Month: November 2009

`Prepared to Respond to Karabakh Encroachment Through Tough Measures,’
Says Sargsyan

Tert.am
15:45 – 28.11.09

Making a speech at today’s governing Republican Party of Armenia
convention, RA President Serzh Sargsyan, among other issues, referred
to the process of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
Armenia-Turkey relations.

On both issues, the Armenian president reiterated his previously
announced position: noting that Armenia would like to settle the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh through peaceful negotiations.

`Armenia is for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict through negotiations, though we will not allow any sort of
encroachment whatsoever on the matter and we are prepared to respond
to any such assault through the toughest measures,’ noted Sargsyan.

The president once again emphasized that settlement of the conflict is
an extremely complex process, and it might take years to reach a final
settlement.

`Though in conflict settlement’s refuge today, I am filled with hope
that we can reach a logical conclusion within a reasonable timeframe.
As with Turkey, so with Azerbaijan, we consider our national and state
interests to be above everything else, and we are going to be decisive
in our relations, in the issue of seeing this process through till the
end,’ said Sargsyan, adding that `gone are the times of people being
colonized, living on their own land.’

`We have firmly announced to the world, that the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement must anchor man and Nagono-Karabakh people on the
collective will of the reflection of independence. Only in that case
can the solution be long-lasting, feasible and peaceful. The agreement
among all the parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must, in one
package, include the solutions of all the issues and those mechanisms,
inscribed by international requirements, which guarantee the
implementation of those solutions,’ concluded Sargsyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

12th Republican Party of Armenia Convention Begins Today

Tert.am
11:45 – 28.11.09

The 12th Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) convention began at 11 am
today in Yerevan’s Karen Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex. The
building is already packed with numerous RPA members, the country’s
leading officials and a number of other guests from different
political parties.

Planned during the convention is a statement by Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, possible changes to the RPA statues, the election of
the RPA president, and elections of RPA executive board members and
audit committee members.

As previously reported by Tert.am, also planned during the convention
is the election of additional members to the executive board,
including Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsyan and Yerevan mayor
Gagik Beglaryan.

Where are Ter-Petrossian or Kocharian? Geghamyan Asks at Republican
Party of Armenia Convention

Tert.am
14:20 – 28.11.09

During his speech at today’s Republican Party of Armenia convention,
Serzh Sargsyan gave the floor over to National Unity party leader
Artashes Geghamyan, who had considered the possibility of giving a
speech unexpected.

Geghamyan considered the RPA convention to be fatal: explaining that
in the past year and a half, Armenia entered the most decisive and
resolute stage in its history, which is conditioned by the president’s
unprecedented initiative.

Geghamyan noted that as a result of the policy Serzh Sargsyan
initiated, Armenia has gained the world’s attention.

I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t say the bitter truth,
announced the National Unity leader, saying `I would very much like to
see RA first president Levon Ter-Petrossian and second president
Robert Kocharian here, so that we appeared before the world, united.’

Geghamyan’s words caused restlessness among attendees in the hall.

United Russia Party Aims to Strengthen Cooperation with Republican
Party of Armenia

Tert.am
13:54 – 28.11.09

The 12th Republican Party of Armenia convention kicked off this
morning with the attendance of two-thirds of the 1,806 delegates who
had registered to attend the convention taking place at Yerevan’ Karen
Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex. As announced by RPA and Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan during his opening speech, all of RPA’s
conventions begin with prayer, and this one would be no different. The
president invited His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan who
conducted the prayer, after which the convention began.

The governing party’s convention began with the discussion of a few
technical issues: in particular, the election of the audit committee
secretariate.

Invited to the convention, and in attendance, were representatives
from Russia’s governing party, United Russia, as well as from national
parties from Europe. United Russia’s president Vladimir Putin’s
greetings for the RPA convention were conveyed by a leading member of
the party, Artur Chilingarov.

Recalling Serzh Sargsyan’s visits to Moscow this past year, as well as
the more than a hundred intergovernmental and interdepartmental
agreements that exist between the two countries, Chilingarov noted
that Armenia-Russia relations are developing in a steadfast and
harmonious manner. The United Russia member expressed his hopes that
the RPA convention will promote the resolution of any forthcoming
issues in Armenia, adding that United Russia plans to strengthen
coooperation with the Republican Party of Armenian, in interregional
development, in particular.

WHO ARE PRESENT AT THE CONGRESS

Lragir.am
28/11/09

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun represented by Hrant Margaryan and Artyusha
Shahbazyan as an oppositional representative is invited and is present
at the Republican congress taking place at the Yerevan Sport and
Concert Complex. Araf Safaryan and Naira Zohrabyan represent the
Bargavach Hayastan party. Gagik Tsarukyan is not present, though the
RP head Serge Sargsyan has been present at the BHK conference and hold
a speech.

The head of the Orinats Yerkir party Artur Baghdasaryan is present
too. Head of parties Artashes Geghamyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Gurgen
Arsenyan and others are also present.

The Russian ruling party Yedinaya Rossia is also invited to the
congress which represents the Armenian Artur Chilingarov. Chilingarov
is accompanied by the parliamentary member Vardan Ayvazyan. By the
way, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukyan was invited and participated in the
congress of the Yedinaya Rossia.

UZEIR JAFAROV: TODAY AZERBAIJANI ARMY IS READY TO LIBERATE ITS LANDS
Leyla Tagiyeva

news.az
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Uzeir Jafarov News.Az interview with military expert Uzeir Jafarov.

Before the Munich round of talks with his Armenian counterpart,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated the possibility of a new
war to resolve the conflict. Do you think Azerbaijan is ready for
such a way to settle the problem?

This is a power of a president to make such statements as a supreme
commander, as person who is responsible for the territorial integrity
and security of the country. I perceive it calmly and normally
considering the fact that the negotiation process over Karabakh
has been ineffective for long years. Armenia attempts to protract
the conflict settlement and when it comes to agree on some important
moments, Armenian side makes up some reasons or sets some impracticable
provisions. I consider that the Azerbaijani side should put stiff
demands before the OSCE Minsk Group and the Armenian side that if
the negotiation process is not effective, we have a moral and legal
right to use the forced way of the conflict settlement. Our army is
not the same as it was in the 1990s. Today Azerbaijan has human and
material resources to ensure its territorial integrity.

How do you assess the state of the Armenian army?

It would be incorrect to say that Armenia has no army at all because
it knows that it is an aggressor and the time of revenge will come
when Azerbaijan will be able to use the forced way of this problem
settlement. Therefore, Armenia takes this into account. It understands
that the Azerbaijani army can settle this issue by any way. We are
really able to settle this issue. I am among those who criticize some
problems and shortcomings in our army, but I think today our army is
able to settle most issues. But we should not forget that the Armenian
army also does not stay idle. They have their plans to resist attacks.

We have never had real hostilities. We should take into account all
moments before taking a decision to launch hostilities. Such powerful
country as the United States faced no special problems in invading
Iraq. But it has been bearing losses every day since that period. Or
such powerful country as Russia also cannot settle the problem related
to the so-called illegal armed formations in the North Caucasus.

Therefore, we should not forget that the Armenian side also has
powers even insignificant. They have legal and illegal armament and
technique. It is no accident that the Armenian leadership and military
command have recently held a session with the military command of
the so-called "NKR". The officers have many problems and they face
great social difficulties. Meanwhile, the Armenian state budget for
2010 envisions a great amount – about $100 – 200 mln. This is too
high for the Armenian budget. Armenian officers understand that if
not for the so-called "Karabakh army", these funds could have been
used to improve social conditions of the Armenian officers.

Considering the fact that the Russian military base is dislocated
in Armenia, is it possible to say that it may be involved into the
conflict?

Russia will not risk the way it did in the early 1990s when the 366th
division led by cut-throat Yuri Zarvigorov committed massacres against
residents of Azerbaijani Khojaly. We should not forget that the 102nd
military base dislocated in Gumri is 70% comprised of the Armenian
ethnic that are the citizens of Russia. Anyway, they are of Armenian
origin but they may take even an indirect participation in case
hostilities are launched. But I can also say that the key to solution
of the Karabakh problem is in Russia. Considering the fact that Russia
always viewed Armenia as its closest ally and strategic partner and
these countries sign documents of military and political and military
and technical nature, perhaps, Russia will support Armenia in any way.

Our occupied lands would be released in a week if Russia orders so.

Armenia has no power and will to hold our native lands under occupation
for so much time.

How much time will the full liberation of lands take in case Azerbaijan
decides to liberate its lands by way of force, attaining Russia’s
guarantees of non-interference?

I don’t want to call terms. But I would like to note that our human
and material resources are sufficient to liberate our lands within a
definite period of time. We do not claim for a centimeter of someone’s
land. We need to restore our territorial integrity. This right is
fixed in four resolutions of the UN Security Council. We have a legal
and moral right to restore our territorial integrity. Certainly,
we should not forget Russia’s factor, it will hardly stay aside in
case military actions are launched. But Russia should also not forget
about international law according to which the territorial integrity
should be respected.

In the same statement President Aliyev said the contact line of the
armed forces is weakening from the Armenian side in the light of the
mass migration of population from this country. Will this factor give
real advantages to the Azerbaijani side?

In 2001 we, as part of a group of international journalists from the
OSCE, visited Armenia and spoke to simple Armenians at Yerevan’s
streets and, frankly speaking, native Armenians have no special
intentions about Karabakh. They openly resent over the fact that
Armenia is now led by Karabakh natives and people who came to
power due to the Karabakh war. They understand that time will come
to revenge and they will have to respond before the people and the
world community and, especially Azerbaijan, whose 20% lands are under
occupation now. We heard from the Armenian citizens that they do not
need Karabakh at all but the smeary policy of separatists and leaders
and persons escalating tensions in the region played its role here.

This is a business of arms, drugs, preparation of international
terrorists for them. The uncontrolled areas have always been a
favorable ground for development of such elements. I think serious
situation is growing in Armenia. And I fear the only thing. When the
settlement of the Karabakh problem was nearing a final part, there was
mass shooting in the Armenian parliament. And I am afraid something
similar may happen and Armenia may say it has internal problems and
needs time to stabilize the situation.

DASHNAK PARTY NOT HAPPY WITH RUSSIAN POLITICS

The Messenger
Nov 26 2009
Georgia

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (‘Dashnak’) Armenian Parliament
faction has said that Russia is playing a game very dangerous for
Armenia. Chairman of the faction Vahan Hovhannesian thinks that
this will affect the resolution of the Karabakh problem as well as
Armenian relations.

Hovhannesian said that the mediators in the Karabakh conflict
are trying to impose many concessions on Armenia to facilitate
the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols in the Turkish
Parliament. He expressed assurance that the Turkish Parliament will not
ratify these protocols unless Ankara achieves its goals in Karabakh.

Dashnak Party members have many times highlighted the threat from
Russia, in particular in the direction of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Hovhannesian insists that Armenia should be very careful and ask its
strategic partner Russia to meet all its commitments.

MUCH ADO ABOUT PUTIN’S TOAST

The Messenger
Nov 26 2009
Georgia

The Georgian media and some politicians have been discussing the
toast Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made during the 80th
birthday celebrations of former Russian PM and well-known public
figure Evgeny Primakov. It was reported that his words, which in fact
remain obscure, were a recommendation as to how to restore Georgia’s
territorial integrity.

Evgeny Primakov spent his childhood and youth in Tbilisi. He has
many friends and relatives here because his late wife was Georgian,
and when on November 16 he celebrated his birthday he invited many
of these. Putin was also there and made his toast. Georgia’s former
President Eduard Shevardnadze has stated that he thinks Putin’s
toast was a hint at something very significant, and something good,
that it is possible to restore relations with Russia. "If we solve
our own problems here, everything will depend on how we take this
chance hinted at by Putin. He is not an ordinary person. The former
President and present Prime Minister of Russia plays the decisive
role in Russian policy today," stated Shevardnadze.

One of the leaders of the National Forum, Gubaz Sanikidze, says almost
the same. He suggests that Putin’s toast was received positively in
Georgia. Maybe it indicated that Russia will agree to the territorial
integrity of Georgia under some preconditions. Putin’s words are a
very serious political message from the Russian leadership, thinks
Sanikidze.

Something was highlighted and we cannot ignore it, says former
Communist functionary Armaz Saneblidze. Commentators also think that
Putin wants to create an image of a constructive partner and convince
the international community of his humanity and desire to be a good
neighbour. Maybe Putin’s toast was pre-prepared. All these comments
are very interesting, but there is serious doubt about whether
Putin really said what has been reported. Maybe his reported words
are a misinterpretation by journalists of the comments of those who
heard them.

Among Georgian children a game called ‘broken telephone’ is very
popular. The first child whispers a word into the second child’s
ear, and he/she in turn whispers the same word to a third child, the
third to a fourth and so on until the line of the maybe ten or more
children ends. The last child says the word he/she received out loud
and it sometimes appears that the first child had said an absolutely
different word. It is possible that the same has happened with Putin’s
toast, passed through the ears of so many reporters before arriving
to Georgia.

Georgia’s former Ambassador to Russia Zurab Abashidze says that he
attended the celebration and Putin said that there is no dead end in
any situation, particularly while such people as Primakov exist.

Abashidze insists that Putin said nothing about the restoration of
Georgia’s territorial integrity and his words have been exaggerated
by journalists. The speculation in the Georgian media is designed to
clean up either Russia’s or Putin’s image and create the idea that
if the Georgian leadership behaves properly Russia will return the
occupied territories. But what would constitute ‘behaving properly?’
Most probably, from the Russian point of view, this means distancing
Georgia from the West.

Maybe the reports of what Putin supposedly said are part of a bigger
game. Georgia plans to reopen the Larsi checkpoint, the only land
connection with Russia, so maybe these reports are being made to
justify this step. Otherwise it would be very difficult to understand
why Georgia is opening its border with a country which occupies 1/5
of its territory. Is this being done only for the sake of Armenia then?

There are many questions which a toast alone will not answer.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAPAN WELCOMES RECONCILIATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY

Aysor
Nov 26 2009
Armenia

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, who is on a visit to
Japan, has met with Speaker of the Japanese Parliament’s Speaker
Takahiro Yokomichi.

The parties have discussed matters of cooperation between the two
counties, shared views on international matters, and those of the
Caucasus and Pacific regions, spokesman of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry
told. As there is a Group of Friendship at the Armenian Parliament,
the similar group is expected to be established at Japanese Parliament.

Mr. Takahiro Yokomichi has praised Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
and efforts aimed at settling stability in the region, and said he
believes the process of normalisation of relations will positively
influence settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

MP SAYS AZERBAIJAN MAY HAVE TO LIBERATE LAND BY FORCE

news.az
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Sabir Hajiyev MP Sabir Hajiyev, chairman of the Civic Unity Party,
has joined the chorus of comments on the liberation of Azerbaijan’s
occupied land by force if the peace negotiations with Armenia fail.

"As you know, our president and foreign minister are continuing
negotiations on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, but every
negotiating process should have a time limit, we cannot continue
endless discussions – we want a result as soon as possible," Hajiyev
told 1news.az.

"If Armenia tries to protract the conflict settlement, we have neither
the time nor the will for this, and in this sense I share the opinion
of the country’s president and defence minister that if the talks
are ineffective we have to liberate our lands through war.

"You know our patience is exhausted," the deputy said.

Asked about the causes of Armenia’s behaviour, the deputy said:
"Armenia has an unrealistic approach to life. Otherwise, it would have
understood that it has no alternative to normalizing relations with
Azerbaijan. However, ambitions prevent this country from understanding
reality and this causes all its failures."