington wants to allay Turkish concerns about American intentions.

The strategy’s main concept was completed late last year and it
remains classified. But its general outline was described to
EurasiaNet by a Pentagon official, speaking on condition of
anonymity. US officials are still in the process of relaying the
strategy’s contents to regional governments, including Turkey,
Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Greece. First to be briefed was Turkey, in
acknowledgement of Ankara’ s leadership role in the region. "Without
Turkey, we can’t get this to work," the official said.

The other key Black Sea player is Russia, and the Pentagon has low
expectations on Moscow’s willingness to go along with US plans. "We
don’t expect the Russians to be cooperative; they see this as
interference in their sphere of influence. However, we’re committed to
seeking Russian cooperationwherever we can get it – we don’t want them
as an adversary," the official said.

"However, we won’t allow ourselves to be held hostage to Russian
objections."

The US is actively encouraging countries around the Black Sea to take
part in the Turkey-led Black Sea Harmony maritime security program,
through which intelligence on sea traffic is shared among all the
coastal states. In December, Russia became the first country to
formally join the program. Ukraine and Romania are also reportedly
close to joining. Georgia’s navy is not large enough to provide any
significant intelligence, although it does participate in information
exchanges.

The cooperation between Turkey and Russia is seen in some quarters as
a combined effort to keep NATO out of the Black Sea. NATO operates a
similar maritime security operation in the Mediterranean Sea, called
Active Endeavor, and NATO has tried to expand that program into the
Black Sea. Turkey, however,is worried that NATO’s incursion into the
Black Sea would diminish Ankara’s influence there. Some Turkish
officials also fear that an expanded NATO regional role could erode
the 1936 Montreux Convention, by which Turkey maintains control over
the Bosporus Straits. Russia, meanwhile, remains opposed to US
influence in its former satellite countries.

"I don’t think we can help that the Russians see this as a zero-sum
game, but I do think we can help that with the Turks," the official
added. "The Turkish approach is similar to ours [in dealing with
Russia]: pragmatic, but they won’t do anything detrimental to their
national security."

The US doesn’t see a specific threat in the Black Sea region at
present, but that is reason enough to expand the surveillance and
monitoring of the area, the official said. Potential threats include
the transport of weapons of mass destruction, drugs or terrorists.
"One would presume some of that goes on, but we don’t know," the
official said. It’s possible the threat is not great, "but right now
we don’t have the detection and surveillancecapabilities to know if
that’s the case."

In addition to maritime surveillance, the US would like to see
countries in the Black Sea region improve crisis response capabilities
and border security.

But the program may be slowed or scaled back, given the Pentagon’s
preoccupation these days with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the
official said.

"The United States has given a lot of thought to the Black Sea, but I
don’t believe we have a clear implementation strategy" because of the
two major wars, the official said.

_EurasiaNet_ () provides information and
analysis about political, economic, environmental, and social
developments in the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as
well as in Russia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The website
presents a variety of perspectives on contemporary developments,
utilizing a network of correspondents based both in the West and in
the region. The aim of EurasiaNet is to promote informed decision
making among policy makers, as well as broadening interest in
theregion among the general public. EurasiaNet is operated by the
Central Eurasia Project of the Open Society Institute.

Joshua Kucera is a Washington, DC,-based freelance writer who
specializes in security issues in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the
Middle East.

Copyright © 2007 Spero

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

13 PARTIES NOMINATED AT RA CEC FROM FEBRUARY 26 TO MARCH 2

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The process of nominating candidates
for deputacy by the proportional and majoritarian electoral systems in
the upcoming parliamentary elections will finish on March 3 at 6:00
pm. In the period of February 26 to March 2, applications for
nomination by the proportional system at the RA Central Electoral
Commission (CEC) were submitted to the following 13 parties: "National
Unity" (Chairman Artashes Geghamian), "Nor Zhamanakner" ("New Times")
(Aram Karapetian), People’s Party (Tigran Karapetian), "Bargavach
Hayastan" ("Prosperous Armenia") (Gagik Tsarukian), "Democratic Way"
(Manuk Gasparian), Democratic Party of Armenia (Aram Sargsian),
Progressive Party of Armenia (Tigran Urikhanian), Liberal Progressive
Party of Armenia (Hovahannes Hovhannisian), National Democratic Party
(Shavarsh Kocharian), Social-Democratic Hnchak Party (Lyudmila
Sargsian), United Labor Party (Gurgen Arsenian), People’s Party of
Armenia (Stepan Demirchian) and Marxist Party of Armenia (Davit
Hakobian). Besides, the alliance "Impeachement" composed of the
"Democratic Fatherland" Party and the Conservative Party was
registered at the RA CEC. Out of the main political forces represented
in the parliament, the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), ARF,
"Orinats Yerkir" and a number of extraparliamentary parties, which
announced beforehand their decision to participate in the elections,
have not been nominated so far.

EU CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE PARTICIPATION OF ALL REGIONAL
COUNTRIES IN PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Special Representative of the
European Union Peter Semneby was received on March 2 by the Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. During the meeting, the head of the
Armenian government and the EU special representative spoke about
Armenia-EU relations, the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia,
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as about issues
related to Armenia’s relations with neighboring countries, and the
regional cooperation. Underlining the importance of adoption of
EU-Armenia Action Plan in terms of further deepening of our country’s
Eurointegration process, the prime minister assured that both at the
plan’s development stage and after its adoption in late 2007, the
Armenian government has been prepared to make efforts for its
efficient implementation. A. Margarian attached importance to the EU
special representative’s visit within the framework of the EU policy
on extension and strengthening of the European Neighborhood
Program. It is also envisaged to further deepen the economic
component, taking into account the fact that EU is one of Armenia’s
biggest trade partners. A. Margarian and P. Semneby were unanimous in
the opinion that after adoption of Eu-Armenia Action Plan, the
parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia will have a decisive
importance for democratization of Armenia and its further cooperation
with the EU. Holding elections in line with international standards is
considered important not only for Armenia but also for the South
Caucasus within the European Neighborhood Policy. A. Margarian said
that the political will of both the authorities and the opposition is
important in this issue so that the political force to receive a vote
of confidence will be able to implement its programs without
difficulty. He said that the authorities and the political forces
responsible for them have such a desire and will, being aware that
this is first of all necessary for our people and state in order to
ensure stable democratic development. Pointing out the significance of
EU’s role in development of the regional cooperation and welcoming its
approach which does not favor bypassing any country, in the given case
– Armenia, in implemention of regional programs in the South Caucasus,
A. Margarian in this connection expressed concern, in particular,
over the Kars-Akhalkalak railway construction project, saying that
full regional cooperation is possible only in case of involvement of
all countries of the region. Mr. Semneby in his turn assured that the
EU is continuing to make efforts for opening borders of regional
countries, including the Turkish-Armenian border, ensuring the
participation of all regional countries in projects implemented in the
South Caucasus, which is also, according to him, a priority of the
European Neighborhood Policy. Peter Semneby expressed a hope that
thanks to joint efforts it will be possible to develop the EU-Armenia
Action Plan at the regional cooperation level as well. Acoording to
the RA Government Information and PR Department, during the meeting
the sides also addressed the Nagorno Karabakh problem. In this
connection the EU representative expressed a hope that negotiation
process aimed at the conflict settlement will be crowned with success
due to efforts of all the parties.

PETER SEMNEBY: BY HOLDING PROPER ELECTIONS ARMENIA WILL SEND
RESPECTIVE MESSAGE TO EU

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. European Union-Armenia relations were
discussed during the March 2 meeting of the RA Deputy Foreign Minister
Armen Bayburtian and the EU Special Representtaive to South Caucasus
Peter Semneby, who is on a two-day visit to Armenia. The interlocutors
spoke about implementation of the action plan signed within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. A. Bayburtian said that
the list of the action plan measurs is now at the development stage
and will be submitted to the European side soon. According to the RA
MFA Press and Information Department, the sides also addressed the
issue of upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, attaching
importance to their holding in line with international standards.

P. Semneby underlined that by holding proper elections, Armenia will
send a respective message to the EU in terms of deepening the
bilateral relations. The sides exchanged ideas about latest
developments in negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The
Ambassador of Germany (currently holding the presidency of the EU) Ms
Heike Peitsch participated in the meeting.

AUA ACCREDITED BY US WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCOOLS AND COLLEGES

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The American University of Armenia
(AUA) has received education accreditation of the US Western
Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The AUA President Harutyun
Armenian said at the March 2 press conference that they started the
accreditaion process 7 years ago, and it was done in three stages:
receiving a correspondence status, then a candidate status, and
finally – being granted the accreditation. In H. Armenian’s words,
this is an unprecedented event: it is for the first time that the WASC
grants this status to a university outside the US and especially for a
7 year period. WASC accreditation is usually granted for 3
years. H. Armenian attributed this exception to high-level education
provided by the AUA. "The accreditaion process was a period of
self-examination and self-analysis for us, which has had a positive
impact on the university’s functioning," he underlined. He added that
this achievement has created new challenges for the AUA.

Congratulating the university staff, the RA Minister of Education and
Science Levon Mkrtchian noted the importance of the AUA’s accreditaion
for further activities of the country’s higher educational system. He
expressed confidence that state and non-state higher educational
institutions of Armenia must undergo accreditaion – "they should have
the courage to pass these stages of self-analysis and self-examination."

According to him, this is necessary for improving the educaional level
and occupying one’s own place in internation educational system.

"SOS TEGHUT" COALITION OF ECOLOGICAL NGOs APPEALS TO ARMENIAN
PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "SOS Teghut" coalition of 26 ecologial
NGOs filed a written complaint against operation of the Teghut mine to
the Armenian president. Mher Sharoyan, representative of "Armenian
Forests" NGO – member of "SOS Teghut", said at the March 1 press
conference that as a result of the mine’s operation, even greater
damage will be done both to the environment and local
population. According to him, a number of international conventions,
the RA Constitution and laws would be violated in case of the
program’s implementation. In his words, the real danger to the state,
population and environment was not correctly assessed during the state
expert examination of this program of Armenian Copper Program (ACP)
company. M. Sharoyan noted that the program’s implementation will have
especially disastrous concequences in terms of keeping natural balance
of the local catchment basin, depriving local settlements of drinking
water. Besides, according to Varsham Avetian, resident of the Snogh
village near Teghut, several local valuable historic and cultural
monuments are under threat of destruction. "We accuse others of
destroying Armenian historic monuments while acting in the same way,"
he said. Chairwoman of the Social-Ecological Association Srbui
Harutyunian noted that valuable mountainous forests will be cut down,
for which ACP will pay only 8 mln dollars annually, with the company
shareholders receiving incomes of 14 mln dollars. "So making a net
profit of over 406 mln dollars in 28 years, ACP will leave behind
impoverished soil and dried up mountain springs. It will take efforts
of several generations to restore all this," she said. Community head
of Teghut Harutyun Meliksetian, head of the Shnogh village Koryun
Shadinian and a group of villagers participated in the press
conference. They said that they are not against the program’s
implementation because nearly half of local residents are unemployed
and "have no means to feed their families". They were not concerned
very much about ecologists’ warning that Teghut will become a dead
zone in 30 years. "If all this goes on, Teghut will become an
uninhabited area sooner or later," the Teghut community head noted.

Armenian opposition accuses international organizations of backing
authorities

Arminfo
2 Mar 07

Yerevan, 2 March: Participants of the rally held by the Alternative
movement in Yerevan today issued a petition to international
structures, accusing them of indirectly backing the incumbent
authorities in Armenia.

In their letter to the OSCE, PACE [Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe], EU and diplomatic missions [of foreign countries
in Armenia], they criticized them for recognizing the rigged results
of the 2003 presidential and parliamentary elections, and the November
2005 constitutional referendum. The petition also calls to change the
way observers monitor elections, suggesting that they should observe
the voting process at certain polling stations from the beginning all
the way through.