Month: May 2008

RA FM meet CE Commissioner for human rights and Chairman of European
court for human rights

2008-05-08 16:00:00

ArmInfo. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan met CE Commissioner for
human rights Tomas Hammerberg and Chairman of the European Court for
Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa in trasbourg yesterday.

As RA FM press service reports, during the meeting with T. Hammerberg,
E. Nalbandyan noted, with satisfaction, the level of cooperation with
CE Commissioner for human rights. The minister said that RA government
attentively treats the proposals made upon the results of his visit to
Armenia on March 14-16. The minister said about creation of a working
group for fulfillment of proposals contained in PACE Resolution 1609.
During the meeting with Chairman if the European Court, RA FM confirmed
Armenia’s readiness for deepening of the cooperation.

Armenian foreign minister and OSCE secretary general met in Strasbourg

2008-05-08 15:32:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and OSCE Secretary
General Marc Perrin de Brichambaud met in Strasbourg yesterday.

As press-service of Armenian Foreign Ministry reports, over the meeting
they touched on the problems regarding the Karabakh conflict
settlement, cooperation with OSCE Yerevan office, the OSCE ODIHR report
on the presidential election in Armenia. Armenian foreign minister
informed about his meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov and the OSCE MG co-chairs and said that Armenia highly
appreciates efforts of the co-chairs directed to reaching settlement.
He also added that Armenia is ready to continue the negotiating process
on the basis of suggestions made by the intermediaries. The minister
also said that Armenia is against all the steps which may hinder the
OSCE MG efforts and may break the content of the talks. He also said he
is pleased with cooperation level with OSCE Yerevan office. He
presented the actions of the political leadership of the country
directed to creation of mutual trust atmosphere and establishing of
dialogue between different political forces. He also said a working
group was set up on fulfillment of suggestions of PACE Resolution 1609
and added that in this context political coalition of the country is
ready to make consistent reforms regarding extension of the opposition
potential in the politica system, raising the people’s trust in the
election processes, freedom of speech and independence of mass media,
as well as bringing the court system in line with Europe

Prime Minister of Armenia demands explanations on press publications
from Minister of Agriculture

2008-05-08 15:31:00

ArmInfo. Thursday, before the beginning of the Government meeting,
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan instructed Minister of
Agriculture to make explanations regarding the publications by some
newspapers on shady mechanisms of importing nitrogen fertilizers in
Armenia and the poor quality of fertilizers. The premier instructed the
ministry to verify the information and report to the public.

The premier called the sharp rise of tariffs for liquid gas in early
May another reason for publications in the press. Tigran Sargsyan
stressed the necessity of verifying if the market comprising 214
gas-filling stations is competitive and the economic entities get
surplus profits from the rise of tariffs.

Tigran Sargsyan also mentioned that half of the population complaints
to the government are connected with the illegal construction in
Yerevan. He instructed finding out if the problem of legislative or
administrative nature.

Peter Semneby: EU gives high priority to release of people arrested for
their political activities

2008-05-07 22:06:00

ArmInfo. The European Union is attentively following the post-electoral
processes in Armenia, EU Special representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby said during a meeting with Speaker of the Armenian
Parliament Tigran Torossyan.

The press service of the Armenian Parliament quotes Semneby as saying
that the EU gives high priority to the release of the people arrested
for their political activities and the lifting of restrictions on
public actions. It is necessary to create basis for establishing a
political dialogue and conducting an independent investigation of the
Mar 1 events, particularly, by setting up an interim parliamentary
commission and involving the ombudsman in this work.

The Armenian Parliament can play a special role in establishing
political dialogue even though some of the political forces that should
take part in this dialogue are not in the parliament. Semneby said that
before meeting with Torossyan he had met with Levon Ter-Petrossyan and
noticed some changes in his position. He said that Ter-Petrossyan was
ready to join in the political processes.

At Semneby’s request, Torossyan presented his approaches and noted that
the change in Levon Ter- Petrosyan’s position was noticeable at the
Congress as well. This is natural as some time has passed, he added. At
the same time, Torossyan pointed out that the opposition continues
blaming everybody, including the Armenian authorities and European
structures, as well as distorting evident facts. He noted that
Armenia’s legislation lacks items stipulating arrests for political
activity and the law-enforcers are aware of this. If it is found out in
the course of investigation that people were arrested for their
political views, the law-enforcers will be punished. Speaking of the
possibility of a dialogue, Torossyan said that the dialogue should
cover specific issues and can’t be held with preconditions. As for
independent investigation, the speaker noted that possible formation of
a temporary parliamentary commission on investigation of the March 1
events is still being discussed by parliamentary factions. Torossyan
agreed that not all political forces are presented in parliament, but
he recalled that a temporary commission had been set up in parliament
with participation of other political forces and public organizations
to reform the Constitution.

RA State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition starts
considering ‘Web’ and ‘Arminco’ internet providers’ statements

2008-05-07 22:03:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian State Commission for the Protection of Economic
Competition started considering "Web" and "Arminco" internet providers’
statements.

To recall, on April 30 the "Web" and "Arminco" companies applied to the
Commission stating that the terms of provision of internet
communication services offered by Beeline company contain phenomena of
artificial restraint of competition. According to the statements,
Beeline provides internet communication in the Hi-Line Unlimited format
"using the phone lines’ infrastructure belonging to it the monopoly
order, while other companies engaged in provision of internet
communication are deprived of the opportunity to use this
infrastructure". The "Web" company thinks that "these steps of Beeline
are evidently aimed at acquisition of monopoly in the sphere of
internet communication provision as well". The two providers think that
Beeline deny them the opportunity to provide channels of distinguished
communication, i.e. potentially competitive type of services on
internet communication. The applicants expressed a request to consider
the issue and take relevant measures, as well as to discuss the issue
of Beeline’s status as the dominating company in the sphere of
provision of relevant services.

Cars for 8 disabled people

08-05-2008 14:40:59 – KarabakhOpen

On May 7, the eve of the liberation of Shushi, 8 disabled people Armen
Yeghyan, Andranik Avanesyan, Hamlet Abrahamyan from Stepanakert, Arkady
Karapetyan from Martakert region, Edward Mirzoyan from Martakert,
Samvel Mejlumyan from Askeran, Khoren Kafyan and Jacob Altunyan from
Hadrut received from government special cars for disabled people.

The ceremony took place on the Square of Rebirth of Stepanakert.
President Bako Sahakyan personally handed out the keys. The minister of
social security Narine Azaryan said it is foreseen to provide cars to
all the first group disabled people of the war of Artsakh.

The chair of the Union of Azatamartiks of Nagorno-Karabakh, the deputy
minister of defense Samvel Karapetyan congratulated the fighters and
informed that the Armenian community of Pyatigorst donated 21 thousand
dollars which will be divided among the 162 disabled people of Artsakh
war.

The veterans of war thanked the government.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh starts celebrating May 9

08-05-2008 14:42:08 – KarabakhOpen

The Armenian delegation led by President Serge Sargsyan will take part
in the celebration of the Day of Victory, the liberation of Shushi and
the Defense Army. The delegation is already in Stepanakert.

Today a solemn meeting will be held in Stepanakert which will be
followed by a concert.

Tomorrow on May 9 celebrations will take place in Shushi and
Stepanakert. In the evening there will be another concert and fireworks
in Stepanakert.

Cultural and sports events and parading will take place all through the
day.

Who is going to teach at the branch of the University of Architecture?

08-05-2008 16:24:31 – KarabakhOpen

A few days ago Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan said if this year the
branch of the Agrarian University of Armenia is opened, the government
will consider opening a branch of the University of Architecture. One
of our readers shared some observations in a letter.

`The impression is that the prime minister who had not managed to set
up a business in the form of a university is now trying to correct this
shortcoming. It is common knowledge that the qualification of a
specialist depends on the teachers. It is interesting who is going to
teach at the branch of the University of Architecture.

Presently Artsakh State University issues thousands of `specialists’
who are not suitable for anything, while it turns out that they do not
need such a specialist as Gagik Baghunts.

The sector of education has turned into a labor exchange for teachers,
and there are only empty talks about the qualification of teachers. My
opinion is that scholarships should be granted to students to study at
the universities of Armenia. The government should know on what it
spends the money. And let those students study here who need the
diploma for their dowry and are ready to pay any teacher for it.

Perhaps soon the diplomas will have to be classified, otherwise now the
unification under the `state status’ has razed the senior school to the
ground in NKR.’

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 8 2008

Bernard Fassier: `The main issue is now when Azerbaijan and Armenian
presidents will consider the meeting necessary’ ` EXCLUSIVE

[ 08 May 2008 11:01 ]

`If there will be progresses toward the solution of Nagrono Karabakh
conflict, it can have positive impact on normalization of relations
between Turkey and Armenia’

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli -APA. OSCE Minsk Group French Co-Chair
Bernard Fassier’s interview to APA

-How do you evaluate the last meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers?

-I am pleased that the meeting of foreign ministers took place. It was
very important meeting, because Armenian foreign minister is new. It
was important in terms of acquaintance of the ministers, on the other
hand it was important as the first meeting after the three-month
break. It was the first meeting after the co-chairs’ visit to the
region in January this year and presidential elections in Armenia. It
was important meeting for that reason as well.

-Was the next meeting of the co-chairs to the region discussed at the
meeting of the ministers?

-The visit of co-chairs was not the main cause of our meeting. We
aimed to review the negotiation process and to discuss the ways of
development of the negotiations after the acquaintance of the
ministers. As a result of the meeting both ministers assured
themselves and us in future development of the negotiations. This
process can develop within the next weeks or months. Revival of the
negotiations may create opportunities for the meeting of the
presidents one day. Of course, the meeting will take place if the
presidents consider it necessary. The ministers agreed to report to
the presidents about their meeting in detail. We should wait for the
opinions of the presidents. Visit of the co-chairs also depends on the
decision of the presidents about their meeting. After this decision we
have to organize their meeting more successfully. This process will be
realized within the co-chairs’ visit to region or the meeting between
the ministers. The main issue
is now when the presidents will consider the meeting necessary.

-Will the co-chairs prepare new proposals until the meeting of the
presidents?

-Submission of new proposals is not on the agenda at present. After
the Madrid meeting there are even written proposals on the table. Some
details of these proposals should be clarified. We should review how
the sides accept these proposals and what is necessary to change or to
amend. In other words, it demands to work on these proposals, but we
are not in that phase of the process now.

Meeting of familiarization of Presidents and Foreign Ministers is
important at present. We will determine direct of the issue after that
and will make clear open issues. We should work on amendments to the
proposals.
-Presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan this year. How will
it influence on the process of negotiations?

We can negotiate with Foreign Ministers of the two countries, if we
achieve to hold a meeting of Presidents. All these issues will be
productive for period after elections and pre-election.

-French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said at the meeting with his
Armenian counterpart that he did not understand why Turkey had closed
border with Armenia by now. Is it true that France does not know the
reason of it as a country participating in solution to Nagorno
Karabakh conflict? Turkey has announced that it is linked with
occupation of Azerbaijan’s lands by Armenia¦

I cannot say the position of France on Nagorno Karabakh conflict. This
conflict is not only important for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but all
regions. France considers Armenia and Azerbaijan as a friend
traditionally and its position on it is completely impartial. We have
bilateral relations with Azerbaijan. Former Azerbaijani President
Heydar Aliyev and current President Ilham Aliyev have personal
relations with French leadership. It would be development factor if
the borders were open not only between Turkey and Armenia, but between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nobody is interested in poverty and unlucky of
its neighbor. Closed borders do not impede air route of Armenians to
Turkey and their work in Turkey. It shows that relations between the
two countries have not disturbed completely. We hope peaceful solution
to the difficult problems between the two countries. Relations between
Turkey and Armenia will be normal; if there is progress in the
solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey will have positive influence on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. It is possible to achieve parallel solution to both
of issues.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 8 2008

Arif Yunusov: "There is a split in the Armenian society, but not on
the Karabakh issue"

08 May 2008 [12:47] – Today.Az

Day.Az interview with famous conflict expert Asif Yunusov.

-How would you comment on the announcement of Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandyan, who said that the discussed document on
the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict envisions plebiscite on
the definition of Nagorno Karabakh status?

-The definition of the most important and painful issue-the status of
Nagorno Karabakh-by way of a referendum, is really a basis of the
current stage of talks, best known as a Prague process.

This announcement was not a surprise or a sensation. The due
information was spread in early June of 2005, when Azerbaijan and
Armenian medias declared the details of a new plan, the called
"phased-packeted".

Its essence is the following: Armenians shall return five occupied
regions around Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijani
citizens shall return there under protection of the peacekeeping
forces; all communications and borders shall open between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. as well as between Armenia and Turkey;after it within
10-15 years, a referendum to define the status of this area:whether to
be annexed to Armenia, become an independent state or remain a part of
Azerbaijan- shall be held in Nagorno Karanakh.

AS the idea of a referendum was negatively assessed in Azerbaijan, a
month later, in August of 2005, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Araz Azimov, confirming the fact of conduction of a referendum in the
framework of the conflict resolution, at a press conference in Baku,
tried to soften the reaction, saying that it is not known what will be
there in 15-20 years.

Whoever has stated it, including the Minsk Group co-chairs. Let’s
recall their joint statement of June 22 of 2006, in which everything
was repeated, including the idea of referendum. Thus, I would repeat
that there is nothing new and sensational about the announcement of
Nalbandyan. He just repeated the facts that are well known to all of
us. The co-chairs have replaced the term "referendum", which bothers
most people in Azerbaijan, with "plebiscite", but the essence of the
case has not changed in the result. This is just a word tightrope
walking.

-At the same time, the leader of Democratic Party of Armenia Aram
Sarkissyan states that holding a plebiscite on the status of Nagorno
Karabakh is the most unlucky variant for Armenia and conduction of a
plebiscite is an anti-Armenian step, affecting Armenia and that thus,
in fact, the Armenian side recognizes incompetence of the creation of
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic". Why are there so many differences between
the Armenian politicians in this issue?

-Armenian politicians, especially those close to the ruling powers,
can be divided into to groups on the issues of the Nagorno Karabakh
status: radicals, which propose that the referendum on the status of
Nagorno Karabakh was already held in 1991 and resulted in declaration
of its independence by Armenians and therefore, considering that there
is no need for a new referendum. But most Armenian politicians,
especially among the ruling elite consider that referendum can be held
if only by this means it is possible to gain independence of Nagorno
Karabakh. It is important that Azerbaijan agree with the results of
referendum.

No one in Nagorno Karabakh has officially agreed for the resolution of
the problem in the framework of the Mardid principles-this
announcement was made by head of Democracy fraction, "chairman of the
parliamentary commission on external relations" of "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic" Vagram Atanesyan.

At the same time, active spokesman for Armenian Foreign Minister
Tigran Balayan said recently tyhat Madrid document is a basis for
talks on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. How can you
explain the polarization in this issue?

-I have already answered this question. To certain extend, this is an
element of a political game or a maneuver. It means, that Armenian
authorities can reject their commitments, referring to the actions of
radicals, anytime, in case situation, favorable for them,
establishes. There are numerous political forces in the Armenian
society, which speak against the return of 7 regions, occupied along
with former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. Moreover, they even
reject the term "occupied", preferring to say "released".

But the main role in the adoption of the decision is played not by
these powers but by those who are ready for a referendum with outcomes
predicted in advance, which is favorable for Armenians. But they are
not sure that Azerbaijan will gradually agree and sign the document on
the need to hold a referendum (or a plebiscite) to define the status
of Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, it is worthy to speak of the strong
polarization on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh among Armenian
politicians, especially, taking into account that the ruling forces in
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is the same clan and they define today
the political weather for Armenians.

-Thus, it can not be said that there is a split in the Armenian
society?

-The split in the Armenian society does exist, but it does not refer
to the Karabakh issue. In this issue unity is dominating with small
private and insignificant differences.But the split refers to other
issues, especially in the social life, after the events of March 1 of
2008 and it has not been overcome yet and will further play a
significant role, considering the painful reaction of Armenians to the
death of their compatriots.

-How can Azerbaijan use the current unstable situation in Armenia?

-Former Minister Vardan Oskanyan said not by accident that the March 1
events affected the image of Armenia. Previously they stated that
unlike Azerbaijan Armenia is better represented and listed as a more
democratic state in all the documents of international organizations,
especially human rights organizations. This was their advantage in the
negotiation process and during propaganda. Now they lack it.

And Azerbaijan in the light of the upcoming presidential elections
will have a chance to change the situation in its favor. For this
purpose, it should consider the mistakes of powers in Georgia and
Armenia and hold democratic process, settle the issue of political
prisoners, release reporters and on the whole change the situation in
the country.

This will immediately influence the attitude of the leading world
states and international organizations to Azerbaijan and, certainly,
to Karabakh.

/Day.Az/

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