SERZH SARGSYAN TO ADDRESS 63-rd SESSION OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ARMENPRESS
Aug 21, 2008
YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan
will travel to new York, USA, late in September to take part in the
63-rd session of the UN General Assembly.
The presidential press office told Armenpress that in New York
president Sargsyan is expected to address the General Assembly’s
session.
PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA COMMENTING ON RECENT EVENTS IN SOUTH OSSETIA
AZG Armenian Daily
22/08/2008
President of Armenia Serge Sakisian on his meeting with the Defense
Ministers and the Secretary General of CSTO stated that issues of
national self-determination must be solved on the basis of people’s
free will,
"Today, we are strongly concerned over the crisis in South
Ossetia. This is a humanitarian disaster, which needs to be overcome
quickly. In these circumstances, we welcome the joint initiative of
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy
– the six-step plan of how overcoming the present situation and to
attain long-term peaceful resolution," the Armenian President said.
Mr. Sarkisian added that the tragic events in South Ossetia had shown
that such conflicts, if not solved according to the free will of the
nations, result in ethnic separatism and violation of the international
humanitarian law.
"We have repeatedly pointed to the dangers of the unprecedented efforts
of some countries of the region to build up their military capacities
in an attempt to solve the existing conflicts," Sargsian said.
Armenia is ready to provide its territory as a humanitarian
corridor. "We are also ready to provide humanitarian assistance,"
Serge Sarkisian stated said.
MAMUKA ARESHIDZE: AZERBAIJAN’S BEHAVIOUR, ITS CORRECTNESS AND CAUTION, WERE RECEIVING WITH UNDERSTANDING IN GEORGIA
by R. Kerimov
EKHO
Aug 20 2008
Azerbaijan
Catastrophe for Caucasus
[Kerimov] What is the situation like in Georgia?
[Areshidze] The Russian military commanders are saying that they
are withdrawing heavy equipment, that they are withdrawing the rear
services. Very slowly. I would say that they are still standing in
the positions they have seized.
[Passage omitted: known details of the current situation in Georgia]
[Kerimov] The Russian side has accused the Georgian side of failing
to fulfil the so-called six principles of the conflict resolution…
[Areshidze] You know, this is nonsense as there is no-one left
of those who can create obstacles to fulfilling this agreement at
this point. There is just no-one left. What troops are we talking
about? There is no-one, no-one left. Those who survived have
run away. There is only one unit left and it is stationed outside
Tbilisi. As for the statement that saboteurs have appeared, this is
nonsense. Right now we do not have any forces that would think of
something and tackle some military tasks.
[Kerimov] The active military phase that could be observed during
the initial days has subsided. In your opinion, what is the outcome
of the latest Caucasian conflict?
[Areshidze] I think that this is a catastrophe for the Caucasus. Russia
has demonstrated its force. It has shown to everyone else that it
will punish everyone who defies it, incidentally, including Azerbaijan.
Global politics
[Kerimov] Currently, we are watching the reaction on the part
of the United States and it looks like the confrontation between
the United States and Russia has gone beyond the conflict in the
Caucasus. Condoleezza Rice has started criticizing Russia’s policy,
including vis-a-vis the resumption of strategic aviation flights. Do
you think that this conflict had a role to play in the general
deterioration of relations between the two countries?
[Areshidze] I think that this is the case. As far as I can tell,
Russia has no intention of stopping as far as Georgia or Ukraine are
concerned. It is not going to turn its national interests, as people
there put it, into a subject of bargaining. And its national interests
extend far beyond the borders of the former Soviet Union. Incidentally,
they include Iran. For example, Russia is very annoyed by the presence
of five aircraft carriers – four American and one British – in the
Persian Gulf. This issue too affects all the events that are unfolding
here. Naturally, this too is global politics and my country has been
dragged into it.
[Kerimov] It is not being ruled out that a new war in the region could
break out and an attack on Iran carried out. Is this realistic? Have
the events in the Caucasus made it likely that the events will unfold
in such a manner?
[Areshidze] It is a fact that the attitude towards Iran will become
harsher. As for a war against Iran, I do not think that this is how the
events will unfold. On the contrary, the West needs to tackle other
issues right now. Not the Georgian one, obviously. But in general,
because Russia is acting in the international arena as an aggressor
rather than a factor of containment.
[Kerimov] Does this concern the West?
[Areshidze] I can see that it is already worried. According to the
recent reports, the fact that Russia would not withdraw from Georgia
is a heavy blow to the prestige of the EU and, first and foremost
Sarkozy (French president) who holds the presidency of the EU. France
is currently revising its attitude towards Russia. This [process]
started after Sarkozy become the French president but, at this point,
[the relations] are dramatically deteriorating. This can be sensed
in the remarks made by the French ambassador in Tbilisi and in the
remarks made by high-ranking French officials and so on. It has been
a long time since something like that happened.
[Kerimov] What kind of relations will be established between Russia
and the United States, Britain, France and so on? Is a confrontation
between the West and the East possible?
[Areshidze] It is possible. I am familiar with the positions of some
Western countries. It is mainly the Old Europe that wants to be more
liberal vis-a-vis Russia because it has its own interests, its own calm
life. They do not want to change all of it. East European countries,
however, are trying to make them to come to their senses. Naturally,
the United States and Britain are trying to do that too. Currently,
they do not have a common position. I think, however, that this
common position will take shape some time soon. It might have a form
of harsh policy or harsh and liberal policy but it will not be the
same one which they had a few weeks ago.
[Kerimov] Will it become harsher at any rate?
[Areshidze] I think that it will be harsher not because Georgia has
suffered but because their own comfort comes first.
[Kerimov] There is an opinion that the United States has sacrificed
Georgia in order to cause confrontation between Russia and other
countries, specifically, the countries of the West, and to regain
the role of the world order protector…
[Areshidze] I have heard this. Maybe. But I cannot say that, if they
did so, it was a sacrifice. It was an experiment. If this theory
is correct, they wanted to see how Russia will behave to show it to
others… Everyone who works on these issues, including myself, knew
about a plan which the Russian General Staff and the Russian leadership
has carried out. I published this plan in the Georgian press on 10
July of this year. Going back to the issue, however, this theory does
have a logic to it. You know, I can ask you a counter-question. Why
was a grenade detonated in a mosque in Azerbaijan?
[Kerimov] There are different theories.
[Areshidze] The same holds true here. Nothing happens without a reason.
Azerbaijan’s position received "with understanding"
[Kerimov] Georgia made a statement on its withdrawal from the CIS. What
repercussions could this decision have for Georgia itself?
[Areshidze] There are positive and negative aspects to this issue. The
CIS by itself is a lifeless organization. The CIS leadership did not
even react to what happened between Georgia and Russia. As for the
withdrawal, of course, Georgia will incur certain losses. But these
losses can be recouped. Yes, the Russian side said that Georgia will
lose 300m dollars but I do not believe this. These are not the figures
named by our economists, who are working in this direction.
[Kerimov] Let me rephrase the question: will Georgia’s withdrawal
from the CIS result in more losses or gains for Georgia itself?
[Areshidze] At this point, there is more to gain, of course.
[Kerimov] When President Mikheil Saakashvili made a statement on
Georgia’s withdrawal from the CIS, he called on other countries to
follow this example. Against this background, official Baku stated that
Azerbaijan is not considering the issue of its withdrawal from the
CIS but, at the same time, respects Georgia’s choice. How did people
in Georgia perceive Azerbaijan’s decision not to withdraw from the CIS?
[Areshidze] This is not even being discussed. Azerbaijan has the
right to settle its problems itself.
[Kerimov] Perhaps, in private conversations…
[Areshidze] This is not being discussed because, at this stage,
Azerbaijan is doing everything it can in terms of humanitarian aid
and support in general. As for discussions at high levels, I do
not know this but I think that this issue is not being raised there
either. What matters is that the countries maintain the agreements
that we signed with them within the framework of the CIS.
[Kerimov] How do people in Georgia view Azerbaijan’s position in
this conflict?
[Areshidze] In general, Azerbaijan’s behaviour, its correctness and
caution, were received with understanding in Georgia, let us put it
this way. And this is true because there was nothing else Azerbaijan
could do. Manoeuvres are about to begin in Armenia. Azerbaijan has
found itself in a difficult situation because it had to shut down a
pipeline, suffered certain losses. An uncomfortable situation took
shape. The Azerbaijani authorities know that manoeuvres are about to
begin. Right now, Azerbaijan itself is not in a comfortable position
and I think that it is incorrect, wrong and counterproductive to raise
issues about why Azerbaijan did or did not behave in a certain way.
[Kerimov] What will happen to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars transport artery?
[Areshidze] I think that, if the implementation of these plans is
postponed, it will be postponed for a short period of time. I think
that these plans will be postponed. At this point, nothing should be
done, let alone building. Everything is out of the question as long
as the [Russian] troops are on the territory of Georgia proper. I
think that the construction will be suspended for a while but will
be resumed later.
[Kerimov] What is the degree of trust enjoyed by Saakashvili among
the population given the ongoing events?
[Areshidze] It has, of course, decreased. The sociological surveys
that have been carried out give that feeling.
[Passage omitted: Areshidze says he cannot predict whether Georgia
has lost Abkhazia and South Ossetia]
[Kerimov] There are opinions that these events will affect the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict…
[Areshidze] As I said, it is hard to make a forecast. I cannot make
it because I do not know how the manoeuvres that are about to be
carried out in Armenia will end. The genie is out of the bottle,
Russia is carrying out an aggressive policy vis-a-vis the South
Caucasus in general and Ukraine. You can draw your own conclusions.
[Kerimov] What about Ukraine’s and Georgia’s accession to NATO?
[Areshidze] Some bargaining is taking place behind Georgia’s and
Ukraine’s back too. I can feel it but I cannot say what the subject of
bargaining is, what they are trying to agree on. I think that the door
to NATO is open for Ukraine but it will be hard for Georgia. On the one
hand, it is open, but it is hard to say how this is going to happen
given that there are Russian troops on its territory. Georgia cannot
[recognize] the independence of these republics right now [and say]:
"There are no conflicts so I can join NATO now."
[Kerimov] There is an opinion that Georgia will join NATO but will
lose South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Do you consider this to be feasible?
[Areshidze] No, because this is an opinion, not a position. It is
fatal for Georgia, for Georgia’s role to have a Russian grouping
stationed so close to the Transcaucasian road.
TURKISH PREMIER SAYS USA DIDN’T ASK FOR WARSHIPS TO PASS THROUGH TURKISH STRAITS
Anatolia news agency
Aug 20 2008
Turkey
Istanbul, 20 August: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left
Istanbul for Azerbaijan on Wednesday [20 August].
Erdogan will assess the recent developments in the region with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Holding a press conference at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport prior to his
departure, Erdogan said that he would discuss Caucasus stability and
cooperation platform, which was a project he proposed to find solution
to the problems in the region.
The recent situation in Georgia showed the necessity to restore peace,
stability and security in Caucasus, Erdogan said.
"Turkey also has a vital interest in this issue. I believe that
implementation of a mechanism which contributes to the common interests
of the region is important," he said.
Regarding his visits to Moscow and Tbilisi, Erdogan said that he
conveyed his views to officials that Caucasus stability and cooperation
platform was a project that could fully settle sustainable peace,
security and stability. Erdogan said that both Russian and Georgian
officials told him that they could take part in such a platform.
Upon a question, Erdogan said that they would also hold meetings
with Armenian officials regarding Caucasus stability and cooperation
platform. He added that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan would
also meet with the Russian foreign minister this week regarding the
issue. Erdogan said that after Babacan’s meeting, the details of the
visit to Armenia would be shaped up.
Regarding energy issue, Erdogan said that initiatives were launched for
transfer of natural gas to Turkey from south to eliminate difficulties
which sometimes emerged between Turkey and Iran in winter.
When asked about news reports claiming that two US vessels, which
wanted to go to Georgia, were not permitted to pass from the
Straits, Erdogan said that no request had been made to Turkey so
far regarding the issue. He added that if such a request was made,
relevant institutions and the government discussed it in a detailed
way, and then made a decision.
Foreign Minister Babacan is accompanying Erdogan.
NEW STATE COMMITTEE SET UP IN ARMENIA
Mediamax
Aug 20 2008
Armenia
Yerevan, 20 August: Under a decree signed by Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, the State Customs Committee and the State Tax Service
were merged into the Committee on State Incomes under the Armenian
government.
Under another decree signed by the president, Vahram Baghdasaryan
was relieved of the post of the head of the State Tax Service, and
Gagik Khachatryan, who earlier headed the State Customs Committee,
was appointed chairman of the Committee on State Incomes under the
Armenian government, the press service of the Armenian President has
told Mediamax.
SERZH SARGSYAN PRESENTS HIS CONDOLENCES TO SARKOZY
Panorama.am
14:48 21/08/2008
President Serzh Sargsyan has sent a letter of condolences to
Nikolas Sarkozy in connection with the death of 10 french soldiers
in Afghanistan.
The letter says. "Mister President, learning the tragic news of
the death of French soldiers, on behalf of Armenian people and on
my behalf I present my sincere condolences to the relatives of the
departed and whole French people. Admit my sincere compliments."
HRD: TOO MANY CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN RECENT MONTH
Panorama.am
15:04 21/08/2008
On 18 August the deputy-director of radio station "Azatutyun"
("Freedom") Hrach Melqumyan was beaten by an unknown person in one
of Yerevan central parks. Melqumyan says the incident is connected
with his professional activity.
Human Rights Defender Armen Haroutyunyan made a statement concerning
the event:
"Too many cases of violence against journalists are being reported
this month, therefore, I urge the authorities to find the criminals
as soon as possible. Otherwise, such incidents can be a real threat
to freedom of expression in our country. Such inappropriate attitude
towards press correspondents is unacceptable, no matter what kind of
information the journalists present. Hopefully, this incident will
not pass unpunished."
IMPORTS OF CARTRIDGES FROM ARMENIA
by by Gjergj Erebara
Shekulli
Aug 18 2008
Albania
Until now it was believed that over the past few years Albania had
been selling a section of the stocks of its military armaments which
it inherited from the communist regime. The stocks of cartridges for
Kalashnikovs and other weapons of the Warsaw Treaty standards have
often put Albania on Amnesty International’s list of countries engaged
in unscrupulous arms trading and in selling weapons to countries
placed under embargo.
However, what has been concealed from the public up to now is the
fact that Albania imported military ammunition worth 520,000 euros
(or $713,000) from Armenia during 2007. The reason for importing these
amounts of ammunition remains a complete mystery. All that is known
is that 2007 was a year in which there was intensive trading in arms.
It has also been said that Albania’s stocks of cartridges are
sufficient to supply even the Afghan or Iraqi forces. However, the
latest information indicates that Albania has been active not only
in emptying its depots, but also in playing a transit role in trading
ammunition produced elsewhere.
The cartridges for military use imported from Armenia in 2007
represent the biggest amount of military cartridges ever imported
by our country since 1999. During the Kosova [Kosovo] war in 1999,
Albania imported military ammunition worth 2.1 million euros, all
from Western countries, such as Belgium, Holland, Italy, and Germany.
Multiple connection with Armenia
Last year a ship loaded with cannon shells was stopped by the Turkish
police on the Bosphorous Canal. The ship was transporting shells
purchased in Albania to Armenia. The Albanian Government refused to
publicly admit that it was exporting arms to that country. However,
it also failed to deny this widely publicized piece of news. The
containers with cannon ammunition were turned back to Durres. They
are currently in a nearby base of the Albanian army.
Exports multiplied
Albania has continuously exported military ammunition. However, in
2006 the exports quadrupled over those in 2005 and the figures were
also high last year, amounting to two million euros. The countries
on the map of the Albanian ammunition exports include Afghanistan,
Israel, Argentina, Georgia, Iran, the Christmas Islands, Iceland
(a country with no army), Saudi Arabia, and others. In total, the
value of imports and exports is insignificant. However, the tragedy
in Gerdec and other factors show that the arms trade is a highly
profitable, and that an unscrupulous business has been conducted by
Albanian governments over the years, without thinking much about the
ultimate use of this ammunition.
Albanian ammunition finished
One of many documents made public after the Gerdec tragedy showed that
there were no longer a sufficient number of Kalashnikov cartridges
in the Albanian army depots to deliver to Gerdec, on the basis of
the contract with the US company. This indicates that the Albanian
depots have been emptied of the type of cartridge that was most used
and most produced in Albania during the communist era. The imports of
military cartridges from Armenia were apparently aimed at increasing
stocks to sell them elsewhere.
ARMENIA-TURKEY 2:1
Panorama.am
13:55 21/08/2008
Yesterday evening 2009 European junior Football Championship 2nd
Election group`s Armeina-Turkey junior football teams meeting took
place in ‘Hrazan’ playing field. Our young football players having
several chances to beat goal, couldn`t gain the goal during the first
game round. During the second round67th minute Turkish football player
Abdula Durak hit a goal.
At 89th minute Karen Lazarian drew the score. The tribunals were
in exultant. When several minutes had been left till the end of the
game Henrik Lazarian hit the goal and brought exhilaration to all
Armenians.
Note, that Armenia-Turkey junior team meeting has been supplied by
Danish refereeing group headed by Michael Swenson.
By the way Armenian and Turkish teams are included in 2009 European
junior Football Championship 2nd Election group. Now tournament scale
is leaded by Czech junior team, who gained 4 points of 6 plays. Second
is Turkish team (5 games, 13 points), third- Ukraine`s (7 games,
12 points) and the fourth is Armenian team (6 games, 7 points) and
the last one is Lichtenstein junior team (8 games, 0 points).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
AMID WAR, GEORGIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY DOWN, BUT NOT OUT
Molly Corso
EurasiaNet
Aug 20 2008
NY
Call it a case of supremely bad timing. Among the economic casualties
of the war with Russia are not only Georgia’s ports and energy
transportation grid, but its summer tourism industry, once considered
an engine for economic growth. Despite the dimming prospects for
a rapid Russian pullout, Georgian tourism officials and industry
professionals retain hope that the damage done to the sector can be
repaired relatively quickly.
Over the past few years, the Georgian government has poured millions of
lari into developing the country’s tourism potential. Over a million
visitors – a figure that combines tourists with business travelers
– came to Georgia in 2007, according to official figures. As one
foreign consultant commented, tourism in Georgia was on the brink of
"becoming a really big deal."
When fighting with Russia broke out on August 8, though, that bright
picture suddenly turned dark. Approximately 10,000 tourists have left
Georgia over the past 10 days, the government estimates. And officials
expect the number of both leisure and business visitors to remain
low for the foreseeable future. "This conflict and this emergency
situation has very negatively influenced tourism," said Beka Jakeli,
head of the tourism department.
Despite a recent withdrawal agreement, Russian soldiers still control
key Georgian cities, including Gori and the Black Sea port of Poti,
and have blocked the country’s only east-west highway. Their armored
vehicles often cruise the seaside highway linking Poti with Georgia’s
main Black Sea tourism hub, Batumi, scaring away both Georgians and
foreigners from the west coast’s most favored vacation spots.
No hard and fast number has been put on lost tourism revenue as yet,
but for hotels and tour operators, the conflict could not have come
at a worse time. August is Georgia’s peak tourist season, when life in
Tbilisi slows to a snail’s pace as families – and visiting foreigners
— head en masse for the Black Sea coast or the mountains.
In the Black Sea beach town of Ureki, some 10 kilometers south of Poti,
Eldorado Hotel manger Zurab Morchuvadze says that "practically no one"
is left at his establishment, one of the town’s most popular. The hotel
had been fully booked through August, with 70 percent of the guests
from Armenia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other countries, he said.
But three days into the conflict, when Russia bombed Poti’s port,
those guests started to go.
"[W]e are close to Poti and [we could] hear when the explosions took
place. It was not very pleasant," Morchuvadze said. "The population
was in a panic."
While no immediate plans exist to close the hotel, Morchuvadze
worries that if Russia’s occupation of Georgian territory continues
for an extended period, hoteliers and other entrepreneurs who cater
to tourists will have no choice but to shut down. Those who now show
up to swim are locals, and they do not stay for long. "No one knows
what will happen. Today Russian forces came to Poti, took some things
and arrested people. Of course [that scares people]," Morchuvadze
told EurasiaNet on August 19. "We are not ready to close the hotel,
but if this continues, we will have to close down."
Reviving tourism promises to be a daunting challenge. Jakeli, the
tourism department head, suggested that a massive PR campaign would
be needed in 2009 to dispel the negative publicity generated by the
conflict. A million-dollar marketing initiative called "Europe Started
Here," launched before the outbreak of hostilities, could serve as
a starting point.
The resilience of international hotel chains that had launched
ventures in Batumi and Tbilisi is another source of hope for tourism
officials. So far, none of the chains have backed out of their
multi-million dollar development deals, according to Jakeli. "All
these brands are still under construction," he said.
Nonetheless, the negative publicity has already made its mark, notes
one American consultant active in Georgia’s tourism campaign. "This
kind of publicity worldwide, will make your average, non-adventure
tourist at least think twice before coming to Georgia," said Mark
Rein Hagen, the former director of the tourism department’s office
of strategy and communications.
Safety guarantees will be key to any kind of tourism revival, believes
Ia Tabagari, general manager for Tbilisi’s Caucasus Travel agency,
one of Georgia’s oldest tour operators. The agency had roughly 150
foreign tourists in Georgia at the time of the conflict and "numerous"
bookings for the next few months, Tabagari said. They are now faced
with a 50-percent cancellation rate. "[W]e need real guarantees of
security," she said. "I believe they [tourists] will come, but it
will take a long time to [for tourism to] recover."
According to PR consultant Hagen, it will all come down to the
country’s ability to market itself once the conflict is over. "[[I]t
takes a while for that impression to die," he said of the war scenes
now shaping most foreign news coverage of Georgia. "But, literally,
once Russian soldiers are off Georgian territory, I think things
will go back to normal very, very quickly, especially for tourism
purposes… It’s a PR game."