Month: March 2007

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO MEET IN VIENNA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

The co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlaykov (Russia), Matthew
Bryza (US), Bernard Fassier (France) and Andrzej Kasprzyk, personal
representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office will meet in the Austrian
capital, Vienna this week, APA reports quoting diplomatic sources.

The mediators will discuss the current situation in the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
and prepare for arranging a meeting of the foreign ministers Elmar
Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanyan. The mediators will offer places for
the ministers’ meeting.

Russian co-chair said that the next meeting of the foreign ministers
can be held in the framework of the meeting of the CIS Foreign
Ministers in Astana on April 25. US co-chair said they can meet in
one of European capitals.

THOUSANDS ATTEND ARMENIAN PM’S FUNERAL
By Hovannes Shoghikian and Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 28 2007

Thousands of people joined Armenia’s top government officials and
politicians on Wednesday to take part in the state funeral of Prime
Minister Andranik Markarian, whose sudden death heightened political
uncertainty in the country.

Markarian, who died Sunday of a heart attack aged 55, was buried in
the national Komitas Pantheon after a lengthy funeral service that
began from his Yerevan apartment in the morning.

Hundreds of cars and buses slowly moved behind his coffin, placed on
an artillery caisson and surrounded by honor guard, towards the city
center. The procession briefly stopped outside the headquarters of
Markarian’s Republican Party (HHK) and the nearby main government
building before the body was taken to Yerevan’s State Opera House
where it lay in state for three hours.

Big crowds that gathered outside the building then filed past the open
coffin as President Robert Kocharian and top government officials and
prominent politicians took turns to stand guard over it. The ceremony
was broadcast live by state television.

Markarian’s body was carried through the city center to the Pantheon
after a prayer service led by Catholicos Garegin II, head of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. In an eulogy read out at the burial site,
parliament speaker Tigran Torosian, who is also a senior member of
the HHK, paid tribute to his longtime associate.

"For our state and our people, the loss of is immense and sorrow
infinitely deep," Torosian said. "But today … we can also see that
there is a lot we can draw comfort from." "Andranik Markarian will
be remembered as a remarkable statesman who distinguished himself
with a unique style and pronounced personality," he added.

Opposition politicians attending the ceremony also heaped praise on
the deceased premier, saying that he tolerated dissent and always
sought dialogue with his political opponents. "In my view, the most
important trait of Andranik Markarian was his kindness," said Artur
Baghdasarian, the former parliament speaker whose Orinats Yerkir
Party was part of the HHK-led governing coalition until last year.

Another well-known opposition parliamentarian, Arshak Sadoyan,
described Markarian as a "bridge between the government and the
opposition."

The funeral service was also attended by foreign dignitaries
representing over a dozen states and international organizations.

"Armenia has lost its great son, and I have lost a friend," one of
them, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, told reporters.

"He felt bad for Armenia’s isolation and was confident that Armenia
will be a free and democratic country," said Russian Transport Minister
Igor Levitin.

The U.S. government was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State Matthew Bryza. "Prime Minister Markarian was a very good
and constructive partner," he said. "I had the honor to know him
personally."

Bryza refused to comment on political implications of the Armenian
premier’s death. "It’s really difficult to make predictions, and I
won’t do that because today is a very sad day," he explained.

Wednesday was an official day of mourning in Armenia, with flags on
government buildings and Armenian diplomatic missions abroad flying
at half-mast and television channels broadcasting mainly somber music.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH FM CALLS FOR JOINT COMMITTEE WITH ARMENIA

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
March 28 2007

The complex political history and dynamics of that tumultuous period
are yet to be fully grasped, wrote Gul.

Guncelleme: 18:30 TSÝ 28 Mart 2007 Carþamba

ANKARA – Turkey is keen to set up a joint committee with Armenia to
investigate the circumstances surrounding the so-called Armenian
genocide, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in comments
published Wednesday.

Haberin devamý

Turkey was eager to work with Armenia to conduct research on the
allegations that the Ottoman Empire committed an act of genocide
against its Armenian citizens during the First World War and would
abide by the study’s findings, Gul said in an article he wrote for
the Washington Times.

"I hereby extend an invitation to any third country, including the
United States, to contribute to this commission by appointing scholars
who will earnestly work to shed light on this tragedy and open ways
for us to come together," Gul wrote.

The Foreign Minister said that it was unfortunate that Armenian
lobbying organisations were determined to politicise the past and
impose their view of history without any regard to the overriding
and lasting interests of the United States or Armenia.

"The historical period in question centres on 1915, when immense
mutual suffering occurred amid the atrocities of World War I," he
wrote. "Countless individual stories have been passed from generation
to generation among Turks, Armenians and others who then made up the
Ottoman Empire. But the complex political history and dynamics of that
tumultuous period are yet to be fully grasped. Each life lost is one
too many, whether it is Armenian or Turkish. It is truly regrettable
that there is no mention today of Turkish or Muslim lives lost during
the same period."

–Boundary_(ID_dPKNWx0a/LjbYGnvLUQb sA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN FEDERATION COUNCIL CHIEF: 2007 SHOULD BE PROMISING IN THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Sergey Mironov, chief of the Russia’s Federation Council had a meeting
in Baku Slavic University, APA reports. Mr. Mironov first met with
the President of the University Kamal Abdulla and following this,
met with the students and made speech.

The chief said that he met with speaker Ogtay Asadov and Prime
Minister Artur Rasizade in the first half of the day. Mr. Mironov
noted that they discussed economic cooperation and other issues of
mutual interest at the meetings.

"Our positions on international problems coincide," he said.

Being satisfied with the attitude towards the Russian language Sergey
Mironov said both nations have common history.

"I would like to underline the role of Azerbaijani people and Baku
oil in the victory of the Great Patriotic war. Russia supports
Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and development. The relations between
the two countries have elevated to a new stage, and the presidents’
dialogue has a positive character. Security in the South Caucasus is
of special importance in Azerbaijan-Russia relations. We consider
that all problems in the region should be solved peacefully with
participation of all parties. We are ready to actively mediate in
this issue," he said.

Commenting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Sergey Mironov said that
2007 should be a promising year in the solution of the problem.

"At least a new approach to the conflict should be found. Russia,
as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group is ready to do its best for
the parties to reach an agreement," he said.

UNESCO MAKES MORE EFFORTS TO SEND MISSION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

UNESCO is making more efforts to negotiate with the Azerbaijani and
Armenian governments to send a mission to the occupied Azerbaijani
territories, UNESCO’s office in Paris told the APA.

The sides have not agreed on the exact date of the visit, composition
of the mission and places to be monitored, as there is divergence
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian governments.

THE BEST MARKETS FOR EXPAT ENTREPRENEURS
Mary Crane

Forbes, NY
March 28 2007

So opening that local coffee shop or taking over the family business
just won’t cut it? You’re craving adventure and eye-popping growth?

Sure, there is plenty of action in India and China, where big boys
like Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT – news – people ), Citigroup (nyse:
C – news – people ) and Intel (nasdaq: INTC – news – people ) have
made deep inroads. But for entrepreneurs with vision, patience,
an appetite for risk and command of a second language (or two),
there are plenty of opportunities in even more exotic locales.

Indeed, emerging economies–defined here as those not included in
the 30 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development–now make up more than half of the world’s economic
horsepower. By 2050, they will account for nearly 78% of total output,
estimates a 2007 report by business services firm Grant Thornton.

In Pictures: 20 Emerging Markets To Watch

"In general, you make money in countries [that] are currently not
doing that well … but over the next five or 10 years, they’ll grow,"
says Simeon Djankov, chief economist at the World Bank and co-author
of the World Bank’s Doing Business series on business environments
in emerging markets.

While the outsourcing trend has grabbed headlines in recent years,
a small cadre of U.S. entrepreneurs is setting up shop abroad–mostly
in the real estate, architecture, education, information technology
and medical device fields, according to the U.S. & Foreign Commercial
Service.

Of course, some countries are more hospitable to business than
others. Ocean views don’t mean much if you can’t enforce a contract
or fire incompetent employees. In India, for example, enforcing a
simple commercial contract takes 56 procedures and nearly four years,
notes the World Bank, while in Venezuela, workers who earn less than
1.5 times the minimum wage can’t be fired. Meanwhile, in Brazil,
it takes an average of 152 days to start a business, compared with
just five days in the U.S.

Another other huge hassle: corruption. Take Africa. On top of the
devastation wrought by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, corruption devours $148
billion per year–25% of Africa’s gross domestic product–and increases
the cost of goods by as much as 20%, estimates the African Union.

So where are the most promising locales? Eastern Europe’s Georgia was
last year’s top reformer, according to the World Bank’s 2007 Doing
Business report, which ranks countries based on regulatory reforms
that enhance business activity. Georgia made strides in six of 10
categories, including the time it takes to start a business, dealing
with licenses, employing workers, getting credit, cross-border trade
and enforcing contracts.

Policy makers hope regulatory reform and a crackdown on corruption
will buy Georgia a ticket into the European Union and NATO. Last year,
the minimum capital needed to start a new business in Georgia fell
90%, to 200 lari ($79), and the average number of days to resolve
commercial disputes fell from 375 to 285.

Georgia isn’t the only serious reformer in Eastern Europe. Neighbors
Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia get high pro-business marks for their
post-Soviet reforms. Latvia, in particular, is clocking double-digit
growth rates in real gross domestic product as it continues to open
its markets, privatize businesses and reform courts.

Another up-and-coming region is Latin America. Safer and more
stable these days, Chile has emerged as one of South America’s
strongest and freest economies. Over the years, it has signed 57
free-trade agreements, including one with the U.S. (The downside:
rampant poverty.)

As for the Far East, Singapore is the easiest country in the world in
which to start and run a business, says the World Bank. The city-state
boasts low corruption and one of the world’s busiest ports. It is
also one of the most expensive emerging markets, ranking 14th on this
year’s Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey
of 130 cities worldwide.

A country’s overall political stability is still another big
issue when considering where to set up shop. Thanks to government
incentives, Malaysia has become a good place to start a manufacturing
plant. However, beware the tensions among the hodgepodge of Malay,
Chinese, Indian and other ethnic groups.

Post-Soviet Armenia has embraced trade, made legal reforms, privatized
state-owned enterprises and slashed inflation to 2.9% since joining
the World Trade Organization in 2003. Too bad an ongoing conflict
with neighboring Azerbaijan over the primarily Armenian region of
Nagorno-Karabakh has turned off a big trade partner, Turkey.

Fiji is the largest and most developed economy in the South Pacific,
with relatively low inflation (3%) and low interest rates. But don’t
let the ocean views fool you: The country has suffered four military
coups in 20 years, the most recent in 2006.

Clearly, adventure-seeking entrepreneurs shouldn’t make a move on
a whim. First, get a feel for your country of choice by meeting
with other entrepreneurs already doing business there. It’s also
worth taking a few business trips overseas to find a local business
partner. (In some countries, many in the Middle East, it’s a legal
necessity.)

Some resources to help drum up reliable partners and navigate local
business rules include the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial
Service, which has trade offices in over 80 countries, and one of
the 104 U.S. Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries.

And if you still want to do business with customers back home, be
sure your country of choice has bilateral or regional trade agreements
with the U.S. Bon voyage!

ARMENIAN DELEGATION RECEIVED BY ARDAHAN GOVERNOR

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2007

ARDAHAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 27, the
Armenian delegation led by RA Deputy Minister of Culture G. Gyurjian
entered Turkey through the territory of Georgia for the purpose of
taking part in opening of Akhtamar’s Surb Khach Church.

According to Marmara of Istanbul, the same day, late in the evening,
the delegation was received by Ardahan Governor Murad Y. The Governor
also presented his condolences in connection with the death of RA
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. At the end of the reception the
Deputy Armenian Minister of Culture and the Ardahan Governor answered
journalists’ questions.

Then the Armenian delegation left for Kars.

PARTY LEADER DROPS OUT OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY RACE AMID ALLEGED PRESSURE

Aravot, Yerevan
28 Mar 07 pp 1, 3

The text of Anna Israyelyan report in Armenian newspaper Aravot
published on 28 March headlined "Time came and we saw ‘payback.’ Did
Samvel Babayan yield because of pressure, or…?"

In the summer of 2006, Dashink party leader Samvel Babayan told Radio
Liberty [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty], "No one should be sure
that he can do fraud and not be held accountable on the spot." When
he was asked who would be the one to hold accountable, Babayan said:
"Time will come, and you will see."

The politician, who made such a big statement, withdrew his candidacy
yesterday [27 March] from electoral constituency No 37 [in Syunik
Region]. This is how Gnel Ghlechyan, the secretary of the Dashink
political council, explained one of the reasons for this withdrawal:
"What was going in the electoral constituency No 37 is a shame. One
could see blatant violations of law at almost every step months before
the election. This, of course, has affected our decision."

In his interviews with A1+, Radio Liberty and Arminfo yesterday,
Ghlechyan was offering the same texts to explain [Samvel Babayan’s]
withdrawal. One of the reasons is that the state machine has begun
to use administrative and financial resources as well as pressure
to secure its candidate’s victory. Does this mean that former Goris
mayor Samvel Harutyunyan, who is a candidate in the same constituency
and whose candidacy will be supported by Dashink – as the party said
yesterday – has more financial resources or he can fight against the
authorities more efficiently? It is not credible, to say the least.

This is why journalists wondered whether the authorities’ pressure was
the real reason for the withdrawal. "No. There has been no pressure
or threats against Samvel Babayan," Ghlechyan said, adding that the
decision has also nothing to do with the recent rumours about Dashink,
calling those rumours absurd. "Nothing like that has happened,"
he said.

It would be right for the Dashink members to coordinate their
statements because what Ghlechayan – the third on the party list of
candidates – denies, has been confirmed by Hmayak Hovhannisyan – the
fourth on the party list- in the 168 Zham newspaper’s 24 March issue.

In connection with the rumours that one of Samvel Babayan’s bodyguards
was detained on charges of illegal weapon possession, Hovhannisyan had
said, "There were no weapons. It was an effort to instigate something
we have not done. In our reality, such things happen to politicians
with an effort to use psychological pressure with the aim of pushing
them to adopt a milder, restricted and fearful position. In our case,
this cannot be successful, because the members of the team that
Babayan leads is not cowards, and will not yield to psychological
pressure. Simply, some representatives of law-enforcement agencies
had not calculated their own abilities, and tried to put pressure on
our team using rough methods."

Apparently, the pressure was successful. However, instead of admitting
this, Ghlechyan tried to blame the opposition. "Some political forces
claiming to be oppositionist and entitled to have members in the
electoral commissions had earlier promised to cooperate in thwarting
election fraud but they do not act according to their words. According
to the information we have, they cooperate with the authorities,
they have sold their places [in electoral commissions]." He refused
to name concrete names. The Justice bloc, the National Unity party
[of Artashes Geghamyan] and the Orinats Yerkir party of [former
parliament speaker Artur Baghdasaryan] have representatives in
electoral commissions. Yesterday, they were very surprised about
Ghlechyan ‘s statement but refused to comment because Ghlechyan did
not offer specific names. It is unlikely that those names will ever
be mentioned because the truth seems to be different.

According to the Radio Liberty, Babayan has been given a certificate
that he is a permanent resident of Armenia [a requirement for
candidates] in exchange for withdrawal of his candidacy in the
constituency No 37. Otherwise, he would be prevented from running
under the proportional representation system, too.

ARMENIA BURIES PRIME MINISTER
Story by Onnik Krikorian

EurasiaNet, NY
March 28 2007

Armenia said farewell March 28 to the longest serving prime minister
in its short history as an independent, post-Soviet state. Andranik
Markarian died on March 25 from a heart attack less than two months
before pivotal parliamentary elections.

Although the 55-year-old prime minister was known to be in poor health
and was a frequent visitor overseas for heart disease treatments,
his death nonetheless came as a shock to many. The event might well
prove one of the most significant political developments before
the May parliamentary vote, which is being framed as an important
democratization test for the South Caucasus state. [For details,
see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The political ramifications of Markarian’s death are so far unknown,
but any speculation on how it will affect the ruling Republican Party,
of which he was chairman, was lost on the hundreds of Armenian citizens
who converged on his home to pay their respects at a March 27 wake
intended for relatives, friends and political associates.

Hundreds waited for as long as two hours to get their chance to enter
his modest apartment, situated in a typical Soviet era block on the
outskirts of the capital, Yerevan.

That affinity for the ordinary may be how many people, including his
political opponents, many of whom attended the wake, will remember
Markarian. He had served as Armenia’s prime minister since 2000.

Although many Armenian officials are renowned for their lavish
lifestyles, the late prime minister was generally considered a more
modest man, known for treating political rivals and citizens alike
as his equals.

Delegations from the United States, Russia, Greece, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe and fellow members of the Commonwealth of Independent
States were among those attending the funeral at the State Academic
Opera & Ballet Theater in central Yerevan. Turkey, which, along with
Azerbaijan, has no diplomatic relations with Armenia, sent its Georgian
ambassador to the ceremony.

Editor’s Note: Onnik Krikorian is a freelance journalist and
photographer from the United Kingdom based in the Republic of Armenia.

US AMBASSADOR TO OSCE: "THIS IS MY FIRST VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN"

Today, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

"This is my first visit to Azerbaijan and aims to be familiar with
the country," US Ambassador to OSCE Julie Finley said.

She said that the discussions with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov focused on the economic boom in Azerbaijan and the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.

The Ambassador said they discussed human trafficking with the
representatives of NGOs.

Ms. Finley was satisfied with her visit. "I hope it will not be my
last visit to Azerbaijan," she said, APA reports.

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