Month: March 2007

AZERBAIJAN IS COUNT OF EU SUPPORT FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 22 2007

Belgium, Brussels / corr. Trend R.Emilli / The Deputy Foreign Minister
of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov, said at the press conference in Brussels
that Azerbaijan should become closer to a new stage of relations with
EU as partners and as partners integrated as a whole, Trend Special
Correspondent reports.

" Azerbaijan and other partner nations could build up mutually
effective and beneficial relations, probably serving the goal of
development and progress in the South Caucasus," he said. According to
him, within his visit to Brussels, he also reported on the policies
of Azerbaijan, regional concerns and risks. "We have concluded a
memorandum on energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan in
November last year. Today we are implementing this memorandum which
will take Azerbaijan to a better place in terms of development of
internal infrastructures as well as energy saving policies and the
search for alternative energy sources as well as to develop democratic
majors in energy market inside," Azimov said.

"Relations with neighboring countries and that is to be said that
we are concerned with the developments on the south. And we hope
that issues will be solved peacefully. We are concerned with the
situation in our conflict zone and we hope that we can count on the
support of the EU and for which I was pledged by the way, in terms
of political settlement. A settlement that will bring Azerbaijan and
Armenia together as one region of Karabakh within the territorially
integrally Azerbaijan provided with self rule states and making
outreach economically and culturally to international community.

Guarantees for that will be provided by international community jointly
including by EU. Azerbaijan is ready to contribute. There is no war
solution to the conflict. But probably Azerbaijan will continue to
stand of the principled position. Any territorial secession will
not be accepted. There is only one chance to build peace. That is
within the territorial framework of Azerbaijan. That should clearly be
explained and understood by the Armenian side. I hope that there shall
be pluralism in Armenia about solutions of the conflict and I hope
that at least a few people there will speak in favour of peace with
Azerbaijan and in favour of a settlement on the basis of principles,"
Azimov said.

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER: RUSSIA PLAYS A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN NEGOTIATIONS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 22 2007

During his speech on 21 March at Middle Asia and Caucasus Institute
of Jon Hopkins in Washington, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan,
Elmar Mammadyarov stated that Russia plays a constructive role in
the negotiations regarding the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement.

"Based on talks with the Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, I can
say that the Russian representative plays a very constructive role,"
Mammadyarov said. "Prior to the recent meeting of the Foreign Ministers
of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva, a meeting took place in Moscow. My
talks with the Foreign Minister of Russia, Lavrov, concurred with
Azerbaijan in that we need to move forward. I positively assess the
role of Russia," Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister said.

According to Mammadyarov, within its foreign policy role,
Azerbaijan’s top priority is the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. "Nagorno-Karabakh is a very sensitive issue for the
people of the two countries," he said. "Over the past 15 years of
negotiations, we were close to reaching an agreement several times,
but at the final moment, certain events occurred which prevented this
from taking place. I feel that now is the appropriate time to regulate
the conflict. We should take each step at a time so as to achieve
great confidence between the two nations," Mammadyarov stressed.

According to the Azerbaijani Minister, we believe that the prompt
settlement of the conflict is in the interest of Armenia and its
national security. "It is obvious that a political decision should
be taken step by step in order to strengthen the confidence between
the countries and to establish economic co-operation, resulting in
the withdrawal of troops and involvement of the peacemakers. This is
reality. The sooner the Head of Armenia understands this, the better
it will be for Armenia and the region in general. "We are continuing
negotiations regarding the principles of the settlement. We have
succeeded to a certain extent, but there is still more to do,"
Mammadyarov said.

ALIEV’S UNREALIZED CHILDISH DREAMS TO PLAY A WAR
By A. Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
22/03/2007

In spite of statements by the OSCE Minsk Group mediators and other
interested structures, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev continues
his revelations with childish zest. "The power of the Azerbaijani
army and high rates of economic growth leave no doubts about the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict to the benefit of Azerbaijan,"
he said during celebrations of Novrooz.

Counting huge sums oil-dollars Aliev seems to have improved his skills
in mathematics. According to his calculations, Azerbaijan’s economy
is at present 7 times stronger than that of Armenia, but 2 or three
years are still necessary for Azerbaijan to have absolute advantage
of Armenia.

Without being deeply interested in Aliev’s plots, one thing we can
say: it’s evident that Aliev wishes war and is trying to persuade
himself that Azerbaijan can afford it.

105 FLATS BUILT FOR REFUGEES WITHIN THE FRAMES OF A GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM IN NKR IN 2006

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 22 2007

The Department of Migration, Migrants and Refugees under the
Nagorno-Karabagh Republic government has registered about 3840
families.

According to the Department’s data, in 2006 105 flats were built for
the refugees, 38 apartments repaired and 26 houses built or restored,
DE FACTO own correspondent in Stepanakert reports. 1022, 8 millions
drams, or over 98 % of the funds the NKR state budget granted the
department were used with that end in view. 1449 families of refugees
received privileges established by the government.

The work on ensuring refugees with housing will be continued in
2008-2010.

TELEGRAMS OF CONDOLENCES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
March 22 2007

President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Mr. Tigran Torosyan sent telegrams of condolences to Mr. Boris
Gryzlov, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the
Russian Federation and Mr. Sergey Mironov, Chairman of the Council
of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation:
"On behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and
I personally express deep condolences for the casualties with regard
to tragic events in Samara, Kemerovo and Krasnodar territory.

I sincerely grieve and present condolences to you, to all Russian
people, families and relatives of the victims."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VISIT OF PACE FACT FINDING MISSION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS POSTPONED

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
March 22 2007

Mr. Christopher Grayson, Head of the Secretariat on Culture, Science
and Education Committee in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), informed the delegation of the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia in PACE that the Fact Finding Mission in
the South Caucasus of Mr. Edward O’Hara (Great Britain), Rapporteur
of the Subcommittee on the Cultural Heritage, scheduled in April,
2007 will not take place.

The postponement of the visit is conditioned by the Rapporteur’s
workload in his constituency. PACE will touch upon the new terms
of the visit during the regular meeting of the Subcommittee on the
Cultural Heritage to be held in PACE April session in 2007.

STRUGGLE FULL OF LOVE

A1+
[08:33 pm] 22 March, 2007

PA member Vardan Bostanjyan hopes their party will gain the majority
of votes in the upcoming NA elections. He is also pretty sure that
over 370000 party members as well as their relatives will remain
faithful to them. Why do so many people follow this party? "It is
conditioned with the party chairman.

Even if we pursue democratic ideology, the concept of a good leader
has always been contemporary."

Vardan Bostanjyan assures they do not collect passports,"Our party is
proud, proud of ourselves together with the proportional ticket. This
is a party that loves its country. We strive for the prosperity of
the country. Our party can give a clear picture of a good opposition,"
he stated.

As to Vardan Bostanjyan, Gagik Tsarukyan has always paid his
taxes. To prove, the authorities have never brought an action against
him. According to the speaker, Gagik Tsarukyans’ posters do not speak
about preaching. They are still expected.

In fact, the dispute among PA and ARP members in Erebuny Community
was also a "love manifestation."

Vardan Bostanjyan introduced the incidents as a fleeting encounter
and nothing serious.

RISE IN KINDERGARTEN FEES

A1+
[06:58 pm] 22 March, 2007

Parents have to pay 15 lari instead of 8 lari per month for their kids
to attend kindergartens. This is due to ammendments made to Georgia
regulations on November 11, 2006. Accordingly, the kindergartens have
gained the status of juridical persons.

"We have formed our regional regulations affirmed by Akhalkalak
region. In compliance with the above mentioned we have become a
separate institution with our own balance, own seal, bank account and
stamp,’ informed Margarita Alvertsyan, director of #2 Kindergarten
in Akhaltskha region.

Before this decision he kindergartens used to be under the
subordination of Ministry of Education and Science in Georgia,
whereas it is now under local regional committee.

Due to the present regulations, each worker should be paid full staff
which is 160 lari (about 95 USD); the director’s salary is 200 lari
(about 118 USD).

Namely, the funding and technical secure are fulfilled by regional
budget and parental payments, as well as additional financial
resources.

SIX MEMBER DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR TURKEY

Panorama.am
18:50 22/03/2007

The composition of the delegation to leave for the opening ceremony
of St. Cross Church in Turkey is clear, Gayane Durgaryan, public
relations officer of the ministry of culture and youth affairs,
told a news conference today.

In her words, Mkrtich Minasyan, chairman of architects union,
Artiom Grigoryan, head of cultural monument preservation agency,
Ruben Safrastyan, director of Academy of Sceinces Eastern Studies
Institute, Pavel Avetisyan, director of Academy of Sciences Institute
of Archeology and Ethnography and Murad Hasratyan, PHD in architecture
will leave for Turkey. Gagik Giurjyan, deputy minister of culture
and youth affairs, will head the delegation.

PA BOAD MEMBER SAYS HIS PARTY DOES NOT USE COERCION FOR VOTES

Panorama.am
18:49 22/03/2007

"Prosperous Armenia has no problem of collecting passports or applying
to coercion," Vardan Bostanjyan, member of Prosperous Armenia (PA)
political board, told a news conference today, asked about the
incidences of collecting passports by the party members. He assured
that such incidences are impossible with PA.

>>From our side, we must say that we have witnessed cases when people
stand in queues with their passports in front of pre-election unit of
Araik Aghababyan, a PA candidate for the mayor of Armavir. Bostanjyan
believes both candidates for Armavir mayor have equal chances to win.

Reminder: Two candidates run for the post of Armavir mayor, one from
the Armenian Republican Party (HHK) and another from PA.