Month: July 2007

RUSSIAN ‘INDUSTRIAL INVESTORS’ ACQUIRE ARMENIAN GOLD-MINER

arminfo
2007-07-04 22:01:00

Signing of a contract about sale of the Ararat Gold Recovery Company
(AGRC) is expected the next week between the "Madneuli" Georgian
Company, the owner of which is the "Industrial Investors" Russian
financial-industrial group and the chief beneficiary is the Russian
oligarch Sergey Generalov, and the Vedanta Indian Corporation, a
source in one of the biggest British Consulting companies told ArmInfo.

According to the source, the deal may sum to $80 mln-$100
mln. Consultations on a specific price are still underway, while a
memorandum about intentions was signed last Sunday. Earlier, Director
General of AGRC B.K. Sharma told ArmInfo that 30 companies took
part initially in the contest on sale of AGRC assets. Afterwards,
only 3-4 companies remained after aggravation of relations with RA
government. B. K. Sharma emphasized that the Company’s management
did not agree with the tax claims of the state at the rate of $12
mln. These claims were presented as a result of inspections of AGRC
activity in a period from 2000 to 2006. In the issue, the management
of Vedanta, owning the AGRC assets, had to start searching the buyers.

To recall, the shares of Madneuli ore mining and processing company
passed on to the Russian Group via its subsidiary "Stranton Equits
Corporation" British Company at $51,1 mln. The AGRC exploits the
Sodk gold deposit in Armenia, the reserves of which are estimated of
80 tons.

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK REGISTERS NEW BRANCHES OF ARMBUSINESSBANK AND ARMECONOMBANK

arminfo
2007-07-06 12:50:00

The Central Bank of Armenia (CB) has registered new branches of
Armbusinessbank (ABB) and Armeconombank, CB press-service told
ArmInfo. CB Chairman made a relevant decision on July 3 2007.

These are the new branches of ABB: Stepanakert (Stepanakert city,
st.Lusavorich 31), Vardanants (Yerevan city, st. Vardanats 6/1)
and Kajaran (town of Kajaran, st. Lernagortsi 15 ). The new branches
of Armeconombank are Noragavit (Yerevan, st.Arshakunyats 127/2). In
addition, the CB registered the new address Nor Horizon UCC branch
Vanadzor (town of Vanadzor, st. Tigran Mets 48/1).

As of January 1 2007, ABB branch network comprised 1 branch in the
capital city, and Armeconombank had 43 branches (18 in the capital
city, 24 in regions and 1 in NKR). Armeconombank occupies the third
position in the banking system of Armenia by the number of affiliated
banks.

Nor Horizon UCC, which was licensed by the CB in March 2006, had 4
branched in the towns of Ijevan, Sevan, Kapan and Vanadzor.

CANDIDATES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC
Armen Abgarian

KarabakhOpen
06-07-2007 15:30:14

Armen Abgarian was born on November 30, 1959 in the town of
Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabakh.

In 1976, he finished Stepanakert secondary school N8.

In 1981, he graduated from the Physics-Mathematics Department of the
Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute.

The same year, Armen Abgarian started his job at the Stepanakert Wine
Factory as the Chief Engineer on safety measures.

Between 1981-1983, he served in the USSR armed forces, where he got
the rank of lieutenant.

In 1983-1992, Armen Abgarian worked as a senior engineer of the civic
defense service at the Stepanakert Motor-transport Association.

He was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and was
elected Secretary of the Party organization.

Since October 1992, he had worked as Deputy Chairman of the NKR
Self-defense Committee, since September 1994 – Deputy Commander of
the NKR Defense Army on rear issues, and in June 1999 – January 2000 –
NKR Deputy Defense Minister on Rear and Armament.

He left the armed forces voluntarily.

Currently, Armen Abgarian is a Deputy of the NKR National Assembly.

In 2005, he was elected a member of the Board of "Yerkrapa" Volunteers’
Association.

A. Abgarian has government awards.

In 1997, he was awarded the golden medal of the "Industrialists’
and Entrepreneurs’ Association of Armenia".

Armen Abgarian is non-party.

He is married and has three children.

VANYA AVANESIAN

Vanya Avanesian was born on November 18, 1934 in the town of
Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabakh.

He finished Stepanakert secondary school N2.

The same year, he entered the Azizbekov Industrial Institute of
Azerbaijan, and in 1956, having graduated from it, was assigned for
practical training.

In 1957, V. Avanesian was transferred to the problem laboratory of
hydromechanics at the Scientific-Research and Engineering Institute
in the city of Baku as a research officer.

In 1962, he entered the post-graduate courses at the Industrial
Institute of Azerbaijan.

In 1956, he upheld a Ph.D. thesis and got the scientific rank of
Candidate of Technical Sciences.

In 1966, Vanya Avanesian was appointed a research officer at the
Armenian Scientific-Research Institute on Waters and Water Engineering.

In 1967-1971, he worked at the Engineering Department of the Yerevan
Veterinary and Zoo-veterinary Institute as an Assistant Professor.

In 1971, he was appointed the Head of the Construction Mechanics and
Resistance of Materials Department at the Construction Institute in
the town of Ust-Kamenogorsk, and in 1976 – Professor at the Polytechnic
Institute in the town of Orenburg.

In 1978, V. Avanesian was appointed a senior research officer at the
Krasnodar All-Union Scientific-Research Institute.

In 1979, he was appointed the Dean of the Physics-Mathematics
Department at the Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute. Later, he occupied
the positions of Department Head and Professor at the same Institute.

In 1988, V. Avanesian upheld a doctoral thesis in Moscow.

Between 1998-2002, he worked as the Rector of the Stepanakert Technical
University.

Currently, he works at the Artsakh State University as a
Doctor-Professor.

He is awarded the Artsakh State University medal.

In 2001, by a corresponding decree of the NKR President, V. Avanesian
was awarded the "Anania Shirakatsi" medal.

He has over 107 published scientific works and books, and over
80 scientific, scientific-methodical, and educational articles in
different newspapers.

Vanya Avanesian is a member of the Democratic Party of Artsakh.

He is married, has a son and two grandsons.

MASIS MAYILIAN

Masis Mayilian was born on September 14, 1967, in the town of
Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabakh.

Between 1974-1984, he studied at Stepanakert secondary school N8.

In 1984, he entered and in 1991 graduated from the Physics-Mathematics
Department of the Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute.

Between 1986-1988, M. Mayilian served in the Soviet Army.

In 1991-1992, he studied post-graduate courses at the Armenian State
Pedagogical Institute, specializing in "social psychology."

>From 1992 to 1993, Masis Mayilian was the leading specialist of the
Information and Press Department at the NKR State Defense Committee.

In 1993, with the creation of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
he moved to the Ministry where he served in different positions,
including Head of the International Organizations Section, Head of the
International Organizations Department, Advisor to the Minister, Head
of the Political Department, and since 2001 – Deputy Foreign Minister.

In 1998, he studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Has the
qualification of a Euro-policy specialist.

Since 1993, M. Mayilian had been a member of the NKR delegation at
the bilateral and multilateral negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement held under the mediation of the OSCE and Russian
Federation.

Masis Mayilian has the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary.

Besides Armenian, he masters also the Russian and English languages.

He is non-party.

Masis Mayilian is married and has two children.

HRANT MELKUMIAN

Hrant Melkumian was born on April 4, 1951 in the town of Stepanakert,
Nagorno Karabakh.

He studied at Stepanakert secondary school N1, then he was transferred
to the night school in Stepanakert, math-biased class.

In 1974, he graduated from the Mechanical Machine-building Department
of the Yerevan Polytechnic University. He is an engineer-mechanic.

After graduating from the University, H. Melkumian worked as a designer
at the decorative watches factory in Yerevan.

In 1975, he moved to Stepanakert and worked at the electro-technical
factory, later – at the Regional Committee of the NK Young Communists’
League (YCL).

In 1977, Hrant Melkumian was elected the Chairman of the NK Regional
Council of Inventors and Innovators.

In April 1980, he passed to Party activity, first as an instructor at
the industrial department of the NK Communist Party Regional Committee,
then as the Second Secretary of the Stepanakert Municipal Committee,
and later – the First Secretary.

In 1986, H. Melkumian graduated from the Higher Party School of the
CPSU Central Committee as a political scientist.

Since the first days of the Karabakh National Movement, he has been
one of its active participants.

In 1989, he was elected a member of the National Council.

Since 1991, H. Melkumian had worked as the chief engineer of the
"Artsakh-Onyx" company, director of the Shushi radio factory, and
lecturer at the Technical Sciences Department of the Artsakh State
University.

Since October 1996, he had worked at the NKR Ministry of Urban
Development.

Since November 1998, H. Melkumian had worked at different departments
of the NKR Government Office.

Since December 2002, he has headed the Inspection Service of the NKR
Government Office.

In 2001, Hrant Melkumian was elected the First Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Nagorno-Karabakh Communist Party.

He is married and has three children.

BAKO SAHAKIAN

Bako Sahakian was born on August 30 in the town of Stepanakert,
Nagorno Karabakh.

In 1977, he finished Stepanakert secondary school N1.

B. Sahakian graduated from the Law Department of the Artsakh State
University.

Between 1978-1980, he served in the Soviet Army.

In 1981, he worked at Stepanakert industrial mechanized complex #
9 as machinist. A year later, he was transferred to the Stepanakert
construction materials complex as a stone-crush master.

In 1983-1987, B. Sahakian worked at the Stepanakert branch of the
Scientific Department on Restoring Old Monuments as a master-restorer.

Between 1987-1990, he worked at the Regional Provision Department as
a provider.

Since 1988, B. Sahakian has been an active participant of the Karabakh
Movement.

In 1990, he entered the NKR Self-defense Forces.

In 1992-1993, he worked as the Deputy Head of the NKR Self-defense
Committee on rear issues.

In 1993-1995, B. Sahakian was appointed the Head of the Rear
Headquarters of the NKR Defense Army.

Between 1995-1996 he worked as Deputy Commander of the NKR DA on
Foreign Relations.

In 1996-1997, B. Sahakian worked as Deputy Commander of the 10th
Mountain-rifle Division of the NKR DA on rear issues.

Between 1997-1999, he worked as Assistant to the NKR Minister of
Internal Affairs and Chief of the State National Security Department.

In 1999-2001, he held the post of the NKR Minister of Internal Affairs.

Since 2001, Bako Sahakian had held the position of Head of the NKR
State National Security Department – Director of the NKR National
Security Service.

He was awarded the 1st degree "Battle Cross", "Vazgen Sargisian
Sparapet", and the Russian Federation 1st degree "Peter the Great"
Orders, the 1st degree "Merits Before the Motherland" medal, as well
as many other medals.

Bako Sahakian is a real member of the RF Academy on Security, Defense,
and Law and Order Issues.

He is married and has two children.

FIRE-FIGHTING GOES ON IN THE NKR

KarabakhOpen
06-07-2007 12:36:09

Since the end of May of 2007, there have been periodical fires along
the line of contact of the NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces. The NKR
Rescue Service is engaged in localization and fire extinguishing. In
case of necessity the servicemen of the NKR Defence Army, as well as
the civilians come to assist the Rescue Service.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service’s operative department
Ashot Verdyan, 24-hour duty has been established in the corresponding
zones in all the districts, the number of field fire-rescue points
(with a fire-mashine and a fire fighters brigade ) increases 5 times
compared with last year (there were 18 points in 2006, and 23 –
in 2007).

"We react operatively to the alarms of fires and undertake
corresponding measures immediately. Under the conditions of techniques
lack the fire brigade makes heroism. Last year’s experience of
fire-fighting now helps the successful localization and prevention
of fires. In case of large-scale fires several cars are enabled
simultaneously, servicemen and civilians come to assist. Besides
the regular points, there are movable posts – by driving around on
"UAZes" we control the corresponding territories", Ashot Verdyan noted.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service fire- rescue department
Samvel Hayrumyan, due to the preventive measures the number of fires
has been significantly reduced in comparison with last year. According
to the data of July 4, 13 hectares of planted areas were burnt in the
Hadrut district, 6 hectares in Martouni and 10 hectares in Martakert.

Head of the NKR Rescue Service’s Hadrut fire station Roman Mayilyan
informed that most frequently fires occur in the districts of Horadiz
station, between the posts of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani
armed forces.

"We don’t have any access there, that’s why we can’t surely speak on
the reasons of inflammation. When the fire spreads to our side, we
undertake every effort for localization and fire extinguishing. Our
fire brigade is on an intensified duty. Servicemen and civilians give
help as well", R.Mayilyan noted.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service’s Martakert fire station
Karen Grigoryan, 4 cases of fire were fixed on the territory over the
reporting period and the fire came out from the Azerbaijani side. Fire
fighters and rescuers located in the region undertook corresponding
measures on localization and fire extinguishing. Prophylactic measures
on their prevention have also been taken.

Head of the NKR Rescue Service’s Askeran fire station Artur Daniyelian
told that according to the data of July 4, planted areas did not
catch fire, however, there was a fire which occurred on the territory,
controlled by the Azerbaijani troops, and spread to the front lines
of the NKR Defense Army, then under the influence of wind changed
its direction and did not achieve the posts. On the whole, the fire
enveloped 15 km of areas. The fire fighters and rescuers managed to
put out the fire.

"Evidently the fire came out from the Azerbaijani side. Most probably
having gathered their harvest, in the lowlands it ripens earlier,
the Azerbaijanis burnt down the field. We are ready just now to hold
a joint monitoring with the Azerbaijanis to become convinced of the
real state of affairs", – Artur Daniyelian noted.

In addition, a Republican headquarters, headed by the NKR Minister
of Agriculture Vahram Baghdassaryan, was formed. It aims to ensure
cropping without losses. Representatives of interested structures
including the NKR Rescue Service are the members of the headquarters.

Earlier the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the
Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
expressing concern over numerous cases of fires from Azerbaijani
side across the Line of Contact between armed forces of NKR and
Azerbaijan and urged to conduct a crisis monitoring of the borderline
area. The NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the
timely interference of the Office of Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office would allow avoiding a repeat of the summer
2006 situation, which had been used by Azerbaijani authorities,
in particular, for propaganda and became an additional factor
destabilizing the peace process.

In the other note, the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs called upon the
Office of Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
to take a principled and consistent stand in realisation of the
OSCE Mission’s recommendations, which, as it was noted in the note,
"will allow achieving the goals set in the report and creating an
efficient mechanism for fire prevention along the line of contact,
which may become one of the elements of confidence building measures".

IT IS NOT A SHAME TO DEFEND ONE’S INTERESTS
Naira Hayrumyan

KarabakhOpen
06-07-2007 11:18:33

The situation regarding the Karabakh settlement is so serious that it
must become an issue of public debates, especially in the pre-election
period.

The settlement has undergone important changes over the past few
months.

First, the issues discussed in the talks were revealed. The mediators
propose that we return all the seven territories surrounding Karabakh,
return the Azerbaijani refugees, deploy international force at the
border to provide security, and hold a referendum among Karabakh
Armenians and Azerbaijanis on the status of Karabakh after an
indefinite period.

First Baku criticized this plan because they said it means losing
Karabakh.

Azerbaijan rejected relations with Karabakhis for a long time, with
both government officials and reporters. An anti-Armenian hysteria was
raging there, and the Armenian government built its policy on this:
co-existence is impossible since they are reluctant to even talk to us.

Suddenly, however, something changed. A group of Azerbaijani
activists led by a notorious armenophobe Polad Byul-Byul oghli
arrived in Karabakh. In addition, they did not arrive via Yerevan but
crossed the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border, part of which was specially
demined for this purpose. Statements by the public and political
activists of Azerbaijan followed, including the minister of foreign
affairs. Everyone who has access to the Internet knows what they are
now talking. They say the visit to Karabakh was highly useful and the
people of Karabakh are their citizens and they need to be friendly. At
the same time, President Aliyev states that the liberation of Karabakh
is close.

The visit of the Azerbaijani delegation to Karabakh was somehow
unnoticed in Karabakh. Either everyone is preoccupied with the election
or it was so unexpected that nobody knew how to react. Some people
say they are Azerbaijans, they arrived, so what? They are not the
first. It is true that they are not the first but it is a special
visit, it indicates a change in the political stance of Baku. And it
should be evaluated how favorable this new stance is for us.

It is obvious that the new tendencies in the settlement are not
in our interests. They offer us to exchange real sovereignty with
recognition of the indefinite status of Karabakh. What is Karabakh,
the former Autonomous Region of Nagorno-Karabakh plus Shahumyan or
NKR with its present borders?

It is a very important issue. If we mean the recognition of
independence of the former NKAR, it is not in our interests. And
it is not a matter of pseudo-patriotism or nation’s honor. It is a
matter of basic conditions for life. How do the people of Karabakh
imagine life in the conditions they are offered?

We should not reassure ourselves that someone "over there" thinks for
us. The people are "over there" are also humans, they can be good and
they can be bad. And they surely do not know the people’s thoughts. I
am not fond of demonization of government and I do not think all the
leaders are bad. But a leader must fulfill the will of the people who
elected him. He is not a lord but organizer of public life. Therefore,
it is necessary to ask both the government and the presidential
candidates about their stance on the proposals for the settlement.

Settlement is not an end in itself. If the settlement is worse than
our present state, we need no settlement. We do not want war and
we understand that the status quo and blockade affect our life. But
if the change of the status quo makes our life worse and threatens
our physical security, we need to think in what direction the talks
should be carried on.

It is not a shame to defend one’s interests. On the contrary, it
is how the things should be. Especially if our interests match the
interests of the society. Therefore, we need to work out a distinct
policy on settlement. All the other issues derive from it. Pensions,
demography, building may become meaningless in case the talks are
not favorable for us.

MARTAKERT TO BUILD 2.5 M CU M WATER RESERVOIR

KarabakhOpen
06-07-2007 11:17:58

The construction of the water reservoir on the Khachen river is
underway in the Martakert region. The project is funded by Levon
Hairapetyan, benefactor. The capacity of the "forest lake" will be
2.5 million cu m.

Levon Hairapetyan says the construction of the 26-m high dam costs
7 million dollars. It will last for 3 years. However, along with the
dam tourism infrastructures and a resort area will be laid out. "We
can solve several problems at once: get immense reserves of drinking
water, generate electricity, create jobs for the people of the adjacent
villages and promote development of tourism," Levon Hairapetyan said
in an interview with the Public Television of Karabakh.

Over the past few years Levon Hairapetyan helped reconstruct the
village of Vank, Martakert, which is near the 13th century monastery of
Gandzasar. A modern woodworking factory, a modern hotel with Chinese
cuisine and a resort area were built, a school is being built.

6 THOUSAND HECTARES OF APRICOT ORCHARDS WERE RESTORED

Lragir.am
06-07-2007 16:07:21

The minister of agriculture Davit Lokyan said in his address to
the Armenian Apricot International Conference in Yerevan 6 thousand
hectares of apricot orchards were restored in 2002-2007. He said it is
possible to produce 200 thousand tons of apricots, and the government
is making efforts to use new technologies for processing the harvest.

DASHNAKS WERE SENTENCED FOR DRUG BUSINESS

Lragir.am
06-07-2007 15:30:23

Aram Manukyan, member of the All-Armenian Movement, thinks in
the political sphere of Armenia the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Tigran
Karapetyan are doing the same thing and explained his words with an
example on the ARF Dashnaktsutyun. "Always at the feeding trough of
the government, they say they are opposition to win over opposition’s
votes. They get ministerial posts, head certain sectors, but they
say they are not responsible for the activities of the government."

Aram Manukyan reminds about the days when they were government. Prime
Minister Khosrov Harutiunyan was dismissed because he did not
endorse the government program. "How does the ARF disagree with Serge
Sargsyan when Serge Sargsyan fulfills the strategy and the tactics
of the government?"

Aram Manukyan thinks thereby the ARF Dashnaktsutyun deals with 30
percent of the state budget of Armenia. Aram Manukyan reminded that
when the All-Armenian Movement was government, the members of the
ARF Dashnaktsutyun were sentenced for illegal drug business, some of
them are still in prison, the charges against the released were not
changed. And if there is another problem, "now they have both the
hammer and the nail. Let them take these people out of prison."

DANGEROUS PROPOSAL REGARDING TERRITORIES
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
06-07-2007 11:39:59

The recent frequent statements that the liberated territories
must be settled have an obvious drawback. Nobody who states has
tried at least to outline how the settlement should be launched,
what project or approaches will be used. In this context, a recent
statement could be noted, the author of which is the adviser to NKR
President Arkady Ghukasyan. According to him, it is necessary to
grant the Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan the right of possession
of these territories. Certainly, the approach is clear and maybe even
perceptible. However, if we have a closer look at it, we will notice
that this proposal is but an attempt to legalize the situation in
these territories.

What is the problem? The right of possession does not solve the problem
of settlement of these territories because people do not have finance
and other resources to use this land. Almost the same situation will
occur as during the privatization of land in Armenia. Most people
who owned land could not afford to work it and sold it to richer
people. Meanwhile, it was in the Ararat Valley where working the
land and selling the produce is easier. Now imagine how difficult
it is going to be in the liberated territories where there are no
infrastructures because whatever there was over the past few years
was robbed and appeared in the streets of Yerevan and other cities of
the country in the form of goods. The refugees who will get land will
have to sell it or at best they may be hired to work for the owner who
will buy this land. The buyers of the land in fact own it now. However,
if now this "ownership" does not have a legal or moral ground, in the
case of the offered model people will sell their property or their
portion of the liberated territory to the rich man. In other words,
presently a moral solution of the problem is given.

But will it be helpful to the settlement of the territories? The
author of the proposal thinks if the rich people buy this land,
they will set up businesses, create jobs and found settlements
for their employees. In other words, a business approach is
offered. Consequently, the authors of the proposal want to
interest businessmen rather than refugees to settle down in these
territories. Meanwhile, it contradicts to the approach of the authors
of the proposal that the liberated territories must be compensation for
the Armenian refugees. It will be very difficult and it will appear
very obscure to the world when the refugees sell their compensation
and leave, and the territories are left to some businessmen. Or
they provide compensation to the refugees and then take away the
compensation from them through business methods and turn them into
hired labor whose only interest to live in the liberated territories
is the salary. In other words, they may find a better job and a higher
pay and leave.

Besides, what will happen if Azerbaijan suddenly agrees to provide
compensation to the Armenian refugees? Will the territories lose
their meanng in this case? If we are guided by this logic, they will.

Consequently, this logic is not so "solid" as it may seem. Moreover,
it is highly vulnerable. What is the problem? The problem is that the
world will understand the settlement of the liberated territories
if the humanitarian interests underlies it and not the business
interests. And for Armenia and the Armenians, this settlement will
be effective if instead of hired labor dignified citizens live in
these territories who fell they belong there.

POLITICAL SCIENTISTS DEAL WITH THE REALITY

Lragir.am
06-07-2007 13:07:00

The Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election obviously lacks an
alternative, Member of Parliament Stepan Safaryan, political scientist
who is a member of the Heritage Party, stated July 6 at the Friday
Club. On the other hand, he says he knows Masis Mayilyan well and
he is sure that Mayilyan would not become engaged in a fake and
artificial game.

According to Stepan Safaryan, the lack of alternative will have a
negative impact on the international image of Karabakh, whereas
democracy is the only trump card for Karabakh in terms of the
international politics. The political scientist Sergey Minasyan
disagrees. On July 6 he was also hosted at the Friday Club. He
thinks there is real alternative in Karabakh, and if we view Bako
Sahakyan in the context of the "common candidate", Masis Mayilyan
is real alternative to him. "Certainly, we may say now that the
Karabakh election lacks an alternative. On the other hand, we may
say regarding Masis Mayilyan, who used to be part of the political
elite of Karabakh, and the fact that he is now the candidate of the
opposition, shows that the political elite of Karabakh has split,
which I think is not negative. It shows that in the next elections
we will see a real alternative," Sergey Minasyan says.

Stepan Safaryan says the ruling elite of Karabakh could not decide
who will be Arkady Ghukasyan’s heir. Meanwhile, Sergey Minasyan
thinks in reality the Karabakh presidential election has real
alternative, simply the problem is that the alternative candidate,
who is Masis Mayilyan in this case, is competitive. "In fact, I do
no think there is a false alternative in Karabakh. On the contrary,
for Masis Mayilyan, I think it is a real alternative. Simply the two
do not have equal opportunities. It does not mean the alternative is
false or the election is not real. It is just an election where one
of the candidates uses the administrative resource, and this is the
reality which we may criticize but we must state the reality because as
political scientists we deal with the reality," Sergey Minasyan says.