Month: September 2008

MOSCOW SAYS U.S. SEEKS CONTROL OF POST-SOVIET STATES

RIA Novosti
17:11 | 03/ 09/ 2008

YEREVAN, September 3 (RIA Novosti) – The visit by U.S. Vice President
Dick Cheney to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine is aimed at establishing
Washington’s control of these post-Soviet states, a Russian top
security official said on Wednesday.

Cheney arrived in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku on Wednesday, the
first stop of a trip that will also take him to Georgia and Ukraine
less than a month after the start of a war between Georgia and Russia
over South Ossetia.

"We know that Cheney is to visit Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine,
and he will probably attempt to reassure them about this situation
[the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict] and will, it seems apparent,
once again act in such a way as to exert U.S. influence over them,"
Nikolai Patrushev said.

Cheney’s tour is seen as a show of support for the U.S.’s ally,
Georgia, amid Russia’s worsening relationship with the West.

Cheney is the most senior U.S. official to visit Georgia since
Russian tanks moved into the South Caucasus state following Tbilisi’s
unsuccessful attempt to retake the rebel province of South Ossetia
by force.

Georgia invaded South Ossetia on August 8 in an attempt to regain
control over the republic, which split from Tbilisi in the early
1990s. Georgian peacekeepers and regular troops also attacked Russian
peacekeepers stationed in the region. Moscow subsequently launched
an operation to "force Georgia to accept peace." The operation was
concluded on August 12.

MEETING BETWEEN NKR PRESIDENT AND RA DEFENCE MINISTER TAKES PLACE IN STEPANAKERT

Noyan Tapan

Se p 3, 2008

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 2, NKR President
Bako Sahakian met with RA Defence Minister Seyran Ohanian, who had
arrived in Stepanakert to take part in the festive events dedicated
to the 17th anniversary of proclamation of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the General Information
Department of NKR President’s Administration, a number of issues
regarding army building and bilateral relations were discussed at the
meeting, in which NKR Defence Minister Movses Hakobian also took part.

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN COMPARES EAVESDROPPING ON PHONE CALLS OF HIS HEADQUARTERS’ HEAD TO WATERGATE CASE

Noyan Tapan

Se p 3, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. During the September 2 press
conference, the leader of the opposition, first president of Armenia
Levon Ter-Petrosian made public 3 documents in his possession, which,
according to him, are "very important for exposing the nature of the
monstrous conspiracy organized by the Armenian authorities against
the opposition". He said that at the same time these documents show
"the unbridled and sad state of negligence, ingnorance, professional
inferiority and unlawfulness that reigns in the sphere of justice."

The first document is related to the decision to control all phone
conversations of Alexander Arzumanian, the head of L. Ter-Petrosian’s
central headquarters, during the presidential election. The decision
was made by Judge Vardanian of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash
court, who allowed the National Security Service to eavesdrop on all
conversations of A. Arzumanian. In the words of L. Ter-Petrosian,
taking into account the fact that A. Arzumanian was the head of
an election headquarters, the eavesdopping on his conversations
means that on the voting day the authorities controlled all the
events taking place in the opposition headquarters, including the
information given to empowered persons, observers and reporters and
the instructions concerning appeals. L. Ter-Petrosian considered the
indicated decision as a gross violation of the Constitution, which,
in his words, would have led to a national riot and a crisis of the
government in any normal country. He said that what happened does not
differ at all from the 1972 Watergate case whose disclosure resulted
in the resignation of the U.S. president Richard Nixon.

The second document presented by L. Ter-Petrosian is related to
the decision of the chief inspector of the RA Special Investigation
Service Vahagn Harutyunian. It is said in the decision that the police
began its operation in Liberty Square at about 6 am of March 1,
2008. L. Ter-Petrosian said that all this makes needless all talks
(including the inquiries of the National Assembly ad hoc committee)
about at what hour the police operation was launched.

The third document presented by L. Ter-Petrosian has to do with the
fact that in 1998 Robert Kocharian had no resident registration in
Yerevan. It is evident from a reference received from the Republican
Bureau of Addresses.

In response to the question about why he had not presented the
reference so far, L. Ter-Petrosian replied that he obtained this
document recently.

L. Ter-Petrosian promised to submit all the documents to European
structures. He underlined that these structures pay great attention
to such facts.

DPA: IRAN, BOLIVIA, VENEZUELA CAN RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Iran, Bolivia and Venezuela may follow
Russia’s example recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, according to Aram Sargsyan, leader of the Democratic Party
of Armenia (DPA).

"I believe some states will recognize the republics of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia," the MP said. "It is quite natural that some countries
hesitate over the issue, as Russia’s recognition of the breakaway
regions’ independence was like a gust, and it was not a premeditated
action."

On August 26, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed decrees
recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He also
called other states to follow Russia’s example.

The DPA leader said other countries had not negotiated over the
independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions. According to him, it
will take some time while other states recognize the independence of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) did.

SCO member-states backed on August 28 Moscow’s six principles of
settling the conflict in South Ossetia.

Sargsyan did not rule out some courtiers following example of CSTO
member-states which had adopted a "silence-gives-consent" policy on
the issue.

"Armenia is either to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and

Abkhazia or not," the MP said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARF TO ORGANIZE CIVILIZED PROTESTS ON DAY OF ABDULLAH GUL’S VISIT TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Se p 3, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun will
organize civilized protests on the day of Turkish President Abdullah
Gul’s visit to Armenia, vice speaker of the RA National Assembly
Hrayr Karapetian declared at a September 2 meeting dedicated to
the anniversary of Artsakh’s independence. In his words, although
the ARG is in favor of establishing good-neighborly realtions, by
not recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Turkey has not repented yet
and continues persecuting Armenians, and the assassination of the
editor-in-chief of Agos newspaper is one evidence of it.

In the opinion of the ARF Bureau member Levon Mkrtchian, until now
the Turks have laid flowers on the grave of Talaat Pasha, therefore
the Turkish people does not realize and admit its crime. "This is
for the first time that Turkey comes to Armenia as a guest and not
as a slaughterer," L. Mkrtchian said, adding that the guest should
be met in the proper way. According to him, there is no alternative
to improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations but a sincere talk about
the past should be held.

The ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisian spoke about the situation
in Javakhk. He stated that if this Armenian-populated region has
autonomy as part of Georgia, Armenian is made a regional language
and the problems of the local schools and courts are solved, then
those who intend to separate from Georgia will agree to establish a
Georgian conferederation and accept the idea of being part of Georgia.

The ARF Bureau member Aghvan Vardanian made a speech on an internal
political subject. He said that the aspiration of the radical
opposition to create dual power in Armenia is dangerous as it means
"opening the country’s doors to the influence of strangers".

SECRETARY OF ARMENIAN SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS CSTO MEMBER-STATES STAND READY TO MEET CHALLENGES

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. CSTO member-states are ready to combine
efforts to combat security threats and meet challenges, Secretary of
RA National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan said at the final
meeting of the CSTO Security Council.

"Having to face many challenges, we have coordinated our activities. We
have planned a schedule to discuss cooperation issues," Baghdasaryan
was quoted saying.

He did not rule out possible establishment of a center to keep
people safe from security threats. According to Baghdasaryan, the
secret services and law enforcement agencies of CSTO member-states are
already discussing joint projects. The ministries of internal affairs
plan to set up a joint committee to thwart security threats. "We have
many interesting ideas and project and we plan to implement them with
our colleagues," Baghdasaryan added.

Secret operations as Channel and Illegal are rather effective in
combating smuggling and illegal immigration, he said.

Baghdasaryan stressed the importance of staunch financial support to
intergovernmental programs.

He approved of intergovernmental military cooperation and vowed to
continue effective cooperation with CSTO members.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN LEADERS DISCUSS ENERGY COOPERATION

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. During their talks, Russian and
Armenian Presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Serge Sargsyan focused their
attention on energy cooperation as well as on new transport routes
and infrastructure development.

Sergey Prikhodko, Assistant to the RF President, reported that
the sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector and rail
transport. The sided also addressed issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process, Prikhodko said.

Earlier Armenian specialists discussed the possibility of establishing
railway communication between Iran and Armenia.

The Russian President pronounced for further Armenian-Azerbaijani
dialogue.

The sides also addressed CIS-related issues in the context of the
upcoming CIS summit.

Prikhodko said that President Medvedev will issue a number of
instructions as a result of negotiations. He pointed out that the
sides did not address the uranium issue.

KARI TOV AND MOKONAT COMPANIES CONSIDERED AS ECONOMIC ENTITIES WITH DOMINATING POSITION IN RICE MARKET

Noyan Tapan

Se p 3, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The studies done by the RA State
Commission for Protection of Economic Competition showed that some
companies with a dominating position emerged in the rice market
recently. By a decision made at the September 3 siiting of the
Commission, Kari Tov and Mokonat companies have been considered as
economic entities with a dominating position. Kari Tov occupies 32%,
Mokonat – 27.6% of the rice market.

According to studies, 19 economic entities operated in the rice
market in the first six months of 2008, the total sales amounted to
11,668,607 kg. 3.65 kg of rice was sold per capita in Armenia in
the indicated period.

TURKISH PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO CHANGE CLIMATE OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Turkish President Abdulah Gul’s visit
to Armenia may change the climate of Armenian-Turkish relations,
stated the political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of
the Caucasus Institute.

"The visit may change much. Of course, it is clear that the
Armenian-Turkish border will not be re-opened immediately after the
football match," Iskandaryan stated at the round table "Armenia and
conflicts over South Ossetia and Abkhazian".

The RA President officially invited his Turkish counterpart to a
football match between the two national teams, which is to be held
in Yerevan on September 6.

Speaking of Turkey’s role in the region, Iskandaryan said that the
country is well aware of the rapidly changing situation in the South
Caucasus so it is seeking heavier influence in the region.

He pointed out that Turkey has been taking such steps for a long time.

Specifically, the Armenian church on the island of Akhtamar has been
restored. Turkey also proposed the formation of a security platform
in the region.

Chairman of the European Integration NGO Karen Bekaryan disagreed
with Iskandaryan. He pointed out that the Armenian-Turkish relations
will not clear up soon.

"I do not share the opinion that there is anything clear in the
Armenian-Turkish relations nor do I hope that=2 0it will become clear
in the near future irrespective of whether Gul pays a visit to Armenia
or not," he said.

ARMENIA HAS 548,000 GAS CONSUMERS: ARMROSGASPROM

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Armenia has 548,047 gas consumers,
reported ArmRosGasProm, subsidiary of the Russian gas export monopoly
Gazprom.

Some 31,700 consumers have joined the country’s gas network since
January.

ArmRosGasProm attracted 4,248 clients last month. The company invested
$82mln in a large-scale gas supply program in Armenia in 2002-2007.

ArmRosGasprom will raise its investment program to $146.4mln.

Armenia is a leading gas consumer in the CIS and Europe with 89.6% of
the country’s population being gas consumers. About 47% of Armenia’s
vehicles use gas instead of petrol.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress